attach on account of imperfect explanations, I am content to bear it;
whatever consequences may result from misconception, let them be visited
on me; but, as to my intentions in regard to the Ladies of the household,
I must not only state them, but I must prove them by most unequivocable
testimony.

"On the Wednesday evening--that is, the day before I saw Her Majesty on
this particular point--I had an opportunity of conferring with all those
whom I proposed to submit to Her Majesty as Ministers. I saw them on
Wednesday night, at my own house, about ten o'clock. I then stated to
them--and there are four of them now present, who heard the
communication, and can give their evidence upon it--I stated to them, and
to the peers whom I have before named, the course which I meant to pursue
with respect to the household, and had very little considered the matter
(I am speaking of the female part of it); I, really, scarcely knew of
whom it consisted. I took the 'Red Book' into my hand, and saw there the
different appointments of the household. I said to those who were
intended to be my future colleagues, that, with respect to all the
subordinate appointments--meaning every appointment, without exception,
below the rank of a Lady of the Bedchamber--I should propose to Her
Majesty no change whatever with respect to those. With respect to the
superior classes, I stated, that those Ladies who held offices of that
class, and who were immediate relatives of _our_ political opponents,
would, I took it for granted, relieve us from any difficulty by, at once,
relinquishing their offices. But, I stated, at the same time, that I did
think it of great importance, as conveying an indication of Her Majesty's
entire support and confidence, that certain offices in the household, of
the higher rank, if not voluntarily relinquished by the Ladies holding
them, should be submitted to some change Even with respect to the higher
offices, namely, the Ladies of the Bedchamber, I did state, however, that
there were some instances, in which, from the absence of any strong
party, or political, connection, I thought it would be wholly unnecessary
to propose a change. My noble and Right Hon. friends will confirm what I
assert. This passed on the evening of Wednesday; and I mention it only
in complete proof of my intentions, being perfectly willing, as I have
before observed, to have transferred, exclusively to me, whatever blame
may be attached to the