any thing Scotch. The business was taken up with much spirit formerly by several of the counties, particularly (I think) Roxburgh; why did they let it drop? You may rely upon me, if you wish me to take any part about it; only give me timely information.

There is but one sentiment of condemnation, respecting Lord Ellenborough's intemperate and indecent conduct at Hunt's trial. This is not only universal among the bar, who feel this as a professional concern; but among laymen, of all political denominations. I have reason to believe, also, that the other judges regret his conduct very much. The session of Parliament can hardly pass over, without some pointed notice of it.

I am delighted to see, at last, another good number of the Review, worthy of its former name. There seems to be but one article of monthly politics, which is too short a life for a quarterly book. Allen is delighted with the orthodoxy of the review of Leckie's pamphlet, and says it is the best constitutional article Jeffrey has ever written. The Musa Edinenses excite a very irreverent mirth among your collegers, who, instead of being disposed to give a liberal encouragement to our attempts, seem to regard it as an improper ambition, and something out of the course of nature for Scotsmen, even to try such excellence; I saw Bobus and the Mufti snickering together at the very mention of this title. This scorn of theirs makes me anxious that we should give them one more Buchanan.

Yours affectionately,

FRA. HORNER.

I shall not be returned to Parliament till after the adjournment; I expect it in the course of February.

Mr. Robert Smith and Mr. Whishaw.

LETTER CXCVI. TO HENRY HALLAM, ESQ.

My dear Hallam,

Salisbury, 7th March, 1813.

I thank you for your very kind inquiries, which I can satisfy in the fullest manner; for all the symptoms of my late indisposition are now gone, except the unavoidable weakness which must continue for a few days still. I am taking special care of myself; keeping out of the way of these piercing winds, and not venturing to do more than sun myself under a south wall, like a selfish tortoise, at this season.

When we recollect the diffident language that we held about the Catholic cause, before the debate came on, the advantages secured by the late vote seem immense.* We thought for certain that some ground had been lost since the resolution of the last Parliament, whereas it is now manifest that we were gaining ground all along, and that the progress of temperate conviction has been steady and unremitted. What an illustration of the benefits of continued discussion, through Parliament and the press, where the great interests of justice and liberty are the subject of controversy; and what a pride it is for England, to have such a controversy leading slowly but surely to the truth, and to one of the most signal ameliorations of government in favour of

*Upon a motion of Mr. Grattan, "That this House will resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into its most serious consideration the state of the laws affecting his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects in Great Britain and Ireland, with a view to such a final and conciliatory adjustment, as may be conducive to the power and strength of the United Kingdom, to the stability of the Protestant Establishment, and to the general satisfaction and concord of all classes of his Majesty's subjects," The division was- For Mr. Grattan's motion

Against it

Majority

264

224

40

ED.

civil freedom, during the terror and darkness in which the rest of the world is involved. I look with great anxiety to the Committee; not only on account of the arts which will be employed to embarrass it, but for fear of the unfavourable impression with which the late vote may be received throughout the country, even by liberal men, if it has the appearance of being followed by difficulties which the ablest men in Parliament cannot remove. I believe none such exist in the nature of the measure, though there may be in the habitual alienation and mutual repugnance which several of those leaders feel for one another. Yet I would fain hope, the public spirit, which they all possess, will on this great concern bring them together in earnest, and make them feel how much the reputation of all of them as statesmen is staked, upon their skilful and successful use of the advantage which an honest vote of the House has put into their hands, and how the final adjustment of this embarrassing claim will clear the great field of public affairs for other exertions of their ambition and patriotism, whether they are to be still adverse to one another, or shall make an experiment of acting together. I cannot think that Grattan, and Lord Grey, and Canning would find it very difficult to agree upon a plan of emancipation and securities; and if they come to the Committee with a plan agreed on, that Bankes and Bragge Bathurst would find it easy to disunite them. Though the House, in its present temper, might perhaps be induced to pass a partial measure, I own it seems to me imprudent in any of the great leaders of the Catholic cause to think of originating any compromise of that sort; they may be forced to accept at present only part of their claim for the Catholics; but to preserve the strength of their cause, they ought

to keep it entire, and there is no part of the argument which it is more important to impress upon the public mind, than that to do good you must give all.

I am sorry to hear that the negotiation for an exchange of prisoners is broke off. What a hint to the Royal Family is conveyed by Wortley's speech; it is like some of the signs that appeared among the Tories, after the trial of the Bishops.

Yours, my dear Hallam, very truly,

FRA. HORNER.

LETTER CXCVII. FROM WILLIAM FREEMANTLE, ESQ.

Dear Horner,

Stanhope Street, 16th March, 1813.

I wrote a note to you yesterday, not recollecting you were on the circuit: my object was to speak to you on the subject of a seat in parliament.

I have reason to know that a seat will be vacant in the course of ten days, which I am authorised to offer you, begging you to understand it to be without stipulation or pledge of any sort or kind, saving that which, of course, you would feel it just to admit, namely, to resign whenever your politics should differ from the person who has the means of recommending you to the seat. The expense will be merely the dinner, which I rather think does not usually amount to more than 30%. or 401.

If this meets with your wishes, I will trouble you to let me know, as I am sure it has long been an object with the person whose sentiments I speak, to place you where your character and abilities have before rendered you so useful; and it has only been from unavoidable circumstances that the offer was delayed.

Ever believe dear Horner, truly yours,

me,

W. FREEMANTLE.

LETTER CXCVIII. TO WILLIAM FREEMANTLE, ESQ.

Dear Freemantle,

Exeter, 17th March, 1813.

I have this evening received your letter dated yesterday, and at the same time the one which you had sent the day before to Lincoln's Inn. It is a very high gratification to me to have been supposed in any degree worthy of the proposal which you have had the kindness to convey to me, and nothing can be more perfectly satisfactory to my mind than the terms in which you have expressed it. I beg, therefore, you will be so good as to communicate my acceptance of this offer, by which I feel myself to be so much flattered and obliged. It will not be in my power to return to London for some time; but you will, perhaps, take the trouble of writing to me, when you can give me further information or directions.

Believe me yours truly,

FRA. HORNER.

LETTER CXCIX. TO LORD HOLLAND.

Dear Lord Holland,

London, 20th May, 1813.

Your argument, from the manifesto of the Regency, does not admit of an answer; yet the foolish people, who manage the No-Popery cause at present, were all delighted with the appearance of those documents.

You and Allen must be right, I think, about the advantage to be derived from keeping the Dissenters and Catholics on the same footing, so as to give to each the services of the other in their common cause: though I was not prepared to go so far as he did some time ago,