any other arrangement, but that of Canning
succeeding to the lead of the House of Commons, and the Duke of
Wellington expressed much anxiety that he should also succeed to
the vacant seals.

He showed me, however, the King's letter, which seems distantly to
allude to objection to Canning for that particular department.
This, however, he thinks, can be overcome, and I am therefore the
more pleased that he remains till after the King's return, instead
of proceeding immediately to Vienna. I should I believe myself, if
Canning could be induced to accept the Exchequer (which at one time
he certainly was ready to have done), with the lead of the House of
Commons, like to transport Nic Van to India, send Lord Bathurst to
the Foreign Department, Robinson to the Colonial, and Huskisson to
the Board of Trade.

The strongest proof to me of the universal impression of the
necessity of consigning the lead of the House of Commons to
Canning, and that the No Popery party will not venture to propose
Peel, was, that I found Westmoreland, with whom I was associated in
the funeral this morning, quite of that opinion. Now, if the
Chancellor were intriguing for Peel, would he not have secured
Westmoreland.

I concur very much in your view of the impropriety of remaining in
an Administration, _both_ the leaders of which are the most decided
opponents of the Catholic question, and intimated as much to
Robinson, who appeared to feel the similarity of his own situation.
I have had much conversation also with an intimate personal friend
of Peel's, whose opinion it was that Peel would be by no means
desirous of undertaking the lead, as independent of other
objections, his health was not sufficiently strong to admit of his
assuming functions so laborious and incessant.

The King has mentioned his intention of leaving Edinburgh as on
Saturday next. Poor Liverpool's bridal ideas have been quite driven
out of his head, and I do not yet hear of a fresh day for
consummation being fixed. I am very sorry for the public effect of
the visit to Bowood at this time, but it had been fixed I believe
before Lord Londonderry's death, and Lord G---- does not feel any
necessity of extending to Opposition any of that coyness he shows
towards Government. Both my uncles are fully satisfied of the
absolute necess