in
the very best hopes; and the progress has even been more rapid than
Willis expected; so that I think we may look with some confidence
to March or April at latest.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

[Footnote B: This is the date in the original, but it is evidently a
mistake. Mr. Grenville forgot that he was in a new year.]

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Jan. 4th, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

The plan for the Regency was sent to the Prince of Wales in a
letter from Pitt, three days ago, with an expression of his
readiness to give any explanation, either in person or in any
other manner that he might intimate. Yesterday his answer was
received, directed _to the Cabinet_. It is long, and with much
affectation of good writing, and is in parts of it well expressed,
in other parts confused and timid. It ends, however, with saying
that if these restrictions are adopted by Parliament he will
_accept_.

I have no doubt of carrying the Chair to-morrow, but not a little
doubt whether I ought to have accepted it. The die is, however, now
cast. The restrictions will, I think, pass without much difficulty.

I still adhere strongly to my opinion about the prorogation,
because I think there is a wide difference between exercising
during the King's health a power which he commits to your
discretion, but which he might if he pleased regulate by
instruction at any moment, and exercising the same power now when
you are to state that the King is prevented by infirmity from
attending at all to the administration of his Government. I am sure
that your acting in the manner you speak of is liable to, and will
probably bear, the very worst construction in the minds of the
public here; and I cannot for the life of me conceive what fear
there can be that the two Houses will not adjourn, considering that
the great point which they all wish, is that they may not be
obliged to pledge themselves. The extraordinary anxiety in those
whom you see, to get you to prorogue, is, in my opinion, a very
strong proof of their being actuated by that sort of wish.

I have not time to write any more, except to express my anxiety to
hear how Lady B. and your child go on.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

There was