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 attack as his has been the progress must of necessity be slow, we are inclined to hope, from that very circumstance, that it will be the more sure....  If you do not return soon, perhaps I shall hear from you again; pray recollect that it will give me great pleasure to do so, and that I am very sincerely yours,

F. A. K.

I dressed my Juliet the last time I acted it, exactly after your
little sketch of her....

Thursday.—­Worked at “The Star of Seville.”  In the evening the play was “Isabella;” the house very bad.  I played very well.  The Rajah Ramahun Roy was in the Duke of Devonshire’s box, and went into fits of crying, poor man!

Friday, 23d.—­It is all too true; John has had a letter from Spain; they have all been taken and shot.  I felt frozen when I heard the terrible news.  Poor Torrijos!