Octavius Hadfield
[extract from letter written by Octavius Hadfield]
I have a good map of the Nile as far as Khartoum. . . . France is in such a rotten condition (that is, the Government) that a war might be recklessly forced on. Any general with a tenth part of the ability of Napoleon would have the army with him to upset the Government. They seem afraid even of such an insignificant puppy as the Duke of Orleans. I sometimes wish I had someone to talk to on all these subjects; they won't concern me long, but to be interested only in what concerns one's own time would be contemptible selfishness.