Simla, 3rd June, 1842.
My dearest Alice,
On the 24th May I received your letters of 31st March and 6th April. And while you wrote them full of that excitement and ardour for the fame of your country and the ambitious honour of your brother, he was quietly pruning rose-water trees, training jessamine, lopping forest trees, and improving his ways, like Cincinnatus, with this exception, I fear—that in his case, there is no chance of being drawn from his retreat into activity and the service of his country.
It rejoices me to see the vigour with which the people of England always meet disaster and rush to its reparation with heart, hand, and pocket.
I am of the War Party. Money will overcome every difficulty, expended with economy and supported by energy and activity.
My Lord E. is now of a pacific turn, and, as I told you last month, our troops are ordered to withdraw.
Simla, July 1, 1842.
This L[ord] you have sent us as a Moghul, by the powers, he is an arbitrary boy, and veers about like a weather-cock. Maybe a wonderful scholar, but, rest assured, unless he materially changes,——. “The wind bloweth where it listeth,” but terrestrial rulers must be guided by locomotive principles slower than steam-coaches.
Poor dear old Father! my heart aches when I think what age reduces us to. I inherit many of his noble ideas as to courage, I hope. His has been a wonderful career of strength both of mind and body. We unite in love to all. God bless you, dear Alice.
Harry.