nts and purposes, and he stands alone in the full exercise of all
the influence of that high situation."[120]

[120] Hansard.

In this strain the orator proceeded, claiming Lord Liverpool as a
coadjutor because both opposed the measures of the Lord Chancellor.
Lord Eldon did not at all relish the joke, perhaps because it was not
at the expense of the Grenvilles, and soon afterwards again expressed
his intention to resign. This had been repeated so often that it
elicited the following squib:--

"The Chancellor vows he'll depart, as they say
(So Derry sometimes, if his crew disobey),
But when his resigning a minister mentions,
We think how hell's paved with mankind's good intentions;
For still being in, though so oft going out,
We feel much inclined, like his lordship--to doubt."

Parliament was prorogued on the 19th of July, apparently equally to the
relief of the Government and the Opposition. A great variety of
subjects had been discussed, including the pretended claims of Olivia
Serres, self-styled Princess of Cumberland, but little practical good
had been effected, and the Ministers were not gaining the confidence of
the country or strengthening their own position. The King, too, was
losing the popularity he had gained since the Queen's death, by his
endeavours to remove himself as much as possible from the public gaze.
The Duke of Buckingham's correspondents kept him fully informed on
these and all other topics of interest.

THE RIGHT HON. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Englefield Green, July 27, 1823.

MY DEAR DUKE,

I perfectly agree with you in thinking that Canning only waits the
opportunity of tripping us up, and this is only to be resisted by a
steady line of conduct on our parts, pursuing and maintaining the
system as it is now carrying on towards Ireland, until we see the
opportunity, by the accordance of other members of the Government,
to meet him with the certainty of success. The complete ascendancy
which both Robinson and Peel have acquired over him in the House of
Commons, but more particularly the former, must weaken his means of
playing us a trick, which I am satisfied he is fully disposed to do
whenever he can find the opportunity.

I don't agree with you at all about Lord Hastings; be assured there
is not the most distant idea of sending him to Ireland. I am quite
sure Canning di