he purest, the
wisest of the day were enrolled; they took upon themselves the origin
of all the active measures, and Lord Dawton was the mere channel through
which those measures flowed; the plain, the unpretending, and somewhat
feeble character of Lord Dawton's mind, readily conceded to the abler
components of his party, the authority it was so desirable that they
should exert. In Vincent's party, with the exception of himself, there
was scarcely an individual with the honesty requisite for loving the
projects they affected to propose, or the talents that were necessary
for carrying them into effect, even were their wishes sincere; nor were
either the haughty Lincoln, or his noisy and overbearing companion,
Lesborough, at all of a temper to suffer that quiet, yet powerful
interference of others, to which Dawton unhesitatingly submitted.

I was the more resolved to do all possible justice to Dawton's party,
from the inclination I naturally had to lean towards the other; and
in all matters, where private pique or self-interest can possibly
penetrate, it has ever been the object of my maturer consideration to
direct my particular attention to that side of the question which such
undue partizans are the least likely to espouse. While I was gradually,
but clearly, feeling my way to a decision, I received the following note
from Guloseton:--

"I said nothing to you last night of what is now to be the subject of
my letter, lest you should suppose it arose rather from the heat of an
extempore conviviality, than its real source, viz. a sincere esteem for
your mind, a sincere affection for your heart, and a sincere sympathy in
your resentment and your interest.

"They tell me that Lord Dawton's triumph or discomfiture rests entirely
upon the success of the motion upon--, brought before the House of
Commons, on the--. I care, you know, very little for my own part, which
way this question is decided; do not think, therefore, that I make any
sacrifice when I request you to suffer me to follow your advice in the
disposal of my four votes. I imagine, of course, that you would wish
them to adopt the contrary side to Lord Dawton; and upon receiving a
line from you to that effect, they shall be empowered to do so.

"Pray, oblige me also by taking the merit of this measure upon yourself,
and saying (wherever it may be useful to you), how entirely, both the
voters and their influence are at your disposal. I trust we shall yet
play the