xxxrv.] ON LORD PALMERSTON,

863

“ Atheneum, London, March 18. ( ,,. )—You will see 1862.
that we are in the midst of a debate on the maritime law, Air. 88.
and you may have remarked that Palmerston has seized
the opportunity before the discussion was over to declare
his opposition to the change affecting private property of
belligerents at sea. I am not surprised at this; for a man
of seventy-seven, whose ideas are. stereotyped on the model
of half a century ago, is not likely to favour any measure in
harmony with the age in which we live. But I am not the
less certain that these changes in maritime law to which I
alluded before, will be adopted by this country. It takes
time with us English people to make up our minds, but
When great material interests can be appealed to on the
Side of principles of freedom and humanity, the eventual
result in this country is not doubtful. It is a terrible evil
to find ourselves with an old man of seventy-seven at our
head, and I am more and more convinced that any change
{rom this state of things will be an advantage,

Lord Palmerston.

“ Midhurst, August 7, 1862. (To Mr. Hargreawes)—I
have found your letter on coming here. If Bright could
have been by my side during the last six weeks of the
Session, I think we could have silenced Palmerston. He
had laid himself open to attack, and the events of the
Session had made him very vulnerable. However, I hope I
have spoilt his game as a popular demagogue a little for
the recess. But he has a terrible run of good luck; and
then I am afraid of the tricks he may be allowed by his
Obsequious colleagues to play before we meet again. Nothing
 could be so unfavourable to the bublic interest as the

the evening. His hoarseness, however, remained intractable, and My,
Bright spoke instead.