, instead of returning to
Berlin, has sent for the Duchess and his son, and means to take
up his abode in this country, in hopes of prevailing upon the
King to dismiss his Ministers and make a Government under his own
auspices; but however weak the Government may be, he will not
succeed, for the King has an habitual reliance upon the Duke [of
Wellington] which overcomes the mortification and dislike he
feels at being dependent upon him; and, besides, the materials do
not exist out of which a Government could be formed that would
have the support of the House of Commons. The great want which
this Administration experiences is that of men of sufficient
information and capacity to direct the complicated machinery of
our trade and finances and adjust our colonial differences.
Huskisson, Grant, and Palmerston were the ablest men, and the two
first the best informed in the Government. Fitzgerald knows
nothing of the business of his office, still less of the
principles of trade; he is idle, but quick. Of Murray I know
nothing; he is popular in his office, but he has neither the
capacity nor the knowledge of Huskisson.

CHAPTER VI.

The Recorder's report--Manners of George IV.--Intrigues of the
Duke of Cumberland--Insults Lady Lyndhurst--Deacon Hume at the
Board of Trade--Quarrel between the Duke of Cumberland and the
Lord Chancellor--A Bad Season--Prostration of Turkey--France
under Polignac--State of Ireland--Mr. Windham's Diary--
George IV.'s Eyesight--Junius--A Man without Money--Court-martial
on Captain Dickinson--The Duke and the 'Morning Journal'--
Physical Courage of the King--A Charade at Chatsworth--Huskisson
and the Duke--Irish Trials--Tom Moore--Scott--Byron--Fanny
Kemble--Sir James Mackintosh--His Conversation--Black Irishmen--
Moore's Irish Story--Moore's Singing--George IV. and Mr. Denman--
Strawberry Hill--Moore at Trinity College--Indian Vengeance at
Niagara--Count Woronzow--Lord Glengall's Play--The Recorder's
Report.

July 21st, 1829 {p.221}

There was a Council last Thursday, and the heaviest Recorder's
report that was ever known, I believe; seven people left for
execution. The King cannot bear this, and is always leaning to
the side of mercy. Lord Tenterden, however, is for severity, and
the Recorder still more so. It not unfrequently happens that a
culprit escapes owing to the scruples of the King; sometimes he
put the question of life or