—I met Cowell at this station yesterday, and asked him to visit me here instead of taking me, as we had before proposed, to Dale. I expect him to-night; and we shall work on the plan all to-morrow.

I did not answer yours of Saturday because I had not made up my mind to any course. I have now resolved to try what can be done. But the endeavour involves far more than you imagine, in the way of sacrifice of opinion on my part, and likewise in the way of trouble. It will be my business to agree to everything proposed by Cowell, short of embarking in what I think must fail; and to promote by all means in my power any plan that seems capable of success. I did so on Saturday, cordially supporting what I deem but a poor pis alter though better than nothing; and the effect was magical in converting the Board room from a quarrelsome debating room into a place of business: all went smoothly where before there was every prospect of open and irreconcilable war within a month. Still, I am not sure yet of being able to get on. I will do my best, and only give up when the prospect shall be hopeless.