"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 début. 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,