We had a two hours’ talk about agriculture; the Duke acquiescing in a motion of Salisbury’s for a Committee on the Poor Laws.

November 12.

Wrote a note to Hardinge, suggesting to him the expediency of calling upon Dr. Philpotts and placing before him the hopelessness of his keeping Stanhope, the damage to himself of a vote of Parliament, and to the Church from the example of Parliamentary interference, leading him to propose the exchange of Stanhope for a living near Exeter, and I mentioned Dr. Barnes.  If this could be managed we should turn evil into good, and avoid the division we must lose.  The Funds rose to 853/4, and then fell to 84 3/4, being still a rise.  In the City they think the Government will stand.

There have been threatening notices as near as Colnbrook.  In Sussex and Kent things are very bad.  I did not, however, see Peel to-day.  There was nothing in the House.

November 13.

It seems Peel and Scarlet licked Brougham well yesterday.  The temper of the House is said to have been rather good.  Hardinge told me Goulburn made an indifferent speech.  Philpotts has so good a case that he looks confidently to the result of the debate.  We agreed that there was no reason-why the conge d’elire should not issue.  Philpotts himself decides that it should, happen what may as to Stanhope.

We had some talk as to the division on the Civil List.  Peel is for refusing a Committee, and the separation of the diplomatic expenditure, and will not yield because he is weak.  I think he is right.  The better face we put upon it, the more votes we shall have.

Hardinge suggested the placing of Doherty in Arbuthnot’s office.  Nothing could be better than that arrangement; but he thought, and I think, the Duke would not displace Arbuthnot.  Arbuthnot knows more about my office than any one else.  Where would they put me?

We had some conversation respecting the Regency.  It was determined to legislate as little as we could.

November 14.

Cabinet at four.  Peel is of opinion that the fires are in many cases perpetrated for stock-jobbing purposes.  They are certainly done by persons from London.

He said he was satisfied that, whatever might be the division on Reform, the question was carried.  Admiral Sotheron, Lindsay, he thought [blank], and I think he mentioned another, voted for it.  If the county members did, and it was thrown out by the representatives of Scotch and English boroughs, it was impossible to stand much longer.  He read a paper, circulated for signatures in the parish of St. Ann, in which the subscribers declare their readiness to be sworn in as special constables, and their determination to protect property.  At the same time they declare their opinion that there ought to be a Reform, first in the House of Commons; but of Church and State.  This he considers the commencement of a Burgher Guard.  I cannot understand his reasoning; if he thinks Reform must be carried, surely it is better to vote a general resolution, and to fight the details.  By objecting to the general resolution we shall probably be turned out, and have much less power to do good out of office than if we were in.