even under misgiving, which are very differently handled at
a period of disaster, or when a nation comes to feel the embarrassments
it has accumulated. The government are certainly giving effect to the
public opinion of the day. If that be a justification, they have it: as
all governments of England have had, in all wars, at eighteen months
from their commencement. Apart from the commanding consideration of our
duty as men and Christians, I am not less an objector to the
post-April-policy, on the ground of its certain or probable
consequences--in respect first and foremost to Turkey; in respect to the
proper place and power of France; in respect to the interest which
Europe has in keeping her (and us all) within such place and power; in
respect to the permanence of our friendly relations with her; and
lastly, in respect to the effects of continued war upon the condition of
our own people, and the stability of our institutions. But each of these
requires an octavo volume. I must add another head: I view with alarm
the future use against England of the arguments and accusations we use
against Russia.

_Dec._ 1.--What I find press hardest among the reproaches upon me is
this:--'You went to war for limited objects; why did you not take into
account the high probability that those objects would be lost sight of
in the excitement which war engenders, and that this war, if once begun,
would receive an extension far beyond your views and wishes?'

_Dec. 3._--I _do_ mean that the reproach I named is the one most nearly
just. What the weight due to it is, I forbear finally to judge until I
see the conclusion of this tremendous drama. But I quite see enough to
be aware that the particular hazard in question ought to have been more
sensibly and clearly before me. It _may_ be good logic and good sense, I
think, to say:--'I will forego ends that are just, for fear of being
driven upon the pursuit of others that are not so.' Whether it is so in
a particular case depends very much upon the probable amount of the
driving power, and of the resisting force which may be at our command.

CHRONOLOGY[394]

1832.

Dec. 13. Elected member for Newark,--Gladstone, 887; Handley, 798;
Wilde, 726.

1833.

Jan. 25. Admitted a law student at Lincoln's Inn.

March 6. Elected member of Carlton Club.

April 30. Speaks on a Newark petition.

May 17. Appointed on Colchester election committee