“Lord Palmerston came to town, sent for by Perceval.  He was so good as to confide to me that three things were offered to him,—­the Chancellorship of the Exchequer, Secretaryship at War, or a seat at the Treasury, by way of introduction to the seals, if he was afraid of entering upon them at once.  These offers were, however, in the alternative of there being any of them declined by Milnes (Member for Pomfret), to whom they were made in the first instance.  Lord P. consulted me very frankly upon them, and asked if I thought he would be equal to the seals either in Cabinet or Parliament, particularly the latter, where he had barely made his debut.  I told him, and was most sincere, that in common with all his friends whom I had ever heard speak on the subject, I thought him quite equal to them in point of capacity, but as to nerves in Parliament, (of which he seemed most to doubt,) nobody could judge but himself.  He said, Petty (whom I had mentioned) had come forward after having felt his way and got possession of himself in the House, and that if he had done the same, he perhaps would not hesitate.  As it was, he inclined to the second place, but had written to Lord Malmesbury.  We walked up to Hyde Park discussing the subject.  Among other topics which I urged, one seemed to impress him much; which was, the great difference there would be in his situation and pretensions upon a return to office, in the event of our going out, if he retired as a Cabinet Minister instead of a subordinate capacity.  He allowed it much flattered his ambition, but feared the prejudice it would occasion to his own reputation and the interest of his friends if he failed.  I left him inclining to the Secretary at War; and admired his prudence, as I have long done the talents and excellent understanding, as well as the many other good qualities as well as accomplishments, of this very fine young man.”

One portion of the diary relates to the Regency.  New facts are scarcely advanced, but we think some freshness is given from the light and coloring of the author.  Unless Sheridan really persuaded the Prince to throw over the Whigs, out of revenge for Whig hauteur, his Royal Highness would seem to have acted entirely from himself.  The arrogance of Grey and Grenville comes out very strongly in the painting of his opponent.  After all, however, it is doubtful whether they could have come in.  The Tories would have been strong in Opposition; the Whigs could scarcely form a Government without the Canning votes, and the hatred with which the old Whigs regarded their leader rendered that junction impossible:  what was more than all, their cowardly anti-national policy would have rendered their position one of great difficulty with the country.  The fact is, that poor in point of talent as the Perceval Ministry was, it best represented the opinion of the country; as the Whigs now are in a similar position.  Some of these points are well put in this report of a conversation in the House of Commons; which will also give an idea of the manner of the diary.