This and many other things show his feelings towards the Duke of Cumberland.

The King reviews a regiment every morning this week.  He has been on horseback within these six weeks, but he has a rupture, and is now rather afraid of riding.  He is going to change the uniforms of the Lords Lieutenant.

We expect to prorogue on Friday and dissolve on Saturday.

July 20.

Then East Retford.  Lord Wharncliffe moved a resolution with the view of giving the franchise to Birmingham instead of the Hundred.  Dudley spoke for Birmingham and well.  I spoke shortly.  I guarded myself against being considered as pledged to any other measure, intending to decide all measures according to the special circumstances of the case.

The Duke was not so cautious as I was, and spoke strongly against giving the franchise to great towns. [Footnote:  No one expected it to occur in two years’ time.] Lord Holland said to the Chancellor, ’He will live to see it done.’  I think I may, and therefore was cautious.

We had 39 to 16.

So ends the business of this Session.

July 21.

Went at ten to the Duke of Wellington’s, where the King and Queen were to breakfast after an inspection of the 2nd Life Guards.  The day was beautiful and the people in excellent humour.  The King first went with the Queen to the Regent’s Park barracks, and then to the Knightsbridge barracks.  When they came to the Duke’s the King went to the window and was well cheered.  They then called for the Queen, who went to the window and was very well received indeed.

Yesterday evening the King walked out alone into St. James’s Street.  He found Watson Taylor and took his arm.  The mob pressed upon him so much that Watson Taylor’s shoes were trodden down at heel.  While the King was alone an Irish woman came out of an alley and kissed him.  This and a lecture from the Duke have cured him of walking out alone.  At least he has promised not to do so again.

House at 2.  Aberdeen says the King spoke very well to the foreign Ministers to-day.  There was an extraordinary number of naval officers, and the fullest levee I ever saw.  The King recognised very cordially all his old friends.  He was very gracious indeed to Elphinstone, whom he saw for the first time.  He was imprudent enough to make a sort of speech to the West Indian deputation, and pledged himself warmly to support their interests.  This I saw.  After I was gone I hear Astell and Campbell came up with the address of the East India Company, and that he spoke in similar terms to them.  This the foolish Astell will publish everywhere.

The Duke says he goes away when the King begins to speak.  I really covered my face when he began to speak about the Catholics to the deputation from Cambridge.  What he said to them, which was no more than an indifferent joke, has been variously misrepresented and not at all understood.  It must have been imperfectly heard.