The King was cold.  The Duke had to wait twenty minutes, the Duke of Cumberland being with the King.  However, I believe this delay may only have originated in a necessary change of dress on His Majesty’s part, as he was sitting for his picture in a Highland dress.  The Duke saw a large plaid bonnet in the room, and he believes the King had still on plaid stockings.  The business of the restoration was finished in ten minutes, when the conversation flagged, and the Duke was rising to go away.

However, something more was then said, and the interview in all lasted twenty minutes.  The King said he was delighted with Lord Winchelsea.  He was so gentlemanlike, and spoke in so low a tone of voice! He likewise thought Lord Farnham very gentlemanlike, and Lord Rolle more violent than any.

The Duke had to wait twenty minutes before he could see Lady Conyngham.  They seemed to wish him not to see her.  However, he did.  She said all would have been quiet if the Duke of Cumberland had not come over, and all would be quiet when he went away.  The King seemed relieved since the Bill was passed.

On his return the Duke sent for George Bankes and offered him his place again.  Bankes asked two or three days to consider.  The Duke gave him till to-morrow.

It seems he has now a notion that he owed his place not to the Duke but to some other influence.  I think this has been insinuated to him since his resignation.  The fact is otherwise.  The King had mentioned Bankes for other situations, but not for the one he holds.  On my return home I found Bankes had called upon me.

After dinner we considered whether the prosecution of Lawless for his conduct at Ballybeg should be persevered in.

Goulbourn, Peel, Lord Bathurst, Sir G. Murray, and I were for dropping it.  I think the Chancellor inclined the same way.  The Duke and the rest, Aberdeen being absent, were for going on.

I thought no benefit would be derived from success.  Even success would revive feelings and recollections which are dying away, and which we wish to be forgotten.  If we decline proceeding we can say we did so from the fear of exciting dormant passions.  If we proceed, we shall have no excuse should we revive the memory of bad times.

Reference is to be made to Ireland to ascertain the feeling about it there.

Bankes came at twelve o’clock.  He told me he had been with the Duke, and had received from him the offer of his old office.  He had asked permission to consult one person, whose name he did not mention to the Duke,—­it was the Duke of Cumberland.  He had called at the Palace and found the Duke of Cumberland was at Windsor.  He wanted to write to him to ask if he had any objection to his taking the office again.