In the meantime, the subject of Ireland remains in abeyance, and will continue so until the Continental expeditions are all put into action, which I do not think will be the case before the third week in September. At present, Mr. Pitt's entire mind is engaged in pushing naval and military operations; and though I passed the day quietly with him at Holwood on Monday last, hardly one word was said on Ireland, except that he told me he had received" the observations, and had perused a part of them, and was highly pleased with them." I thought myself at liberty to confide to him that they were your work; and I have given to him your corrected copy to be printed (I suppose by Wright, the Government printer) and circulated as soon as he can find time and thinks proper to bring the subject again under the remark of the public. At this moment, so good a work would not have its right effect here.

I have as yet only given a very cursory perusal to your observations, but so far as I can foresee, I shall derive great information from a careful perusal. In truth, as yet I have hardly given a fair perusal to Mr. Foster's speech, for it appeared after our debates, and after I had adjourned the consideration in my mind.

There is a great deal to be said on the subject of Irish contribution; but it is too much for a letter, at least on a fine day, which this happens to be; for fine days are rare. I do not think that we have had three in the present summer.

I do not attempt to say anything about the foreign expeditions, for I really do not know the grounds of information by which His Majesty's Ministers are guided.

My personal knowledge, both of the Dutch people and of the nature of the Dutch coast, would incline me to be by no means sanguine as to success in any attempt on Zealand, and much less on Holland. The attack of Holland by the land, and from the German side, would give me better hopes, and at all events would add to the embarrassments of France. But in any case, the season is too far advanced to allow the expedition to be of much good unless there be sufficient reason to believe that the Dutch will rise against the French. I have no faith in Dutch energy.

All well here. I am, my dear Beresford, affectionately and sincerely yours,

AUCKLAND.

LORD CASTLEREAGH TO MR. BERESFORD.

Dublin, Aug. 26th, 1799.

MY DEAR MR. BERESFORD,-I heard yesterday that you were better, but I wish to be assured of it from yourself. The Lord-Lieutenant has written to know at what time Ministers would wish us to be in London. Let me know what your wishes would be if there was no business in question, and I may be able to prevail on them to conform to what your health so much requires; we go on here tolerably well. The Anti-Unionists have been impudent enough to call the county of Galway, in hopes of converting Trench," as they have done the Members for

a The Hon. Richard Trench, son of William, Lord Killconnell, and Anne Gardiner; born 1767; M.P. for county Galway

Tipperary. Lord Downshire' talks as hostilely as possible, and feels, I am persuaded, more so, but what he will do, depends, I rather think, on what appears feasible at the moment.

I sent your pamphlet to all the Ministers, and have this day received the highest encomiums on it, but this no doubt you have heard more directly. I sent it to Downshire; his comment is so curious that I must transcribe it: "The author seems to know nothing of the waste lands, leather, or potteries of Ireland or England. He seems to be a man of the closet, and to speculate upon different matters either for his own amusement or benefit, taking common talk for facts, and arguing upon theories without attention to practice." This little specimen of dispassionate criticism amused me excessively. May saw the Lord-Lieutenant to-day: he talks cordially on the part of Lord Donegal.

с

A despatch this moment from England, says either the

1797 to 1805; succeeded his father as Earl of Clancarty 1805; appointed Postmaster-General of Ireland 1809; Ambassador at the Hague 1813; again 1817; created an English Peer 1815; married, 1796, Henrietta Staples; died 1837.

a Lord Mathew and Mr. Bagwell.

b Arthur Hill, second Marquis of Downshire, son of William, first Marquis, and Lady Margaret Fitzgerald; born 1753; succeeded 1793; M.P. for the county Down from 1776 to 1793; married, 1786, Mary, Baroness Sandys; died 1801.

Edward May, eldest son of Sir Stephen May, Bart., fatherin-law to Lord Donegal; succeeded his father, 1812, as Baronet; M.P. for Belfast from 1800 to 1814; died 1814.

d George Augustus Chichester, Marquis of Donegal, son of Arthur, first Marquis, and Lady Anne Hamilton; born 1769; succeeded 1799; married, 1795, Anne, daughter of Sir Edward May, Bart.; died 1844.

VOL. II.

Q

[1799. middle or end of the month is the same to them-you, my dear Sir, must regulate it entirely by your own feelings; I am sure it is equally convenient to every other person concerned to meet at one period or the other. I have full occupation here so long as I may remain, and the delay will enable me to do more, and furnish them with new materials for judging of our prospects. Ever, my dear Sir, most sincerely yours,

CASTLEREAGH.

Pray let me hear from you by return of post.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Aug. 30th, 1799.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-I wrote to Mr. Pitt, who is gone to Walmer, to endeavour to ascertain when you may be wanted; I think certainly not before the middle of September, but I will let you know when I can learn.

We are all on the tiptoe of expectation for the result of the Dutch businesses-with report of surrenders of fleets, &c., &c., &c. ; but I suffer myself to believe nothing till I see a Government bulletin.

The Orange family, &c., &c., are staying here at present.

I have perused your observations, and with real great satisfaction and information. Foster's miscalculations had not escaped me, but you have placed them in the best light; perhaps some of your positions might alarm our manufacturers.

Yours affectionately,

AUCKLAND.

LORD CASTLEREAGH TO MR. BERESFORD.

Phoenix Park, Sept. 2nd, 1799.

MY DEAR MR. BERESFORD,-The Duke of Portland being desirous that some time should be fixed for our meeting in London, Lord Cornwallis has fixed the 25th of this month, trusting that the interval will afford you as much Buxton water as is usually taken without a discontinuance. I shall leave this about the 15th, meaning to call on Lord Hertford in my way. The Union continues to work favourably in the public mind, and we have got some recruits since you left us. If our people are all true, we are strong enough, but as this may not prove the case, we shall leave nothing undone to increase our force.

a

The return of the Brest fleet has a little revived the lower classes, but nothing very formidable is observable.

Ever, my dear Sir, most faithfully yours,

CASTLEREAGH.

a Francis Ingram Seymour Conway, second Marquis of Hertford, son of Francis, first Marquis, and Lady Isabella Fitzroy; born 1748; M.P. for Orford 1767 to 1794; succeeded his father 1794; appointed Master of the Horse 1804; Lord Chamberlain 1812; married, first, 1768, the Hon. Alice Windsor, daughter of Herbert, Viscount Windsor; secondly, 1776, the Hon. Isabella Ingram, daughter of Charles, Viscount Irwin; died 1822. Lord Hertford was uncle to Lord Castlereagh.