L. PEEL.
Could you say or write a line in season to Lady Colvile? They say I am better.
To Mr. T. Norton Longman
Rutland Gate, December 7th.—I have been and am horribly upset by the sudden death of Sir James Colvile, which took place yesterday morning. He was really my most intimate friend; for twenty-two years we have worked and lived together, and to all of us the loss is irreparable,
From Sir Lawrence Peel
December 11th,—One word about your 'resignation.' 'Don't.' The weaker the thing is, the more your value will be felt. Sir Montague [Footnote: Sir Montague Smith, one of the paid members of the Judicial Committee. He resigned the office on December 12th, 1881, and died, in his 82nd year, in 1891.] will go. He has as much as told me so, not very lately. It will be a new Court, not the old P. C., nor can it have the character of the House of Lords. It will have its entire way to make, and where is the stuff? It may in time win approval; but it will be a child at first. Of course if things are made unpleasant to you, Go; but my impression is the other way.
I think I do get better, but I am very bad. It [the death of Sir James Colvile] was a terrible shock; and I lie and think, yet cannot throw it off. To-day is the funeral. Alas! Alas! Nulli flebilior quam mihi! When earth covers him, not a better man will be left on its face. Tibi constabat. Ever the servant of Duty and of his God, and letting no man note in him a sign that he thought himself better than the ruck…. God bless you! Don't resign—wait.
On December 15th Reeve went to Paris alone. His Journal notes:—
17th.—Opera 'Aïda,' with the Comte de Paris and the Duc d'Aumale.
18th.—To the Français, with the Duc d'Aumale.