CHAPTER XVII.

Lord John Russell and Lord Stanley--Lord Palmerston's Leadership--Dissensions in the Liberal Party--The Queen and her Ministers--Lord Stanley at the India Office--The Queen's Letter to the Prince of Wales--Reform Speeches and Projects--Lord Palmerston's Confidence--Prosecution of Count Montalembert in France--Lord Clarendon's Visit to Compiègne--The Emperor's Designs on Italy--The Emperor and the Pope--Approach of War--Lord Palmerston's Prudent Language--Lord Palmerston's Italian Sympathies--The Electric Telegraph--Opposition in France to the War--The Emperor's Prevarication--Opening of Parliament--Debates on Foreign Affairs--Lord Cowley's Mission to Vienna--General Opposition to the War--A Reform Bill--Mr. Walpole and Mr. Henley resign--Duplicity of the Emperor--Mr. Disraeli's Reform Bill--The Emperor denies his Warlike Preparations--The Whigs oppose the Reform Bill--Anxiety to defeat the Government--Lord Cowley returns from Vienna--War impending--Dishonest Conduct of both Parties--Lord Cowley's Account of Cavour's Policy--His Mission to Vienna--A Congress proposed--Indifference to Reform--Debates on the Reform Bill--Defeat of the Reform Bill--An Emissary from Cavour _page_ 208