l more
guardedly) of the foreign policy of the Government, and both said
everything that was conciliatory, nattering, and cordial to
France. John Russell and Palmerston both spoke in the same tone,
the latter especially, and his speech was totally free from
anything like triumph or exultation; in short, nothing could be
more favourable for Government than what passed, and nothing more
creditable to the country. It was temperate and dignified, and
exhibited a strong contrast to the fury and bluster of the French
debates and the Press, and consequently displayed the superiority
in every respect of our national character over theirs. At
present everything promises a very easy session, and the
Conservatives are confessedly reduced to look to the chapter of
accidents for some event which may help them to turn out the
Government and get hold of their places.[4] Lord John said
something about Lord Holland in the House of Commons, but
Melbourne could not be prevailed upon to say anything in the
House of Lords. Lady Holland was satisfied with Lord John's
speech, but though it was a prettily turned compliment, it was of
no great service in relieving him from the charges which have
been levelled at him in some of the newspapers.[5]

[4] [It is curious that a session which was destined to
witness the important proposals of the Whigs in the
direction of free trade, and to end so disastrously for
the Liberal party, and so well for the Conservatives,
should have begun thus tamely.]

[5] [Lord Holland had been attacked for the part he took in
opposition to the Treaty of July in the preceding year,
and for his earnest endeavours to avert a rupture with
France. The best answer to these aspersions on the
conduct of a most excellent man and true patriot occurs
in a letter from M. Guizot to Lady Holland of January
3, 1841, which has recently been published. I
transcribe the following sentences:--
'J'ai ressenti un vrai, un vif chagrin quand j'ai vu
le nom qui vous est cher compromis d'une facon si
inconvenante dans nos debats. J'aurais voulu raconter
moi-meme, a tout le monde, sa bienveillance si sincere
pour la France, son desir si perseverant de maintenir
entre nos deux pays une amitie qu'il regardait comme
excellente pour tous les deux, et e