"The world is in a strange lull just now, but the wise people say that France is making immense preparations, and certainly her agents are buying up not only all the corn in Egypt, but all the horses in Hungary. Here they are disarming lazily and honestly. B[eust] avows that he has no thought of attempting to reconquer the lost position of Austria, accepts defeat fairly, and will try to make profit out of disaster by turning the nation to internal questions--to wise reforms and prudent economies. It sounds very sensible, and people seem to believe it too.
"The position of Italy is very critical,--so much so that, if L. Nap. were to die now, it would be an even chance that the whole edifice would come down with a run, and the old Bourbons and priests be as they were. It was by the public opinion of Europe the United Italy was made, and the Italians have exerted themselves manfully to disgust the world of all the good impressions in their favour, and show how little they deserved their luck. All security in Europe is gone. No man dares to prophesy what's coming; but that great events are brewing, and great changes, none can doubt. As to alliances, too, everything is uncertain. It is like the cotillion, where any one may walk off with his neighbour's partner; and one wouldn't be surprised to see France dancing with Russia ere the ball breaks up.
"I am far from easy about the state of our relations with America, for though a great majority of the educated men there like England, and would abhor a rupture, the masses have a furious desire to wound our national honour, and would do anything to inflict a stain upon us. We ought to have sent them a duke, or at least a marquis, as Minister."
"I was glad to get your note. I could not imagine what had become of you, and was searching the papers to see had the Queen sent for you, and then speculating whether you'd offer _me_ a bishopric, or, like Sancho, the governorship of an island. God help me, I believe I am fit for nothing better!
"I'd do Dizzy, but it would be flunkeyism in _me_ just now. It would be such a palpable bid for a place; and though I'd like to be 'in Lunacy,'--I mean a Commissioner of that ilk,--I'd not like to 'compass it.'