"
On October 26, having received from Lewis a copy of Russell's
newly-circulated paper, Clarendon wrote again:
"The Foreign Secretary's _blatt_ exhibits considerable
soreness, for which you are specially bound to make
allowance, as it was you who procured abortion for him. He
had thought to make a great deal of his colt by Meddler out
of Vanity, and you have shown his backers that the animal was
not fit to start and would not run a yard if he did. He is
therefore taken back to the country, where he must have a
deal more training before he can appear in public again."
* * * * *
"I should say that your speech at Hereford was nearly as
effective in checking the alarm and speculation caused by
Gladstone's speech, as your memorandum was in smashing the
Foreign Secretary's proposed intervention, and that you did
so without in the smallest degree committing either the
Government or yourself with respect to the future[806]."
In effect Clarendon was advising Lewis to pay no attention to Russell's
complaining rejoinder since the object desired had been secured, but
there was still one element of strength for Russell and Gladstone which,
if obtained, might easily cause a re-opening of the whole question.
Pages:
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561