Chapter XXVII · (continued 2)
Reading edition
April 8th, 1835
There was a majority of twenty-seven last night, which I conclude settles the business.[8] There was to be a Cabinet this morning at eleven, at which they had resolved to agree upon their resignations. Wharncliffe saw the King last night. He is very composed; they think they can infuse courage and firmness into him, but when he is left to himself, I doubt him. Nothing can be imagined more painful on both sides than his approaching interview DEFEAT OF SIR R. PEEL’S MINISTRY. with the once rejected and now triumphant Whigs. Yesterday I rode with Ellice up the Park. He said, ‘Grey will do anything they wish him to do, but I think he had better have nothing to do with it.’ He talked of the new Government that will be formed as having no difficulty; that they might have if Peel and the Tories went into violent opposition, which he is convinced Peel will not do. I said they might go on till the Tithe Bill went to the House of Lords, when they would expunge the appropriation clause. He said, ‘They won’t be so mad; there is no Church of Ireland now, and the question is whether there shall be one, for without that clause no Tithe Bill will ever pass.’