16 APRIL 1864, Page 1

On Friday week a conversation of some importance took place

on the Danish question. Sir H. Verney asked whether Schleswig and Holstein would be represented in the Conference, and Lord Palmerston answered, amidst general laughter, that they would, for there would be in the Conference "representatives of their lawful Sovereign, and that Sovereign, no doubt, will have equally at heart the interests of all his subjects." Later in the evening Mr. Dillwyn called attention to the bombardment of Siinderborg, calling it " a dastardly outrage," and stating that the feeling of the country for Denmark would have been much more strongly expressed, but for the hope that Lord Palmerston's strong language and the alliance between the throne and Prussia might have had the effect of arresting the outrages of the Prussians in Schleswig. He asked that a fleet should be sent to protect and assist the Danes, oddly remarking that that could scarcely be called an act of war. Mr. Osborne both protested against war and inveighed against the

Government, calling the despatches mere " elegant extracts." The correspondence, he said, came in like a lion and went out like a lamb, and he further indulged in much irrelevant jocularity at the expense of all parties. Lord Palmerston having replied, General Peel made a short but weighty speech, in which he protested against the ill- timed jocularity of the debate, reminded Lord Palmerston of his pledge that " if the Duchies were invaded Denmark would not stand alone," and " ventured to promise" the Government an opportunity of defending their conduct at large on the whole question.