Of the Afghan War in 1878 he strongly disapproved.
The following extracts from letters to Lady Derby show the phases of thought on the Eastern Question through which Froude passed, and are interesting also because they represent him in an unfamiliar light as the champion of parliamentary Government against the secret diplomacy of Lord Beaconsfield.

Arbitrary rule might be very good for Irishmen.

As applied to Englishmen Froude disliked it no less than Gladstone or Bright.
"February 16th, 1877 .-- The Opposition have no hope of making a successful attack on the present Parliament--but they are resolute.
They know their own minds, and Gladstone (I know) has said that he has but to hold up his finger to force a dissolution and return as Prime Minister.

I too think you are deceived by the London Press.
Another massacre and all would be over.

The Golden Bridge you speak of I conclude is for Russia; but if it was possible for the Cabinet, without changing its attitude, to make such a bridge, there would be no need of one.