Book excerpt: Presents the candid diary of Thomas Macaulay, Victorian statesman, historian and author of "The History of England". This work shows how, spanning the period 1838 to 1859, the journal is the longest work from Macaulay's pen. It states that these unique manuscripts held at Trinity College, Cambridge, are most revealing of all his writings. Volume 2 includes entries for 18 November 1848–27 July 1850.