_25th._--In consequence of Ld. M.’s declining to go on acct. of the shortness of notice, Ld. Henry Petty having expressed some desire to go, Ld. Howick gladly caught at it, and it was mentioned to the King. Upon Ld. Holland hearing of it, he did his utmost, both in conversation and by letter, to dissuade Petty, who was so much shook by Ld. H.’s arguments that he was as eager to seek a pretext to avoid going as he had been before to get one to go, and he availed himself of some difficulties about putting the Seals into commission. Ld. Carlisle wished Morpeth to go, and accordingly he has agreed, and very kindly is to take B. Frere[245] with him, whom he will leave, in case he comes away, as Chargé d’Affaires, which will be getting B. F. employment, and perhaps a grade hereafter. Lds. Grenville and Howick wrote to the Prince after Mr. Fox’s death. His answer to Lord Howick was that he wished for no change but that Ld. Holland should have his uncle’s Seals. But, being in the meantime informed of the arrangements agreed upon, he wrote to Ld. G. that his political interest was buried in the grave with Mr. Fox, but that, as it was probable he might at some future time be again forced to public matters, he thought it proper to say that he was ready to give his support to the present Administration, on acct. of the friends he had in it, and that he should always look to ye friends of Mr. Fox, and particularly to Ld. H., as his own political friends. [Sidenote: LORD HOLLAND’S POST] The Duke of Bedford in writing, and the D. of Norfolk in conversation, have also expressed to Ld. H. that they look upon him as his uncle’s representative in the Whig Party. Ld. H. stipulated, as it was his uncle’s wish, that the first blue ribbon was to be given to the D. of Norfolk. Agreed to. Ld. Holland strenuously against sending any person to Prussia, but to allow whatever business there may be to be transacted by the Minister, Jacobi,[246] who is at Hambro’ [_sic_] on the part of Prussia, and by Mr. Thornton on our part, our Minister at Hambro’. On the 10th October, the funeral of Mr. Fox. He was accompanied to the grave by his old friends, public and private, and by the Ministers. I was present in a gallery erected for me in the Abbey over the grave. * * * * * _12th December, 1806._[247]--The fragment of the Prussian army may amount altogether to about 50,000 men. Old Kalkreuth, who made his escape after the Battle of Auerstadt, is in Dantzic with 12,000. The King is not at Petersburg, but whenever he is, his councils are directed by Haugwitz more than ever, which makes him perfectly nugatory.