Chapter C: J. Fox (12)

I am extremely obliged for the trouble you have been so good as
to take about the mode in which it will be most advisable to
frame the grant of Rigby's office, in case of its becoming
vacant. I have consulted Pitt upon the subject, and his opinion
entirely agrees with mine, that the present form is much
preferable to the other; for this, amongst other reasons, that a
grant of a judicial office, to be held during good behaviour,
might be vacated on account of non-administration of justice, or
even of non-residence in the kingdom. He says that, after what
has passed with the King, there can clearly be no difficulty
whatever when the case arises; and that it will be better not to
open it previously to Lord Sydney, as it might by that means
become a subject of conversation previous to its taking place,
which it is very desirable to avoid. I imagine, by what I now
hear from Bath, that it cannot be very long before the event
happens. I shall certainly be on the spot, and will immediately
take the necessary steps for having the warrant sent over to
you; after which you may expect to see me as soon as possible,
unless it should be necessary that the admission should take
place in Term time, which I will trouble you to ascertain. It
would, I think, be very advantageous to me, in case of future
discussions which may arise on this subject, if you could
procure from the Chancellor and Lord Earlsfort, and perhaps
Carleton (when the event happens), written opinions that the
making it an efficient _judicial_ office would be attended with
no advantage or benefit. It would still remain necessary that
some officer should be appointed to have custody and charge of
the Rolls; and the only questions then would be, whether such an
office was one fit to be made the sort of sinecure which
Parliament here have admitted ought to exist as a reward of
public service, and whether your humble servant was a fit object
for such reward.

The point which I was desirous of mentioning to you in cypher
relates to my having been informed by Pitt, a few days before I
wrote to you, that Lord Howe has intimated an intention of
resigning his office at the close of this session. The
particular reason for secrecy is, that it is of the utmost
importance that this should not be publicly known till a new
arrangement is framed; but especially not till after the motion
on the subject of the late promotion is completely disposed of.
Notwithstanding this intimation, and the resolution which Lord
Howe appears to have taken, Pitt thinks it not impossible that
when the time for carrying it into execution draws nearer, he
may be induced to remain. Pitt feels it a point of the utmost
importance that he should, notwithstanding the sort of
objections which exist against him, and of which you are
perfectly apprized. But if he retires, there will be the utmost
difficulty in finding a proper person to supply his place. I
apprehend, that even before your appointment to Ireland you had
made up your mind on the subject; but that you would certainly
not be inclined to quit your present situation for one in so
many respects less agreeable, particularly at this moment. I
trust, however, that if you feel the least hesitation, or doubt,
in your mind, you will immediately let me know it, in order that
I may take the proper steps. If your decision remains the same,
I know no person at all fit for the employment that can take it.
The most likely person to be fixed upon is, I think, Lord Hood;
but there are great objections to him. Whatever he may be in the
Navy, which I know not, he is very far from being popular in the
House of Commons; and what is worse, he has spoken there,
whenever he has opened his lips, with a degree of indiscretion
which has been distressing, even in his present situation, but
which would be absolutely intolerable if he were to answer for
the execution of so responsible an office, made, as it certainly
will be, one of the great objects of attack on the part of
Opposition. This will make it necessary to send him up to the
House of Lords, for which he has neither fortune nor calibre
sufficient. It has been a question with Pitt and myself, whether
it would be possible for me to accept of it. At one time, he
appeared much disposed to this; but I must confess that my mind
has never gone to it at all. The situation would unquestionably
be highly flattering to me, at my time of life, and in my rank,
&c. The patronage annexed to it is so considerable as to be a
real object, in a political point of view, to any person engaged
in a public line of life, where the acquisition of friends is
always an important point. Add to this, the opportunity of
distinguishing oneself in a department entirely separate from
all others, and the temptation is certainly very great. But I
feel two material, and as they now strike me, insuperable
objections. First, I think it is not prudent for a person who
has already been put forward beyond what many people think his
pretensions entitle him to, and who has still much way to make
for himself, to incur the risk of shocking and revolting the
feelings of almost every one, but those who are most partial to
him, by accepting a situation for which he must be thought so
little qualified, and which will be judged so much above his
rank, either in point of general situation in the country, or
with respect to any official situation in which he has yet been
engaged. Besides this, I am unwilling--after having been
endeavouring for four or five years to qualify myself, in some
degree, for almost any other line of public service--that my
first ostensible _début_ should be in one where I should have
the first A B C to learn.

It is on these grounds that I have discouraged the idea when
Pitt threw it out to me, and I think they have had weight with
him. I have no doubt, that as far as respects my own interest
only, they are well founded; and that it will be infinitely more
advantageous to me to go on as I now am, waiting for such events
as may happen to open to me other objects, which I could accept
with less hazard. The same considerations operate, also, with a
view to the general interests of the system of Government in
which I am embarked. If I could essentially serve that, even at
a greater personal hazard than this, I should certainly feel
myself bound to do it. But the very same circumstances which
would make my appointment hurtful to my own character in the
present moment, would make it prejudicial to the general credit
of Pitt's Government; and the consequences of any failure would
hardly be more injurious to myself, personally, than to the
Administration of which I should then form a part. I have had an
explanation with Pitt, in the course of these discussions, on
the subject of Lord Sydney's office. He told me that he was
unwilling to remove him abruptly, without the means of making
him, at the same time, some sort of compensation; but that,
whenever any such opportunity offered, he should willingly and
eagerly embrace it. Lord Hardwicke's life, Barré's, the Duke of
Montagu's, Orde's and the Duke of Bolton's, with some others,
were mentioned as holding out no unreasonable or distant
prospect of such an arrangement. And I can with perfect
sincerity say to you--to whom I think aloud--that I am by no
means desirous that the interval should be so much shortened, as
to make the appointment immediate. I am in the train of making
myself fitter for it: in the enjoyment of as much confidence as
that office ever could give me, and with the consciousness of
being admitted to many opportunities of doing real service to
the Government that I act with. My present income is
sufficient--such an appointment would not in reality increase
it--and your goodness holds out to me a near prospect of that
future independence, which was the only thing wanting to make my
present situation perfectly happy. You see how little temptation
I have to exchange it even for that to which I have hitherto
looked; but much more for that which is so unexpectedly put
within my reach, but which is attended with so many hazards to
myself, and to the general system of Administration.

I much wish to receive your opinion on this whole subject, not
only as it is connected with myself, but as to the means of
finding any other person to undertake the office supposing me
out of the question. It is perfectly understood that the Duke of
Grafton would not accept it, which I certainly consider as a
very fortunate circumstance. With respect to yourself, I have
written the whole of what is above; and have listened to any
conversation on the subject, only in the idea that your opinion
will remain the same. I feel too much confidence in your good
opinion of me, to think it necessary to take up your time in
saying what you must unquestionably feel, that no conception of
competition on this point could ever enter into my head; and
that, even if I have taught myself to look to other situations
to which you have so much better a claim, it has only been in
consequence of what you have said to me on that subject, and
subject always to any alteration in your feelings with respect
to it.

I am prevented from saying more than a few words on the
different questions you ask. I mentioned to you, in my other
letter, the line which has been taken here with respect to the
Russian fleet, and to their application for transports. The same
line ought certainly to be followed in Ireland; but I think it
would be very important, for your own security, in so delicate a
business, that you should, whenever you receive any intimation
of anything of the sort being likely to occur in Ireland,
immediately state the particular point to Lord Sydney, in order
to receive precise orders upon it, for you see the line of
distinction which we draw here is a nice one.

Our Dutch alliance has passed the States of Holland, where alone
any difficulty was apprehended, and will probably be signed in
about a week. It will be immediately followed by a treaty, by
which Prussia and we shall bind ourselves to guarantee to each
other our engagements with Holland; but this treaty will not
extend to any general alliance between this country and Prussia.
The reason for this is, the apprehension that such an alliance
would rivet the connection between the two Imperial Courts and
France. In the meantime, there is an entire and perfect
understanding between this Court and that of Berlin. We have no
very accurate knowledge of the views of Spain. She is certainly
arming, though to much less extent than is talked of. I imagine
that France is trying to persuade her to acquiesce in the
Porte's being compelled to submit to the present demands of the
two Imperial Courts, which seem confined to Oxacow, Belgrade,
and some pecuniary compensation for the expense incurred. But I
think the Porte will clearly not submit to this, till she has
tried the success of one campaign; and what part Spain may take
in this event it is not easy to say.

Our accounts from India, by the 'Ravensworth,' are in general,
very good; but we are a little uneasy, on account of Tippoo, who
had made peace with the Marattas, and was collecting his forces
with a view of attacking the Nizam, or the Raja of Gravancore,
whom we must protect, or the Camatre itself. Campbell was
preparing for him; and I have little doubt of the event; but the
offence and mischief are formidable to us.

I have just received your letter of the 2nd, with the
usquebaugh, for which I am much obliged to you. I think there
can be no question of the King's acquiescence, and the
mentioning it to him now might set him talking. I have been
hindered, by a variety of accidents, from sending this letter
off before. It has been written at five or six different times.

Adieu, my dear brother,
Believe me ever most sincerely and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

We have the same accounts from many different quarters, as that
which Miles sends you. The idea is certainly much talked of on
the continent; but I have no faith in it. France is, I think,
evidently in no better condition for war now than last year.
Their annual _compte_, which was promised for January in every
year, is not yet out. The report is, that the deficiency has
been found much greater than was ever imagined. Our revenue is
most prosperous.

Lord Buckingham appears to have pressed his views respecting the Home Office so earnestly upon Mr. Grenville, that the latter, some months afterwards, grew a little impatient of his zeal. The obstacle was, how to provide for Lord Sydney.

I cannot (says Mr. Grenville, writing in September), even if I
wished it, drive Lord Sydney from his situation, without such an
opportunity as has not yet presented itself, and may not for a
considerable time to come. Even if that were done, I am by no
means clear that the difficulty would be removed.

The subject of the Rolls is resumed in subsequent letters.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, April 5th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

Since I have sent off your messenger this morning, I have had
some further conversation with Pitt about the Mastership of the
Rolls, which is expected to be vacant every hour. A considerable
difficulty arises from this circumstance, that Sir Lloyd Kenyon
has discovered, since he has held the English office, that the
sale of the places, from which a part of his profit arose, is
illegal; and he has, in consequence of this, resolved to give
the offices away, instead of selling them. The doubt arises
under a statute of Richard II.; and after such a man as he has
decided it against himself, it would neither be creditable, nor
even safe, for me to persevere in the old practice.

This makes me think it considerably better, that you should
endeavour to negotiate an exchange for me with some person on
your side of the water, who may not be troubled with the same
scruples. Pitt is to see Kenyon on Monday; and has promised to
inquire more particularly into this point. I shall not deliver
your letter to Lord Sydney till I hear again from you upon it.
If it was not for the difficulty of two re-elections, I should
think the best way would be, that I should take the Rolls
immediately, and take my chance with respect to any exchange
that I could make afterwards; but that, I fear, cannot now be
done.

I will write to you again, when I hear from Pitt what he has
learnt from Kenyon.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, April 21st, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I have this morning received yours of the 18th enclosing the
recommendation during pleasure. I am not a little distressed at
this circumstance, as I apprehend, from what you mention about
the Chancellor, that your destination of the office will
immediately become public. I am unable as yet, under these
circumstances, to satisfy my mind as to delivering or keeping
back the letter to Lord Sydney; but as I thought it necessary
that he should have your private letter, I called upon him with
that, and mentioned to him my wish of keeping back the other, at
least for the present, in order that I may have time to think it
over, and to consult Pitt upon it. But my present disposition
is, I think, to withhold it till I can hear again from you, in
answer to my letter of Saturday.

My opinion on the subject itself remains entirely the same. If
the grant is made during pleasure what ground can there be for
thinking that another Government would not instantly create it;
especially after it has become, as it probably must, a ground of
some popular clamour, and after that specific office has been in
a manner applied for by their friend the Duke of Leinster.
Surely, under those circumstances, it can never be worth while,
either on your account or even on my own, that I should accept
an object which would only give me about £1,000 per annum in the
very situation in which I do not want it. The arrangement with
Hutchinson, or almost any other, appears to me infinitely
preferable. On the whole, however, I leave it for your
determination; but I think, unless any fresh inconvenience from
the delay, beyond what I now see, occurs to my mind, that I
shall postpone taking any step in it till I have your answer to
my former letter.

As to the state of things here, I know not well what to write. I
have very little expectation of our not being beat whenever the
Navy Promotion is again brought in question; and what the
consequence of such a defeat is to be, I profess not to be
prophet enough to foretel. I do not think that people in general
are aware of the extent and importance of the blow; but it will
not the less have its full effect when it comes. You will not
wonder, therefore, that I look forward with no very pleasing
reflections to it, and that even that circumstance should make
me particularly anxious that the present opportunity may be the
means of securing to me something more permanent than any
Government in this country seems likely to be.

Adieu, my dear brother,
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

You will have seen Sir G. Howard's speech, and will hear much
nonsensical speculation upon it. We have no suspicions of that
nature.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, April 29th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I have just received your letter of the 25th. You will have
observed by my last letter, that I have not delivered the
recommendation, but that I called upon Lord Sydney with your
private letter, in order to mention the circumstance to him, and
to desire him to say nothing of it till he heard again from me.
He behaved with great kindness to me, and assured me he would do
in this business exactly what I wished. My own ideas at present
incline to taking the Rolls for life: if any other solution
should offer while you are in Ireland, it will be always equally
possible to arrange it; and if not, I think the question of the
legality will bear at least a great deal of argument. My own
opinion rather is, that I could support such a patent against
anybody. But at all events it will be a much more difficult
undertaking to remove me, and one less likely to enter into the
mind of our adversaries, than if the grant expressly gave the
office only during pleasure. I can lose nothing by taking it for
life, even if such a grant is bad, because that will at least be
equal to a tenure during pleasure; and if it is good, as I think
precedents, and even the true construction of the Act will make
it, I have attained the object which your friendship is anxious
to secure to me. You will observe that the argument of vacating
by non-residence does not apply to a grant for life, _with
exception of the ministration of justice_; but to a grant,
_quamdiu se bene gesserit_, under the statute which enables the
King to grant _judicial_ offices in that form. The latter would
clearly be forfeited by non-residence, and I strongly think that
the former is good in law.

I mention this, because you appear to feel considerable
difficulties in any exchange, and I am unquestionably very
anxious that an arrangement in which I fear you must, at all
events, sacrifice a good deal to my objects, may be attended
with as little additional inconvenience to you as possible.

Our friends are sanguine as to the event of Bastard's motion,
which is to come on to day. As this opinion is the result of a
personal canvass, I hope it is tolerably founded; but I am not
enough acquainted with the particulars to give any opinion of my
own upon it. Only I think I see amongst our friends a sort of
feeling of our situation, and some revival of that zeal which
has been so grievously wanted of late. Against this there is to
be set a very general impression of the badness of the question,
which is certainly in itself not a strong one on our side, and
is made less so in appearance by the necessity we are under of
declining all personal discussions, in order to adhere to our
principle, of the impropriety of such points being debated in
Parliament. I am, however, told that there are a few of Fox's
party who do not like the question, and will not vote against
us. Plumer is mentioned in particular, and there are, I believe,
two or three others. It is a dreadful thing for the general
strength of Government, to have these sort of doubtful days
recurring so often. I am inclined to think that the event will
be that Lord H. will now remain longer than he before proposed,
in order that he may not appear to be driven out by clamour, &c.

Sir G. Yonge is to have the red riband, which is comical enough.
I will take particular care of what you mention about
Fitzherbert; was he desirous of the riband? if he was, I should
think we might manage it on another opportunity; though, if I
was in his situation, I should certainly think myself better
without it. Trevor is to have the other, and to go immediately
to St. Petersburgh. Lord Harrington was to have gone there, but
thought he could not unless with the _rank_ of ambassador, which
was impossible. Lord Dalrymple goes to Turin, and Ewart is to be
appointed to Berlin. Lord Mansfield has resigned. Kenyon is to
take his seat the first day of next Term, but not to be created
a peer at present, in order to break the practice, which was
beginning to grow into a sort of right. I imagine, however, that
the state of the House of Lords will make it necessary to have
him there next year. McDonald is to be Attorney-General; Arden,
Master of the Rolls; Scott, Solicitor; and Bearcroft, Chief
Justice of Chester.

The impeachment is going on so slowly, that I see no prospect
even of the accusation being concluded this year. They talk of
sitting only to the Birthday; and, indeed, after that they would
find it impossible to procure an attendance, either of Lords or
Commons. Our business will certainly be over by that time. The
Budget comes on next Monday, and will be a glorious one; as not
only the current service of the year, but the extra expenses,
both of the Prince of Wales and of the armament, will be
provided for by the exceeding of revenue.

The 'Rusbridge' has brought an account from Madras as late as
the 9th of January. An answer had been received from Tippoo to
Sir A. Campbell's letter. It disclaims all idea of hostility;
and a friendly correspondence had passed between them since; so
that this storm is blown over, at least for the present; and in
the meanwhile we are acquiring more strength every day. It is
impossible to speak in terms of sufficient admiration of Lord
Cornwallis's conduct. I have not yet seen any finance papers
from this last ship; but I make no doubt of their turning out
well, from the general expressions of prosperity, &c., in his
private letters.

I send you over a case given to me by the Duke of Athol, who has
particularly desired my attention to the subject. He is to bring
it forward this year. Can you tell me where I can find any of my
father's papers upon it?

I have got the cypher, which answers perfectly. I keep it, in
order to have another made from it. I shall be anxious to hear
of your little girl's doing well.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, April 30th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

Bastard's motion came on yesterday, and was lost, on the
previous question, by 221 to 169. This division very far
exceeded my expectations, and, indeed, I believe those of most
people, considering the popular nature of the question, and the
many personal considerations which induced people to vote
against us on this point, who do so on no other. It has, I
imagine, entirely put an end to any further discussion of this
subject. It will not diminish your satisfaction on this occasion
to hear that the previous question was moved by me, and that I
had the good fortune not only to satisfy myself, which I have
not done before in the course of this session, but also to
satisfy my friends so well, that the question was rested on my
speech, no other member of Government saying anything.

This event puts an end to all considerations as to any immediate
contingencies to affect our decision of the point which relates
to me. It is therefore not necessary to take any immediate steps
upon it, till we can find some satisfactory solution. You see
that my mind leans at present to taking the Rolls at the
diminished value, but _for life_; thinking, as I do, more and
more, every day, that such a grant would be perfectly legal and
maintainable against all the world, on the ground of precedent,
of authority, and on the words of the statute itself.

The idea of Lord Clanbrassil's office had occurred to me. I have
no difficulty in stating to you fairly my feelings upon it,
because I know you will enter into them, and judge, after
comparing them with the convenience which you would yourself
derive from such an arrangement, preferably to any other. Lord
Clanbrassil's life I had taken from the Peerage at fifty-nine,
but sixty would not materially alter the calculation. Such a
life, on common averages, is stated in Price's book as having an
expectation of living from fourteen years to a little less than
twelve, according to the healthiness of the situation. On
pursuing his calculations, I am inclined to believe, that an
annuity of £2000 for my life, to commence after Lord C.'s, would
not be materially different from an annuity in present for my
life of £1000. But these calculations depend on so many nice
circumstances, that, without being more used to them, and
acquainted with the principles they proceed upon, it is not easy
to be accurate in them. Whatever is the result of such a
calculation, you cannot, I am sure, but feel that, at the
present period of my life, and in my circumstances, a certainty
of £1000 would be worth much more to me, in point of happiness,
than an expectation of twice that value at an uncertain period,
which though, on general averages, it might be expected in about
thirteen years, might not fall even in twice that time.

I state this to you, that you may know exactly what I feel upon
the subject; but, at the same time, I know too much what I owe
to you on this, as on every other occasion, not to be desirous
of accommodating my objects to your convenience. On that ground,
therefore, I leave it entirely to you.

I wish you would send me some answer about Sir H. Hoghton, which
I could show him as a point of civility to a man to whom
civility is due from me. I have not done anything about Sneyd,
because, to say the truth, this other business put it out of my
head. I am now unwilling to communicate your acquiescence to
Bagot till I have mentioned it to you once more. You know the
object which I have in it, and can best judge how far the
inconvenience to you is more than worth while.

I have had Miles with me this morning, to mention that he had
written to you on the subject of a publication respecting Lord
Gormanston's business, but had not received any answer from you.
I told him that I would mention to you what he had said to me
upon it, but that I could not undertake to give him any answer,
as he must receive that from you alone. He desired me to say
that he made the communication as a mark of respect and
attachment. I confess I look upon him as one of those men with
whom connexion or communication, beyond what may be absolutely
necessary, is not desirable; but I may be mistaken in this; and
perhaps that which has already passed may make it better that
you should preserve terms of civility towards him.

The Duke of Athol's statement of his own case has made much
impression on me: pray tell me what you think of it. He says he
can prove that, although my father passed the Bill of 1765, from
the necessity of applying an immediate remedy to the mischief of
smuggling, yet that it was his intention to have entered into a
fuller investigation of the subject the following year. He
presses me to be one of the Commissioners; but this I shall
probably decline, on the real ground of other business.

Alexander Hood is to have the red riband, and not Trevor. He
made a very good speech for it last night. There is not the
smallest ground for believing that Sir G. Howard was actuated by
anything else than a sense of the _great military character_
which he sustains, and perhaps some ground of pique at the
King's having refused to interfere with Mulgrave and myself to
give the Chaplainship of Chelsea to a friend of his. He asked an
audience of the King for the purpose of making this request, and
sent an account of it in a paragraph to the newspapers.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

You may, perhaps, have seen in "The World," a most scandalous
misrepresentation of Mornington's conduct the other evening in
the House of Commons. It will, I am sure, give you pleasure to
be assured, that there is not the smallest ground for so
infamous an imputation; and that his conduct on that occasion is
universally felt, and allowed even by those who are least
favourably disposed to him, to have been perfectly correct and
proper. He spoke remarkably well, and said exactly what his
friends could have wished him to say.

Mr. Grenville had now made up his mind to take the reversion of Lord Clanbrassil's office (the Chief Remembrancership), in preference to the Rolls; for which the Duke of Leinster, who had given considerable trouble to the Government in Ireland, was rather a clamorous candidate.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, May 12th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I have just seen Fitzherbert, and have had some conversation
with him about the Mastership of the Rolls. We were interrupted;
but he said enough to convince me, that it is clearly better
that I should take the reversion of Lord Clanbrassil's office,
leaving the Rolls for such present arrangement as you can make
of it. Besides what he mentioned, I have an additional reason,
which I did not state to him; but which had nearly decided me
before I saw him. It is, that I believe the arrangement which I
mentioned to you at Stowe, and which you so clearly thought the
most desirable that could occur for me, is now so nearly
settled, that it is very unlikely that anything should prevent
its taking place before the prorogation of Parliament, which
must be in about three weeks, or a month, at furthest. I think
you will clearly understand what I mean, when I refer to our
conversation in the flower-garden at Stowe, and to the
particular sense which I have always entertained of your
kindness on that occasion. Fitzherbert, however, tells me, that
he sends off the messenger on Thursday, when I will write to you
more explicitly on this subject, and on the other arrangements
connected with it, which, however, are still in great measure
undecided; but the thing itself I now consider as almost
certain. It would be an unpardonable affectation in me,
especially when writing to you, to whom I have been accustomed
to think aloud, if I were to attempt to disguise from you, that
the prospect is, in the highest degree, pleasing to me, as
holding out to me a situation, though far above my pretensions,
yet so circumstanced as to give me hopes of filling it without
discredit. I know how much you will share my satisfaction, and
have, therefore, no difficulty in expressing it to you. It is
not a little heightened, by comparing it with what I mentioned
to you as having been since proposed to me, and what I was so
near being compelled to accept. There is, however, still one
contingency, which may prevent this from taking place: I think
it not a probable one. I am obliged to write a little in the
Sphinx style, but on Thursday I will speak more openly. I could
not, however, resist the desire of taking the first moment to
tell you, generally, the situation of this business.

We had the account yesterday of the _lit de justice_, which was
held at Versailles the day after the King had besieged his
Parliament at Paris. He has taken from all the different
Parliaments throughout the kingdom the power and function of
registering edicts, and has created, or (as the "Arrêt" says)
_renewed_ a _Cour plénière_ for that purpose. This _Cour
plénière_ is to consist of the _grande chambre_ of the
Parliament of Paris, with the addition of the Princes and Peers,
of one member to be named from each of the other Parliaments,
and of the person filling great offices (Charges de la
Couronne). These will make, in all, about one hundred and eight
persons, if the calculation, I saw, is right. They are all to be
named by the King; but all to hold their situations for life.
All edicts are to be registered by them for the whole kingdom.
This expedient may give a present relief; but it seems a most
dangerous experiment to concentre so much power of resistance in
one body of men appointed for life.

There had been no tumult whatever at Paris on this occasion.
Some difficulty was expected in the provinces, particularly at
Rouen and Rennes; but nothing was known of what had passed
there. I do not recollect that I have any other news for you.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

The next letter touches upon the reversion, and enters into a detail of the contemplated changes in the Administration consequent upon the retirement of Lord Howe.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, May 16th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I mentioned to you in my last letter, that Fitzherbert's
conversation had decided me in thinking it better for me to take
the reversion of Lord Clanbrassil's office (supposing it clearly
grantable in reversion), rather than the Mastership of the
Rolls. One reason which weighed with me, was the knowledge of
the arrangement which is to take place the first week in June,
and which I can now explain to you more particularly. The first
move is that of the Admiralty, from which Lord Howe retires,
agreeably to his former intimation. From what I understand from
Pitt, I doubt very much whether it would have been possible to
have prevailed upon him to alter his resolution; but, on the
whole, I think it infinitely better, considering his great
unpopularity both in the Navy and in the House of Commons, that
he should withdraw himself. The last division, and the question
having in consequence of it been entirely dropped, are
circumstances which I think are sufficient to show that he has
not been driven out; and by his retiring, we shall avoid many
other discussions, which would, I am persuaded, have been
brought forward. Pitt's intention is to place his brother at the
head of that department, giving him Sir Charles Middleton and
Hood for assistants; and prevailing with Mulgrave, if possible,
to accept the Comptrollership of the Navy. I have no doubt of
this arrangement being, in general, very acceptable; the great
popularity of Lord Chatham's manners, added to that of his name,
and his near connection with Pitt, are, I think, sufficient to
remove the impression of any objection in the public opinion,
from his being brought forward in the first instance in so
responsible a situation. To those who know him, there can be no
doubt that his abilities are fully equal to the undertaking,
arduous as it is; and to those who do not, Sir Charles
Middleton's name and character will hold out a solution. On the
whole, I am persuaded that this arrangement will not only be the
best that could be made under the present circumstances, but
that it will be a source of real and solid strength to Pitt's
Government, by bringing Lord Chatham forward, and by connecting
the department of the Admiralty with the rest of the
Administration, which has never yet been the case under Pitt's
Government, even in the smallest degree. The opening which
Mulgrave makes, enables Pitt to make Lord Sydney sole Paymaster,
and to give me the Seals of the Home Department. He has shown
much anxiety to bring this part of the arrangement to bear; and
I sometimes flatter myself, that in this part also of his
Government he will be considerably stronger than before.

I have obtained his permission to communicate to you the whole
of this plan immediately after its formation. I think its
execution probable, though not certain. It has as yet not been
communicated even to many of the parties concerned. He is to
begin by his brother, whom he sees to-day, in order to obtain
his final consent, which, from previous conversations, he has no
reason to doubt of. The other persons are to be talked to one by
one, and the whole to be done and declared the day before the
prorogation, in order that my writ may be moved. He thinks Sir
C. M.'s consent quite certain, and Mulgrave's highly probable;
but that part in which I am concerned does not depend on that,
as, even if Mulgrave refuses the Comptrollership, there is
another arrangement, though not one equally desirable, by which
he will vacate the Pay-Office. The only impediment that can be
thrown in my way is from the Duke of Richmond, who has,
certainly, if he is disposed to push it, a prior claim to Lord
Sydney's office; but there is the greatest reason to believe,
that he will prefer to remain where he now is. This will,
however, be ascertained in a few days, when I write to you
again. I think, if all this takes place, it will be a pretty
decisive answer to all the ideas that have been thrown out of
the King's wavering; and in that point of view, independent of
all others, it is extremely desirable. Under these
circumstances, I have no doubt that you will think that I have
done right in eagerly embracing the offer which has been made
me; and, also, that you will be of opinion that the reversion is
much preferable to the office in Ireland, which would, just at
this moment, expose me to much unnecessary odium, besides the
great inconvenience of a journey to Ireland, in a situation
which requires constant residence and attendance.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

A letter from Sir William Young, of the same date, elucidates the imbroglio still farther, and is especially interesting as an illustration of that peculiar trait in His Majesty's character--his intimate knowledge and curiosity about persons--to which attention has already been drawn. The whole description of the interview with the King is a good specimen of familiar historical painting.

SIR WILLIAM YOUNG TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Old Bond Street, May 16th, 1788.

My dear Lord,

His Majesty honoured me, on Wednesday, with a pretty long
conference in the closet; during which we travelled over the
whole _carte du pays Hibernois_. He was, as usual, much more
particular in his inquiries about _persons_ than about
_business_; and he seemed to be, above all, very anxious to
learn how we stood with Lord Shannon, having learnt from Mr. O.
that his Lordship was to be at dagger-drawing with us, on
account of his supposed resentment for your Lordship's supposed
ill-treatment of Mr. Adderley. I acquainted His Majesty with the
true state of that matter, with Lord Shannon's very handsome
language respecting it, and his friendly and becoming conduct
ever since; with which information the King appeared to be
highly pleased, and he was even proceeding to animadvert pretty
severely upon Mr. O. for having, as he thought, attempted,
though ineffectually, to convert this transaction into a source
of mutual coldness and mistrust between your Lordship and Lord
Shannon; but I thought it right to disculpate my predecessor
from this charge, of which I really believe him to be innocent.

The Duke of Leinster's name too was more than once upon the
_tapis_, and I detailed to His Majesty the whole history of his
Grace's political conduct and professions, from his first
interview with your Lordship down to the letter he received from
you, in answer to his application for the Mastership of the
Rolls; but I said nothing of your future views with regard to
that office, neither did His Majesty manifest any desire to be
informed of them. In general, he seemed to me to be perfectly
_au fait_ of the Duke's real character, as well as of the
character of all the other leading people in Ireland, whom we
talked over, each in his turn, not forgetting our friend, the
Archbishop of Cashel.

On points of business, as I have said, His Majesty was much more
concise, and I do not recollect anything material or interesting
that fell from him, unless it be that he expressed the most
entire satisfaction in the planning and in the execution of our
new military arrangement. I, of course, did not omit to take
this opportunity of offering your Lordship's humble duty to him,
together with every suitable assurance of your zeal, &c., for
his service; in answer to which he said many very gracious
things, and proceeded to question me very closely and _very
minutely_ about your and Lady B.'s health, amusements, house,
&c.; upon all which points I took care to be very precise and
guarded in my answers, having reason to believe that, from the
lively interest he takes in your domestic happiness, they will
make a deeper impression upon his memory than any other part of
our conversation.

Mr. Grenville tells me that he has written to your Lordship to
say that he has finally made up his mind to the acceptance of
Lord Clanbrassil's _survivance_, in lieu of the Mastership of
the Rolls; so I conclude that you will by this time have begun
your negotiation with the Duke of Leinster, the result of which
I am impatient to learn.

I have not yet been able to see either Mr. Pitt or Lord Sydney,
but I learnt this morning at the latter's office that the King
had consented that Major Coote should have the
lieutenant-colonelcy of the 70th; and the notification of the
appointment will, I believe, be sent to your Lordship by
tomorrow's post.

The papers will have informed you, my Lord, of the events of
France since my last, and particularly that the Grand Chamber of
the Parliament of Paris has refused to become a constituent part
of the new Plenary Court; so that some new expedient must in all
probability be adopted. The Duke of Dorset writes word that the
Parisian public still remain very quiet spectators of these
disputes, but it seems that in Brittany they are apprehensive of
some very serious troubles, and accordingly a strong
reinforcement of troops has been sent to the Commandant of that
province, M. de Thiard.

In Holland, the patriotic party, though still sullen and
stubborn, seem to have lost all present hope of reinstating
themselves in favour; so the Prince of Orange is now King of the
Republic, with Sir T. H., Viceroy, over him. The latter will, I
believe, be created a Peer in a few days.

The ferment in the city still continues on account of the
failure of the cotton-traders, many of whom are, it seems, so
deeply involved, that it will be absolutely impossible to devise
any artificial mode of bolstering up their credit; and it is to
be feared that their failure will occasion very great distress
amongst the merchantmen.

I send you, my Lord, two pamphlets upon the subject of this
trade, which you will find to contain some very curious and
important facts, though perhaps you will not agree with the
author in the conclusions he draws from them.

Adieu, my dear Lord. May I entreat you to present my best
respects and remembrances to Lady Buckingham. I have seen Lady
Carysfort, who is very well, as is also her child, which is the
very image in miniature of your Lady Mary.

Another letter of gossip from the same correspondent.

SIR WILLIAM YOUNG TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stratton Street, June 7th, 1788.

My dear Lord

No intelligence having arrived from St. Vincent's since my last
letter, my mind is most restless, and so occupied with the
contingencies which another letter may clear up, and decide,
either that I am to see my father this summer, or to see him no
more, that I am unfit almost for any employment but that of
walking to the Royal Exchange and back again, on inquiry after a
ship. It is most necessary, however, to the health of mind, to
avert it occasionally from such a subject, so doubtful and so
covered with gloom; and I cannot better do it than by writing to
your Lordship, thus engaging at once my attention under the
impulses of sincerest friendship, and grateful sense of duty. Of
events in the political circle, to the intelligence of the
newspapers of this day, I will add the death of Ashley Cooper,
and the succession of Mr. Rose to the office of Clerk of the
Parliaments. I understand he will resume, notwithstanding his
seat in the Commons, and continue Secretary of the Treasury. It
is expected that on Monday will be moved the new writs for Sir
L. Kenyon, Chief Justice; Arden, Master of the Rolls; Macdonald
and Scott, Attorney and Solicitor-General; and Rose, Clerk of
the Parliaments. The marriage of Fox and Miss Pultency is
something more than common talk; at the Duke of York's ball he
sat three hours in a corner with her; attends her weekly to
Ranelagh, and is a perfect Philander. The Duke of York lives
almost with Lady Tyrconnel, and there has been some _fracas_ on
Mrs. Fitzherbert declining Lady Tyrconnel's visits, as a lady
whose character is contaminate! These, with the suicide of
George Hesse, form the leading topics of the _beau monde_. Of
our political career, I can only say that I made a good guess
when I stated the 20th of June as the close of our sessions; the
intermediate time has little business pending that will engage
debate, excepting the reform of the Scotch boroughs, on which
the alternative for or against is equally a Scotch job. Sheridan
takes the lead in it, and comes plumed with his laurels gathered
in Westminster Hall. His speech there contained some wonderful
stroke in the declamatory style, something fanciful, poetical,
and even sublime; sometimes, however, bombast, and the logic not
satisfactory, at least to my mind. The performance, however, was
a work of great industry, and great genius; and he has had
compliments enough on it to turn his head, if to those qualities
he does not add great _good sense_; a quality which, the longer
I live, the more I am persuaded is the true _rara avis_, and not
much oftener met with than a black swan:--the white swan of
Pindar cannot vie in rarity at any rate.

By this post I enclose two copies of the enlarged edition of my
pamphlet, with the Poor Bill annexed. It will be carried, if I
can depend on present assurances of support; not merely
assurances of individual members, but on the actual letters of
instruction which several have had from the justices of their
respective counties. Adverting to justices, it is agreed in
Bucks to respite all appeals and other matters, with exception
of gaol delivery, to the Michaelmas Sessions, on account of the
interference of the circuit. Poor Major Tomkins so informed me
yesterday. We walked together the best part of the morning, and
he seemed restored to a greater degree of tranquillity of mind
than might so early have been expected. He talks of quitting
Weston, and living wholly in London; and wishes to engage his
mind by attention to the law professionally. At his time of
life, this may answer (if he can now apply) in giving the relief
to a mind disquiet in idleness, but hardly can answer in views
of business, under technical acceptation of the term. He has,
however, such delusion, and it must be an enemy to his repose
who undeceives him. My wife desires to be remembered in the best
manner to the Marchioness and Mrs. Nugent, with,

My dear Lord,
Your affectionate, faithful, and obliged friend and servant,
W. Young.

Mr. Hastings' trial was at its height at this time; and Mr. Bernard, Lord Buckingham's secretary, gives a brief account of Sheridan's third day. The point, naturally enough, which made the deepest impression on him was the exhibition in evidence of the private letters that passed between Mr. Hastings and his secretary.

MR. BERNARD TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Bolton Street, June 10th, 1788.

My Lord,

I have been this morning at the trial: it was Sheridan's third
day. It was near one o'clock before he began. There was nothing
very striking or brilliant in his oratory: he continued for
about an hour and a quarter, and then retired. Mr. Adam assisted
him in the reading parts; and continued reading after he
retired. Presently he made a lame apology for him, saying that
he had a very trifling ---- without specifying what, whether
illness, agitation, or want of due preparation. Mr. Fox soon
afterwards made a more complete apology for him, and the Court
adjourned; but till what time I have not heard.

I was gratified with the sight as an object of curiosity, but
not as affording either pleasure or entertainment. It would seem
preposterous to me, if upon any charge against the Government of
Ireland, the Lord-Lieutenant's, or his secretary's _private_ and
_separate_ letters were to be subjected in a Court of Justice to
all the acrimonious, malevolent and palpably strained comments
that forty of the ablest men of an opposite party could put upon
them, particularly without having an equal number of persons of
a similar description in point of talents and political weight
to defend them. And yet this seems to be the case in the
instance of the present tribunal; for the letters read and
commented upon to-day, were chiefly of the above description:
the letters absolutely official were very little dwelt upon.

Your Excellency's most faithful and affectionate servant,
S. Bernard.

Lord Bulkeley, whose talents in the way of pleasant gossip appear to such advantage in this correspondence, regards the trial as a nine hours' wonder. We get the true colour of contemporary opinion out of communications of this intimate and easy class.

LORD BULKELEY TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, June 14th, 1788.

My dearest Lord,