November 18.

Called on Hardinge.  He is out of spirits.  Yesterday at the meeting of the employes Lord G. Somerset asked Peel if he would lead them—­to which Peel gave a damping answer.  Hardinge feels that he is capable of business, that his circumstances require he should exert himself and be in office; and, as he would not take office without the Duke’s acquiescence, he thinks it rather hard he should be deprived of a Parliamentary leader, and thus of the means of coming in.

I told him Peel would be in Opposition in a fortnight, as soon as he recovered his health and his spirits.  There has been a report that the Duke had declared he would not take office again—­which is untrue.

Office.  Saw Jones.  Received a letter from the Chairs asking whether I had given Sir J. P. Grant authority to appeal to my sanction for his remaining in India, notwithstanding the Order in Council for his return.  My answer is No.  I add that I imagine the misapprehension arose out of some private communications from Sir J. P. Grant’s friends, of the purport of a conversation with me which must have been inaccurately reported to him.  I showed my draft reply to Lord Rosslyn, and begged him to show it to Grant’s son.

The report Hardinge gave me was that Lord Wellesley was to succeed me.