_June 29th._--I have been for two days in the country, while the great debate was going on. Palmerston came out the second night with prodigious force and success. He delivered an oration four hours and three-quarters long, which has excited unusual admiration, boundless enthusiasm amongst his friends, and drawn forth the most flattering compliments from every quarter. It is impossible to deny its great ability; parts of it are strikingly eloquent and inimitably adroit. It was a wonderful effort to speak for nearly five hours without ever flagging, and his voice nearly as strong at last as at first. The ability of it is the more remarkable, because on an attentive and calm perusal of it, the insufficiency of it as an answer and a defence against the various charges which have been brought against him is manifest; but it is admirably arranged and got up, entirely free from the flippancy and impertinence in which he usually indulges, full of moderation and good taste, and adorned with a profusion of magnificent and successful clap-traps. The success of the speech has been complete, and his position is now unassailable. John Russell may save himself the trouble of considering, when this is all over, how he may effect some change involving the withdrawal of the Foreign Office from Palmerston's hands, for they are now all tied and bound to him in respect to the future as completely as to the present and the past. These discussions and attacks, which were to have shaken him in his seat, have only made _him_ more powerful than he was before; but whether they have strengthened or weakened _the Government_ is another question. It now remains to be seen what the attitude and animus of Foreign Powers will be, and what the character of his future proceedings. The debate was on the whole very able. Cockburn made a slashing speech, which will probably procure for him the post of Solicitor-General. Graham's and Gladstone's speeches were the best on the other side. Peel was very moderate, and refused to go into the details or to attack the Government on them. The majority of forty-six was rather more than was expected by either party. CHAPTER XXXI. Accident to Sir Robert Peel--Triumphant Success of Lord Palmerston--Death of Sir Robert Peel--Sir James Graham's Position--Lord Palmerston's Policy--Lord Palmerston's Ovation--Death of Mr. Arbuthnot--Death of King Louis Philippe--The Papal Hierarchy in England--German Affairs--Papal Aggression--General Radowitz invited to Windsor--Papal Aggression--Conversation with Lord John Russell--And with Lord Palmerston--Mr. Green's Lecture--Visit to Brocket--Bear Ellice--Lord Melbourne's Papers.