406 POLITICS OF THE DAY. [1808. 



I knew when he lived here last year and the year 

 before. He is a sensible and accomplished man, in- 

 finitely sanguine on the present occasion. 



" To drop down to a very trifling subject, I have 

 been defeated in my plan of being called to the bar 

 this term. To my great surprise they sent down the 

 Attorney and Solicitor General, who frightened the 

 benchers, and leaguing with Saint Allan Park (one 

 of the greatest knaves in the profession), rejected my 

 application by a majority of OXE vote. Every one 

 admits that this is a vile political job, and scarcely 

 ever before attempted. They luckily cannot easily 

 prevent me next term ; but I am infinitely injured 

 by the delay, besides the foretaste it gives me of what 

 I have to expect in future when I shall stand in need 

 of a silk gown. Believe me ever most sincerely yours, 



" HENRY BROUGHAM." 



TO EAEL GEEY. 



'TEMPLE, July 21, 1808. 



" ... It is a very strange thing that the ministers 

 have contrived to pick out a staff for Spain and Portu- 

 gal which contains not one man who ever served there, 

 except Sir H. Dalrymple, who is a mere name. I am 

 persuaded the Duke of York, after the first success, 

 will follow with the Guards, and bring all back 

 again. It must be admitted, however, that things 

 are looking very well in Spain, and great things may 

 follow if they go on in the same way ; but I am no 

 believer in the duration and steadiness of popular 



