for, yet Thurlow has thrown every difficulty in the way of
his appointment. Within this last ten days he has refused to
take the necessary steps for giving it effect, and has held
language which amounted almost to an intention of resigning
rather than putting the Seal to Arden's patent. This conduct was
the more intolerable, because some months ago, when Lord
Mansfield's resignation was in question, he had expressly told
Pitt that he felt that Arden must have the Rolls, and that
though he disliked the appointment, he would not throw any
obstacles in its way. I much doubt whether it has originated in
any settled disgust, or desire of picking a quarrel, but rather
attribute it to the strange temper of his mind, soured at this
particular time by the plague of the trial, and by actual
illness. It has, however, made it necessary for Pitt to come to
an explanation with him, which, though not fully satisfactory to
my feelings, has, however, removed any further obstacles to the
particular point in question; which had indeed gone so far as to
make it utterly impossible for Pitt to recede, whatever had been
the consequences. I have given you this story at full length,
because I thought you would certainly hear something of it from
report, and that you would be desirous of knowing the real
particulars of it.

Our cousin of Northumberland, has, I think, decidedly joined the
independent party under the auspices of Lord Rawdon and Bastard,
and in consequence of this has refused to re-elect Rose. You see
this is a pretty strong declaration of hostilities, considering
all the circumstances of Rose's situation in Government, and of
his connection with the Duke himself before he became so great a
man. It is peculiarly unhandsome after what has passed about the
Riband, which, though it could not be given to him, was kept
vacant till another fell. The immediate loss to us is very small
in point of numbers, as the greatest part of his votes are
already in opposition; and considering his character, it is
perfectly plain that there was little chance of his giving any
substantial assistance at a general election. I only lament,
therefore, that he has got his Riband; and for the rest, "I
trust we have about the Court, a thousand's good as he." And if
we had not, we might have them, for offers of n