Chapter 8

The ex-King of Westphalia--The Duke of Wellington at Court-- Failure of the Duke's Memory--Dinner at Devonshire House to Royalties--Government defeated on Irish Registration Bill--The King of Hanover's Apartments--Rank of Foreign Ministers--The Duchess of Inverness--War with China--Murder of Lord William Russell--Duke of Wellington on the China War--Weakness of Government--Duke of Wellington's Conduct towards the Government--The Queen shot at--Examination of the Culprit-- Retrospect of Affairs--Conciliatory Policy--Advantages of a Weak Government--The Eastern Question--Lord Palmerston's Daring and Confidence--M. Guizot and Mr. Greville--Pacific Views of Louis Philippe--M. Guizot's Statement of the Policy of France-- Growing Alarm of Ministers--Alarm of Prince Metternich--Lord John Russell disposed to resist Palmerston--History of the Eastern Negotiation--A Blunder of M. Guizot--Important Conversation with Guizot--Conflict between Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston--Energetic Resolution of Lord John--Lord Palmerston holds out--Conciliatory Proposals of France-- Interview with Lord Palmerston and Lord John Page 277