Page:Wives of the prime ministers, 1844-1906.djvu/81

LADY PEEL under Lord Liverpool, his happiness was increased by the birth of his eldest son.

The part played by Peel's wife in his political career is best described by herself, in a letter written in 1846 on Peel's retirement from office, to her friend Sir Robert Wilson. The original is in the British Museum, and is here printed for the first time.

"Friday Morning (1846). ",—I thank you very much for your kind note. I cannot affect regret at the termination of our Political life! The undertaking was an arduous and an anxious one for my husband, and indeed I shared fully in all the anxieties attached to it. I feel that he has well fulfilled his task throughout, and I take with much welcome and many thanks all the kind and flattering things you say. I have every hope that a safe and good government may be formed. I do not dread anything much, for (amidst other reliances which I have) I feel sure that they will find a Powerful and a Successful opponent in my husband to any dangerous measures they might be induced to attempt, but I am no Politician, and will not bore you with talking about that, which I profess not to understand.—Always, believe me, dear Sir Robert, yours very truly, "."

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