aired; he talks with sense and
energy. If anybody asserted that they saw symptoms of mental
decay, it would be easy to deny the fact, and to support the
denial by ready and numerous examples of his force and sagacity
in discussion, or in the transaction of business; but
nevertheless I am persuaded that a change has come over him, that
it is gradually spreading more and sinking deeper, and that we
must begin to make up our minds to the deprivation of his noble
spirit, full of honesty, wisdom, and patriotism as it is.[4]

[4] [The Duke, however, lived and flourished for thirteen
years after this prediction.]

September 21st, 1839 {p.241}

[Page Head: THE AFGHAN EXPEDITION.]

I dined at Holland House last night, where, among others, were
General Alava, and Sir John Hobhouse, the first in high glee at
the termination of the war in Spain, and the last at the success
of the Indian expedition.[5] Hobhouse told me that Auckland had
displayed extraordinary qualities, and was the ablest Governor
India had seen for a great length of time. Alava said that the
last transactions in Spain and the mediation of Lord John Hay had
reflected the highest honour on our Government, and that we had
acted with a discretion, a delicacy, and a disinterestedness
beyond all praise. But both Alava and Hobhouse told me what is
very remarkable as showing the great reliance which even his
political opponents place in the wisdom and patriotism of the
Duke. Hobhouse said that he had had some time ago a very long
conversation with the Duke, in which he had made him acquainted
with all the means employed for the accomplishment of their
Indian objects, and that the Duke, who had previously anticipated
their failure, had, after hearing all these details, expressed
himself perfectly satisfied, and admitted that they had every
assurance of success. He did not go into the policy of the
measure, which it would not have been proper or advisable to do,
but merely treated the question of military resources and their
employment.

[5] [This was the expedition to replace Shah Sooja on the
throne of Afghanistan, which was so auspiciously
commenced and so deplorably terminated. Sir John
Hobhouse was greatly elated at the enterprise and very
confident of the result. He said to me soon afterwards
that we must encounter the policy of Russia, and that
the theatre of the struggle was