elieve the
real feeling is one of dislike to Reform; but that, of course, they
don't like to show, as the greater part of them, in spite of
dislike, will support it. Your classical hearts must have enjoyed
Mr. Gladstone's "ligneus equus" quotation; but I am afraid Mr.
Lowe's continuation was better. I never, or seldom, like quotations
that merely illustrate what the subject of discussion does
_not_ resemble--they are forced and without much point; but
when Mr. Lowe _likens_ our Reform Bill to the "monstrum
infelix," and hopes it will not succeed in penetrating the "muros"
of the Constitution (isn't that pretty nearly what he said?) there
is wit and point in the quotation. [63]

[63] Gladstone, in his apologetic introductory speech, had declared that no
one could regard the Bill as a Trojan horse, which the Government was
introducing surreptitiously within the citadel of the Constitution. "We
cannot say:

"'Scandit fatalis machina muros
Foeta armis.'"
(The fated engine climbs our walls, big with arms.)

Mr. Lowe retorted:

"That was not a very apt quotation; but there was a curious
felicity about it which he [Mr. Gladstone] little dreamt of. The
House remembers that, among other proofs of the degree in which
public opinion is enlisted in the cause of Reform, is this--that
this is now the fifth Reform Bill which has been brought in since
1851. Now, just attend to the sequel of the passage quoted by the
right honourable gentleman:

"'O Divum domus Ilium et inclyta bello
Mcenia Dardanidum! Quater ipso in limine portae
Sustitit, atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere.'
(O Troy, house of gods and Dardanian city famous in war! four times in
the very gateway it stood, and four times the clash of arms sounded
in its womb.)

"But that is not all:

"'Instamus tarn en immemores, caecique furore,
Et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce.'
(Yet we, thoughtless and blind with enthusiasm, urged it on, and in our
hallowed citadel stationed the ill-omened monster.)"

_Mr. Charles Dickens to Lady Russell_

GLASGOW, _April_ 17, 1866

MY DEAR LADY RUSSELL,--...In sending my kindest regards to Lord
Russell, let me congratulate you on the culminating victory before
him, and on the faith and constancy with which the country carries
him in its great heart. I have never felt so certa