February

Feby. 2.
Thursday! — I had the honor of dining this day - by special invitation from himself - with His Royal Highness The Duke of Clarence at his own House in Stable Yard St. James's, where he gave a most elegant Entertainment to a large Party of Noblemen & Gentlemen, among whom were The Earl of Harrington, Lord Petersham, Lord Chas. Somerset, The Honble. Genl. Fox, Genl. Brownrigg, and several other Gentlemen & Officers of distinction. The Duke Enquired kindly after my Broyr. Charles.

Feby. 5.
Sunday. — I dined today with Colonel and Mrs. Kensington at Putney, when I spent a very pleasant Day. — I went out thither and returned with Colonel Beaufoy in his Post Chaise. —

Feby. 9.
Thursday. — The Queen held a Drawing Room today at St. James's, which I attended. The King being still indisposed was not at the Drawing Room. —

Feby. 12.
Sunday! — This morning there was a hard Frost, it having been freezing all last night. — For the last two months we have had almost constant Rains - but no Frost to signify till now.

Feby. 14.
Tuesday!!! — The King was this day - officially reported by his Physicians - to be "very much indisposed."!!! From the nature of the King's Disease, there are very serious apprehensions entertained respecting his invaluable Life! —

I dined today with Mr. Antrobus at his house in New Street, Spring Gardens, where he gave an elegant Entertainment to a large Party of Friends. —

Feby. 15.
Wednesday! — I called at the Queen's House today - to enquire after the Health of our Good King - which I am grieved to find is no better. — I left my Name in the Book open at the Queen's House for such inquiries - which are shewn to the Queen and Royal Family daily.

Feby. 16.
Thursday! — The King's health the same as yesterday - Pr. the Bulletin! —

I this day removed to new Lodgings at Mrs. Chamberlain's, No.34. Duke Street, St. James's.

Feby. 18.
Saturday! — The King is - thank God! much better today - and is reported by his Physicians - "not in Danger"!

It was my full and serious intention to have gone done to Scotland about this time to visit my good old Mother and the rest of my Family and Relations in Mull. — But on sounding Genl. Calvert the Adjt. Genl. on the Subject, he told me it would be useless for me to apply to the Duke for Leave at the present critical juncture - as he was sure H. R. Highness would not grant me leave. — I have consequently entirely relinquished my wished-for project of visiting Mull this Season; and have written so accordingly to my Uncle Lochbuy and Sister Mrs. Morley. —

I dined today with Col: & Mrs. Manning at their House in New Str. Spring Gardens, and accompanied Mrs. Manning to her Box at the Opera at Night.

Feby. 22.
Wednesday. — I this day received the certain most mournful and melancholy accounts of the Death of my much beloved, amiable and good Nephew Lieut. Hector Maclaine of the 19th. Regt. of Foot - who has fallen in a most lamentable and cruel manner in a Massacre that took place in the month of June at Candia in the Island of Ceylon in the East Indies; where he was stationed with a Detachment of British Troops under the command of Major Davie. — This Detachment having been attacked by the Candians in great force, were under the necessity of surrendering to superior numbers by Capitulation; and having afterwards most unfortunately given up their Arms, were immediately all put to Death in cold Blood by these merciless, ferocious, and cruel bloody savage Candians. — Thus fell a gallant and most promising Youth prematurely in the flower of his age - being only Nineteen years old - and a fine elegant handsome young man, highly respected in his Corps. —

I feel sincerely grieved and afflicted for the loss of this very fine young man, being my favorite Nephew. — But how much more wretched must be his unfortunate Father and Mother when they hear the sorrowful tidings! — He was their youngest son - and the Darling of their Hearts! —

These mournful accounts were Communicated to me both by the Public Papers, and by Letters from my Nephew Lieut. Hugh Maclaine of the 77th. Regt. in India dated the 31st. of July, and stating this horrid Massacre to have taken place on the 23d. of June last.

I wrote to my Uncle Lochbuy by this day's Post to communicate this mournful News!

Feby. 29.
Wednesday!!! I went this Evening, for the first time in my life, to the House of Commons, to hear the Debates on the Volunteer Bill. — I went into the Gallery of the House at 5,O'clock, where having got an excellent Seat in a front Row (thro' the favor of my friend Mr. Colman "the Serjeant at Arms") I remained there till the House broke up at 2,O'Clock next morning. —

I was highly amused and gratified by the admirable Speeches of the great Mr. Pitt - and Mr. Fox. — The other principal Speakers were the Premier Mr. Addington, Mr. Yorke, Mr. Windham, Mr. Francis, Sir Wm Young, Mr. Fuller, Adml. Berkely, Capt. Markham, Colonel Eyre, Genl. Maitland - and Colonel Craufurd!

Source
MACQUARIE, Lachlan Journal No. 5 [12 September 1801 - 14 July 1804]
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp. 299-305 [CY Reel 300 Frames #206-209].