There was no love lost between Palmerston and Lord John Russell. In 1857-58, there was great uneasiness in the ranks of the Whigs, lest these two should never be able to overcome their mutual hostility. Lady William Russell said of them at this time, “They have shaken hands and embraced, and hate each other more than ever.” However, by degrees the stronger nature dominated the weaker, and from 1859 till 1865, when Palmerston died, Lord John may be said to have danced to Palmerston’s piping. [25] Letter from the Queen to Lord John Russell, Nov. 21st, 1851. [26] If the Devil has a son, Sure his name is Palmerston. [27] See letter from Lord Palmerston to Lord Clarendon, vol. ii. p. 127, Ashley’s “Life of Palmerston.” CHAPTER XIII. PEACE AND WAR. The year 1851 was memorable to the Queen, for it brought the opening of the Great Exhibition, the crown of success to prolonged efforts made by the Prince against all kinds of opposition and misrepresentation. When first the project was mooted, hardly any one had a good word to say for it. Members of Parliament in the House of Commons prayed that hail and lightning might be sent from heaven to destroy it; it was bound to be a financial failure; it would ruin Hyde Park; it would bring into London every desperado and bad character in Europe. Its actual success was beyond all anticipation, and was only heightened by the croaking which had preceded it. The Queen’s delight knew no bounds, for she felt not only that the whole thing was a magnificent success, but that it was owing to the Prince that it was so, and therefore was of the nature of a personal triumph for him. The Queen wrote about the opening ceremony as “the great and glorious first of May, the proudest and happiest day ... of my happy life.” In her journal she wrote:-- “_May 1._ The great event has taken place; a complete and beautiful triumph; a glorious and touching sight,--one which I shall ever be proud of for my beloved Albert and my country.... Yes; it is a day which makes my heart swell with pride and glory and thankfulness.” The only event with which she felt she could compare it was the coronation; “but this day’s festival was a thousand times superior.” The effect produced on her as the view of the interior burst upon her, she speaks of as-- “Magical, so vast, so glorious, so touching. One felt--as so many did whom I have since spoken to--filled with devotion, more so than by any service I have ever heard. The tremendous cheers, the joy expressed in every face, the immensity of the building ... the organ (with 200 instruments and 600 voices, which sounded like nothing), and my beloved husband the author of this ‘Peace Festival’: ... all this was moving indeed, and it was and is a day to live forever.”