heir supporters--were
attendant upon those conferences, it was so much gained for the prospect
of a more united public opinion in England. But these negotiations tore
the mask from Austria; she was evidently not an ally of the Western
powers, but an accomplice of the foe; she dreaded Russia, but she was
still more afraid of France.

When the people of the united kingdom and their representatives in the
commons had time to review all these things, the outcry against Lord
John Russell was as great as it had been before against Lord Aberdeen.
The popular voice stopped the pens and silenced the tongues of the
diplomatists, and negotiations gave place to fierce and sanguinary war.

England, however, became disgusted with professional and ministerial
diplomatists, and denounced all negotiations with Russia until, by sword
and lance, rifle and cannon, the foe was humiliated.

There can be no question that the energy and force of the popular
sentiment--often right, though sometimes erroneous, and sometimes
obstinately and wilfully wrong--have occasionally interfered with the
success of negotiations. But this is one of the evils inseparable from
a free government. The French court, from the death of Louis XIV., was
anxious to pursue a pacific policy, to improve their marine, and to
pursue Colbert's maxim, that a long war was not for the benefit of
France. But the democratic party, which had been formed before the death
of Louis XV., employed diplomatic agents at every court to upset and
overturn the pacific policy of that king's ambassadors.*

* Vide "la Politique de tous les Cabinets de L'Europe."

This is one of the few disadvantages attendant upon constitutional
states in negotiation; but, _per contra_., such states also enjoy some
pre-eminent advantages. In such states foreign powers do not co-operate
with domestic factions, as they sometimes do in more absolute
monarchies.

Presence of mind, coolness, and firmness, tell oftener in negotiations
than mere talent and learning. The presence of mind of Augustus, who
was of doubtful valour, obtained an ascendancy over Marc Antony, a brave
soldier, but wanting in proper firmness.

Richelieu preferred firmness and patience in a negotiator to any other
qualities. Suppleness, no doubt, often supplies the place of patience,
and the man who can tack and veer was formerly not without his value;
but the time for using these small wares has now passed for ever. They
have been