IxxV1.] ON FREE TRADE IN FRANCE, 913

offer of hospitality. In the present state of my health I 1864
am obliged to look forward to the possibility of being com- Zr. 60.
Pelled to go abroad in the winter. You know that the
climate of England from May to October is the finest in the
world, and gives no excuse for the invalid to leave home. I
must therefore remain with my family in the summer, in the
fear that my health may compel me to go to the south in the
winter. I should be delighted to have the opportunity of
Passing a few weeks with you. Among other matters we
could talk over the progress of Free Trade in France. I
confess I am not satisfied that you do not continue to make
further reforms, if only to guard against reaction in those
already made. Time is passing. It is now four years since
we arranged your tariff. Are you sure that in 1870 you will
be so completely under the Free Trade régime as to prevent
the government of that day (God knows what it may be)
from going back to protection after the Anglo-French Treaty
expires,
“We are in a critical political situation here. It is
not easy to say what will happen in a week or two in the
House. The Whigs are in a very sorry plight. But the
Tories are so stupid that they seem hardly capable of profiting
 by the blunders of their opponents. The Opposition
is to meet to-morrow at Lord Derby’s, to consider the next
step. If they move a resolution implying censure on the
Government for not having gone to war, they will not be
supported by a majority of the House, for both sides are
very much opposed to war in behalf of the Danes. I have
been much struck with this pacific sentiment in both parties,
It is quite different from what it was previous to the Crimean
War.”

Tone of English Politics.
“ Midhurst, Nov. 5. ( ,, )—I am glad to hear that
you and Madame Chevalier are returning in good health
IN