avail himself of it, and by putting a
speedy end, _quoquo modo_, to the discussions about the Queen's
business, to make a good stand for the maintenance of Government.

But it is needless to remark, that these people have neither
decision of mind to view their situation in its true light, nor the
means of acting upon it in such a course as could alone extricate
their master and themselves from all their difficulties.

On the other hand, it is no less evident that _he_ satisfies
himself with talking about his situation, and does not feel
reliance enough upon himself to act upon it in either of the two
ways which are alone open to him--that of making himself the active
partisan and supporter of his present system, and lending himself
fully to every exertion of personal aid which he could still give
them, by appearing in public, holding his levees, opening his
house, &c. &c.; or, on the other hand, of opening immediate
communication for a capitulation, the terms of which, irksome as
they would now be, must daily become more and more so by the
inevitable course of events, independently of those peculiar
circumstances of personal temper which are unhappily so evident
even in this moment, and will certainly not lose their force by the
continuance of the contest.

The Ministers have chosen for their field of battle precisely the
very weakest post in their whole position; and though personally
(if I took any personal part in these things) I should not have an
instant's hesitation in voting against any party interference with
the manner in which the K---- in Council, as head of the Church,
has directed his family to be prayed for, yet I have hardly a
doubt, from what I hear, that the majority of this House of Commons
will think otherwise.

As to Canning, I am certainly no admirer of any part of his
conduct, past, present, or likely to come, on the subject of the
Q----; but I must, after all, in fairness, say that the past having
been such as it has, I do not see how he could at this time
continue in office to advise, conduct, and answer for the K----'s
measures against her.

I know nothing of Peel, nor have any clue to guess his intentions;
but I am clear that it would be little short of an act of direct
insanity for any man not already involved in this mass of
difficulty t