ds he cannot rely with certainty on the support of his son as a
member of his proposed Cabinet.[10] Still, having undertaken the task
he has in obedience to your Majesty's commands, Lord Derby will not
relax in his efforts to frame such a Government as may be honoured
with your Majesty's gracious approval, and prove itself equal to the
emergency which calls it together.

While in the very act of putting up this letter, Lord Derby has
received one, which he also presumes to enclose to your Majesty,
from Lord St Leonards, alleging his advanced age as a reason for not
accepting the Great Seal which he formerly held. This reply has been
wholly unexpected; and it is yet possible that Lord St Leonards may be
induced, at least temporarily, to withdraw his resignation. Should it,
however, prove otherwise, and Lord Derby should succeed in making his
other arrangements, he would humbly ask your Majesty's permission to
endeavour to persuade Mr Pemberton Leigh to accept that high office,
of course accompanied by the honour of the Peerage, which he is aware
has been already on more than one occasion offered to him. Lord Derby
begs to add that he has not had the slightest communication with
Mr Pemberton Leigh on the subject, nor has the least idea as to his
feelings upon it.

[Footnote 9: Lord Grey wrote--"I am much obliged to you for
the manner in which you have asked my assistance in performing
the task confided to you by Her Majesty.

"I am not insensible to the danger of the present crisis, or
to the duty it imposes on public men, of giving any aid
in their power towards forming an Administration which may
command respect. I am also aware that the settlement of the
important political questions, on which we have differed,
has removed many of the obstacles which would formerly have
rendered my acting with you impracticable. Upon the other
hand, upon carefully considering the present state of affairs
and the materials at your disposal (especially in the House
of Commons) for forming an Administration, and that all the
political friends with whom I have been connected, would
probably be opposed to it, I do not think it would be either
useful to you or honourable to myself that I should singly
join your Government."

Mr Gladstone wrote--"I am very sensible of the importance of
the vote taken on Friday, and I should deeply lament to see
the House of