I called to-day hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you, and to ask you how it is intended that the assignment of Lord Byron shall be executed. It must be either sent to him to be signed, or the power of attorney must be sent out to him to authorize some person here to sign for him. In either case, it will be necessary that the instrument should be witnessed by some English gentleman who resides usually in England, in case his evidence should ever be wanted. . . .
I thank you for Chateaubriand. He has many good things, and some bad ones. In
talking of the Divinity of Monarchy he hurts it, and provokes sneers. The safe
and solid ground of Royalty is its utility. While this continues, there is no
fear for it. Utility is the principle that will make the subject attached to
it, and the Monarch deserve the attachment. On Religion he says much that is
very good; but unfortunately he means by it, not that sort of intelligent
religion which a nation so enlightened as the French require, and can only be
affected by; but merely the old Papal System just as it was, and as no one now
respects. He is like a man who should try to force you to take revolting
physic, swearing at the same time that it is delicious food. But yet, with all
its faults, I should think it is a book that would do good to the French mind
by presenting some things to it that are well worth its consideration and
discussion. I am sorry it has been suppressed. It should have been circulated,
and answered where it is open to objection. The discussion would have done
benefit to France. The French mind wants the ventilation of free and temperate
discussion. But there can be no judgment and no political wisdom unless both
sides of a question are raised and deliberated upon. It is narrow conduct and
unsound policy to preclude temperate discussion. How little has it hurt, and
how much has it improved, happy England—England still happy though
| 374 | MEMOIRS OF JOHN MURRAY |
