as waived; he (Lord Derby) did not know in the least whether Lord
Palmerston would accept, but in case he did not, the offer would
propitiate him, and render the Government in the House of Commons
more possible, as it would have anyhow all the talent of the late
Government, Peelites and Radicals, to withstand.

To my question whether Lord Derby fancied he would remain Prime
Minister any length of time, when once Lord Palmerston had got the
lead of the House of Commons, he replied he was not afraid of him; he
felt sure he could control him, although he would not have been able
to admit him to the Foreign Office on account of the very strong
strictures he had passed upon his Foreign Policy at different
times--even if the Queen had allowed it.

_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._

ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _22nd February 1852._
(_Half-past eight._)

Lord Derby, with his humble duty, deems it incumbent upon him to
submit to your Majesty without delay that having had an interview this
evening with Lord Palmerston, the latter has, although in the most
friendly terms, declined accepting the Office, upon the ground of
difference of opinion, not on the principle, but on the expediency
of the imposition of any duty, under any circumstances, upon foreign
corn. This was a point which Lord Derby was willing to have left
undecided until the result of a General Election should be known.

Although this refusal may add materially to Lord Derby's difficulties,
he cannot regret that the offer has been made, as the proposal must
have tended to diminish any feelings of hostility which might have
been productive of future embarrassment to your Majesty's service, to
whatever hands it may be entrusted....

The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
and Subject,

DERBY.

[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S CABINET]

_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd February 1852._

Lord Derby reported progress at half-past two, and submitted a list of
the principal Officers of the Government which follows, and which the
Queen approved.

The Queen allowed Lord Lyndhurst (who has declined office--has been
Lord Chancellor three times, and now entered upon his eightieth year)
to be offered an Earldom--which he very much desired for the position
of his daughters, having no son.

After he had kissed hands upon his entering upon his office, Lord
Derby had a further conversation with me on Househo