Xxx.]

AY CANNER.

74.1

“The Prince showed much earnestness of feeling in his 1860.
“onversation. He wore an humbled air, as well he might, Zr. 56.
%onsidering the topic on which we were conversing, which
Was nothing less than whether it would be advisable to sell a
Part of the Empire to save the rest. After reiterated apologies
for the liberty I had taken in calling on him, which he received
0 the best possible spirit, I left him. If I could spend a
Bonth in Vienna, and see the leading men in the Government
“ircles there, I feel a presentiment that I could bring them
"0 my views on this difficult and important subject.”
The next day Cobden started for the south of France,
nd he remained there until the last week in March. He
Wade Cannes his headquarters, and hoped for sunshine and
Warmth, Unluckily, cloudy skies and keen winds confirmed
his opinion that, if we would make sure of a second summer
tn ghe year, it cannot be had in Europe ; men must imitate
the swallows and migrate into Africa. Cobden’s elastic and
joyful temperament, however, atoned for defects of climate,
"nd his diary is a record of lively excursions and genial
Wercourse with friends. Among his daily companions were
Bunsen, Henri Martin, Arles Dufour, Legouvé, Mérimée,
nd occasionally Lord Brougham. Those who have been
Wcustomed to think of Cobden as wrapped up in tariffs and
the vulgarities of Parliament might well be amazed at the
*agerness with which he notes the house to which Rachel
Was brought to die, and the circumstances of her last hours ;
% his enthusiasm for the fine landscapes ; at the sincerity
of interest with which he listened for long hours while
Bunsen talked to him about Egyptian antiquities, and read
bis latest successes in deciphering hieroglyphs. Every day
brought to his curious and observant mind new stores of
Wformation, political, social, and industrial, and still he had
Wterest left for gossip and the trivialities that help such men
"Cross from one serious thought to another,