J.A.  Smith called on me to know whether John had determined what to do.  Said I thought he meant to fight the battle.  He looked most woeful, and said, “As sure as I stand here, he will not be the member for the City.”

I said I believed he thought it best at all events to stand.  “Ah, that’s all very well if he had seen a chance of a tolerable minority—­but if he has only two or three votes!” He also said John had as much chance of being Pope as of being M.P. for the City.

Although a lack of the faculty which conciliates individuals was one of the criticisms most constantly brought against Lord John as a political leader, he certainly possessed the power of overcoming the hostility of a popular audience, without abating one jot of his own independence or dignity.  A bold, good-tempered directness is always effective in such situations.  He never lacked the tact of an orator.  In this election the Liberal Committee, on the first rumour of his resignation, without verifying it, or notifying their intentions to Lord John, substituted Mr. Raikes Currie, late member for Northampton, as their Liberal candidate.  Lord John at once called a meeting to protest against the action of the committee.  The following passage in his speech was received with enthusiastic applause, and did much to secure a favourable hearing for his anti-Palmerstonian views during the campaign.  It must be remembered that he had represented the City for sixteen years.

“If a gentleman were disposed to part with his butler, his coachman, or his gamekeeper, or if a merchant were disposed to part with an old servant, a warehouseman, a clerk, or even a porter, he would say to him, ’John, I think your faculties are somewhat decayed; you are growing old, you have made several mistakes; and I think of putting a young man from Northampton in your place.’  I think a gentleman would behave in that way to his servant, and thereby give John an opportunity for answering.  That opportunity was not given to me.  The question was decided in my absence; and I come now to ask you, and the citizens of London, to reverse that decision.”

His success won back for him some of the general admiration which he had forfeited by his loyalty to the Ministers in 1855.  Many of the best men in England rejoiced in his triumph; among them Charles Dickens wrote his congratulations.

    Lord John Russell to Lady Melgund

    PEMBROKE LODGE, April 1, 1857

...The contest has brought out an amount of feeling in my favour both from electors and non-electors which is very gratifying. ...It is the more pleasant, as all the merchant princes turned their princely backs upon me, and left me to fight as I could (the two Hankeys alone excepted)....Fanny has not been very well since the election ... but this blessed place will, I hope, soon restore her.

    Lady John Russell to Lord Minto