now would you believe how I feel and how I wish?  I wish we may continue the minority.  The desires of some of my associates, perhaps, may not be satisfied, but mine are.  Here is an opposition formidable enough to keep abler ministers than Messieurs the present gentlemen in awe.  They may pick pockets, but they will pick no more locks.  While we continue a minority, we preserve our characters, and we have some too good to part with.  I hate to have a camp to plunder; at least, I am so Which I am so whig, I hate spoils but the opima spolia.  I think it, too, much more creditable to control ministers, than to be ministers—­and much more creditable than to become mere ministers ourselves.  I have several other excellent reasons against our success, though I could combat them with as many drawn from the insufficience of the present folk, and the propriety of Mr. Pitt being minister; but I am too tired, and very likely so are you, my dear lord, by this time, and therefore good night!

Friday noon.

I had sealed my letter, and break it open again on receiving yours of the 13th, by the messenger.  Though I am very sorry you had not then got mine from Monin, which would have prepared you for much of what has happened, I do not fear its miscarriage, as I think I can account for the delay.  I had, for more security, put it into the parcel with two more volumes of my Anecdotes of Painting; which, I suppose, remained in M. Monin’s baggage; and he might not have taken it when he delivered the single letters.  If he has not yet sent you the parcel, you may ask for it, as the same delicacy is not necessary as for a letter.

I thank Lord Beauchamp much for the paper, but should thank him much more for a letter from himself.  I am going this minute to the House, where I have already been to prayers,(503) to take a place.  It was very near full then, so critical a day it is!  I expect we shall be beaten-but we shall not be so many times more.  Lord Granby(504) I hear, is to move the previous question—­they are reduced to their heavy cannon.

Sunday evening, 19th.

Happening to hear of a gentleman who sets out for Paris in two or three days, I stopped my letter, both out of prudence (pray admire me!) and from thinking that it was as well to send you at once the complete history of our Great Week.  By the time you have read the preceding pages, you may, perhaps, expect to find a change in the ministry in what I am going to say.  You must have a little patience; our parliamentary war, like the last war in Germany, produces very considerable battles, that are not decisive.  Marshal Pitt has given another great blow to the subsidiary army, but they remained masters of the field, and both sides sing te Deum.  I am not talking figuratively, when I assure you that bells, bonfires, and an illumination from the Monument, were prepared in the city, in case we had the majority.  Lord Temple was so indiscreet and indecent as to have fagots ready for two bonfires, but was persuaded to lay aside the design, even before it was abortive.