The ex-King of Westphalia--The Duke of Wellington at Court-- Failure of the Duke's Memory--Dinner at Devonshire House to Royalties--Government defeated on Irish Registration Bill--The King of Hanover's Apartments--Rank of Foreign Ministers--The Duchess of Inverness--War with China--Murder of Lord William Russell--Duke of Wellington on the China War--Weakness of Government--Duke of Wellington's Conduct towards the Government--The Queen shot at--Examination of the Culprit-- Retrospect of Affairs--Conciliatory Policy--Advantages of a Weak Government--The Eastern Question--Lord Palmerston's Daring and Confidence--M. Guizot and Mr. Greville--Pacific Views of Louis Philippe--M. Guizot's Statement of the Policy of France-- Growing Alarm of Ministers--Alarm of Prince Metternich--Lord John Russell disposed to resist Palmerston--History of the Eastern Negotiation--A Blunder of M. Guizot--Important Conversation with Guizot--Conflict between Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston--Energetic Resolution of Lord John--Lord Palmerston holds out--Conciliatory Proposals of France-- Interview with Lord Palmerston and Lord John Page 277 CHAPTER IX. The Cabinet meets--The Government on the verge of Dissolution-- The Second Cabinet--Palmerston lowers his Tone in the Cabinet-- But continues to bully in the Press--Taking of Beyrout-- Deposition of Mehemet Ali--Lord John acquiesces--Total Defeat of Peace Party--Lord John Russell's False Position--His Views-- Lord Granville's Dissatisfaction--Further Attempts at Conciliation--Prevarication of Lord Ponsonby--Newspaper Hostilities--Discussion of the French Note of the 8th October-- Guizot's Opinion of the Note of the 8th October--Louis Philippe's Influence on the Crisis--Summary of Events--Death of Lord Holland--Lord Clarendon's Regret for Lord Holland--M. Guizot's Intentions as to France--Effects of the Queen's Partiality for Melbourne--Resignation of Thiers--Bickerings in the Ministry--Lord John Russell's Dissatisfaction with Lord Palmerston--Lord John resigns--Lord John demands the Recall of Lord Ponsonby--Lord Palmerston defends Lord Ponsonby--M. Guizot's Policy--Conciliatory Propositions fail--Attitude of Austria--Asperity of Lord Palmerston--Operations in Syria-- Success of Lord Palmerston and his Policy--Baron Mounier's Mission to London--Birth of the Princess Royal--Results of the Success of Lord Palmerston's Measures--The Tories divided in Opinion as to the Treaty--Retrospect of the Year--Lord Holland Page 320 CHAPTER X.