the head of affairs; he might now, but will not.(219) Nothing but
the worse management on earth in our leaders could have brought
things to such an issue.

(219) "Attempts were made to induce Shelburne and afterwards Gower
to construct a Government but they speedily failed." (Lecky, vol.
iv. p. 203).

(1782,) March 18, Monday m(orning).--I am sorry to begin my letter
with telling you that George is again in my house, but so it is. Mr.
Raikes brought him to me, and little Eden to the surgeon's, on
account of his chilblains, yesterday morning in a post chaise. Sir
N. T(homas) came, and he ordered George to be blooded, which he was
directly, and wrote other prescriptions. I believe there was some
James's powder taken last night, and he is to help his cough with
something in a certain degree emetic. His pulse were [was] above a
hundred, and his cough very troublesome, but there is nothing that
forebodes any mischief. I do not hear of the least apprehensions of
that. Dr. Ekins was here, and Mr. Nevison. Lady G[ower] could not
come on account of her cold, Lord G(ower) will be here this morning.
. . .

I have no objection to declaring my own [opinion], but I beg you and
Lady Carlisle to know that what is done now, if it is with my
opinion, it was not in consequence of it, for I have been perfectly
passive. Dr. Ekins went done to Whitehall to acquaint Lord and Lady
G(ower) with this, who approved of what was done, and last night I
was there myself; and Lord G(ower) and I had more conversation with
him upon this horrid situation of affairs. That I should be much
disturbed about them, on your account, and my own, is not
extraordinary. I have, in certain circumstances, fixed and
determined in my own mind what would be most becoming for us both to
do, and what in the end would be most advantageous, but I shall not
obtrude my advice upon you, whose judgment I hold in higher esteem,
infinitely, than my own, and whose temper is more equal. But I will
say what I believe to be the state of things now, and what they
probably will be, and you will judge the best, it may be both for
yourself and me.

I called in at Brooks's last night, but avoided all conversation,
and will for the future with any one belonging to the party. Their
insolence, their vanity and folly, and the satisfaction expressed in
their countenances, upon fancying themselves Ministers, and going
into the place of them, as they think, and to drive the K(ing) from