worthy of this nation, and no more, in proportion to its present means, than it has done before.

You will consider me very belligerent: I do not know that I ever before exposed to you, or indeed to anybody else, the full extent of my warlike disposition. It has been growing upon me, ever since the news of the memorable day at Aranjuez. I will not say there is no inconsistency between my present views of the question, and those which induced me to give my vote in support of Whitbread's last motion for peace; but, besides having reflected more upon the whole subject, the main parts of it have undergone an essential alteration, both by the immense acquisitions of empire which Bonaparte has made since, and by the great example which the poor Spaniards have set to the rest of the world.

Before I quit the subject, I ought to say, that it would form an essential part of my plan of policy, to adopt Bonaparte's kings, without disputing their title; to teach them to look to England for support, if they have either a mind to show themselves ungrateful, or find him too exacting in the gratitude he requires. Bernadotte, therefore, and Joachim, I would make a point of gaining; as, if there had been any chance of assisting Louis with effect, I would have supported him in resistance to his brother. These, I will own at the same time, are operations of diplomacy, requiring more talent than I am afraid we possess in that department, and a more uniform course of foreign policy than we are likely to see pursued. But it is time to put an end to this letter, which your kind little note that I received at breakfast has drawn from me.

I have not yet read your review of Stewart with sufficient attention to judge between you, which I mean. to do with as much impartiality as my infirm nature

will allow of, though I shall set about it with an old opinion on Stewart's side, in the main question about which you differ. differ. I was much pleased with the just praise you have bestowed on him; and there is a kindness in the particular turn of those praises, which satisfies me that you now feel what sort of merit his is.

With regard to party politics, I have little to tell you; except that the Prince has sent for Lord Grenville, and that he and Lord Grey (who comes to London this evening), are the persons to whom he will apply for advice as soon as he is Regent. The Prince has conducted himself throughout the whole transaction, in very delicate circumstances, with eminent propriety, and with perfect honour towards the Whigs; who had in truth no right to consider him as owing any obligation to them. Whether the King will ultimately recover or not, and whether during the precarious interval of a regency administration, any good can be expected to be done, is more than I can tell you.

I am really obliged to you for reporting to me what Brougham has said of me ;* not only because I love praise dearly, but because it gives me more pleasure to hear of any thing like partiality in Brougham about me or any thing I have done, than even if I could be convinced that I had deserved his favourable testimony. His alienation from me, for reasons which I never have been able even to guess, is the only considerable misfortune I have ever suffered in my life; and it would take quite a load off my mind, if he would give me a hint to catch at, for forgetting that I ever had suffered it. I

"I have really heard a great deal about your speech, and especially from Brougham, who says it was full of instruction and sound argument, admirably delivered. This testimony gave me a feeling of very unusual delight; and I think it will please you to hear of it."— Extract from a Letter of Mr. Jeffrey to Mr. Horner, 14th January, 1811.- - ED.

have always cherished a hope, that we may in time. approximate again.

I am glad to hear your account of your health. Persevere in exercise and temperance of all kinds. I shall rely upon having a letter from you very soon; give me that gratification next week, when I shall be suffering all the complicated afflictions of frost, and absence from London, and "Crowner's-quest" law. I go down to Wells on Sunday, but my sure address is always here. Ever affectionately yours,

FRA. HORNER.

LETTER CLXV. FROM LORD GRENVILLE.

Dear Sir,

Camelford House, 22d January, 1811.

I have waited with much impatience for your return to town, being very desirous of conversing with you on a subject in the highest degree interesting to myself. It may perhaps save some time if I take this mode of mentioning the matter to you generally, requesting at the same time that you will allow me the opportunity of seeing you on the subject to-morrow, at any time that may suit you best. I shall be at home. the whole morning.

There is some question, as I will then more particularly explain to you, of the formation of a new Administration. In this arrangement, if it should take place, I have been requested to resume my former situ ation at the head of the Treasury, and Mr. Tierney would, in that case, probably be Chancellor of the Exchequer.

It would afford to me, under the anxiety inseparable from such a prospect, a satisfaction not to be described, if I could hope to persuade you to assist me as one of

the Secretaries of the Treasury. I do not mean to flatter you when I say, that I should myself feel, and I am confident such would be the universal impression, that I had in that way secured the assistance of the

person in all England the most capable of rendering efficient service to the public in that situation, and of lightening the burthen which I am thus to undertake.*

Believe me, dear Sir, with great truth and regard,
Most sincerely yours,

GRENVILLE.

LETTER CLXVI. TO J. A. MURRAY, ESQ.

My dear Murray,

London, 30th January, 1811.

I received your last kind letter when I was at Wells; and have since heard, by a message from Sydney through Whishaw, that the poney is upon the road.

Of course you, who know me so well, could not entertain any apprehensions, from what you may have read in the newspapers, that I was likely to be tempted to take a political situation. I wish, however, to let you know, but in confidence for the present, that I have been put to the trial, and have decided without any difficulty to adhere to the rule which I laid down for myself when I went into Parliament, not to take any political office until I was rich enough to live at ease out of office.

There is a high probability that the Regent will form a new administration, though the point is not yet settled; because the advice he has received upon the question is made to rest, upon what he shall find to be the real condition of the King, which hitherto has been concealed from his family, and studiously involved in contradictory

The answer to this letter has not been found. - ED.

and false reports. My own conviction is, that he will be found so far from the appearance of a probable recovery, that the Regent will take his measures as for a permanency. With a view to the arrangement that would then be formed, I have been asked, in a manner very flattering to me, to undertake the office of financial secretary of the Treasury; which I have declined. The opportunity there is, at present, in that department, of rendering service to the country, both in meeting the difficulties which are coming on in its revenue, as well as commercial concerns, and in conducting to a proper result the discussions which have been stirred respecting the state of the currency; the field which is opened by the present state of the House of Commons; the pleasure of having a man in whom I entirely confide for my colleague, and the gratification of accepting office with the rest of one's party, at a moment when such a step is attended with some uncertainty and adventure: are considerations which would have strongly tempted me, if I had permitted myself to bring into doubt the propriety of my previous resolution. I decided therefore at once, and of course consider it a decision for life. I beg that you will not mention what I have now told you, for obvious reasons.

Affectionately yours,

FRA. HORNER.

LETTER CLXVI.* TO THE HON. MRS. SPENCER.

Dear Mrs. Spencer,

London, February, 1811.

I saw Ward in the House on Tuesday, not looking ill I thought; but I was not aware that he had been unwell. He keeps himself at such a distance from me, that it is by accident only I ever hear of him. He was