504 CORRESPONDENCE. [1810. 



silly a book that I think we should take some notice 

 of it, 



" You must go back to the Walcheren debate. I am 

 myself more and more convinced that it will be by 

 far the most important and most critical debate, not 

 for the members only, but for the country, that has 

 taken place in our time ; and every effort should be 

 made, and every nerve strained, to bring it to a right 

 issue. If the resolutions are lost by 40 or 50, I look 

 upon Parliament as irretrievably lost in public esti- 

 mation, and all hope of anything but a Court Govern- 

 ment gone, for this reign at any rate, and probably 

 for ever. 



" Your speeches are sadly reported in the papers I 

 see, but I hear what I expected of them from better 

 authority. You have begun with perfect prudence 

 and good judgment, and I know will go on with 

 glory. 



" As for his Highness of Gloucester, what shall I say ? 

 Present to him my humble duty and acknowledg- 

 ments for the honour of his favourable opinion, and 

 say that I consider it is by far the best omen for the 

 country which late times have shown, that such per- 

 sons as he should approve of such sentiments as we 

 have been called on to make public. You must take 

 the turning of this on yourself. I take it for granted 

 you do not want an ostensible or separate note. 



: ' I am not coming to town this spring ; both your 

 reasons and my own engagements forbid it. If I hear 

 that Smith is come home, and my head continues un- 



