in of any public
event as I have been from the first that the national honour would
feel itself stung to the quick if he were in danger of being
deserted....

Dear Lady Russell,

Ever faithfully yours,

CHARLES DICKENS

LONDON, _April_ 19, 1866

Political prospects not brightening. John and his Ministry will be
in such an honourable position, whether they stand or fall, that no
serious danger threatens the country if they fall. My only anxiety
is lest John should be disappointed and depressed; and it was with
a sense of relief of which he was little aware that I heard him say
yesterday of his own accord, as he looked out of window at the
bright sunshine, "I shall not be very sorry--it's such fine weather
to go out in."

LONDON, _June_ 19, 1866

At 7.30 a note was brought to John from Mr. Gladstone. Government
beaten by eleven. Happily Gladstone, though ambiguous in one
sentence as to the importance of the vote, was not so in others--or
at all events was understood to mean "stand or fall."

Cabinet at 2.30 resolved that John should write to the Queen to
offer resignations. Queen meantime writes from Balmoral, foreseeing
the defeat, that she will not accept the resignations.

Dearest John not depressed, though very sorry for this defeat of
his hopes. He will stand well with the country, and that he feels.

The Queen could not understand the necessity of her Ministers' resignation.
The amendment upon which they had been defeated by so small a majority
seemed to her a matter of small importance compared with events which made
continuance in office desirable. For Bismarck had just declared war upon
Austria, and the failure of Overend and Gurney had thrown the City into
confusion. After a delay of more than a week, however, she was compelled to
accept their resignations, which had been tendered as early as June 19th.

PEMBROKE LODGE, _June_ 28, 1866

John so well and happy that my joy in his release becomes greater
every hour. There is a sense of repose that can hardly be
described--abounding happiness in his honourable downfall that
cannot be uttered.

_Lady Russell to Lady Dunfermline_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _June_ 30, 1866

As I wrote to you last in a doubting and disagreeable state of
mind, I am in a hurry to write again, being now perfectly certain
that the blessi