442 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1859- This lesson was taught during the existence of Palmer- ston's Ministry. The management of the department of the Board of Trade, to which he was transferred on Cobden's refusal, by Milner Gibson, was admirable ; and Mr. Villiers at the Poor Law Board gave evidence not only of ordinary administrative talent, but of the statesmanlike faculty of meeting and dealing with grave and sudden difficulties. During Villier's tenure of office the occurrence of the " cotton famine " called for special legislation and for im- mediate action in an emergency, and both demands were met to the full by the Radical president of the Board.* A still more striking example of political insight, com- bined with extraordinary statesmanlike ability, was furnished in the case of the commercial treaty with France. That treaty was originated, negotiated, and completed by Richard Cobden alone. The central idea which Cobden had in view was a broad and noble one to unite two great nations by the bonds of a friendship based on mutual interests, and so to destroy the jealousies and rivalries which had involved them in wars innumerable. That not only the great cause of peace would be promoted, but that the material welfare of both peoples would be increased, was a consideration which no wise statesman would overlook. With these great objects in view, Cobden began his work, without much encouragement in England, and with the Government and people of France alike unprepared to receive any such a proposition. Every difficulty which could be imagined pre- sented itself, and the industry and prudence by which they were met and overcome vere as remarkable as the wisdom by which the project was conceived. A year's anxious and arduous labour was devoted to the cause, and it was not until the loth of February, 1860, that the treaty was submitted to Parliament No words can more fittingly describe the work than those used by Mr. Gladstone in the
- The services rendered by Mr. Villiers in this office are fairly set out in
the Political Memoir attached to Free Trade Speeches, in pp. Ixxxii. to xciii. inclusive a record which deserves to be studied.
