“July 15th, 1878.—­I gather that the Opposition is too disorganised to resist; and if Parliament endure to be set aside, and allow the destinies of their country to be affected so enormously by the sole action of the Crown and the Cabinet, a change is passing over us the results of which it is impossible to estimate.  We do, in fact, take charge of the Turkish Empire as completely as we took the Empire of the Moguls.  In a little while we shall have to administer on the Continent as well as in Cyprus, and then will arise a new Asiatic army.  This will bring wars with it before long, and a proportionate increase of the power of the Executive Government.  If Parliament abdicates its authority now, what may we not anticipate?  I have long felt that the House of Commons could not long continue to govern the great concerns of the British Empire as it has done.  I certainly did not expect that it would yield without a struggle—­nor will it.  Sooner or later we shall see a fight against the tendency which is giving so startling an evidence of its existence—­and what is to happen then?”

“July 21st, 1878.—­Lord Derby’s speech was as good as it could possibly be.  What he says now all the world will say two years hence.  How deeply it cut appeared plainly enough in the scenes which followed.  It must be peculiarly distressing to you—­distressing in many ways, for I feel as certain as ever that the end of it all will be irreparable damage to the Conservative party.  One would like to know Prince Bismarck’s private opinion of the Premier and private opinion also of the nation which has taken him for their chosen leader.  Of course he will dissolve while the glamour is fresh; and before the effects of the bad champagne with which he has dosed the country begin to appear—­first headache and penitence, and then exasperation at the provider of the entertainment.”

“November 24th, 1878.—­The evil shadow of the Premier extends over the most innocent of our pleasures.  I had been looking forward to a few days at Knowsley as the most enjoyable which I should have had during the whole year.  Yet I knew how it would be.  Daring as he is, he could not venture on an entire defiance of public opinion.  Parliament of course would have to meet, and equally of course you and Lord D. would have to come up.  I conclude the object to be to get up a Russian war after all.  The stress laid by Lord Cranbrook on the reception of the Russian Embassy as the point of the injury will make it very difficult for the Russians to be neutral.  If this is what the Ministry really intend, they may have their majority in Parliament docile, but I doubt whether they will have the country with them.  I am sure they will not if Hartington and Granville support Lord Lawrence.

“I interpret it all as meaning that the Premier knows that his policy has thoroughly broken down in Europe, and at all risks he means to have another try in the East.”