sentiments, tastes, and, if I may say, tone of (he people. Since the outburst of the Russian war, political demineralisation has been both wider in its sweep and more rapid in its action, than in any like period of our modern history, and the principles which once had our reverence we now see daily treated with scorn without any deep feeling of indignation. The present is an interval of almost universal political scepticism—all our old faiths have been laughed, or jockied, or ridiculed out of us—and accordingly we are in earnest about nothing. No doubt the mood is but a transient one—trouble will soon alter it—but whilst it lasts, I fear that no great and lasting success can be achieved.

"Believing this, however, I feel satisfied that you do right in bringing together the friends of Reform, and giving them the opportunity of conferring with each other. It will assist to keep the fire alive to better times, and, if it does not immediately succeed, will contribute important materials towards some future, and, I would fain believe, not very distant success. I am truly Sony that I cannot possibly arrange to be with you.