Greville tells us that when Lord Melbourne was invited
to become Prime Minister, "he thought it a damned
bore, and that he was in many minds what he should do
--be Minister or no". His private secretary protested:
"Why, damn it, such a position never was occupied by
any Greek or Roman, and, if it only lasts two months,
it is well worth while to have been Prime Minister of
England." "By God, that's true," replied Melbourne,
"I'll go." It lasted not two months but, with a short
interval, seven years. Nor did Melbourne's action at the
time of the "Bedchamber Plot" in 1839 suggest that he
was anxious to leave. Naturally the post was more
attractive than he had expected, since it fell to him to act
as mentor to the young Queen. The story may not be
true at all, but it is certainly true that "it is well worth
while to have been Prime Minister of England".

Jokes are made about politicians in England as else-
where; but the note of contempt and even detestation
which is evident in some countries is noticeably absent.
If it is something to be Prime Minister, it is also some-
thing to be a member of Parliament. There is a prestige
attached to the House of Commons. It has a dignity
which it rarely forgets. It is the focus of attention when

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