Paris. He has taken from all the different
Parliaments throughout the kingdom the power and function of
registering edicts, and has created, or (as the "Arret" says)
_renewed_ a _Cour pleniere_ for that purpose. This _Cour
pleniere_ is to consist of the _grande chambre_ of the
Parliament of Paris, with the addition of the Princes and Peers,
of one member to be named from each of the other Parliaments,
and of the person filling great offices (Charges de la
Couronne). These will make, in all, about one hundred and eight
persons, if the calculation, I saw, is right. They are all to be
named by the King; but all to hold their situations for life.
All edicts are to be registered by them for the whole kingdom.
This expedient may give a present relief; but it seems a most
dangerous experiment to concentre so much power of resistance in
one body of men appointed for life.

There had been no tumult whatever at Paris on this occasion.
Some difficulty was expected in the provinces, particularly at
Rouen and Rennes; but nothing was known of what had passed
there. I do not recollect that I have any other news for you.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

The next letter touches upon the reversion, and enters into a detail of
the contemplated changes in the Administration consequent upon the
retirement of Lord Howe.

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

Whitehall, May 16th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I mentioned to you in my last letter, that Fitzherbert's
conversation had decided me in thinking it better for me to take
the reversion of Lord Clanbrassil's office (supposing it clearly
grantable in reversion), rather than the Mastership of the
Rolls. One reason which weighed with me, was the knowledge of
the arrangement which is to take place the first week in June,
and which I can now explain to you more particularly. The first
move is that of the Admiralty, from which Lord Howe retires,
agreeably to his former intimation. From what I understand from
Pitt, I doubt very much whether it would have been possible to
have prevailed upon him to alter his resolution; but, on the
whole, I think it infinitely better, considering his great
unpopularity both in the Navy and in the House of Commons, that
he should withdraw himself. The last division, and the question