ade a much
stronger impression, and excited more alarm, than any former one,
and he had proposed to Melbourne to send a special ambassador to
congratulate the King on his escape, who should also be
instructed to _peace-make_; and suggested that the Duke of
Bedford, Lord Spencer, or himself, should go. Melbourne admitted
it would be a very good thing to establish some direct
communication with the King and Thiers, as well as the truth of
all the reasons by which he supported this proposal; but the
following day he came down with a whole host of petty objections,
'which seemed to prevail in his perplexed and unserviceable
mind.' The Duke of Bedford writes to me that he expects this
state of things will lead to a fresh combination of parties, and
the breaking-up of this Government.

This is what, in my opinion, it ought to lead to; for, having now
been behind the scenes for some time, I have satisfied myself of
the danger of the interests of such a country as this being
committed to such men as our Ministers. How astonished the world
would be!--even the bitterest and most contemptuous of their
political opponents--if they could be apprised of all that has
passed under my observation during the last two months.

Newmarket, October 27th, 1840 {p.343}

At Downham laid up with the gout, and now here. Heard of Thiers'
resignation on Sunday, and nothing since; but Lady Palmerston
writes me word Guizot went to take leave of them in high spirits,
and that there was no doubt he would accept the Foreign Office.
Thiers had promised not to oppose the new Government.[10]

[10] [I breakfasted with M. Guizot at Hertford House on the
24th October, having arrived in London on the 21st from
Paris, where I had spent the preceding fortnight, and
had learned from Thiers, and other friends there, the
French side of these curious transactions. A courier
arrived in London on the morning of the 24th, bringing
a letter from the King to M. Guizot, which he showed
me. It was written in his own bold hand, and contained
the words, 'Je compte sur vous, mon cher Ministre, pour
m'aider dans ma lutte tenace contre l'anarchie!'
Whilst I was in Paris, where the greatest irritation
and alarm prevailed, my old friend and master, Count
Rossi, retained his composure, and said to me, tapping
a sheet of paper as he spok