e did not open the subject
of estimates, nor did I, before _her_, but I told him what I am
sorry to say is true, that the prospects of revenue grow much
worse. Up to a certain point, I must certainly make a stand. But I
think he is rather frightened about expenditure, and not so
panic-stricken about France; so that we may come together.

_Jan. 25._--I write from the cabinet. I am in the midst of a deadly
struggle about the estimates; the only comfort this year is, that
I think the conflict will be more with the navy than the army.
Herbert has told me to-day, with a simplicity and absence of
egotism, which one could not but remark in his graceful character,
the nature of his complaint. You will quickly guess. As to
cabinets, Lord John says we had better meet frequently, and it
will be on Tuesday _if_ I am able to come down next week, but this
is full of uncertainty. I hear that the Prince is _wild_ about the
Danish question.

_Jan. 26._--Another cabinet on Monday. It is just possible they may
relax after that day. I have had two long days of hard fighting.
By dint of what, after all, might be called threat of resignation,
I have got the navy estimates a little down, and I am now _in_ the
battle about the army. About the reduction in the navy, Palmerston
criticised, Lord John protested, and Cardwell! I think went
farther than either. Never on any single occasion since this
government was formed has his voice been raised in the cabinet for
economy. What a misfortune it is that Herbert has no nerve to
speak out even in a private conversation. He told me yesterday of
his reduction, but did not tell me that more than half of it was
purely nominal! The article in the _Quarterly_ is clever; and what
it says, moreover, on the merits of the income-tax is true. I
suspect, I might say I fear, it is written by Northcote.

_Feb. 5._--Yesterday, in the carriage from Kidderminster, I heard
in part a dialogue, of which I gathered so much. _First worthy_,
"I suppose we shall have to pay twopence or threepence more
income-tax." _Second worthy_, "Gladstone seems to be a totally
incompetent man." _Third_, "Then he always wraps himself in such
mystery. But now I do not see what else he can do; he has cut away
the ground from under his feet"--with a growl about the
conservative party. Such is t