I was with Lord Gower this morning.  The Chanc(ello)r dined there to-day.  I talked with Lord G. about you; he has explained your situation, and I suppose has told you that arrangements will be made here to your satisfaction.  I see some comfort in all this.  Nous reculerons pour mieux sauter.  Your return will mortify some of the Opposition, who hope to keep you a year in Ireland out of charity, to insult you, and for their convenience.  Lord Carmarthen solicits this with chaleur and impatience.  I believe there is in this tant soit peu de malice, et pour se venger, for he will have your Lieutenancy in the County too.  He has lost himself with me entirely.  A thousand traits of him have crowded upon me, which a little partiality to him had obscured.

I was asked to dine at Derby’s to-day with the new Ministers; I could not accept it.  Prudence forbid(s) that, as well as want of temper.  What I said or did not say would have been ill interpreted, so I refused.

Charles has taken a house in Pall Mall.  Sheridan is his secretary.  What becomes of Hare and Richard I know not.  Richard has provoked me beyond measure by his insolence and unfeelingness about everybody and everything.  The Garters are for the Duke of Portland, D. Devonshire, Duke of Richmond, and one of the Princes.

My nephew, Secretary at War, and Burke, Paymaster.  This was what he hoped for, I mean Tommy.  The Chancellorship of the Exchequer not determined upon it (yet?).  Lord John Cav(endish) balances about it.  Young Burke, Secretary of the Treasury.  Another ball at Devonshire House.  I long to see you, Lady Carlisle, and the children.  This is the only balm in all this infernal business.  But vous avez un beau role a jouer, but you must have patience for the present and, as George says, wait the event.  This is a plusieurs facettes.  I will now go to White’s for more intelligence, and write more if I can, but it is half-hour after ten.

(226) The new Cabinet.  The Rockingham Ministry consisted of Lord Rockingham, First Lord of the Treasury; Lord Thurlow, Lord Chancellor; Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor of the Exchequer; Charles James Fox, Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Lord Shelburne, Secretary for the Home and Colonial Departments; Admiral Keppel, First Lord of the Admiralty; Lord Camden, President of the Council; Duke of Grafton, Lord Privy Seal; Duke of Richmond, Master of the Ordnance; Dunning (Lord Ashburton), Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; General Conway, Commander-in-Chief; Burke (not in the cabinet), Paymaster of the Forces.

(1782,) March 29 (30?), Saturday m(orning), 8 o’clock.—­I could not write last night but a few lines, but if I could, many pages would not have been sufficient, or any force of language which I possess strong enough to express all I feel from reading your letter of the 22nd instant.  Although my friendship, and tenderness for what concerns you, may not be greater than that of . . . (sic) my judgment has on this occasion been, as I perceive, more corresponding with your sentiments, which I have spoke from the dictates of that pride which I can adopt on your account, but would be presumptuous on my own.  I hope, in avoiding one inconvenience, that I have not fallen into another, but if I have, the mistake can be easier corrected if necessary.