y silence is, that I have
been working very hard at "The Star of Seville," which, I am
thankful to say, has at length reached its completion. I have sent
it to the theater upon approbation, in the usual routine of
business; and am waiting very patiently the decision of the
management on its fitness or unfitness for their purposes.

I know not whether your party at Teddesley are good thermometers,
by which to judge of the state of political feeling here in London,
but at this moment the rumor is rife that the Ministry dare not
make the new batch of Peers, cannot carry the Bill, and must
resign. To whom? is the next question, and it seems a difficult one
to answer. One hardly sees, looking round the political ranks, who
are to be the men to come forward and take up this tangled skein
effectually. I write with rather a sympathetic leaning toward the
Tory side of this Reform question, and do not know whether in so
doing I am affronting you or not. In any case, I imagine, there can
be but one opinion as to the difficulty, and even danger, of the
present position of public affairs and public temper with regard to
them.

Do you not soon think of returning to Town? or are you so well
pleased with your present abode as to prolong your visit? London is
particularly full, I think, for the time of year, and people are
meeting in smaller numbers and a more sociable and agreeable way
than they do later in the season. I was at two parties last week,
each time, I am ashamed to say, after acting. I can't say that I
find society pleasant; it reminds me a good deal of a "Conversation
Cards," the insipid flippancy, of whose questions and answers seems
to me to survive in these meetings, miscalled occasionally
_conversaziones_. Dancing appears to me rational, and indeed highly
intellectual, in comparison with such talk; and that I am as fond
of as ever, but that has not begun yet, and I find these _soirees
causantes_ drearily unedifying.

Talking of stupid parties, your beautiful little picture of me and
my various costumes helped away two hours of such intolerably dull
people here the other night; I assure you we all voted you devout
thanks on the occasion.... We are all tolerably well; my father is
gradually recovering his strength, and though after such an at