London Bridge Committee.

The Duke showed me a letter from Lord Rosslyn, accepting most cordially the
Privy Seal.

I suppose we shall have a Council on Monday, or on some early day next week, for me to give it up.

June 1.

To the Cabinet room.

There is a report that Varna [Footnote:  Varna was in the hands of the Russians, having been taken in the previous campaign.] is cernee by 40,000 men, Bazardjik taken, the Russians running from Karasan, and from 6,000 to 8,000 Russians, who had been thrown over the Danube at Hirsova, driven into it at Czernavoda by the garrison of Silistria. [Footnote:  These reports seem to have been unfounded.  Soon after this date the decisive battle of Kouleftcha opened to the Russians the road to Adrianople.] Clanwilliam wrote me he thought the Duke attached some credit to this last rumour.

News from Calcutta of February 1 states that Lord William Bentinck was then out of danger.  Lady William, who was going to set off to join him, had determined to expect him at Calcutta.

Lord Rosslyn’s appointment is in the newspapers to-day.  The ‘Times’ highly delighted.

June 2.

London Bridge Approaches Committee.  Lord Londonderry very anxious to have an adjournment over the Derby; however, he must attend to ’the last concern.’

House.  Anatomy Bill put off till Friday.  The Bishops, Lord Malmesbury, and many others very hostile to it.

It seems certain that the Russians have recrossed the Danube.  I am inclined to think they have been beaten.

June 3.

The Bishop of Oxford is dead; a great Grecian is to succeed him.

The King is in excellent humour.  The Duke of Cumberland rather going down.

We had some talk about the Anatomy Bill.  The Duke is afraid of passing it.  Indeed, it is not a Government measure.  Probably it will be withdrawn for the year.  The Bishops are very hostile to it.

June 4.

London Bridge Committee from eleven till four.  We made great progress in our evidence, and, indeed, nearly proved our case.  From four to five we had a very painful discussion in consequence of some words which passed between Lord Durham and Lord Beresford.  We succeeded at last in settling the difference.

Lord Beresford, having no good word at his disposal, said he did not second the evil deeds or improprieties of noble lords.  He really meant irregularities, and irregularities only as a member of the Committee.  Lord Grey was present and much distressed.  The Duke of Wellington’s authority induced both to become amenable to the wish of the Committee.

June 5.

Anatomy Bill.  Some talk; but a general agreement suggested by the Archbishop of Canterbury, that the Bill should be read a second time, and not proceeded with this session.  The Duke of Wellington expressed his general approbation of the principle, but thought postponement desirable.  He pledged himself to cooperate in bringing in a Bill on the same principle, and having the same objects, next year; but did not pledge himself to bring it in himself.