With regard to the prospects of this Government, much depends on the progress of the war; for though they have done their part and are not responsible for failure or success, they are sure to be strengthened by success or weakened by failure. But much depends also upon what passes in the Cabinet. John Russell, whose mind is in a state of chronic discontent which was suspended for a time, is again becoming uneasy and restless, and will soon begin making fresh difficulties. Then his Reform Bill, which he gave up so reluctantly, is still in his thoughts, and he will most likely insist upon bringing it forward again, a proposition which is sure to produce dissension in the Cabinet. CHAPTER VII. Difficulties of the Campaign--Prince Albert and the King of Prussia--The Prince goes to France--Military Commanders--Critical Relations of the Ministers--The Crimea--The Emperor Napoleon and Prince Albert--Austria and the Allies--The Landing in the Crimea--The Battle of the Alma--Royal Invitations--The Crimean Expedition--Lord John's Hostility to his Colleagues--False Report from Sebastopol--The Crimean Campaign--Anecdotes of Lord Raglan--The Russian Defence--Trade with the Enemy--Anecdote of Nesselrode--John Bright's Opinion of the War--Defence of Sebastopol--The Balaklava Charge--The Judges at the Nomination of Sheriffs--Lord John takes more moderate Views--The Battle of Inkerman--Impolicy of the War--Inkerman--Spirit of the Nation--Military Enthusiasm--Parliament summoned--Want of Foresight--Accounts of the Battle--Lord Raglan as a General--Sufferings of the Army--Agreement with Austria--Opponents of the War--Meeting of Parliament--The Government attacked--The Foreign Enlistment Bill--Foreign Enlistment Bill passed--Mr. Bright's Speech on the War--Review of the Year. _August 29th_, 1854.--I have been out of town since the above was written; at Grimston for York races, where Lord Derby was in high force and spirits, carrying everything before him at the races, and not a word was ever uttered on politics. There is no news, but dreadful accounts of the health of both armies and of the prevalence of cholera both abroad and at home. The French particularly, who have lost the most, are said to be completely demoralised and disheartened, and to abhor the war which they always disliked from the beginning. My present impression is that we shall come to grief in this contest; not that we shall be beaten in the field by the Russians, but that between the unhealthy climate, the inaccessibility of the country, and the distance of our resources, Russia will be able to keep us at bay, and baffle our attempts to reduce her to submission. PRINCE ALBERT AND THE KING OF PRUSSIA.