disinterring what they call their “principles” from buried election addresses to justify their “new departure.” [Illustration: CHINESE LORCHAS IN THE CANTON RIVER.] It was unfortunate that neither the Queen nor Prince Albert recognised this fact, and that they both imagined that Palmerston’s principles--which, in domestic policy, were reactionary and illiberal--were as popular as Palmerston himself. The only true and just criticism of this historic Election, which sent 189 new Members to the House of Commons, and for a time broke the old parties to pieces, was passed by the Duke of Newcastle. Writing to Mr. Hayward on the 10th of April, he says:--“I come to the conclusion that Palmerston will be disappointed with his new Parliament. The gain to _Liberal opinion_ is very great, and the Derby party is for the present smashed; but in these gains are to be found Palmerston’s disadvantages. Nobody _can_ fear the alternative of a Derby Ministry, and if Palmerston _rises_ to the occasion he will soon find his popularity gone and his Government in danger. It is all nonsense to suppose that the China vote has really influenced the decision of the country; but there is a question which alone Palmerston cares about (and that in an _adverse_ sense), which has gained ground everywhere, and is now established as the question of the day--Reform of Parliament; and I have no belief in a _good_ measure coming from unwilling men; and _how_ unwilling are the influential men in the present Cabinet my former association with them pretty well informs me.”[315]