rospect is
not gloomy, and if the retrospect carries with it no feelings of
regret and self-reproach. The past year has been full (as what
year is not?) of events, of which that which has made the deepest
impression on society is the death of Lord Holland. I doubt, from
all I see, whether anybody (except his own family, including
Allen) had really a very warm affection for Lord Holland, and the
reason probably is that he had none for anybody. He was a man
with an inexhaustible good humour, and an ever-flowing nature,
but not of strong feelings; and there are men whose society is
always enjoyed but who never inspire deep and strong attachment.
I remember to have heard good observers say that Lady Holland had
more feeling than Lord Holland--would regret with livelier grief
the loss of a friend than this equable philosopher was capable of
feeling. The truth is social qualities--merely social and
intellectual--are not those which inspire affection. A man may be
steeped in faults and vices, nay, in odious qualities, and yet be
the object of passionate attachment, if he is only what the
Italians term '_simpatico_.'

CHAPTER X.

Successes in India, China, and Syria--The Hereditary Pashalik of
Egypt--Lord Palmerston's Hostility to France--Lord Palmerston
and the Tories--His extraordinary Position--A Communication
from M. Guizot--Death of the Duchess of Cannizzaro--Her
History--Dinner with Lady Holland--Macaulay's Conversation--
Opening of the Session--A Sheriffs' Dinner--Hullah's Music
Lecture--Tory Successes--Duke of Wellington ill--Irish
Registration Bill--Opposed by the Conservatives--Conservative
Government of Ireland--Petulance of Lord Palmerston--Double
Dealing of Lord Palmerston--Ill Temper of the French--M.
Dedel's account of the State of Affairs--M. Dedel's account
corrected--Termination of the Disputes with France--Bad News
from China--Hostility of the United States--The Sultan's Hatti-
sherif--The Hatti-sherif disapproved by some Ministers--Peel's
Liberality--The Hatti-sherif disavowed--The Bishop of Exeter
left in the lurch--Poor Law Amendment Bill--Lord Granville's
Illness--Death of Mrs. Algernon Greville--Loss of 'The
President'--Government defeated--China Troubles--Danger of the
Government.

January 7th, 1841 {p.360}

Yesterday arrived (through the French telegraph) the news of the
death of the King of Lahore, the surrender of Dost Ma