JET. 40.] HER DEATH. 335 



great omission, and prevented him from boldly sacri- 

 ficing the child. 



" The heir-apparency being, as it were, in commission, 

 will be a formidable circumstance, for all the princes 

 may be king almost with equal probability; and this 

 raises their consequence, and they all are his enemies. 

 The Duke of Kent should marry, and keep out the 

 Duke of Cumberland and his family. I have reason 

 to know that the match with Leopold's sister is not a 

 fabrication, but I should not like to be cited.* 



"The Hollands left Paris last Saturday. Ever 

 yours truly, H. B." 



TO EARL GEEY. 



"December 3, 1817. 



" MY DEAR LORD GREY, There seems to be some- 

 thing intended as to the Duke of York's resigning. 

 From what I hear, I really believe he is to give up, 

 and to have his debts paid (200,000). I may say I 

 have this on good authority, though I was specially 

 desired to conceal it. It probably arises from the 

 Prince already beginning to be jealous; and, with great 

 submission to Perry, I think it quite uncalled for by 

 the change of the Duke's situation, and in every re- 

 spect injurious. It is great folly in the Duke himself, 

 if it is a voluntary act. Pray what do you think on 

 this matter ? 



" Leach is working hard to be allowed to keep the 

 Chancellorship of the Duchy, with the new place he is 

 to have whether Eolls or Vice-Chancellor's ; and the 

 Chancellor, who is not his friend, is very stout against 



* On the llth July 1818, the Duke of Kent married Victoria Maria 

 Louisa, sister of Prince Leopold, the mother of the Queen. 



