The Duke has written to the King, acquainting him with the plan, and advising His Majesty to refuse to receive the petition except through the hands of Mr. Peel.

Peel is going down to Windsor himself.  The Duke writes to-night to tell the King he is going, and to repeat his advice of this morning as coming from the Cabinet.

If the King will not take Peel’s advice we go out.

The Duke thinks the King will yield, and that the meeting will be a failure.  So have I thought from the first.  There is no agitation in London.  No feeling, no excitement.  The King will know Peel is coming in time to be able to inform the Duke of Cumberland, and prevent his setting out.

In the House about nine the Duke received a letter from Sir W. Knighton, informing him that he had no doubt the King would take his advice respecting the petitions.  Eldon was there, and probably saw the letter.

House.  Got through the report of the Franchise Bill.  Third reading fixed for to-morrow.  I had to say a few words.

April 11, 1829.

House.  A long speech from Lord Eldon, containing no argument, and both flat and bad.

Then a speech from Lord Harrowby, long and sensible; but heavily delivered and not wanted.  A long speech from Lord Lansdowne, still less wanted, and very dull.

The Duke was obliged to say something civil to the Whigs, but he did it sparingly, and contre coeur.

We had a majority of 104.  The Franchise Bill was likewise read a third time.

The mutual congratulations were cordial.  The House is in good humour again.  All are glad to get rid of the question.  The Duke of Cumberland, Falmouth, and Winchelsea, perhaps Kenyon, are lost to the Government, but no others.

Lord Middleton voted with us, having been against on the second reading.  The Duke of Rutland against, having been with us before.

The Duke of Clarence was absent, being ill.  He had fourteen leeches on his temples.

The House was full of ladies.  Mrs. Fox, Lady Jersey, Lady Pitt and her daughters, Lady A. Brudenell, Lady Harrowby, Lady G. Wortley, Lord Eldon’s daughters, Lady Glengall, Mrs. and Miss Sheridan, the old Duchess of Richmond, Lady Manners, Lady Rolle, Lady Haddington, and many others.

The intended row failed altogether.  Only four carriages went down to Windsor.  Halcomb and his two friends saw an equerry.  They were told their petition must be presented through the Secretary of State, and went away quietly.

The Duke of Cumberland said he must withdraw his support from the Government; but he was temperate.  In fact he was beaten.

The Duke of Norfolk was in the House, as happy as man could be.

April 11.

Dr. Clarke and H. Fane both spoke of the Chancellor’s speech in attack upon Eldon, as in bad taste and offensive.  I shall endeavour to ascertain whether this is the general opinion.  Not having heard Eldon, they cannot know how very mischievous and disingenuous he was.