party, and seeing a game at “my lady’s toilet” going on yesterday evening, could not resist tacking himself to its tail and being dragged through as many passages and round as many windings as Pemmy Lodge affords.

Although the Palmerston Ministry seemed firmly seated in power and were certainly capable of carrying out the spirited and aggressive foreign policy on which they had so successfully appealed to the country, an unexpected event occurred during the recess of 1857 which led to their downfall.  On the night of January 14th some Italian patriots threw three bombs under Napoleon’s carriage as he was driving to the Opera.  The Emperor and Empress had a narrow escape, and many spectators were killed or wounded.  The outrage was prompted by a frantic notion that the death of Napoleon III was an indispensable step towards the freedom of Italy.  Orsini, the leader of the conspirators, was not himself of a crazy criminal type.  He was a fine, soldier-like fellow, who had fought and suffered for his country’s independence, and he had many friends in England among lovers of Italy who never suspected that he was the kind of man to turn into an assassin.  When it was discovered that the plot had been hatched in London and the bombs made in Birmingham, a feverish resentment seized the whole French Army.  Addresses were sent by many regiments congratulating Napoleon on his escape, in which London was described as ce repaire d’assassins and much abusive language used.  The Press, of course, on both sides, fanned the flame, and for some days the two nations were very near war.  The French Ambassador requested the Government to make at once more stringent laws against refugee aliens, and in answer to this request Palmerston brought in a Conspiracy to Murder Bill.  Lord John informed the Government that he, for his part, would oppose any such measure as an ignominious capitulation to a foolish outcry.

    Lady John Russell to Lady Mary Abercromby

    LONDON, February 4, 1858

I have never seen John more moved, more mortified, more indignant, than on reading a letter from Sir George Grey yesterday announcing the intention of the Ministry to make an alteration in the Conspiracy Laws under the threats of an inconceivably insolent French soldiery.  He had heard a rumour of such an intention, but would not believe it.  He thinks very seriously of the possible effects of debates on the measure, and feels the full weight of his responsibility; but he is nevertheless resolved to oppose to the utmost of his power what he considers as only the first step in a series of unworthy concessions. . . .

    PEMBROKE LODGE, February 20, 1858