that I could not
absolutely pledge myself to this, since I might be compelled to
come down to answer comments on my absence.

Pray tell me whether you have procured any clue which may enable us
to _patronize_ a newspaper.

DR. PHILLIMORE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Doctors' Commons, May 17, 1822.

MY DEAR LORD DUKE,

The debate took a turn last night we had not at all anticipated.
Warre never mentioned Henry Wynn but in terms of civility and
courtesy, and not only disclaimed all personal attack against him,
but also every imputation against the arrangements which had led to
his appointment. Lord Londonderry followed Warre, and explained the
case, &c., &c.; and the only other person who took any part in the
debate was Lord Normanby, who distinctly also declared against all
allusion to the individual who held the appointment; and he had
scarcely proceeded thus far before the House became so impatient
that he was all but coughed down. Under these circumstances there
was no opening for any of us, which for some reasons I regret,
though upon the whole nothing could be more satisfactory than the
tone and temper of the debate. I think the abstinence from personal
attack must have been the result of previous arrangement, probably
the more sober ones refused to concur in the vote on any other
terms. A weaker case was never made out. Newport stayed away.
Calcraft went out just before the division. Talbot, member for the
County of Dublin, sent a message to Wynn by Plunket, to say that he
would not vote against his brother. Carew, member for the County of
Wexford, made a similar communication to me. Neville, I believe,
voted with us; and Ebrington stayed away. Holmes told me that
twenty-four came to the door after it was closed, of whom nineteen
belonged to us.

The most serious business we have now to look forward to is the new
financial arrangement; and I must own that I dread the difficulties
in which Van may involve us.

Believe me, your Grace's very faithful,

JOSEPH PHILLIMORE.

P.S.--The whole debate last night did not occupy two hours.

The Catholic Peers' Bill stands for the third reading to-night; it
is not to be opposed, at least not by those who have taken the lead
against it. I hear that Lords Caledon and Gosford, Gosse and Wilton
will vote for th