May 11.

Heard from Lord Holland, who is fully alive to the consequences of the
Bill.  He thinks I am right not to take a part.

There was an indigo-planter before the Committee to-day.  It seems, as I supposed, to be just as unnecessary for indigo-manufacturers to be indigo-growers as it is for maltsters to be great farmers.  This man took out no capital and he had no licence; yet he was permitted to reside and take a lease, and the agency houses lent him money at 10 and 12 per cent.

The judge, Sir T. Strange, was a sensible man.  He deprecated the introduction of English law into the provinces.

The King is getting weaker, which the physicians dread more than his spasms.  It is thought he can hardly last a week.

Read the memorandum on Hyderabad a second time, and sent it with the proposed letter and alterations to the Duke.

Prepared materials for Lord Stanhope’s motion about shipping on Thursday.

May 12.

Cabinet dinner at Lord Rosslyn’s.

The Duke saw the King to-day.  He said there was a decided alteration since Wednesday last.  He was now in appearance an invalid, but not a dying man.  His body is very much swollen.  They took several quarts of water from his feet yesterday.  He is good-humoured and alive.  His eyes as brilliant as ever.  His voice a little affected.  His colour dark and sodden.

The Duke thinks he may die at any time; but may live a fortnight or ten days—­Knighton thinks so too.  The other physicians think worse of him.

He called for the ‘Racing Calendar’ yesterday.  They were afraid he would call for the newspaper.

Knighton found he was not aware there were now any bulletins.

Knighton proposed to him the taking the sacrament, as he did not take it at Easter.  He said he would think about it, but to be better before he took it.  His taking it now might lead to the publishing of more bulletins.

He continues to take the greatest interest in the improvements at the lodge.

After dinner we talked only of the things necessary to be done on a demise.

Lord B. seemed to say we could not have the Duchess of Clarence as Regent, because there was no precedent.  I trust this will be got over.

Leopold has written an unsatisfactory answer to the last letter about the loan.  However, he goes.

The Porte has acquiesced in the arrangements of the protocol, so Leopold is Prince Sovereign of Greece.

The Duke read Cabell’s memorandum to-day.  He thinks Cabell proposes doing more than should be done.  He has a strong feeling as to the scandalous nature of the whole transaction.  Lieutenant-Colonel Arabin has been infesting the Chancellor upon the subject.

May 13.

Dined at four.  Rode to the office and back, and to the House.

Prepared for Lord Stanhope’s motion for returns on shipping, &c.