contemplation, but a curious search into whose nature would, at any rate temporarily, blur and dissipate and destroy....

The sense of power which man cannot control is one thing that makes the sea such a delightful object of contemplation; the huge white main, and deep, tremendous voice of the vast creature over which man’s daring and his knowledge give him but such imperfect mastery, suggest images of strength which are full of sublime fascination as one stands on the shore, looking at the vasty deep, and remembers how precarious and uncertain is man’s dominion over it, and how God alone rules and governs it.  It is impossible not to rejoice in the great sense of its huge power and freedom, even though their manifestations toward men are so often terrible and destructive....  Oh yes, indeed, I, like Wallenstein, have faith in the “strong hours,” and hold their influence the more efficacious that we seldom think of resisting it; or, if we do, are seldom successful in the attempt....

The theater is going on very ill, but negotiations are pending between the partners, which it is hoped may eventually terminate in some arrangement with the creditors about the property.  I have been acting Bianca again; I certainly am not jealous, and cannot imagine being so, any more of my husband than of my friend.  I doubt if I have the power of loving which produces jealousy, in spite of which that part tries me dreadfully.  I can conceive no torment comparable to that passion, which, however, I think is foreign to my own nature.  I am reading Daru’s “History of Venice,” and am rather disappointed in the entertainment I expected to derive from it.  It is a pretty long undertaking, too....  Remember me to all your people; and since you will have it that I am twin-sister to a fountain, remember me to my cousin, the dear little spring in the dell, which I love the more that it sometimes reflects your face and figure, as well as the fairies who dance round it by night.  Do you hear that poor Lord Grey is said to be haunted by a vision of Lord Castlereagh’s head?  It sounds like a temptation of the devil to scare him into cutting his throat.  Lord Brougham and the Duke of Wellington seem to me the only two men likely to keep their heads in these times of infinite political perturbation; but the one is made of steel, and the other of india-rubber.

Yours, dearest, always,
F. A. K.

Monday, 19th.—­Went to Fozzard’s, and had a pleasant, gossiping ride with Lady Grey and Miss Cavendish.  While I was still riding, the Duchess of Kent and our little queen that is to be came down into the school; I was presented to them at their desire, and thought Princess Victoria a very unaffected, bright-looking girl.  Fozzard made me gallop round; I think he is rather proud of showing me off....  My father is not so well again to-day.  How dreadful these alternations are!  I read Daru all the