squeezed into making Ballot an open question. For John
Russell I am sorry. I thought he would have been stouter. The
Radicals are full of exultation, and the Government underlings,
who care not on what terms they can retain their places, are very
joyful. I rode with Howick yesterday for a long time and talked
it over with him. He pretended it was no concession after
Vivian's being allowed to vote last year, and he owned that he
considered the question as virtually carried; he is himself
moderate and means still to vote against it, sees all the
danger--not so much from Ballot itself as from its inevitable
train of consequences--and still consents to abandon the contest.
I asked him, if he was not conscious that it was only like buying
off the Picts and Scots, and that fresh demands would speedily
follow with redoubled confidence; and he owned he was. It may
prolong for a brief period the sickly existence of the
Government, and if a dissolution comes speedily, Whigs and
Radicals may act in concert at the elections; but if they attempt
to go on with the present Parliament fresh demands will rapidly
ensue, and then there must be fresh concessions or another
breach. It is a base and disgusting truckling to allies between
whom and themselves there is nothing but mutual hatred and
contempt.

June 14th, 1839 {p.217}

At Holland House from Tuesday till Thursday--not particularly
agreeable. Melbourne came one day, but was not in spirits. Lord
Holland told me some stories of George Selwyn, whom he had known
in his younger days, and many of whose good sayings he remembers.
He describes him as a man of great gravity and deliberation in
speaking, and, after exciting extraordinary mirth by his wit and
drollery, gently smiling and saying, 'I am glad you are pleased.'
The old Lord Foley (father of the last) was much discontented
with his father's will, who, knowing that he was in debt and a
spendthrift, had strictly tied up the property: he tried to set
aside the will by Act of Parliament, and had a Bill brought into
the House of Lords for the purpose. George Selwyn said, 'Our old
friend Foley has worked a miracle, for he has converted the Jews
from the Old to the New Testament.'

June 24th, 1839, Ludlow {p.217}

I left London on Friday last by railroad, went to Wolverhampton
(the vilest-looking town I ever saw), and posted in my carriage
from thence to this place, where I only arrived at a quarter-past
nine. This journey ta