Lord Beaconsfield has always despised consistency, but it is curious,
nevertheless, to read the language which he used about' invading Afghanistan in order to produce an impression on the mind of Europe, in 1812 :—" The only information afforded with in Great Coram Street, whence the supposititious child was respect to the war in Afghanistan, was that it was undertaken for the purpose of producing a moral impression in Europe. It would appear that a moral impression in Europe was to be produced by acting immorally in Afghanistan. The noble lord's (Palmerston) system appeared to be to say, I am the Minister of the most powerful country on earth, and I can always extricate myself from my difficulties by main force.' To use a giant's strength like a giant was ungenerous, and the constant transition from a state of collapse to one of convulsion would not only have the effect of involving us in financial embarrassment, but would rouse against us the prejudices of Europe, and perhaps its hatred. The noble lord's system might be successful for a moment. He might take Ghuznee, and conquer Ava ; but what effect nrust it have upon the foundations of our strength and power? It was a sys- tem which commenced with the neglect of our duties, and which terminated by a violation of the rights of other nations." The bottom-boy's view of the top-boy's conduct is always, of course, very different from the top-boy's view of his own conduct, even though it be the very conduct which, when at the bottom, he so bitterly condemned. And especially is this the case with such a man as Lord Beaconsfield, who treats political principles rather as the appropriate costume of political position, than as having any meaning in themselves. Lord Beaconsfield, however, has frequently endeavoured to play over again the part of Lord Palmerston.
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