The Press.
London, England, 1855-02-24 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

bestow, by presenting the living to his own nephew.
Rest assured, sir, that such conduct as this will be
duly estimated by those who know how to distin-
guish the scholar and the gentleman from the mere
placeman and nepotist.-1 am, sir, yours, &c.,
A COUNTRY CURATE.
February 21.

CO ST OF STEAM TRANSPORTS.
TO THR EDITOR OF " THE PRESS."
Sir,—A considerable time ago, I think about
August, I called your attention to the great expense
at which our transport service was being conducted,
and my letter you inserted under the head of " Cost
of Steam Transports." I believe the rough estimate
I then gave of the unwarrantable waste of the public
money will prove by no means exaggerated. I feel
satisfied that no branch whatever of the service has
cost us such an unnecessary amount of money as
that of transport. As I then said I say now, that,
cost what it may, we, the people, do not grudge it if
it be not wasted, and that those companies who con-
tract are well entitled to be amply remunerated ; but
I, as one of the people, most emphatically protest
against a system by which we are paying fifty and one
hundred per cent. more than we ought, and that to
such an amount that, I verily believe, the estimate I
formerly gave of a million being thrown away is under
the mark, for I should really like to be informed how
much of the five millions expended on the transport
service has gone as a clear gain into the pockets of
the contractors. Can you not urge this subject being
brought before the notice of the House of Commons,
or is a question of expense too low-minded a one to
occupy that august assembly at present? But it
ought to be put an end to. A system which continues
to pay companies their postal subsidies, although
not performmg that service, and at the same time
remunerating them at an enormous rate per ton
register for a steamer, by which the rate should
have been per ton she can carry—a system paying
some vessels 40s. per ton while they have managed
to get others at 15s. per ton per month—a system
presided over and conducted by officials who, I verily
believe, do not know which is the stern and whioh is
the bow of a vessel—is one which, even among the
more weighty subjects of consideration by Parlia-
ment, should still occupy a little of their attention.
—I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
A CONSTANT READER.
London, Feb. 20, 1855.

TO THE EARL OF ABERDEEN.
My Lord,—You lie prostrate under the verdict co
the people of England given in Parliament with a
general consent and unanimous censure such as never
before accompanied the downfall of any Minister.
You have fallen ; moreover, you have been con-
demned. Your fall was inglorious, and your con-
demnation marked by a reprobation which will out-
live your term of life and will be registered in the
historic annals of public and political misdemeanour.
Strictly have you followed the path of your former
leader, Sir Robert Peel. You have both of you ajust
reputation of private worth. Character only goes to
magnify the evil by affording an example of a fatal
discrepancy betwixt public and private conduct. If
that discrepancy be permitted with impunity and to-
lerated without protest, the ultimate injury will fall
heavily on the people.
Your friend of forty years' standing, the Czar, was
dissatisfied with you. Do you call for the private
authority for stating this personal dissatisfaction?
The Emperor Nicholas. Your connivance with his
intended aggression was clumsy because disingenuous.
It behoved you to have told him from the first of the
impracticability of his ambitious project, or, in obe-
dience to the servility which you proffered, you
should have acted with greater fidelity towards him.
Here, again, insincerity was your fault. To the last
you privately assured the Czar that the " vexata
qutestio " would be settled without recourse to arms,
whilst you told the people of England that they were
drifting towards war. You despatched 25,000 men
to Malta to frighten your old friend. You found him
made of sterner stuff than that of the standard of
self by which you had gauged him. Forthwith, on
your failure, you made " a leap in the dark"
—whereby you became responsible for the
thousands of lives that have been lost. I have told
you this before, and as since that occasion, when in
the zenith of your untoward power, my pen has
ceased its trifling contributions to THE PRESS'S° new
on your discomfiture do I resume it with something
more than satisfaction.
You stated on your resignation in the House of
Peers that you quitted office at the moment when
Russia had accepted the four points according to the
interpretation of the three powers, and that peace
was probably at hand. M. Drouyn de Limps, in
his Ministerial circular, issued by command of the
Emperor Napoleon, declares that Russia has not
accepted the four points without important reserves,
and that the prospect of peace is not only remote, but
the chance of the war being extended to other coun-

183

tries is imminent. Could you not resign without
increasing the damage to character which you have
already sustained? You are at issue with the Em-
peror of the French upon a statement of fact. Yea
or nay—truth or its reverse. He is right, and you
are wrong—and this is your parting grace.
You sent affectionate remembrances by some old
ladies to your German allies, and as the Minister of
England you denounced the policy that you had
agreed to pursue and were actually pursuing with
them. Now, these old ladies, officially and reveren-
tially named by you in the House of Peers, are
worthy personages no doubt, and be it so said in all
honour ; yet, as there has been a change in other
Cabinets, would it not be wise—ay, prudent—yea,
verily agreeable—to change these Ministries also ?
You were at Harrow. Let not Horatian echoes be
unmemoried and unfruitful, and take into your
bosom confidence the " filia pulchrlor." For once,
at least, be a man " sans peur," and your friend Mr.
Gladstone will give Tou absolution " sans raproche."
After the insincerity towards the Czar, you judged
it advisable to continue that same policy with
the Emperor Napoleon. Germany teemed with
plots for the ultimate restoration of the Orleans
family, and your name was quoted in approval of
such projects. This did not interfere with your
oongratulations to Parliament on the " entente cor-
diale" with France and its Imperial Sovereign.
Your name was not the only one mentioned in rela-
tion to the possible combination of an Orleans
revival. You know this, and you know also that
documents exist pregnant with matter of the
gravest compromise. Do you not ? Let us proceed.
There is an office other than that of Downing-
street. This you know also. Access was accorded
in Germany to two missives from that office and
they were transcribed. An interruption occurred
during the transcription. In what manner might
you suppose? By the entrance of a Minister of the
Crown of England. The task was finished, the
person departed, and on the marble landing place at
the threshold stood a king in " mufti."
Your fall from the high estate of Premier of
England is not accompanied by real regret in any
quarter cave one. Your own friends, so called,
blamed you ; your colleagues deserted, and the
country condemned, you ; and at its bidding Parlia-
ment passed a vote of censure. Is it or is it not

true?
Take your Garter, in memory of the dead of the
Crimea—dead through your obstinate imbecility.
If the raw article of its manufacture were to be in
accordance with your official merit, of what would it
consist?
Jebel-Taff, February, 1855.

THE CRIMEA.
The following despatch appeared in the Gazette of
last night :
Before Sebastopol, Feb. 10.
My Lord Duke,-1 have nothing material or important
to report to your grace since I addressed you on the Bth.
There was rain yesterday and the day before, and in the
course of last night there was a considerable fall of snow,
which remains on the ground; but it does not freesu, and
the country is again saturated with wet.
It is reported from the front that great activity prevails
in the town and harbour of Sebastopol.
Large convoys of apparently sick men were observed to
be moving out of the place, and numerous carts, with one
horse, to be coming in.
The enemy appear to be breaking up hulks in the
Arsenal Crook, and to be using the material for platforms
and chevaux de (rise at the battery " du Mat."
We are proceeding with the armament of the works on
the right.
The health of the troops continues to improve in some
slight degree. They are amply supplied with warm cloth-
ing and with proviaims.
Forage is our only want, and this arises chiefly from the
Commissary-General not receiving from England the sup-
plies of hay ,'non which he has reckoned.
1 inclose tho return of casualties to the Bth inst
I have, &c. ltsurAx.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, &c. &c. &c.
Letters from the camp to the Bth instant were re-
ceived yesterday evening. They add a few details to
the intelligence of later dates already communicated
by telegraph, and published in another column :
The tramway at Balaklava is making most astonishing
progress. Already some of the filthiest and most noisome
dens, where the Turks used to congregate and die in hun-
dreds, have been levelled. Psi t of the tramway has been
laid down; and Mr. Campbell expresses himself confi-
dently, that before another month the rails will be com-
pleted to the foot of the plateau of hills on which our camp
is situated.
A considerable force of the enemy, to the number of
about 18,000 men, have returned and taken up permanent
quarters on the east of the plain of lialaklava, and round
the village of Tchourgoum.
Very few huts are erected, not more than about twentt
or twenty-five in all.
The whole of the English
mortars, and the French twenty-seven
The fire of these must certainly
That we shall ruin the town
earthworks 'teems generally adm
our present lines will destroy as
actual fortifications of Sebastopol
question.

ili lines only mount fowl,
~...::
twenty-seven; forty-one In
:e
• .1
tainly produce much tnise \,.. ..e%
,wn and destroy the Rued* It-
admiited, but that tha fired'
my the shipping of lafama ;el4
stopol is said to b•
. '
..‘
- ....
'/F N.P.IsVIiES

184

THE WEEK.

Another Ministerial crisis has arisen, and through the same agency
which for the last two years has been the cause of constant confusion
in our Councils, and weakness in our Administrative—the Peelite
faction. The Coalition was, in the first instance, the result of its
greed of power,—the misfortunes of the war were due to its incapacity,
—and the long Ministerial interregnum, which has brought contempt
on our whole system of Government, is the direct consequence of the
unfortunate position it has assumed.
When we last wrote it was uncertain what would be done with
respect to the Committee of Inquiry. Lord PALMERSTON was noto-
riously anxious to quash it, and he caused hints of a dissolution to be
spread abroad, should the Commons persist in their vote. But the
debate of Friday night, last week, must have shaken his resolution.
Mr. ROEBUCK declared his intention to proceed ; Mr. DISRAELI, as the
head of the great Conservative party, urged in a most powerful speech
that the inquiry could not be allowed to drop ; and many independent
members on the Liberal side,—among them Mr. HORSMAN, Mr. LAING,
Mr. MUNTZ, and Mr. SEYMOUR, announced their resolve to support the
inquiry. After this expression of opinion Lord PALMERSTON must
have felt that it would be vain for him to attempt to shake the deter-
mination of the House, and from the feeling of the country he must
equally have felt that a dissolution on this question would have re-
sulted in his complete discomfiture. What was to be done ? Mr.
ROEBUCK'S Committee, as originally nominated, suggested an idea that
it had been made up for the purpose of being rejected. The names
were decidedly hostile to the Government. Only three members were
likely to be favorable—Sir J. PAXTON, Mr. ELLics, and Mr. LOWE—
the other members had already condemned the Government by their
votes. But the earnestness of the House for inquiry rendered it
evident, that in some way or other a fair and efficient Committee would
be appointed. Lord PALMERSTON saw the necessity of yielding; his
Peelite colleagues were bent on resistance. Communication was held
with Mr. ROEBUCK, and he changed the constitution of his Committee,
replacing several of the eminent Conservative names by members of
less decided character. On Tuesday the division in the Cabinet
assumed a definite shape. and Mr. GLADSTONE, Mr. HERBERT, and Sir
James GRAHAM, asserted they could not consent to the Committee ;
they tendered their resignation, the Council adjourned to the follow-
ing day, and then they formally resigned. The disorganisation in the
Cabinet was known on Wednesday afternoon; on Thursday morning
it was formally announced in the journals. A crowded House as-
sembled in the afternoon to hear the Ministerial explanations, but,
as Lord PALMERSTON intimated that they would be postponed until
the following day, the House only went through its formal business.
On Friday it was announced that Mr. CARDWELL, who it had been
supposed would eucceed Mr. GLADSTONE as Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, had followed the example of his Peelite colleagues and had
resigned. Then for the moment the Government seemed brought to a
dead lock. No one doubted that Lord PALMERSTON might get some
persons to fill the vacancies, but at a time like this, administrative
experience, as well as ability, is required to fill the chief posts of
Government, and Lord PALMERSTON must be well aware that these
qualities he cannot command. Perhaps now he begins to comprehend
the fatal mistake ho made in refusing to join Lord DERBY, and to be
aware that the proposed combination was the only possible mode of
forming a really strong Government.
The House last night presented a more animated appearance than
we have witnessed this session. It was filled at an early hour, and
there was a numerous attendance of Peers. The appearance of Sir J.
GRAHAM, Mr. GLADSTONE, and Mr. S. HERBERT was looked for with
some anxiety, to see the places they would take. When they entered
they assumed seats on the second bench below the gangway on the
Ministerial side, in the same line with Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. CARDWELL,
on entering, took his seat on a back Ministerial bench. Lord PAL-
MERSTON did not enter the House till five o'clock, and great impatience
was manifested for his arrival.
Sir J. GRAHAM immediately rose and spoke with all his wonted
self possession and propriety of language. It was at once seen from
his tone that he had decisively separated himself from Lord PAL-
MERSTON, and that he considered the latter had shown great weakness
and want of principle in not resisting the committee, which it was
understood would be resisted when he consented to join. One part
of his speech was listened to with deep attention. He stipulated on
joining that the diplomatic negotiations proceeding for an honourable
peace should not be in any way interfered with, and to this Lord PAL-
MERSTON cordially assented. The serious tone in which Sir JAMES
spoke showed that he considered the negotiations had really a pacific
purpose, and that he thought them likely to take effect. This hint
was quite sufficient to rouse Mr. BRIGHT. It was amusing to see how
greedily he swallowed the bait. Peace is Mr. Bareiris vision by day
and dream by night. He thinks of no other object. We verily believe
that for peace he would to-morrow recognise the Czar NICHOLAS
as King of England, and illuminate his house on the
landing of his Imperial Majesty at Dover. Shrewd on
other subjects, he is a mere visionary on this one.
No sooner did he hear that Lord PALMERSTON was actually conduct-
' with earnestness, than he recanted all his
the Noble Lord, and paid him all sorts of
mingling them with pathetic entreaties to
JR of blood. He claimed respect for Lord
the Noble Viscount was in office while JOHN
and, amid the irrepressible tittering of the
'ell on the Premier's age as a title to reverence,
expression as he pathetically alluded to the
to his sun going down. As Lord PALMEBsTON

SATURDAY,

just now presents a rather more juvenile appearance that he has done
of late, these compliments amazingly tickled the House. The debate
was prolonged to a late hour. It was so damaging on the whole to
Lord PALMERSTON, that it appears impossible for him to maintain his
place, and it is positively painful to see a statesman of his character
placed in a position which he has not even the requisite energy to

The Army Estimates were moved by Mr. PEEL on Tuesday, after
an energetic speech by Mr. LAYARD, dwelling on the mismanagement
which had occurred. Lord PALMERSTON answered individual cases
forcibly urged with general claptrap. Mr. LAYARD instanced the
appointment of Captain Cultism, at the head of the transport service
at Balaklava, an officer seventy years old, who could not leave his ship
after dark for fear of losing his life through catarrh, and often con-
fined for five or six days together; and Lord PALMERSTON replied,
" Look to the glorious charge of Balaklava." The estimates must have
been felt as a withering condemnation of Mr GLADSTONE'S provision
for increased expenses last year. Now the increase is counted by
millions of money, but Mr. GLADSTONE, in March last, cautiously asked
for only 832,0001. increase, and on the Bth of May following, after
hostilities had broken out, for 300,0001. more. What more conclusive
proof can be required that the Government at that time had not the
slightest thought of the magnitude of the crisis, or the energy and
resources which would be required to conduct the war ? The votes
asked were granted, no one, enormous as the sums were, venturing to
interpose a word in favour of economy. The Ordnance Estimates have
been published: they present an increase over those of last year of
nearly two millions ; the total for all our naval and land forces
amounts to nearly thirty eight millions. How is this vast expenditure
to be met? An attempt to realise it from the income of the yeas
would break down the industry of the country. Yetthis is the key-stone
of Mr. GLADSTONE'S system of finance. Evidently a huge loan will
have to be raised. There can be no question of its expediency—it
is inevitable.

A resolution for the repeal of the penny stamp on newspapers
was carried on Monday night, and a bill to regulate the details of
the measure brought in, but the resignation of Mr. GLADSTONZ will, we
imagine, lead to its postponement. The principle of the measure is
very simple. There is to be no compulsory stamp on news any more
than on other printed matter, but all printed matter of the weight of
four ounces will pass through the post for seven days after publica-
tion if it bears a penny stamp as at present. The papers published
at present, with the single exception of the Times, are of less weight
than four ounces, that journal, with its single sheet supplement,
slightly exceeds four ounces ; so a provision is inserted for its benefit,
that for ten years the weight shall extend to six ounces, instead of
four. This is the most objections' feature of the scheme. Why ten
years ? The limitation is absurd. A much better plan would be to
make the permanent limit four and a half or five ounces, which
then would include all the matter which the Times or any other
journal can cover by a penny stamp. An extra size would then, as now,
bear an extra stamp. Whenever the measure comes forward, we hope
this common sense amendment will be made, and then the Times, by
its own showing, would have no ground for complaint.

To the debate on the admission of Russian produce we have
alluded in a separate article. But we may briefly notice the contra-
diction between the arguments of those economists who support the
existing system. It is said that it is for the benefit of our trade that
we should obtain Russian produce as cheaply as we can. Very well.
Then why attempt to check its transit through Prussia? Our Govern-
ment most inconsistently supports the principle of admitting this
produce, and yet avows that it is desirable to throw difficulties in the
way of its admission. The war will never be earnestly carried on till
the admission of Russian produce is rejected, and till all considera-
tions of maximum injury to our enemies by a blockade, and minimum
injury to ourselves by obtaining our enemies' goods as cheaply as we
can, are thrown to the winds and a decided principle is adopted.

No intelligence of moment has been received from the seat of
war this week. It appears to be true that our troops have partially
withdrawn from their lines, and their places been occupied by the
French. Prince MENSCHIKOFF reports from the Crimea, under date of
the 12th inst., that he had discovered some of the French mines and
partially destroyed them. Sorties were made nightly. From the
progress of the French, whose force now amounts to upwards of
100,000 men, and from the movements of the Russians in the field, it
is supposed that a general action cannot long be delayed.
The accounts which reach us from the hospital at Scutari are
more distressing than ever. Under date of Feb. 12, we hear that the
number under medical treatment is fully 7,000. A correspondent
writes to us :
A wounded man is now a rarity here, and, indeed, it is pleasing to meet with on
since they listen so attentively, and with such intelligence, to words of comfort and a&
vice compared with the men reduced by fever or other diseases. Great exertions have
been made at Kulleli, which in a very short time has been fitted up for 1,900 sick. The
arrangements made give it much the appearance of the admirable French hospital at
Pere. Thirty thousand men have been in hospital since September. Her Majesty,
we are informed, is about to have the graveyard at Scutari planted and closed in
by a wall.

The death of Mr. JOSEPH HUME has brought his name once more,
and for the last time, before the public. The notoriety he obtained
was a great tribute to his diligence ; but the public, in view of the
ruinous effect of the army retrenchments effected of late years,
through dread of what reformers of Mr. HUME'S stamp would say, are
little disposed to listen to his praises. His name is connected with
no great public measure ; and since his political friends came into
power, he has been found exceedingly tractable.

ing a pacific negotiation
previous suspicions of tl
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FEBRUARY 24, 1855.

TO THE EARL OF DERBY.

Derby !—thy chivalry and manly sense
Are England's trust in this her hour of shame,
And to her drooping gaze a beacon flame,
While jealous factions hold her in suspense
And brokers traffic with her ancient fame ;
Thou art her refuge from incompetence,
From vaunts that dupe, and from intents that veer
Ind falter half way to the promised goal;
For true thou art as brave,—sagacious—clear,
And frank in utterance of thy open soul ;
For England, therefore, chafing at her woe,
And lest her noble rage escape control,
Rally her ranks and launch them on the foe
For one retrieving and avenging blow.

COMFORTS FOR THE NEWLY-APPOINTED

VETERANS.

IT is gratifying to find that, while multitudes of merchants, manufac-
turers, and tradesmen have generously contributed gifts each from his
stock to relieve the remains of the army from the sufferings brought
on them by Ministerial mismanagement, numerous vendors of patent
medicines and mechanical succedanea hays been forward in their
patriotic endeavours to obviate the probable results of the appoint-
ments of venerable individuals lately so lavishly made by the Govern-
ment. Amongst the gifts volunteered, we understand that the follow-
ing are conspicuous:—

1. One thousand large boxes of Parr's Life Pills, of that quality
securing an average existence of one hundred and fifty years.
One box a dose.

- --
2. One —gross of green spectacles, of the kind selected by Moses
Primrose, warranted to distinguish a barrel of coffee from a dead
horse at Balaklava.
- - • _

---- -
3. The gentleman who cures nervousness volunteers his secret with
out the usual number of " postage stamps," stipulating that the
same discretion be observed in not making his remedy public
property, as has been exhibited in the matter of Mr. Nasmyth's
guns.
4. The gentleman who on receipt of postage stamps and the
" colour of your hair " volunteered to tell the fortune of the new
employes, had his offer, after being sent backwards and forwards
to several departments, peremptorily refused, on the ground
that the individuals in question invariably wore wigs.

THE BLACK REVIVER.
LFound under the Treasury Bench, and supposed to have been thrown off by a colleague
suddenly startled at a black apparition.]
When some gay Viscount, old, but jolly,
Thinks that his whiskers look too grey,
How to restore his tempts mope,
What art can spirit years away?

The only way vile dates to cover,
To hide the grey from every eye,
To look the young and lusty lover
Britannia sighs for, is—to dye.

OUR PREMIER'S SPEECH.
As that youthful monarch put himself at the head of the discomfited rebels, so I, &c. etc.—
Lord Pahnerston's Speech, Feb. 16.

Ant.—" Guy Fawkes."

As Richard sooth'd Wat Tyler's crew
(That chief of swarthy smithy-men),
So I have settled Roebuck's vote,
And silenced his committee men.
That is, I would have silenced them,
By threats or by " cajoolerie,"
But Roebuck he was wide awake
And wouldn't stand no foolery.
Bow, wow, wow,
Tol de rol de ridy idy,
Bow, wow, wow.

Said I, poor Newcastle is shelved,
And so is Aberdeen, sirs;
We're rid of those two wretched prigs—
Those gifted men, I mean, sirs.
That is, I should have meant it, sirs,
Politeness would dictate it so,
But you might think 'twas irony—
And flattery they hate it so.
Bow, wow, wow,
Tol de rol de ridy idy,
Bow, wow, wow.

And I'm a different style of man
From Aberdeen so sinister ;
And Lord Panmure you'll all agree
Will make a good. War Minister.
That is, you would agree to it,
Nor ever think to doubt it, sirs,
But most of you know pretty well
He don't know naught about it, sirs.
Bow, wow, wow,
Tol de rol de ridy idy,
Bow, wow, wow.

Like the young monarch I have named,
Myself will head your mutiny ;
I will redress the nation's wrongs,
And yon shall stop this scrutiny.
That is, you would do so, and I'd
Perform the task you'd set me, sirs,
But you know me a deal too well,
And ain't a goin to let me, sirs.
Bow, wow, wow,
Tol de rol do ridy idy,
Bow, wow, wow.

185

THE SELF-EXAMINING CABINET.

LORD PALMERSTON plan, by which he proposed to avoid the dis-
agreeables that naturally arise from hostile questioning, gave real
satisfaction, it appears, to the Peelites ; and if the Noble Viscount's
modest devise had been accepted by the House of Commons, those
ex-officials intended to have carried out the arrangement in the fullest
and fairest manner. The notion of a Government being the com-
mittee for inquiry into its own conduct was so ingenious, that Mr.
Gladstone applauded it as worthy of himself, while gentle Mr. Herbert
thought that the self-examination scheme was so prettily expressive
of trust and confidence as to be quite touching. It is understood that
these two gentlemen and their colleagues of the Peelite persuasion
had a private meeting for rehearsing the investigation which they
expected to undergo, and that something of this kind took place :
Duke of NEWCASTLE : Well, my Lord Aberdeen and gentlemen,
it appears to me that the duty which Parliament has confided to us is
one of the gravest description, and one which we are bound to execute
with the utmost conscientiousness. I have been lying awake all night
thinking how we can best fulfil it.
Mr. GLAD3TONE: I conceive that there are three courses open to us.
Either each of us can he examined by all the others, or each can ask
himself such questions as he may think desirable for the good of the
country, or one of us can draw up a statement of the whole conduct of
the Coalition in regard to the war, and this we can all sign. I will
reserve my opinion as to the most advisable of these courses.
Lord ABERDEEN : The last is the least trouble.
Sir J. GRAHAM : I prefer the second. One likes to ask questions
of one's self, because then one is certain to receive a rational answer,
given in the spirit of the inquiry. Ha! ha !
Mr. S. HERBERT : I will do anything that thereat of you think best,
but I strongly recommend that our report—ha! ha!—shall be exceed-
ingly full of details—full to excess. If people are so perilous as to he
deterred, by the sight of such a mass of information, from studying it
closely and arriving at convictions—
Sir J. GRAHAM : A very objectionable word. (Roars of laughter.)
Mr. S. HERBERT : We will say conclusions, then. I would observe
that the levity and indolence of such people arc to be deplored ; but
our ampleness of explanation is not to be blamed. I suppose lam
understood ?
Sir J. GRAHAM: Here and elsewhere, my dear Sidney. Now, as
this is merely a preliminary meeting, and we are not committed to
the ultimate adoption of any course we may now select, I would say,
let us try all Gladstone's plans in turn. Suppose we put the
ex Premier into the box, and interrogate him a little—eh, Aberdeen?
Lord ABERDEEN : Ask away. You know my faculty of evading

replies.
Mr. GLADSTONE : Well, if you call downright rude refusal to
answer at all an evasion, yes.
Sir J. GRAHAM : There is a nautical story bearing upon the sub-
ject, which, in the course of my Admiralty experience, I learned—
Mr. S. HERBERT : For shame. Besides, we all know it.
Mr. GLADSTONE (demurely) : I don't, if it is objectionable. Had we
not better proceed with the examination ?
Sir J. GRAHAM: Permit me. My Lord Aberdeen, we are
desirous to elicit from your Lordship such particulars regarding the
expedition to the Crimea as you may think it expedient to favour
us with.
Lord ABERDEEN : Hardly precise enough, James.
Sir J. GRAHAM : Perhaps not. Put it this way, then. Did your
Lordship suggest, or approve, the expedition to the Crimea?
Lord ABERDEEN : Rather too precise, James.
Sir J. GRAHAM . Put the question your own way, then. You see I
was right in advocating that plan. Then everybody would please
himself.
Lord ABERDEEN : No ; that is an innovation on routine, to which
we had better adhere. But I will make the suggestion to you, that if
you were to ask me my opinion as to the manner in which the
expedition had been planned and conducted, I might be able to
answer you.
Sir J. GRAHAM : Well, you are asked that, K.G.