If we had some sense here other than to quarrel for miserable places we should buy some of the colonies of the Portuguese, it would do an immense amo… - Leopold I of Belgium

But Palmerston likes to put his foot on their necks! Now, no statesman must triumph over an enemy that is not quite dead, because people forget a real loss, a real misfortune, but they won’t forget an insult. Napoleon made great mistakes that way; he hated Prussia, insulted it on all occasions, but still left it alive. The consequence was that in 1813 they rose to a man in Prussia, even children and women took arms, because they had been treated with contempt and insulted.

He is as uncontrollable and crabby as one can imagine. Not to be understood, because neither his mother nor his father is like that.

I am saddened by the case of Constantinople, this journey was so well served to you, and you have spoiled it with a childishness.