When the bill shall be passed, the eyes of mankind will turn to see what will be the consequence.  The Princess, and Lord Bute, and the Scotch, do not affect to conceal their indignation.  If Lord Halifax is even reprieved, the King is more enslaved to a cabal than ever his grandfather was:  yet how replace them!  Newcastle and the most desirable of the opposition have rendered themselves more obnoxious than ever, and even seem, or must seem to Lord Bute, in league with those he wishes to remove.  The want of a proper person for chancellor of the exchequer is another difficulty, though I think easily removable by clapping a tied wig on Ellis, Barrington, or any other block, and calling it George Grenville.  One remedy is obvious, and at which, after such insults and provocations, were I Lord Bute, I should not stick; I would deliver myself up, bound hand and foot, to Mr. Pitt, rather than not punish such traitors and wretches, who murmur, submit, affront, and swallow in the most ignominious manner,—­“Oh! il faudra qu’il y vienne,”—­as L`eonor says in the Marquis de Roselle,—­“il y viendra.”  For myself, I have another little comfort, which is seeing that when the ministry encourage the Opposition, they do but lessen our numbers.

You may be easy about this letter, for Monsieur de Guerchy sends it for me by a private hand, as I did the last.  I wish, by some Such conveyance, you would tell me a little of your mind on all this embroil, and whether you approve or disapprove my conduct.  After the liberties you have permitted me to take with you, my dear lord, and without them, as you know my openness, and how much I am accustomed to hear of my faults, I think you cannot hesitate.  Indeed, I must, I have done, or tried to do, just what you would have wished.  Could I, who have at least some experience and knowledge of the world, have directed, our party had not been in the contemptible and ridiculous situation it is.  Had I had more weight, things still more agreeable to you had happened.  Now, I could almost despair; but I have still perseverance, and some resources left.  Whenever I can get to you, I will unfold a great deal; but in this critical situation, I cannot trust what I can leave to no management but my own.

Your brother would have writ, if I had not:  he is gone to Park-place to-day, with his usual phlegm, but returns tomorrow.  What would I give you were here yourself; perhaps you do not thank me for the wish.

Do not wonder if, except thanking you for D’Alembert’s book,(824) I say not a word of any thing but politics.  I have not had a single other thought these three weeks.  Though in all the bloom of my passion, lilac-tide, I have not been at Strawberry this fortnight.  I saw things arrive at the point(825) I wished, and to which I had singularly contributed to bring them, as you shall know hereafter, and then I saw all my Work kicked down by two or three frantic boys, and I see what I most dread, likely to happen, unless I can prevent it,—­but I have said enough for you to understand me.  I think we agree.  However, this is for no ear or breast but your own.  Remember Monsieur de Nivernois,(826) and take care of the letters you receive.  Adieu!