Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/96

 62 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP. is. till the time when we saw it at last divided in IV ' the summer of 1854. The creation of this ' third Secretaryship ' with narrowly limited functions was not in itself such a measure as could promptly ensure great improvements of our administrative system ; but the inherent mischiefs of a divided rule were partly masked, partly lessened by the twofold authority which Pitt had acquired ; for whilst ruling as a great ' constitutional ' Minister, sup- ported alike by the country and by great majorities in both Houses of Parliament, he was also the sovereign's favourite, charged to ' save him from Mr Fox,' and for that purpose largely, though not unstintingly, trusted with the power — then very great — which the ' per- ' sonal ' king could exert. By this junction of a twofold power in one man, the evil of discord was averted ; but it must not be supposed that the advantage thus gained made the ' two kings ' quite equal to one. Pitt indeed, by his own mere authority, could well enough move the Admiralty, and those other Departments of State which belonged to what men called ' the Govern- ' ment,' whilst also in the name of the king he could make the Horse Guards conform ; but he had not, to aid him, that modern State mechan- ism which was imperatively needed for giving full effect to his will. If he had proposed to form such a Department as that which now in Pall Mall directs our military business, the king, it is certain enough, would have sturdily refused his assent, unless he could have the new engine