ran.) THE AY" IR =

DONE .OIFICO. 52%

®riain provocation to two Powers, whom it was especially 1850.
Our interest at this time to soothe and conciliate.’ Xr. 46
France interposed with the proffer of good offices, and
they were accepted. But Lord Palmerston so blundered
and mismanaged the subsequent negotiations, that st one
Momeni we were brought unpleasantly near to a rupture
With the French Government, while we were at the same
time exposed to remonstrances from Russia, of which the
Most mortifying feature was that they were absolutely and
Bnanswerably well-founded both in policy and international
Morality. From beginning to end, alike in its inception
md jn every detail of it, equally in its purpose and its
*osults, it was probably the most inept, futile, wrongbeaded,
 and gravely mischievous transaction in which Lord
Palmerston’s recklessness ever engaged him.
The discussion which took place upon these doings in the
House of Commons really covered the whole of Lord Palmer
Ston’s policy, and the spirit and the principles of it. Not
Sir Robert Peel alone, but Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Disraeli, Sir
James Graham, and Cobden, all bore with overpowering
Weight against the Minister, not only for his impolitic
%t in regard to Greece, but for his intervention in Spain,
Portugal. Switzerland, and everywhere else. Lord Palmer-Hist,

 of Greece, vil. 213, &c. Mr. Finlay’s verdict is that “the whole affair
Teflects very little oredit on any of the Governments that teok part in ib.”
* “I conceive,” said Sir Robert Peel, “that there was an obvious mode
of Settling the claims without offending France, and without provoking a
*ehuke from Russia. My belief is that without any compromise of your own
Hemity, youn might have got the whole money you demanded, and avoided
the diffionlties in which you have involved yourselves with these Powers.
With regard to Rossia, you had just asserted the authority of England by
*Smonstrating with her for attempting to expel ten refugees from Turkey.
Bhe acquiesced in your demands; and with regard to France you had all
but the certainty of obtaining her cordizl sympathy and good feeling.
Thera never was & period in which it was more the interest of this country
0 concilinte the good feeling of Russia aud Franoe.”—8peech in ths Don
Paine Debate. Jone “8. Fensurd. ari. 483