JET. 35.] AND THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE. 165 



the arrangement on it being stated by Lord Grey that 

 he could answer for his having no desire of office on 

 which Whitbread said that he might have been left to 

 give the refusal himself. But in 1811, when, as was 

 believed, they were quite certain to come in upon the 

 establishment of the Regency, and when doubtless they 

 would have come in but for the part that Sheridan 

 played when he ascertained that he was not to be in the 

 Cabinet, it was all settled that Whitbread was to have 

 been Secretary of State for the Home Department, and 

 he had selected his staff. Indeed, in 1809, when Grey 

 and Grenville were applied to, and refused to come in 

 on a half arrangement along with Perceval and a few 

 others, the most unreserved communication was had 

 with Whitbread, and they entirely satisfied him as to 

 the grounds of their refusal. The error of 1806 had 

 been studiously avoided, and nothing could be more 

 cordial than his acting with the party for the next two 

 or three years. The objections to him on the part of 

 some of the Grenvilles were, at least for the present, 

 got over ; and he took the Princess's part by no means 

 as separating himself from the party, though he was 

 quite a ware with myself of the umbrage which we should 

 give, not only to the Prince's people, but also to some 

 timid spirits, who were always averse to breaking 

 squares with Carlton House. For their scruples he 

 cared as little as for the obloquy to which we should 

 be exposed in that high quarter. 



On my return to London I took the letter to the 

 Princess, and she desired to consider it, and confer 

 with the Princess Charlotte upon the step about to be 

 taken. But I begged leave to set before her at once 



