people wicked, cry of corruption in the times continues. The times never were so pure.

January 28th, 1820.-The Duke arrived from Norfolk, and sent for General Mann and me about Hull. He was very vehement against giving up the ditch of the citadel to the corporation, to which they claimed a right under the Hull Dock Act. But he denied the right, observing that the citadel must mean the defences of the citadel too, the chief of which was the ditch. He was very eager upon this. I told him I had held the same argument a week together, but was beaten out of it from this, that the act gave the corporation a specific number of acres of land, and land covered with water, which could not be done unless the ditch was counted in it, and that, accordingly, our predecessors had so admitted it by actually surrendering the ditch to them, and afterwards resuming only a part of it under the threat of the Defence Act. This altered him, but he deplored the false policy of diminishing the few secure places in England, so necessary in times like the present. I said that was true, but that Mr. Pitt, who approved the bargain in 1804, could not then dream of insurrection. He admitted this, but said the present time so much demanded strong places, that he would speak to Ld. Liverpool to ascertain whether it would not be worth while to purchase the ditch again before we parted with it; desired General Mann to prepare plans for fortifying the blockhouses within the walls, in case we give up the ditch. General Mann went away, and the Duke fell upon the situation of the

King. He said he could not survive above a day or two. I feared that might occasion much disturbance at such a time, from the necessity of assembling a new Parliament within the six months. He differed, and said he thought if it was to happen, the sooner a new Parliament was summoned the better; that Radicalism was for a time completely got under, that the public were pleased with Ministers for it, and were in tolerable humour, and as there was nothing on the score of finance to detain us, the present Parliament might be dissolved as soon as the Meeting Bill could pass. That, said he, with an air of decision, is my opinion, and as he had just, I believe, come from a Cabinet, I concluded he had been giving it there; it certainly seemed sound. He was very alert, talked of his shooting at Gunton, but that Ld. Castlereagh was a good shot and had beaten him. He is a good shot, I said, with a pistol as well as gun. His eye sparkled, and he laughed. Seeing he was hurried and covered with mud (for he had rode many miles), I left him with a promise from him that he would write to me from Strathfieldsaye, whither he was going for ten days. Never was a more active person.

January 29th, 1820.-At half-past eight this evening the King died.

30th. The sensation is beyond all expectation, considering how much and how long this death has been looked for, and how entirely withdrawn from public observation his Majesty has lived for years.

31st. The whole town and country seem moved with regret and a feeling amounting almost to grief.

All this is owing to his just, amiable, and virtuous character, without a spot on his virtue or goodness during the long life of nearly eighty-two years. All the discontents of his reign (we know how many and great) seem forgotten. The reason is they were not really well-founded, but for much the most part excited and fomented by faction, for which the democratic press of our constitution gives ample opportunities. On the other hand his firmness and genuine principle show themselves without alloy, now that faction in regard to him has so long been forgotten. There seems but one opinion and one feeling about him from the peer to the lowest tradesman. After all there is a great deal of loyalty innate in the nation, which will, I trust, always keep it right. Though Sunday, all the members that could went down to the House and met the Speaker the day after he died; but, the Ld. Steward being out of town, nobody could be sworn in, and nothing was done.

February 1st, 1820.-Sworn in and took my seat. No business done, but all expect adjournment till after the funeral. Calcraft asked me if we meant to hurry the Meeting Bill; if we did before the funeral, he said, it would be scandalously indecorous. I was glad to see so violent an opposer so fond of decorum, and told him he might be easy, as no such thing would be attempted. He said the report of it was strong.

3rd. The House adjourned till after the funeral. Dined at Ld. Mulgrave's, a family party; Captain Maling, Sir Richard Jackson, just made Dep. Quartermaster-General, Col. Vigoreux.

9th.- Dined at Ld. Westmoreland's, almost en famille; Lady Georgiana Becket and Lady Anne, Mrs. Wharton and Cray Grant. Some politics, chiefly on the elections, and of those chiefly the Northumberland. February 10th, 1820.-Pole called and asked me to walk with him through the Park. He was going to a Cabinet on the dissolution, which it seems is not yet decided, but is to be to-day. I saw Pole was for the speediest dissolution possible.

Dined at Ld. Mulgrave's.

11th --I had not seen the Duke to have any conversation with him some days; I had said to him three days ago, I supposed he could not have talked to Ld. Liverpool of Hull or other departmental business. No, said he, with a serious air, yet half smiling, we have had enough to do to take care of the nation at large. He, perhaps, alluded to the King's critical situation, the financial measures, and perhaps to something concerning the Queen still more important. I now spoke to him on a request of Ld. Mt. Edgecumb's, which he granted, and was going away when he stopped me and asked what I heard out of doors. I observed it seemed to me that Government never were better, and that they would gain by immediate dissolution. He said he thought so too, but asked if I heard anything about the Princess (meaning the Queen). I replied, her misconduct seemed admitted by everybody, but nevertheless I thought she would be made a strong instrument by many of the opposition.

May 4th, 1820.-Dined with Wellesley Pole en

famille. Nobody but Mrs. Pole; an easy chat. After she was withdrawn we fell on politics. Pole as usual complained of the want of warmth in Ld. Liverpool, that power of mixing himself with others so necessary to every public man. He said he shut himself up with clerks, was very honest and very able in his way, but was totally ignorant of the arts of party government; all were left to themselves or to chance. This reminded me of his brother's (the Duke's) opinion that we were a Government of Departments. Pole said our only strength was our antagonists' weakness; they could not form an Administration if they would, if they could he doubted the King, who hated Liverpool, but could not get rid of him without losing the rest. He agreed with me that Ld. L. could not exist out of office, and never would resign; but even if he were willing, and were to state to his colleagues that he thought the King would be more inclined to them without him, they would not permit it, and would all think it right to follow him. He added that the King was fond of Castlereagh.

Some time after this, seeing Vansittart on business, and conversing on finance and the House of Commons, he used the remarkable expression, we shall do very well if we can but keep Brighton in order. This alluded both to finance and *

May 16th, 1820.— Dined with the Duke, who never was so pleasant.

19th. At the House. The Civil List Bill passed without an observation. Tierney had, a few evenings before, said, that finding the sense of the House was