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that Mr. Greenough is in your Board.
I think you will find him a very efficient person.
Things go on equally well here.
Many books, as you are aware, have been despatched from Paris, and a considerable number will be sent by the steamer that takes this.
Others will follow . . . .
Thus far my time has been much consumed by society, a good deal more than I intended it should be. But it has been inevitable, and after to-day we have refused all invitations, and I go seriously to work to finish the arrangements for the Library, and begin my preparations for the Continent, for which I hope to be off in a week.
I delivered your letter to Mr. Macaulay, and he has been extremely kind.
I breakfasted with him at once, in his beautiful villa, meeting Panizzi, Senior, Van De Weyer, Lord Lansdowne, and three or four more; and I have met him five or six times since. . . . . So you see he is still the lion he was when you were here.
But he is not, from what I hear, so exigeant in conversation.
At any rate he is very agreeable, and people had rather listen to him than talk themselves.
Like everybody else, I have been astonished at the resources of his memory.
They are all but fabulous.
He wants to know when you are coming again; and spoke to me of you, as have Lord Lansdowne, Lord Palmerston, Lord Clarendon, and all your old friends, with great interest, some with great affection.
I have seen most of the members of the government, and talked with them about our American affairs.
They certainly show no desire to get into a quarrel with us. But John Bull is no doubt dissatisfied, and doubtful of the future.
He thinks we are ill disposed towards him, that there is no use in making more concessions, and that, as we are growing stronger and more formidable, it is as well to meet the trial soon, as later.
Those in power, however, seem to me to wish to put it off as long as they can.
1 . . . .
To Hon. Edward Everett.
Brussels, July 30, 1856.
. . . . I began this letter at its date, at Brussels, but I was much crowded with work then, and now I finish it at Bonn.2 . . . . Welcker is here still fresh and active, and remembering you with great kindness.
I find Brandes too, but nobody else surviving of the old time; 