fter gives strength and courage for present duties and passing
trials.

Mr. George W.E. Russell, in the closing passage of an article on his
uncle, [95] wrote of these last years of his life: "... Thus in peace and
dignity that long life of public and private virtue neared its close; in a
home made bright by the love of friends and children, and tended by the
devotion of her who for more than five-and-thirty years had been the good
angel of her husband's house."

[95] _Contemporary Review_, December, 1889.

PEMBROKE LODGE, _April_ 19, 1878

I have just been sitting with my dearest husband; he has said
precious words such as I did not expect ever to hear from him, for
his mind is seldom, very seldom clear. We were holding one
another's hands: "I hope I haven't given you much trouble." "How,
dearest?" "In watching over me." Then by and by he said, "I have
made mistakes, but in all I did my object was the public good."
Again, "I have sometimes seemed cold to my friends--but it was not
in my heart." He said he had enjoyed his life. I said, "I hope you
enjoy it now." He said, "Yes, except that I am too much confined to
my bed.... I'm very old--I'm eighty-five." He then talked of his
birthday being in July. I told him it was in August, but our
wedding-day was in July, and it would be thirty-seven years next
July since we were married. He said, "Oh, I'm so glad we've passed
it so happily together." I said I had not always been so good to
him as I ought to have been. "Oh yes, you have, very good indeed."
At another moment he said, "I'm quite ready to go now." Asked him
where to? "To my grave, to my death." He also said, "Do you see me
sometimes placing my hands in this way?" (he was clasping them
together). "That always means devotion--that I am asking God to be
good to me." His voice was much broken by tears as he said these
things.

PEMBROKE LODGE, _April_ 20, 1878

Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone to tea. Both most cordial and kind. Mr.
Gladstone in his most agreeable mood. Eastern Question only
slightly touched. Other subjects: increase of drunkenness;
Northumberland election, which has raised his spirits, whether
Albert Grey be returned or not; Life of Prince Albert, whom he
admires heartily, but who according to him (and John) did not
understand the British Constitution. Called Stockmar a "mischievous