Life of Henry Reeve, vol 2 | Page 2

issue; the Austrians would be compelled to
quit Italy. Suddenly Louis Napoleon announced that he had come to an
agreement with the Emperor of Austria and that peace was agreed on.
The disappointment and rage of the Italians were very great; but, as
Louis Napoleon was resolved, and as Victor Emanuel could not
continue the war without his assistance, he was obliged to consent, and
peace was concluded at Villafranca on July 11th.
For the next eighteen months much of the correspondence refers to the
inception and result of this short war, mixed, of course, with more
personal matters, and at the beginning, with news as to the state of
Tocqueville's health, which was giving his friends the liveliest anxiety.
The Journal for the year opens with:--
_January 6th_.--We went to Bowood. It was the first time Christine
went there. The party consisted of the Flahaults, Cheneys, Strzelecki,
the Clarendons, Twisletons,[Footnote: The Hon. Edward Twisleton,

chief commissioner of the poor laws in Ireland. He married, in 1852,
Ellen, daughter of the Hon. Edward Dwight, of Massachusetts, U.S.A.;
and died, at the age of sixty-five, in 1874.] and Leslies. What agreeable
people! For a wonder we shot there on the 10th, and killed 140 head.
_January 12th_.--We had a dinner at home--Trevelyan, just appointed
governor of Madras, Phinn, Baron Martin, Huddleston, W. Harcourt,
Merivale, and Henry Brougham.
From Lord Brougham _Cannes, January 3rd_.--I grieve to say
Tocqueville has been worse. His doctor dined here t'other day and T.'s
brother came for him at ten o'clock. I have as bad an opinion of the case
as possible.
_Cannes, January 9th_. The Italian affair is very naturally cause of
anxiety, but I feel assured this, for the present, will pass away. I find
there is a strong feeling getting up of the Austrian army being as good
as the finances are bad, but the French finances are not likely to be very
much better. However, though the present alarm will pass away, what a
sad thing for the peace of the world to depend, not on the general
opinion and feeling, but on the caprice, or the jobbing, or the blunders
of a few individuals! Who can be quite sure that Morny's stockjobbing
has had nothing to do with the late most silly conversation? [Footnote:
Presumably, the sinister remark addressed to the Austrian Ambassador
on New Year's Day.] L. N. himself is quite clear of all such blame. He
tries all he can to prevent M. and others from their pillaging, but he
never can succeed. However, it is to the risk of more blunders that I
look as placing peace in greatest jeopardy. I don't believe L. N. or any
one of them would, if they knew it, run the risk of a general war (and
the least war means a general war); but they may any day get into a
scrape without intending it, for they have not the security of free
discussion to warn them.
From Lord Hatherton _Teddesley, January 12th_.--Do me the kindness
to write me one line to tell me what you know of the state of M. de
Tocqueville. Is it dangerous? There is no man out of this kingdom who
possesses so much of my admiration and regard.

This general lull after the late Reform agitation is very natural. There
are four parties waiting each other's moves; three, at least, exclusive of
Bright's, which is the least. There are the present Government, the late
Government, and the country--which, as I read it, has little in common
with any of them, but is at present without a leader. Any very powerful
man, who had been living by, would now have had a great field before
him.
I attended the day before yesterday a very remarkable meeting of the
Birmingham and Midland Institute at Birmingham. Lord Ward
[Footnote: Created Earl of Dudley in 1860.] in the chair. The report,
and all the officials and speakers, especially those from the town,
complained of the indifference of the artisans, mechanics, and labourers
of that town to instruction and education generally. It seems, on the
showing of Bright's friends, that these fellows, the noisiest of their class
about Reform, are the most ignorant and the least desirous of
improving themselves. Such is the report of Bright's own friends. Mr.
Ryland, the vice-president and real manager of the institution, who is
also Bright's friend there, is the loudest in his complaints of this body.
Ryland further told me that he believed there was not a workman in the
town who, if consulted individually, would express his approval of all
Bright's principles. Mr. Ryland is a solicitor.
I am all anxiety to see your January number.
To the Marquis of Lansdowne 62 Rutland Gate, January 25th.
My dear Lord Lansdowne,--I have omitted, but not from