90 STATE OF PARTIES. [1813. 



" That the victory is upon the whole favourable to 

 the constitution of this country I cannot doubt, for it 

 must lead to peace, and then there is an end of the 

 stop-mouth always used, c Nothing can be done while 

 Hannibal is at the gates/ Besides, peace is itself a 

 great ffoocl. and one of the benefits to secure which 



O O ' 



we are desirous of seeing the constitution free. If, 

 indeed, I could believe that the war is to last, the vic- 

 tories would be so much clear loss, for they make the 

 Government here nearly absolute, whatever relief they 

 may bring to Germany ; and charity begins at home. 



" But in the hopes of peace, were there nothing else, 

 one cannot help exceedingly desiring that the great 

 party, as it still is, should be kept together on true 

 party principles, and should consider that in order to 

 act with effect then (at a peace) they must continue 

 as now. 



" Connected with this is the subject of the speech, 

 which all our friends, at least most, approve as mode- 

 rate and on their own principles (supposing the phrase, 

 kingdom of France, not to be a designed ambiguity). 

 To commend it on those principles is doing nothing 

 against the party, but this should be done with a re- 

 ference to the party, so as to let it distinctly appear 

 that the Government have come over to you on this 

 important ground, as on many others, and therefore 

 you approve. 



" But while we are waiting for peace, are there no 

 measures which the party might take with real benefit 

 both to the country and to their own substantial pop- 

 ularity measures which they might carry, too, in a 

 session or two, with so wretched a ministry to oppose 

 them, and the place-hunters (army, &c.) to back them 



