^T. 49.] THE JUNCTION. 485 



worth telling you, you shall have a line from me. 

 Yours always faithfully, PLUNKET. 



"Lord M., your friend, has fired a stern-chaser at 

 Government and the Solicitor-General." 



TO EARL GREY. 



"DURHAM, August 13, 1827. 



" MY DEAR LORD GREY, I cannot help writing 

 you a few lines upon the change that has lately taken 

 place. Much as on all other accounts I regret Can- 

 ning's death, it is impossible for me to avoid reflecting 

 that it removes the principal obstacle to your support- 

 ing the Government. At least this is the impression 

 left on my mind by the very disagreeable recollections 

 of last session. 



" Of course I do not ask you to declare your feelings 

 and opinions upon this subject. But proceeding upon 

 the supposition of my opinion being well founded, I 

 wish to state to you what has happened with regard 

 to myself. 



" You are aware that I have uniformly refused polit- 

 ical office of every kind. I do this both because I can 

 ill afford to give up a large and certain for a smaller 

 and precarious income, and also because I think, in my 

 circumstances, I should lower myself in Parliament and 

 the country by accepting any place out of my profes- 

 sion. I adhered to this when Canning lately pressed 

 me on the subject. 



" As for professional promotion, having declined a ju- 

 dicial station, nothing can remain for me except those 

 offices which it seems the King will not, from personal 

 objections, hear of my holding. I have therefore 



