ank of Foreign Ministers--The
Duchess of Inverness--War with China--Murder of Lord William
Russell--Duke of Wellington on the China War--Weakness of
Government--Duke of Wellington's Conduct towards the
Government--The Queen shot at--Examination of the Culprit--
Retrospect of Affairs--Conciliatory Policy--Advantages of a
Weak Government--The Eastern Question--Lord Palmerston's Daring
and Confidence--M. Guizot and Mr. Greville--Pacific Views of
Louis Philippe--M. Guizot's Statement of the Policy of France--
Growing Alarm of Ministers--Alarm of Prince Metternich--Lord
John Russell disposed to resist Palmerston--History of the
Eastern Negotiation--A Blunder of M. Guizot--Important
Conversation with Guizot--Conflict between Lord John Russell
and Lord Palmerston--Energetic Resolution of Lord John--Lord
Palmerston holds out--Conciliatory Proposals of France--
Interview with Lord Palmerston and Lord John
Page 277

CHAPTER IX.

The Cabinet meets--The Government on the verge of Dissolution--
The Second Cabinet--Palmerston lowers his Tone in the Cabinet--
But continues to bully in the Press--Taking of Beyrout--
Deposition of Mehemet Ali--Lord John acquiesces--Total Defeat
of Peace Party--Lord John Russell's False Position--His Views--
Lord Granville's Dissatisfaction--Further Attempts at
Conciliation--Prevarication of Lord Ponsonby--Newspaper
Hostilities--Discussion of the French Note of the 8th October--
Guizot's Opinion of the Note of the 8th October--Louis
Philippe's Influence on the Crisis--Summary of Events--Death of
Lord Holland--Lord Clarendon's Regret for Lord Holland--M.
Guizot's Intentions as to France--Effects of the Queen's
Partiality for Melbourne--Resignation of Thiers--Bickerings in
the Ministry--Lord John Russell's Dissatisfaction with Lord
Palmerston--Lord John resigns--Lord John demands the Recall of
Lord Ponsonby--Lord Palmerston defends Lord Ponsonby--M.
Guizot's Policy--Conciliatory Propositions fail--Attitude of
Austria--Asperity of Lord Palmerston--Operations in Syria--
Success of Lord Palmerston and his Policy--Baron Mounier's
Mission to London--Birth of the Princess Royal--Results of the
Success of Lord Palmerston's Measures--The Tories divided in
Opinion as to the Treaty--Retrospect of the Year--Lord Holland