1888-1892] Lord Grey and Princess Lieven 291 



I saw a hedge-sparrow in the hard frost scrabbling in 

 the gravel on its stomach with its wings spread. Did it 

 want dusting or what ? 



Jan. 18, 1891. 



I had good Mr C., who has the familiar, affectionate, 

 evangelical manner. He thinks Booth's power is some- 

 thing wonderful in drilling to perfect obedience such a low 

 set. Also that teetotalism and keeping the Sabbath are 

 the two greatest reforms in the world. It is odd he should 

 put them on the same level. 



Jan., 1891. 



The correspondence of Lord Grey and Princess Lieven 

 is as good as a history. Their friendship continued through 

 opposite and strong political opinions on every subject. 

 There is never a tinge of vanity or coquetry in her letters. 

 His are solemn and dry though affectionate. One can't 

 help wondering how the friendship arose. They are both 

 utterly sincere. . . . 



I wish there were some notes on the scandals mentioned 

 e.g. a gross insult of the Duke of Cumberland to Lady 

 Lyndhurst. It is curious to see Princess Lieven's opinion 

 of the Duke of Wellington, so utterly different from that of 

 all parties now. I am afraid however that he did put a 

 spoke in the wheel of the affairs of Greece. 



Feb. 3, 1891. 



The dispute still rages in the Nineteenth Century whether 

 the Gadarenes lawfully kept swine or not, as if it signified. 

 Fancy supposing a miracle to be especially directed against 

 an infringement of a ceremonial law like that. 



Sunday and yesterday were very bright and pleasant and 

 the thrushes began to sing. 



If I had been Lady Grey I should not have approved of 

 Lord Grey's letters to his ' dearest, dearest Princess." It 

 was a curious friendship. They were each uneasy if they 

 did not have a letter every two or three days. . . . 



