possible to go beyond first impressions. We then
conversed on various combinations, as (1) Lord J. Russell, premier,
(2) Lord Palmerston, (3) Lord Clarendon, (4) Lord Lansdowne
himself. Of the first I doubted whether, in the present state of
feeling, he could get a ministry on its legs. In answer to a
question from him, I added that I thought, viewing my relations to
Lord Aberdeen and to Newcastle, and _his_ to them also, the public
feeling would be offended, and it would not be for the public
interest, if I were to form part of his government (_i.e._
Russell's). Of the second I said that it appeared to me Lord
Palmerston could not obtain a party majority. Aloof from him would
stand on the one hand Derby and his party, on the other Lord J.
Russell, who I took it for granted would never serve under him.
Whatever the impression made by Russell's recent conduct, yet his
high personal character and station, forty years career, one-half
of it in the leadership of his party, and the close connection of
his name with all the great legislative changes of the period, must
ever render him a power in the state, and render it impossible for
a government depending on the liberal party to live independently
of him. I also hinted at injurious effects which the substitution
of Palmerston for Lord Aberdeen would produce on foreign Powers at
this critical moment, but dwelt chiefly on the impossibility of his
having a majority. In this Lord Lansdowne seemed to agree.

Lastly, I said that if Lord Lansdowne himself could venture to risk
his health and strength by taking the government, this would be the
best arrangement. My opinion was that at this crisis Derby, if he
could have formed an administration, would have had advantages with
regard to the absorbing questions of the war and of a peace to
follow it, such as no other combination could possess. Failing
this, I wished for a homogeneous whig government. The best form of
it would be under him. He said he might dare it provisionally, if
he could see his way to a permanent arrangement at the end of a
short term; but he could see nothing of the sort at present.

_An autobiographic note of 1897 gives a further detail of
moment_:--He asked whether I would continue to hold my office as
chancellor of the exchequer in the e