At 7.30 a note was brought to John from Mr. Gladstone.  Government beaten by eleven.  Happily Gladstone, though ambiguous in one sentence as to the importance of the vote, was not so in others—­or at all events was understood to mean “stand or fall.”

    Cabinet at 2.30 resolved that John should write to the Queen to
    offer resignations.  Queen meantime writes from Balmoral, foreseeing
    the defeat, that she will not accept the resignations.

    Dearest John not depressed, though very sorry for this defeat of
    his hopes.  He will stand well with the country, and that he feels.

The Queen could not understand the necessity of her Ministers’ resignation.  The amendment upon which they had been defeated by so small a majority seemed to her a matter of small importance compared with events which made continuance in office desirable.  For Bismarck had just declared war upon Austria, and the failure of Overend and Gurney had thrown the City into confusion.  After a delay of more than a week, however, she was compelled to accept their resignations, which had been tendered as early as June 19th.

    PEMBROKE LODGE, June 28, 1866

John so well and happy that my joy in his release becomes greater every hour.  There is a sense of repose that can hardly be described—­abounding happiness in his honourable downfall that cannot be uttered.

    Lady Russell to Lady Dunfermline

    PEMBROKE LODGE, June 30, 1866

As I wrote to you last in a doubting and disagreeable state of mind, I am in a hurry to write again, being now perfectly certain that the blessings of the resignation far outweigh its pains.  I do not care for the charge of fickleness which may with justice be made against me.  I can only confirm it.  The defeat made me very sad.  I hoped for many days that John could honourably remain in office....  On the day of the resignation he was serious—­perhaps sad—­and so was I. The next day everything, including his face, looked brighter, and has gone on brightening; so that now I am only afraid of being too much uplifted by our downfall, and hardly have words enough to describe my relief and joy.  All the best men are full of approbation of his conduct.  He and Mr. Gladstone have given an example to the country worth more than a Reform Bill.  A short Tory reign will strengthen the Whig party; a good strong Whig Opposition will prevent much Tory mischief, so that there is little regret on public grounds to mix with my unbounded joy on our private account.  Seven years of office had made me aware of its advantages and its interest, and I saw that John liked it, and I thought I did; but now I see that he has had enough of it, and any fear I may have had that he might regret it is for ever gone, and I have found out how entirely it was an acquired taste with me.  I can’t say how often we have already said to one another,