e Lords, I may consider myself as safe till the
next Session; when Heaven knows what may happen. It is still quite
uncertain when we may rise. I pine for rest, air, and a taste of family
life, more than I can express. I see nothing but politicians, and talk
about nothing but politics.

I have not read Village Belles. Tell me, as soon as you can get it,
whether it is worth reading. As John Thorpe [The young Oxford man in
"Northanger Abbey."] says "Novels! Oh Lord! I never read novels. I have
something else to do."

Farewell.

T. B. M,

To Hannah M. Macaulay,

London: July 27, 1833.

My dear Sister,--Here I am, safe and well, at the end of one of the most
stormy weeks that the oldest man remembers in Parliamentary affairs.
I have resigned my office, and my resignation has been refused. I have
spoken and voted against the Ministry under which I hold my place. The
Ministry has been so hard run in the Commons as to be forced to modify
its plan; and has received a defeat in the Lords, [On the 25th of July
the Archbishop of Canterbury carried an amendment on the Irish Church
Bill, against the Government, by 84 votes to 82.]--a slight one to be
sure, and on a slight matter,--yet such that I, and many others, fully
believed twenty-four hours ago that they would have resigned. In fact,
some of the Cabinet,--Grant among the rest, to my certain knowledge,
were for resigning. At last Saturday has arrived. The Ministry is as
strong as ever. I am as good friends with the Ministers as ever. The
East India Bill is carried through our House. The West India Bill is so
far modified that, I believe, it will be carried. The Irish Church Bill
has got through the Committee in the Lords; and we are all beginning to
look forward to a Prorogation in about three weeks.

To-day I went to Hayden's to be painted into his great picture of the
Reform Banquet. Ellis was with me, and declares that Hayden has touched
me off to a nicety. I am sick of pictures of my own face. I have seen
within the last few days one drawing of it, one engraving, and three
paintings. They all make me a very handsome fellow. Hayden pronounces my
profile a gem of art, perfectly antique; and, what is worth the praise
of ten Haydens, I was told yesterday that Mrs. Littleton, the handsomest
woman in London, had paid me exactly the same compliment. She pronounced
Mr. Macaulay's profile to be a study for an artist. I have bought a new
looking-glass and razor-case on the st