'Well, you are a clever fellow! How on earth did you get possession of this?' "It was almost impossible to be angry with such imperturbable and good-humoured effrontery; nevertheless, it was almost equally impossible to transact business of any importance with such a man." CHAPTER XI. 1859-1867. DRESDEN AND COPENHAGEN. IN March 1859, the transfer of the Persian Mission from the Foreign Office to the Indian Department having been effected, Charles Murray placed his resignation in the hands of Lord Malmesbury, and was appointed Minister at the Court of Saxony. Shortly after he had taken up his duties there, Lord John Russell, who had become Foreign Secretary on the fall of Lord Derby's Administration, wrote as follows: "PEMBROKE LODGE, October 26th, 1859. "DEAR CHARLES MURRAY,- Should you like to accept the appointment to Stockholm, which will be vacant next month? Your present Court is a very small one, and although there is a Charles XIII. instead of XII., still Charleses count for something in the world. However, let me know your wishes. -Yours truly, "J. RUSSELL." Murray, however, did not avail himself of this invitation. He continued at Dresden, though he returned to London in 1862 on the occasion of the visit to Great Britain of the Viceroy of Egypt, whom he was specially appointed to attend. Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P.,1 to my "11 CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE, June 1862. "MY DEAR MURRAY,-I do not feel quite sure whether it would be an act of courtesy or presumption were I to ask the Viceroy of Egypt to honour wife and me with his company to dinner; but as, on the whole, the fault of being officious may be slighter than that of neglect, I venture to ask you, as I believe you have taken some charge in connection with his movements, whether you think I might with propriety and agreeably to his convenience forward such an invitation. If you can answer me in the affirmative, you will, I daresay, have the kindness to mention what suite of Easterns he has in attendance. Pray forgive this trouble, and believe me sincerely yours, W. E. GLADSTONE." Murray's decision to remain at Dresden proved to be a momentous one. The intimacy which had long existed between him and the family of Lord and Lady Castletown bore fruit which can 1 At that time Chancellor of the Exchequer. |