Although I shall in a very few hours have the pleasure of seeing you,
I cannot delay till then thanking you most sincerely for your two last
very comfortable private letters. No consolation could ever come at a
moment when it is more wanted. I almost feel guilty of ingratitude
in making so ill a return to it, as that of leaving Lisle so rapidly,
notwithstanding, God knows, my will by no means consented to this act.
I trust this will appear in everything I have said and done, and that
nothing has been omitted on my part to obtain what I know to be _your
first wish_, and which I can safely say was also _mine_. The having
failed in it hurts me still the more, as we infallibly should have
succeeded had not the _political earthquake_ of the 4th of September
taken place. But success being impossible, the next best comfort is,
the having failed without discredit to myself; and if, when I have the
pleasure to meet you, I should be assured of it, I shall feel comfort
fully equal to that in which I began this letter, by thanking you.
I am, &c.
(Signed) MALMESBURY.
_Letter from Lord Malmesbury to Mr. Canning, Calais, Monday, 9 p.m.,
Sept. 18th, 1797._