at Brooks's last night anneantis as
politicians, if he will stand but firm upon the ground on which he
now is.

Sir G. Cooper(209) tells me that two only were lost by the
disappointment of the Loan. Several Scotch members went off, for
reasons but too apparent, and which justified but too much the
character given of them. Mr. W. lays this upon Rigby's agitated,
restless humour and intrigue, but how much he has contributed to
this bustle I am sure I cannot tell. If I was in his circumstances,
I should not be disposed to hazard any change.

The Taxes, which were to come on on Monday, are put off till
Wednesday. Questions will be followed by questions, but all will not
be carried by a majority against Government, if the King expresses
an inclination to yield as to measures and to be resolute as to men.

I own that to see Charles closeted every instant at Brooks's by one
or the other, that he can neither punt or deal for a quarter of an
hour but he is obliged to give an audience, while Hare is whispering
and standing behind him, like Jack Robinson, with a pencil and paper
for mems., is to me a scene la plus parfaitement comtque que l'on
puisse imaginer, and to nobody it seems most [more] risible than to
Charles himself.

What he and his friends would really do with me, if they had me in
their power, I cannot say, but they express in their looks and words
nothing which I can fairly interpret to proceed from ill-will. I
have been lately not so contentious or abusive as formerly, no more
than I have flattered them, and my appearance among them is from
mere curiosity, and to amuse you by my recitals more than from any
other motive.

(205) Charles Lennox, third Duke of Richmond (1735-1806). He was a
Whig of strong liberal opinions. In 1782 he joined Lord
Rockingham's Cabinet as Master General of the Ordnance. He
resigned office when Fox and North came into power in 1782. In 1783,
on the fall of the Coalition Ministry, he joined Pitt's first
Administration, from which time his opinions grew more conservative.
In 1795 he gave up office but continued to give an independent
support to Pitt. Richmond's handsome person, high station, love and
patronage of the fine arts, and his political ambition and capacity,
combined to make him one of the first men of the time.

(206) Edward, Earl Ligonier, died 1782, of the Irish peerage, and
a general in the English army. His grandfather was a native of
France, and a Huguen