After letting him run on in his usual way, and exhaust his violence, he left him, and the report stands over once more; but the Duke told me that it could not stand over after this, and if the Recorder is not well enough when the time arrives for the next report, his Majesty must receive Denman whether he will or no, and that he shall insist upon it. He told me the whole history in great detail mixed with pretty severe strictures on the King. I have put down all I could carry away. I have not such a memory (or such an invention) as Bourrienne. [Page Head: THE CIVIL LIST] The Duke then told me that he had made strong remonstrances about the excess of expenditure on the Civil List; that in the Lord Steward's department there had been an excess of £7,000, in that of the Master of the Horse of £5,000, and that of the Master of the Robes (the tailor's bill) of £10,000 in the last half-year;[17] that he had stated that unless they could save the difference in the next half-year, or pay it out of the Privy Purse, he must go to Parliament, which would bring the whole of the expenses of the Civil List under discussion. He said it was very extraordinary, that the King's expenses appeared to be nothing; his Majesty had not more tables than he (the Duke) had. [17] I am not sure that I am correct in the sums, but very nearly so.--[C.C.G.] I asked him about Brummell and his Consulship. He said Aberdeen hesitated; that he had offered to take all the responsibility on himself; that he had in Dudley's time proposed it to him (Dudley), who had objected, and at last owned he was afraid the King might not like it, on which he had spoken to the King, who had made objections, abusing Brummell--said he was a damned fellow and had behaved very ill to him (the old story, always himself--_moi, moi, moi_)--but after having let him run out his tether of abuse, he had at last extracted his consent; nevertheless Dudley did not give him the appointment. The Duke said he had no acquaintance with Brummell. CHAPTER VII. Chapter of the Bath--The Duc de Dino arrested--A Ball to the Divan--English Policy in Greece--Sir Thomas Lawrence-- Gallatin--Court of King's Bench--Accident to the Grand Duke Constantine--Osterley--Young Sidney Herbert--Duke of Wellington in Office--Stapleton's 'Life of Canning'--Death of Sir Thomas Lawrence--Leopold and the Throne of Greece--Canning's Answers to Lord Grey--Distressed State of the Country--Canning's Greatness and his Failings--Death of Tierney--Sir Martin Shee President--The Duke of Wellington's Views and Conduct--The Coming Session--Moore's 'Life of Byron'--Character of Byron-- Opening of Parliament--The Fire King--The Duke of Wellington's Speaking--The English Opera House burnt down--Lord Thurlow on Kenyon and Buller--Old Rothschild--Lansdowne House--Earl Stanhope--John Murray--Departure for Italy. December 7th, 1829 {p.254}