=Source.=--_The Life of the Duke of Wellington_, by J. R. Gleig.
_Letter from Col. Fairman to the Editor of the "Morning Herald,"
April 6, 1830._
"Dear Sir,
"From those who may be supposed to have opportunities of knowing
'the secrets of the castle,' the King is stated to be by no manner
in so alarming a state as many folks would have it imagined. His
Majesty is likewise said to dictate the bulletins of his own
state of health. Some whisperings have also gone abroad, that
in the event of a demise of the crown, a regency would probably
be established, for reasons which occasioned the removal of the
next in the succession from the office of high-admiral. That a
maritime government might not prove consonant to the views of a
military chieftain of the most unbounded ambition, may admit of
easy belief; and as the second heir-presumptive is not alone a
female, but a minor, in addition to the argument which might be
applied to the present, that in the ordinary course of nature it
was not to be expected that his reign could be of long duration, in
these disjointed times it is by no means unlikely a vicarious form
of government may be attempted. The effort would be a bold one,
but after the measures we have seen, what new violations should
surprise us? Besides, the popular plea of economy and expedience
might be urged as the pretext, while aggrandisement and usurpation
might be the latent sole motive. It would only be necessary to
make out a plausible case, which, from the facts on record, there
could be no difficulty in doing, to the satisfaction of a pliable
and obsequious set of ministers, as also to the success of such an
experiment.
"Most truly yours,
"W. B. F."
NOTE.--_Colonel Fairman was an Orangeman. After the Emancipation
Bill became law, the Orangemen gave vent to their wrath upon the
Duke of Wellington._