The Greville Memoirs, Part 2 (of 3), Volume 2 (of 3): A Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1852Greville, Charles
History
The Greville Memoirs, Part 2 (of 3), Volume 2 (of 3): A Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1852
Greville, Charles
Great Britain -- History -- Victoria, 1837-1901
The alarm occasioned by the change all over the Continent, and
especially in this country, is far greater than it is in the French
Cabinet; but this alarm strengthens M. Guizot's administration,
because the Conservative party rely on his prudence and temper as
their chief safeguard, and the Opposition would not allow their
leaders to be more conciliatory to England than M. Guizot has been.
For many reasons Lord Beauvale is the best Ambassador who can be
sent here. In all the highest quarters that opinion prevails,
and Lord Cowley also entertains it most strongly. The presence
of Lord Beauvale here would give strength to M. Guizot; and if
circumstances of difficulty should arise, there is no one in whom
the King would have so much confidence.
At this moment, with the Deputies arriving in a state of alarm, it
certainly is desirable for Guizot to have as much as possible the
appearance of a good understanding with the English Government, and
the sooner an effectual and official representative arrives the
better.
Ever yours faithfully, H. REEVE.
C.C. Greville, Esq. Paris, December 22nd, 1845.
I was sitting last night alone with Princess Lieven in her
boudoir before her usual reception began, when the doors were
thrown open and M. Guizot entered. His manner was more rapid and
emphatic than I had seen it since I have been here. He turned
to me and began: 'Vous avez vu combien j'étais raisonnable à
l'endroit de Lord Palmerston quand vous êtes arrivé. Je le suis
encore, et je vous disais bien en vous parlant de son caractère
que j'en concevais moins d'alarme que les autres. Mais vous ne
vous faites pas d'idée de l'effet de ce nom-là sur ce pays et sur
mon parti. Je sors d'un dîner avec la grosse Banque--des gens
dont le plus mince avait certainement cinq millions--je les ai
trouvés dans la consternation. On est venu vers moi me prendre la
main en me disant: "Mais, Monsieur le Ministre, que ferez-vous
de cet homme-là? En six mois nous sommes en lutte ouverte avec
l'Angleterre. Il vous fera des difficultés partout--en Espagne,
en Orient, à Tahiti--c'est terrible." J'ai voulu les rassurer,'
continued Guizot, 'mais c'est frappant--c'est frappant. Tenez,
Princesse, vous ne m'avez pas vu ces jours-ci aussi ému que je le
suis à cette heure.' He was really agitated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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