eads, but by their tails. Lord Melbourne does not know whether this
is true of the snake, but it is certainly so of the party. The conduct
of the Opposition upon the resolution respecting the Income Tax is
rendered peculiarly ridiculous by the result. They forcibly put it off
until after the holidays, and then upon the first day of the meeting
they vote it without a division. What is this but admitting that they
looked to a movement in the country which they have not been able to
create? Moreover, all Oppositions that Lord Melbourne has ever seen
are more or less factious. The Opposition of Mr Fox to Mr Pitt was the
least so, but these were great men, greater than any that exist at
the present day, although Lord Melbourne is by no means inclined to
depreciate his own times. The factiousness of one Opposition naturally
produces the same in the next. They say, "They did so to us; why
should we not do so to them?" Your Majesty may rest assured that
Lord Melbourne will do everything he can to prevent delay, and to
accelerate the transaction of the public business.

Lord Melbourne sends a letter which he has received this morning from
the Duke of Sussex, and which expresses very right and proper feeling.
Lord Melbourne has written in reply that, "Your Majesty was no doubt
influenced principally by your natural affection for him, and by your
sense of the generosity of his conduct towards Lord Munster, but that
if any thought of Lord Melbourne intervened, your Majesty could not
have given a higher or a more acceptable proof of your approbation and
regard."

The Garters[27] seem to Lord Melbourne to be given well enough. Your
Majesty's feelings upon the subject are most kind and amiable. But
these things cannot be helped, and it is upon the whole advantageous
that each party should have their portion of patronage and honours.
If there is very distinguished service, the Garter should be bestowed
upon it. Otherwise, in Lord Melbourne's opinion, it is better given
to noblemen of high rank and great property. The chapter in
Ecclesiasticus, read in St George's Chapel on Obiit Sunday, well
describes those who ought to have it, with the exception of those "who
find out musical tunes." Lord Melbourne does not think it well given
to Ministers. It is always then subject to the imputation of their
giving it to themselves, and pronouncing an approbation of their own
conduct.

Lord Melbourne hopes that the Pope's standing sponsor for the