position carried great weight, rose to object to the Speaker leaving the chair.  In other words, he moved a vote of want of confidence in the Government.  The House again supported Lord North by their votes, though the impossibility of continuing the ministerial policy was obvious to all.  “If measures and conduct are not to be changed we are completely undone,” wrote Selwyn in the beginning of December—­but he had no idea of supporting his opinion by his vote:  there were many others who thought and acted as he did.

(1781, Nov.) 28, Wednesday.—­It is you see with me, that I address you, veniente die comme decedente.  I sent you some account of the H(ouse) of Commons last night before the division; we were about 89 majority.  I got home between two and three.  I can no more go to Brooks’s to hear a rechauffe of these things, or assist at the incense offered to Charles, or his benediction and salut to those he protects.  The reserve at White’s tempts me as little, and so I think my own pillow the best resource after these long days.

Young Mr. York brought me home, who commended your Speech, and the manner in which you spoke it.  He was present.

The terms of the Capitulation are now come, and everything known which has happened, and in a few days more everybody will be as indifferent as ever, except in their political language, about [what] will happen.

I spoke to Keene about Richard’s conduct; he laughed, and well he might he said, Poor Beau! he does not mean to oppose; it was only in that instance where the Sugar Islands were concerned, that he dissented, and there he was by his property personally interested; well then, for this time passe, as private motives must and will ever supersede public considerations; so on that ground, et pour le coup, he is excusable.  But when Lord Hertford would not admit of his staying one day at Rayley with his son, to shoot, lest he should not be in time to give you the fullest assistance and concurrence possible in all your measures; this deviation could not but make me smile, as well as his friend Mr. Keene.

As to the other, he is a puppy du premier chef.  I could not refuse to his solicitation a letter of introduction, he himself being a Member, and having a brother-in-law also in the House.  But I could not doubt neither from his discourse but he meant to support you; and although I must have known that it was an interested motive which actuated him, that matter I left for your consideration.  His father I knew well, God knows, and every step which I take in this House reminds me of him, malheureusement pour moi, and why I do not choose to say or to think of, now that he is dead, and is better judged than by me.  However, none of my resentment to him descended to his son, and when he made himself known to me I was as willing to receive him as if his father had behaved better towards me.