April

Apl. 2.
Monday! — This being Easter Monday and Lord Mayor's Great Feast and Ball, I had the honor of Dining with the Lord Mayor this Day at the Mansion House - on the invitation of my friend Mr. Silvester the City Recorder. — The Dinner and Ball were most splendid and magnificent; and all the Public Rooms and other Apartments were elegantly Decorated and beautifully illuminated. — There was an immense Crowd of People of all Ranks and Degrees - and a vast number of most beautiful Women. —

I danced one Dance with a very pretty Girl - a friend of Mrs. Silvester's. —

I went and came in Lord Harrington's Carriage along with Lord Petersham!

Apl. 5.
Thursday! — Having had the honor of being duly elected at their last meeting a Member of the "Bombay Club" in England, I dined at the Club today for the first time as a Member of it accordingly. —

This a most select and respectable Club, being Composed of Gentlemen that have served with honor and credit in either the Civil or Military Services on the Bombay Establishment in India; every member being regularly introduced and recommended by a friend - and previously Ballotted for the whole Club before he can be admitted a member of it. — The Club meets at present at the Thatched House Tavern in St. James's Street on the first Thursday of every month during the Winter and Spring. — Terms Two Guineas Pr. Ann. Subscription. Half Guinea for each Dinner - and the same for a Guest. —

Apl. 13.
Friday! — I had this day the honor of a Private Audience of H.R. Highness The Comr. in Chief at his office at the Horse Guards, and spoke to him fully on the subject of his intention to supersede my Nephew Lieut. H. Mc.Quarie - and my Cousin Lieut. J. Maclaine: praying that he would allow their Commissions to be sold in order to realize the money they had paid for their Lieutenancies previous to their being reduced on Half Pay - and which had been regularly Purchased for them by their Friends. — The Duke however was perfectly obdurate, and positively refused to allow them either to sell their Commissions or to be replaced on Half-Pay, which last alternative I urged in the strongest manner I was able without effect. All I could obtain from him in favor of these two unfortunate Young men, was a promise - that - in the event of their wishing to come into the Army hereafter, when of a proper and fit age, he would then take their case into his favorable consideration, and give them Commissions! — I gave H. R. Highness, out of my own hand, my Uncle Lochbuy's Letter, which he received and put into his Pocket: - and thus ended my unsuccessful and mortifying negotiation and solicitation respecting my two dear young Friends: and which has given me more uneasiness from first to last than I can possibly express. —

I wrote by this day's Post to my Uncle Lochbuy, and Broyr. Charles, of the failure of this my last application in behalf of their Sons!!!

Apl. 23.
Monday! I wrote Letters of this date to my Nephew Lieut. Hugh Maclaine 77th. Regt., S. Halliday Esqr., Capt. Mitchell, and Lt. Col: Gordon Adjt. Genl. Bombay; which Letters I have given in charge to Mr. Mc.Donald now proceeding to Bbay as a Cadet - and whom I have introduced.

Apl. 25.
Wednesday! — The Earl of Harrington this afternoon Reviewed all the Surrey Corps of Volunteer Infantry in Brigade in Montpellier Field; - after which His Lordship and all his staff dined with the officers of these Corps at the Montpellier Tavern in that Neighbourhood. —

Apl. 28.
Saturday! — I accompanied my friend Mr. Loughnan in a Post Chaise to dine this day with Mr. & Mrs. Urmston at Chigwell, and returned in the Evening to Town. —

Source
MACQUARIE, Lachlan Journal No. 5 [12 September 1801 - 14 July 1804]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp. 309-314 [CY Reel 300 Frames #212-214].