CHAPTER VI. The Two Front Benches

THE TWO FRONT BENCHES

1840-1845

Lord John's position in the Cabinet and in the Commons--His services to Education--Joseph Lancaster--Lord John's Colonial Policy--Mr. Gladstone's opinion--Lord Stanmore's recollections--The mistakes of the Melbourne Cabinet--The Duke of Wellington's opinion of Lord John--The agitation against the Corn Laws--Lord John's view of Sir Robert Peel--The Edinburgh letter--Peel's dilemma--Lord John's comment on the situation 113