Dinner to Sir Charles Napier--A Ministerial Indiscretion--Doubts as to the Reform Bill--Discontent of Lord John Russell--The Secret Correspondence with Russia--War declared--Weakness of the Government--Mr. Greville disapproves the War--Divisions in the Cabinet--Withdrawal of the Reform Bill--Blunder of the Government--The Fast Day--Licences to trade in War--Death of the Marquis of Anglesey--Mr. Gladstone's Financial Failures--Dissolution of Parties--Mr. Gladstone's Budget--Lord Cowley's Opinion of the Emperor's Position--The House of Commons supports the War--Disraeli attacks Lord John Russell--A Change of Plans--Lord John Russell's Mismanagement--Attacks on Lord Aberdeen--Popularity of the War--Government Majority in the Lords--Attitude of the German Powers--A meeting of the Liberal Party--An Appointment cancelled--Expedition to the Crimea--English and French Policy united in Spain--Close of the Session--The Character of Lord Aberdeen's Government--Effect of the Quarrel with Russia--Lord Palmerston's Resignation--Waywardness of the House of Commons _page 145_ 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 _page 182_ CHAPTER VIII.