1860.

782 LIFE OF OGBDEX. [omar
Commons, and had censured the levity with which he had
for mere momentary objects in the House embittered the
relations of the two countries and endangered their peace:
He observed that the conduct of Lord Palmerston had added
immensely to the difficulties of the French government iB
carrying out the details of the Treaty, for it had cut from
under their feet the political grounds on which they had
justified themselves to the influential members of the
protectionist party, who now taunted him with having failed
to secure the English alliance by the Free-Trade concessions:
He said that the Emperor's letter to M. Persigny was nob
intended for publication, but that the Emperor was impor
tuned by the latter to allow it to be given to the world.
“ August 81.—Called on Prince Napoleon, who informed
me he was going shortly on a visit to England, where he
would study our agriculture, and travel into Scotland 89
for as Inverness. I hoped he would visit Manchester and
Liverpool, and make a speech on the Commercial Treaty:
He complained of the language of Lord Palmerston in the
House towards France, and intimated that it would be well
for the peace of the world that he were removed from the
political stage, if not from the stage of life. He said the
great danger to be dreaded from these attacks upon France,
made by our leading statesmen from political motives, was
lest the Germans, and particularly Austria, should infer that
they would be supported in a war with France by England,
and thus be encouraged to make a rupture with this country
He attributed our present hostile attitude towards France
to the influence exercised at our Court by the royal families
of Prussia, Belgium, etc. The English Court, he said, in the
present equally balanced state of parties, exercised a great
sway over the rival aristocratic candidates for office,
“ September 4—~XLord Granville called, and I took the
opportunity of commenting on the conduct of the Govern: