_January 5th_, 1853.--The elections are all going on well, except Gladstone's, who appears in great jeopardy. Nothing could exceed the disgraceful conduct of his opponents, lying, tricking, and shuffling, as might be expected from such a party. The best thing that could happen for Gladstone would be to be beaten, if it were not for the triumph it would be to the blackguards who have got up the contest; for the representation of Oxford is always an embarrassment to a statesman, and Peel's losing his election there in 1829 was the most fortunate event possible for him. The only speech of the new Ministers calling for special notice is Palmerston's at Tiverton, which appears to me to conceal an _arrière-pensée_. He spoke in civil, even complimentary, terms of the Derby Government, so much so, that if any break-up or break-down should occur in this, and Lord Derby return to office, there appears no reason why Palmerston should not form a fresh coalition with him; and it looks very much as if he was keeping this contingency in view, and putting himself in such an attitude as should enable him with some plausibility to join the camp of such a restoration. The Cabinet of Lord Aberdeen's Administration consisted of the following Ministers:-- Earl of Aberdeen First Lord of the Treasury Lord Cranworth Lord Chancellor Earl Granville Lord President of the Council The Duke of Argyll Lord Privy Seal Mr. Gladstone Chancellor of the Exchequer Viscount Palmerston Home Secretary of State The Duke of Newcastle Secretary for Colonies and War Lord John Russell (and later the Earl of Clarendon) Foreign Secretary Sir James Graham First Lord of the Admiralty Mr. Sidney Herbert Secretary at War Sir Charles Wood President of the Indian Board Sir William Molesworth First Commissioner of Works The Marquis of Lansdowne without office. 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.