The Duke then talked of the letter which the Duke of Cumberland had just written (as Grand Master of the Orange Lodges) to Enniskillen, which he thought was published with the most mischievous intentions. However, he said, 'I know not what he is at, but while I am conscious of going on in a straightforward manner I am not afraid of him, or of anything he can do,' which I was surprised to hear, because it looked as if he was afraid of him. I asked him whether, with all the cleverness he thought belonged to the King, he evinced great acuteness in discussing matters of business, to which he replied, 'Oh, no, not at all, the worst judgment that can be.' This was not the first time I had heard the Duke's opinion of the King. I remember him saying something to the Duke of Portland about him during the Queen's trial indicative of his contempt for him. In the meantime the Duke of Cumberland, 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}