It was in this point of view that the declaration made by Lord Palmerston at the beginning of May to the Prussian Government chagrined me much.[19] It was premature, because the negotiation was not yet renewed.

It looked as if the English Government had been anxious to say to the Northern Powers, who always steadfastly _protected_ Holland, "You imagine, perhaps, that we mean to have _egards_ for the uncle of the Queen; there you see we shall make even shorter work with him now than we did under our late master." This impression had been _general_ on the Continent; they considered the declaration to Prussia in this way: "La Reine et ses Ministres sont donc entierement indifferents sur le compte du Roi L.; _cela change entierement_ la position, et nous allons faire mains basses sur lui." From that moment their language became extremely imperious; they spoke of nothing but acts of coercion, bombardment, etc., etc.

I firmly believe, because I have been these many years on terms of great and sincere friendship with Palmerston, that he did not himself quite foresee the importance which would be attached to his declaration.

I must say it hurt me more in my _English_ capacity than in my Belgian, as I came to this country _from England_, and was chosen _for that very reason_.

Besides, I am happy to say, I was never as yet in the position to ask for any act of kindness from you, so that whatever little service I may have rendered you, remained on a basis of perfect disinterestedness.