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282 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP. IX. Formation of Lord Palmer- ston's Gov- ernment. This two displaced Ministers : Lord Aberdeen. After making three successive appeals, the first to Lord Derby, the second to Lord Lansdowne, and the third to Lord John Eussell, the Crown at length acquiesced in an opinion already formed by the country, and entrusted to Lord Palmer- ston the cliarge of forming an administration. It was rightly taken for granted that Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle would remain out of office ; l)ut impelled by higlily honourable motives, these two fallen Ministers addressed themselves to their friends and late colleagues belonging to what was called in those days the ' Peelite ' connection, and succeeded in persuading Sir James Graham, Mr Gladstone, Mr Sidney Herbert, and Mr Cardwell to take part in the new Government ; so that, in spite of the late resignation, the actual removal of Ministers brought about by the vote of the House of Commons was confined, after all, to the change which made Lord Palmerston Prime Minister instead of Lord Aberdeen, and Lord Panmure Secretary of State for War instead of the Duke of Newcastle. Of the part taken in the conduct of the war by the two Ministers thus displaced, a few words perhaps ought to be said. Lord Aber- deen was not so constituted as to be a foresee- ing, propelling, initiating, perturbing Minister, well qualified to lead the warlike efforts of a country long negligent of its military duties, or to make up by brain-power for the amazing tardiness of his military preparations ; (^^) l)ut at all events, he had the negative merit of not