Page:English laws for women in the nineteenth century.djvu/70

58 ''squabbling in public, why do you not clear the bench of these fellows altogether? A question to which I should not well know what to reply. They tell me also, that Norton does not go to his office early enough. I should be annoyed at having a complaint made upon this subject. Pray dissuade him, gently, from any public exhibitions in the newspapers; and urge him gently to a little more activity in the morning. He might surely without difficulty get there by twelve o'clock. This is a disagreeable lecturing letter, but still upon matters to which it is necessary to pay some attention''."

Good natured and familiar as was this expression of dissatisfaction, I felt that Lord Melbourne was beginning to perceive the character of the husband for whom I had successfully petitioned; and I warned—and warned in vain. To the last, however, Mr Norton relied on Lord Melbourne's kindness; and the next note I shall give, is a curious and explicit answer to the assertions of my husband, as to his jealousy and unhappiness; for it is dated only eight weeks before our final separation, and discusses the appointment Mr Norton had agreed to endeavour to obtain; (his pertinacity about which appears to have puzzled the Home Office.)

"Downing street, January 27th, 1836. "''Norton plagues me to death about the successor to Walker. He seems to think that he and H. have almost a right to make the appointment. He has just brought me a letter, strongly recommending a Mr, and seemed to be struck as with a new idea, when I told him that he had better let me mention the name to Lord John as from myself; inasmuch as he and H. interfering, would rather be against the candidate, than for him. He seems to think that everything is to give way to the consideration of giving him a pleasant companion. He says the Bench used with Walker to be like a pleasant club, and that he must have an agreeable fellow to walk to and fro with. Now do not try to stop him, nor give him any notion of what I have''