Dost Mohammed emerged from captivity, and was restored to the throne of Cabul. All the sufferings, losses, and humiliations of the English army had been in vain; at the end of four years, events had brought back the old chief to his kingdom, and restored the independence of the Afghan nation. The bones of those who had been the victims of this war remained scattered in the defiles of the mountains, while hostile and bitter memories lingered in the depths of many hearts.

CHAPTER III.

SIR ROBERT PEEL AND THE CORN-LAW QUESTION.

HILST England in the East was attaching her name to

WH

the opium trade with the Chinese, and to the defiles of the Afghan mountains, her interior government was undergoing important modifications, and the power passed from the hands of the Whigs to those of the Tories, from Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston to Sir Robert Peel and Lord Aberdeen.

"Ever since its two restorations in 1835 and 1839," says M. Guizot in his life of Sir Robert Peel, "the Whig Cabinet had been wearing itself out by continuing in office without growing in power. During the sessions of 1840 and 1841, it began again to totter, and it was easy to foresee that it would soon fall once more. The attacks of the opposition became more pressing. Peel no longer restrained the ardor of his friends. The Whigs began to perceive that his blows were more hardly dealt, and might soon prove mortal. They endeavored to intimidate or weaken him by foretelling the difficulties which would beset him in the exercise of power. I believe,' said Mr. Macaulay, that if, with the best and purest intentions, the right honorable baronet were to undertake the government of this country, he would find that it was very easy to lose the confidence of the party which raised him to power, but very difficult indeed to gain that which the present government happily possesses, the confidence of the people of Ireland.'

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"It was by the help of Ireland most of all, that the Whigs hoped to maintain themselves in power and to paralyze their

formidable opponent. They called on him to explain himself with clearness on this question, and generally to state the views and principles of conduct which would guide him if he were placed at the head of the government. Peel unhesitatingly accepted the challenge. Two demands,' he said, 'have been made by the opposite side, in the course of this discussion. The one, that he who is about to give his vote of want of confidence in the government should specify the grounds upon which this vote is given; the other, that those who from their position may be regarded as the probable successors of the government which it is sought to displace, should state upon what principles of public policy they propose to conduct the affairs of their country. The absolute justice of the first of these demands I willingly admit. The other demand, namely, that I should explain in detail my views of public policy, is perhaps not equally imperative in point of strict obligation, but it is a demand to which, from considerations of prudence, I shall most willingly accede. There shall be no limit to the fulness and unreservedness of the answers which I will give, excepting your impatience. I know too well the little value that can be placed on that support which arises from misconception of one's real opinions. I have had too much experience of solemn engagements, entered into for the purpose of overturning a government, violated when that object had been obtained. I have so little desire to procure a hollow confidence, either on false pretences or by a delusive silence, that I rejoice in the opportunity of frankly declaring my opinions and intentions on every point on which you challenge unreserved explanation." "

Sir Robert Peel spoke for two hours, passing in review all the great public questions of the time, all his own opinions regarding reform, the principles of Parliament, the Poor Law, the Corn Law, Catholic Emancipation and the Administration of . Ireland.