asked what news--having, as he said, been
a country gentleman for two days. I said, I thought the heat a little,
and but a little, subsiding. He observed, he thought so too; and that
it would more after to-morrow--the prorogation. He was more convinced
than ever of the wisdom of that measure, and of withdrawing the
Bill."[53]

[53] "Memoirs," by Phipps, vol. ii. p. 101.

As may be exemplified by a familiar hygrometer, this change of
atmosphere sent the lady out of notice, and brought the gentleman again
before the public gaze.

The Government have been much censured for their proceedings in the
Queen's case, but it was quite an exceptional one; and their treatment
of it, however open to objections it may be, is equally open to
justification. Their task, from the first, was an up-hill one, which
nothing but their devotion to their master's service made them
continue; but when a thousand unmistakeable signs foretold a rebellion
if they persevered, they had no alternative but to put an end to the
thing with all convenient despatch. The value of this movement soon
became apparent. It possessed advantages which a victory could not have
secured.

Notwithstanding the opinions expressed by the heads of the great Whig
families in favour of the Queen, they could scarcely have desired her
to be at the head of the female aristocracy of the kingdom--their
example, guardian, and liege mistress. The stout lady in the
magnificent hat and feathers was very well as a source of Ministerial
embarrassment; but much as some of them pretended to decry the evidence
against her that was elicited during her trial, they took especial care
not to allow her anything resembling an intimacy with their wives and
daughters.

Plumer Ward describes in his "Diary" one of the Opposition peers who
had been very active for the Queen during the discussion of the Bill,
though acknowledging that he entertained no doubt of her guilt. "I
suppose," observed Ward, "you mean to present Lady ---- at Brandenburg
House? He, with a sudden change to solemnity, and with great emphasis,
exclaimed, '_Never!_'"[54]

[54] "Memoirs," by Phipps, vol. ii. p. 95.

The Queen soon began to discover that her victory was a sensible
defeat. "She is striving to keep the flame alive," we are told, "and
blow it to fury."[55] But the mob, having nothing to clamour about,
nothing to break windows for, ceased to shout and to throw stones. The
better educated became inf