JET. 45.] EARL GREY. 463 



sible, for me to refuse anything which you press so 

 strongly as my attendance at the Spanish meeting. 

 My first inclination was at once to abandon all the 

 objections I had to it, and to submit my own opinion 

 to yours ; but after much reflection I really cannot 

 agree to assist in this measure, though to the object 

 which it has in view I am not less friendly than any 

 of its most eager supporters. 



" I say nothing of the meeting having been resolved 

 upon without any general communication with the 

 chief members of Opposition, and against the opinion 

 of many of them. 



" This I should not mind if I had not more serious 

 objections. In the first place, I feel considerable doubt 

 as to the measure in point of principle. In the second, 

 I cannot conceive that any real advantage would 

 attend it in aiding the resistance of Spain, more espe- 

 cially under the present aspect of affairs in that coun- 

 try ; and unless I could hold out such a hope, I do 

 not feel that I could be justified in taking any active 

 part in recommending it to a public meeting. 



" Under these circumstances, and with these feel- 

 ings, I trust you will not think me quite inexcusable, 

 more especially when it is considered that any advan- 

 tage which could result from my presence at the 

 meeting could be very little, whilst so many of the 

 most active and powerful members of the Opposition 

 decline attending it. Ever yours, GREY." 



TO EAEL GEEY. 



" January 26, 1824. 



"MY DEAR LORD GREY, I wish very much to 

 hear from you upon the present state of affairs, espe- 



