ial. After that,
the long peace enjoyed by England would have postponed the experiment,
even if Lord Dundonald had not been debarred from pursuit of his calling
as an English naval officer. He might have used his secret in Chili,
Brazil, and Greece; but his promise to the Prince Regent, and patriotic
feelings, that were even more cogent than that promise, restrained him.
Once used, it would cease to be a secret; and he resolved that the great
advantage that would accrue from the first use should be reserved for
his own country.

The project, however, was not forgotten by him. Soon after the accession
of King William IV., he explained it to his Majesty, who acknowledged
its value, and paid a tribute to Lord Dundonald's honourable conduct in
keeping his secret so long and under such strong inducements to an
opposite course. Soon afterwards, and during many years, the prospect of
another war induced him to engage in frequent correspondence on the
subject with various members of the successive Governments.

"I long ago," wrote the Marquis of Lansdowne--then President of the
Council--in May, 1834, "communicated the substance of the paper you left
with me, on the important objects which might be accomplished by the
agency you describe, in an attack upon an hostile marine, to such of my
colleagues as I then had an opportunity of seeing, and more particularly
to Lord Minto, whom I found in some degree apprized of your views upon
this subject. As questions of such importance to the naval interests of
the country can only be satisfactorily inquired into by the Admiralty
Department of the Government, I should recommend your entering into an
unreserved communication with him on the subject, which I know he will
receive with all the attention due to your high professional character
and experience."

The Earl of Minto gave many proofs of his regard for Lord Dundonald; but
he was not disposed to think favourably of the secret war-plan, and it
was kept in abeyance for four years more. In the autumn of 1838 Lord
Dundonald again pressed its consideration upon Lord Lansdowne, alleging
as a reason the warlike attitude of Russia. "I am obliged to you for
your letter," wrote Lord Lansdowne in reply, on the 5th of November,
"and will certainly make use of the communication it contains in the
proper quarter, if the occasion arises, which I sincerely hope it will
not. Ambitious and encroaching as Russia is seen and felt to be in all
directio