ther quietly.

[9] [Mr. Hill, a member of Parliament, had stated in a
speech that some of the Irish members most vehemently
opposed to the Coercion Bill in the House of Commons
had nevertheless privately stated to members of the
Government that they were glad the Act should be
renewed. This charge was denied with great heat by the
Irish members in the House when Parliament met. But
upon Mr. Sheil's calling upon Lord Althorp to state
whether he was one of the members alluded to, Lord
Althorp replied that the honourable gentleman was one
of them. Sheil immediately denied it in the most solemn
and emphatic terms; and as it was feared that a hostile
meeting might ensue between him and Lord Althorp, they
were both taken into custody by the Serjeant-at-arms.
Further explanations ensued, and Lord Althorp
subsequently withdrew the charge, stating that he
believed Mr. Sheil's asseveration, and that he must
himself have been misinformed.]

February 13th, 1834 {p.056}

[Page Head: UNPOPULARITY OF LORD PALMERSTON.]

It is observed by everybody that there never was a session of
Parliament which opened with such an appearance of apathy as
this. After the violent excitement which has almost incessantly
prevailed for the last two years or more, men's minds seem
exhausted, and though the undergrowl of political rancour is
still heard, and a feeble cry of the Church is in danger, on the
whole there is less bitterness and animosity, and a tolerably
fair promise that things will go on in a smooth and even course.
The storm that impended over Europe has blown off, and there
seems to be no danger of any interruption of the peace. Esterhazy
and Madame de Lieven both told me last night that they thought so
now, and the former that he had told Palmerston that we might
rely upon Austria's not being an indifferent spectator of the
political conduct of Russia, and if we would place confidence in
them, they would not only prevent any dangerous aggression on the
part of Russia in Europe, but would take such measures as should
contribute largely to the security of our Eastern dominions,
though that was no object of immediate interest to them. Madame
de Lieven told me that it was impossible to describe the contempt
as well as dislike which the whole corps diplomatique h