42 ELECTION PROSPECTS. [1812. 



as well as more dignified, to keep our feast at the right 

 time. If indeed there is war with America, notwith- 

 standing the repeal of the Orders ; if our labours are 

 all in vain, and peace must be delayed till we have 

 fought other battles next session of Parliament, it 

 is only a blessing deferred, for we have substantially 

 carried the day; but we ought in this case to reflect 

 how serious an evil the delay itself is, though it can 

 only be short if we bestir ourselves. We should con- 

 sider all that is past as nothing, and gird our loins and 

 hearts as if the whole were only beginning ; and in- 

 stead of triumphing, our note should be dolorous, both 

 in point of truth and policy. Should the war be con- 

 firmed (at least for the present) at or about the time 

 of our meeting to celebrate a peace (nine-tenths of the 

 expected fruits of our last success), we might indeed 

 expect to hear quoted on us, or might fairly cite our- 

 selves, ' falsam spem ! volucres fortunas ! 

 csecam cupiditatem ! prseposteram gratulationem ! 

 quam cito ilia omnia ex Isetitia" et voluptate in 

 luctum et 1 aery mas reciderunt ! ' (Pro Sylla!) 



" Now, I own, my rule being, before the moment 

 of action, always to prepare for the worst, and in the 

 moment itself to listen to nothing but confidence and 

 hopes, I am always (in every situation) as gloomy 

 while planning as I am resolute in shutting my eyes 

 to the dark side while executing. Therefore I am 

 now, and have been for some time past, preparing for 

 the worst I hope without any great reason ; but it 

 is safest. 



" Everything, however, will depend on the opinion 

 of those upon the spot ; for I am speaking at a dis- 

 tance, and in generals. Therefore I send by this post 



