however, very judicious--that of appointing the Duke of Clarence
Lord High Admiral--nothing served so much to disconcert his
opponents. The negotiations went on (through the Duke of
Devonshire) up to the end of the Easter recess, when Lord
Lansdowne came to town, and after much delay it was announced
that the Whigs would support the new Government, but that none of
them would take office immediately. The places were all filled
up, but the appointments were understood to be only provisional,
and the Duke of Portland, Lord Dudley, and Sturges Bourne were
considered to hold their offices until Lord Lansdowne, Lord
Carlisle, and Tierney should join the Cabinet. With this
arrangement Parliament met, and the rage which had been
accumulating in the minds of the seceders soon burst forth in a
furious attack on this provisional arrangement. The Whigs have
nearly in a body joined Government, with the exception of Lord
Grey in the House of Lords, who in a speech full of eloquence
attacked Canning's political life and character and announced his
intention of remaining neuter. In the meantime it was understood
that there was a reason for Lord Lansdowne not joining Government
immediately, which was not to be made public till that event took
place, and this secret was only imparted to a very few people; it
was even concealed from Brougham and the leaders of the party.
The secret, however, turns out to be this: Lord Lansdowne
insisted upon modelling the Irish Government as he pleased--that
is, in putting a Lord-Lieutenant, a Chancellor, and a Secretary
there favourable to the Catholic claims, to which the King would
not consent. Canning entreated Lord Lansdowne to have patience,
to allow time to elapse, during which the King's scruples might
be removed, and promised that every endeavour should be made to
reconcile the King to the arrangement Lord Lansdowne desired.
After much discussion it was resolved that Lord Lansdowne should
support Government, but that he should not take office until this
point was settled; and so the matter has remained.

[10] [The Cabinet formed by Mr. Canning was thus
constituted:--
Mr. Canning, First Lord of the Treasury and
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord Lyndhurst, Lord High Chancellor.
Earl of Harrowby, Lord President of the Council.
Duke of Portland, Lord Privy Seal, and afterwards the
Earl of Carlisle.