་

in which he has framed his conclusions by the à priori mode of reasoning, or by the rule of conditions and dependencies. But we part from him in perfect good humour, and (what is more) on the best possible terms with ourselves. We English are the least sensitive and consequently the most provoking nation upon earth. Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo. Although an exasperated public, in both hemispheres, may be crying shame on us for our selfish indifference or neutrality when thrones and presidential chairs are rocking and toppling, or half a continent is laid waste, we point complacently to our accumulated wealth, our boundless resources, our unshaken credit, our laws, our liberty, our flag on which the sun never sets, our timehonoured monarchy hedged round with time-honoured institutions, like the proud keep of Windsor with its triple belt of kindred and coëval towers. We listen with equal equanimity to reflections on our social habits or personal qualities, especially when the estimate is favourable upon the whole. So long as courage, firmness, energy, industry, fidelity, constancy, elevation of mind, and warmth of heart are conceded to us, M. Taine may expatiate as he thinks fit on the dulness of our Sundays, the humidity of our climate, our unidea'd fondness for facts, our unsentimental regard for duty, the clumsy boots of our women, or the portentous consumption of mutton and strong drinks by our men.

347

LADY PALMERSTON.

(FROM THE TIMES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1869.)

AMONG the pictures at Panshanger, the seat of Earl Cowper in Hertfordshire, is one by Sir Joshua Reynolds of more than common excellence, representing two boys seated or half-reclining on the trunk of a felled tree, and a girl of more tender years with a basket of flowers in her hand. This picture possesses an interest far beyond what it may derive from being one of the last great works of the master; for the figures are portraits of William Lamb, second Lord Melbourne, Frederic Lamb, third Lord Melbourne, and Emily Lamb, Viscountess Palmerston, who died on Saturday last.

The eldest of those boys grew up to be one of the most remarkable men of the age, and the girl one of the most remarkable women: the superiority in each instance being rather gradually and unconsciously reached than asserted, rather conceded than compelled. The brother rose to be Prime Minister of England, without commanding eloquence or lofty ambition, lazily and loungingly as it were, by the spontaneous display of fine natural abilities, by frankness, manliness, thorough knowledge of his countrymen, and

good sense. The sister became the undisputed leader of English society, equally without apparent effort: without aiming at the fame of a wit like Madame de Staël, or that of a beauty like Madame de Recamier, or that of a party idol like Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire without once overstepping by a hair'sbreadth the proper province of her sex: by the unforced development of the most exquisitely feminine qualities, by grace, refinement, sweetness of disposition, womanly sympathies, instinctive insight into character, tact, temper, and-wonderful to relate-heart.

Lady Palmerston, born in 1787, was the daughter of Peniston, first Lord Melbourne. Her mother was the sister of Sir Ralph Milbanke, the father of Lady Noel Byron; and Lady Palmerston was a striking illustration of the maxim that personal, especially mental, gifts and qualities are usually inherited through the mother. Lady Melbourne exercised a marked influence over a large circle of distinguished acquaintance. Lord Byron alludes to her in 1813 as the best friend I ever had in my life, and the cleverest woman.' In 1818 he writes: The time is past when I could feel for the dead, or I should feel for the death of Lady Melbourne, the best, the kindest, the ablest female I ever knew, old or young.'

Lady Palmerston's childhood and girlhood passed like those of other young ladies of her rank, and her education, except what must have accrued imperceptibly from maternal influences, was the same. Female education did not then aim at crowding the memory with what is called useful knowledge: its chief objects

were grace and accomplishment, and the results were seen in individuality and variety of character, in the freer development of the natural faculties, in greater ease, freshness, and elasticity. Women of quality differed like their handwriting, which is now uniform and generic, instead of personal and peculiar. Such, at least, is the broad inference we should draw from the many bright illustrations that have survived to our day, beginning with the one who has given occasion for these remarks.

It

The first event in her life requiring notice was her marriage with Earl Cowper in 1805. She immediately took her place in the brilliant galaxy of beautiful and accomplished women of rank, who continued to form the chief ornament of the British Court during successive reigns, till they were gradually replaced, not outshone, by a younger, not fairer or more fascinating race. was about the period of the imperial and royal visits to London, in 1814-15, that these ladies, as if by a common understanding, concentrated their attractions; and it was during these two eventful years, when the metropolis glittered with stars, ribands, and bright eyes, that, conspicuous in her own despite among the gay and dazzling throng, was the charming Lady Cowper, like grace put in action,' whose softness was as seductive as her joyousness—

'Whose laugh, full of mirth, without any control,

But the sweet one of gracefulness, rang from her soul.' Yet that throng comprised Sarah, Countess of Jersey, Corisande, Countess of Tankerville, Mary Isabella, Duchess of Rutland, Lady Charlotte Campbell, and a

long array of formidable competitors. One result or product of this period was the institution of Almack's. On the introduction of quadrilles and waltzes after the Peace, grown-up people had to learn their dancing over again, and a high-born party met daily at Devonshire House, where it was agreed to establish a series of subscription balls on the cheapest and most restricted plan. Lady Cowper was one of the first six patronesses, and during her long tenure of power (for it was power) in that capacity, her influence was uniformly exerted to modify the exclusiveness of her colleagues.

Her fond admiration for her brother William, and the jealous watch which she kept over his reputation to the last, leave little doubt that she was no indifferent or unappreciating observer of the adventures, or misadventures, of her political friends before or after their accession to office in 1830. But what may be called her public life dates from 1839, when she married Lord Palmerston, Lord Cowper having died in 1837; although no one would have been more surprised than herself if, at that time, she had been told that she was about to begin a career which, in any sense, could be called public.

6

A celebrated writer (the Countess Hahn Hahn) has declared her sex incapable of the sustained pursuit of an elevated object for its own sake. When a woman's heart is touched, when it is moved by love, then the electric spark is communicated and the fire of inspiration flares up; but even then she desires no more than to suffer or die for what she loves. That woman remains to be born who is capable of interesting herself for an