burst of eloquence, nor witnessed such an
impression as it produced. But you will know all this better from
the papers.

The division exceeded our expectations. All the neutrals, and many
of the wavering people, and some of the most timid of our friends,
were against us, on the ground of the inexpediency of agitating
this question. You will also naturally see that something is to be
allowed for the impression of two Princes of the blood speaking;
one of them to assure the country that the Prince of Wales would
not urge this claim, and both beseeching, as a sort of personal
point, that it might not be made necessary to come to a division
upon the question. Still, however, the impression which the claim
itself had made on the country, was such that it was a point of
real duty to quiet people's minds upon it. But it cannot be
surprising, that under all these circumstances, and under the fear
of some unexplained danger, many people should be caught by a
previous question. I was a little mortified at finding our friend
Sir P. P. among these. I had no previous intimation of this till I
saw him in the division, nor have I had any opportunity of
conversing with him since. I am not sure that he did not think he
ought to have been a Lord of the Admiralty instead of Lord Hood. It
is either that, or his intercourse with some of the Independents.
On the whole, I think it better to leave him to himself, as I do
not think I have sufficient influence over him to do any good, and
the attempt might do harm. You know best how you stand in that
respect. We have certainly no claim upon him beyond friendship and
opinion.

Lord Lonsdale's people were against us, in consequence of a letter,
written by the Prince of Wales himself, soliciting it as a personal
favour. This, which I know _from authority_, may serve to give you
an idea of the pains they had taken. They were so confident, that,
on Sunday night, Fox assured the whole party, at a general meeting
at Burlington House, that he had no doubt of beating us. I imagine
that we are now sure of carrying our restrictions, and probably by
a larger majority.

Lord Loraine has separated himself from the Duke of N.; in
consequence of which, Rainsforth has vacated. We do not know who
comes in, but Lord Loraine says