nor would he consent to
be privy to any construction or interpretation placed upon his words which
Lord Salisbury, with no less tenacity than his own, desired to extend.

At 5.40 [June 22] Sir H. Ponsonby returned for a fifth interview,
his infinite patience not yet exhausted.... He said the Queen
believed the late government did not wish to come back. I simply
reminded him of my previous replies, which, he remembered, nearly
as follows:--That if Lord Salisbury failed, the situation would be
altered. That I could not in such a case promise her Majesty
smooth water. That, however, a great duty in such circumstances
lay upon any one holding my situation, to use his best efforts so
as, _quoad_ what depended upon him, not to leave the Queen without
a government. I think he will now go to Windsor.--_June 22, '85_, 6
P.M.

The next day (June 23), the Queen sent on to Lord Salisbury the letter
written by Mr. Gladstone on June 21, containing his opinion that
facilities of supply might reasonably be provided, without placing the
liberties of the House of Commons in abeyance, and further, his
declaration that he felt sure there was no idea of withholding ways and
means, and that there was no danger to be apprehended on that score. In
forwarding this letter, the Queen expressed to Lord Salisbury her earnest
desire to bring to a close a crisis calculated to endanger the best
interests of the state; and she felt no hesitation in further
communicating to Lord Salisbury her opinion that he might reasonably
accept Mr. Gladstone's assurances. In deference to these representations
from the Queen, Lord Salisbury felt it his duty to take office, the crisis
ended, and the tory party entered on the first portion of a term of power
that was destined, with two rather brief interruptions, to be prolonged
for many years.(129) In reviewing this interesting episode in the annals
of the party system, it is impossible not to observe the dignity in form,
the patriotism in substance, the common-sense in result, that marked the
proceedings alike of the sovereign and of her two ministers.

II

After accepting Mr. Gladstone's resignation the Queen, on June 13,
proffered him a peerage:--

_The Queen to Mr. Gladstone._

Mr. Gladstone mentioned in his last letter but one, his intention
of proposing some honours. But before she considers these, she
wishes to offer him an Earldom,