most active exertions in order to counteract this new
shape of evil; and I do hope and trust that, however ungracious and
mortifying it may be to military habits and military education to
be opposed to what may be deemed petty bands of robbers and
incendiaries, Lord Cornwallis will feel the necessity of applying
his best military talents in a service where no military glory can
be obtained, except as it may be applied to the restoration of the
security and tranquillity of the country.

The forbearance of Lord Cornwallis is alluded to in a subsequent letter
from Lord Grenville. It was felt that his lenity in treating with the
rebels was misplaced, and that the Government ought to have adopted a
more decided course in extinguishing the dying embers of the
insurrection.

I do not know how to trust my own judgment upon the very small
lights which (_entre nous_) Lord C. gives us as to what he is doing
in Ireland. But as far as I can judge, he is proceeding very fast
indeed, particularly when he allows rebels to stipulate for the
point of honour of not naming their confederates, and thereby
accepts a fresh act of misprision of treason, as a satisfaction for
former acts of treason. But this of course is only to you. The
great point I wish to be assured of, _if I could_, is that he has
not suffered a nearer view of difficulties to discourage him from
the pursuit of the only measure which can make it signify one
farthing what he does in the present moment. Let him carry that,
and I will willingly compromise for all the rest.

On the 22nd of August the long-threatened French invasion took place in
a shape that covered the expedition with universal ridicule. A handful
of men, to the number of eight hundred, landed at Killala, and were
joined by the rebels; and when they were attacked by General Lake a few
days afterwards, the whole force surrendered at discretion. This
incident formed a striking contrast to the progress of the French in
other directions, for at the very time when they were suffering this
humiliation in Ireland, their victorious arms were completing the
subjugation of Switzerland.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Dropmore, August 27th, 1798.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,

I am much obliged to you for your letter, which I got last night,
with the other accounts of the landing at Killala. I