At Windsor for a Council; the Duke was there, and Lord Aberdeen, Murray, Lord Rosslyn, the Chancellor, and Herries. There was a chapter of the Bath, when the Duke of Clarence was installed Grand Master, Stratford Canning and Robert Gordon Grand Crosses. The King looked very well, but was very blind. The Council was by candle-light, but he could not see to read the list, and begged me to read it for him. However, I was so good a courtier that I held the candle in such a way as to enable him to read it himself. He saw the Duke for a short time, and the Chancellor for a long time. I asked the latter if the King had been _Denmanising_, and he said, 'Oh, yes--"I said when I consented to that fellow's having the silk gown that I would never admit him," &c.' I was amused with old Conyngham, who told me his wife had been in danger, 'so they tell me,' talking of her as if she were somebody else's wife. The Duke went from the Council to Stowe; we all returned to town. [Page Head: THE DUC DE DINO ARRESTED] December 9th, 1829 {p.254} Dined with Prince Lieven; a great dinner--Laval,[1] Granvilles, Aberdeen, Montrond, &c. The Duc de Dino, who came here to amuse himself, has been arrested, and Montrond and Vaudreuil begged Laval to put him on his list of _attachés_ at the Foreign Office, which would release him from the sponging-house. He was afraid and made difficulties; they were excessively provoked, but at last induced him to speak to Lord Aberdeen about it, which he said he would do after dinner. In the meantime Montrond got me to tell the story to Aberdeen, which I did, and got him to encourage Laval to do the business. He then told Laval that I had _aplani_ the matter, at which the Ambassador was rather affronted, but I suppose the thing will be done and Dino will get out. The Duc de Dino is Talleyrand's nephew, and his son has married Mademoiselle de Montmorency, a relation of the Duc de Laval. [1] [The Duc de Laval had succeeded Prince Polignac as French Ambassador in London.] December 10th, 1829 {p.255} Last night Miss Kemble acted Belvidera for the first time, and with great success. December 18th, 1829 {p.255} At Roehampton last Saturday to Monday; Granvilles, Byng, Lord Ashley, and I. Dino was extricated from prison by Laval's paying the money, which he did very handsomely; he thought it wrong to have him in prison and wrong to attach him fictitiously to his Embassy, so he paid the debt, and Dino is gone back to France. Despatches were received from Gordon yesterday giving an account of a ball he had given to the Divan; the Turks came, and the Reis-Effendi waltzed with a Mrs. Moore. After supper they drank King George IV.'s health in bumpers of champagne. This story was told to Lord Sidmouth as a good joke; but he said with a face of dismay, 'Good God, is it possible? To what extent will these innovations be carried?' December 19th, 1829 {p.255}