(219) “Attempts were made to induce Shelburne and afterwards Gower to construct a Government but they speedily failed.” (Lecky, vol. iv. p. 203).

(1782,) March 18, Monday m(orning).—­I am sorry to begin my letter with telling you that George is again in my house, but so it is.  Mr. Raikes brought him to me, and little Eden to the surgeon’s, on account of his chilblains, yesterday morning in a post chaise.  Sir N. T(homas) came, and he ordered George to be blooded, which he was directly, and wrote other prescriptions.  I believe there was some James’s powder taken last night, and he is to help his cough with something in a certain degree emetic.  His pulse were [was] above a hundred, and his cough very troublesome, but there is nothing that forebodes any mischief.  I do not hear of the least apprehensions of that.  Dr. Ekins was here, and Mr. Nevison.  Lady G[ower] could not come on account of her cold, Lord G(ower) will be here this morning. . . .

I have no objection to declaring my own [opinion], but I beg you and Lady Carlisle to know that what is done now, if it is with my opinion, it was not in consequence of it, for I have been perfectly passive.  Dr. Ekins went done to Whitehall to acquaint Lord and Lady G(ower) with this, who approved of what was done, and last night I was there myself; and Lord G(ower) and I had more conversation with him upon this horrid situation of affairs.  That I should be much disturbed about them, on your account, and my own, is not extraordinary.  I have, in certain circumstances, fixed and determined in my own mind what would be most becoming for us both to do, and what in the end would be most advantageous, but I shall not obtrude my advice upon you, whose judgment I hold in higher esteem, infinitely, than my own, and whose temper is more equal.  But I will say what I believe to be the state of things now, and what they probably will be, and you will judge the best, it may be both for yourself and me.

I called in at Brooks’s last night, but avoided all conversation, and will for the future with any one belonging to the party.  Their insolence, their vanity and folly, and the satisfaction expressed in their countenances, upon fancying themselves Ministers, and going into the place of them, as they think, and to drive the K(ing) from every shadow of power and dignity, is no object to me now of mirth; so, as I cannot help it, or approve it, and shall get nothing by a dispute with such people, I am determined to act for my own part —­what I think is becoming me to do—­to resign all ideas of pecuniary advantage, if I cannot have them upon the terms I like, and wait for better times.