It is relief to me, and will make no impression on you; but for my sake you permit me to say it, I feel sure.
Dear Mr.Chorley, Robert and I have had true pleasure (in spite of all this fault-finding) in feeling ourselves close to you in your book.
Volume after volume we have exchanged, talking of you, praising you here, blaming you there, but always feeling pleasure in reading your words and speaking your name.

Don't say it's the last novel.

You, who can do so much.

Write us another at once rather, doing justice to our sublime Azeglios and acute Cavours and energetic Farinis.

If I could hear an English statesman (Conservative or Liberal) speak out of a large heart and generous comprehension as I did Azeglio this last spring, I should thank God for it.