Stanhope Street, June 14th, 1788.
My dearest Lord,
We have been exceedingly alarmed here, with a report of Lord
Temple's dangerous illness. I called at your brother W.
Grenville's to know the particulars, but did not find him. I
then learnt from Fitzherbert that the crisis was happily passed,
and that you and Lady Buckingham were released from the
melancholy alarms which you both had on so dreadful a visitation
of Providence. I hope this letter will find you all as well as
you can wish or expect. I do not know how far employment and a
great situation compensate to you for other _désagrémens_; but
you seem to me to have sacrificed more than most men in devoting
yourself to your present office, and in quitting your comforts
in this country. There is no accounting for taste, and that
being yours, I cannot help remarking, with much concern, how
heavily you have been visited in your domestic enjoyments, by
the illness of Lady B. and yourself, and your boy, and by the
death of the unfortunate T----ns.
One is apt to imagine that the air of Pall Mall, Paddington and
Stowe, would have kept away such heavy misfortunes, and that you
would have been easier and happier than you are now. I sometimes
think, that idle men with good fortunes are happier than busy
men; their enjoyments perhaps are not so acute, but their cares
are fewer.
Poor Parry is retired _dans ses terres_, with a fret on his mind
which will probably soon carry him to the churchyard; this has
been much increased by a discovery that the Chancellor objected
to his competency, at least Pitt says so, and the other does not
deny it: between them all he has certainly been very ill-used,
and has been led on to expect what was never meant to be given
him.
I shall be much obliged to you for the copy of my letter to
Pitt, which I enclosed to you in my last letter, as it is the
only one I have. It has never been answered, nor has Pitt ever
said a word to me on the subject, which I think unhandsome and
unkind. He must be the best judge, whether such personal
inattentions can ensure the continuance of zeal and activity in
his interests of those who plague themselves with counties and
boroughs.
I was told yesterday by Lord Lovaine, that the Duke of
Northumberland had refused to bring Rose again into Parliament,
which shows a coolness between him and Pitt; but I dare say it
will not break out into anything like opposition, though a
strong report prevails that he has joined Lord Rawdon's armed
neutrality.
Sheridan finished his summing-up yesterday on the Begum charge,
and has certainly throughout displayed the greatest and most
artful abilities. The Opposition are very anxious to work it up
into a flame against Government; but I cannot say at present,
that I see anything more in the public than a nine hours'
wonder, and an anxiety for fashion's sake to get tickets for
wives and daughters. What may be the future impression of the
public is impossible to say, but it seems to have been an unwise
measure originally in Pitt to give such a handle to such able
men as those who conduct the prosecution against Hastings;
indeed, he seems so sensible of it himself, that he has suffered
Sir E. Impey to escape impeachment, and has protected him
against it, which I do not know is not a stronger measure than
the other would have been.
I shall remain here till the 24th, when I am to receive £2000
from Mr. Campbell; and then, with my debts paid, I shall take
Sir George Warren's, in Cheshire, in my way to Wales, whence, if
I can get leave of absence, I shall certainly come over to you
for a short time; the Viscountess being inexorable on the bare
mention of Dublin, and we all know she is a steady one in her
resolutions.
The Fortescues are by this time perched at Castlehill, and he
has mounted a cockade in his title to it, of which he is very
proud and happy. He is so much liked and esteemed, and so
deservedly, that no appointment ever gave more universal
satisfaction.
The Nevilles are at Stanlake, and we were invited there next
Monday; but they have put us off till the end of the week, so we
shall put them off till another opportunity, as I must be in
town on the 24th.
Sir William and Lady Williams are preparing for a tour to
Switzerland, with your brother Tom; but I should not be
surprised, if the scheme, from some cause or other, would fall
to the ground, and end in Brighthelmstone, or some sea-bathing
place.
I saw your brother Marquis the day before yesterday, who told
me, that he heard, with the _greatest concern_, that your
popularity in Ireland was falling apace, and that the candles
were out; and concluded by asking me whether I had heard of it,
which I assured him I had not. He followed this up by several
eulogies on the comforts of Bowood, and of his domestic life.
Hah! hah! hah!
Robert Williams has attended his guard duty very regularly, and
General Hyde is very well pleased with him; he goes the 24th,
for a month, with a detachment to Hampton Court for a month.
Lady B. and he beg their love and respects to Lady Buckingham
and yourself.
Pray give me two lines, and believe me ever affectionately your
friend and servant,