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despatch in the face of a Russian menace, leaving Polish hopes to their fate, and English honour in the dust. Then succeeded the betrayal of Denmark, which relying on our support—a fleet in the Downs and a mooted expedition on her behalf, withstood the Federal demands, and so lost half her territory. From this conduct flowed results which culminated at Sadowa, and the effects of which will be seriously felt in Europe before long. The loyalty of the French Emperor to the English alliance received a needless rebuff, when he proposed a conference which might have been declined at least in terms of courtesy. Pusillanimity towards Russia was atoned for by high handed proceedings towards Brazil, Unjust reprisals were taken on trivial grounds. A Diplomatic rupture ensued, and finally when the dispute was referred to the arbitration of the King of Portugal, the award was not complimentary to us. The Foreign Secretary, as well as Mr. Gladstone, committed himself to an opinion on the merits of the American Civil War, favourable to the South, thereby inducing the conviction in the North that the escape of the Alabama was as much due to connivance as to negligence. American claims he refused to refer to arbitration, thus leaving the question open—a fertile source of future trouble and of possible war.
Neglect to answer the missive of Theodore has entailed upon us the expense of five millions; and has subjected the present administration to the reckless charge of increasing the estimates. Such is a brief sketch
