himself, and what is more curious, has contrived to retain that of a host of followers. In each particular act, and on every fresh occasion, there appear in him a decision, singleness of purpose, and straightforwardness which are inseparable from a conviction of being in the right, and he never seems to apprehend for a moment that he can be liable to the imputation of any selfish or dishonourable motive. And strange and paradoxical as it may appear, I do not think he is justly liable to it except when he is under the influence of some strong personal feeling. Such was his jealousy and dislike of Canning, and this led him into perhaps the most enormous of all his political misdeeds, the overthrow of the Corn Bill of 1827. Upon other occasions I attribute his conduct to the circumstance of his being governed by one leading idea, and to his incapability of taking enlarged and comprehensive views of political affairs, such as embrace not only the complex relations of the present, but the ostensible probabilities of the future. His judgment, instead of being determined by profound habits of reflection, an extensive knowledge of history, and accurate acquaintance with human nature, seems to be wholly influenced by his own wishes and his own conception of what the exigencies of the moment require. It would not be difficult, I think, and perhaps I may hereafter attempt to apply this delineation of his disposition to the events of his life, and to show how the leading idea in his mind has been the constant guide which he has followed, sometimes to the detriment of the best interests of the country and sometimes to that of his own reputation. CHAPTER XXVI. Sir R. Peel arrives--The First Council--The King's Address--Lord Stanley and Sir J. Graham decline to join the Government--Lord Wharncliffe and Sir E. Knatchbull join--The Ministers sworn in--Peel's Address to his Constituents--Dinner at the Mansion House--Offer to Lord Roden--Prospects of the Election-- Stanley's Want of Influence--Pozzo di Borgo's Views--Russia and England--Nomination of Lord Londonderry to St. Petersburg-- Parliament dissolved--State of the Constituencies--A Governor-General for India--Sebastiani and St. Aulaire--Anecdote of Princess Metternich--The City Elections--Lord Lyndhurst's View of the Government--Violence of the Opposition--Close Contest at Rochester-- Sidney Herbert--Sir John Hobhouse's Views--Anecdotes--County Elections--The Queen supposed to be with Child--Church Reform-- Dinner of Ministers--Story of La Roncière--The King's Crotchets. December 10th, 1834 {p.174} [Page Head: LORD STANLEY DECLINES TO JOIN SIR R. PEEL.]