Got up and wrote the above, after a very restless night—went to bed again—but could not sleep—troubled with the blue devils—thought I saw POWIS—recovered myself a little, and fell into a slumber—Dreamt I heard SHERIDAN speaking to me through the curtains—woke in a fright, and jumped out of bed.
Went down stairs—found some of the DIRECTORS waiting in the hall—damned their bloods, and told them this was all their doing—informed me a General Court was called by the enemy—bid them make such a noise, that nobody might be heard—DEVAYNES undertook it—ordered the SECRET COMMITTEE to stay, and sent the rest about their business.
After breakfast wrote to HAWK——Y, and begged his acceptance of a Lieut. Colonelcy, 2 Majorities, a Collectorship, 3 Shawls and a piece of India Muslin for the young ladies—sent back one of the Shawls, and said he’d rather have another Collector’s place—Damnation! but it must be so, or SYDNEY will be left to himself.—N.B. Not to forget THURLOW’s Arrack and Gunpowder Tea, with the India Crackers for his children.
MULGRAVE called to know if I wanted him to speak to-day—told him not—had enough of him last time.
Went down to the House—ANSTRUTHER played the devil with all our checks and guards—serves us right for introducing such nonsense—GEORGE NORTH asked when I meant to open my budget—said, when the RAVENSWORTH arrives—pray God she be lost! Mem. When I do open my budget, to state all the accounts in Tales, Pagodas, and Mohurs—has a fine effect on the country gentlemen, and prevents many impertinent observations.
Waited very patiently for PITT’s promised answer to FOX’s calumnies till eight o’clock—fresh inquiries about it every minute—began to be very uneasy—saw OPPOSITION sneering—SHERIDAN asked PITT if he was hoarse yet—looked exceedingly foolish—pitied him, and, by way of relieving his aukward situation, spoke myself—made some of my boldest assertions—said a good thing about “A Mare’s Nest”—coined a few clauses, which I assured the House were in Fox’s Bill, and sat down with much applause—was afterwards unfortunately detected in every thing I had said, and universally scouted by all sides.—Mem. I should not have got into that scrape, if I had not tried to help a friend in distress.—N.B. Never to do it again—there’s nothing to be gained by it.
As soon as I recovered myself, asked PITT whether he really meant to answer FOX, or not—Owned at last, with tears in his eyes, he could not muster courage enough to attempt it—sad work this!—N.B. Observed GRENVILLE made a note, that a man need not be an orator, to be Chancellor of the Exchequer—he seemed pleased with the precedent.
Nothing left for it but to cry question!—divided—only 54 majority—here’s a job!
SHERIDAN read a cursed malicious paper, in which he proved PITT an impostor: and that what FOX had openly demanded, the Board of Controul had secretly stolen.—Brother Commissioners all turned pale—was obliged to rub their noses with Thieves Vinegar, and then slunk out of the House as fast as I could.——N.B. Believe OLD PEARSON’s a sneering son of a bitch—tried to whistle as I went through the lobby—asked me if I was unwell—damn his impudence.
Came home in a very melancholy mood—returned thanks in a short prayer for our narrow escape—drank a glass of brandy—confessed my sins—determined to reform, and sent to WILBERFORCE for a good book—a very worthy and religious young man that—like him much—always votes with us.