who filled offices in it—­I considered all the circumstances attendant on the influence of the household, and the degree of confidence which it might be necessary for the government to repose in the members of it.  I was sensible of the serious and anxious nature of the charge which the minister in possession of that control and influence over her majesty’s household would have laid upon him.  I was sensible that in everything which he did, and in every step which he took as to the household, he ought to consult not only the honour of her majesty’s crown, and her royal state and dignity, but also her social condition, her ease, her convenience, her comfort—­in short, everything which tended to the solace and happiness of her life.  I reflected on all these considerations as particularly incumbent on the ministers who should take charge of the affairs of this country; I reflected on the age, the sex, the situation, and the comparative inexperience, of the sovereign on the throne; and I must say that if I had been, or if I was to be, the first person to be consulted, with respect to the exercise of the influence and control in question, I would suffer any inconvenience whatever, rather than take any step as to the royal household which was not compatible with her majesty’s comforts.

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I cannot but think that the principles on which we proposed to act with respect to the ladies of the bed-chamber, in the case of a queen-regnant, were the correct principles.  The public will not believe that the queen holds no political conversation with those ladies, and that political influence is not exercised by them, particularly considering who those persons are who hold such situations.  I believe the history of this country affords a number of instances in which secret and improper influence has been exercised by means of such conversations.  I have, my lords, a somewhat strong opinion on this subject.  I have unworthily filled the office which the noble viscount now so worthily holds; and I must say I have felt the inconvenience of an anomalous influence, not exercised, perhaps, by ladies, but anomalous influence, undoubtedly, of this description, and exerted simply in conversations; and I will tell the noble viscount that the country is at this moment suffering some inconvenience from the exercise of that very secret influence.

May 14, 1839.

A war carried on by militia, volunteers, and troops of that description, will infallibly be carried on after the manner of civil wars.

May 30, 1839.

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Reasons for passing the Poor Law.