general opinion they will not be able to retain
their places, and there are a great variety of persons in both
Houses of Parliament who are disposed to withdraw from them the
support which they did give to Canning's Government, and which
they were previously inclined to give to this. As matters now
stand they do not themselves know upon whom they can count, nor
who are their friends and who their foes. They are, however, to
have Lord Holland in the Cabinet, to help them on in the House of
Lords, but it is very doubtful whether his appointment will not
lead to the resignation of some of the Tory members of the
Government and the secession of some of its Tory supporters.
Nothing can exceed the alarm which they feel at the prospect of
the approaching contest in Parliament, and thus, full of fears
and weakness, neither inspiring nor feeling confidence, there
seems a bad chance of their getting through the session.

I have heard no more of the King and of his intentions, except
that he said he did not see why he was to be the only gentleman
in his dominions who was not to eat his Christmas dinner in
quiet, and he was determined he would. Don Miguel has been with
him at the Cottage these two days. He has been received with
great magnificence; they say he behaves well enough, but is very
shy. He went out stag-hunting in red coat and full hunting
costume, and rode over the fences like anybody else.

M'Gregor told me the other day that not one of the physicians and
surgeons who attended the Duke of York through his long and
painful illness had ever received the smallest remuneration,
although their names and services had been laid before the King.
He told me in addition that during sixteen years that he attended
the Duke and his whole family he never received one guinea by way
of fee or any payment whatever.

[Page Head: MR. BROUGHAM AT PANSHANGER.]

About three weeks ago I passed a few days at Panshanger, where I
met Brougham; he came from Saturday till Monday morning, and from
the hour of his arrival to that of his departure he never ceased
talking. The party was agreeable enough--Luttrell, Rogers, &c.--
but it was comical to see how the latter was provoked at
Brougham's engrossing all the talk, though he could not help
listening with pleasure. Brougham is certainly one of the most
remarkable men I ever met; to say nothing of what he is in the
world, his almost childish gaiety and animal spirits, his humour
mixed with