d boiled
veal. ["By the bye," Macaulay writes elsewhere, "you never saw such a
scene as Croker's oration on Friday night. He abused Lord John Russell;
he abused Lord Althorp; he abused the Lord Advocate, and we took no
notice;--never once groaned or cried 'No!' But he began to praise Lord
Fitzwilliam;--'a venerable nobleman, an excellent and amiable nobleman'
and so forth; and we all broke out together with 'Question!' 'No, no!'
'This is too bad!' 'Don't, don't!' He then called Canning his right
honourable friend. 'Your friend! damn your impudent face!' said the
member who sate next me."]

After the debate I walked about the streets with Bulwer till near
three o'clock. I spoke to him about his novels with perfect sincerity,
praising warmly, and criticising freely. He took the praise as a greedy
boy takes apple-pie, and the criticism as a good dutiful boy takes
senna-tea. He has one eminent merit, that of being a most enthusiastic
admirer of mine; so that I may be the hero of a novel yet, under the
name of Delamere or Mortimer. Only think what an honour!

Bulwer is to be editor of the New Monthly Magazine. He begged me very
earnestly to give him something for it. I would make no promises; for
I am already over head and ears in literary engagements. But I may
possibly now and then send him some trifle or other. At all events I
shall expect him to puff me well. I do not see why I should not have my
puffers as well as my neighbours.

I am glad that you have read Madame de Stael's Allemagne. The book is a
foolish one in some respects; but it abounds with information, and shows
great mental power. She was certainly the first woman of her age; Miss
Edgeworth, I think, the second; and Miss Austen the third.

Ever yours

T. B. M.

To Hannah M. Macaulay.

London: August 29, 1831.

My dear Sister,--Here I am again settled, sitting up in the House
of Commons till three o'clock five days in the week, and getting an
indigestion at great dinners the remaining two. I dined on Saturday with
Lord Althorp, and yesterday with Sir James Graham. Both of them gave me
exactly the same dinner; and, though I am not generally copious on the
repasts which my hosts provide for me, I must tell you, for the honour
of official hospitality, how our Ministers regale their supporters.
Turtle, turbot, venison, and grouse, formed part of both entertainments.

Lord Althorp was extremely pleasant at the head of his own table. We
were a small part