I answered these several objections as well as I could, and satisfactorily as I thought; but not, I fear, to Sir R.'s conviction. All these hesitations arise out of that want of due confidence in the principles of justice, which is the bane of all practised politicians.

Thanks for your animated stanzas from Manzoni. I have often heard of the ode, but it never fell in my way. You have puzzled me about a new sonnet of mine in the Quarterly ; I presume the last number; what can it be? and how could it get there? I have lately written thirteen new ones, which will appear in the edition of the whole of my sonnets in one volume which Moxon is about to publish; but none of these were ever given by me to any writer in that review or any other."

T. N. Talfourd to Wordsworth.

"Glenarbach, 19th August 1838.

MY DEAR SIR,—Having arrived at the place where I hope to enjoy some repose and some leisure to prepare for the renewal of the battle against the enemies of the great and the permanent in literature, I trouble you with a line just to tell you where any communication from you will find me, and what I intend to do, if you approve it, preparatory to the next session. I ought, however, first to inform you how I felt and acted with respect to a most insidious measure, most unhandsomely introduced by that prince of meddlers and mischief-makers, Lord Brougham. While I was on circuit-without any communication to me or any one connected with the Copyright question by previous exertions-after our Bill, not defeated, but triumphant, had been postponed in order that its details might receive full and calm examination next year—when many of the advocates and opponents of the measure, acting on this arrangement, had paired off and left town-this sneering pamphleteriat laid a Bill on the table of the House of Lords

after a speech of three or four sentences-to which (he said) no one could object-which would meet all the evils our measure was intended to remedy-by simply vesting in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council a power to extend the term of copyrights for a period not exceeding fourteen years.

I knew nothing of this Bill, except what I read in the newspapers; and their report exceedingly vexed and distressed me. I saw the Bill passing through its stages without remark. I had no means of communicating, except at long intervals, with the parties interested. I had paired off myself for the session, intending to leave town immediately on the close of the circuit, and having taken this place from the end of July, and therefore being disqualified for voting if the Bill came into the House of Commons-and I felt that it was calculated, and no doubt intended, to place the supporters of the Copyright question in a false position. On the one hand, I felt that it would be taking a great responsibility on myself to oppose a measure which might produce some benefit to individuals at the timeto Sir Walter's family-to Southey-and, above all, to your household; on the other, I was convinced that if this were conceded it would be a bar to our obtaining more in our time; and that it would be a most degrading position in which to place great poets or thinkers or novelists-that of suppliants to such men as Parke, Alderson, Lord Wynford, and Lord Brougham himself, for a sort of alms rendered out of their own.

When I reached home on Friday, 5th inst., my embarrassment was not diminished; the Bill stood for a third reading on Monday ;-Gladstone had left town, and I found Spring Rice decidedly for passing the Bill,-Lord Mahon and Sir Robert rather against it, and no one else knowing or caring about the matter. On Monday, Lord Lansdowne stopped the third reading-and the newspapers, to my infinite relief, told me the Bill was withdrawn-but on Tuesday I found that this was a mistake, and that Lord B. resolved to persevere. I requested Sir

Robert Inglis to see him, and learn his intentions-(for I would not seek him myself after the terms in which he had spoken of another measure of mine)—when he declared he would persevere and carry the Bill. He postponed it from night to night all the week-till Monday last, when again it stood for a third reading. On Sunday I met Lord Lansdowne at Lord Holland's; and he assured me he should oppose the Bill; and that it could not pass the Lords, as the lateness of the session would, in itself, be a sufficient reason with all parties. Under these circumstances, I thought myself justified, after waiting a week, in fixing my departure with Mrs. Talfourd and all the children, who are sadly pining for country air-for Tuesday, especially as, even if the Bill were read a third time on Monday, there would not be days enough remaining of the session, unless it were unexpectedly prolonged, for the Bill to be smuggled through the House of Commons. On Monday I was in the House of Lords at its sitting—and, having been obliged to leave, returned at eight, when I found the House up, and was told by the clerk who remained that the Bill was withdrawn. The newspapers have since informed me that it was read a "third time and passed" on Monday. If this be true it must have been by trickery-for no discussion is reported, and Lord Lansdowne was resolved to oppose it. It is not, however, now important for the Parliament, being prorogued on Monday, rendered its being passed through the Lower House impossible.

As, however, this Bill will probably be renewed next session, I am very anxious to know your feeling respecting it. I believe it to be intended by Lord Brougham for three purposes—(1) To secure to himself any credit there may be in legislating upon the question; (2) To secure to himself a power of deciding on the claims of authors, as a member of the body he proposes to empower; (3) To disarm the advocates of the larger measure of their most efficient, though not their best, arguments—of those which are supplied by existing cases-by representing

that his proposition would meet them. I propose, at all events, if not to forestall him, at least to be even with him, by introducing my measure on the first day of next session, and pressing it forward before the political business thickens; still I should wish to know your feeling respecting this Bill--as we may be driven to reject or adopt it.

I contemplate, subject to your judgment, to prepare and publish, and circulate among members of both Houses before next session, a little book, comprising a history of the question -my two speeches on it corrected-your letter to me (if you do not object)—the Bill, as it will be introduced, with notes on all the clauses, giving the reasons for them, and the questions which may arise on each-the grounds of the alterations it has undergone an answer to the latest objections raised to it by Sir Edward Sugden and Lord John Russell; and finally, such notice as it may be deemed expedient to take of Lord Brougham's proceedings. I have mentioned this intention to Sir R. Inglis and Lord Mahon, and they approve it so does Gladstonewho has permitted me to inscribe the work to him. If I proceed, will you permit me to make some extracts from your long and admirable letter to me of 17th June (that which you desired me to preserve), and also to introduce those two exquisite sonnets which add such grace to a just cause?

We arrived here on Thursday evening. . . . The exquisite beauty and repose of the place repay us already. We have a very commodious house, on a gentle slope from the Clyde, embosomed in noble trees, and backed by huge rocks to which we can ascend with ease; and the course to which, through beautiful wood-walks, affords openings of noble prospect. I am afraid there is no chance of your stepping westward' and northward this autumn; else I need not say how proud and happy we should be to receive you. We have taken the place for August, September, and October-and do not intend to quit till the middle of the last. Our address is Glenarbach,

West Kilpatrick, by Glasgow. With kindest remembrances to Mrs. Wordsworth and all your circle,—I remain, my dear Sir, ever gratefully and faithfully yours, T. N. TALFOURD."

T. N. Talfourd to Wordsworth.

"3 Sergeant's Inn, Chancery Lane, London, 22d October 1838.

MY DEAR SIR,-Your kind expression of a wish that I would look in upon you on my way home caused many 'obstinate questionings' in my mind as to the possibility of enjoying so great a pleasure. I found, however, that I could not enjoy it without leaving my children to the care of servants in a steam-packet, seeing you until the spring may bring you again to us in London, as I most earnestly hope it will. On further consideration and conversation with the supporters of the Copyright Bill in Scotland, I have almost resolved to forego the scheme of publishing anything preparatory to the re-introduction of the Bill into the House of Commons, which, it being now quite easy, I shall attempt at the opening of the session. It has been urged on me that a previous publication would supply materials and excuse for the rallying and arming of the adverse forces; and I incline to think the apprehension just. On the other hand, it has been suggested that it will be well to be prepared with petitions, either singly, from each author of reputation, or jointly, to be quietly prepared, and produced on the second reading of the Bill. We might certainly thus present a formidable array of the greatest names which our age has produced, and if each author, in petitioning, would state his own individual case, the force of all combined would be the greater.

.. and therefore I resigned the hope of

We might obtain, not merely the poets, headed by yourself, and the novelists, but many men of science, like Babbage, divines like Chalmers (whom I am glad to find a most