500 IN PARLIAMENT. [1810. 



as being, in its tendency, most pernicious to his Ma- 

 jesty's service, and to the general service of the State. 

 The debate was adjourned from the 2d to the 5th 

 of March, and on the latter day I made my maiden 

 speech in support of Whitbread's motion. 



I had no reason to be dissatisfied with my speech, 

 which was favourably received, as indeed first attempts 

 usually are ; and I was afterwards told that my argu- 

 ments had assisted to produce the defeat of ministers, 

 who found themselves compelled to agree to Whit- 

 bread's motion.'* 



The following letter was written most kindly by 

 Homer to my mother : 



"HOUSE OF LORDS, March 6, 1810. 



II MY DEAR MRS BROUGHAM, You will naturally be 

 very anxious to have some account of Henry's speech 

 last night, which I had the pleasure of hearing. The 

 manner in which he spoke was in every respect most 

 parliamentary, and gave all his friends the most 

 complete assurance of the success he will have in the 

 House. His language and delivery were perfectly 

 suited to the style which the House requires, and he 

 showed himself to be in complete possession of it. It 

 was well judged to begin with a speech which was 

 extempore, and to give this proof of what he can do, 

 before the great opportunity of which I trust he will 

 avail himself upon the Walcheren inquiry. 



* The speech will be found in Cobbett (XVI. 7, *.), where it occu- 

 pies four columns. 



