These were, briefly, that the recent successes of the Democrats afforded a most favourable opportunity of intervention, because we should strengthen their hands, and that if we refused the invitation of France, Russia would reconsider her decision, act directly with France, and thus accomplish her favourite purpose of separating France and England.

He therefore advised that the proposal of France should be accepted.

Palmerston followed Lord John, and supported him, but did not say a great deal.
His principal argument was the necessity for showing sympathy with Lancashire, and of not throwing away any chance of mitigating it [_sic_].
"The proposal was now thrown before the Cabinet, who proceeded to pick it to pieces.

Everybody present threw a stone at it of greater or less size, except Gladstone, who supported it, and the Chancellor [Westbury] and Cardwell, who expressed no opinion.

The principal objection was that the proposed armistice of six months by sea and land, involving a suspension of the commercial blockade, was so grossly unequal--so decidedly in favour of the South, that there was no chance of the North agreeing to it.