_Lady Russell to Lady Dunfermline_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _July_ 3, 1873

You will not be disappointed, I do believe, with John's book, high
as your expectations are. The spirit of it at all events is that of
your letter: that of love and reverence for what you truly call the
wonder of wonders--the Bible--as well as that of perfect freedom of
thought. Had that perfect freedom always been allowed to mankind by
kings, rulers, and priests, in all their disguises, we should never
have had the "trash" of which you complain inundating our country
and thinking itself a substitute for the simple lessons and
glorious promises of Christ. Whereas in proportion as it is less
"trashy," it approaches more nearly, though unconsciously, to what
He taught, borrowing what is best in it from Him, only giving an
earthly tone to what He made divine. I have, perhaps, more
indulgence than you for some of the anti-Christian thinkers and
writers of the day--those who love truth with all their souls, who
would give their lives to believe that--

"Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul,"

but who seek a kind of proof of this which never can be found. They
are very unhappy in this world, but I believe they are nearer
heaven than many comfortable so-called believers, and will find
their happiness beyond that death upon which they look as
annihilation.

_Lady Russell to Lady Dunfermline_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _October_ 22, 1873

Louisa [85] writes in such warm admiration of Minto indoors and
out, it did me good to read it, and such joy in meeting you. Shall
I ever be there again, I wonder?--a foolish wonder, and foolisher
still when let out! Dear old oak-room--to me too Granny Brydone is
always present there. I _cannot_ think of it without her image
rising before me. How perfect she was! How far above the common
world she and Mama, and yet both spending their lives in the
discharge of common, and what many would call, petty duties! How
little it signifies what are the special duties to which we are
called, how much the spirit in which we do them! I don't think I
ever longed so much for long talks day after day with you. Don't
say such hopes are visionary, though, alas! they have over and over
again vanished before our eyes.

[85] Lady Louisa Howard, formerly Lady Lou