The Chancellor had sent a note to the King with the Bills, calling his attention to them.  The King, on sending them back with the Commission signed, thanked the Chancellor for having called his attention to the Bills, and said he gave his assent reluctantly.

The Chancellor had sent a note last night to Watson, the Equerry, desiring him to remind the King of the Commission.

So at a few minutes before four to-day the Chancellor, Lord Bathurst, and I sat as Commissioners to give the Royal assent to the Relief Bill, and about thirty-nine others.  So many had been kept back to force an early decision.  The Indemnity Bill was one of the Bills, and the Militia Lists Bill another.  There were thirteen peers in the House, and seven or eight more about.  Lord Savoy, his son, young Lambton, Lady Petres, and her daughters, Mrs. Fox, and some other ladies were there—­Lady Stanhope.  The old Duchess of Richmond came too late.

I observed that in passing each other very close the Duke of Wellington and the Duke of Cumberland took no notice of each other.

Lord Durham said to me, ’Now the King will turn you all out in revenge as soon as he can,’ to which I assented.  He certainly will when he dares.

The Duke of Norfolk and Mr. Petres were in the House, giving and receiving congratulations.  All parties congratulate the Duke.  Falmouth alone still looks sad and sombre.  The Duke of Wellington has a bad cold.  He was very hoarse, and wrapped himself in his cloak as soon as he had done speaking.

April 14.

Saw Mr. Fergusson respecting a petition from Hindoos and Mahometans at Calcutta, praying to be allowed to sit on grand juries.  He thinks they should—­as they are allowed to sit on petty juries.  If the matter had been well considered, the privilege they now ask should have been granted before that they have obtained.

Mr. Fergusson is, however, rather afraid of allowing them to sit on the trial of Christians.

By the newspapers I see that there has been a quarrel at Teheran, between some of the Russian Ambassador’s suite and the populace, which led to an attack upon the Russian palace, and to the death of the Ambassador and all his people except two.  This is an unfortunate event, as it will give the Russians a new claim to indemnity, which they will exercise inexorably.  Probably they will insist on the junction of Persia in the attack on Turkey, as the only satisfaction they can accept.

It is just possible that the example once given, and the people despairing of pardon, a rising against the Russians may take place, and something of a national feeling arise in Persia.  But I fear this will not be the case.  I suppose our Minister was at Tabriz.

April 15.

The Duke was at Windsor to-day to ask the King’s permission to restore the resigners.  The King said he thought the Duke could not do better.  He just mentioned Wetherell’s name as if he thought he was to be excepted from the restoration, but desired to be certior-factus.