d grievances and party feuds, and, instead of satisfying the
expectations of the Peers, would only create a new element of
discontent. The elective principle was the single feature in the Scotch
Union which Lord Grenville seems to have considered injudicious and
impolitic. We gather from many passages in his letters that he regarded
harmony in the structure of the legislative body to be as essential to
its effective action as unity in the executive; and that the nearer the
House of Lords approached to permanency in the foundation of all its
parts, the more completely would it realize, as a whole, the
constitutional theory of an hereditary estate.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Cleveland Row, Jan. 4th, 1799.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,

I have been so occupied this last week as really not to have had a
moment to write to you. We have indeed nothing to write; this frost
locks up all our communications; it has sent poor Tom back to us
after nine days' sea-sickness, and when I hoped he was already at
Berlin; and we are now told that less than a fortnight's thaw will
not open the intercourse again. In that time how many things may be
done, and what is worse, how many may not be done! Naples and
Sardinia, with all that belongs to them, you will have seen in the
French papers as fully as we, and we know no more.

In this interval the Union engrosses all my thoughts. I worked hard
when Lord Castlereagh was here to assist in expediting his return,
for I clearly see that without communication the thing will not do,
and that there can be none but through him. I was better satisfied
than I had expected with his manner of doing business, which I
found both ready and clear; and he seems to me to have the success
of this measure most thoroughly at heart. Your letters teach me
still to indulge hopes of success, but the prospect is certainly
less favourable than it was, and the difficulties of Government
with its supporters will be proportionably increased.

Before you receive this you will have learnt that Parnell has been
brought to a positive explanation of his sentiments. What the final
issue has been I do not yet know, but I conclude it will be
hostile, and in that case I think his removal will operate very
favourably, particularly in dissipating the foolish idea you
mention.