Brocket Hall and enjoyed it much. He does not intend
to return to London until Monday next, when the House of Lords
reassembles. It is to be hoped that we shall then soon have the Corn
Bill up from the Commons and pass it. The Income Tax will give some
trouble, but that done, and the Poor Law Bill, the end of the Session
may begin to be looked forward to.

The sale of Strawberry Hill[22] naturally excites interest, and things
are not unlikely to be sold high. The collection has after all
been kept together, and the place has remained in the family of his
niece,[23] the Duchess of Gloucester, to whom he bequeathed it, longer
than he himself expected. He says in one of his letters that he would
send a statue down to Linton, Sir Horace Mann's place in Kent, because
there it had a better chance of remaining permanently, "for as to this
poor bauble of a place," he adds, "it will be knocked to pieces in a
very few years after my decease." It has stood, however, and remained
five-and-forty years, a longer period than he had anticipated. Some
of the works, such as the bell by Benvenuto Cellini, and the antique
Eagle, are very fine; others are only curious. Lord Melbourne would
not give much money for a mere curiosity, unless there were also some
intrinsic merits or beauty.

What is the value of Cardinal Wolsey's cap, for instance? It was not
different from that of any other Cardinal, and a Cardinal's cap is no
great wonder.

Lord Melbourne returns Lord Munster's letter. It is without date, but
was evidently written in contemplation of the dreadful act which he
afterwards perpetrated. It is very melancholy. Lord Melbourne
was certain that your Majesty would send to Lord Adolphus[24] the
assurance which you have done, and that you would be anxious to assist
his children, and promote their interests by every means in your
power. But both their brothers and they must be made sensible that
they must make some effort for themselves.

Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn that your Majesty intends to
offer the Round Tower[25] to the Duke of Sussex. It is in every
respect kind. It will be of essential service to him, and it will
gratify him most exceedingly.

Lord Melbourne thinks that your Majesty's decision respecting the
Governess[26] is right. It should be a lady of rank; but that she
should be a woman of sense and discretion, and capable of fulfilling
the duties of the office, is of more importance than whether she is a
Duch