Divisions of the Liberal Party--Lord Lansdowne as Head of a Liberal Government--Hostility of the Radicals--National Defences--Lord John Russell's Literary Pursuits--The Queen's Speech--The Peelites--Protection abandoned--Duke of Wellington's Funeral--Mr. Villiers' Motion--Disraeli's Panegyric on Wellington--Death of Miss Berry--The Division on the Resolution--Disraeli's Budget--Lord Palmerston's Position--The Division on the Budget--Lord Derby resigns--Liberal Negotiations--Formation of Lord Aberdeen's Government--Lord St. Leonards--Tone of the Conservatives--Lord Clanricarde and the Irish Brigade--Violence of the Tories--Lord Palmerston agrees to join the Government--The Aberdeen Cabinet--First Appearance of the New Ministry--Irritation of the Whigs _page 1_ CHAPTER II. A Royal Commission on Reform--M. de Flahault on the Emperor Napoleon--Lord John's Blunder--Disraeli's Negotiation with the Irish Members--Lord Beauvale's Death--Lady Beauvale's Grief--Napoleon III. and Mdlle. de Montijo--Parliament meets--The Emperor's Marriage--Disraeli's Attack on Sir C. Wood--Dislike of Mr. Disraeli--Lord John Russell leaves the Foreign Office--Lord Stanley's Liberal Votes--Disraeli's Opinion of his Colleagues--The Government in Smooth Water--England unpopular abroad--Massimo d'Azeglio--The Austrians in Italy--The Bishop of Lincoln--The Duke of Bedford's Papers--Lord Palmerston leads the House--Social Amenities--Rancour of Northern Powers against England--Friendly Resolution of the Emperor Napoleon III.--Difficulties at Home--The India Bill--The Eastern Question--The Czar's Proposals--Russian Assurances--The Royal Family _page 30_ CHAPTER III. Weakness of the Government--Gladstone's Budget--A Conversation with Disraeli--Suicidal Conduct of the Tories--Their Irritation--A Charge against Mr. Gladstone defeated--The Stafford Committee--Harmony of the Government--Electoral Corruption--Impending War--Success of the Government--Macaulay's Speech on the Judges' Exclusion Bill--Erroneous Predictions from Paris--Unsettled Policy as to the War--Lord John's Anti-Catholic Speech--The English and French Fleets sail for the Dardanelles--Conduct of Austria--Russia means War--Attacks by the Opposition--Explanations desired--Attempted Mediation--Lord Aberdeen's Confidence shaken--Divisions of Opinion--Terms of Accommodation--Lord Palmerston's Views--Prospect of Peace--Division in the Lords on the Succession Duties Bill--Friendly Relations of Lord Palmerston and Lord Clarendon--Fears of War--Hopes of Peace--Lord Palmerston and Mr. Cobden--Rejection of the Vienna Note--Lord Palmerston courted by the Tories--Lord John Russell's Position--The Duke of Bedford's part in the last Crisis--Dangers at Constantinople--Lord Stratford's Influence--Suspected Intrigue of France and Russia--Lord Palmerston goes to Balmoral--Sir James Graham's View--Lord Stratford's Conduct--Importance of the Vienna Note--A Cabinet summoned _page 58_ CHAPTER IV.