George Ticknor, Life, letters and journals of George Ticknor
George Hillard, Ed.

[432] knew more about the politics and parties of this country than any Italian we had seen all the preceding winter. ‘Mademoiselle,’ he answered, ‘je crois que vous parlerez beaucoup de laemancipation, et que vous émanciperez fort peu.’ Shall we come to this condition, this point? I trust not in my time; but we are nearer to it than— six months ago—I thought it was possible we should be in ten years. . . . . By the end of January you will be able to judge of all these things as well as we can. By that time the programme will be out.

Some people—and among them two or three whose opinions are worth having—believe that leading men at the South have already an understanding with Louis Napoleon, that, for certain advantages in trade, he should enter into an alliance, offensive and defensive, with them. I do not believe in this. But it may come with time. . . .

Anna wrote to Lady Lyell so much about the Prince's visit, that I can add nothing, except my conviction that it has done good to the relations of the two countries. . . . . . The Duke of Newcastle and Dr, Acland were the only two persons of whom I saw a little, to any real purpose, during their two or three days visit here. The Doctor is a most interesting and attractive person. There can be no doubt about that. The Duke talked well and wisely. . . . .

Commend us to Sir Edmund and Lady Head when you see them. We had a charming visit from them when they embarked, and most pleasant letters since their arrival.

Yours faithfully,

Geo. Ticknor.

With Dr. Acland I had a charming day, driving about in Cambridge, Charlestown, and Boston, seven or eight hours,—one of which, or nearly one, was spent with him and Agassiz, alone in Agassiz's Museum, and of which I must give you an account when I see you. It was one of the remarkable hours of my life.

To Sir Edmund Head, Bart.

Boston, April 8, 1861.

My dear Head,—We are all asleep here, and have been for some time, personally and politically. . . . All North--the old Union —is asleep, but is not therefore doing well. In my judgment we are drifting. Perhaps some anchor will hold. But, if it does, the cable may snap. Of course, with these views, I do not feel better about our