ny, very many reasons, that
your stay should be prolonged to the usual period of a
Lord-Lieutenant's reign; but I cannot help most earnestly wishing
that you could, in some mode or other, struggle through the present
session, in order to cover your retreat, which will otherwise by
your enemies be represented as a flight.

You see that all this refers to an event which may possibly not
happen; but I felt it indispensably due to you that I should beg
you to consider this case very seriously, and that with a view not
to present difficulties only, but taking into the account your
future situation. I have told you what I believe is the unanimous
wish of your friends on such lights as we possess here. It is
possible that circumstances with which we are unacquainted might
alter our opinion, but they must be very strong before they could
produce that effect.

I know no other point which is worth writing to you about:
certainly none which is worth your bestowing a moment, thought
upon, in comparison with that which I have mentioned. I enclose my
last account from Aylesbury. I need not say how much I feel for the
unpleasant circumstances of your present situation. But I know that
you have the best resource against them, in the sense of your own
conduct, and in the consciousness of the sincere and invariable
affection of those whose friendship you value.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

Two days afterwards, the report of the King's health was so encouraging
that his recovery was considered by the Cabinet as little less than
absolutely certain. Under these circumstances, it became a matter of
speculation whether the Prince would dismiss the Ministers, or, if he
did not, whether he would treat them in such a manner as to make it
impossible for them to stay in office. In any case, whether they were
dismissed or driven to resign, Mr. Grenville judged it prudent to
withhold Lord Buckingham's letter of resignation, till the solution,
either way, should have been ascertained. The conflicting difficulties
of the situation, looking at it from all sides, are ably stated in a
letter of the 15th of February.

You cannot come away, without appearing to desert your trust, while
the King's servants here abide by theirs; nor without giving the
Regent an opportunity to object to the nomination of an