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 _page_ 235 CHAPTER XXIX. Difficult Position of the Government--A Cloud in the East--Italian Affairs--Suppression of a Despatch--Sir Charles Napier goes to India--Sir James Graham's Alarms--Lord John Russell's Position--Battle of Novara--Opposition to the Repeal of the Navigation Laws--Sir James Graham's Pusillanimity--State of France--Conflicting Views on Irish Relief--Lord John contemplates a Peerage--Interview of Lord Clarendon with Sir Robert Peel--The Navigation Bill--Maiden Speech of Sir R. Peel's second Son--An omission of Lord Palmerston's--Lord Palmerston's Opponents--Lord Palmerston's Defence--A Trip to Scotland--Dr. Candlish's Sermon--History of the Debates on Foreign Affairs--Extension of the Suffrage--The Queen's Visit to Ireland--A Council at Balmoral--Prince Albert's Conversation--Lord Aberdeen's Views--Lord John's Defence of Lord Palmerston 278 CHAPTER XXX.