tary.)

RETURN TO LONDON.

705

out to spend a part of the winter in Paris, he might
q haps be of use to Mr. Gladstone in the way of inquiry. ~ mr. ss.
Ouversation expanded this modest proposal into something
ore definite and more energetic. It was thought that, if
bo had the tacit and informal authority of the British
Jovernment, he might put himself into communication with
he Emperor and his Ministers, might bring to bear upon
hem hig well-tried powers of persuasion and conversion,
nd might work out with them the scheme of a treaty which
ould give an occasion for a great fiscal reform in both
“Ountries, and in both countries would produce a solid and
terling pacification of feelings.
This wag the plan with which Cobden quitted Hawarden.
He was not confident of success, for he knew that he would
fave to deal with governments, and he had little faith in
“Wher the courage or the disinterestedness of governments.
When he started on the expedition, he had written in
10 sanguine vein to Mr. Bright :— Governments seem as
"rule to be standing conspiracies to rob and bamboozle
People, and why should that of Louis Napoleon be an excepbon
 ? The more I see of the rulers of the world,” he added,
0 amplification of a famous saying, “the less of wisdom or
Sreatnesy do I find necessary for the government of manking»

When he reached London he found that the Ministers had
en summoned for a Cabinet Council. He called upon
Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, and discussed
M. Chevalier’s notions with them. “Ii is not easy,” he
Wrote to Mr. Bright, * to interest men whose foreign policy
has been running in such different grooves, in questions of
Political economy and tariffs. But I spoke frankly to both
of them as to the state of our relations with France, and
Yisparaged the value of an alliance in China, or any other
Pretended entente cordiale, whilst we were keeping vp
_