Came here early with the children, wishing to be cheerful for John’s sake, and knowing how much power Pembroke Lodge and the children have to make me so.  Found this place most lovely; the day warm and bright as June; the children like larks escaped from a cage.  At half-past seven John came looking worn and sad—­no Reform, and no resignation!  Not a man in the Cabinet agreed with him that it would be best to go on with Reform; though several would have consented had he insisted, but he did not.  Not one would hear either of his resignation or of Lord Palmerston’s.  In short—­the present Ministry at any price.  John dissatisfied with his colleagues, and worse with himself.  May God watch over him and guide him.

    LONDON, April 11, 1854

The great day is over, and thank God John has stood the trial, and even risen, I believe, in the estimation of his followers and of men in general.  The regrets, disapprobation, despair, reproaches that assailed him from the various sections of his party, on the rumours of his resignation, were of a kind that would have made it wrong in him to persist; for they proved that the heartiest reformers were against it, and would uphold him in remaining in the Government.

There was deep silence when he rose.  It was soon plain that the disposition of his supporters was good; and throughout his noble, simple, generous, touching speech he was loudly cheered by them, and often by all sides.

At the close there were a few words about his own position:  he said that the course he was taking was open to suspicion from those who supported him—­that if he had done anything—­Here his voice failed him, and there burst forth the most deafening cheers from all parts of the House, which lasted for a minute or two, till he was able to go on.  If he had done anything for the cause of Reform he still hoped for their confidence.  If not, his influence would be weakened and destroyed, and he could no longer lead them.  This was the substance—­not the words.  It was a great night for him.  He risked more than perhaps ought to be risked, but he has lost nothing, I trust and believe, and I hope he has gained more than the enthusiasm of a day.  May God ever guide and bless him.

    Mr. George Moffatt, M.P., to Lady John Russell

    103 EATON SQUARE, April 12, 1854

DEAR LADY JOHN RUSSELL,—­Pardon my saying one word upon the touching event of last evening.  A parliamentary experience of nine years has never shown me so striking an instance of respectful homage and cordial sympathy as was then elicited.  I know that the unbidden tears gushed to my cheeks, and looking round I could see scores of other careless, worldly men struck by the same emotion—­and even the Speaker (as he subsequently admitted to me) was affected in precisely the same manner.  The German-toy face of the Caucasian was of course as immovable as usual, but Mr. Walpole wept outright.  I sincerely trust that the kindly enthusiasm of this moment may have in some measure compensated for the vexations and annoyances of the last two months.

    Believe me, your faithful servant,