The energetic and prudent manner in which he met the threatened danger, and by which ho averted the attempt at rebellion in the fol lowing year, established his political character In a point of view which the historian of that period will gladly tarn to as a proof of the efficiency of • just moderation as opposed alike to a blind security or a violent system of coercion. At a later period he had to reprem the excesses of the Orange party, and in so doing displayed firmness and moderation similar to that which the popular tnmults had called forth. Lord Clarendon held the viceregal office till February 1852, when, with the other members of the Iturmelbministry, he resigned, and was replaced by the Earl of Eglinton. Ills impartial rule exposed him to the censures of the more violent writers and orators belonging to both the extreme parties which so long divided Ireland ; but now that strife has somewhat subsided, all parties seem willing to acknowledge Lord Clarendon 's desire to improve the national condition of the people and to incream the prosperity of the country. Imme diately on this formation of the Aberdeen ministry, Lord Clarendon gave in his adhesion to the coalition cabinet, and took the seals of the Foreign Office, for which it was felt thnt he was admirably fitted by his address and skill In diplomacy, and from his deep insight into the views and feelings of the various courts and cabinets of Europe. The ability with which he haa discharged tho duties of that office since January 1853 hoe been repeatedly recognised, not merely by friends, but by political opponents ; so much so, that when, in 1855, Lord Derby ineffectually attempted to form a ho confessed that, in the event of becoming premier, he would have been ready to offer the Foreign seals to Lord Clarendon. On the accession of Lord Palmerston to power in February 1855, no change was made in the Foreign department Accordingly, in the great and stirring events of the last three year'', Lord Clarendon hes been forced to occupy a leading position, and be has played a distinguished part well But though he showed a proper energy in supporting the conduct of the war, 'Lord Clarendon was not unmindful of the blessings of peace, and did not desire to carry on hostilities farther than was sufficient to secure the foundation of an honourable and lasting peace. Accord
Ivey, when it was announced that a peace congress was about to be held at Paris, the nation looked to Lord Clarendon to take part in it on behalf of England. This duty Lord Clarendon discharged in con junction with Lord Cowley, the British ambassador at Paris. In a speech delivered at the opining of the session of parliament in 1856, be explained fully the views with which her 8Iajesty's ministers would enter on the negociation with Rued& While he denied that the English government Intended to earry on the war after the primary end and object had been attained, he still declared that until those negociations should be concluded every preparation would continue to be made for war; and that if • peace should not be arranged the war would be prosecuted with increased activity. It was this speech, probably, which tended more than any other single cause to lead the national mind to acquiesce In the peace recently concluded (April 1856) between the belligerent powers ; and the judgment and tact displayed by his lordship In the Congress at Paris have been the sub ject of no alight or partial praise among all classes. His discreet zeal in the matter of mooted reforms, both civil and religious, in the states of the Italian peninsula, has also been deservedly commended.
Lord Clerenxlon married in 1839 a sinter of the present Earl of Vendee,. by whom he has a youthful family. Ile was created a 0.C.14 (Civil) in 1839, and In 1849 rewarded with the knighthood of the Garter. Of his brothers, one has been recently advanced to the bishopric of Carlisle, and the other le the Right lion. Charles Pelham Villiers, Judge-Advocate-General, and M.P. for Wolverhampton, whose early exertions in the cause of Free Trade are not likely to be easily forgotten by the British public. A sister of the Earl of Clarendon, Lady Theresa Lewis, is favourably known as the authoress of the aeries of biographical sketches entitled Friends and Contemporaries of the Lord Chancellor Clarendon.'