leader of the House of Commons--pass some days
together in the house of the former, without exchanging one word
upon the subject of foreign policy, and Lord John is reduced to
the necessity of gathering in conversation from Neumann and
Esterhazy what Palmerston's views and opinions are. These two
diplomats expressed the greatest indignation at Ponsonby's
proceedings, and Palmerston himself has renewed to Bourqueney the
assurances of his resolution to adhere to the engagements he had
already made to France with regard to Egypt. Melbourne, however,
acknowledged that he was entirely in the dark as to Palmerston's
real views and opinions, as he believed was every one of his
colleagues. He has no intimacy, no interchange of thought and
complete openness with anybody, and all they know is (and that
only as soon as he thinks fit to impart it) his notions with
regard to each particular question as its exigencies become
pressing. His position, however, is now a very remarkable one.
Belonging to a Government almost every member of which dislikes
or distrusts him, he has acquired, by recent events, a great
reputation, and is looked upon generally as a bold, able, and
successful statesman. In the event of a dislocation of parties,
he is free to adopt any course, and to join with any party.[2]
Almost all the domestic questions which have hitherto excited
interest have been settled, compromised, or thrown aside, and a
sudden interest has been awakened, and attention generally drawn
to our foreign policy and international relations. All that has
recently occurred--our treaties and our warlike operations--are
not looked upon as the work of the Government, but as that of
Palmerston alone--Palmerston, in some degree, as
contradistinguished from the Government. All this confers upon
him a vast importance, and enables him, neither unreasonably nor
improbably, to aspire to head and direct any Government that may
hereafter be formed by a dissolution and fresh combination of
parties.

[2] [I believe at this time, Lord Palmerston, irritated by
the opposition and distrust of his own colleagues, and
encouraged by the applause of the Tories, who were
delighted at the rupture of the alliance with France,
and eager to bully that country, did contemplate a
junction with the Tory party. But to this there was an
insurmountable obstacle, the deep distrust and dislike
of Si