CHAPTER VIII.

Lord John's Views on the Ministry--Gloomy Prospects--Attacks on Lord Raglan--Russian and Prussian Diplomacy--Lord Palmerston more in favour--French View of the British Army--Russian Negotiations--Lord John Russell in Paris--Conference at Vienna--Lord Raglan unmoved--Terms proposed to Russia--Failure of the Duke of Newcastle--Hesitation of Austria and France--Deplorable State of the Armies--Chances of Peace--Meeting of Parliament--Further Negotiations--Lord John Russell resigns--Ministers stay in--The Debate on Roebuck's Motion--Resignation of Lord Aberdeen--Lord John Russell's real Motives--Lord Derby sent for--and fails--Wise Decision of the Queen--Ministerial Negotiations--Lord Palmerston sent for--The Peelites refuse to join--Lord Palmerston forms a Government--Lord Palmerston's Prospects--Lord John Russell sent to Vienna--Lord Palmerston in the House of Commons--General Alarm--Difficulties of Lord Palmerston--The Peelites secede--Lord John accepts the Colonial Office--Sir George Lewis Chancellor of the Exchequer--Death of the Emperor Nicholas of Russia--Lord Palmerston supposed to be a weak Debater--Weakness of the Government--Fresh Arrangements--The Budget--The Press _page 217_