g very little indeed; endeavouring to nurse up in
the country a real determination to stand by the Constitution when
it is attacked, as it most infallibly will be if these things go
on; and, above all, trying to make the situation of the lower
orders among us as good as it can be made. In this view, I have
seen with the greatest satisfaction the steps taken in different
parts of the country for increasing wages, which I hold to be a
point of absolute necessity, and of a hundred times more importance
than all that the most _doing_ Government could do in twenty years
towards keeping the country quiet. I trust we may again be enabled
to contribute to the same object by the repeal of taxes, but of
that we cannot yet be sure. Sure I am, at least I think myself so,
that these are the best means in our power to delay what perhaps
nothing can ultimately avert, if it is decreed that we are again to
be plunged into barbarism.

I find that I am growing too serious, even for you, upon a subject
on which I know you are serious enough, and it is high time to
release you. God bless you, and thank you once more in my name, and
my little woman's, for your trees. May we long continue to love one
another as we do, and we shall both, I trust, have a comfort in our
long affection and friendship, which the study or practice of the
art of governing men seems very little likely to afford in our
time.

Ever, my dear brother,
Most affectionately yours,
GRENVILLE.

The disasters of the Duke of Brunswick reanimated the factious spirit
which the vigorous measures of the Government had previously succeeded
in subduing. The prosecutions instituted under the proclamation against
seditious publications had been followed by the most decisive results;
and Thomas Paine, who was the chief offender, foreseeing the inevitable
issue of his impending trial, although Mr. Erskine was engaged to defend
him, had absconded to France, where he was admitted to a citizenship
more congenial to his principles, and enjoyed the doubtful honour of
being returned by two constituencies as a member of the National
Assembly.

The flight of Paine broke down the courage of his disciples; and the
circulation of seditious libels was effectually arrested, until the
misfortunes of the Allies once more revived the hopes of the
disaffected. Fresh measures