There was an individual who had not long entered public life, but who had
already filled considerable, though still subordinate offices. Having
acquired a certain experience of the duties of administration, and
distinction for his mode of fulfilling them, he had withdrawn from his
public charge; perhaps because he found it a barrier to the attainment of
that parliamentary reputation for which he had already shown both a desire
and a capacity; perhaps because, being young and independent, he was not
over-anxious irremediably to identify his career with a school of politics
of the infallibility of which his experience might have already made him a
little sceptical. But he possessed the talents that were absolutely
wanted, and the terms were at his own dictation. Another, and a very
distinguished Mediocrity, who would not resign, was thrust out, and Mr.
Peel became Secretary of State.

From this moment dates that intimate connection between the Duke of
Wellington and the present First Minister, which has exercised a
considerable influence over the career of individuals and the course of
affairs. It was the sympathetic result of superior minds placed among
inferior intelligences, and was, doubtless, assisted by a then mutual
conviction, that the difference of age, the circumstance of sitting in
different houses, and the general contrast of their previous pursuits and
accomplishments, rendered personal rivalry out of the question. From this
moment, too, the domestic government of the country assumed a new
character, and one universally admitted to have been distinguished by a
spirit of enlightened progress and comprehensive amelioration.

A short time after this, a third and most distinguished Mediocrity died;
and Canning, whom they had twice worried out of the cabinet, where they
had tolerated him some time in an obscure and ambiguous position, was