ave Audiences
to the Duke of Norfolk and others which he certainly would not have
been inclined to do if he had not thought himself bound by his duty
and by Constitutional precedent. At the time of the passing of the
Roman Catholic Relief Act, George IV. received very many Peers, much
no doubt against his will, who came to remonstrate with him upon the
course which his Ministers were pursuing. William IV. did the same at
the time of the Reform Bill, and certainly spoke upon the subject in
a manner which Lord Melbourne always thought indiscreet and imprudent.
Upon the whole, the practice has been so much acted upon and
established, that Lord Melbourne will certainly not think it wise to
make any alteration now, especially as it has in itself beneficial
effects, especially as in a time of strong political feeling it is a
satisfaction to the people to think that their wishes and opinions are
laid before the Sovereign fairly and impartially. It is not likely to
be a very heavy burthen, inasmuch as such Audiences are only asked at
particular moments, and they are not in themselves very burthensome
nor difficult to deal with. It is only for the Sovereign to say that
he is convinced of the good motives which have actuated the step, and
that consideration will be given to the matter and arguments which
have been stated.

Lord Melbourne has one vague recollection of a correspondence upon
this subject between Lord Holland and some King, but does not remember
the circumstances with any accuracy.

Duncannon[119] persuaded Brougham to give up asking an Audience upon
condition of Lord Melbourne's promising to place his letters in your
Majesty's hands, which he did.[120] Lord Charlemont[121] also was
prevented in some manner or another, which Lord Melbourne forgets.

Upon the whole, Lord Melbourne thinks that it is best to concede this
privilege of the Peerage, whether it actually exists or not, but to
restrain it within due and reasonable bounds, which in ordinary times
it is not difficult to do. Extraordinary times must be dealt with as
they can be....

Lady A---- is, as your Majesty says, good-natured. She talks three or
four times as much as she ought, and like many such women often says
exactly the things she ought not to say. Lady B---- has ten times the
sense of her mother, and a little residue of her folly.

[Footnote 119: Ex-First Commissioner of Land Revenue.]

[Footnote 120: See _ante_, pp. 293 and 335-6.