Notes From a Diary, Vol. 1 of 2: 1851-1872

Excerpt from Notes From a Diary, Vol. 1 of 2: 1851-1872

It will be Observed that I have said very little about the House of Commons, although fifteen of the years included in the portion of my notes now published were passed in that Assembly. I have done so for three reasons first, because I wished to make these pages as light as possible secondly, because I was anxious to leave behind me one of the most good natured books of its kind ever printed, and I apprehend that for a politician to write truth fully of the political struggles in which he has been engaged, without paying to some of the combatants the genuine tribute of undis sembled horror, would be a hopeless enter prise thirdly, because I had, during these fifteen years, frequent opportunities Of stating my views upon all public matters, in Parliament and out of it, opportunities of which I availed myself pretty freely.