im at the time. He will since
have found a further proof of her desire to do anything which could
be agreeable to him in his position, by cheerfully agreeing to all the
various changes of offices which he has at different times wished
for. If Lord John will consider, however, the moment which he has
now chosen to leave her Government, and the abrupt way in which his
unexpected intention of agreeing in a vote implying censure of the
Government was announced to her, he cannot be surprised that she could
not express her approbation.

[Pageheading: LORD JOHN'S INDIGNATION]

_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1855._

Lord Aberdeen arrived at six o'clock to report the result of the
meeting of the Cabinet, which was so far satisfactory that they
agreed upon retaining office at present for the purpose of meeting Mr
Roebuck's Motion. They expect (most of them, at least) to be beat and
to have to resign, but they think it more honourable to be driven out
than to run away. They will meet Parliament therefore without making
any changes in the offices. Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle
fancy even that they will have a chance of defeating Mr Roebuck's
Motion. Sir George Grey has declared, however, that, perfectly willing
as he is not to desert his post at this moment, he will consider
himself at liberty to resign even after success, as he thinks the
Government has no chance of standing with Lord John in Opposition.
The other Whigs would in that case very likely do the same, and the
Government come to an end in this way; but it is not impossible that
Sir George Grey may be prevailed upon by the Queen to stay. Much must
depend upon the nature of the Debate.

Lord Aberdeen seems to have put the Queen's desire that the Cabinet
should reconsider their former decision in the strongest words, which
seems to have brought about the present result. He saw Lord John this
morning who, though personally civil towards himself, was very much
excited and very angry at a letter which he had received from the
Queen. He said he would certainly vote with Mr Roebuck. The Houses are
to be adjourned to-day, and the whole discussion comes on to-morrow.
Lord Aberdeen brought a copy of a letter Lord Palmerston had written
to Lord John. The Peelites in the Cabinet, viz. the Dukes of Newcastle
and Argyll, Sir J. Graham, Mr Gladstone, and Mr S. Herbert, seem to be
very bitter against Lord John, and determined to op