Lord Brougham's 'Letter to the Queen'--Lord Durham repudiates
the Radicals--A Lecture at Battersea--Dinner at Holland House--
Curran and George Ponsonby--Prospect of the New Year--The
Petition of the Serjeants-at-Law--Reconciliation with Lord
Durham--Murder of Lord Norbury--The Corn Laws attacked--Lord
Palmerston and the 'Portfolio'--The Serjeants' Case--Brougham
and Lyndhurst 'done up'--Opening of the Session--Resignation of
Lord Glenelg--State of Parties--Lord Durham's Report--Lord
Glenelg's Retirement--Lord Normanby, Colonial Minister--Corn
Law Repeal--Sir Francis Bond Head--Gore House--Lady
Blessington.

September 7th, 1838 {p.130}

Nothing to record of any sort or kind: London a desert; I went
to-day to Windsor for a Council, was invited by the Queen
(through Melbourne) to stay and dine, but made an excuse on the
score of business, and luckily had a plausible one to make.

September 12th, 1838 {p.130}

[Page Head: THE QUEEN AND LORD MELBOURNE.]

George Villiers, who came from Windsor on Monday, told me he had
been exceedingly struck with Lord Melbourne's manner to the
Queen, and hers to him: his, so parental and anxious, but always
so respectful and deferential; hers, indicative of such entire
confidence, such pleasure in his society. She is continually
talking to him; let who will be there, he always sits next her at
dinner, and evidently by arrangement, because he always takes in
the lady-in-waiting, which necessarily places him next her, the
etiquette being that the lady-in-waiting sits next but one to the
Queen. It is not unnatural, and to him it is peculiarly
interesting. I have no doubt he is passionately fond of her as he
might be of his daughter if he had one, and the more because he
is a man with a capacity for loving without having anything in
the world to love. It is become his province to educate,
instruct, and form the most interesting mind and character in the
world. No occupation was ever more engrossing or involved greater
responsibility. I have no doubt that Melbourne is both equal to
and worthy of the task, and that it is fortunate she has fallen
into his hands, and that he discharges this great duty wisely,
honourably, and conscientiously. There are, however, or rather
may be hereafter, inconveniences in the establishment of such an
intimacy, and in a connexion of so close and affectionate a
nature between the young Queen and her Minister; for whenever the
Gover