in the midst of it there came upon us the news of hostilities in
China, which demanded at once an increase of outlay ... sufficient
to destroy my accruing balance, and thus to disorganise the
finance of the year. The opposition to the Paper bill now assumed
most formidable dimensions.... During a long course of years there
had grown up in the House of Commons a practice of finally
disposing of the several parts of the budget each by itself. And
the House of Lords had shown so much self-control in confining
itself to criticism on matters of finance, that the freedom of the
House of Commons was in no degree impaired. But there was the
opportunity of mischief; and round the carcass the vultures now
gathered in overwhelming force. It at once became clear that the
Lords would avail themselves of the opportunity afforded them by
the single presentation of financial bills, and would prolong, and
virtually re-enact a tax, which the representatives of the people
had repealed.

On May 5 the diary reports: "Cabinet. Lord Palmerston spoke 3/4 hour
against Paper Duties bill! I had to reply. Cabinet against him, except a
few, Wood and Cardwell in particular. Three wild schemes of foreign
alliance are afloat! Our old men (2) are unhappily our youngest."
Palmerston not only spoke against the bill, as he had a right in cabinet
to do, but actually wrote to the Queen that he was bound in duty to say
that if the Lords threw out the bill--the bill of his own cabinet--"they
would perform a good public service."(24)

-------------------------------------

Phillimore's notes show that the intense strain was telling on his hero's
physical condition, though it only worked his resolution to a more
undaunted pitch:--

_May 9._--Found Gladstone in good spirits in spite of the narrow
majority on the paper duty last night, but ill with a cough. _May
15._--The whigs out of office, and perhaps in, abusing Gladstone
and lauding G. Lewis. I had much conversation with Walpole. Told
me he, Henley, and those who went with them would have followed
Gladstone if he had not joined this government, but added he was
justified in doing so. _May 18._--Gladstone is _ill_; vexed and
_indignant_ at the possible and probable conduct of the peers on
Monday. Nothing will prevent him from denouncing them in the
Commons, if they throw out the p