Page:Wives of the prime ministers, 1844-1906.djvu/176

WIVES OF THE PRIME MINISTERS that he had stood four most expensive elections, in two of which he had gained seats from Whigs, and that he had abandoned literature for politics. "Do not destroy all his hopes, and make him feel his life has been a mistake." She then pointed out her own "humble but enthusiastic exertions" for the party, and how through her influence alone more than £40,000 had been spent at Maidstone. Disraeli also wrote himself appealing for recognition, but neither application was of any avail. After the brief autumn session the Disraelis went to Normandy, making Caen their headquarters. When Parliament met in February, Mrs. Disraeli was at Bradenham, and her husband wrote to her every day, recounting all that was going on.

From 1842 Disraeli was the recognised leader of the Tory party. In the autumn of 1842 they went to Paris, did some sight-seeing and met all the most distinguished people, French and English, in the capital from Louis-Philippe downwards. The next year in the recess Disraeli had a great reception at what his wife called "a grand literary meeting" at the Free Trade Hall at Manchester, with Charles Dickens in the chair. She accompanied her husband 142