On the other hand, the progress of the Archduke, in a long list of victories, is continued with great rapidity. He has destroyed Jourdan's army, and there is every reason to believe that unless Moreau retreats he will have a similar fate. This may enable the Emperor to relieve Italy, and may give a very different turn to the pretensions of the French.

Under all these circumstances, I am glad to hear, by a letter from Mr. Pitt this evening, that we shall do no business in Parliament next week, except swearing in Members and choosing a Speaker, and that the King's Speech will not be till Tuesday se'nnight. There is reason to think that we could still end this frightful war with a balance of solid advantages if we had the national inclination and the pecuniary means to pursue it. As to the latter, at least, there will be very great difficulties. Do not say to anybody that I have acknowledged this.

You have not congratulated me on a supposed accession to a Cabinet office in consequence of Lord Mansfield's death; but everyone else has. I really believe that I have received fifty letters on that subject, and very embarrassing it has been to me to give answers to some of them, for I have known from the first that the arrangement must take a different turn, and yet I have not chosen to say that I have no pretension, for in private I think that I have the strongest claims and pretensions; nor that I would or would not accept the situation if it was offered. The fact is, that the habits of my life, and family considerations, would have induced me to accept it, though at present it is little desirable.

I really believe that the public in general would have been disposed to see me efficiently employed; but the plain truth is that the temptation will not at present be put in my way.

Our friend Rose, with his usual kindness and good nature, writes to me to persuade me that everything friendly is meant towards me, and that I shall soon be told so.

I make no complaints, I say nothing. Mr. Pitt writes that he is coming to me on Sunday to spend the day. I suppose, however, that nothing will pass but what relates to public business; and yet I really believe that there is the most cordial friendship in his disposition towards me, and he knows all my situation as well as I do. It is due to you that I give you all this long bore in confidence.

There is one good thing in the state of this country, and that is, that we have had a most plentiful harvest, and the subsequent season has been such as is most calculated to insure a continuance and increase of plenty.

All well under this roof. When your first letter came the Prince and Princess of Orange were passing a whole week here, and princes and princesses do require to be incessantly amused. I afterwards went, for two days, with my boys to Hampton Court and to Windsor, to replace them at Eton.

Yours ever affectionately,

AUCKLAND.

MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND.

Abbeville, Sept. 27th, 1796.

MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-I received yours of the 22nd two days ago, but we have been in great distress at the death of Madame de Meyrol," who departed on Tuesday night, after a tedious and painful illness, which she bore with a resignation that could only be the result of a well-spent life; not afraid to die, but rather wishing for it. I really regarded her with affection.

Our situation grows every day better here. We are getting well provided with the implements of war necessary for taking the field; the troops show every sign of loyalty, and although there may be a few militia men not well affected, yet I think that force will do their duty as they ought. Armed bodies under the King's commission are going on enrolling rapidly, and will be sufficient, I trust, to keep the country quiet.

The late successes on the Continent have quite depressed the spirits of the United Irishmen several notorious members have been taken up and committed to jail, to the great dismay of their brethren; an effect which always follows exertion in this kingdom.

Loyal people, who were before afraid to appear, show themselves active, and I trust we shall have this country quiet whether we have a peace with France or not. The Jacobin papers have been doing everything possible to impede us, and to increase anarchy: they now wish to

a A French governess who had superintended the education of Mr. Beresford's daughters, and resided in his house for above 25 years.

throw open the armament to all sort of people. The events of the Continent, as far as the Archduke is concerned, have been happy and glorious, and I trust will finally extend to the armies of Moreau and Bonaparte. Considering the wickedness of the French Government, and the fears which they manifestly entertain of their armies returning, I do verily believe that they would not be displeased at the idea of their being destroyed.

God grant us peace at any rate, for how it is possible to carry on the war, at the expense which we are at, I know not. As to this country, our debt is in fact insignificant, but our means of raising money are very limited; none is to be had here, and according as it is difficult for you in England to raise your supply, so in proportion our difficulties must increase. Newfoundland is a bad business, and will hang very heavy on our Waterford people, who are deeply concerned in that trade.

I have been a fortnight this day laid up with the gout, and a very handsome fit, I can assure you, it has been, and I suffered a good deal of pain for four days and nights, but I am now just able to limp with a stick. Lord Camden has just left me; he showed me a letter from the Duke of Portland which gives great reason to believe the account of the victory of the 14th. God grant it may be true!

I come now to English politics, and I confess that I am very much disappointed at recent arrangements. I had flattered myself that you would have been included in the new appointments. I know not the reasons why this did not take place, and if I did I should probably

not be able to judge of it with strict impartiality.

a

I

have not seen Pelham, but I have been laid up from the day he landed.

Whenever anything worth writing occurs, you shall hear from me again.

I am, most sincerely,

Your affectionate

J. BERESFORD.

My daughter is getting better faster than the physicians encouraged me to hope.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Eden Farm, Oct. 11th, 1796.

MY DEAR BERESFORD, I have received yours of the 29th September, and we are domestic enough to enter fully into the whole ground of your affliction for the death of Madame de Meyrol. There are many comforts in having a numerous family and a numerous establishment connected with it; but the scale of discomforts bears some weight occasionally. In the meantime,

a The Right Hon. Thomas Pelham, eldest son of Thomas, Lord Pelham (afterwards Earl of Chichester), and Anne Frankland; born 1756; M.P. for Sussex 1780 to 1801; called up to the House of Lords as Baron Pelham 1801; succeeded his father as Earl 1805; appointed Surveyor-General of Ordnance 1782; Chief Secretary of Ireland 1783; again 1795; Secretary of State 1801 to 1803; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1803; Postmaster-General 1807; married, 1801, Lady Henrietta Osborne, daughter of Francis, fifth Duke of Leeds; died 1826.