ith the date may be the best for your book. I take for granted you
have the "Notice des Manuscrits" at Stowe; and as the account is a
very detailed one, it will be very desirable to compare your MS.
with it. Perhaps, however, this may be best done in town.

We only go into the Committee to-day _pro forma_, in order to
reprint and then recommit for discussion on Wednesday. The oath is
now to be a new one, embodying the explanation, which is thought
better than adhering to the old one, for which I am rather sorry.
Everything looks favourably. Walter Burrell, Sir Hussey Vivian,
Curteis of Sussex, Fox Lane, have all declared their intentions of
not voting in the Committee, and we hope others may follow the
example; but it is a period of nervous suspense. The debate on
Friday was one of great forbearance, and it is difficult to say
whether Peel most spared Mackintosh--or Canning, Peel. Canning
stated that there was as great a community of sentiment between
Peel and himself as could well subsist between public men. His
speech and Wilberforce's were both uncommonly good.

I had some conversation with Plunket on Saturday about his views,
and I am sorry to find him most disinclined--indeed, I might say
almost resolved--against taking any office which would fix him in
England, and looking only to the Attorney-Generalship and Great
Seal of Ireland, but thinking that he could, while in the former
office, give considerable attendance in the House of Commons.

He appeared to feel that there was no longer any obstacle to his
taking office under the present Government, as now constituted, and
to be well disposed to accept the offer of the Attorney-Generalship
of Ireland whenever they can make room for him, though he would
much prefer coming in with us.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, March 20, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

I have seen the Duke, who desired me to express to you his very
sincere thanks for the trouble you have taken in the subject of
this detestable quarrel of the W----s. He assured me he would never
mention your name to any human being; and you may rest assured that
no letter to me shall ever go out of my hands.

With regard to leaving the whole matter in dispute to the
arbitration of mu