We are in a far better atmosphere than in the smoking-room, whence I wrote to you last week; and the company is more decent, inasmuch as that naval officer, whom Nancy blames me for describing in just terms, is not present.
By the bye, you know doubtless the lines which are in the mouth of every member of Parliament, depicting the comparative merits of the two rooms.
They are, I think, very happy.
If thou goest into the Smoking-room Three plagues will thee befall,-- The chloride of lime, the tobacco smoke, And the Captain who's worst of all, The canting Sea-captain, The prating Sea-captain, The Captain who's worst of all.
If thou goest into the Library Three good things will thee befall,-- Very good books, and very good air, And M*c**l*y, who's best of all, The virtuous M*c**l*y, The prudent M*c**l*y, M*c**l*y who's best of all.
Oh, how I am worked! I never see Fanny from Sunday to Sunday.

All my civilities wait for that blessed day; and I have so many scores of visits to pay that I can scarcely find time for any of that Sunday reading in which, like Nancy, I am in the habit of indulging.

Yesterday, as soon as I was fixed in my best and had breakfasted, I paid a round of calls to all my friends who had the cholera.

Then I walked to all the clubs of which I am a member, to see the newspapers.

The first of these two works you will admit to be a work of mercy; the second, in a political man, one of necessity.