parted to Lord Lansdowne,
who was then at Bowood (this fact I had last night from
Duncannon[11] and Hobhouse[12]). Matters, however, went on
quietly enough till the other night, when the Government was beat
in the House of Lords upon the clause in the Corn Bill, and this
defeat it is obvious has enraged and embarrassed them to the
greatest degree.[13] Duncannon, who is entirely in the confidence
of the moderate Whig party, says that it is impossible the thing
can go on in this way; three Lords in the King's household
(Errol, Macclesfield, and Delawarr) voted against the Bill, and
if they are not dismissed it will be such a proof of the
feebleness of Government as will disgust all the Whigs and make
their support very lukewarm.[14] Burdett, who was more active and
zealous than anybody in bringing about the Coalition, is very
much disgusted already, and there appears altogether such a want
of confidence and unanimity among them as must lead to the
dissolution of the Government unless Canning can by some vigorous
measures establish his credit and convince the world of his
strength. In Ireland the Chancellor[15] has refused to put the
Great Seal to the appointment of Doherty as Solicitor-General. It
is supposed that he will take this occasion to resign, and it
will then be seen what part the King will take in the nomination
of his successor. The King sees numbers of people, talks
incessantly, and does nothing. Canning was with him yesterday
evening, and the result of his audience will be very interesting,
because it will appear whether he has insisted upon, and the King
consented to, the dismissal of the refractory Lords, as well as
what he will do about the Irish Chancellor. Government are
indignant with the Duke of Wellington and the other ex-Ministers
for opposing the Corn Bill, which they had been themselves (when
in office) instrumental in framing, as well as for the use which
the Duke made of Huskisson's letter.

[11] [John William, Viscount Duncannon, afterwards fourth
Earl of Bessborough.]

[12] [Mr. John Cam Hobhouse, M.P. for Westminster,
afterwards Sir John C. Hobhouse, Bart., raised to the
peerage in 1851 by the title of Baron Broughton de
Giffard.]

[13] [It was with reference to this defeat that Canning said
soon afterwards in the House of Commons that 'the Duke
of Wellington had been made the instrument of others
for t