writes to Lord Granville, suggesting
answers to questions that might be asked that night in parliament. Should
they say that the candidature was withdrawn, and that with this withdrawal
we had a right to hope the whole affair would end, but that communications
were still continued with Prussia? In duty to all parties we were bound to
hope that the subject of complaint having disappeared, the complaint
itself and the danger to the peace of Europe would disappear also. Then he
proceeds: "What if you were to telegraph to Lyons to signify that we think
it probable questions may be asked in parliament to-day; that having been
called in by France itself, we cannot affect to be wholly outside the
matter; and that it will be impossible for us to conceal the opinion that
the cause of quarrel having been removed, France ought to be satisfied.
While this might fairly pass as a friendly notice, it might also be useful
as admonition. Please to consider. The claim in the telegrams for more
acknowledgment of the conduct of Prussia in parliament, seems to me to
deserve consideration."

On July 13 Gramont asked Lord Lyons whether he could count upon the good
offices of England in obtaining the prohibition of any future candidature,
at the same time giving him a written assurance that this would terminate
the incident. Lord Lyons declined to commit himself, and referred home for
instructions. The cabinet was hastily summoned for noon on the 14th. It
decided that the demand could not be justified by France, and at the same
time took a step of which Gramont chose to say, that it was the one act
done by the English government in favour of peace. They suggested to
Bismarck that as the King of Prussia had consented to the acceptance by
Prince Leopold of the Spanish crown, and had thereby, in a certain sense,
become a party to the arrangement, so he might with perfect dignity
communicate to the French government his consent to the withdrawal of the
acceptance, if France waived her demand for an engagement covering the
future. This suggestion Bismarck declined (July 15) to bring before the
King, as he did not feel that he could recommend its acceptance. As he had
decided to hold France tight in the position in which her rulers had now
planted her, we can understand why he could not recommend the English
proposal to his master. Meanwhile the die was cast.

III

(M105) The King of Prussia was taking the waters of Ems. Thither
Benedetti, t