of the difficulties he encountered here,
and how hard it was, after the unanimous expressions in both
Houses of Parliament, that such obstacles should be cast in the
way of a settlement, hinting at Palmerston as the cause, but
without being explicit; indeed, it was in the carriage going to
Lady Holland's, and there was not time for more. To-day, however,
I have heard more; and it seems that Palmerston has been at his
tricks again, though I don't yet know precisely what he has done.
My brother keeps writing me word that his tone in his
communications to the French Government, through Lord Granville,
is very offensive; but here he appeared to be really anxious to
conciliate. It is, however, quite impossible to make out what he
is at. He has contributed more than anybody to give this
Government a _federal_ character; for in the Foreign Office he
has resolved to be, and he is, wholly independent of his
colleagues. He tells them as much or as little of his proceedings
as it suits his purpose or his fancy to do; and they are now so
well aware of this, and have so little confidence in him, that
when he does tell the Cabinet anything they feel no security that
they are acquainted with the truth or, at least, the whole truth.
In the pending matter, Esterhazy and Buelow have been vehemently
urging the completion of an arrangement, but the Cabinet settled
that no overture should be made to France without previously
ascertaining that she would accept it when made. All very proper!
It was settled that the other Powers should beg Palmerston to
invite France in all their names to join in a Convention for
securing the free navigation of the Bosphorus; and this
Convention was arranged at a Conference some day last week, and
at the same time a Protocol--which was to _precede_ it--stating
that, the objects of the July alliance being completed, the
alliance was at an end. All this was agreed to, and on Saturday
at the Cabinet the Convention was read and approved of; but
objections were made to the Protocol on the ground that questions
might still arise requiring the intervention of the alliance,
that no certain intelligence had yet arrived either of the
evacuation of Syria by Ibrahim or the publication of the firman
by the Sultan, and, therefore, it would be imprudent to break up
the alliance just at this moment, and this operation might as
well be deferred for a brief space. Such was the general
sentiment. Melbourne said, 'Are you sure