$12 POLITICAL CORRESPONDENCE. [1810. 



ten within a minute of the post going. I mentioned 

 that the ministerial folks were remarking the absence 

 of the Grenvilles. I have since learnt that Lord 

 Temple is laid up with the gout. 



" No one can tell what Perceval means to propose ; 

 probably he himself can tell as little as anybody. 

 There is, in all likelihood, a difference between the 

 Wellesleys and him, and we shall then have a com- 

 promise that is to say, very few restrictions, just 

 enough to save the principle, as it were. If our 

 friends manage wisely, they will enter their protest 

 in the form of a single debate in each House, and then 

 do nothing to protract the discussion. The prince's 

 continued neutrality, however, is mischievous, and 

 will affect the divisions. Sheridan said, pretty ex- 

 pressly (though in a parenthesis), that he only spoke 

 for himself. It seems odd, however, that he should 

 have spoken at all, if he did not expect the prince to 

 stir ; for in the former debate he said nothing. 



" I have been confined for ten days with a bad cough, 

 which has prevented me from hearing anything or 

 seeing anybody, so that I only can speak to what 

 I observed last night. 



" Canning's friends seem a little puzzled, and the 

 general impression of the committee who examined 

 the physicians is said to be much less sanguine than 

 before the examination. I take it for granted some- 

 body has sent you their report, but I shall send it by 

 this post if I can ; if not, by to-morrow's. Believe 

 me ever yours truly, H. BROUGHAM." 



