^T. 31.] . WAR IN GERMANY. 439 



be more uncertain than their return. Probably the 

 ship that carries out Lord Wellesley will afterwards 

 join Lord Collingwood. As I think the state of the 

 Austrian war, whatever its ultimate result may be, 

 likely for some time to prevent the sending any suffi- 

 cient reinforcements to the French army in Spain, 

 and as this may very probably occasion a second 

 retreat behind the Ebro, I shall not be surprised to 

 learn that her ladyship has determined to stay where 

 she is till after her accouchement, which I suppose you 

 know is approaching. I had a long letter from Holland 

 in answer to my speech, or rather to misrepresentations 

 of my speech, in the newspaper. It contained, in my 

 opinion, a great deal of false reasoning, and in some 

 instances rested on falsehoods : upon the whole, it was 

 nearly in the same strain as the defence of the minis- 

 ters, though he imputes considerable blame to them ; 

 and I think it very lucky that he did not come home 

 in time to announce any of these sentiments in Par- 

 liament. . . . Ever yours most truly, 



" GREY." 

 TO EAEL GREY. 



"June 30, 1809. 



" DEAR LORD GREY, Lord Eosslyn having pro- 

 mised to write to you yesterday, I did not, but I find 

 he has been prevented by interruptions of various 

 kinds, though he certainly will to-morrow. He is to 

 have the advanced guard, but does not expect to be 

 off for some weeks. He denies both the Duke of 

 York and Burrard, but I am disposed to believe they 



