ve under Lord John--might possibly
with him--if much pressed by Lord Aberdeen to do so. He would probably
serve under Lord Palmerston. Mr S. Herbert expressed apprehension at
the effect upon the prospects of peace which would be produced by Lord
Palmerston's being at the head of the Government.

Lord John Russell would not serve under Lord Palmerston, and fancies
he might form a Whig Administration himself, of which Lord Palmerston,
however, must be the chief member. Lord Palmerston would not like
to serve under Lord John Russell--would be ready to form an
Administration, which could not have duration, however, in his
opinion, if Lord John Russell held aloof!

He found Lord John fully impressed with the fact of his having
brought the Queen into all these difficulties, and of owing her what
reparation he could make. Lord Palmerston also felt that he had
some amends to make to the Queen for former offences. We asked Lord
Lansdowne whether they could not be combined under a third person. He
felt embarrassed about the answer, having to speak of himself. Both
expressed their willingness to serve under him--but then he was
seventy-five years old, and crippled with the gout, and could not
possibly undertake such a task except for a few months, when the whole
Administration would break down--of which he did not wish to be the
cause. In such a case, Lord John had stated to him that the man to be
Leader of the House of Commons was Lord Palmerston, meaning himself
to be transferred to the House of Lords, in his former office as
President of the Council.

Without presuming to give advice, Lord Lansdowne thought that under
all circumstances it would do good if the Queen was to see Lord John
Russell, and hear from himself what he could do. She could perfectly
keep it in her power to commission whom she pleased hereafter, even if
Lord John should declare himself willing to form a Government.

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL SUMMONED]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._

The Queen has just seen Lord Lansdowne. As what he could tell her has
not enabled her to see her way out of the difficulties in which the
late proceedings in Parliament have placed her, she wishes to see Lord
John Russell in order to confer with him on the subject.

[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH LORD JOHN]

[Pageheading: NEGOTIATIONS]

_Memorandum by Queen Victoria_[23]

BUCKINGHAM