I am glad to hear that the Queen has been so kind to my friend Faraday; it seems she has given him an apartment at Hampton Court nicely fitted up. She went to see it herself, and having consulted scientific men as to the instruments that were necessary for his pursuits, she had a laboratory fitted up with them, and made him a present of the whole. That is doing things handsomely, and no one since Newton has deserved it so much. * * * * * FROM MRS. SOMERVILLE TO W. GREIG, ESQ. FLORENCE, _5th June, 1859_. ... All is perfectly quiet; a large body of French troops are now in Tuscany, and many more are expected probably to make a diversion on this side of the Austrian army through Modena; but nothing is known; the most profound secrecy is maintained as to all military movements. Success has hitherto attended the allied army, and the greatest bravery has been shown. The enthusiasm among the men engaged is excessive, the King of Sardinia himself the bravest of the brave, but exposes himself so much that the people are making petitions to him to be more careful. The Zouaves called out in the midst of the battle, "Le roi est un Zouave!" Prince Napoleon keeps very quiet, and avoids shewing himself as much as possible. The French troops are very fine indeed--young, gay, extremely civil and well bred. The secrecy is quite curious; even the colonels of the regiments do not know where they may be sent till the order comes: so all is conjecture.... The young King of Naples seems to follow the footsteps of his father; I hope in God that we may not protect and defend him. How anxious we are to know what the House of Commons will do! Let us hope they will take the liberal side; but the conservative party seems to be increasing. * * * * * FROM MRS. SOMERVILLE TO W. GREIG, ESQ. FLORENCE, _22nd August, 1859_.