LIFE OF COBDEN. [omar.

who undertake to take stock of the number and the opinions
of their followers—the whippers-in during the week were
taking soundings of the inclination of Members of the House
of Commons, And then came up from the country such &
manifestation of opinion against war, that day after day
during that eventful week Member after Member from the
largest constituencies went to those who acted for the
Government in Parliament, and told them distinctly that they
would not allow war on any such matters as Schleswig and
Holstein. Then came surging up from all the great seats
and centres of manufacturing and commercial activity one
unanimous veto upon war for this matter of Schleswig
and Holstein.” * The result was that when Lord Palmerston
came down to the House on that memorable afternoon of
the 27th of June, it was to make the profoundly satisfactory,
but profoundly humiliating announcement, that there was
to be no war. They had ascertained, he said, that France
declined to take any active part in support of Denmark.
They had ascertained that Russia would take no part. The
whole brunt of the effort requisite for dislodging the German
troops would fall upon this country alone. Under these
circumstances, they had not thought it consistent with their
duty to advise the Sovereign to undertake the task. Lord
Palmerston wound up his statement by menaces of gresb
things to be done by the Government if Prussia and
Austria went a step further in certain possible directions.
These curiously hollow and ill-timed threats were received
with loud shouts of derision, and Mr. Disraeli had the whole
House with him when he denounced them ag spiritless and
senseless, He had the House with him when he went on to
say that judging from the past, he would prefer that the
affairs of the country should be conducted on the principles
of the Member for Rochdale and the Member for Birming-3
 Bpeoches, ii, 344.