port which the presence of
the noble lord in the whig cabinet gave to it, was unscrupulous in its
desire to weaken his prestige, and "the peace party," considering
that his lordship would be prompt in claiming redress for any injuries
offered to British subjects, affected to believe that his policy was
rash, and to desire on public grounds his removal from office. The
policy of Sir Robert Peel, and his foreign minister, Lord Aberdeen, was
essentially one of compromise: it preserved peace by a concession of
everything that the national temper would allow to be conceded. This
answered the views of the peace party, and of those whose commercial
interests were subserved by peace at any price, and who therefore
identified themselves with "the peace party on principle," although not
holding at heart its theory. The House of Commons supported the policy
of Viscount Palmerston, and early in June originated a subscription
among its members for the purpose of presenting to Lady Palmerston a
picture of her gifted husband. On the 22nd of that month a deputation,
consisting of about ninety members, waited upon her ladyship, and
presented the portrait, with a suitable address. The picture was a full
length, and represented Lord Palmerston in cabinet council, a portrait
of Canning, his political preceptor and exemplar, being suspended in the
council-room. It was a curious and happy coincidence, that on the day
on which this tribute of respect to her husband was presented to Lady
Palmerston, a telegraphic despatch from Paris announced the settlement
of the Greek question.

ARRIVAL OF THE KOH-I-NOOR.

Considerable excitement was created by the arrival of this magnificent
diamond. "The mountain of light," as its eastern designation means, was
valued at two millions sterling, and was the most costly precious stone
in the world. A certain Brazilian gem in the crown of Portugal was alone
admitted to be a rival. Its discovery was made in the mines of Golconda,
and passed into possession of the Mogul emperors from the king of that
country. From Delhi it was borne away by the conquering Persian, and
when his rebellious subjects assassinated him (Nadir Shah), Ahmed Shah
carried away to Affganhistan this treasure. Runjeet Singh obtained it
thence by inhospitable and unjust stratagem. At the conquest of Lahore
the gem became the property of the British crown. The great diamond at
the top of the Russian sceptre weighed a greater number of c