Russia is paralysed by the devastating progress of the cholera morbus which has reached Moscow.  The Emperor is gone to Moscow to establish order and obedience, for the civil and military authorities are quarrelling, and the troops are unwilling to form the cordon.  All cordons I believe to be fruitless.  It would be as wise to form a cordon against the wind.  The disease advances, however, along the high roads and navigable rivers.  It is the most extraordinary plague we have had.

Prussia cannot act for fear of disorders at home, and Austria is literally the only power to which war is possible.  The French dare not go to war for fear of a Republic.

It seems the French Ministry will be partially changed, the Due de Broglie and Guizot going out.  The Due de Broglie seems to be a pedantic coxcomb.

I pity the King of the Netherlands, who is a good man.  To be hated by two-thirds of his subjects, betrayed by his foolish son, and abandoned as he thinks by his allies, must be great trials to him; while, although the Dutch adore him and really love him, they will not give him money, and I have a little doubt whether they will fight much.  Probably, however, the fear of pillage will make them do that for themselves.

Read a very well-written pamphlet in reply to Brougham’s two.  I suspect the writer is Philpotts.  It is too powerful for an ordinary man, and far beyond Croker.  Neither is it in his style.  Brougham has made Ridgway put forth a letter stating that he never communicated upon the subject of the pamphlet with Brougham—­which is no denial that it is Brougham’s.

It is a good and useful pamphlet, and will teach the Whigs good manners by showing them they cannot commit aggression with impunity.  There is no part much better done than that in which the falsehood and absurdity are shown of what was said in the Brougham pamphlets respecting me.  To be sure my champion had a good case.  What was said about me rather leads me to think Lord Durham or T. Moore had a hand in it.

October 29.

The letters from Manchester recommend resistance on the part of the masters—­that is, non-concession.  This will put the colliers to the necessity of adopting force, and in the defence of property we should commence the contest, which can only be deferred, with great advantage.  Mr. Foster thinks the views of the Union have been shaken by the increase of force near Manchester; and that, although there might be much disturbance, the event would not be doubtful.  One committee of the Union has proposed acquiescence in the masters’ terms.

The accounts from Kent are bad.  Peel has offered to send down a magistrate and police officers, and to go to any expense.

He was to receive Mr. Hammond, Plumptree, Lord Camden, and others to-day.  Poor Lord Camden, in the meantime, has the lumbago.

October 30.

Cabinet.  A very bad account of Manchester.  No means of raising Volunteer corps.  Little hope of uniting the masters.  The operatives triumphant.  No disposition, however, on their part to come to blows, and a confidence on the part of the magistrates that a fight would be in their favour; but then they must have troops, keep all they have, and get more if possible.