LORD GRAHAM’S DIARY,
DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF THE NEW PARLIAMENT.
May 20. Went down to the House—sworn in—odd faces—asked PEARSON who the new people were—he seemed cross at my asking him, and did not know—I took occasion to inspect the water-closets.
N.B. To tell ROSE, that I found three cocks out of repair—didn’t know what to do—left my name at the DUKE OF QUEENSBERRY’s—dined at WHITE’s—the pease tough—Lord APSLEY thought they ought to be boiled in steam—VILLIERS very warm in favour of hot water—PITT for the new mode—and much talk of taking the sense of the club—but happily I prevented matters going to extremity.
May 21. Bought a tooth-pick-case, and attended at the Treasury-Board—nothing at the House but swearing—rode to WILBERFORCE’s at WIMBLEDON—PITT, THURLOW, and DUNDAS, water-sucky—we all wondered why perch have such large mouths, and WILBERFORCE said they were like MULGRAVE’s—red champagne rather ropy—away at eight—THURLOW’s horse started at a windmill—he off.
N.B. To bring in an Act to encourage water-mills—THURLOW home in a dilly—we after his horse—children crying, Fox for ever!—DUNDAS stretching to whip them—he off too.
May 22. Sick all day—lay a bed—VILLIERS bored me.
23. Hyde-park—PITT—HAMILTON, &c. Most of us agreed it was right to bow to Lord DELAVAL—PITT won’t to any one, except the new Peers—dined at PITT’s—PITT’s soup never salt enough—Why must PRETTYMAN dine with us?—PITT says to-day he will not support Sir CECIL WRAY—THURLOW wanted to give the old toast—PITT grave—probably this is the reason for letting PRETTYMAN stay.
24. House—Westminster Election—we settled to always make a noise when BURKE gets up—we ballotted among ourselves for a sleeping Committee in the Gallery——STEELE always to call us when PITT speaks—Lord DELAVAL our dear friend!—Private message from ST. JAMES’s to PITT—He at last agrees to support SIR CECIL.
May 25. BANKES won’t vote with us against GRENVILLE’s Bill—English obstinacy—the Duke of RICHMOND teazes us—nonsense about consistency—what right has he to talk of it?—but must not say so.—DUNDAS thinks worse of the Westminster business than—but too hearty to indulge absurd scruples.
26. Court—King in high spirits, and attentive rather to the Duke of GRAFTON—QUEEN more so to Lord CAMDEN—puzzles us all!—So it is possible the Duke of RICHMOND will consent to leave the Cabinet?—Dinner at DUNDAS’s—too many things aukwardly served—Joke about ROSE’s thick legs, like ROBINSON’s, in flannel.