Page:Life of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel.pdf/21

Rh let this conversation come to a close, without stating that which I believe to have been the strongest characteristic feature of his character. I again repeat to you, my lords, my satisfaction at hearing the sentiments of regret which you have expressed for his loss."

Similar tributes of respect to his memory were rendered by the House of Commons. Lord John Russell, with the sanction of Her Majesty, proposed that the remains of Sir Robert Peel should be interred with public honours among the mighty dead in Westminster Abbey; but Mr. Goulbourn, one of the executors of his late lamented friend, and as authorised by his family, respectfully, but firmly declined the proffered honour. He said—,"I speak not only in my own name, but in that of Sir Robert Peel's family, when I say I feel deeply the honour of such a proposition, suggested by the Crown, and responded to by the general feeling of the House. But I may be permitted to state this—that those who were unaquainted with the late Sir Robert Peel, can know but little of the simplicity of his character. If ever there was a man who was distinguished by a desire to avoid pomp and ostentation, that individual was Sir Robert Peel, and he particularly deprecated pomp and ostentation in connection with funeral ceremonies.

Her Majesty, anxious to show the sense entertained of the services rendered to the crown by Sir Robert Peel, offered to ennoble his family, but Lady Peel respectfully informed the Queen, that her own wish was to bear no other name than that by which her husband was known to the world, and that, besides, a special direction was left by Sir Robert Peel, that no member of his family should, after his death, accept any title as a public reward, on account of any services he might be supposed to have rendered the state. Twice in his life time did he refuse the "blue