CHAPTER XXII,

THE PROTECTIONISTS IN OFFICER.

1852.

Tae signal victory which Lord Palmerston had gained in
the summer of 1850, was followed before the close of the
following year by what looked to everybody but himself
like a crushing repulse. His rapid and peremptory way of
doing the business of his office had never been agreeable to the
Court. The substantial aims of his policy had been in most
instances extremely disagreeable to some of the continental
personages with whom the English Court was on terms mor
or less close. In these high quarters, therefore, he was 10
favourite. At the very moment of his triumph, the Quee?
bransmitted to him a rebuke for neglect of consideration and
observance towards the Crown, sc sharply worded that when
it became public, men looked upon it as an affront not to be
borne, and wondered that a Minister of Lord Palmerston’
spirit should not have met it by instant resignation. He
did not take this course, because, in his own words, to hav®
resigned then would have been to give the fruits of victory
bo adversaries whom he had defeated, and to abandon his
supporters at the very moment when by their means he had
just triumphed. It was not long, however, before he rashly
gave his enemies their opportunity, When the President
of the French Republic struck his blow against the As
sembly, Lord Palmerston thought that he had done what
was right and expedient, aud frankly said as much