imating the real value of any tinsel
which I may put upon my articles, you and I should not materially
differ. But it is not by his own taste, but by the taste of the fish,
that the angler is determined in his choice of bait.

Perhaps after all I am ascribing to system what is mere accident. Be
assured, at all events, that what I have said is said in perfect good
humour, and indicates no mutinous disposition.

The Jews are about to petition Parliament for relief from the absurd
restrictions which lie on them,--the last relique of the old system of
intolerance. I have been applied to by some of them in the name of the
managers of the scheme to write for them in the Edinburgh Review. I
would gladly further a cause so good, and you, I think, could have no
objection.

Ever yours truly

T. B. MACAULAY.

Bowood: February 20, 1830.

My dear Father,--I am here in a very nice room, with perfect liberty,
and a splendid library at my command. It seems to be thought desirable
that I should stay in the neighbourhood, and pay my compliments to my
future constituents every other day.

The house is splendid and elegant, yet more remarkable for comfort
than for either elegance or splendour. I never saw any great place so
thoroughly desirable for a residence. Lord Kerry tells me that his uncle
left everything in ruin,--trees cut down, and rooms unfurnished,--and
sold the library, which was extremely fine. Every book and picture in
Bowood has been bought by the present Lord, and certainly the collection
does him great honour.

I am glad that I stayed here. A burgess of some influence, who, at
the last election, attempted to get up an opposition to the Lansdowne
interest, has just arrived. I called on him this morning, and, though
he was a little ungracious at first, succeeded in obtaining his promise.
Without him, indeed, my return would have been secure; but both from
motives of interest and from a sense of gratitude I think it best to
leave nothing undone which may tend to keep Lord Lansdowne's influence
here unimpaired against future elections.

Lord Kerry seems to me to be going on well. He has been in very good
condition, he says, this week; and hopes to be at the election, and at
the subsequent dinner. I do not know when I have taken so much to so
young a man. In general my intimacies have been with my seniors;
but Lord Kerry is really quite a favourite of mine,--kind, lively,
intelligent, modest, with the gentle manners