Released from the alarm of being summoned down to the election by a civil letter from Lord Minto.  I am glad both of the relief and of the manner.  I hate civil war amongst neighbours.

April 27.—­Breakfasted this day with Charles Dumergue on a poulet a la tartare, and saw all his family, specially my godson.  Called on Lady Stafford and others, and dined at Croker’s in the Admiralty, with the Duke of Wellington, Huskisson, Wilmot Horton, and others, outs and ins.  No politics of course, and every man disguising serious thoughts with a light brow.  The Duke alone seemed open, though not letting out a word.  He is one of the few whose lips are worth watching.  I heard him say to-day that the best troops would run now and then.  He thought nothing of men running, he said, provided they came back again.  In war he had always his reserves.  Poor Terry was here when I returned.  He seems to see his matters in a delusive light.

April 28.—­An attack this day or yesterday from poor Gillies, boring me hard to apply to Menzies of Pitfoddels to entreat him to lend him money.  I could not get him to understand that I was decidedly averse to write to another gentleman, with whom I was hardly acquainted, to do that which I would not do myself.  Tom Campbell[180] is in miserable distress—­his son insane—­his wife on the point of becoming so. I nunc, et versus tecum meditare canoros.[181]

We, i.e. Charles and I, dined at Sir Francis Freeling’s with Colonel Harrison of the Board of Green Cloth, Dr. [Maltby] of Lincoln’s Inn, and other pleasant people.  Doctor Dibdin too, and Utterson, all old Roxburghe men.  Pleasant party, were it not for a bad cold, which makes me bark like a dog.

April 29.—­Anne and Lockhart are off with the children this morning at seven, and Charles and I left behind; and this is the promised meeting of my household!  I went to Dr. Gilly’s to-day to breakfast.  Met Sir Thomas Acland, who is the youngest man of his age I ever saw.  I was so much annoyed with cough, that, on returning, I took to my bed and had a siesta, to my considerable refreshment.  Dr. Fergusson called, and advised caution in eating and drinking, which I will attend to.

Dined accordingly.  Duke of Sussex had cold and did not come.  A Mr. or Dr. Pettigrew made me speeches on his account, and invited me to see his Royal Highness’s library, which I am told is a fine one.  Sir Peter Laurie, late Sheriff, and in nomination to be Lord Mayor, bored me close, and asked more questions than would have been thought warrantable at the west end of the town.

April 30.—­We had Mr. Adolphus and his father, the celebrated lawyer, to breakfast, and I was greatly delighted with the information of the latter.  A barrister of extended practice, if he has any talents at all, is the best companion in the world.[182]

Dined with Lord Alvanley and a fashionable party, Lord Fitzroy Somerset, Marquis and Marchioness of Worcester, etc.  Lord Alvanley’s wit made the party very pleasant, as well as the kind reception of my friends the Misses Arden.