d at all events learn the exact truth as to what
had passed, which it most essentially behoves him to know before
he takes upon himself the responsibility of advising the Queen
and of meeting Parliament once more with all the necessary
explanations how and why he is still Minister, and from the Duke
likewise he would learn what really is the _animus_ of Peel and
his party, and what the real extent of their intended demands
upon the Queen. He, and he alone, can enlighten her and pacify
her mind; and if he is satisfied that there has been a
misapprehension, and that Peel has required nothing but what she
ought to concede, it would be his duty to advise her once more to
place herself in Peel's hands. This is the only solution of the
difficulty now possible, and this course, if he has sufficient
wisdom, firmness, and virtue to adopt it, may still avert the
enormous evils which are threatened by the rupture of the pending
arrangements.

CHAPTER VI.

The Whigs retain the Government--Motives of the Queen--Decision
of Ministers--Lord Brougham's Excitement--Ministerial
Explanations--State of Affairs in Parliament--Lord Brougham's
great Speech on the Crisis--Duke of Wellington's Wisdom and
Moderation--Visit of the Grand Duke Alexander--Macaulay returns
to Parliament--Disappointment of the Radicals--The Radicals
appeased--Visit to Holland House--Anecdotes of George Selwyn--
False Position of the Whigs--Downton Castle--Payne Knight--
Malvern--Troy House--Castles on the Wye--Tintern Abbey--Bath--
Salisbury Cathedral--Death of Lady Flora Hastings--Violent
Speech of the Duke--Conversation with the Duke of Wellington--
Lord Clarendon's _debut_ in the House of Lords--Lord Brougham
attacks Lord Normanby--His fantastic Conduct--Pauper School at
Norwood.

May 12th, 1839 {p.207}

The Cabinet met yesterday, and resolved to take the Government
again; they hope to interest the people in the Queen's quarrel,
and having made it up with the Radicals they think they can
stand. It is a high trial to our institutions when the wishes of
a Princess of nineteen can overturn a great Ministerial
combination, and when the most momentous matters of Government
and legislation are influenced by her pleasure about her Ladies
of the Bedchamber. The Whigs resigned because they had no longer
that Parliamentary support for their measures which they deemed
necessary, and they consent to hold the