when the salary
was done away with, so that he has been three times disappointed,
and he really is over head and ears in debt. It is now more
difficult than ever to do anything for him, because all parties
are committed, and there is a vote of the House of Commons
recorded against the grant. In his dudgeon, he talks of
withdrawing from politics, and of selling by public auction all
his personal property, library included.

July 23rd, 1838 {p.116}

I went the other night (Friday) to Burghersh's[17] opera at
Braham's theatre. A vast deal of fine company, and prodigious
applause; tolerable music, moderately sung, but a favourable
audience. When it was over they insisted upon his appearing, and,
after some delay, he thrust his head out from an obscure pit-box
in which he had been sitting and bowed and smiled; but this was
not enough, and they would have him on the stage; so a great
clapping and shouting went on, among the most vociferous being
the Duke of Wellington, who enjoyed the fun like a boy, laughing
and beckoning to Burghersh, and bawling 'Maestro! Maestro!' till
at last, vanquished by the enthusiasm of the audience and the
encouragement of his friends, he appeared at a corner of the
stage; then came a shower of bouquets, which were picked up by
Mrs. Bishop and the other women and presented to him, and so
ended the triumphant night.

[17] [John, Lord Burghersh, afterwards eleventh Earl of
Westmoreland, served in the army with distinction, and
afterwards in the diplomatic service of the Crown. He
was devotedly fond of music, and composed both for the
orchestra and the stage, not without success. He died
in 1859.]

July 24th, 1838 {p.116}

[Page Head: MR. HOOK'S SERMON.]

High Church has been recently reading lectures to Her Majesty the
Queen in the shape of two sermons preached at the Chapel Royal by
Mr. Perceval and Mr. Hook.[18] The Bishop of London was cognizant
of Mr. Perceval's intention, and he preached himself for several
Sundays, probably for the purpose of keeping him out of the
pulpit; but, the Bishop having had a fall from his horse and
broken his collar-bone, Mr. Perceval found his opportunity. The
Bishop, however, previously warned the Queen that she must expect
a very _strong_ sermon, which naturally excited her curiosity,
and when she heard it it did not appear to her so strong as she
had expected. The Bishop's advice or his own ref