y changes in such a rickety concern, and that, if they
were resolved to do so, they did not have everything settled
before Parliament met. However, the Cabinet appears to have been
unanimous in determining that Glenelg could not remain Colonial
Minister, and they gave him a sort of hint some time ago, by
offering him Sir John Newport's place (for whom an arrangement
was to be made), which he refused; so on Tuesday last the blow
was struck, and they proposed to him to be Privy Seal, which he
declined in some dudgeon. It certainly was difficult so to gild
the pill he was asked to swallow as to disguise its bitterness
and make it tolerably palatable, for in whatever polite
periphrasis it might be involved, the plain English of the
communication was, that he was incompetent to administer Colonial
affairs.

[15] [Lord Glenelg had held the office of Secretary of State
for the Colonies since the formation of Lord
Melbourne's second Administration in 1835. He was
succeeded in the Colonial Office by the Marquis of
Normanby, who had filled up to this time the office of
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.]

By venturing upon these changes the Government evidently think
they can scramble on, and on the whole it is probable that they
may, though never did a Government hold office by so frail and
uncertain a tenure, and upon such strange terms. A pretty correct
analysis of the House of Commons presents the following result:
267 Government people, including the Irish tail; 66 Radicals, 5
doubtful, and 315 Conservatives; 4 vacant seats, and the Speaker.
If, therefore, at any time, one half the Radicals should stay
away (they need not vote against), when danger threatens the
Government, it would be at an end; and if they do not do so, it
is because most of them are still unconvinced that it would be
better and more conducive to the ultimate success of their
objects to let the Tories in, and not from any love to the
present Ministers, whom, on the contrary, they hate a good deal
and despise a little. The Irish band appear to be dependable, but
there is no knowing what might be the consequence of a change,
and the withdrawal of all the personal influence which Normanby
had obtained over them. It has often happened that a coalition of
very opposite parties has turned a Government out; but never
before, that I remember, kept one in, and for such a length of
time. The Conservatives are comp