and when he invariably fancied that he saw intentional fraud and the utmost baseness in the conduct of his antagonists, it is impossible not to ascribe such false and erroneous views of human nature to the moral consciousness which was the result of his own former courses, constantly suspecting others of the same sort of practices with which he was once so familiar. I have not the least doubt that, for his own reputation and celebrity, he died at the most opportune period; his fame had probably reached its zenith, and credit was given him for greater abilities than he possessed, and for a futurity of fame, influence, and power which it is not probable he ever would have realised. As it is, the world will never know anything of those serious blemishes which could not fail to dim the lustre of his character; he will long be remembered and regretted as a very remarkable man, and will occupy a conspicuous place in the history of his own time. [Sidenote: STATE OF FRANCE.] CHAPTER XXVIII. Louis Blanc on France--The Catholic Priesthood--Failure of Scheme for Ireland--Evils of Total Repeal of Duties--Reaction in Prussia--A Message from M. Thiers--Conversation of Louis Philippe with Lord Clarendon--Dinner at Mr. Reeve's--Death of Lord Melbourne--Death of Charles Buller--Their Characters--Plans for Ireland--A Dinner of Historians--Election of Louis Napoleon as President of the French Republic--Death of Lord Auckland--The Saturnalia of 1848--The Admiralty offered to Sir James Graham--Graham declines--Lord Palmerston's Attacks on Austria--Grounds of Sir J. Graham's Refusal--Opening of Parliament--Debate in the Lords--Debate in the Commons--Mr. Disraeli the Leader of the Tories--The Irish Policy of the Government--Lord John Russell limits the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act to Six Months--The Irish Grant--Dreadful State of Ireland--Admiral CÈcille Ambassador in London--The Ceylon Committee--Affair of the Sicilian Stores--The Fall of Hudson, the Railway King--Sir Charles Napier's Appointment to command in India--The Sicilian Arms.