f he
had been here; and it is a pity he was not, for Peel did it very
ill: it was poor and jejune, and undistinguished by eloquence or
the appearance of deep feeling. I was greatly disappointed, for I
expected to hear a worthier tribute to his merits. Canning was
very anxious to have been here to have performed this duty
himself. The letters which he wrote to the Royal Family abroad
announcing the event of his death were admirable and gave great
satisfaction to the King.

February 21st, 1827 {p.090}

Three days ago Lord Liverpool was seized with an apoplectic or
paralytic attack. The moment it was known every sort of
speculation was afloat as to the probable changes this event
would make in the Ministry. It was remarked how little anybody
appeared to care about the _man_; whether this indifference
reflects most upon the world or upon him, I do not pretend to
say. A report was generally circulated that the Duke of
Cumberland was dead, which was believed, but turns out to be
untrue.

Old Rundell (of the house of Rundell and Bridge, the great
silversmiths and jewellers) died last week, and appointed Robarts
one of his executors. Robarts called on me this morning, and told
me he had been yesterday to Doctors' Commons to prove the will.
Rundell was eighty years old, and died worth between L1,400,000
and L1,500,000, the greater part of which is vested in the funds.
He has left the bulk of his property to his great-nephew, a man
of the name of Neal, who is residuary legatee and will inherit
L900,000--this Mr. Neal had taken care of him for the last
fourteen years--to a woman who had lived with him many years, and
in whose house he died, and to two natural sons by her he only
left L5,000 apiece. The old man began the world without a guinea,
became in the course of time partner in that house during its
most flourishing period, and by steady gains and continual
parsimony amassed this enormous wealth. He never spent anything
and lived wretchedly. During the panic he came to Robarts, who
was his banker, and offered to place at his disposal any sum he
might require. When the executors went to prove the will, they
were told at Doctors' Commons that it was the largest sum that
ever had been registered there.

March 13th, 1827 {p.091}

Since the debate on the Catholic question there has been a great
expectation that Canning would resign. Many of his friends think
he made an imprudent speech that night, and if he had not l