'Poor Godwin is a terrific example for all conjugal biography; but he has marked that path which may be avoided? The title of Mrs Owens? new work has something very charming in it: ?Ida of Athens? ? I have not yet been able to read any of her novels. I am now reading Leo the X, by Rescoe. War, religion, laws and elevated mankind are my delight, for among them I increase my love for politics of the present day, and find that our great enemy is less wicked than most heroes and politicians have been, and at the same time a vast deal wiser than them all.'