May 3.—­Breakfasted at my old friend Gally Knight’s, with whom, in former days, I used to make little parties to see poor Monk Lewis.  After breakfast I drove to Lee and Kennedy’s, and commissioned seeds and flowers for about L10, including some specimens of the Corsican and other pines.  Their collection is very splendid, but wants, I think, the neatness that I would have expected in the first nursery-garden in or near London.  The essentials were admirably cared for.  I saw one specimen of the Norfolk Island pine, the only one, young Lee said, which has been raised from all the seed that was sent home.  It is not treated conformably to its dignity, for they cut the top off every year to prevent its growing out at the top of the conservatory.  Sure it were worth while to raise the house alongst with the plant.

Looked in at Murray’s—­wrote some letters, etc., and walked home with the Dean of Chester, who saw me to my own door.  I had but a few minutes to dress, and go to the Royal Academy, to which I am attached in capacity of Professor of Antiquities.  I was too late to see the paintings, but in perfect time to sit half-an-hour waiting for dinner, as the President, Sir Thomas Lawrence, expected a prince of the blood.  He came not, but there were enough of grandees besides.  Sir Thomas Lawrence did the honours very well, and compliments flew about like sugar-plums at an Italian carnival.  I had my share, and pleaded the immunities of a sinecurist for declining to answer.

After the dinner I went to Mrs. Scott of Harden, to see and be seen by her nieces, the Herbert ladies.  I don’t know how their part of the entertainment turned out, but I saw two or three pretty girls.

May 4.—­I breakfasted this morning with Sir Coutts Trotter, and had some Scottish talk.  Visited Cooper, who kindly undertook to make my inquiries in Lyons.[187] I was at home afterwards for three hours, but too much tired to do the least right thing.  The distances in London are so great that no exertions, excepting those which a bird might make, can contend with them.  You return weary and exhausted, fitter for a siesta than anything else.  In the evening I dined with Mr. Peel, a great Cabinet affair, and too dignified to be very amusing, though the landlord and the pretty landlady did all to make us easy.

May 5.—­Breakfasted with Haydon, and sat for my head.  I hope this artist is on his legs again.  The King has given him a lift by buying his clever picture of the election in the Fleet prison, to which he is adding a second part, representing the chairing of the member at the moment it was interrupted by the entry of the guards.  Haydon was once a great admirer and companion of the champions of the Cockney school, and is now disposed to renounce them and their opinions.  To this kind of conversation I did not give much way.  A painter should have nothing to do with politics.  He is certainly a clever fellow, but somewhat too enthusiastic, which distress seems to have cured in some degree.  His wife, a pretty woman, looked happy to see me, and that is something.  Yet it was very little I could do to help them.[188]