«Леди Джон Расселл: Мемуары с подборкой дневников и писем»

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Lady John to Lord John Russell

PEMBROKE LODGE, February 26, 1855

Mr. West called yesterday, and was full of admiration of the magnanimity of your conduct, but not of its wisdom. J. A. Smith writes me a kind letter telling me of the delight of your late calumniators at Brooks's. Frederick Romilly says London society is charmed. He touched me very much. He spoke with tears in his eyes of the generosity of your motives, and of the irreparable blow to yourself and the country from your abandonment of an honourable and independent position for a renewal of official ties.... Papa is very grave and unhappy, doing justice of course to your motives, but fearing that in sacrificing yourself you sacrifice the best interests of the country.

Lord John to Lady John Russell

BERLIN, March 1, 1855

It was necessary in order to have any effect to decide at once on my acceptance or refusal of office. I considered the situation of affairs to be a very serious one. I had hoped that Lord Palmerston, with the assistance of the Peelites, might go through the session. Suddenly the secession took place, producing a state of affairs such as no man ever remembered. Confidence in the Government was shaken to a very great extent by the mortality and misery of our Army in the Crimea. I could not resist inquiry; but having yielded that point, it seemed dastardly to leave men, who had nothing to do with sending the expedition to the Crimea, charged with the duty of getting the Army out of the difficulty. Yet it was clear that Lord Palmerston's Government without my help could hardly stand, and thus the Government of 1854 would have been convicted of deserting the task they had undertaken to perform. There remained the personal difficulty of my serving under Palmerston in the House of Commons; for my going to the House of Lords would have been only a personal distinction to me and would not have helped Palmerston in his difficulty. In the circumstances of the case I thought it right to throw aside every consideration of ease, dignity, and comfort. If I had not been responsible for the original expedition to the Crimea, I would certainly not have taken the office I have now accepted. Still, it brings the scattered remnants of the Liberal party together and enables them to try once more whether they can govern with success.... Lord Minto is now satisfied that I have followed a public call; for public men must sacrifice themselves in a great emergency. It was not a time to think of self.... We had an account of the serious illness of the Emperor of Russia. If he should die, I should have good hopes of peace....

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March 2nd. News come of the Emperor's death. I hope it may be a good event for Europe, but it makes me sad at present. "What shadows we are and what shadows we pursue" constantly occurs to my mind.... My mission may perhaps be more successful in consequence, but no one can say. At all events you will come to Vienna....

Poor little boys and poor little Agatha! I should feel more responsible with those children on a journey than with my mission and the Colonies to boot.

В Париже его беседы с императором подтвердили его прежнее мнение о том, что лучшая надежда на мир заключается в привлечении Австрии на сторону политики союзников.

Леди Джон присоединилась к нему в Венах в начале марта. Для понимания следующих отрывков необходимо вспомнить историю всех переговоров.

Лорд Джон был отправлен с туманными общими инструкциями, и нельзя забывать, что Пальмерстон в душе гораздо больше выступал за продолжение войны, чем лорд Джон, судя по всему, понимал в то время. Пальмерстон, как и Наполеон III, желал взять Севастополь до заключения мира; поэтому лорд Джон не получал во время переговоров той поддержки со стороны правительства на родине, на какую должен был рассчитывать. Заминка возникла в самом начале переговоров из-за задержки инструкций от султана. Эта задержка была подстроена лордом Стратфордом де Редклиффом, который был полон решимости еще больше унизить Россию и не сомневался в сочувствии Пальмерстона ко всему, что вело к затягиванию войны. Лорд Джон мог справедливо жаловаться на чинимые ему препятствия; но британский посол в Константинополе, знавший настроения Пальмерстона, чувствовал себя в безопасности, игнорируя протесты лорда Джона. Первые две статьи, ставшие предметом обсуждения, касались отмены русского протектората над Сербией и Дунайскими княжествами, а также вопроса о свободе судоходства по Дунаю. Эти статьи были приняты Россией. По третьей статье, касавшейся мощи России на Черном море, представители западных держав прийти к согласию не смогли. Горчаков, российский эмиссар, признал, что Трактат 1841 года придется изменить таким образом, чтобы предотвратить преобладание русской мощи у побережий Турции. Это могло быть обеспечено двумя путями:

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1. Путем полного исключения российских судов из Черного моря;

2. Путем ограничения числа военных кораблей, которые России может быть разрешено там содержать;

но ни с одним из этих методов Россия поначалу не соглашалась.

Затем австрийский министр граф Буоль выдвинул два других альтернативных предложения. Первое основывалось на принципе противовеса, который давал бы союзникам право держать в Черном море столько же кораблей, сколько и России. Второе представляло собой условие, согласно которому Россия не должна была увеличивать свой флот там сверх численности, на которой он тогда находился.

Представители союзников получили из метрополии указания не принимать предложение о противовесе. Таким образом, вторая альтернатива австрийского канцлера оставалась последним шансом на то, что Австрия и союзники придут к согласию относительно условий, которые будут предложены России. Лорд Джон написал правительству, призывая его принять этот компромисс, поскольку, по его мнению, единственный шанс на мир заключался в том, чтобы союзники действовали совместно с Австрией. В этот момент он получил из дома телеграмму о том, что правительство выступает за предложение о нейтрализации Черного моря, поступившее к ним из Парижа.

Князь Горчаков сразу же указал на то, что такой план оставит Россию разоруженной в присутствии вооруженной Турции. Лорд Джон счел это абсолютно справедливым возражением со стороны России, в то время как предложение возымело прискорбный эффект, оттолкнув Австрию от союзников, которые считали нейтрализацию совершенно исключенной. М. Друэн де Льюис, французский представитель, придерживался того же мнения, что и лорд Джон, а когда его совет не был принят императором, он подал в отставку. Лорд Джон также написал лорду Кларендону, бывшему тогда министром иностранных дел, предложив собственную отставку.

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March 31, 1855, VIENNA

Private letters from Lord Clarendon and Lord Lansdowne full of distrust and disapprobation of the proceedings here, though not openly finding fault with John. Lord Clarendon's more especially warlike, and anti-Austrian and pro-French; the very reverse of every letter he wrote in the days of Lord Aberdeen.

April 1, 1855, VIENNA

More letters and dispatches making John's position still worse; representing him as ready to consent to unworthy terms, whereas he was endeavouring to carry out what had been agreed on by the Government. No doubt Lord Clarendon's present tone is far better than his former; but that is not the question. John naturally indignant and talked of giving up mission and Colonies. This I trust he will not do unless there is absolute loss of character in remaining, for another breach with Lord Palmerston, who is far less to blame than Lord Clarendon, would be a great misfortune--besides, it might lead to the far greater evil of a breach with France. I rejoice therefore that John has resolved to wait for Drouyn de L'Huys and do his utmost to bring matters to a better state.

5 апреля в Венах, когда он хотел подать в отставку, она писала: «Обеспокоена тем, что он должен отложить этот шаг до новых вестей из дома, так как он может пожалеть об этом, и в таком случае либо отбирать ее назад, либо упорствовать в ней будет плохо. Пожалев о своем согласии на пост, кажется непоследовательным отговаривать от отставки, но на самом деле это не так. Его репутация не может позволить себе новую бурю, и он должен показать, что не легкомысленно согласился войти в министерство, материалы которого он так хорошо знал».

В конце апреля они вернулись в Англию.

May 5, 1855, LONDON

After all the Emperor rejects the plan [the proposal to limit the Russian fleet in the Baltic to its strength at the close of the war] on the plea that the army would not bear it. John disturbed and perplexed.

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May 6, 1855, Sunday

John went to town for a meeting at Lord Panmure's on Army Reform--found here on his return a letter from Lord Clarendon telling him that the Emperor had sent a telegram through Lord Cowley and the Foreign Office to Walewski, offering him Foreign Affairs and asking whether the Queen would agree to Persigny as French Ambassador. Thus the dismissal or resignation of Drouyn obliged John to resolve on his own resignation unless the Cabinet should accept his own view.

Lord John Russell to Lord Clarendon46

PEMBROKE LODGE, May 6, 1855

MY DEAR CLARENDON,--I was at Panmure's when your box arrived here, and did not get back till past eight. I am very much concerned at the removal or resignation of Drouyn. I cannot separate myself from him; and, having taken at Vienna the same view which he did, his resignation entails mine. I am very sorry for this, and wished to avoid it. But I have in some measure got Drouyn into this scrape, for at first he was disposed to advise the Emperor to insist on a limitation of ships, and I induced him not to give any advice at all to the Emperor. Afterwards we agreed very much; and, if he had stayed in office there, I might have gulped, though with difficulty, the rejection of my advice here. However, I shall wait till Colloredo has made a definite proposal, and then make the opinion I shall give upon it in the Cabinet a vital question with me. It is painful to me to leave a second Cabinet, and will injure my reputation--perhaps irretrievably. But I see no other course. Do as you please about communicating to Palmerston what I have written. I fear I must leave you and Hammond to judge of the papers to be given.... But I hope you will not tie your hands or those of the Government by giving arguments against what the nation may ultimately accept. I hold that a simple provision, by which the Sultan would reserve the power to admit the vessels of Powers not having establishments in the Black Sea, through the Straits at his own pleasure at all times, ... and a general treaty of European alliance to defend Turkey against Russia, would be a good security for peace. If the Emperor of the French were to declare that he could not accept such a peace, of course we must stick by him, but that does not prevent our declaring to him our opinion. Walewski spoke to me very strongly at the Palace in favour of the Austrian plan, but I suppose he has now made up his mind against it.

I remain, yours truly,

J. RUSSELL

Лорд Кларендон ответил:

GROSVENOR CRESCENT, May 7, 1855

MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--... I am very sorry you did not come in just now, as I wanted most particularly to see you. I now write this earnestly to entreat that you will say nothing to anybody at present about your intended resignation. The public interests and your own position are so involved in the question, and so much harm of every kind may be done by a hasty decision, however honourable and high-minded the motives may be, that I do beg of you well to weigh all the points of the case; and let me frankly add that you will not act with fairness, and as I am sure you must wish to act, towards your colleagues, if you do not hear what some of them may have to say.

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As you allowed me to do as I pleased about informing Palmerston, I did not think it right to leave him in the dark upon a matter which seems to me of vital importance. I need not tell you that your intention causes him the deepest regret, and he feels, as I do, how essential it is that nothing should be known of it at present. We are not even in possession of the facts that led to Drouyn's resignation.

Yours sincerely,

CLARENDON

«Побуждаемый этим призывом, — говорит сэр Спенсер Уолпол, — и личными увещеваниями лорда Пальмерстона, повторенными трижды, лорд Джон взял свою отставку обратно. Ее отзыв, сколь бы удобным ни казался он правительству в то время, был одним из самых прискорбных обстоятельств в политической карьере лорда Джон. Он напрямую привел к недопониманиям и огласке, с которыми сталкивались лишь немногие государственные деятели».

LONDON, May 8, 1855

John given up thoughts of resignation. Glad of it, since he can honourably remain. I know how his reputation would have suffered--not as an honest man, but as a wise statesman.

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Это был второй раз в карьере лорда Джона, когда его верность партии вигов поставила его в фальшивое положение. 24 мая Дизраэли предложил вынести вотум недоверия правительству за его ведение войны и осудить его участие в венских переговорах. В ответ на выступления Гладстона и Дизраэли лорд Джон произнес чрезвычайно убедительную речь, настаивая на том, что ограничение числа российских кораблей на Черном море не дает достаточных гарантий безопасности Турции. Вскоре после этого австрийский канцлер граф Буоль обнародовал тот факт, что лорд Джон выступал за именно этот компромисс, который Австрия предложила на конгрессе. Его сразу же спросили, правда ли это, и он признал, что да. Он не мог объяснить, что изменил линию поведения по возвращении, потому что, если бы он остался при своем мнении, французскому союзу грозила бы опасность. Император был убежден, что падение Севастополя необходимо для безопасности его трона. Маршал Вайян сказал ему: «Я знаю настроения армии. Я уверен, что если после месяцев осады Севастополя мы вернемся безрезультатно, армия не останется довольна». 47 Поскольку дело обстояло именно так, лорду Джону пришлось выбирать: либо подать в отставку на основании собственного мнения о том, что условия Австрии вполне хороши, вызвав тем самым падение кабинета министров и возможный разрыв с Францией, либо отказаться от собственного мнения и защищать позицию правительства и императора ради сохранения добрых отношений с французами. Разумеется, для всего мира это выглядело так, будто ради должности он отрекся от собственных убеждений. Редко какой-либо министр короны оказывался в более мучительном положении. Кабинет министров знал истинные обстоятельства дела и причину, по которой он не мог дать объяснений своей непоследовательности, но многие из его друзей — нет. Против него был предложен вотум недоверия, и теперь, когда его присутствие в министерстве перестало быть поддержкой и фактически стало источником слабости из-за всеобщего осуждения его страной, он предложил уйти в отставку.

Lady John to Lord John Russell

PEMBROKE LODGE, June 8, 1855

All is more beautiful than ever this morning. I am on my pretty red sofa looking out from my middle window in lazy luxury at oak, ivy, hawthorn, laburnum, and blue sky; not very much to be pitied, am I? except, my dearest, for the weary, weary separation that takes away the life of life--and for my anxiety about what is to be the result of all this, which, however, I do not allow to weigh upon me. We are in wiser hands than our own, and I should be a bad woman indeed if so much leisure did not give some good thoughts that I trust nothing can disturb.... Pray tell dear Georgy not to think any but cheerful thoughts of me, and that she can do a great deal for me by asking my friends--Cabinet and ex-Cabinet and all sorts--to visit me whenever they are inclined for a drive into the country and luncheon or tea among its beauties.

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PEMBROKE LODGE, July 5, 1855

John to town and back. He is so much here now that my life is quite different, and as I know he neglects no duty for the sake of coming, I may also allow myself to enjoy it as he does.

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 7

Read John's speech and the bitter comments of Cobden and Roebuck. Whether he was right or wrong in his views of peace, or in not resigning when they were rejected by the Cabinet, he has nobly told the simple truth without gloss or extenuation.

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 10

John writes that he saw Lord Palmerston and told him that he had thought the Austrian proposals ought to be accepted at the time; but that he did not think they ought now, after the late events of the war. He proposed resignation if it would help the Government. Lord Palmerston of course begged him to remain, which he will do. The subject is more painful to me the more I think of it.

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 12

An anxious parting with John. He was to go straight to Lord Clarendon, to find out what portion of the dispatches Lord Clarendon was prepared to give. His explanation to be made to-night of a sentence in his Friday's speech, by which some of his colleagues understood him to declare his opinion to be that he thought the Austrian proposal ought now to be accepted. He did not say so, and such an explanation is much to be lamented. His position is very painful, and my thoughts about him more so than they have ever been, because now many of his best and truest friends grieve and are disappointed. God grant he may have life, strength, and spirit to work on for his country till he has risen again higher than ever in her trust, esteem, and love.

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 13

A very anxious morning, thinking of my dear and noble husband, doomed to suffer so much for no greater fault than having committed himself too far without consultation with his colleagues to a scheme which higher duties persuaded him not to abide by when he failed to convince them. Anxiety to know his determination and the state of his spirits made me send a note up to town early, to which I received his answer about four, that he had written his resignation last night and sent it to Lord Palmerston this morning.

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Lady John to Lord John Russell

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 13, 1855

We are all well, but I am too anxious to be all day without hearing from you; besides, and chiefly, I want to cheer you up and beseech you not to let all this depress you more than it ought. Don't believe the Daily News when it says you have committed political suicide--that need not be a bit more true than that there was trickiness or treachery in your course, which it also asserts. Depend upon it, it is in your power and it is therefore your duty to show that you can still be yourself. You will rise again higher than ever if you will but think you can--if you will but avoid for the future the rocks on which you have sometimes split. There is plenty to do for your country, plenty that you can do better than any other man, and you must not sink. You made, I believe, a great mistake in surrendering your own judgment to that of those who surrounded you at Vienna; but who can dare to say you were favouring any interest of your own, or what malice or ingenuity can pretend to find the shadow of a low or unworthy motive? Remember Moore's lines:

"Never dream for a moment thy country can spare

Such a light from her darkening horizon as thou."

As to your immediate course, what have you resolved? Surely your own resignation is the most natural--you might persuade your colleagues, if they require persuasion, to let you go alone, as you alone are responsible, that you think a change of Ministry would be a misfortune, and that you would be unhappy to find that added to your responsibility.... The feeling that the Ministry may be sacrificed to you is a very painful one, and I earnestly hope your wisdom may find some means of averting this.... Now, my dearest, farewell--would that I could go to you myself. I am told that the expectation of the Whips is that you will be beat. Tell me as much as you can and God speed you.... Good-bye, and above all keep up a good heart for your country's sake and mine.

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Лорд Пальмерстон ответил на его предложение об отставке следующим образом 48:

PICCADILLY, July 13, 1855

MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--I have received, I need not say with how much regret, your letter of this morning, and have sent it down to the Queen. But, whatever pain I may feel at the step you have taken, I must nevertheless own that as a public man, whose standing and position are matters of public interest and public property, you have judged rightly. The storm is too strong at this moment to be resisted, and an attempt to withstand it would, while unsuccessful, only increase irritation. But juster feelings will in due time prevail. In the meantime I must thank you for the very friendly and handsome terms in which you have announced to me your determination.

Yours sincerely, PALMERSTON

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 15, 1855

John and I agreed that we felt almost unaccountably happy--there is, however, much to account for it--much that cannot be taken from us.

Lady John Russell to the Duke of Bedford

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 16, 1855

MY DEAR DUKE,--You will like to hear how John has borne his new trouble, and I am very glad to tell you that he is in good spirits, and as calm as a clear conscience can make him. The week before his resignation was a very anxious one, reminding me of that sad and anxious day at Woburn when he determined to dismiss Lord Palmerston, and of that other when he resolved not to speak to any of his colleagues before sending his resignation to Lord Aberdeen. Those occasions were so far like this that it was impossible even for me, though unable to judge of the questions politically, not to foresee painful consequences in the altered relations of old friends, and therefore not to lament his decisions; though he had, as he was sure to have, high and generous reasons in both cases. Here again, there has been much to lament in all that led to his resignation and fresh separation from many with whom he has acted during half his political life, many so highly valued in public and private. One cannot but feel all this, nor do I pretend indifference to what is said of him, for I do think the next best thing to deserving "spotless reputation" is possessing it. But there are many comforts--first and foremost, a faith in him that nothing can shake; then a firm hope that the country will one day understand him better--besides, the relief was immense of finding that he would be allowed to resign without breaking up the Government. In short, we agreed yesterday that after all our pains and anxieties we both felt strangely and almost unaccountably happy. Of course, seeing him so was enough to make me so, and perhaps there is something too in the unexpected freedom of body and soul which loss of office has given him. This state of mind, in which he has just left me for London, gives me good hope that he will get well through his hard task to-night....

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Ever yours affectionately,

FANNY RUSSELL

Lady John Russell to Lord Minto

PEMBROKE LODGE, July 18, 1855

MY DEAREST PAPA,--I feel very guilty in not having written to you since all these great events occurred, but you are pretty well able to guess what I felt about them ... and the newspapers are much better chroniclers of facts, though not of motives, than I can be.... Of course, he proposed resignation immediately after he had made his speech, but it was not then thought the Ministry would be beat on Bulwer's motion, and Lord Palmerston and the rest begged him to remain. Very soon, however, there was no doubt left as to what would be the result of the motion, and as neither John nor Doddy, the only other person I saw, had a hope that any fresh resignation would be accepted, we had the painful prospect of the destruction of the Ministry by his means.... But the surprise was great as the relief when we found that not one man had the slightest difficulty in making up his mind, ... and that one and all felt it a paramount duty "not to shrink from the toils and responsibilities of office." ... His spirits have not sunk and his spirit has risen, and the feeling uppermost in his mind is thankfulness that he is out of it all, and has regained his freedom, body and soul.... There is plenty left for him to do, and I trust he will do it as an independent member of Parliament, and in that position regain his lost influence with the country. I am most anxious he should not think his political life at an end, though his official life may go forever without a sigh.... I ought to add that he is on perfectly friendly terms with all his late colleagues, ... anxious to help them when he can, but pledged to nothing....

Ever, dearest Papa,

Your affectionate child,

F. R.

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PEMBROKE LODGE, July 23, 1855

Thunderstorm during which I sat in the Windsor summer-house writing and thinking many sad thoughts; chiefly of my own ill-performance of many duties on which my whole heart and soul were bent. Had I but known when we married as much of the world as I know now, though I should have been far, far less happy, I should have done better in many ways.... Came in; went to my room with Georgy and took Baby on my lap. Baby looked at me, saw I had been sad, and said gravely, "Poor Mama," adding immediately, "Where is Papa?" as if she thought my sadness must have to do with him. On my answering, "He is gone to London," she put her dear little arms round my neck and kissed and coaxed me, repeating over and over, "Never mind, never mind, my dear Mama," and again, "Never mind, my poor Mama."

Состояние здоровья леди Джон не позволяло ей покинуть дом, но лорд Джон 9 августа уехал из Пембрук-Лоджа с двумя детьми в столь необходимый ему отпуск в Шотландию.

Lord John to Lady John Russell

EDINBURGH, August 10, 1855

We got here safely yesterday an hour after time, which made about fourteen hours from Pembroke Lodge.... Dearest, it is a very melancholy journey; without you to comfort me I take a very gloomy view of everything; but I hope the Highland air will refresh me with its briskness.... I have a letter from Lord Minto, disturbed at my not coming sooner, and supposing I shall be abused for my Italian speech, in which he is quite right; but I may save some poor devil by my denunciation of his persecutors.

Lady John to Lord John Russell

PEMBROKE LODGE, August 12, 1855

It grieves me to have to write what will grieve you, but it would be wrong and useless to hide it from you--I was taken ill suddenly yesterday.... What I bear least well is the thought of you. I did so hope that after all your political troubles you might be spared anxieties of a worse kind; but it was not to be.... I hope, dearest, you will not hurry home immediately. I should be so sorry to think you only had the fatigue of two long journeys, instead of some weeks of Highland air. I know how sadly your enjoyment will be damaged, but do not--I beg you, dearest--do not let your spirits sink. Nothing would make your poor old wife so sad. Georgy is the best and dearest of children and nurses; I am so sorry for her. Yesterday she was quite upset, far more than I was, but to-day she has taken heart. God bless you. Think what happy people we still are--happy far beyond the common lot--in one another and all our darlings.

Page 163.

Услышав о ее болезни, лорд Джон написал, что не может ни на минуту обрести покой вдали от нее, и немедленно вернулся домой.

PEMBROKE LODGE, September 8, 1855

Thank God! though in bed, I have generally been able to read and talk, and for the last two days have given Johnny and the little boys their lessons.... Cannot but hope I am a little less impatient of illness, a little less unreasonably sorry to be debarred from air and liberty and all I care for most in this world, than I used to be.... I pray with my whole heart for the true faith and patience that can never fail. I pray that, since I cannot teach my children how to do, I may teach them how to bear, so that even in illness I may not be wholly useless to them.

ГЛАВА IX

1855-60

Page 164.

В течение следующих четырех лет лорд Джон оставался вне правительственных постов. Он уделял много времени литературной работе. Помимо написания своей «Жизни Фокса» и редактирования документов своего друга Томаса Мура, он произнес три важных выступления. Первым была лекция о причинах, сдерживавших нравственный и политический прогресс. Как видно из дневника леди Джон, он по-прежнему был настолько непопулярен, что она испытывала определенный страх перед ее восприятием широкой публикой.

LONDON, November 13, 1855

Great day well over.... At-half-past seven set out for Exeter Hall. John well cheered on his entrance, but not so warmly as to make me quite secure for the lecture. It was, however, received exactly as I hoped--deep attention, interrupted often by applause, sometimes enthusiastic, and generally at the parts one most wished applauded. A few words from Montague Villiers49 (in asking for a vote of thanks), his hope that the whole country would soon feel as that audience did towards a man whose long life had been spent in the country's service, brought a fresh burst, waving of hats and handkerchiefs, etc. Went to bed grateful and happy.

В 1855 году лорд Джон купил загородное имение Родборо-Манор близ Страуда в Глостершире, так как хотел иметь собственный уголок, который можно было бы оставить детям. Оно находилось в приходе Амберли, откуда он впоследствии взял свой второй титул, а его старший сын, лорд Амберли, сделал Родборо своим домом на несколько лет после женитьбы.

Page 165.

Lady John Russell to Lord Dufferin

RODBOROUGH MANOR, STROUD, November 16, 1855

DEAR LORD DUFFERIN,--Thanks for your letter. I began to think you meant to disclaim all connection with your fallen chief. We have just been, he and I alone, spending a week in London. In that little week he underwent various turns of fortune--hissed one night (though far less than the papers said), cheered the next day by four thousand voices, while eight thousand hands waved hats and handkerchiefs. I was not at Guildhall, but was at Exeter Hall, which was just as it should be; for, in spite of a great many noble and philosophical sentiments, which I always keep in store against the hissing days, and find of infinite service, I prefer being present on the cheering days. I hope you will think his lecture deserved its reception. His squiredom agrees with him uncommonly. He rides and walks, and drinks ale and grows fat. As for me, I have not been at all strong since I came here, but I hope I am reviving now, and shall soon be able thoroughly to enjoy a life happy and pleasant beyond expression--such peace of mind and body to us both, such leisure to enjoy much that we both do enjoy with all our hearts and have been long debarred from, are blessings of no small value, and when people tell me, by way of cheering me up under a temporary disgrace, that he is sure to be in office again soon, they little know what a knell their words are to my heart. However, che sara, sara, and in the meantime we are very happy. Yesterday I required some excitement, I must say, to carry me through the day, for alas! I struck forty! Accordingly the children had provided for it unknown to me, and acted Beauty and the Beast with rapturous applause to a very select audience. ... We are much pleased with our new home, green and cheerful and varied and pretty outside, snug and respectable inside.

Ever sincerely yours,

F. RUSSELL

P.S.--I hear you are going to be married to a great many people; please let me know how many reports are true.

В 1856 году леди Джон и дети отправились за границу. Они навестили леди Мэри Аберкромби, чей муж был британским министром в Гааге, а позже присоединились к лорду Джону в Антверпене. Оттуда они отправились в Швейцарию, где оставались до конца сентября на вилле с прекрасным видом на Женевское озеро, недалеко от Лозанны. Первую часть зимы они провели в Италии, где лорд Джон лично встретился с Кавуром и многими другими итальянскими патриотами, чье дело он так стойко поддерживал в последующие годы. Вилла Каппони, где они жили во Флоренции, стала местом встреч всех либеральных сил Тосканы; а тосканское правительство, полагавшее, что лорд Джон приехал во Флоренцию для оценки вероятного успеха революционеров, приставило шпионов к его гостям.

Page 166.

Lord John Russell to Lady Melgund

VILLA CAPPONI, December 19, 1856

We have passed our time here very agreeably. Besides the Florentines and their acute sagacity, we have had here many of those whose wits were too bright or their hearts too warm to bear the Governments of Naples and Rome.... As for the French newspapers, it is the custom at Paris and Vienna to let the newspapers attack everything but their own Government, which is their notion of the liberty of the Press!

Lady John Russell to Lady Mary Abercromby

VILLA CAPPONI, FLORENCE, January 1, 1857

MY DEAREST MARY,--You have my first date for the New Year.... God grant it may be a happy one to us all. We began it merrily. Mrs. E. Villiers, who, with her daughter, is spending the winter here, gave a little dance. Twelve struck in the middle of a quadrille, which was accordingly interrupted by general shaking of hands among chaperons, dancers, and all. There is a cordiality and ease in society abroad, the charm of which goes far with me to make up for the absence of some of the merits of society in England. The subjects of conversation among men are queer, no doubt; but what people have in them is much easier to get at--and to me it is a relief not to hear all the ladies talking politics, or rather talking political personalities, as they do in London.

Page 167.

January 2.--I am afraid, after having been abused as unworthy of Italy (not so much, however, by you as by Lotty and Lizzy) you will now charge me with the far worse sin of being a bad Briton--but that, depend upon it, I am not, whatever appearances may say--on the contrary, a better one than ever, only grieving that with such materials as we have at home we do not manage to make social life pleasanter.... Yesterday we had our usual Thursday party; and before more than five or six had come, I went into the girls' sitting-room, which opens out of the drawing-room, and played reels while the girls and two young Italians danced--but they had not danced long before our frisky Papa followed with Count Ferretti, and not only joined in a reel, but asked for a waltz, and whirled round and round with Georgy and then with me, and made the old Count do the same. It all reminded me of our Berlin evenings, except that Papa, though twenty-four years younger then, was not inspired by the German as he is by the Italian atmosphere, and never, to my recollection, joined us in our many merry unpremeditated dances. It was hardly less a wonder to see Henry follow the example yesterday, and add to the confusion of the most confused "Lancers" I ever saw danced.... It is impossible to say how this letter has been interrupted.... The weather being too bright and beautiful to allow us to spend the morning indoors, the first interruption was a drive to San Miniato, where there is one of the finest views of Florence, and since we came home I have been jumping up every five minutes from my writing-table to receive one visitor after another--whereas many an afternoon passes without a single one--and since they all disappeared I have been called upon to help in a rehearsal for a second representation of our "Three Golden Hairs,"50 which is to take place to-morrow on purpose for Lady Normanby.... The gaiety and noise of the rehearsals, the fun of the preparations, and the shyness, which effectually prevents any good acting, all reminds me of our dear old Minto plays. How very, very long ago all that seems! Not long ago in time only, but the changes in everybody and everything make the recollection almost like a dream. I was sorry to say good-bye to poor old fifty-six, for though not invariably amiable to us he has been a good friend on the whole, and one learns to be more than grateful for each year that passes without any positive sorrow, and leaves no blanks among our nearest and dearest. God bless you, dearest Mary; pray attribute blots and incoherences to my countless interruptions.

Yours ever affectionately,

F. R.

Page 168.

По возвращении лорд Джон продолжал оказывать независимую поддержку министерству до тех пор, пока не возникли обстоятельства, вынудившие его выступить против внешней политики Пальмерстона. В марте Кобден внес предложение, осуждающее насильственные меры, предпринятые против Китая. Пальмерстон оправдывал эти меры тем, что китайские власти в Кантоне оскорбили британский флаг и нарушили наши договорные права. Небольшое каботажное судно под названием «Эрроу» (ходившее под британским флагом, но укомплектованное китайским экипажем и принадлежавшее китайцу) было взято на абордаж во время стоянки на реке, а его команда была увеведена отрядом с китайского военного корабля, разыскивавшим пирата, который, как у них были основания полагать, служил тогда матросом на борту «Эрроу». Сэр Джон Боуринг, полномочный представитель в Гонконге, потребовал немедленно вернуть людей. Было правдой, что в момент захвата «Эрроу» не имела права поднимать британский флаг, так как срок действия ее лицензии на торговое плавание под британскими цветами истек годом ранее; но он утверждал, что, поскольку китайцы не могли знать об этом при нападении на судно, они тем самым намеренно оскорбили флаг, а впоследствии нарушили законы об экстрадиции, отказавшись немедленно вернуть команду. После того как британский флот приступил к бомбардировке фортов, люди были освобождены, но запрошенных вдобавок извинений и компенсации не последовало. Тогда были подвергнуты бомбардировке новые форты и потоплен ряд джонок. Истинным мотивом этих агрессивных действий был тот факт, что английские торговцы все еще не могли добиться свободного доступа в Кантон, несмотря на договоры, разрешающие им там торговать. Сэр Джон Боуринг воспользовался отказом в извинениях как предлогом для того, чтобы заставить китайцев пустить их. Совершенно неудивительно, что китайцы ответили на это сожжением иностранных факторий и перерезанием глоткам иностранцам. Между тем Пальмерстон у себя на родине в своем характерном стиле поддерживал сэра Джона Боуринга во всем, и результатом стала долгая война с Китаем.

Лорд Джон презирал агрессивные и насильственные действия подобного рода. Его речь по предложению Кобдена была одной из лучших. Следующий отрывок из нее выражает дух, в котором впоследствии он сам проводил внешнюю политику Англии:

We have heard much of late--a great deal too much, I think--of the prestige of England. We used to hear of the character, of the reputation, of the honour of England. I trust, sir, that the character, the reputation, and the honour of this country are dear to us all; but if the prestige of England is to be separated from those qualities ... then I, for one, have no wish to maintain it. To those who argue, as I have heard some argue, "It is true we have a bad case; it is true we were in the wrong; it is true that we have committed an injustice; but we must persevere in that wrong; we must continue to act unjustly, or the Chinese will think we are afraid," I say, as has been said before, "Be just and fear not."

Page 169.

Пальмерстон потерпел поражение с разницей в шестнадцать голосов и пошел на выборы с политикой «Civis Romanus» или, как сказали бы мы сейчас, с шовинистическим кличем, который пользовался огромной популярностью. Популярность эта была столь велика, что казалось, будто у лорда Джона нет шансов сохранить свое место от Сити. Даже Кобден и Брайт потерпели поражение в своих избирательных округах, и страна вернула Пальмерстона к власти с большинством в семьдесят девять голосов. Будучи непопулярным после своего очевидного изменения позиции в отношении венского договора, лорд Джон не вызвал бы удивления, если бы последовал совету своего комитета и вышел из предвыборной борьбы; но он был полон решимости использовать свой шанс один из ста, и, как выяснилось, его мужество принесло ему победу в округе.

LONDON, March 7, 1857

J. A. Smith called on me to know whether John had determined what to do. Said I thought he meant to fight the battle. He looked most woeful, and said, "As sure as I stand here, he will not be the member for the City."

I said I believed he thought it best at all events to stand. "Ah, that's all very well if he had seen a chance of a tolerable minority--but if he has only two or three votes!" He also said John had as much chance of being Pope as of being M.P. for the City.

Хотя отсутствие способности располагать к себе отдельных людей было одним из упреков, чаще всего предъявлявшихся лорду Джону как политическому лидеру, он определенно обладал способностью преодолевать враждебность массовой аудитории, не поступаясь ни на йоту своей независимостью или достоинством. Смелая, доброжелательная прямота всегда эффективна в таких ситуациях. Ему никогда не изменял ораторский такт. На этих выборах Либеральный комитет при первых же слухах о его отставке, не проверяя их и не уведомив лорда Джона о своих намерениях, выдвинул вместо него мистера Райкса Керри, бывшего депутата от Нортгемптона, в качестве своего либерального кандидата. Лорд Джон тут же созвал собрание в знак протеста против действий комитета. Следующий отрывок из его речи был встречен восторженными аплодисментами и во многом помог ему добиться благоприятного приема его антипальмерстоновских взглядов во время кампании. Следует помнить, что он представлял Сити в течение шестнадцати лет.

Page 170.

"If a gentleman were disposed to part with his butler, his coachman, or his gamekeeper, or if a merchant were disposed to part with an old servant, a warehouseman, a clerk, or even a porter, he would say to him, 'John, I think your faculties are somewhat decayed; you are growing old, you have made several mistakes; and I think of putting a young man from Northampton in your place.' I think a gentleman would behave in that way to his servant, and thereby give John an opportunity for answering. That opportunity was not given to me. The question was decided in my absence; and I come now to ask you, and the citizens of London, to reverse that decision."

Его успех вернул ему часть всеобщего восхищения, которое он утратил из-за своей верности министрам в 1855 году. Многие лучшие люди Англии радовались его триумфу; среди них Чарльз Диккенс написал ему свои поздравления.

Lord John Russell to Lady Melgund

PEMBROKE LODGE, April 1, 1857

...The contest has brought out an amount of feeling in my favour both from electors and non-electors which is very gratifying. ...It is the more pleasant, as all the merchant princes turned their princely backs upon me, and left me to fight as I could (the two Hankeys alone excepted)....Fanny has not been very well since the election ... but this blessed place will, I hope, soon restore her.

Lady John Russell to Lord Minto

PEMBROKE LODGE, April 4, 1857

The City election engrossed my thoughts for many days, and made it difficult to write to anybody who cared as much about it as you till it was over. I have since spent my life in answering letters and receiving visits of congratulation, most of them very hearty and sincere, and accordingly very pleasant. I thought my days of caring for popular applause were over, but there was something so much higher than usual in the meaning of the cheers that greeted John whenever he showed himself, that I was not ashamed of being quite delighted. There was obviously a strong feeling among the electors and non-electors, in Guildhall and in the streets, that John had been unfairly and ungratefully set aside, which far outweighed the effect of his unpopular opinions on ballot and church rates. Altogether there was a good tone among the people (by which I don't mean only one of attachment to John) which made me proud of them. Next to the pleasure of seeing and hearing with my own eyes and ears how strong his hold upon his countrymen still is, was the pleasure I was wicked enough to feel at the reception which greeted the unfortunate Raikes Currie.

Page 171.

The repose of Pemmy Lodge, which I hope you will by and by share with us, is very welcome after our noisy triumph.

Mr. Charles Dickens to Lady John Russell

May 22, 1857

DEAR LADY JOHN,--Coming to town yesterday morning out of Kent, I found your kind and welcome note referring to the previous day. I need not tell you, I hope, that although I have not had the pleasure of seeing you for a long time, I have of late been accompanying Lord John at a distance with great interest and satisfaction. Several times after the City election was over I debated with myself whether I should come to see you, but I abstained because I knew you would be overwhelmed with congratulations and I thought it was the more considerate to withhold mine.

I am going out of town on Monday, June 1st, to a little old-fashioned house I have at Gad's Hill, by Rochester, on the identical spot where Falstaff ran away, and as you are so kind as to ask me to propose a day for coming to Richmond, I should very much like to do so either on Saturday the 30th of this month or on Sunday the 31st.

I heard of you at Lausanne from some of my old friends there, and sometimes tracked you in the newspapers afterwards. I beg to send my regard to Lord John and to all your house.

Do you believe me to remain always yours very faithfully,

CHARLES DICKENS

Page 172.

Lady John Russell to Lord Minto

PEMBROKE LODGE, September 27, 1857

John's reception at Sheffield equalled anything of the kind I had ever seen in our "high and palmy" days. So little had we expected any reception, that when we arrived at the station and saw the crowds on the platform I could not think what was the matter, and it was not till there was a general rush towards our carriage and shouts of John's name that I understood it was meant for him. From the station we had to drive all through the town to Alderman Hoole's villa; it was one loud and long triumph. John and Mr. Hoole and I were in an open carriage, the children following in a closed one. We went at a foot's pace, followed and surrounded by such an ocean of human beings as I should not have thought all Sheffield could produce, cheering, throwing up caps and hats, thrusting great hard hands into the carriage for John to shake, proposing to take off the horses and draw us, etc. Windows and balconies all thronged with waving women and children, and bells ringing so lustily as to drown John's voice when, at Mr. Hoole's request, he stood up on the seat and made a little speech. All this honour from one of the most warlike towns in the kingdom will surprise you, no doubt; indeed, I am not sure that you will quite approve.

PEMBROKE LODGE, December 25, 1857

A bright and lovely Christmas.... Sat more than an hour in the sunny South summer-house, listening to birds singing and boys and little May51 talking and laughing.... Dear, darling children, how I grudge each day that passes and hurries you on beyond blessed childhood.... I am too happy--there can hardly be a change that will not make me less so.... A glorious sunset brought the glorious day to an end.

Lady John Russell to Lady Charlotte Portal

PEMBROKE LODGE, December 26, 1857

I cannot remember a happier Christmas than ours has been, and I am sure nobody can remember a milder or brighter Christmas sky. I sat more than an hour yesterday in the sunny South summer-house, listening to the songs of the blackbirds and thrushes, who have lost all count of the seasons, and to the merry voices of the boys and little May, and thinking of many things besides, and wishing I could lay my hand on old Father Time and stop him in his flight, for he cannot bring me any change for the better, and he must very soon take away one of the best joys of my daily life, since he must take away childhood from my bairnies.

In the meantime I know I am not ungrateful, and when the little boys in their evening prayer thanked God for making it "such a happy Christmas," oh! how I thanked Him too. We have had a Christmas-tree, and for many days before its appearance the children were in a state of ungovernable spirits, full of indescribable fun and mischief, and making indescribable uproar. John has been by no means the least merry of the party, and seeing a game at "my lady's toilet" going on yesterday evening, could not resist tacking himself to its tail and being dragged through as many passages and round as many windings as Pemmy Lodge affords.

Page 173.

Хотя министерство Пальмерстона казалось прочно утвердившимся у власти и несомненно было способно проводить энергичную и агрессивную внешнюю политику, с которой они столь успешно обратились к стране, во время парламентских каникул 1857 года произошло неожиданное событие, приведшее к их падению. Вечером 14 января несколько итальянских патриотов бросили три бомбы под карету Наполеона, когда он ехал в Оперу. Император и императрица чудом спаслись, а множество зрителей было убито или ранено. Это преступление было спровоцировано безумной идеей о том, что смерть Наполеона III является непременным шагом на пути к свободе Италии. Орсини, лидер заговорщиков, сам по себе не был типом помешанного преступника. Он был красивым парнем солдатской выправки, который воевал и страдал за независимость своей страны, и у него было много друзей в Англии среди любителей свободы Италии, которые никогда и не подозревали, что он способен превратиться в убийцу. Когда выяснилось, что заговор был созрел в Лондоне, а бомбы изготовлены в Бирмингеме, лихорадочное негодование охватило всю французскую армию. Многие полки прислали адреса с поздравлениями Наполеону по случаю его спасения, в которых Лондон описывался как ce repaire d'assassins, и использовалось множество оскорбительных выражений. Пресса, разумеется, с обеих сторон подливала масла в огонь, и в течение нескольких дней обе нации находились на волосок от войны. Французский посол обратился к правительству с просьбой немедленно принять более суровые законы против беглых иностранцев, и в ответ на эту просьбу Пальмерстон внес Билль о заговоре с целью убийства. Лорд Джон уведомил правительство, что со своей стороны он выступит против любой подобной меры как позорной капитуляции перед глупым криком.

Lady John Russell to Lady Mary Abercromby

LONDON, February 4, 1858

I have never seen John more moved, more mortified, more indignant, than on reading a letter from Sir George Grey yesterday announcing the intention of the Ministry to make an alteration in the Conspiracy Laws under the threats of an inconceivably insolent French soldiery. He had heard a rumour of such an intention, but would not believe it. He thinks very seriously of the possible effects of debates on the measure, and feels the full weight of his responsibility; but he is nevertheless resolved to oppose to the utmost of his power what he considers as only the first step in a series of unworthy concessions....

Page 174.

PEMBROKE LODGE, February 20, 1858

John woke me at two with the news of a majority for the amendment (234 to 215)--the country spared from humiliation, the character of the House of Commons redeemed. But, privately, what will become of our victory? Lay awake with the nightmare of coming office upon me--went to sleep only to dream that John was going to the scaffold (being interpreted, the Treasury Bench).

Хотя голосование проходило при очень малочисленном составе палаты, как показывают приведенные выше цифры, Пальмерстон подал в отставку, и после некоторых колебаний королева поручила лорду Дерби сформировать правительство. Это была вторая попытка лорда Дерби править при оппозиционном ему большинстве в Палате общин. Первой задачей нового министерства было уладить ссору с Францией, и благодаря здравому смыслу и достоинству императора это удалось сделать вопреки скандальному оправданию английским судом присяжных француза доктора Бернарда, изготовившего бомбы Орсини. Герцог де Малакофф, чье поведение в Крыму сделало его народным героем в Англии, сменил М. Персиньи во французском посольстве. Его присутствие помогало напоминать англичанам, что прошло совсем немного времени с тех пор, как они сражались бок о бок с французскими солдатами, и неприязнь к армии императора улетучилась.

PEMBROKE LODGE, October 30, 1858

Dinner at Gunnersbury. Met Malakoffs, D'lsraelis, Azeglio. Never before had opportunity for real conversation with D'lsraeli--a sad flatterer and otherwise less agreeable than so able a man of such varied pursuits ought to be.

Хотя эти годы относительно спокойной жизни были желанны для них обоих, ставки в Европе были настолько высоки, что лорд Джон не мог не желать снова получить возможность напрямую влиять на события.

Page 175.

Он пишет жене 15 декабря 1858 года:

When I reflect that a Reform Bill and the liberation of Italy are "looming in the distance," it gives me no little wish to be in office; but when I consider what colleagues I should have, I am cured of any such wish. I can express my own opinions in my own way.

Он опасался, что не встретит горячей поддержки со стороны коллег в своих взглядах на Италию и реформы, чем и объясняется приведенное выше упоминание.

В марте министерство потерпело поражение при обсуждении Билля о реформе Дизраэли, и парламент был распущен. Между тем борьба Италии против Австрии вызывала гораздо более глубокий интерес, чем вопросы избирательного права. 24 июня 1859 года состоялась битва при Сольферино. Хотя австрийцы были разбиты, цена победы для итальянцев и французов оказалась очень высокой. Успех всей кампании до сих пор объяснялся скорее некомпетентностью австрийского генералитета, чем силой союзников или слабостью позиций Австрии. Хотя Сольферино было пятой победой, остальные дались столь же дорогой ценой, и союзники по-прежнему уступали по численности. К тому же, если бы Австрия продолжала сдавать позиции, существовала более чем реальная вероятность того, что Пруссия вторгнется во Францию, и тогда перспективы Италии были бы окончены, а Англия, по всей вероятности, также оказалась бы втянута в общую войну. Наполеон, знавший о ненадежности собственной армии, сам страшился этого развития событий, хотя английский двор предполагал — и продолжал предполагать, как ни странно, — что провокация войны с Пруссией была конечной целью его политики. В общем и целом английский народ был восторженно настроен в пользу Италии, в то время как двор и аристократия были проавстрийскими. «Я заметил, — писал в то время лорд Гренвилл лорду Каннингу, — что в Палате лордов, когда бы я ни сказал что-либо в пользу императора или итальянцев, палата едва ли не испытывала морскую болезнь, тогда как все сказанное в ином духе они приветствовали так, будто с моих губ сыпались жемчужины».