Since Monday (4th) at De Ros's villa. The division on the appropriation clause and the majority of only twenty-six was hailed with great triumph by the Tories, and was a grievous disappointment to the Government. This, with the Warwickshire election at the same moment, has made them very down in the mouth, and raised the _Conservative stock_ pretty considerably. There was very sharp work between Stanley and John Russell, who left off _noble friending_ and took to _noble lording_ him, to show that they were quite two. The fact is that they are in a huge difficulty with this appropriation clause, which served their turn for a while (when it turned out Peel and cemented their alliance with the Radicals), and now it hangs like a millstone round their necks, and is not unlikely to produce the dissolution of the Government. Strange that this Irish Church in one way or another is the insuperable obstacle to peace and tranquillity in Ireland, and to the stability of any Administration here; and yet it is fought for as if the prosperity or salvation of the State depended on it-- Tantum _religio_ potuit suadere malorum. As far as the Whig Ministers are concerned it serves them right, for it was a wicked and foolish proceeding; their conduct will tell against them in the country, and when the House of Lords is accused of stopping legislation, people will not fail to ask, What else is the House of Commons doing, or rather how much more? They assert that tithes are the great bane of Ireland, and the cause of the disorder which prevail, and they propose a Tithe Bill as the remedy, but they clog it with a condition which they know, with as much certainty as human knowledge can attain, will prevent its passing into a law, and in this shape they persist in producing it. Lord John Russell and his colleagues, it is said, are pledged not to pass a Tithe Bill without this clause; but what cares the public for their pledges, and what is their consistency compared with the great interests at stake, and which are involved in the settlement of this question? They acted 'Genfinlas' for the last time on Thursday, with greater success than ever. The Queen was invited, but did not come. All London is intent upon morning amusements--morning parties, which are extended into the night. The Duchess of Buccleuch gave entertainments on Monday and Wednesday; De Ros on Friday--dinners, tents, illuminations, and dancing; all very gay for those who can find amusement in it, which I have ceased to do. July 18th, 1836 {p.355} [Page Head: APPROPRIATION CLAUSE ABANDONED.]