I am not satisfied with this.  Every part of our diplomacy has been unfortunate.  We have succeeded in nothing.  I predicted if we became engaged in the war, it would be ultimately on a little point and not upon a great one.  Our diplomacy cannot be defended.  It is our weak point.

House.  All the Catholics there.  Every good old name in England.

The Duke of Norfolk is much pleased with the Duke of Wellington’s answer to his enquiry as to the propriety of addressing the King.  I am going to send him the Duke’s original letter as a record.

The King certainly received the Protestant peers, and particularly those who had been at Windsor, with great favour, and so the Bishop of Durham.  The Duke of Cumberland stood at the King’s left hand, and quizzed the people as they passed.  He seemed rayonnant.

After dinner I had some conversation with Loch, the Chairman, as to governing India in the King’s name.  He does not positively object.  I think I shall be able to carry that point.  I consider it to be of the most essential importance.

April 30.

Cabinet at 12.  Determined to fund eight millions of Exchequer Bills.  No taxes to be taken off or imposed.  We had some conversation as to the East Retford question.  V. Fitzgerald communicated a proposal from Littleton to propose the adjournment of all discussion upon the subject till next year, as it is evident nothing can be done this year.  Littleton proposed this because he wished to disappoint the mischievous designs of some people.  (Palmerston particularly.)

It was determined to adhere to the line taken by the Government last year—­ namely, to that of throwing East Retford into the hundred.  The Duke was decidedly of opinion that whatever we did we should do from ourselves, and certainly not act in concert with an enemy.  The Tories look to our conduct upon this question as the touchstone.

Drawing-room.  The King, as yesterday, very civil to the Brunswickers and taking no notice of our friends.  He took particular notice of the Brazilians.  Madame de Lieven is endeavouring to form a Government with the Duke of Cumberland, the Ultra-Tories, the Canningites, and some Whigs.

The King is very Russian.  I believe all this will end in nothing.  The Chancellor thinks they may try to make a change when Parliament is up, and so have six months before them.  They may think of it; but the only object of such a Government would be revenge. They cannot repeal the Relief Bill, nor do they wish to pursue a different line of policy either at home or abroad.

The foreigners think that having settled the Catholic question we are ready to draw the sword, and find a field of battle wherever we can.  This the Russians are afraid of, and hence arises in some degree their wish to overthrow the Duke’s Government; but the real foundation of all the Russian intrigues is Madame de Lieven’s hatred for the Duke, and her rage at feeling she has overreached herself.