468 CORRESPONDENCE. [1825. 



only he is quite aware of Northumberland not being at 

 all certain ; and it was from his way of mentioning 

 that, that I chiefly inferred as above, coupled with 

 what he had said formerly. 



" Remember me to Lady Grey, and believe me ever 

 yours, H. B." 



In the early part of the session we resolved to keep 

 up a great fight against the Government, even from 

 the day Parliament met (3d February), and began by 

 a good debate on the Address, although it was not con- 

 sidered advisable to move an amendment in either 

 House. But on the 10th, when Goulburn brought in 

 a bill to amend the Unlawful Societies Acts in Ireland, 

 the battle of the session really began. We debated 

 this for four nights, and seldom has there been seen in 

 the House of Commons a debate so remarkable for 

 speeches of the first order. On the fourth night 

 (Tuesday, 15th of February) I followed Canning, and 

 closed the debate. My speech was considered very 

 successful ; and certainly, considering that during the 

 whole continuance of this long debate I had been very 

 hard worked every day in court, and most part of 

 every night in chambers I had every reason to be 

 satisfied with my speech. About four in the morning 

 we divided, and were beaten by nearly two to one. 



Next day I wrote to Lord Grey as follows : 



"LONDON, February 16, 1825. 



" MY DEAR LORD GREY, The papers will have told 

 you more fully than I could our late movements, which 

 I hope and trust have been such as to meet with your 

 approbation ; though, being so far off, you may some- 



