and animated
discussion, in consequence of the speech of Mr Cobden, who is the
chief patron of the Anti-Corn Law League.

Mr Cobden with great vehemence of manner observed more than once that
Sir Robert Peel ought to be held _individually responsible_ for the
distress of the country.[15]

Coupling these expressions with the language frequently held at the
meetings of the Anti-Corn Law League, and by the press in connection
with it, Sir Robert Peel in replying to Mr Cobden charged him with
holding language calculated to excite to personal violence.

[Footnote 14: To go into Committee on the depression of the
manufacturing industry. The debate turned mainly on the Corn
Laws.]

[Footnote 15: To this attack Peel replied with excessive
warmth, amid the frantic cheering of his party, who almost
refused to hear Cobden's explanation in reply. Peel, alarmed
at the fate of Drummond, thought (or affected to think) that
Cobden was singling him out as a fit object for assassination.
For years Cobden resented this language of Peel most deeply.
"Peel's atrocious conduct towards me ought not to be lost
sight of," he wrote in February 1846. A _rapprochement_ was
effected by Miss Martineau--see her letter to Peel (Parker,
vol. iii. p. 330)--and a reference to the matter by Disraeli
in the House of Commons led to satisfactory explanations on
both sides.]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Lincoln._[16]

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th February 1843._

The Queen, immediately on her arrival yesterday, went to look at
the new Chapel, with which she is much pleased, but was extremely
disappointed to find it still in such a backward state. As it is of
the utmost importance to the Queen to be able to _use_ it _very soon_,
she wishes Lord Lincoln would be so good as to hurry on the work as
much as possible; perhaps Lord Lincoln could increase the number of
workmen, as there seemed to her to be very few there yesterday.

[Footnote 16: Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests.]

[Pageheading: FANNY BURNEY'S DIARY]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _21st February 1843._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He received
safely your Majesty's letter of the 18th inst. Lord Melbourne entreats
your Majesty that you never will think for a moment that you can
tire him by questions, or that it can be to him anything but a great
plea