ttended with very
unfortunate results." "I beg to thank your lordship," he also said, "for
the important information you have transmitted to me, and for the pains
you have taken in considering the subject of the defence of Bermuda,
which I recommended to your attention before you left England. I am in
communication with Lord Auckland upon this subject, and we shall
endeavour to act upon your suggestions so far as we are enabled to do
so, under the financial difficulties with which we have to contend."

In the next letter written by Lord Auckland to Lord Dundonald, on the
18th of August, he again referred to European politics. "There is, with
regard to the Continent, more promise of peace at this moment than there
has been for a long time past, and there is a tone of more moderation on
the part of France towards other countries than I have ever expected to
see. But she yet has within her fearful elements of disturbance; her
Government is yet unsettled, and, whenever determined, it will be
subject to strong popular influences, and there can be no security. I
almost apprehend earlier mischief from the popular influences of the
United States. They have had a task of conquest and annexation, and Cuba
lies temptingly. The uneasiness of the black population of many of the
West India Islands may lead to opportunities, and disagreeable events
may grow out of such circumstances. But these are matters of
speculation, and nothing turns out as men think that they foresee. I
wish that your squadron was stronger; for you are weak in numbers for
the many points that you have to cover. Our home politics are rather
more satisfactory than they were; that is to say, the dangers of Irish
insurrection and of formidable Chartist outbreak are over. But there is
still much uneasiness and disaffection in both countries, and the
various events of Paris have given encouragement to strange enterprises.
I apprehend, however, no serious mischief from these quarters at
present; but we have in prospect a very general failure of the potato
crop, and a very indifferent harvest, and here will be new causes of
embarrassment."

There were many causes of embarrassment to English statesmen during the
ensuing months. "For the present," wrote Lord Auckland, on the 1st of
September, "there is a cordial and friendly understanding between the
Governments of this country and France, and the chances of war seem to
be distant. General Cavaignac seems to be a prudent