served in the
public life of Lord John--you once told me you liked his former
name and title--was a moral tone, a conscientious feeling,
something higher and better than is often found in the guiding
principle of our most active statesmen, and for this I always
admired and reverenced him. His family may learn from him, his
country may and will cherish his memory. You alone can tell what
you have lost....

Ever very sincerely yours,

JOHN BRIGHT

_Lady Minto to Lady Russell_

_June_ 4, 1878

I have been thinking of you all day, and indeed through many hours
of the night.... I rather wished to hear that the Abbey was to have
been his resting place--but after all it matters little since his
abiding place is in the pages of English history.... What none
could thoroughly appreciate except those who lived in his intimacy
was the perfect simplicity which made him the most easily amused of
men, ready to pour out his stores of anecdote to old and young--to
discuss opinions on a level with the most humble of interlocutors,
and take pleasure in the commonest forms of pleasantness--a fine
day, a bright flower. Nor do I think that the outside world
understood from what depth of feeling the tears rose to his eyes
when tales of noble conduct or any high sentiment touched some
responsive chord--nor how much "poetic fire" lay under that
_calm,_ not cold manner.... I remember often going down to you
when London was full of some political anger against him--when
personalities and bitterness were rife--and returning _from_
you with the feeling of having been in another world, so entire was
the absence of such bitterness, so gentle and peaceful were the
impressions I carried away.

Lady Russell went with her family early in July to St. Fillans, in
Perthshire, for a few months of perfect quiet among the Scotch lakes and
mountains. Queen Victoria's kindness in asking her to remain at Pembroke
Lodge was a great comfort to her.

_Lady Russell to Lady Charlotte Portal_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _June_ 30, 1878

Just a word with you, my own Lotty, before leaving home. Oh the
blessing of being still able to call it home, darkened for ever as
it is, for the multiplying memories with which it is thronged make
it dearer as well as sadder every day of my life! Lotty, shall I
ever believe that he has