ith Hobhouse's defeat came forth Stanley's plan
for slave emancipation, which produced rage and fury among both
West Indians and Saints, being too much for the former and not
enough for the latter, and both announced their opposition to it.
Practical men declare that it is impossible to carry it into
effect, and that the details are unmanageable. Even the Government
adherents do not pretend that it is a good and safe measure, but
the best that could be hit off under the circumstances; these
circumstances being the old motive, 'the people will have it.' The
night before last Stanley developed his plan in the House of
Commons in a speech of three hours, which was very eloquent, but
rather disappointing. He handled the preliminary topics of horrors
of slavery and colonial obstinacy and misconduct with all the
vigour and success that might have been expected, but when he came
to his measure he failed to show how it was to be put in operation
and to work. The peroration and eulogy on Wilberforce were very
brilliant. Howick had previously announced his intention of
opposing Stanley, and accordingly he did so in a speech of
considerable vehemence which lasted two hours. He was not,
however, well received; his father and mother had in vain
endeavoured to divert him from his resolution; but though they say
his speech was clever, he has damaged himself by it. His plan is
immediate emancipation.[7]

[7] [The result proved that Lord Howick was right. The
apprenticeship system proposed by Lord Stanley was
carried, but failed in execution, and was eventually
abandoned.]

While such is the state of things here--enormous interests under
discussion, great disquietude and alarm, no feeling of security,
no confidence in the Government, and a Parliament that inspires
fear rather than hope--matters abroad seem to be no better
managed than they are at home. It is remarkable that the business
in the East has escaped with so little animadversion, for there
never was a fairer object of attack. While France has been
vapouring, and we have been doing nothing at all, Russia has
established her own influence in Turkey, and made herself
virtually mistress of the Ottoman Empire. At a time when our
interests required that we should be well represented, and
powerfully supported, we had neither an Ambassador nor a fleet in
the Mediterranean; and because Lord Ponsonby is Lord Grey's
brother-in-law he has been able