d I walked part of the way
to his chambers with Tom, and, as we separated, I remember wishing him
good luck and success that night. He went through it most triumphantly,
and called down upon himself admiration enough to satisfy even his
sister. I like so much the manner in which he receives compliments. He
does not pretend to be indifferent, but smiles in his kind and animated
way, with 'I am sure it is very kind of you to say so,' or something of
that nature. His voice from cold and over-excitement got quite into a
scream towards the last part. A person told him that he had not heard
such speaking since Fox. 'You have not heard such screaming since Fox,'
he said.

"March 24, 1831.--By Tom's account, there never was such a scene of
agitation as the House of Commons presented at the passing of the
second reading of the Reform Bill the day before yesterday, or rather
yesterday, for they did not divide till three or four in the morning.
When dear Tom came the next day he was still very much excited, which I
found to my cost, for when I went out to walk with him he walked so very
fast that I could scarcely keep up with him at all. With sparkling
eyes he described the whole scene of the preceding evening in the most
graphic manner.

"'I suppose the Ministers are all in high spirits,' said Mamma. 'In
spirits, Ma'am? I'm sure I don't know. In bed, I'll answer for it.'
Mamma asked him for franks, that she might send his speech to a lady
[This lady was Mrs. Hannah More.] who, though of high Tory principles,
is very fond of Tom, and has left him in her will her valuable library.
'Oh, no,' he said, 'don't send it. If you do, she'll cut me off with a
prayer-book.'

"Tom is very much improved in his appearance during the last two or
three years. His figure is not so bad for a man of thirty as for a man
of twenty-two. He dresses better, and his manners, from seeing a great
deal of society, are very much improved. When silent and occupied in
thought, walking up and down the room as he always does, his hands
clenched and muscles working with the intense exertion of his
mind, strangers would think his countenance stern; but I remember a
writing-master of ours, when Tom had come into the room and left it
again, saying, 'Ladies, your brother looks like a lump of good-humour!'

"March 30, 1831--Tom has just left me, after a very interesting
conversation. He spoke of his extreme idleness. He said: 'I never knew
such an idle man as I am