orizontally banked. Altogether, a mystery replete with grandeur in
the effect--none of your Southern transparency leaving nothing for
the imagination. _Seriously,_ it's laughable that human beings
should congregate so as to produce these effects, and that we among
others should by preference be among the congregators. Your day at
Napoule is like something in a different world altogether.

You are rather hard, John says, and he is not disposed to be
otherwise, on Parliamentary sayings and doings. I can say nothing
from myself, as I have not read one single speech, except that I
cannot bear the humiliating exclusion of _any_ kind of useful
knowledge from a University out of false consideration for
religious or irreligious scruples. [84] Surely young men had better
be taught boldly to face the fact that men differ than be dealt
with in this ridiculously tender and most futile manner.

[84] The Irish University Bill was being discussed in the Commons, one
clause of which proposed to exclude theology, philosophy, and history from
the curriculum of the New University.

In August, 1873, after the publication of Lord Russell's book, "Essays on
the History of the Christian Religion," they spent some six weeks at
Dieppe, where Lord Russell's health again considerably improved.

_Mr. Disraeli to Lord Russell_

GEORGE STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, _May_ 8, 1873

MY DEAR LORD,--I have just finished reading your book, which I was
much gratified by receiving from the author.... I cannot refrain
from expressing to you the great pleasure its perusal gave me. The
subject is of perpetual interest, and it is treated, in many
instances, with originality founded on truth, and with wonderful
freshness. The remarks suggested by your own eminent career give to
the general conduct of the theme additional interest, like the
personal passages in Montaigne. I wish there had been more of them,
or that you would favour the world with some observations on men
and things, which one who is alike a statesman, a philosopher, and
a scholar could alone supply. In your retirement you have the
inestimable happiness of constant and accomplished sympathy,
without which life is little worth. Mine is lone and dark, but
still, I hope I may send my kindest remembrances to Lady Russell.

Yours with sincere respect and regard,

B. DISRAELI