forcible means would have been used to compel to the measure, which with more dignity he took of his own accord—­at least so it seemed to me.  The first intimation which Lord Melville received of his successor was through Mr.——­, who told him, as great news, that there was to be a new Duke of York[7].  Lord M. understood the allusion so little, as to inquire whether his informant meant that the Duke of Cambridge had taken the Duke of York’s situation, when it was explained to refer to the Duke of Clarence getting the Admiralty.  There are some few words that speak volumes.  Lord Melville said that none of them suspected Canning’s negotiations with the Whigs but the Duke of Wellington, who found it out through the ladies ten days before.  I asked him how they came to be so unprepared, and could not help saying I thought they had acted without consideration, and that they might have shown a face even to Canning.  He allowed the truth of what I said, and seemed to blame Peel’s want of courage.  In his place, he said, he would have proposed to form a government disclaiming any personal views for himself as being Premier and the like, but upon the principle of supporting the measures of Lord Castlereagh and Lord Liverpool.  I think this would have been acceptable to the King.  Mr. Peel obviously feared his great antagonist Canning, and perhaps threw the game up too soon.  Canning said the office of Premier was his inheritance; he could not, from constitution, hold it above two years, and then it would descend to Peel.  Such is ambition!  Old friends forsaken—­old principles changed—­every effort used to give the vessel of the State a new direction, and all to be Palinurus for two years!

July 11, [Abbotsford].—­Worked at proofs in the morning; composed nothing.  Got off by one, and to this place between six and seven.  Weather delicious.

July 12.—­Unpacking and arranging; the urchins are stealing the cherries in the outer garden.  But I can spare a thousand larch-trees to put it in order with a good fence for next year.  It is not right to leave fruit exposed; for if Adam in the days of innocence fell by an apple, how much may the little gossoon Jamie Moffatt be tempted by apples of gold in an age of iron!  Anne and I walked to Huntly Burn—­a delicious excursion.  That place is really become beautiful; the Miss Fergusons have displayed a great deal of taste.

July 13.—­Two agreeable persons—­Rev. Mr. Gilly[8], one of the prebendaries of Durham, with his wife, a pretty little woman—­dined with us, and met Mr. Scrope.  I heard the whole history of the discovery of St. Cuthbert’s[9] body at Durham Cathedral.  The Catholics will deny the identity, of course; but I think it is constate by the dress and other circumstances.  Made a pleasant day of it, and with a good conscience, for I had done my task this morning.