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has been unusually difficult to approach him; and just now, as the African disaffection^[1] has roused his particular indignation, I fancy he is inclined to keep on tenterhooks for a longer spell those who he thinks have given him a longer spell of trouble and annoyance. But even in regard to this we find him to be daily more yielding and conciliatory. You must therefore take my word for it, and make a mental note of it, that I have given you this specific assurance, that the painful position you are in will not last much longer.

⁴ Now that you have my candid opinion, what my wishes are in your interests will appear from what I do rather than from what I say. Had I as much power as I ought to have in a state-of which I have deserved as well as you, at any rate, consider I have, neither would you be so unfortunately situated as you are; for my ascendancy has been destroyed, and your welfare jeopardized, by one and the same cause. But for all that, so far as the shadow of my former position, so far as the little that is left of my popularity avails, my zeal and counsel, my efforts, influence, and loyalty will invariably be at the disposal of your excellent brothers.

⁵ See to it that you on your part maintain that spirit of courage you have always maintained, firstly for the reason I have given you; secondly because your political aspirations and sentiments have always been such as not only to justify your looking forward to a prosperous future, but also, if your future were in all respects the reverse, to make it your duty, conscious as you are of all you have done and purposed to do, to face every eventuality with a high and heroic spirit.