Life of Henry Reeve, vol 2 | Page 9

can
effectually shake him, unless he were to be defeated in the war he has
been endeavouring to bring about. The whole prospects are as gloomy
as possible for the friends of freedom and of peace.
From Lord Brougham _Cannes, April 10th_.--Many thanks for your
letter, which gives me information much beyond what my other letters
give, but far from agreeable either as to home or foreign affairs. This
destruction (I fear I must call it) of the Liberal party by the personal
vanity, which they call by the higher name of ambition, of two persons
is truly deplorable; and the conduct of the Government in dissolving is
such as can hardly be exceeded in folly. We shall have an increased
split, I fear, of the Liberals, and a weaker Government than ever. I
grieve to say that matters look as ill for peace in this country and Italy
as ever. The conduct of Cavour is abominable.
I grieve to give you a worse account than ever of Tocqueville. Dr.
Maure had condemned him from the first, but Dr. Sève had sanguine
hopes, at least, of a long time being given. But I have just seen him,
and he now says it is an affair of days. So all is nearly over. Mme. T. is
also very ill, and Beaumont being forced to leave them is most
vexatious.
From Lord Clarendon _G. C., April 10th_.--Do you chance to have a
proof-sheet of that part of your article which treats of the rights of
Austria to Lombardy and Venice and her reversionary rights to the
other States, and, if so, will you lend it to me? You have made the
whole case so clear that I should like to read it over again, as it may be
necessary to say something on the subject in the House of Lords when
Malmesbury makes his statement, and I see that the 'Edinburgh Review'
will not be out till Friday, otherwise I would not trouble you.
_G. C., April 13th_.--Many thanks for the proof-sheets, and
Schwarzenberg's despatch and Duvergier's letter, which I enclose. I was
kept at home by a slight attack of gout yesterday, and did not see
Malmesbury, but on Monday he told me that he had hopes of being
able to announce a disarming of the three would-be belligerent Powers.

Until he makes that statement I shall not believe in its probability.
Palmerston and Lord John seem well aware that any encouragement to
war would be most unpopular at home, and I don't expect that there will
be much discussion on Friday.
_From the Duc d'Aumale_
Orleans House, April 11th.
On my return from Claremont I find your letter. With my brothers I had
just been deploring the great loss sustained by the Liberal party.
[Footnote: The death of Tocqueville was prematurely announced a
week before it actually took place.] Of all the men of mark in our
deliberative assemblies, M. de Tocqueville was certainly the most
stainless. He had the rare advantage of not being obnoxious to any of
the parties existing in France, by which I mean all self-respecting
parties, such as will be taken into account on the day when France shall
become herself again. He would certainly have been one of the most
important members of the first free government in our country. Even as
things are, he was one of our public characters whose voice carried
most weight, and who was best fitted to enlighten the minds of others.
God has taken him from us before his time. Forgive me for retaining so
much selfishness and party spirit before the coffin of so good and
amiable a man; for regretting his public more than his private virtues.
_From M. Guizot_
_Paris, April 15th_.--... France does not understand, approve, or wish
for an Italian war now any more than she did six months ago. I persist
in thinking that in his inmost soul, and of his own judgement, the
Emperor Napoleon would also be glad to be rid of it, provided it should
be quite clear that it is not of his free will that he backs out of his
promise, and that, in remaining at peace, he is yielding to imperious
necessity, to the interest, will, and influence of Europe. On Europe,
therefore, the matter depends; and, in this, Europe is England, for
Prussia will follow England. It is, therefore, towards you that all of us
who are friends of peace and good sense now turn our eyes. Do not fall
a prey to the disease which has mastered all the politicians of the time.

Do not be afraid to take the initiative, to incur the responsibility; decide
and act according to your own opinion, instead of waiting for
circumstances to decide and act for you. On this