Stratton Street, Dec. 13th, 1788.
MY DEAR LORD,
The account at St. James's this morning is, that the King had a
quiet night; but that, on awaking, His Majesty was more unquiet
than yesterday. Unless something very particular is noted in these
official returns of the King's health, shall not in future transmit
accounts so inconclusive to such a distance. The disorder in its
nature is subject to intervals, and to variations which even a
medical inquirer could not build upon, without being a witness to
such vicissitudes of malady or having a recital of each minute
symptom, and that with comments. Each authentic account, more in
detail, as it comes to me you shall have; and then, too, the St.
James's note as a corollary.
After my note from the House of Commons--which, if your Lordship
can read, I do not think I now could, such was the haste of
scribble--Sheridan threw out the menace which the papers state,
with Pitt's answer; the comment on which is, in the mouth of
Opposition: "Pray, for God's sake, don't put a question, and urge
it to a division, which will ruin our pretensions as Whigs if we
do, as we must do, divide against it."
On walking out this morning, the first thing that struck me, was a
long row of handbills, stuck from one end to the other of the wall
of Devonshire House; in which a few words of _Fox for the Prince's
prerogative_, and of Pitt, in reply for privilege of Parliament and
liberties of the nation, were not badly selected.
We are likely to have a conversation in Parliament, I am pretty
authentically informed, of even a more delicate nature than the
last; John Rolle intending to bring forward his old subject of Mrs.
Fitzherbert.
Rolle and Sheridan had a whispering conference under the gallery
for some minutes; the result of which, Sir J. Scott,
Solicitor-General, with whom I dined, said he understood to be
firmness on the part of Rolle, in his intention at a proper time to
come forward.
To our question of right, on Tuesday the previous question is
expected from Opposition; and that they will be stronger on that
point than any other, from having the timidity of some, co-operate
with the interestedness of others. The list on that day will be
worth marking. I trust we shall yet have a great majority of
Parliament who will not submit to be dragooned out of their
privileges and freedom by an Irish Brigade.
Grattan is every day under the gallery, not admiring, I hope, the
Captains Sheridan and Burke. I know not which side he leans to.
Adieu, my dear Lord. My wife desires to forward her kindest wishes
and best respects to the Marchioness, with your most affectionate
and devoted friend's,