JET. 30.] WHITBREAD. 391 



them ; but his speeches of last night for the negotia- 

 tion, though certainly able, and perhaps superior in 

 oratory to any of his former ones, are not very much 

 approved of by those who like prudent and calm 

 avowals of principles in leaders of parties. It must, 

 I fear, be admitted that he is a little too warlike ; and 

 in general I fancy he is more Grenvillian, both in 

 opinions and indeed in cast of character, than the 

 rest of the remains of the Foxes. In his office he is, 

 I should conceive, an excellent man of business. And 

 he has appointed Stratton to the envoyship at Stock- 

 holm, though he was only known to him by his merit 

 and services, having no friends nor influence. 



" But the talk of the day is Whitbread's opposition, 

 which I assure you is pretty fierce, and was even 

 personal to Grey.* It seems to be generally admitted 

 that he acted from principle, though I hear some 

 people hint that he would in no wise dislike having 

 his hands tied up by a high office and this, I must 

 say, I do not at all believe ; and though I cannot but 

 think he liked the eclat of the thing after he had 

 resolved to speak in this way, yet I am sure he acted 

 a most conscientious part in forming his resolution. 



" His praise of Yarmouth (whom it is really im- 

 possible not to blame, and whose appointment all 

 our friends, I am sure, regret) was very like a little 

 common factious opposition. Still more so was his 



* See the debate on Mr Whitbread's motion, "That a committee 

 be appointed to inquire into the state of the nation," July 6, 1807. 

 Cobbett's Debates, ix. 70-1. As strangers were excluded, the report is 

 only an outline. 



