t, and if one could believe him, the
impossibility of the latter. I see, however, Lord Lansdowne is just
arrived from Paris, and none of his friends or anything but the
actual Mountains have subscribed to Wilson.

What a horrid circumstance the death of Lady Elz. Stanhope: she was
walking in the garden with Mrs. Arthur Stanhope, and dropped
down--never spoke afterwards. They were going the next day to
Fawsley.

Ever most truly yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

CHAPTER VI.

[1821.]

THE GOVERNMENT. RUMOURED CHANGES. PROPOSALS. MR. CANNING. NEGOTIATIONS
COMMENCED BY THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON FOR THE JUNCTION OF THE GRENVILLES
WITH THE MINISTRY. REPORT OF CONVERSATION WITH LORD LIVERPOOL ON THE
SUBJECT. PROPOSAL OF THE GOVERNMENT TO RAISE LORD BUCKINGHAM TO A
DUKE. MARQUIS WELLESLEY AS LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND. HIS OPINIONS
ON THE CATHOLIC QUESTION. MR. W. C. PLUNKET ON IRISH AFFAIRS. LORD
GRENVILLE ON THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS. NEGOTIATIONS RESPECTING THE
CATHOLIC QUESTION. THE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS.

CHAPTER VI.

The King returned from his Continental dominions about the middle of
November. On the 16th his Majesty held a Court at Carlton Palace, to
receive addresses from the Lord Mayor of London, the Court of
Aldermen, and the Common Council. With his return recommenced the
usual round of rumours affecting the stability of the Government; but,
although there is no doubt it might have claimed the merit of being
the best abused one in the world, the principal members of it, at
least, held a perfectly secure position. Their conduct, particularly
with respect to Sir Robert Wilson, excited Mr. Grenville's severe
animadversions.

RIGHT HON. THOS. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Cleveland Square, Nov. 7, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD B----,

Your appropriation of the 5_l._ to the purchase of Strutt's
"Engravers" was too late, as I had already paid the money to your
account at Coutts's; moreover, that book can only be had by the
chance of some sale, and I believe is worth about eight guineas
when it is a tolerable good copy; mine, which is large paper, and
therefore most commodious for illustrating, cost me sixteen
guineas. I see you suppose me to carry my objections to the
apologetic language of the _Courier_ to a greater extent than is
in my contemplation. Undoubtedly, the abstract right of Parliament
to call upon Mini