26 May–1 June 1856

I am impressed at the indignation meeting last night, as ever, on like occasions, with the sweet nitrous oxide gas which the speakers seem to breathe. Once they taste it, they cling like mad to the bladder, and will not let It go. And it Is so plain to me that eloquence, like swim- ming, is an art which all men might learn, though so few do.' . . .