according to the best of his power,
which I might make on him for the behalf of the common cause--he
had given up all views of advancement in his profession--he had
about L400 a year, and this, which includes his fellowship, was
quite sufficient for his wants; his time would be devoted to
church objects; in the intermediate region he considered himself as
having the first tonsure.

Hope urged strongly the principle, 'Let every man abide in the
calling ----' I thought even over strongly. My belief is that he
foregoes the ministry from deeming himself unworthy.... The object
of my letter to Hope was in part to record on paper my abhorrence
of party in the church, whether Oxford party or any other.

_March 18th._--To-day a meeting at Peel's on the China question;
considered in the view of censure upon the conduct of the
administration, and a motion will accordingly be made objecting to
the attempts to force the Chinese to modify their old relations
with us, and to the leaving the superintendent without military
force. It was decided not to move simultaneously in the
Lords--particularly because the radicals would, if there were a
double motion, act not on the merits but for the ministry.
Otherwise, it seemed to be thought we should carry a motion. The
Duke of Wellington said, 'God! if it is carried, they will go,'
that they were as near as possible to resignation on the last
defeat, and would not stand it again. Peel said, he understood four
ministers were then strongly for resigning. The duke also said, our
footing in China could not be re-established, unless under some
considerable naval and military demonstration, now that matters had
gone so far. He appeared pale and shaken, but spoke loud and a good
deal, much to the point and with considerable gesticulation. The
mind's life I never saw more vigorous.

THE CHINA QUESTION

The Chinese question was of the simplest. British subjects insisted on
smuggling opium into China in the teeth of Chinese law. The British
agent on the spot began war against China for protecting herself against
these malpractices. There was no pretence that China was in the wrong,
for in fact the British government had sent out orders that the
opium-smugglers should not be shielded; but the orders arrived too late,
and war havi