our foreign
relations. But our Cabinet is a complete republic, and Melbourne,
their ostensible head, has no overruling authority, and is too
indolent and too averse to energetic measures to think of having
any, or to desire it. Any man of resolution and obstinacy does
what he will with Melbourne. Nothing was ever so peremptory and
determined as John Russell about Poulett Thomson's peerage, which
the others did not at all like, but which he not only insisted
upon, but actually threatened to resign unless it was done by a
given day. It was with the greatest difficulty they could prevail
on him to defer its being gazetted till Parliament was up,
Duncannon and others dreading that it would excite the choler of
the Duke of Wellington, and very likely provoke him to fall foul
of some of their Bills.

[11] [The Treaty between England, Russia, Austria, and
Prussia for the settlement of the affairs of the East,
by compelling the Pasha of Egypt to relinquish Syria,
and to restrict his dominion in Egypt, was signed in
London on July 15, 1840. France having declined to
concur in this policy, the Treaty was signed without
her, and without her knowledge. This event was of the
gravest consequence, and brought Europe to the brink of
war.]

M. Dedel[12] told me the other day that he thought, without
reference to his policy, Palmerston had conducted himself with a
_legerete_ quite unaccountable; that the Duke of Wellington, when
he was at Windsor, had talked over the state of affairs with
Melbourne, and said to him, 'I do not say that I disapprove of
your policy as far as regards Mehemet Ali; perhaps I do not think
that you go far enough; not only would I not leave him in
possession of a foot of ground in Syria, but I should have no
scruple in expelling him from Egypt too. But what is Mehemet Ali
or the Turk in comparison with the immeasurable importance of
preserving peace in Europe? this is the thing alone to be
regarded, and I give you notice that you must not expect our
support in Parliament of the policy which you have chosen to
adopt.'[13] In the meantime there is an increasing impression
here that no war will take place; public opinion is not yet much
excited, and is nothing like so excitable as it is in France upon
questions of foreign policy, where everybody thinks and talks on
the subject; but if it ever is effectually roused, it will be