Chapter XII: The Eastern Question

1876-1878

The Powers and Turkey: England and the Andrassy Note--Gambetta
on French Politics--Simplicity of Marshal MacMahon--Political
consequences of French military re-organisation--Struggle
between the Marshal and Parliament--The Constantinople
Conference: Determination of Lord Derby to do nothing--Intrigues
of the Duc Décazes--Constitutional crisis in
France--Defeat of Marshal MacMahon: new Radical Ministry
formed under Dufaure with Waddington as Foreign Minister--Treaty
of San Stefano; nervousness of French Government--Determination
of H.M. Government to secure a Conference--Invitation
to Lord Lyons to be the British representative at
Berlin--Resignation of Lord Derby: appointment of Lord
Salisbury--Lord Salisbury's circular of April 1st, 1878--Inquiry
of Lord Salisbury respecting French desire for Tunis--The Anglo-Turkish
Convention--The Congress of Berlin--Reception in
France of the Anglo-Turkish Convention--Waddington and
Tunis--Sir H. Layard on the Treaty of Berlin 95

CHAPTER XIII

M. GRÉVY'S PRESIDENCY

1878-1879

Paris Exhibition of 1878: desire of Queen Victoria to visit it
incognito--Tunis--Resignation of MacMahon: Election of
Grévy--Waddington Prime Minister: his difficulties--Anglo-French
policy in Egypt--Question of deposing the Khedive
Ismail--Differences between British and French Governments
with regard to Egypt--Deposition of the Khedive by the Sultan--Death
of the Prince Imperial: effect in France--Proposed
visit of Gambetta to England: his bias in favour of English
Conservatives--Resignation of Waddington: Freycinet Prime
Minister--Coolness between France and Russia 161

CHAPTER XIV

THE REVIVAL OF FRANCE

1880-1881

Change of Government in England and reversal of Foreign Policy--The
French Embassy in London: Freycinet's model Ambassador--Personal
characteristics of Lord Lyons: _On ne lui connait
pas de vice_--The work at the Paris Embassy--The Eastern
Question: Mr. Goschen at Constantinople--The Dulcigno
Demonstration and the difficulties of the European Concert--Proposal
to seize Smyrna--Opportune surrender of the Sultan--H.M.
Government and the Pope: Mission of Mr. Errington,
M.P.--Gambetta on the European situation--French expedition
to Tunis--Ineffectual objections of H.M. Government--Establishment
of French Protectorate over Tunis--Irritation in England
and Italy--Distinction drawn between Tunis and Tripoli--Attempt
to negotiate a new Anglo-French Commercial
Treaty: Question of Retaliation 209

CHAPTER XV

ARABI'S REBELLION

1881-1882

Egypt: the _coup d'état_ of the Colonels: joint Anglo-French
action--Gambetta as Prime Minister--His desire to remain on good
terms with England--Egypt: the Dual Note--Gambetta in favour of
a more resolute joint policy--Fall of Gambetta after two months
of office--Ministry formed by Freycinet--French vacillation
with regard to Egypt--Decision of H.M. Government to employ
force--Bombardment of Alexandria--Decision of French Government
to take no part in expedition--Fall of Freycinet--Invitation to
Italy to join in expedition declined--Effect produced in France by
British military success in Egypt--French endeavour to re-establish
the Control in Egypt--Madagascar and Tonquin 258

CHAPTER XVI

ANGLOPHOBIA

1883-1885

Death of Gambetta--General discontent in France--Change of
Government: Jules Ferry Prime Minister--Waddington appointed
Ambassador in London--Insult to King of Spain in
Paris--Growth of French ill-will towards English influence in
Egypt--Baron de Billing and General Gordon--Establishment
of French Protectorate over Tonquin--Egyptian Conference
in London--Renewed request to Lord Lyons to vote in House
of Lords--Anti-English combination with regard to Egypt--Jules
Ferry on the necessity of delivering a _coup foudroyant_ upon
China--French reverse in Tonquin: resignation of Jules Ferry--New
Government under Freycinet--Bismarck and the persons
whom he disliked--Funeral of Victor Hugo--Return of Lord
Salisbury to the Foreign Office--Anglophobia in Paris: scurrilities
of Rochefort 305

CHAPTER XVII

THE LAST YEAR'S WORK

1886-1887

Lord Rosebery at the Foreign Office--His surprise at
ill-feeling shown by French Government--Proceedings of General
Boulanger--Princes' Exclusion Bill--Boulanger at the Review
of July 14th--Causes of his popularity--General Election
in England: Lord Salisbury Prime Minister--The Foreign
Office offered to Lord Lyons--Egyptian questions raised
by French Government--Apprehension in France of a German
attack--Embarrassment caused by Boulanger--Unofficial attempt
on behalf of French Government to establish better relations
with England--Application by Lord Lyons to be permitted to
resign--Pressed by Lord Salisbury to remain until end of the
year--Desire of French Government to get rid of Boulanger--Lord
Salisbury's complaints as to unfriendly action of the French
Government in various parts of the world--Resignation of Lord
Lyons--Created an Earl--His death 360

APPENDIX

Lord Lyons in Private Life. By MRS. WILFRID WARD 415

INDEX 429

LIST OF PLATES IN VOL. II

FACING PAGE

LORD LYONS AT THE AGE OF 65 _Frontispiece_

WILLIAM HENRY WADDINGTON 169

GENERAL BOULANGER 370

THE BRITISH EMBASSY, PARIS 420
(_Photograph by F. Contet, Paris._)

LORD LYONS

A RECORD OF BRITISH DIPLOMACY