-the one a disinclination to
organic changes in our representative system, the other a steady
determination that the country should be placed and kept in an efficient
condition of defence. He pointed to the dead indifference of the workmen
themselves to their own enfranchisement as evidence of the one, and to the
volunteer movement as evidence of the other.

Mr. Gladstone rejoined that it was Lord Palmerston's personal popularity,
and not the conviction or desire of the nation, that kept up estimates.
Palmerston retorted that this was to mistake cause and effect. "If I have
in any degree been fortunate enough to have obtained some share of the
goodwill and confidence of my fellow-countrymen, it has been because I
have rightly understood the feelings and opinion of the nation.... You may
depend upon it that any degree of popularity that is worth having can be
obtained only by such means, and of that popularity I sincerely wish you
the most ample share." The strain was severe:--

_Oct. 1, 1864._--I still feel much mental lassitude, and not only
shrink from public business, but from hard books. It is uphill
work. _Oct. 21._--A pamphlet letter from Lord Palmerston about
defence holds out a dark prospect. _Oct. 22._--Wrote, late in the
day, my reply to Lord Palmerston in a rather decisive tone, for I
feel conscious of right and of necessity.

_To Mrs. Gladstone._

_Nov. 9._--After more than a fortnight's delay, I received
yesterday evening the enclosed very unfavourable letter from Lord
Palmerston. I send with it the draft of my reply. Please to return
them to-morrow by Willy--for they ought not to be even for that
short time out of my custody, but I do not like to keep you in the
dark. I suppose the matter may now stand over as far as debate is
concerned until next month, or even till the middle of January. I
fear you will not have much time for reading or writing to-morrow
before you start for Chatsworth.

This _sort_ of controversy keeps the nerves too highly strung. I
am more afraid of running away than of holding my ground. But I do
not quite forget how plentifully I am blessed and sustained, and
how mercifully spared other and sorer trials.

To-morrow comes the supper of the St. Martin's Volunteers; and
after that I hope to close my lips until February. The scene last
night(97) was very different from that of Monday; but