colonial matters, and had talked on the probable intentions of the
new government as to the sugar duties, but that I did not like to
ask what he did not seem to wish to tell, and that I did not obtain
the smallest inkling of light as to his intentions in respect to
that very matter now immediately pending. He observed it was a pity
Sir R. Peel was so uncommunicative; but that after having been so
long connected with him, he would certainly be very unwilling to do
anything disagreeable to him; still, if I and others thought fit,
he was ready to do what he could towards putting the party together
again. I then replied that I thought, so far as extinguishing the
animosities which had been raised in connection with the corn law
was concerned, I could not doubt its propriety, that I thought we
were bound to give a fair trial to the government, and not to
assume beforehand an air of opposition, and that if so much of
confidence is due to them, much more is it due towards friends from
whom we have differed on the single question of free trade, that
our confidence should be reposed in them. That I thought, however,
that in any case, before acting together as a party, we ought to
consider well the outline of our further course, particularly with
reference to Irish questions and the church there, as I was of
opinion that it was very doubtful whether we had now a
justification for opposing any change with respect to it, meaning
as to the property. He said with his accustomed facility, 'Ah yes,
it will require to be considered what course we shall take.'[178]

CONVERSATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES

I met Lord Aberdeen the same afternoon in Bond Street, and told him
the substance of this conversation. He said, 'It is stated that
Lord G. Bentinck is to resign, and that they are to have you.'
That, I replied, was quite new to me. The (late) chancellor had
simply said, when I pointed out that the difficulties lay in the
House of Commons, that it was true, and that my being there would
make the way more open. I confess I am very doubtful of that, and
much disposed to believe that I am regretted, as things and
persons _absent_ often are, in comparison with the present. At
dinner I sat between Graham and Jocelyn. The latter observed
particularly on the a