exactly whether I can be with you on Wednesday or
Thursday, but on one of them I certainly will. I find that there is
a probability of the Oxford election being deferred till the 23rd,
or possibly the 24th. I think Heber has a fair probability of
success, if his friends exert themselves; but his committee wants
very much the order and method of your arrangements in St. James's
Square. I fear that of the new Peers there will be a considerable
majority against the Catholics. I can only find William Pole, Lord
Ormond, and perhaps Liddell, among the favourable, and all the
remainder who had not previous votes as representative peers,
hostile.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

RIGHT HON. THOMAS GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Dropmore, July 10, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD B----,

I think I shall determine to return to town on the 17th or 18th,
because I do not see how the bustle of the coronation can reach me
in Cleveland Square, if I carefully avoid all nearer approach to
it; so that, according to my present projects, I think I shall
certainly see you in London. My expectation is that, more or less
immediately, the influence of the lady will effect the change that
she is supposed to be working for, more especially as I believe her
lover's vanity would rather be flattered by the ostentation of
displaying her power and influence on this subject, in spite of the
manifest impropriety of her appearing in public affairs, and the
hazard which might attend such a manifestation in times like the
present and with the jealousy which the public mind has already
shown upon these topics.

I perfectly agree with you also in the apprehensions which you
express, of the weakness of the present ministers inviting and
acquiescing in the transfer of the executive government from
official responsibility to votes and resolutions and debates.

If the Opposition shall succeed to office, I shall certainly think
their success not a whit more creditable to them on this occasion,
than was their disgraceful failure last year; but whenever that
happens, a new state of things will arise, which will create
perhaps a difficult question, and certainly a most important one,
as to the more or less support which the public interests might
demand for them. If they take the government diffide