able to conquer
Stratford, but I begin to fear that the reverse will be the case, and
that he will succeed in defeating us. Although at our wit's end,
Clarendon and I are still labouring in the cause of peace; but really to
contend at once with the pride of the Emperor, the fanaticism of the
Turks, and the dishonesty of Stratford is almost a hopeless
attempt.'[303] This description, when he saw it nearly forty years
later, seems to have struck Mr. Gladstone as harsh. Though he agreed
that the passage could hardly be omitted, he confessed his surprise that
Lord Aberdeen should have applied the word dishonesty to Lord Stratford.
He suggested the addition of a note that should recognise the general
character of Lord Stratford, and should point out that prejudice and
passion, by their blinding powers, often produce in the mind effects
like those proper to dishonesty.[304] Perhaps we may find this a hard
saying. Doubtless when he comes to praise and blame, the political
historian must make due allowance for his actors; and charity is the
grandest of illuminants. Still hard truth stands first, and amiable
analysis of the psychology of a diplomatic agent who lets loose a flood
of mischief on mankind is by no means what interests us most about him.
Why not call things by their right names?[305]

In his private letters (November) Stratford boldly exhibited his desire
for war, and declared that 'the war, to be successful, must be a very
comprehensive war on the part of England and France.' Well might the
Queen say to the prime minister that it had become a serious question
whether they were justified in allowing Lord Stratford any longer to
remain in a situation that enabled him to frustrate all the efforts of
his government for peace. Yet here, as many another time in these
devious manoeuvres, that fearful dilemma interposed--inseparable in its
many forms from all collective action whether in cabinet or party; so
fit to test to the very uttermost all the moral fortitude, all the
wisdom of a minister, his sense of proportion, his strength of will, his
prudent pliancy of judgment, his power of balance, his sure perception
of the ruling fact. The dilemma here is patent. To recall Lord Stratford
would be to lose Lord Palmerston and Lord John; to lose them would be to
break up the government; to break up the government would be to sunder
the slender thread on which the chances of peace were hanging.[306] The
thought, in short, of th