Volume I Part 26 (1/2)

February 13th, 1830 {p276}

In the House of Lords last night: Lord Holland's ood as he generally is; Aberdeen wretched, the worst speaker I ever heard and incapable of a reply; I had no idea he was so bad The DukeHolland and Melbourne, availing hireat dexterity of the vulnerable parts of their speeches and leaving the rest alone I was sitting by Robert Grant on the steps of the throne, and said to hiood speech of the Duke's,' and he said, 'He speaks like a great h tone, not like a practised debater, but a orous mind and determined character

In the House of Commons Graham spoke for two hours; Burdett said not well, but others said the contrary The Government resolution moved as an amendment by Daas better than his, so it was adopted without difficulty Burdett said Peel made the best speech he ever heard him make, and threw over the Tories Dined afterwards with Cowper, Durhaall Durham said that Lord Grey's politics were the saht an Opposition would be forh scattered, exist of a strong one I doubt it

[Page Head: THE ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE BURNT]

February 16th, 1830 {p277}

Last night the English Opera House was burnt down--aat whist at the 'Travellers' with Lord Granville, Lord Auckland, and Ross,the whole sky illuht it was Covent Garden, and directly set off to the spot We found the Opera House and several houses in Catherine Street on fire (sixteen houses), and, though it was three in thecould be ht as day and threw a glare upon the strange and entility of London was there froentlemen in their fur cloaks, pumps, and velvet waistcoats mixed with objects like the _sans-culottes_ in the French Revolution--s and dirt, sohtcaps or handkerchiefs round their heads--then the soldiers, the fire, and clearing the way, and clattering along, and all with that intense interest and restless curiosity produced by the event, and which received fresh stimulus at every renewed burst of the flaold dust Poor Arnold lost everything and was not insured I trust the paraphernalia of the Beefsteak Club perished with the rest, for the enave me last year

February 19th, 1830 {p277}

In the House of Lords last night to hear Melbourne'sand very bad debate Melbourne spoke very ill--case very negligently got up, weakly stated, confused, and indiscreet--in the same sense as his brother's pamphlet, with part of which (the first part) none of the ree, and consequently it was answered by Lansdowne and Goderich The latter ood one that was made Aberdeen retched; it is really too bad that a n Affairs who cannot speak better The Duke made no case for the Terceira business, and delivered a very poor speech; but I like his speaking--it is so e about it, and he says strongly and siht on Greece there was a very brisk skirmish between Palmerston and Peel, and the former spoke, they say, remarkably well; the latter, as usual, was in a passion

February 21st, 1830 {p278}

Dined with the Chancellor; Granvilles, Hollands, Moore, Luttrell, Lord Lansdowne, Auckland, and one or two reeable

Lord Holland told stories of Lord Thurlohom he mimicks, they say, exactly When Lord Mansfield died, Thurlow said, 'I hesitated a long time between Kenyon and Buller Kenyon was very inteht upon the whole that intee than corruption, not but what there was a damned deal of corruption in Kenyon's intemperance' Lady Holland and I very friendly; the first time I have met her in company since our separation (for we have never quarrelled) She is et o Everybody is surprised at Melbourne's failure the other night; some say he was not well, some that he did not like the business I doubt if he is up to it; he did not speak like a man that has much in him

February 23rd, 1830 {p278}

Dined with Lord Bathurst and a dull party; but after dinner Lady Bathurst began talking about the King, and told me one or two anecdotes When the account of Lord Liverpool's seizure reached the King at Brighton, Peel was at the Pavilion; the King got into one of his nervous ways, and sent for hi he would not dress; so he went down in his bedgown and sat by the side of the King's bed Peel has got an aay of thrusting out his hands while he talks, which at length provoked the King sohi out your hands, which is no answer to my question'

Went to Esterhazy's ball; talked to old Rothschild, as there with his wife and a dandy little Jew son He says that Polignac's Governnac's own courage; offered to give ive me any information I wanted, squeezed e Head: WINDSOR CASTLE]

February 25th, 1830 {p279}

Yesterday at Windsor for a Council; the first time I have seen one held in the new roonificent and coh its whole length of about 500 feet with the luxury of a drawing-roo pictures, portraits, and curious antiquities There were the Chancellor, the Duke, three Secretaries of State, Bathurst, and Melville The King very blind--did not know the Lord Chancellor, as standing close to hiive up the point, though, for when he found his ht, and appealed to Lord Bathurst, who is stone-blind, and who directly agreed

February 26th, 1830 {p279}

Intended to go to the House of Lords to hear the debate on Lord Stanhope's motion (state of the nation), but went to see fanny Kereat success-- house crowded and plenty of eh she did ood and will be much better

The debate in the Lords was not lively, and the Duke, they say, made a reat speech on a great question; he wants the information and preparation, the discipline of ly he exposes hies he had gained by the excellent speeches he had previously ry with the Duke of Richmond, whose opposition to him is considered by the Duke's adherents as a sort of political parricide Old Eldon spoke very well, and Radnor; the rest but moderate

February 27th, 1830 {p280}