The Second Derby Administration--Lord Derby's first Speech--Lord Clanricarde defends himself--The New Ministry--Coincidences--Lord Derby's favourable Position--Opinion of the Speaker--Lord Derby's Liberal Declarations--Dinner to Mr. Buckle--Instability of the Government--Mr. Disraeli's sanguine Views--India--Prospects of the new Government--A Visit to the Duc d'Aumale--Delicate Relations with France--Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston--Irritation of the Whigs--Marshal Pélissier Ambassador in London--The Peelites and the Whigs--Failure of the India Bill--An Overture from Lord John Russell--Dissensions of the Whigs--Lord Derby resolves to remain in Office--Lord John Russell proposes to deal with the India Bill by Resolutions--Mistake of the Whigs in resigning on the Conspiracy Bill--Withdrawal of the India Bill--Policy of the Whigs in Opposition--Lord Cowley on the Relations of France and England--Strong Opposition to the Government--Lord Derby on the State of Affairs--Disunion of the Whigs--Lord Canning's Proclamation--Littlecote House--Vehemence of the Opposition--Lord Lyndhurst displeased--Debates on the Indian Proclamation--Collapse of the Debates--Triumph of the Ministry--Disraeli's violent Speech at Slough--Lord Palmerston's Discomfiture--Prospects of a Fusion--Success of the Government--Concessions to the Radicals--The Queen's Visit to Birmingham--Progress of the India Bill--The Jew Bill--The Jew Bill passed--Disturbed State of India--Baron Brunnow on the Russian War _page_ 171 CHAPTER XVII. Lord John Russell and Lord Stanley--Lord Palmerston's Leadership--Dissensions in the Liberal Party--The Queen and her Ministers--Lord Stanley at the India Office--The Queen's Letter to the Prince of Wales--Reform Speeches and Projects--Lord Palmerston's Confidence--Prosecution of Count Montalembert in France--Lord Clarendon's Visit to Compiègne--The Emperor's Designs on Italy--The Emperor and the Pope--Approach of War--Lord Palmerston's Prudent Language--Lord Palmerston's Italian Sympathies--The Electric Telegraph--Opposition in France to the War--The Emperor's Prevarication--Opening of Parliament--Debates on Foreign Affairs--Lord Cowley's Mission to Vienna--General Opposition to the War--A Reform Bill--Mr. Walpole and Mr. Henley resign--Duplicity of the Emperor--Mr. Disraeli's Reform Bill--The Emperor denies his Warlike Preparations--The Whigs oppose the Reform Bill--Anxiety to defeat the Government--Lord Cowley returns from Vienna--War impending--Dishonest Conduct of both Parties--Lord Cowley's Account of Cavour's Policy--His Mission to Vienna--A Congress proposed--Indifference to Reform--Debates on the Reform Bill--Defeat of the Reform Bill--An Emissary from Cavour _page_ 208 CHAPTER XVIII.