vl LETTER TO GEOBGE COMBE. 365

He talks to me of the hot baths of the Pyrenees as desirable 1845.
for such cases ; of a low pulse, feeble circulation, and a dis- Zr. 42.
Ordered skin, and he speaks of a winter to be passed in a
“outhern latitude. Heaven knows what I shall dol Bub
oe thing is certain, I neither feel in health nor spirits to
take that prominent place in the political world which the
Public voice seems to be ready to demand. The truth is, I
have gradually and unexpectedly been forced upwards, by
the accident of my position in connexion with & great prin.
tiple (which would have elevated anybody else who had only
tenacity of will enough to cling to it), and I feel, in the
Present state of my health, and from other private and
domestic considerations, letting alone my mental incapacity,
Unable to pursue the elevated career which many partial
friends and supporters would expect from me. But Iam
Tesolved to give primary consideration to my health, and to
the welfare of those whom nature has given the first claim
% my attentions. This, I think, no one will deny me. For
Lassare you that during the last five years so much have I
been involved in the vortex of public agitation, that I have
almogg, forgotten my own identity and completely lost sight
of the comforts and interests of my wife and children.
“ Besides, to confess the truth, I am less and less in love
With what is generally called political life, and am not sure that
Leong play a successful part as a general politician. Party
brammels, unless in favour of some well-defined and useful
Principle, would be irksome to me, and I should be restive
and intractable to those who might expect me to run in
their harness. However, all this may stand over till we
have really accomplished the work which drew me into my
Present position. I am afraid our friends in the country are
3 little too confident. The Government measure is by no
Meang gafe with the Lords yet. They will mutilate or reject
it if they think the country will suffer it. Bear in mind, if