pect so many competitors, for a
thing in many respects so desirable.

The impression of my own mind is, I confess, very strongly for
taking the step. Pitt is entirely ready to acquiesce in what I
judge best, though I can see he is, to a certain degree, alarmed at
the impression it may make. The thing has been generally opened to
the King as a possible arrangement, in order to prevent his
entering into any other engagements. I cannot describe the real
kindness of manner and expression with which he assured me of his
readiness to do in it whatever I wished. It rests, therefore, with
myself to decide; and although I have, as you see, a strong bias in
favour of the step, I do not feel confident enough of my own
opinion not to be very desirous of knowing yours. I fairly own to
you, that if I was _in the same situation_ as I was a year and a
half ago, I should be inclined to let this go by me, and to run my
chance for some better opportunity. But I certainly feel that after
the conduct which Lord C. has observed towards me on the subject of
money, I am (even as with respect to him) hardly as much at liberty
as I was to consult my own feelings, supposing that it were
possible for me to put out of the question another consideration a
good deal more interesting to me.

If the thing is to be done, "then 'twere well it were done
quickly," in order to prevent applications from different people,
every one of whom might feel, to a degree, offended by the
preference, if his wishes were known. You will conceive, therefore,
for this reason, and from the anxiety of the suspense, how glad I
shall be to hear from you soon, as your affection is the only
quarter to which I can look for advice, founded on a view and
knowledge of my real situation. I hinted the thing generally to Tom
before he left town, but the unfortunate difference of politics
makes it impossible for me to talk over with him freely and fully
that part of the subject, which is a material one. He is getting
well very rapidly.

I have heard from Lord C. from Rome. He gives a very good account
of the health of the whole party. He had received letters from his
son and Mudge, which he tells me are all he could wish. He desires
to be remembered to you.

Adieu, my dear brother,
Ever most af