overnment of
Lord Palmerston, and was prepared and desirous to aid in any proper
measures which might lead to its displacement. That so strong were
my objections that I was content to act thus without inquiring who
was to follow, for I was convinced that any one who might follow
would govern with less prejudice to the public interests. That in
the existing state of public affairs I did not pretend to see far,
but thus far I saw clearly. I also told him that I felt the
isolated position in which I stood, and indeed in which we who are
called Peelites all stand, to be a great evil as tending to prolong
and aggravate that parliamentary disorganisation which so much
clogs and weakens the working of our government; and I denounced
myself as a public nuisance, adding that it would be an advantage
if my doctor sent me abroad for the session.

PEELITES AND TORIES

He concurred in the general sentiments which I had expressed, but
said it was material for him, as he had friends with and for whom
to act, and as I had alluded to the possibility, in the event of a
change, of his being invited by the Queen to form a government, to
consider beforehand on what strength he could rely. He said he
believed his friends were stronger than any other single section,
but that they were a minority in both Houses. Weak in 1852, he was
weaker now, for it was natural that four years of exclusion from
office should thin the ranks of a party, and such had been his
case. He described the state of feeling among his friends, and
adverted to the offer he had made in 1851 and in 1855. The fact of
an overture made and not accepted had led to much bitterness or
anger towards us among a portion of his adherents. He considered
that in 1855 Lord Palmerston had behaved far from well either to
Herbert and me, or to him.[357]

Other interviews followed; resolutions were discussed, amendments, forms
of words. They met at discreet dinners. 'Nobody,' Lord Derby tells him,
'except Disraeli knows the length to which our communications have
gone.' Nobody, that is to say, excepting also Mr. Gladstone's three
personal allies; them he kept accurately informed of all that passed at
every stage. On February 13 the government presented their budget. In
introducing his plan, Cornewall Lewis rashly quoted, and