am not surprised
that he is somewhat angry at the silence with which Brougham's
attack upon him was received by the Treasury Bench in the House of
Commons. Peel continues very glum and sulky.

As to Spain, if one can judge from our accounts, the French are
more embarrassed than ever. They are obliged to find money for
everything, for not a single dollar can the Spaniards muster, and
they find that they have less weight, notwithstanding, with the
Regency than the Russian Minister, who encourages them in all their
violent measures. The Regency have actually refused to treat with
Cadiz, though there are many there who are much disposed to it. The
force which occupies it is almost entirely militia, and, therefore,
cannot be expected to hold out long when there shall be a naval
force to co-operate.

Duc d'Angouleme is completely sick, and the present plan is, that
if they can get the King at liberty, he is to convene a general
Cortes, and the French are to leave them and him to make a
constitution, withdrawing all their troops ... except 25,000, who
are to form an echellon of communication between Bayonne and
Madrid. This seems to me _most infernal nonsense_, too absurd to be
ever entertained by the French Cabinet, though they think it may
pass upon us, and therefore hold this language to Stuart.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

You have, of course, long heard of Lord Fitzwilliam's nuptials. I
wonder how they have kept out of the newspaper.

The appropriate remark is that "it is a very sensible marriage;" to
which it is to be replied, "because the senses have nothing to do
with it."

[119] Lord Eldon.

On the 16th of July, during a debate in the House of Commons on the
subject of Scotch Appeals, Mr. Brougham afforded great amusement to
that assembly by drawing a vivid but somewhat sarcastic picture of the
state of the Government. "As to Lord Liverpool being Prime Minister,"
observed the learned gentleman, "he is no more Prime Minister than I
am. I reckon Lord Liverpool a sort of member of Opposition; and after
what has recently passed, if I were required I should designate him as
'a noble lord in another place with whom I have the honour to act.'
Lord Liverpool may have collateral influence, but Lord Eldon has all
the direct influence of the Prime Minister. He is Prime Minister to all
inte