Great injury is sustained by the tobacco monopoly.  The Company’s officers sell it as retailers.  The Government is, as I always thought, practically in the hands of the natives.  They require European co-operation, but if they combine against their European superior he can do nothing.  House at five.  Lord Winchilsea made a violent tirade against the Administration, without any motion before the House.  The Duke made a few observations on the point of order very quietly, and we rose.

November 5.

St. James’s at half-past one.  The clergy of the Province of Canterbury were there, with their address on the accession.  They were not expected, and there were no gentlemen pensioners.  However, they delivered their address to the King on the throne, and a very good address it was.  Peel had to write the answer in a hurry.

Recorder’s report.  One man left for execution for a street robbery accompanied with violence.

The Recorder gave but a bad account of the disposition of the City.  The Chancellor seems a good deal alarmed, and so does Peel.  Every precaution is taken, but I cannot help fearing there is a conspiracy of which we know nothing.  Aberdeen suspects connection with France.

We are to inquire into the circumstances of the fires in Normandy, which seem very much to resemble ours.  We have had one near Godstone, and another at Fair-lawn, in Kent; the sufferers unoffending persons.  The object seems to be to spread general terror.  It is clear that they are effected by the discharge of some chemical preparation, which ignites after a time.  No watching has any effect.  Fires take place where no one has approached.

Goulburn told me he thought Sir G. Murray had said much more than he intended, purely from want of habit of speaking; still he had done much injury.

The new French Ministry is formed, and Lafitte is at its head.  He pretends to have the same views as the late Ministry; but it is impossible to suppose the French can resist the offer of Belgium.  We shall have no war if we can preserve internal peace and the integrity of the Constitution.

November 6.

A letter from Hardinge, who seems to think we stand ill, not for want of numbers, but of speakers.  Astell told me the Duke’s declaration against Reform had injured him in the City.

Saw Wortley, and had a long conversation with him respecting the state of the Government.  He thinks we cannot go on.  The Duke’s declaration against Reform has made it impossible for any to join him, and upon the question of Reform it is doubtful if we should have numbers enough.