ABSTRACT
The relations between the Queen and Melbourne had been charming but inconvenient. Melbourne had been continually with the Queen, riding with her out of doors, or dining at the Palace in a chair reserved for him at the Queen's side. On the 7th May Melbourne had to tell the Queen that the Ministry had determined to resign. He advised her to send for the Duke of Wellington and the Conservatives, since the Radicals had neither ability, honesty, numbers or leaders of any character; but he showed some natural anxiety. The hubbub of political conversation and the noise of the press grew like a storm at sea. Nothing, the Greville, could surpass the excitement and amazement that prevailed. Disraeli describes in Sybil how the strange rumour changed in Tory circles into unappetizing truth.
