“I see that Lord Palmerston has noticed Gladstone’s Pamphlet, in very fine and honourable terms; still I hope the 20,000 is a misprint for 2,000. Is it not so? If not, I am glad the letter has been published, and sent to all the Courts; for it is the common cause of humanity and good Government, and even touches the honour of all crowned heads. I have always thought Lord Palmerston an honest, well-meaning, straightforward man—though too quick, credulous, and domineering.... I wish Mr. Gladstone all the credit and all the success he deserves.”
It would have been of much importance to Panizzi to obtain the countenance and influence of Lord Shrewsbury, both for his proposed interview with the King and during the whole of his visit in Naples; but his Lordship’s arrangements were incompatible with those which the traveller was under the necessity of making for his journey. He thus wrote:—
“B. M., August 25th, 1851.
“I am[“I am] firmly of opinion that the King does not know of all the iniquities now exposed by Mr. Gladstone, nor the cruelties of the prisons, and I start from this as a fact in my plans and dreams.... If your Lordship can manage to meet me—which I repeat ought not to be a very difficult matter for the Earl of Shrewsbury—we might under Providence be instrumental in alleviating an amount of human misery unparalleled in the world.... I shall be obliged for an early answer, as I am kept in London only by this business, and will take no holidays till I hear that I cannot employ the time allowed for them in a more useful manner than running from house to house in the country here.... Gladstone’s letters have gone through ten editions, and are the theme of every conversation. All the press, including that part opposed to the Minister and to Gladstone, as, for instance, the Morning Herald, have all taken Gladstone’s side; and in The Times of last Friday there was a letter from “our correspondent” from Naples supporting Gladstone....”
Panizzi now applied, in view of his long proposed visit, for permission to enter the Kingdom of Naples, and received the following answer:—
“Foreign Office,
August 26th, 1851.
“Sir,
... Lord Palmerston apprehends that you have been naturalized by Act of Parliament, and, if so, you are fully entitled to be considered as a British subject in every country but that of your birth, which his Lordship believes was the Duchy of Modena, and as a British subject you have a right to British protection in the Kingdom of Naples.
I am, &c., &c.,