JET. 38.] THE INCOME-TAX. 301 



article of this character to the 'Edinburgh Beview.' I 

 have been regretting that a fire has not been already 

 opened, and steadily kept up from this battery, the 

 only one from which our artillery can be expected to 

 produce any real effect. Our drift ought to be to con- 

 nect as much as possible the questions arising out of 

 the treaties with questions of this description. Of the 

 execrable principle of these treaties, and the scandalous 

 fraud by which the country has been led on to sup- 

 port measures the real object of which has not only been 

 concealed but denied the public will take no heed, if 

 they can entertain a hope of a continuance of peace ; 

 and if not, of a diminution of their burdens at least 

 that they will not be augmented. But if the people 

 can be made to understand that our triumphs have 

 produced no security, that we must support a ruinous 

 establishment in peace to maintain our guaranty of the 

 Bourbons with the risk of a new war and all its con- 

 sequences if the French should again rise against them 

 I think it still possible that something may be done. 

 This position, therefore, ought to be taken, and ap- 

 proaches prepared for the attacks which must be made 

 in both Houses of Parliament. What I hear in the 

 few opportunities I have of learning anything, con- 

 firms the opinion which your letters convey, that the 

 treaties are not popular. Even the 'Courier ' can hardly 

 raise a treble note of exultation. Here, as in other 

 parts of the country, the distress is extreme, and the 

 greatest impatience is expressed for the meeting of 

 Parliament, in the hopes that Lord Buckingham's 

 something may be done ; and if nothing is then heaxd 

 but complimentary addresses, and congratulations on 



