until 1841. Again Foreign Secretary in 1846. At the present moment, Home
Secretary in the administration of Lord Aberdeen. A statesman of vast
knowledge and acquirements; of sterling business habits; quick and
decided in action. An admirable debater, with a facile, ready, but not
lofty eloquence. The upholder of constitutional government wherever his
name and position have acquired influence in the world. Friendly to
efforts made abroad for the recovery of liberty, he has been held in
terror by those who would still keep liberty in chains. Of all living
Ministers, Lord Palmerston is the most personally popular. He has served
with many parties, and yet is no party man. The Whigs do not love him;
the Conservatives cannot claim him; the Radicals own him not. Yet the
eye of England glances involuntarily towards him as one with qualities
to be exercised on great occasions, in the interests of his country. We
cannot enumerate his followers; but his admirers are countless. He has
many practical virtues that constitute a bond, uniting him to
Englishmen, and make him an object of interest in the national mind. He
is bold, outspoken, courageous, patriotic; genial in temper, and
unaffected in intercourse. He has infinite “pluck.” When he strikes, he
hits straight and effectually. In self-defence his “parry” is
inimitable, and always successful.
[Executed in 1846 by Christopher Moore.]