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"008, The commercial and industrial movement\(F
mo couniry, and the relations of government to them, ws
Teated ag objects for men of the third or fourth order m
he political system. What is curious is, that while
levoting such passionate attention to foreign affairs, no
Un ever seem to take so little pains as ministers of this
tamp to keep themselves abundantly and accurately
tormeg of what really goes on in foreign countries, what
Orces are at work under the trite words of diplomatic
‘gents, what amount of substance throws those shadows
bout which they write and speak so many busy sentences.
Although, however, he received no cheerful encouragetent
 from either the Prime Minister or the Foreign
Secretary, Cobden was not forbidden to proceed on the
Wistion that he had volunteered. On October 18, he arrived
2 Paris, and on the 23rd he went to see Lord Cowley at
Chanilyy, They had a long conversation, in the course of
"hich the English Ambassador gave the Emperor a high
haracter for straightforwardness, and a strict adherence to
US word jn all his engagements with Lord Cowley himself.
Two days later Cobden, M. Chevalier, and M. Rouher dined
‘gether, The Minister had been very uneasy lest the fact
°f his interview with Cobden should get abroad, and I have
“ard that the dinner was planned with as much secrecy
"od discretion as if they had been three housebreakers
Wder the surveillance of the police.
M. Rouher, who was then Minister of Commerce, protensed
 strong Free-trade views, and was thoroughly won
und by Cobden’s exposition of the well-known list of
Protectionist subterfuges. He made no secret that it was
the Emperor only who on every question gave the initiative
' his Minister. If he could be induced to reform his
Pustoms duties, M. Rouher would be a very willing instro-Went
 in promoting his plans. The next step, and the

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