Peel was indignant at the publication.  Lord Rosslyn said Joseph Hume had had the letter some time in his possession, and must have sent it to the ‘Times.’

Peel said it was a very good letter.  I said I was not ashamed of it.

They all laughed very much at the simile of the elephants.

Cabinet.  Much discussion as to the terms of the speech.  Aberdeen’s part was very ill done indeed.  It underwent much alteration and was improved.  That regarding distress and remedies was postponed.  There is no remedy, and it is best to say so.

In the meantime the export of almost all manufactures is increased largely in quantity, but the value is diminished.  Still this proves continued and increased employment, although at low wages.  This is a state of things in which we cannot try to make corn dearer or wool either.  Nothing but the extreme cheapness of our manufactures makes their export possible.

Aberdeen read his letter to Consul Barker respecting the.  Pasha’s designs.  The last paragraph, which intimated that the Pasha’s persistence ’would too probably lead to our decided opposition,’ was omitted.  It was thought that the recommendation, ’to weigh well the serious consequences of a measure highly objectionable to us, and to which other Powers could not but be unfavourable,’ was thought sufficient to stop the Pasha.

If the first words had stood, we must have used the same to France, and the threat might have led to collision.  In any case the Pasha would have communicated the expressions to France.

The Duke and the Chancellor were to see Leopold to-morrow.

Another Cabinet to-morrow at four for going on with the Speech.

January 30.

Hardinge called.  He told me all was not settled as to Lord Chandos having the Mint.  He referred to the Duke of Buckingham, [Footnote:  He had, as appears from the Wellington correspondence, pressed for years his claims to a seat in the Cabinet, with an importunity to which the Duke of Wellington expressed his objection.  His large parliamentary interest, which almost made him the chief of a party of his own, made him appear entitled to expect it.] who would rather have it himself, with a seat in the Cabinet.

Lord MountCharles goes out to annoy his father, and force him to give him a larger allowance, unaccompanied by the condition of constant attendance in the House of Commons.

Read the Duke of Northumberland’s letter to Peel on the state of Ireland.  The Duke represents the Catholic Relief Bill as having produced none of the evils anticipated by its opposers, if it has not produced all the benefits expected by its supporters—­as having upon the whole worked better than could have been expected in so short a time and under such circumstances.

The disturbances he thinks confined to the counties of Tipperary, Clare, and Roscommon; in the first produced by too high rents; in the second by late collision and the want of proper management on the part of the gentlemen; in the last by attempts to convert the Catholics, and the zeal of new converts.  The Catholic Union is dissolved.  The great body of the Catholics have abstained from the ostentation of triumph.