390 POLITICS OF THE DAY. [1807. 



zeal in the service last year was most exemplary; and 

 I am certain that the best (indeed, for anything I 

 could see, the only good) information they have at 

 Lisbon comes through him. You will remark that 

 his remaining at his post for further orders is very 

 laudable, for the risk is great. From Lisbon you can 

 escape at a moment's warning, but the bar at Oporto 

 is frequently impassable for six weeks at a time, and 

 may probably have become so the day after the 

 convoy sailed, in which case he must find his way to 

 Lisbon as soon as the French come near ; and will 

 most likely be stopt for want of a vessel to bring him 

 off, when things get so for on. As to the Brazil 

 scheme, I still believe it never will be done as ive 

 desire it without our interference. They may send 

 a part of the family over, but it will be to keep us 

 out of the concern. The ministers are stark mad if 

 they do not make Sir Sidney call in his way out ; but 

 Lord St Vincent would have been the man for that 

 business. H. BKOUGHAM." 



TO THE EARL OF ROSSLYK 



" HOLLAND HOUSE, December 1, 1807. 



" MY DEAR LORD, Having come here for a couple 

 of days, I shall have time to give you the political 

 gossip which I promised some time ago. 



In general, things have been pretty dull and uni- 

 form since my return. Lord Howick's appearances 

 in the House of Lords have exceeded considerably 

 the highest expectations that had been formed of 



