er of his
has an interest. He entered upon politics, was very obsequious in
his manner, extravagant in praise of the Duke, quite shocked that
he should have fought a duel, and said, 'Sir, we are twelve of us
here, and not one but what would fight for him any day in the
week.' He said that some years ago, when he heard the Duke speak,
he was distressed at his hesitation, but that now he spoke better
than anyone; that in the Lords he heard Eldon, and Plunket, and
Grey, and then up got the Duke and answered everybody, and spoke
better than they all. Arbuthnot says he was bowing and scraping,
and all humility and politeness, with none of the undergrowl of
the Association.

[8] [A prominent member of the Catholic Association in
Dublin.]

[Page Head: LORD ELDON'S INTERVIEW WITH THE KING.]

March 26th, 1829, at night {p.196}

Just met M----, who had returned that moment from Windsor, where
he had left the King in such an ill humour that he would not stay
and dine there. The Duke of Cumberland never goes there without
unsettling his mind, and yesterday evening Lord Mansfield had
been to the Castle and had an audience. Lord Eldon prevails on
all these Peers to exercise their right and demand audiences.
Lord Mansfield had no petition to present, and only went to
remonstrate about the Catholic question and tell the King that
all the Protestants looked to him to save them from the impending
danger. The King declares he only listens to what they say, and
replies that he must leave everything to his Ministers; but it is
impossible for him to listen (and not talk himself) for an hour
and a quarter together. He is very angry at the Bishop of
Winchester's speech, and at the declaration in favour of the Bill
by both of the brothers.[9] He accused M---- of having influenced
the Bishop, which he denied, and told him that he would not have
been biassed by anybody. The King still is in hopes that the Bill
will not pass, and said that the Ministers had only a majority of
five, and with that they would not carry it through. M----
replied that they had above fifty, and after such a majority as
there had been in the Commons it must pass. All this he received
as sulkily as possible, and it is clear that if he dared, and if
he could, he would still defeat the measure. His dislike to it is
the opposition of a spoiled child, founded on considerations
purely personal and selfish and without any reason whatever.

[9] [