March

Mar. 1.
Friday. — We dined quietly together at a Coffee-House. —

Mar. 2.
Saturday. — We dined together as above.

Mar. 3.
Sunday. — I dined with Mr. & Mrs. Dundas.

Mar. 4.
Monday. — I dined with the Staff Club.

Mar. 5.
Tuesday. — My Brother and myself dined with Mrs. Morley; and I went to a Dance at Mr. Strachan's in the Evening.

Mar. 6.
Wednesday. — My Brother and myself dined with Genl. Balfour; and I went in the Evening to a dance & Supper given by Mr. & Mrs. Brown in Russell Square. —

Mar. 7.
Thursday. — My Brother and myself dined today with the Bombay Club. to which I carried him as my Guest. — The Club has been lately removed to the St. Alban's Hotel from the Thatched-House-Tavern.

Mar. 8.
Friday. — I dined today with General and Mrs. Burrard; [?] my Brother having dined with a Party of his Friends at a Coffee-House.

Mar. 9.
Saturday. — The Highland Society met this day at the Crown & Anchor Tavern, and gave a grand Entertainment to His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex; who, as Earl of Inverness has expressed a wish to become a Member of the Society. His Royal Highness appeared in the complete full Highland Dress on this occasion and looked remarkably well. The greater part of the Noblemen and Gentleman, who are members of the Society, were also dressed on this occasion in the Highland Garb. —

My Brother was in his full Highland Dress and 42d. Uniform, being an old Member of the Society, and as such accompanied me thither to Dinner. I was dressed in my full Uniform as Asst. Adjt. General of the London District, and was appointed to act as one of the Managers to conduct the Entertainment; and as such, I presided as Vice President at the Table at which H.R. Highness the Duke of Sussex dined. — This was a very numerous and most respectable meeting of the Society. — The following were the principal Noblemen & Gentlemen who were present, vizt. — The Duke of Montrose, The Duke of Atholl, The Marquis of Douglas, The Earl of Breadalbane, Lord Macdonald, Lord Archd. Hamilton, Sir Jno. Sinclair Bart., Sir Jno. Mc.Pherson Bart., Sir Alexr.. Mc.Kenzie Bart., and Sir Wm. Grant Bart. Master of the Rolls. &c. &c. &c.

My amiable Friend the Earl of Harrington and his eldest son Lord Visct. Petersham, dined with the Highland Society this day by special Invitation to meet the Duke of Sussex; — but Lord Harrington was some time since elected an Honorary Member of the Society. — This Entertainment went off extremely well, and we did not break up till 12,O'Clock.

Mar. 10.
Sunday. — I was engaged to dine this day with the Earl & Countess of Breadalbane, but was prevented from waiting on them from indisposition owing to my yesterday's Debauch; I was therefore constrained to send an excuse and stay at Home to eat Chicken Broth. —

My Brother Charles dined with the Miss Stewarts in Albermarle Street. —

Mar. 11.
Monday. — My Brother and myself dined today quietly at Mrs. Morley's. —

Mar. 12.
Tuesday. — We both dined at Mrs. Booth's.

Mar. 13.
Wednesday. — We dined with Mr. & Mrs. Wilson.

Mar. 14.
Thursday. — The Earl of Harrington knowing that my dear Brother was about soon to leave London, had both of us to dine with him today, and we received the kindest attention from himself & his Family.

Mar. 15.
Friday ! — My excellent good friend The Earl of Harrington having yesterday informed me, that all his endeavours to prevail on the Duke of York to allow me to remain in England for six months longer had proved fruitless; I determined on making one more effort to obtain that indulgence, by making a Personal and the strongest application in my power to the Duke myself. — This being his regular Levee-Day at the Horse Guards, I waited upon him accordingly. — He received me graciously enough — but after fully stating to him all my Claims for the indulgence solicited, he said he could not possibly grant my request, as, there were no Effective Field Officer now with the 86th. Regiment in India, and that therefore it was absolutely necessary that I should proceed to join it in that Country without a moment's delay. — To this, I bowed assent, and assured H.R.H. that he might depend on my proceeding to India by one of the Ships now under dispatch. — I took the liberty, however, of reminding H.R.H. that, I was still only an Effective Major in the 86th. — and after 28 Years Service as an officer — and that I thought I had some claim for an Effective Lieut. Coloncy. [sic] — He replied in a very gracious manner, that I might make myself easy on this head — for — that he would not forget my claims — and that he would avail himself of the first favorable opportunity of Promoting me ! — Upon this I took my leave of H. R. Highness, having, upon the whole, no just reason to be dissatisfied with my reception. —

My Brother and myself dined quietly Tete a Tete at a Coffee-House, and had a great deal of very serious discourse on our mutual future views and Prospects at Home and abroad, and the arrangement of my Private affairs in consequence of the Die being now finally cast in respect to my returning once more to India; — which, he and all my friends must now be well convinced, I have done everything in my power to avoid — tho unsuccessfully. —

Mar. 16.
Saturday. — I dined with Mr. & Mrs. Anderdon at their Elegant House in Spring Gardens, where they gave a most sumptuous Entertainment to a large Party of Friends. — My Brother dined with some friends at a Coffee-House.

Mar. 17.
Sunday. — My Brother and myself dined today with our good kind friends the Miss Stewarts, who had a very pleasant Party of particular Friends to meet us, and with whom we spent an agreeable Day.

Mar. 18.
Monday. — I dined today with Mr. & Mrs. Strachan in Wimpole Street, where there were a large Party of great Folks ! — My Brother dined at a Coffee-House with some of his Friends. —

Mar. 19.
Tuesday!!! — Having given in my Resignation some few days before, and having again represented through the Earl of Harrington — that having my own Private affairs to arrange previous to my departure for India, I was desirous to have the interval of time to myself, and consequently wished to be released as soon as possible from the Duties of my Office as Asst. Adjt. General; Lieut. Colonel Hugh Mackay Gordon late of the 16th. Foot (— and my much esteemed old Friend —) appeared this day in orders as my Successor; — and in the afternoon I delivered him over all the Books & Papers, and the entire charge of the Office of Asst. Adjt. General.

I dined with Mr. & Mrs. Morris; — my Brother dining with his Friends Genls. Campbell & Dickson. —

Mar. 20.
Wednesday. — My Brother Charles accompanied me today after Breakfast to wait on the Earl of Harrington to take leave of his Lordship and his amiable Family previous to his departure for Ireland. — His Lordship of his own accord in the kindest and most friendly manner, offered and gave my Brother, a letter of introduction and recommendation to his friend Lieut. General Lord Cathcart Commander in Chief of the Forces in Ireland; — which, as the 2d. Battn. of the 42d. Regt. (and in which my Broyr. is now Effective Major) is stationed in that country, may eventually prove of considerable service to him. — At all events, it is a very gratifying and very flattering mark of Lord Harrington's friendly regard for my Brother's welfare. —

Having taken Leave of this amiable Family, my Brother and myself afterwards called on several other friends in Town for the same purpose. We dined together quietly at Home today in my Apartments, in order to have the more freedom for talking over our mutual Private affairs and future Plans of Life after my return from India and the conclusion of the present War in Europe — should we live so long — which God grant we both may! —

We had Dinner from a Coffee-House, and conversed most interestingly till Bed-time.

Mar. 21.
Thursday ! — My dear Brother's Leave of absence being now expired, and it being consequently necessary that he should return to his Duty in Ireland without further delay; I gave him my final Instructions this morning relative to the management of my Estate of Jarvisfield in Mull; all of which he is authorized to manage, direct, and control, during my absence in India, for my advantage, to the best of his Judgment and understanding. —

During the forenoon we made some Calls upon Mrs. Morley and her Family, and others of our particular friends in Town. — We dined together at the Cannon-Coffee-House, and I afterwards accompanied my Brother to the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, Coach-office; from whence, after affectionately Embracing one-another, he set out at 8 o'Clock at Night in the Mail-Coach for Holyhead. Having thus enjoyed each other's society for the last two months and a half! —

— God grant we may soon meet again! —

Mar. 22.
Friday. — I dined at Lord Harrington's.

Mar. 23.
Saturday . — I dined at a Coffee-House. —

Mar. 24.
Sunday. — I dined this day with a large and most agreeable Party at Mr. & Mrs. Kensington's at their beautiful Villa at Putney, and spent a most pleasant day.

Mar. 25.
Monday. — I dined today with Lieut. Genl. Balfour, who Entertained a large Party of Friends.

Mar. 26.
Tuesday !!! — After very mature and deliberate consideration and reflection on all the consequences of so important a step, I took an opportunity this forenoon of waiting on Miss Elizabeth Henrietta Campbell (the youngest Daughter of my late second Cousin John Campbell Esqr. of Airds in Argyleshire) at the House of her Aunt Mrs. Campbell of Corwhin in Wigmore Street, and finding her alone, I made a full avowal to her of my sentiments, and of my sincere love and affection for her, explaining fully to her at the same time, previous to her giving me any answer to this declaration of my sentiments in her favor, the utter impossibility of our immediate union, nor until after my return from India — which I promised should not, if possible be delayed beyond Four Years at farthest. — I further explained to her that it was impossible for me to carry her to India, even if we were now to be united, in consequence of a most solemn vow and unalterable resolution I had been induced to make very soon after the irreparable loss of my late Angelic and beloved wife in the year 1796; alluding to the vow I made on the 31st. July of that Year ! —

Miss Campbell heard all I had to say with the kindest and most good natured attention; and then, to my infinite joy and delight, with a degree of noble candour, and delicate liberal frankness, peculiar to herself, declared a most flattering return to the sentiments I had avowed in her favor, and most kindly consented to be mine under all the untoward circumstances that opposed our mutual wishes for immediate union; — and her readiness in yielding to the unavoidable delay of that happy event, has endeared her to me more than ever, notwithstanding the high and exalted opinion I had already formed of her rigid virtue, refined delicacy, and most excellent judgment and sound understanding.

We discoursed a long time on this very interesting and delicate subject, and after perfectly explaining our wishes and sentiments to each other, we embraced affectionately — and took leave for the present, agreeing to meet as often as possible until my departure for India — which now approaches very fast to our mutual sincere regret !

I dined today with Mr. & Mrs. Burton at their House in Tavistock-Square, and spent a very pleasant agreeable day. —

Mar. 27.
Wednesday. — I dined with Mr. De Ponthieu. [?]

Mar. 28.
Thursday. — I dined at Mr. Colman's. —

Mar. 29.
Friday. — I dined at Mr. Martins; and went afterwards to a Ball & Supper at Mrs. Baillie's, where I spent a most pleasant Evening — there being a numerous assembly of Ladies.

Mar. 30.
Saturday. — Having long promised to visit my worthy and much esteemed good Friend Brigadier General Cliffe at Taunton, and having resolved on setting out for that Place this afternoon, I called soon after Breakfast to announce my intention to my dearest Elizabeth, and remained with her for an hour, taking then my leave of her. — I took an early Dinner at the White-Horse-Cellar, and set out from thence in the Bath Coach at 4, O'Clock, travelling all Night. —

Mar. 31.
Sunday. — I arrived at Bath at Ten O'Clock this morning. — As soon as I had dressed and Breakfasted at the Inn where the Stage Coach stopped, I went out to visit a number of my old friends who have taken up their residence here for the present. — I first called on Major and Mrs. Shaw, and afterwards on my late Brother in law Mr. Thomas Jarvis's Family (now all in the Deepest distress and affliction on account of his recent death), Colonel Kerr's, Mrs. Carnac's, Mrs. Major George Mackenzie, and Mrs. Pollard.

I dined with Major & Mrs. Shaw, where I again met Mrs. Mackenzie at Dinner. — I went afterwards to drink Tea and spend the Evening at Mrs. Jarvis's, where also I had the pleasure of meeting my sister in law Mrs. George Jarvis — who is at present living here with her Sister. — Captain & Mrs. Jarvis having resolved on doing my Broyr. Charles and myself the honor of naming their second son (lately born) after both of us, and having signified that I should be his God-Father, a clergyman attended after we had Drank Tea, when the Boy was accordingly christened by the names of "Charles-Macquarie-George" — and I stood God-Father to him. — I took my leave of this afflicted Family about Ten O'Clock at Night and returned to the Inn to go to Bed — being very sleepy. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal No. 6 15 July 1804 - 16 March 1807.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A770 pp.178-198. [Microfilm Reel CY300 Frames#331-#341]