Prince Albert._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th December 1852._

The delivery of the Seals of Office of the outgoing Ministers into the
Queen's hands, and her bestowal of them upon the new Ministers, took
place to-day.

Of the former, Mr Disraeli seemed to feel most the loss of office.

We saw Lord Aberdeen for some time, who submitted the names of all the
persons he recommended for the subordinate Offices, of whom he will
send a list. We asked him what might have passed between the last
Session and this to chill his feelings for Lord Derby, who maintained
that up to the Dissolution he had sent him messages to say that he
perfectly agreed with him, except on the Commercial Policy, and that
he never would join the Whigs. Lord Aberdeen disclaimed all knowledge
of such messages, though he acknowledged to have been very friendly to
Lord Derby. At the General Election, however, it appeared to him
that there was such a total want of principle in him and his Party,
pledging themselves for Protection in one place and Free Trade in
another, and appearing consistent only on one point, viz. their hatred
to Sir Robert Peel's memory and his friends, that he became determined
to have nothing to do with them.

The formation of the Government appeared to give satisfaction to the
country, though of course the number of the disappointed must be even
larger than usual on such occasions. Lord Canning seemed very much
hurt at not being taken into the Cabinet, and felt inclined to refuse
the Post Office. We agreed upon the impolicy of such a step,
and encouraged Lord Aberdeen to press him. Lord Clanricarde, and
particularly Lord Carlisle, were very much grieved at being left out
altogether, but there was no help for it; for each man taken in from
one side, two would be proposed from the other, and the Cabinet was
just large enough to work.

We saw Lord Lansdowne after the Council, who seemed well satisfied
with the Government, a combination he had so much and so long wished.
Lord Carlisle's annoyance was the only thing which personally grieved
him. He said that from the moment he had read Mr Disraeli's Budget he
had felt sure that the Government would fall immediately; the country
would never submit to a new tax with a surplus in the Exchequer.

Lord John Russell, whom we saw afterwards, seemed in very good health
and spirits. He told us that the peaceful parting scene in the House
of Commons had been his doing; he had told Mr Walpole that h