Wrote a very long letter to Hardinge on the present position of the Government and our policy.  I gave my opinion that any accession of men which destroyed the unity of the Duke’s Government would do harm.  That we must meet our difficulties by measures.  That the first was a revision of taxation, that no men we could get would add moral strength to the Government, and the Whigs would not support unless they had half the Government.  That the question of Reform could not be made an open question.  It was best for the country that parties should be decidedly separated.  It might then choose which it preferred, and men would be obliged to take a side.  We had better be out with character than in with a detachment of the enemy, in possession of a gate.  Still TALK we must have, and we want a financier.  I said of myself that I cared little about office.  I should without reluctance acquiesce in retirement if the Duke could fill my office more advantageously, and I believe Rosslyn would do.  I thought Rosslyn would like Ireland or Paris.

I do not think it improbable Hardinge may send this letter to the Duke.

August 31.

An insurrection at Brussels, the houses of the Ministers burnt.  The troops fired and killed many.  They, not being 1,500, retired to the park, and formed before the palace.  An evening paper I got at Ashford says the nobility had joined the people, and the troops had acceded on condition of keeping their arms, and guarding the palace.  If this Revolution takes the line of union with France, war is almost inevitable.  It may be only for a more popular form of Government, but what the people of the Netherlands desire is annexation to a great State.  They are ashamed of being Dutch.

Most fortunately all our manufacturers are in full employment, and the harvest is abundant.  The peace and constitution of England have depended upon fine weather.

Clare, from whom I heard to-day, tells me Lord Wellesley assures him there is to be a Revolution in Spain, and named the day.  The nobles are supposed to be at the head of it.  This may all be true, for our Ministers never find anything out; but my apprehension is that there will be a low, ill-supported revolutionary movement.

Received a letter from Lady Londonderry.  She first wishes me to obtain, if I can, Ward’s exchange to a better climate.  This I have told her I have already endeavoured to do; but that I have no expectation of Aberdeen’s doing it.

Lady L. says her brother was two hours with the Duke, and as long with Lord Grey.  The latter would have acted a second part, but the Duke would not admit him.  I have told her I think she must have misunderstood Lord Camden’s account, and that she may be assured it is not the Duke’s character to fear an equal.

I sent her letter to Hardinge, and asked him if he knew anything of the affair.  I cannot imagine when it can have taken place.  Lord Camden was an odd person to employ.  He knows so little of Lord Grey.  Rosslyn would have been the natural envoy if it proceded from the Duke; but I think it must have been a volunteer of Lord Camden’s.