I did not get away till seven, and then went to Hardinge’s to bring him down to Wilderness. [Footnote:  Seat of Lord Camden, near Sevenoaks.] He told me the Speaker had been with the Duke and did not resign just now.  There had been a question whether he should not; but it was thought we might be damaged at the elections if we made any change now.  The Duke asked Hardinge what he thought as to taking Huskisson and Palmerston back again?  Hardinge declared against having Huskisson, but recommended Palmerston.  I dare say as soon as the elections are over something will be done, and that Palmerston will be offered the Chancellorship of the Exchequer.

Peel once wanted Edward Stanley, but it seems he has wavered a good deal.  Unless his manner should change it would be impossible to go on with him as Minister; but I trust in God we shall never lose the Duke.

July 19.

Received at nine a card from Lord Bathurst informing me that the Queen would be in Downing Street at ten.  Went in plain clothes as I was desired.  Found the Queen was to be there to see the Guards, whom the King was to inspect.  The Ministers were invited and the connections of the Bathursts.  We were presented to the Queen, and kissed her hand.  After the parade, which the King attended on foot, he joined the party, and they had breakfast.  However, before that I went away.  At one again at St. James’s.  The two Universities came up with addresses to the King and Queen.  Oxford first.  They very properly put their doctors first.  The address was read by the Vice-Chancellor, and then, after the Queen’s reply, the doctors and proctors, and a few others who formed the deputation, kissed the King’s hand.  As the Queen has no separate apartment the King retired, the Queen entered with her household and ladies, and then the same ceremony was gone through, the Ministers remaining on the left behind the ladies.  The Queen read pretty well.  She was obliged to rise each time to give her hand to be kissed.  Cambridge came afterwards with the Duke of Gloucester and all the Peers, who belonged to the University, in their gowns at the head.  This destroyed the character of the collegiate body.  However, those only were presented who were presented of the Oxford deputation.  The King went beyond his written speech to the men of Cambridge, and put us in a fright.  However, it was good-humoured, and of no great harm—­a sort of joke.

I came away as I had business.  Afterwards there was a Council, and the Lords Lieutenant were admitted to take the oaths.

House.  East Retford.  The Chancellor made a capital speech, and we had a better division than case, 29 to 7.  Lord Durham spoke temperately and well.  Lord Grey well too.  We had Wynford with us.  There is no explaining that man.  The Duke of Cumberland voted against us, and Eldon spoke.

At St. James’s.  Lord Westmoreland told me that yesterday at a great dinner the King gave his household he gave as a toast, ’The land we live in, and let those who don’t like it leave it.’