While stringing along the Paris government, the Austrian Foreign Ministry naturally did not forget the London government. In this era, the British Empire was still incredibly formidable.
As the world's only industrialized nation, this was precisely the time when they were riding high. Fortunately, the British Isles were small, limiting population growth. Otherwise, there would have been no room left for latecomers.
Britain had not escaped the great revolution of 1848 either. It was just that, compared with countries like France and Austria, theirs was child's play.
The revolutionaries, whose ambitions exceeded their abilities, were crushed by the police before they could even erupt. After a few strikes, the whole affair ended in a slapdash fashion.
Franz knew that the Sardinian-Austrian War had in fact been planned by the British. Long before the Kingdom of Sardinia sent troops, British Foreign Secretary Palmerston had already begun persuading King Charles Albert.
Against such a backdrop, Austria's diplomatic efforts in London naturally could not possibly bear fruit.
Besides, British credibility was truly unreliable. Whenever their interests demanded it, they could switch sides at any time.
Fortunately, Franz had never expected British support. Ambassador Hummelauer's purpose in Britain was simple: lobby the pro-Austrian members of Parliament and prevent the London government from providing the Kingdom of Sardinia with substantive support.
Downing Street
Prime Minister John Russell was pondering the current world situation. First came the matter of France. The newly established provisional government had already shown goodwill toward the British Empire in its diplomacy, but he was still hesitating over whether to accept it.
The Vienna System had collapsed. How should Europe's future political order be rebuilt?
Do not be fooled by how expertly the British played the diplomatic game. Before the Vienna System collapsed, John Russell had not thought much of it. But