The Queen and Lord Melbourne--The Battersea Schools--A Council at Windsor--A Humble Hero--Lord Durham's Resignation--Duke of Wellington's Campaigns--The Grange--Lord Durham's Return--Death of Lord Sefton--Lord Durham's Arrival--His Reception in the Country--Position of the Radicals--A Visit to Windsor Castle-- Lord Brougham's 'Letter to the Queen'--Lord Durham repudiates the Radicals--A Lecture at Battersea--Dinner at Holland House-- Curran and George Ponsonby--Prospect of the New Year--The Petition of the Serjeants-at-Law--Reconciliation with Lord Durham--Murder of Lord Norbury--The Corn Laws attacked--Lord Palmerston and the 'Portfolio'--The Serjeants' Case--Brougham and Lyndhurst 'done up'--Opening of the Session--Resignation of Lord Glenelg--State of Parties--Lord Durham's Report--Lord Glenelg's Retirement--Lord Normanby, Colonial Minister--Corn Law Repeal--Sir Francis Bond Head--Gore House--Lady Blessington. September 7th, 1838 {p.130} Nothing to record of any sort or kind: London a desert; I went to-day to Windsor for a Council, was invited by the Queen (through Melbourne) to stay and dine, but made an excuse on the score of business, and luckily had a plausible one to make. September 12th, 1838 {p.130} [Page Head: THE QUEEN AND LORD MELBOURNE.] George Villiers, who came from Windsor on Monday, told me he had been exceedingly struck with Lord Melbourne's manner to the Queen, and hers to him: his, so parental and anxious, but always so respectful and deferential; hers, indicative of such entire confidence, such pleasure in his society. She is continually talking to him; let who will be there, he always sits next her at dinner, and evidently by arrangement, because he always takes in the lady-in-waiting, which necessarily places him next her, the etiquette being that the lady-in-waiting sits next but one to the Queen. It is not unnatural, and to him it is peculiarly interesting. I have no doubt he is passionately fond of her as he might be of his daughter if he had one, and the more because he is a man with a capacity for loving without having anything in the world to love. It is become his province to educate, instruct, and form the most interesting mind and character in the world. No occupation was ever more engrossing or involved greater responsibility. I have no doubt that Melbourne is both equal to and worthy of the task, and that it is fortunate she has fallen into his hands, and that he discharges this great duty wisely, honourably, and conscientiously. There are, however, or rather may be hereafter, inconveniences in the establishment of such an intimacy, and in a connexion of so close and affectionate a nature between the young Queen and her Minister; for whenever the Government, which hangs by a thread, shall be broken up, the parting will be painful, and their subsequent relations will not be without embarrassment to themselves, nor fail to be the cause of jealousy in others.