ill have to stand forth in opposition to Palmerston's
policy, and to propose the adoption of measures leading to an
amicable arrangement. A few hours will show how the rest are
disposed to take it.

[18] As he did.

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 to 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.

September 29th, 1840: Wednesday {p.320}

[Page Head: A CABINET ON THE EASTERN QUESTION.]

The Cabinet met on Monday evening and sat till seven o'clock. The
account of the proceedings which has reached me is to the last
degree amusing, but at the same time _pitoyable_. It must have
been _a payer les places_ to see. They met, and as if all were
conscious of something unpleasant in prospect, and all shy, there
was for some time a dead silence. At length Melbourne, trying to
shuffle off the discussion, but aware that he must say something,
began: 'We must consider about the time to which Parliament
should be prorogued.' Upon this Lord John took it up and said, 'I
presume we must consider whether Parliament should be called
together or not, because, as matters are now going on, it seems
to me that we may