Arrived in London the first night of popular celebrations and illuminations for the Queen [Caroline (1768-1821), wife of George IV]; the people were "quite besides themselves, knowing nothing & hearing nothing but merely bragging that they had got the day" [following announcement on 10 November 1820 that the bill brought against her would not proceed to House of Commons].

Suffered an attack of gout shortly after arriving. Sir Humphry Davy elected president of Royal Society in spite of last minute canvassing by Mr Croker of the Admiralty for Lord Colchester [Charles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester (1757-1829), statesman]. Lady Banks has left Soho Square and the house is let for £200 per annum by [Robert] Brown, doubling his still inadequate income. Equates the tumults in Parliament to those of "poor Charles I's time". Sent a barrel of oysters for Smith.