nt of their own
strength, they may court popularity among the lower ranks by
measures, under the specious name of reform, which might
irrecoverably ruin the constitution of the country, before they
could be displaced; if, on the other hand, they could promise
themselves a fair and extensive parliamentary support in
endeavouring to bring back to government its proper dignity,
authority, and responsibility, that would be so great a public good
that all possible means should be taken to support it, however
objectionable their conduct out of office had been: the difficulty
would be to decide that important question; we shall have time
enough to think and talk it over.

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

White's, July 14, 1821.

It is impossible to describe to you half the lies or inventions
that daily take place. To-day it is said, and confidently, that the
King has nominated four extra Knights of the Thistle--Lauderdale,
Cassilis, Melville, and Aboyne. The preparations for the Coronation
are going on with infinite energy, but I should think with equal
confusion. A grand quarrel between the Lord Great Chamberlain and
the Earl Marshal, the latter engrossing all the Abbey, and the
other all the Hall, and not allowing the smallest interference or
even suggestion from each other. The King perfectly absorbed in all
these petty arrangements of dress, seats, &c. A private box
prepared in the Hall for the Great Chamberlain, in which Lady
Conyngham is accommodated. Lord Conyngham said to-day, at White's,
that he and family were to depart for Ireland immediately after the
levee; not to wait for the ball which is to be given on Friday,
27th, at Carlton House. It is generally believed that Lord Sidmouth
forgot to sign his name to the letter to the Queen; but the
extraordinary part is, that yesterday it was generally understood,
even by the Government, that the Queen was to have a place at the
Abbey, and this I fully believe; but that the King said he had a
full and complete control over the Hall, and _there_ she should not
come; and I believe this is the cause of the rejection altogether.

You can have no idea what an impression it makes in the public, the
conduct of the King towards his Government. The flirtation he holds
with the Opposition, and his general estrangem