the lowest condition of weakness and inefficiency: at all of which he expressed the greatest regret. I was surprised to hear Clarendon say that he did not believe the resources of Russia to carry on the contest to be in any sensible degree exhausted, that her commerce had not suffered at all, and as to her finances she could go on for a good while with her paper money and the gold which, in a certain quantity, she drew from the Ural Mountains.[1] [Footnote 1: In justice to the conductors of the 'Times' it must be said that although the language of the paper was violent and extremely annoying to the Government and its Allies, yet it was by the power and enterprise of the press that the deplorable state of the army was brought to the knowledge of the public and even of Ministers themselves; and it was by the 'Times' that the first steps were taken to supply the deficiencies of the Administration. The fund raised by voluntary contributions for this purpose amounted to 25,000_l._ and competent persons were sent out to apply it to the most pressing wants of the army.] CHAPTER IX. The Vienna Conference--Literary Occupations--A Roman Catholic Privy Councillor--Negotiations at Vienna--The Emperor Napoleon in London--The Emperor's brilliant Reception--Russia refuses the Terms offered--The Sebastopol Committee--Debate on the War--Visit to Paris--Resignation of M. Drouyn de Lhuys--The Emperor's Journey to the Crimea--The Repulse at the Redan--Visit to Thiers--A Dinner at the Tuileries--Conversation with the Emperor--M. Guizot on the War--Death of Lord Raglan--A Dinner at Princess Lieven's--The Palace of Versailles--Revelations of Lord John Russell's Mission--Dinner with the Emperor at Villeneuve l'Étang--Lord John Russell's Conduct at Vienna--Excitement in London--Lord John's Resignation--Lord John's Conduct explained--'Whom shall we Hang?'--Prorogation of Parliament. _March 31st_, 1855.--Three weeks have passed away and I have had nothing to say; nor indeed have I anything now of the least importance, and can only glance at the general aspect of affairs. The Government, on the whole, seems in a somewhat better condition. They say Palmerston speaks better than he did, and his good humour and civility please. At last the offices, except the Under-Secretaryship to the Colonies, are filled up. Lord Elgin and Lord Seymour successively refused the Duchy of Lancaster, and after going a begging for many weeks Lord Harrowby has taken it. Laing and Wilson, and I think somebody else, declined the Vice Presidency of the Board of Trade, and they have got Bouverie.