The end of the year is a point from which, as from a sort of eminence, one looks back over the past, happy if the prospect is not gloomy, and if the retrospect carries with it no feelings of regret and self-reproach. The past year has been full (as what year is not?) of events, of which that which has made the deepest impression on society is the death of Lord Holland. I doubt, from all I see, whether anybody (except his own family, including Allen) had really a very warm affection for Lord Holland, and the reason probably is that he had none for anybody. He was a man with an inexhaustible good humour, and an ever-flowing nature, but not of strong feelings; and there are men whose society is always enjoyed but who never inspire deep and strong attachment. I remember to have heard good observers say that Lady Holland had more feeling than Lord Holland--would regret with livelier grief the loss of a friend than this equable philosopher was capable of feeling. The truth is social qualities--merely social and intellectual--are not those which inspire affection. A man may be steeped in faults and vices, nay, in odious qualities, and yet be the object of passionate attachment, if he is only what the Italians term '_simpatico_.' CHAPTER X. Successes in India, China, and Syria--The Hereditary Pashalik of Egypt--Lord Palmerston's Hostility to France--Lord Palmerston and the Tories--His extraordinary Position--A Communication from M. Guizot--Death of the Duchess of Cannizzaro--Her History--Dinner with Lady Holland--Macaulay's Conversation-- Opening of the Session--A Sheriffs' Dinner--Hullah's Music Lecture--Tory Successes--Duke of Wellington ill--Irish Registration Bill--Opposed by the Conservatives--Conservative Government of Ireland--Petulance of Lord Palmerston--Double Dealing of Lord Palmerston--Ill Temper of the French--M. Dedel's account of the State of Affairs--M. Dedel's account corrected--Termination of the Disputes with France--Bad News from China--Hostility of the United States--The Sultan's Hatti- sherif--The Hatti-sherif disapproved by some Ministers--Peel's Liberality--The Hatti-sherif disavowed--The Bishop of Exeter left in the lurch--Poor Law Amendment Bill--Lord Granville's Illness--Death of Mrs. Algernon Greville--Loss of 'The President'--Government defeated--China Troubles--Danger of the Government. January 7th, 1841 {p.360}