E-text prepared by Susan Skinner, Emanuela Piasentini, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 27553-h.htm or 27553-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/5/5/27553/27553-h/27553-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/5/5/27553/27553-h.zip) The Prime Ministers of Queen Victoria Edited by Stuart J. Reid LORD JOHN RUSSELL [Illustration: _Reproduced by permission from an unpublished picture by G. F. Watts, R. A. in the possession of the Dowager Countess Russell at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond_ _Photogravure by Annan & Swan._] The Queen's Prime Ministers A Series of Political Biographies. Edited by Stuart J. Reid Author of 'The Life and Times of Sydney Smith.' _The volumes contain Photogravure Portraits, also copies of Autographs._ I. THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELD, K.G. By J. A. FROUDE, D.C.L. (Seventh Edition.) II. VISCOUNT MELBOURNE. By HENRY DUNCKLEY, LL.D. ('Verax.') III. SIR ROBERT PEEL. By JUSTIN MCCARTHY, M.P. IV. THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, M.P. By G. W. E. RUSSELL. (Twelfth Thousand.) V. THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY. By H. D. TRAILL, D.C.L. (Second Edition.) VI. VISCOUNT PALMERSTON. By the MARQUIS OF LORNE. (Second Edition.) VII. THE EARL OF DERBY. By GEORGE SAINTSBURY. VIII. THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. By LORD STANMORE. IX. LORD JOHN RUSSELL. By STUART J. REID. * * * A Limited Library Edition of TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY COPIES, each numbered, printed on hand-made paper, parchment binding, gilt top, with facsimile reproductions, in some cases of characteristic notes of Speeches and Letters, which are not included in the ordinary edition, and some additional Portraits. Price for the Complete Set of Nine Volumes, Four Guineas net. No Volumes of this Edition sold separately. * * * * * London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Limited, St. Dunstan's House, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. LORD JOHN RUSSELL by STUART J. REID I have looked to the happiness of my countrymen as the object to which my efforts ought to be directed _Recollections and Suggestions_ London Sampson Low, Marston & Company _Limited_ St. Dunstan's House Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. 1895 [All rights reserved] TO THE LADY MARY AGATHA RUSSELL THIS RECORD OF HER FATHER'S CAREER IS WITH TRUE REGARD DEDICATED PREFACE THIS monograph could not have been written--in the intimate sense--if the Dowager Countess Russell had not extended a confidence which, I trust, has in no direction been abused. Lady Russell has not only granted me access to her journal and papers as well as the early note-books of her husband, but in many conversations has added the advantage of her own reminiscences.