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Recent bad weather has caused many deaths, including his old friend the Duke of Argyll. Remarks on the crisis in Portugal, and civil unrest/disobedience in England.

Returns a letter from the Marquis of Anglesey to JB (see 7 and 8) - JB's son has apparently been posted to Spike Island (in Cork harbour). The new curate has used one of his grandfather's sermons (see 22) - HMC amazed that anyone should write new sermons, given the huge number of books of sermons sold 2nd hand every week. Discussion of London book auctions - a Mazarin (Gutenberg) Bible has been purchased for the American government for £500.

JB's new curate apparently has a sonorous voice - discussion of what goes towards a good sermon, and the views of the fictional Sir Roger de Coverley (in The Spectator). Old schoolfellow Thomas Feilde has died. People fleeing Ireland are bringing disease with them - London has responded by starting to clear slums - Pie Street (Old Pye Street?) has disappeared, and the government is contemplating throwing open Tothill Street to create a wide road form Buckingham Palace to Parliament. He would very much like to possess a very old map of London which used to be in the shop of the one-eyed baker Jackson on the corner of the Bowling Alley (now Tufton Street). Has JB heard anything of Pulteney (see 8, 20 and 21)?

On the rising price of potatoes in London, and the unjustness of the response to the Irish Famine. Public indifference to important questions - so, no disapprobation has been expressed at the House of Commons voting to remove some disabilities experienced by Catholics. HMC says that some (not all) Catholics can buy absolution at confession and then return to their criminality.

Muses on Eheu fugaces (Hor.C.2.14), and thinks back to a birthday he held in Woodstock 66 or 67 years ago; when fuelled by champagne the young men rioted about the town. On the superficial reasons which led young men to join the army.

Cross-written. JB is looking for a curate - John Ollivier, booksellers of Pall Mall, keep a register of clergymen in want of a position. Thinks of 'fumum et opes strepitumque Romae (Hor.C.3.29.12 - first read before he was 12) whenever he enters London. Ill discipline at the military academy in Woolwich, where 8 or 9 have been expelled - as with those expelled from university, they will never be able to hold a government post. A few tears ago the Duke of Wellington prevented his son from being expelled by Christ Church - he had got drunk on champagne, piled all his furniture in the middle of the quad and set fire to it.

No need for JB to send the pamphlet on tithes (see 11), since HMC has discovered the principle behind the bill. On the deficiencies of Daniel O'Connell's policies in Ireland, and the difficulties of waging war on Irish rebels. Quotes a line of Horace - he remembers so much not because of lessons, but rather the practice of the 6th Form at Westminster at passing their many hours of idleness (see 11) by quoting and then capping verses. On parts of Horace worth remembering in their own right, and the vain search (e.g. by Sir John Hobhouse) for places he mentions (e.g. his villa, the spring of Bandusium). On a recent assertion that the earth is no less than 47,000 years old - some discussion of the views of Dr William Buckland, Dean of Westminster.

Little to add since his last since he is still slowly recovering - as they to say at Westminster, ex nihilo nil fit. Has been dosed with Peruvian bark (quinine) and henbane. Repeats the story of Dodswell (actually Dowdeswell - see 6). Asks how JB is paid after the abolition of tithes (see 4). On hot topics in town, including the fraud of Captain Richardson on Coutts. Increase in crime - the lower orders now settle their differences with knives rather than fists. Hopes that Liddell will restore the fortunes of Westminster. Remembers the many holidays at Westminster - three weekly half days, saints' days, full plays - a miracle that a good scholar ever emerged.

Encloses list of the cabinet, members of the government and Her Majesty's household, copied from the Weekly Chronicle. Wonders how John Fawcett (see 7) became Perceval (NB he actually changed his name to Pulteney).

Years of entry into College of Thomas and James Trebeck, John Fawcett (subsequently John Pulteney) and Charles Simpson. Thomas Trebeck is a rector in Sussex, and James was attached to the court of bankruptcy. Would be good to know the fates of others - John and Thomas Fawcett, Challoner (possibly John Chaloner), and Field (per the Record, possibly John Ventris Field), who HMC admired for his acting in The Siege of Damascus and the comedy The Author. Surprised that JB does not keep a cow or a pig. On the Marquis of Anglesey as Master-Gen. of the Ordnance (NB in the government but not in the cabinet). Some say that the new administration cannot last, but according to HMC Sir Robert Peel and his men will support the government. On the death of his younger brother William Paget from a stiletto wound received while in the Royal Navy in Constantinople; and Arthur (The Hon. Sir Arthur Paget), who quarrelled with the marquis as a result of his scandalous marriage. His wife's admirable cooking, using hints picked up in France.