_Sunday, 7th._--Ld. H. was so much pressed to go to town that he went to see Lds. Grey and Grenville, and dined at Mr. Grenville’s. Duke of B. went next day and returned to dinner, bringing Lord Holland down with him. Ld. Kinnaird, Mr. Chester, Delmé Gunning, Morrice, General Fitzpatrick, Tavistocks, &c., compose off and on the party. _10th Jan._--We this day brought Charles over from Ampthill, who bore the motion of the carriage tolerably. He will oblige us to defer going away much longer than we intended to be absent from home. [Sidenote: DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS] Left Woburn on ----. Stayed at H.H. until Monday, 22nd Jan., the eve of the meeting of Parlt., and on that day took possession of our former dirty habitation in Pall Mall. On 23rd there were very sanguine expectations entertained of not only a good division, but even of a majority of 13 in the Commons, it being confidently asserted that many of the stoutest adherents of the former Ministry would keep away, such as the Lascelles’, Pagets, Ld. Newark, &c. However, every one of these came up, and after a flat debate the majority was all on the wrong side. Numbers, 167 to 263.[340] Mr. Ward made a brilliant display, and all the young gentlemen, movers and seconders, acquitted themselves with propriety. Mr. Canning voted for the Address in a bad, blundering speech, in which he did not redeem the pledge he had made of justifying himself in his place in Parlt. It was rather a whimsical coincidence that Ld. G. Leveson could not vote, not being _in time_ to take his seat. This is the third time in his Parliamentary life that he has been baffled in voting upon dubious occasions however. In the Lords the attempt to stir Ld. Wellesley failed. Lord Grey’s speech was a most finished oration. The division was great, 92; numbers which would formerly have broken up any Administration.[341] On Friday Lord Porchester’s motion of inquiry into the Walcheren expedition was most unexpectedly carried by a majority of 9 against Ministers.[342] Wilberforce behaved in the most flagrant but sanctified manner; he deserted his friend Perceval at the critical pinch. Mr. Ponsonby is recovering his reputation; he made a sharp, sarcastic speech which produced a considerable effect and reconciled those who had _snouched_ most at him. Mr. Canning acted against inquiry, and upon observing to Ld. Temple that he (Ld. Temple) was in a majority, was answered, ‘Yes, and the best part of it is that it was without yr. assistance.’ Ld. Castlereagh, whose manly conduct and being considered as an injured man by the House has conciliated him much public esteem, voted for the inquiry.