Stratton Street, Nov. 25th, 1788.
MY DEAR LORD,
However, at a crisis of such national concern as the present, my
mind is impressed with its importance, and would communicate to you
the vicissitudes and opinions thereon of each hour, as leading in
the minutest variation to new consequences, and of the first
moment; yet I confess myself at a loss how to arrange these
_parvula quidam ex queis magun exoriuntur_, and give them their due
weight, by stating the deductions thereon as they appear to me,
within any compass of letter.
As to the fact on which our fears and speculations are to build,
the change of mere words in stating the malady, as daily announced
at St. James's, may be proper enough to keep alive the hopes of the
public, who will argue on mere words, in reality, within this
fortnight the King hath remained from day to day without any
variation in symptoms: so this very morning Dr. Gisborne told me,
as his opinion, resulting from conversation with his brother
physicians in immediate attendance. My friend Dr. Milman seems to
be of the like opinion. That _possibly_ His Majesty may recover the
perfect use of his understanding is not less believed than hoped
for: cases have been stated, more desperate than the present,
wherein the recovery hath been perfect. Yet much mischief is
already done, or rather the basis of mischief is already and
irremoveably laid. In future times, designing, ambitious and
profligate men may start the idea that what has been may be, and
in the desperate effort of factious opposition, even venture to
arraign the temper and health of mind, though it shows its perfect
state, and the wise measures of Government should put such daring
insult at defiance.
If the King remains a length of time in the same state, I would, on
such too probable circumstance, join my speculations to your
Lordship's, could I imagine any resting-place, or outlet, in the
labyrinth of cases and deductions which the subject affords. I had
best, therefore, confine my correspondence, and take up the
immediate matter and language of the mere day, unless I meant a
book rather than a letter.
The language touches on the hopes and views of partymen, and on the
interests of the country as complicated with the present
Administration remaining in power. My business calling me often
into the city, I speak as an eye-witness to the temper of men at
the Royal Exchange, and Lloyd's Coffee-rooms, never did
Administration stand so high in opinion of the moneyed and
commercial world: throughout the city, the fears of losing Pitt
from the finance make as much of the regrets of anticipation, as
the fears of losing the King from the throne. Should the change of
Ministry (too much apprehended) take place, it is thought that
Fox's party--to temporize with the public opinion, too strong
directly to meet in the teeth--will propose a coalescence of some
sort; but so narrowed, and in regard to Mr. Pitt, moreover, placing
him in such jar of official situation, that it cannot be in any
manner listened to. The refusal of the insidious offer is then to
be noised throughout the country, and a trial to be made to engage
the people "to join with those who proffered a sacrifice of
enmities to Pitt for the public good." _My opinion_ is, that the
trial will be abortive, and the present Administration retire (if
so necessitated), merely to return to power on the shoulders of the
nation. The Opposition, I understand, foresee their difficulties,
and are exceedingly embarrassed, even supposing the Regent, or
Regency, to venture on the change of Ministry.
I presume to hazard an opinion that such Regent, or Regency, cannot
and will not risk a change of Ministry with so precipitate
declaration in favour of our opponents, as some expect, at such
eventful crisis as the present. It is natural for men's hopes, or
fears, to colour too strongly the contingency on which their
relative interests depend. Some hope too much, and some fear too
much. If the Prince of Wales is made and continues at the head of
Regency a twelvemonth, then indeed a revolution in Ministry, or in
everything, may be worked out of the occasions ingenuity and
ambition may have to take hold of; but here I am running into a
book, and to avoid it close my letter. From time to time I shall
write, almost from day to day, if aught occurs deserving your
perusal. Meantime, and ever, my dear Lord, in truest affection and
attachment,
Your faithfully devoted friend and servant,
W. YOUNG.