; in short, exposed himself sadly. His friends were much
annoyed that he did not give way, as soon as he found that there
was no chance of carrying it, and that many Government supporters
would vote against it; besides the mortification to the Prince,
there was something mean and sordid in squabbling for all the
money they could get, and the sum given him is _satis superque_
for all his wants.

[Page Head: NATURALISATION OF PRINCE ALBERT.]

In the Lords, they introduced the Naturalisation Bill in such a
slovenly and objectionable form, that the Duke desired it might
be put off, which (although he pledged and committed himself in
no manner) they immediately construed into a resolution to oppose
the Precedence part of it. The Queen is bent upon giving him
precedence of the whole Royal Family. The Dukes of Sussex and
Cambridge, who each want some additions to their incomes, have
signified their consent; the King of Hanover (whom it does not
immediately concern) has refused his. On this they brought in
their Bill. Her Majesty was, however, more provoked at what
passed in the House of Lords, than at the defeat in the Commons.

I asked Charles Gore why John Russell did not avail himself of
the momentary connexion he had with Peel on the Privilege
question, to ask him what his views were about the allowance, and
tell him that it was so desirable to avoid any division on such a
question that he wished to propose nothing that was likely to be
objected to. Gore said that upon a former occasion, when Lord
John had spoken in such a spirit to Peel, he had been met by him
in such an ungracious manner that it was impossible for him ever
to do so again. This was about the Speakership, when he wrote a
private note to Peel, beginning 'My dear Sir,' and asking him to
tell him what the intentions of his party were about opposing the
Government Speaker, because he was anxious if possible not to
bring people up to town without necessity; to which he replied in
the coldest and driest terms, 'Sir Robert Peel presents his
compliments to Lord John Russell,' expressing his surprise at his
letter, saying he had no right to call upon him for any
explanation of his intentions, and refusing to give any
information whatever. I do not think John Russell had any right
to make such a communication to him, and it was, I fancy, very
unusual, but Peel might as well have answered it good-humouredly.

The judges have given their decision upon the two po