h changed his opinion on that head latterly, and the more so
as he thought something ought to be done next year with the franchise,
which he alone could carry through. On my questioning whether it was
impossible to persuade him to take the Foreign Office and stay in the
Lower House, with a first-rate under-secretary, at least for a time,
the Duke thought he might perhaps temporarily, as he felt he owed
to the Queen the solution of the difficulty, but expressed again his
fears of Lord Palmerston's opposition. I replied that if Lord John
would make up his mind to take the Foreign Office, and to stay in
the House of Commons, I saw no danger, as Lord John would be able to
maintain himself successfully, and Lord Palmerston would not like to
be in opposition to him, whilst he would become most formidable to
anybody who was to _gain_ only the leadership in the House; moreover,
Lord John, having done so much for Lord Palmerston, could expect and
demand a return of sacrifice, and a variety of posts might be offered
to him--the Presidency of the Council, the office of Home Secretary,
or Secretary for the Colonies, Chancellor of the Exchequer, etc.,
etc., which places I was sure any member of the Cabinet would vacate
for him. The Duke of Bedford added the Lieutenancy of Ireland, as Lord
Clarendon had told him he was ready to give it up for the purpose, but
only under _one_ condition, viz. that of not having to succeed to
Lord Palmerston at the Foreign Office. Observing our surprise at
this declaration, the Duke added that Lord Clarendon acted most
considerately, that he was ready to have no office at all, and would
support the Government independently in the House of Lords if this
were to facilitate arrangements. The Queen rejoined that a peerage was
of course also at Lord John's disposal for Lord Palmerston. We then
agreed that Lord Granville would be the best person to become Lord
John's Under-Secretary of State, a man highly popular, pleasing,
conciliatory, well versed in Foreign Affairs, and most industrious;
trained under Lord John, he could at any time leave him the office
altogether, if Lord John should find it too much for himself. Lord
Granville had a higher office now, that of Vice-President of the
Board of Trade and Paymaster-General, but would be sure to feel the
importance of taking a lower office under such circumstances and with
such contingencies likely to depend upon it. I have seen a great deal
of him latterly, as