ore difficult
question; but I am sure that every year that is lost increases the
hazard of our situation as with respect to Ireland. These points I
feel as those which are truly important to England, are not
questions of power or advantage to Lord Shannon, or Mr. Ponsonby,
or any other individual, or set of individuals there. And with this
impression, I certainly have not for one consented, as you express
it, to surrender Ireland to the Duke of P. and Lord F. under the
government of Mr. Ponsonby; but neither can I conceive what other
interest you or I have, or ought to have, on that subject, except
that Ireland should be so managed, if possible, as not to be an
additional difficulty in our way, when so many others are likely to
occur.

I have not often as much leisure as I have found to-day to put
these ideas on paper. Do not think me dispirited by what has
happened. I see the extent of our danger, and think that danger
much greater than it is commonly apprehended; but the effect of
that opinion on my mind is no other than that of increasing the
conviction with which I was before impressed, of the necessity of
perseverance and exertion. France and Spain and the Netherlands,
and Geneva, most of all (small as it is), show us that this danger
is not to be lessened by giving way to it, but that courage and
resolution are in this instance, as in most others, the surest
roads to self-preservation.

I have written this with more than usual seriousness, because such
is the state of my mind, which I am accustomed to open to you
without reserve, and such as it is at the moment of my writing or
conversing with you.

When are we likely to meet? I suppose that your campaign will not
last much beyond the King's journey. You will not, I hope, forget
that this place is your best inn, whether you go to Stowe or to
town; but you must give me a few days' notice, that I may be sure
to be here. God bless you.

The progress of the negotiations on the continent, and the weakness of
Austria and Prussia, mixed up with no inconsiderable amount of
indecision and duplicity, are freely commented upon in letters from Mr.
Grenville and Lord Malmesbury. Want of power, and want of will--fear,
hesitation, and imbecility--were so conspicuous in the conduct of these
Courts, as to destroy all c