or the Camatre itself. Campbell was
preparing for him; and I have little doubt of the event; but the
offence and mischief are formidable to us.

I have just received your letter of the 2nd, with the
usquebaugh, for which I am much obliged to you. I think there
can be no question of the King's acquiescence, and the
mentioning it to him now might set him talking. I have been
hindered, by a variety of accidents, from sending this letter
off before. It has been written at five or six different times.

Adieu, my dear brother,
Believe me ever most sincerely and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

We have the same accounts from many different quarters, as that
which Miles sends you. The idea is certainly much talked of on
the continent; but I have no faith in it. France is, I think,
evidently in no better condition for war now than last year.
Their annual _compte_, which was promised for January in every
year, is not yet out. The report is, that the deficiency has
been found much greater than was ever imagined. Our revenue is
most prosperous.

Lord Buckingham appears to have pressed his views respecting the Home
Office so earnestly upon Mr. Grenville, that the latter, some months
afterwards, grew a little impatient of his zeal. The obstacle was, how
to provide for Lord Sydney.

I cannot (says Mr. Grenville, writing in September), even if I
wished it, drive Lord Sydney from his situation, without such an
opportunity as has not yet presented itself, and may not for a
considerable time to come. Even if that were done, I am by no
means clear that the difficulty would be removed.

The subject of the Rolls is resumed in subsequent letters.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, April 5th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

Since I have sent off your messenger this morning, I have had
some further conversation with Pitt about the Mastership of the
Rolls, which is expected to be vacant every hour. A considerable
difficulty arises from this circumstance, that Sir Lloyd Kenyon
has discovered, since he has held the English office, that the
sale of the places, from which a part of his profit arose, is
illegal; and he has, in consequence of this, resolved to give
the offices away, instead of selling them. The doubt arises
under a statute of Richard II.; and after suc