THE LATE SIR JAMES MACKINTOSH. 511 



improbable that some proposal might be made to him on his return from 

 India, and had therefore maturely deliberated, on his passage home, 

 what course it would become him to pursue, with reference to the state 

 in which he might find parties on his arrival ; that his family and pecu- 

 niary circumstances would not justify him in rejecting any situation 

 which might add to his fortune, if he could accept it with honour and a 

 safe conscience ; that there might be circumstances, some of which I was 

 aware of, that might justify him to the world in abandoning the Whig 

 party ; but that he was satisfied he could not accept a political office 

 under Mr. Perceval's administration without violating those feelings and 

 principles which had hitherto governed him, and had made up his mind, 

 that he should best consult his own peace and comfort by adhering to 

 the party to which he had always been attached. 'As a proof of my 

 sincerity,' said he, ' allow me to read you this letter, which I am just 

 about to despatch to Mr. Perceval. You are aware how much I have 

 been indebted to his kindness. He has been very marked in his atten- 

 tion to me since my return, and yesterday requested to see me in Down- 

 ing-street. He, there, after many obliging expressions, stated his wish 

 not only to see me in Parliament, but in some high office, that he was 

 pleased to say might be worthy of me ; that with that view he had en- 

 deavoured to make an arrangement to place me at the head of the Board 

 of Control ; and though he could not accomplish that object immediately, 

 nor perhaps before the dissolution of the present Parliament, he had it 

 in his power to offer me a seat in the House of Commons, if I would 

 now accept it. I was so touched with the frankness of his proposal and 

 with the kindness and earnestness of his manner, that though I required 

 no time for deliberation, I thought there would be something like rude- 

 ness in a sudden rejection of it, and I therefore told him, if it were a 

 question of personal feeling and respect for him, I should not hesitate 

 an instant in accepting an offer so flattering to me ; that there were, 

 however, other considerations involved in it, which might weigh with 

 me in an opposite direction ; but that at all events I thought it due to 

 the friendly sentiments he had expressed towards me, to take some time 

 to deliberate before I made up my mind to give him an answer. Here 

 is my answer, and I am very glad that I have an opportunity of showing 

 it to you before I send it.' He then read the letter, which, in terms 

 highly courteous to Mr. Perceval, contained the substance of what he 

 stated to me. I was too much delighted with this signal proof of the 

 integrity of my friend to conceal either my satisfaction or my secret ; 

 nor could I deny myself the gratification of letting him enjoy, at the very 

 moment when he was making so noble a sacrifice to principle, the most 

 appropriate compensation he could receive. I hailed him at once mem- 

 ber for Nairnshire, and set before him the honour and fame which he 

 could not fail to acquire by his talents in the House of Commons, as well 

 as the gratitude of the party to whose service he so nobly devoted them. 

 The letter was never received. Whilst I hastened homewards to put 

 into writing the substance of this conversation for Lord Cawdor, I 

 received the intelligence that Mr. Perceval had just been shot by an 

 assassin, as he entered the House of Commons. 



Sir James Mackintosh shortly afterwards proceeded to Cawdor Castle, 

 where he passed a portion of the ensuing summer in cultivating the in- 



