opped in this little village the first day
of my arrival, by the master of a fishing-boat, to ask me whether I
thought the House of Commons would take care that justice was done
to the Queen. My wife, also, has met with two or three equally
strong proofs of the interest taken in this question. Pray tell me
what you hear of the disposition of the army. I have seen some
allusions to fresh discontents among the Guards on the subject of
some stoppage for breakfasts. The cause does not signify a pin, for
if the spirit once exists, occasions for manifesting it will never
be wanting.

Henry writes me word that he heard of scarcely anything at Milan,
or in the neighbourhood of the Lake of Como, but the Queen's
conduct, of which everybody seemed ready to give evidence. The
witnesses had all been placed on an allowance of thirty francs per
diem, which seems as good a device to invalidate their evidence as
could have been adopted, and many are supposed to have come forward
only _per chiappar il denaro_. The most material are said to be
some bricklayers, who must have peeped, he concludes, through the
windows.

Ever most affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

In the manner indicated in the preceding portion of this
correspondence, the great contest was carried on. The Queen had
evidently not miscalculated her power of dangerously exciting public
opinion; she had moved from the Alderman's house to the residence of
one of the ladies of her suite, and from thence had gone to a more
Queen-like abode, at a convenient distance from town, known as
Brandenburg House, Hammersmith; but wherever she went, the popular
hopes and wishes went with her,--and knowing the excitement she
produced, she redoubled her efforts to increase it, and direct it to
the advancement of her interests. The moderation of the Government she
regarded with studied contempt, and every indication they put forth of
a desire to treat her with as much respect as was consistent with their
duty to their Royal master, produced a more violent display of her
resolve to ride down all opposition. There is little doubt that the
King was now as much alarmed as annoyed; was often dissatisfied with
his Ministers, and quite ready to accept the services of any set of men
capable of relieving him from this serious embarrassment; but the task
was full of danger, and prudent statesmen like Lord Grenville and