[Footnote 125: [This stricture has not been borne out by public opinion. If Lord Hardinge was not fully prepared for the emergency, it was owing to his extreme reluctance to go to war; but the magnanimity and gallantry of his conduct in the field, and the splendour of these victories, silenced all criticism, as is fairly stated by Mr. Greville a little further on.]] CHAPTER XXI. Signs of the Weakness of Government--The Irish Coercion Bill--Lord John Russell on Ireland--Protectionist Opposition--The Oregon Question--Lord Brougham canvassed--Weakness of the Protectionists--Embarrassments of the Government--Violence of the Protectionists--The Victories in India--Change of Opinion among the Farmers--State of Ireland--Intentions of the Government--Lord Palmerston visits Paris--A scheme of Alliance with the Protectionists--Lord John Russell's Resolution--Lord Stanley's Violence--The Duke of Wellington's Dissatisfaction--Anecdote of the Father of Sir Robert Peel--Sir Robert Peel and Disraeli--Lord Palmerston in Paris--Irish Coercion Bill--The Protectionist Alliance--Conversation with Sir Robert Peel--Conversation with Sir James Graham--The Factory Bill--The last Debate in the Commons on the Corn Bill--Intrigues with the Protectionists--Defeated by Lord John Russell--Meeting at Lansdowne House--Fine Speech of Lord Stanley--'Alarm' wins the Emperor's Cup--Violent attacks on Sir Robert Peel--The conduct of Sir Robert Peel to Mr. Canning--Brougham and Stanley in the Lords--Opposition of the Whigs to the Coercion Bill--Anxiety of Lord John Russell to get back to Office--Mr. Disraeli renews the Attack on Peel--Lord George Bentinck and Disraeli worsted by Peel. _London, March 11th, 1846._--There has been nothing very remarkable these last few days, except on Friday night, when the Corn Bill went on rapidly, and the two amendments that had been announced were disposed of by being severally withdrawn. Early in the evening, however, the Government suffered a defeat, which was very significant for the future. It was on a Poor Law question, which Graham thought fit to fight. The majority against him was composed principally of malignant Tories. John Russell voted with the Government, but could not get the Whigs to stay for it; the Protectionists were uproarious at beating the Government; the Whigs desired no better than that they should be beaten; and so it will inevitably be. I do not think anything can prevent a change of Government very soon, whatever may happen afterwards. If Peel is wise, he will court this change, and let people see how matters can be managed by others, and without him. [Sidenote: THE IRISH COERCION BILL.]