Charles Lever, His Life in His Letters Volume Ii Part 30

[Undated.]

"The Russians, people think here, will open the ball next spring by pushing the Montenegrins to a rupture with the Turks, and thus opening an opportunity for themselves to come in. Prussia is then to cross the Maine, and the rest to follow.

"Then of course the programme of those who, like myself, are 'Know-nothings'---- But it is, at least, _vraisemblable_.

"I am convinced we ought to resort to conscription, and the time is fit for it. Now that you have given the ma.s.ses privileges, let them a.s.sume duties. So long as you denied them the suffrage, you pretended to govern them and for them. Now the system is changed: _they_ have taken the responsible charge of the State, and its first duty is defence.

"What hatfuls of money d.i.c.kens is making in America! I am half persuaded I could do the 'trick' too, but in another way.

"Give my warmest and best regards to your wife, and all my good wishes for the 'year time' (if the word be English).

"Have you seen Patton's book--the ugly side of human nature? My youngest daughter made a very clever review of it, and, I believe, burnt it after."

_To Mr John Blackwood._

"Trieste, _Jan_. 16,1868.

"Though I did not fully concur in your view of M'C.'s letter, I have made such emendations and additions as will make the sarcasm thin enough to appeal to you.

"I still think it is the best squib I have done.

"Trusting that you will now be of my mind, and that my codicils, &c., may come in aright.

"I have just returned from attending the ex-Emperor's funeral,--four mortal hours in a uniform on a mule, with a fierce north-easter and a High Ma.s.s!"

_To Mr John Blackwood._

"Trieste, Jan. 28,1868,

"'G.o.d only knows who has the ace of diamonds!' I once heard a pious whist-player exclaim at the last trick of the game. In the same devotional spirit I am tempted to say, 'G.o.d only knows what has become of certain O'Ds. that I sent you on the 6th of the month!' Never mind.

Herewith goes a story which, if not as rattling, is, I think, better _reading_ than the last. May you think so!

"Did you read in 'The Times'--an extract from 'The Globe'--an account of Maximilian's funeral? It was written by my youngest daughter, aged eighteen, and I think very creditably done. I wish I may see her hand in 'Maga' before I die."*

* Sidney Lever (Mrs Crafton Smith) was the author of a volume of verses ent.i.tled 'Fireflies,' which was published in 1883. She also wrote a story ent.i.tled 'Years Ago,' which appeared in 1884. She died in London in 1887.--E. D.

_To Mr John Blackwood._

"Trieste, _Feb_. 8, 1868.

"I suppose I wrote 'oats' as Sir Boyle did 'gout'--because he could not spell 'rheumatism.' I only saw the blunder myself a couple of days ago.

As to 'M'Caskey,' I am not often wedded to my own opinion of my own things, but I declare I still think it a telling squib, and that no earthly man could avoid seeing that it meant sarcasm, not seriousness.

Your _first_ impression, I am sure, has affected your judgment of the 'revised code'; but at all events I am determined not to lose it, so if you say no, don't let me lose the opportunity of giving it to the world while the subject is the uppermost one in men's thoughts.

"I firmly believe it would be a great success. Bowes, the correspondent of 'The Standard,' to whom I read it, said he thought it _better fun_ than any in O'Dowd.

"Strangely enough, the same post that brings me your discounted view of O'Dowd brings me a note from Dr Burbidge, the head of the Malta College, in which he says------ But I will just send you his note, and not garble it by quoting, so I send it in its integrity.

"The Irish Church is doomed. The only question is not who is to use the crowbar, but how to get out of the way when the edifice is falling. It will certainly crush more than the parsons."

_To Mr John Blackwood._

"Trieste, _Feb_. 28, 1868.

"The enclosed portrait will show you that the gentleman who took Ninco Nanco for Victor Emanuel, as recorded by C. O'Dowd, did not make an unpardonable mistake. I saw it in a shop this morning, and was so amused by what I feel to be a corroboration of my story that I could not help sending it to you. The king makes a far better brigand than a sovereign, and looks every inch a highwayman.

"I have been wondering at your long silence, and fearing all sorts of disasters to a story I sent you a full month ago; but I take it you have been dining out, and talking Scotch reform, and distribution, and education, and Ireland, and Abyssinia, and forgetting me and all about me,--and very natural, all things considered. I do envy you a bit of London life--as a refresher: not that I crave to live there always, but to go occasionally. To go and be treated as they do treat a stranger who does not bore them too often is very agreeable indeed.

"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 ma.s.ses 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."

_To Mr John Blackwood._

"Trieste, _March_ 3, 1868.

"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. G.o.d 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 'compa.s.s it.'

"I'd far rather review Kinglake; but just because I like both the man and his books, I shrink from it. First of all, I am away from all sources of information here; and though I might gather books about me, I could not command what would be more essential still--the corrective power of personal intercourse. It would grieve me sincerely to do him badly, and I could by no means say that I could do him well. Just in proportion as I hold his opinions about the Emperor, and think that he--Kinglake--alone understands this man and has had the courage to avow his opinion, I am afraid that my very partisanship might damage where I meant to serve, and prejudice what I would rather uphold. It is with great reluctance I decline what has immense attractions for me.

"I cannot forgive you not printing 'M'Caskey.' Posterity never will pardon it, and my literary executor shall devote a full page to abuse of you in his behalf.

"By all means give 'Thornton' this month, but the O'Ds. I now send I am even more anxious about, especially the Irish one. I _know_ if they give way to the tinkers they'll spoil the kettle. Of course I can speak without a tinge of prejudice. I feel as judicially important as a Judge in Equity, but I _do_ think the No. of Mag. without me has a want of flavour, even though the flavour be that of lemon-juice.

"I have a half hope of going over to England after Easter. Shall you be there? I'd like a dinner with you at the Burlington. Hech, sirs! it stirs my blood to think how gay I could be--gout, debts, and all 'in no wise to the contrary, nevertheless, notwithstanding.'

"Why won't they (by way of young blood in the Administration!) make me Under Secretary, F. O.? I know more of the Continent and foreign questions than the whole lot of them.

"They have a line of character in French theatricals they call 'grand utilities.' What a splendid thing it would be to introduce it into political life. I think I'll make an O'Dowd on it, and recommend Cornelius himself to the Premier's notice. From Tipperary to Taganrog is a wide sweep, and I'd engage to 'talk' anything from Pat to Panslav-isms. If you see Stanley, mention it.