[49] as I heard it in the Lords six months ago, still rings in my ear. And yet I cannot pardon his gross want of propriety in conversation. Think of the language I heard him use about O'Connell. He called him ‘a damned thief.’ You will also read the article on Prescott in the ‘Edinburgh.’ It is written by somebody who understands the subject, and who praises with great discrimination. Some of my friends suppose that it is done by John Allen,1 the friend of Lord Holland. Mr. Hallam, however, thought it was not by him, but by a Spaniard who is in England. I shall undoubtedly be able to let you know by my next letter. Mr. Ford, the writer of the Spanish articles in the ‘Quarterly,’ has undertaken to review Prescott's book for that journal: whether his article will be ready for the next number I cannot tell. Prescott ought to be happy in his honorable fame. His publisher, Bentley, is about to publish a second edition in two volumes; and he told me that he regarded the work as the most important he had ever published, and as one that would carry his humble name to posterity. Think of Bentley astride the shoulders of Prescott on the journey to posterity! Milman told me he thought it the greatest work that had yet proceeded from America. Mr. Whishaw, who is now blind, and who was the bosom friend of Sir Samuel Romilly, has had it read to him, and says that Lord Holland calls it the most important historical work since Gibbon. I have heard Hallam speak of it repeatedly, and Harness and Rogers and a great many others whom I might mention, if I had more time and I thought you had more patience. Bulwer has two novels in preparation—one nearly completed—and is also engaged on the last two volumes of his ‘History of Greece.’ This work seems to have been a failure. I see this flash novelist often: we pass each other in the drawing-room, and even sit on the same sofa; but we have never spoken. I could not live through two London winters; the fogs are horrid. I met Theodore Hook last evening, and poured out my complaints. ‘You are right,’ said he; ‘our atmosphere is nothing but pea-soup.’ Ever affectionately yours,
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1 M. D., 1770-1843; an inmate of Holland House for more than forty years; a contributor to the ‘Edinburgh Review’ on subjects relating to English, French, and Spanish history and the British Constitution; and author of ‘Inquiry into the Rise and Growth of the Royal Prerogative in England.’ Sydney Smith introduced him to Lord Holland, who had asked ‘if he could recommend any clever young Scotch medical man to accompany him to Spain.’—‘Sydney Smith's Memoir,’ by Lady Holland, Chap. II. Lady Holland treated him quite unceremoniously,—according to Macaulay, ‘like a negro slave.’—Trevelyan's ‘Life of Macaulay,’ Vol. I. Chap. IV. Allen was not a believer in the Christian religion, and on this subject gave a tone to the conversation of Holland House.—Greville's ‘Memoirs,’ Chap. XXX., Dec. 16, 1835.
Cambridge, MA. Press of John Wilson and Son. 1877.
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