1834-] The First Reformed Parliament. 257 arena in which to settle a dispute between Liberals.* The challenge was accepted, but the combat never took place ; it was prevented in a quite unexpected manner. The King did not love his ministers, and he hated their politics. Scenes like that at Edinburgh showed him not only that there were dissensions and consequently weakness in the Cabinet, but that the Government were, to a great extent, cut off from that popular sympathy which had forced them into power. He was therefore encouraged to take advantage of any opportunity for escaping from their control. An occasion, not very promising, but still sufficient to serve a foregone purpose, soon presented itself. On the roth of November Lord Spencer died, and Lord Althorpe, going into the Upper House, had to relinquish the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer. Such a change of offices as then became neces- sary was not regarded by the Premier as of very great importance, and on the 1 4th of November he waited on the King, to submit to him the proposed arrangements, which included the nomination of Lord John Russell as leader of the House of Commons. Melbourne had expected the interview to be merely formal, and the approval of his proposals to be a matter of course ; but, to his surprise and dismay, he was informed that his Majesty would not impose upon him the task of completing the official arrangements, but would apply to the Duke of Wellington to form a new Administration. On the following day Wellington saw the King, and advised him to entrust the formation of a Ministry to Sir Robert Peel, and the advice was accepted. Peel was at the time in Italy, and Wellington undertook to make provisional arrangements and to carry on the routine of Government during the absence of the new Premier. He took for the time the place of First Lord of the Treasury, and Lyndhurst was appointed Lord Chancellor. On the 9th of December Peel arrived in London, and accepted the task which had been offered to him. He applied, in the first place, to Graham and Stanley, but they both declined ; so he completed his Ministry
- Martineau's " History of the Thirty Years' Peace," vol. ii. p. 159.
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