happiness to us all, yet this lovely little Dunrozel is not a place
to leave without many a pang.

[104] Daughter of the Rev. F.C. Blyth, for many years curate at
Petersham.

_Lady Russell to Miss Buehler_ [105]

PEMBROKE LODGE, _December_, 1883

... I find my head will not bear more than a certain amount of
writing without giddiness and dull headache ... and there are so
_many_ correspondents who must be answered; friends,
relations, business people, that I am often quite bewildered; ...
so, please, understand that I shall always write _when I can_,
but not nearly always when I _would like_ to do so. Go on
letting yourself out whether sadly or happily, or in mingled
sadness and happiness, and believe how very much I like to see into
your thoughts and your heart as much as letters can enable me to do
so.... As for Scotland, oh! Scotland, my own, my bonny Scotland! if
you associate that best and dearest of countries with your present
_ennui_ and unhappiness, I shall turn my back upon you for
good and all and give you up as a bad job! So make haste and tell
me that you entirely separate the two things, and if you don't
admire "mine own romantic town" and feel its beauty thrill through
and through you, you must find the cause in anything rather than in
Edinburgh itself! Such are my commands.... In the meantime let it
be a consolation and a support to you to remember that it is by
trials and difficulties that our characters are raised, developed,
strengthened, made more Christ-like.... Good-bye, good-bye. God
bless you.

[105] Miss Buehler (who died some years ago) had been governess to
Lady Russell's grandson Bertrand. She was Swiss, and only nineteen
when she came, and Lady Russell gave her motherly care and
affection.

_Lady Russell to Sir Henry Taylor_

_February_ 29, 1884

I have just been reading with painful interest "Memoires d'un
Protestant condamne aux Galeres" in the days of that terribly
little great man Louis XIV. I ask myself at every page, "Did man
really so treat his fellow-man? or is it all historical nightmare?"
I never can make the slightest allowance for persecutors on the
ground that "they thought it right to persecute." They had no
business so to think.

_Mr. Gladstone to Lady Russell_

_December_ 14, 1884

I thank you for and return