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Constructing Ionian identities: the Ionian Islands in British official ...

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elieved <strong>the</strong> mission needed to encourage “harmony between <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ionian</strong> Legislature<br />

and <strong>the</strong> Protect<strong>in</strong>g Power”. With regards to cession, he believed “any idea which<br />

may still exist as to <strong>the</strong> possibility or probability of <strong>the</strong>ir annexation to Greece<br />

should be conclusively dispelled”. 92<br />

Gladstone deliberated whe<strong>the</strong>r he should accept <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>vitation. 93 The mission<br />

removed him from <strong>the</strong> Commons dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> crucial discussions of <strong>the</strong> Reform Bill<br />

and could expose him to “mockery for be<strong>in</strong>g such a great man stopp<strong>in</strong>g to so petty<br />

shore” as <strong>the</strong> Sept<strong>in</strong>sula. 94 However, because he did not hold a cab<strong>in</strong>et seat, he had<br />

no ulterior motive “at variance with <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terests of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islands</strong>”. His prom<strong>in</strong>ence<br />

might also encourage <strong>the</strong> Assembly to accept his remedies, “a favour <strong>the</strong>y have not<br />

acceded to <strong>the</strong> Ord<strong>in</strong>ary Executive”. 95 He also saw <strong>the</strong> mission as an extended family<br />

holiday where <strong>the</strong> pleasant sou<strong>the</strong>rn climate could help his wife, Ca<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>e,<br />

recuperate after <strong>the</strong> death of her sister. 96 Most importantly Gladstone, who had<br />

developed views on how Brita<strong>in</strong> should rule her dependencies, now had an<br />

opportunity “to govern men ra<strong>the</strong>r than packages and currencies”. 97<br />

Gladstone accepted Lytton’s <strong>in</strong>vitation, aga<strong>in</strong>st advice from his closest friends<br />

and associates, such as Lord Aberdeen. He prepared for <strong>the</strong> journey to Corfu by<br />

tak<strong>in</strong>g topographical extracts from <strong>the</strong> Odyssey and exam<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g material regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />

92 Lytton to Young, 8 January 1859, CO 136/194.<br />

93 Morley J., The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, p. 596.<br />

94 Mat<strong>the</strong>w H. C. G., Gladstone, 1809-1874, pp. 107, 364.<br />

95 Lytton to Young, Confidential, 29 November 1858, CO 136/194.<br />

96 Morley J., The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, p. 596.<br />

97 Shannon R., Gladstone 1809-1865, p. 365.<br />

290

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