to be so long without writing to young one.* I had such a glut of business both in the House of Commons, and out of it, while I was in town that I am more than usually glad to be here, in a little idleness, and hardly like even to write to you about politics. However, I must just tell you that I think the country behaved better than I expected, upon the subject of the bills, and that except in Yorkshire, (a most material exception I admit), we have the people with us every where, in some parts of course more and in others less decidedly. I take it we are strongest in and about the Metropolis. We made very bad divisions in the House of Commons, but nevertheless, I think we are much more of an opposition than we have been of late years. Thurlow came out at last, and though I do not think this a circumstance likely to have so much effect as some suppose, still, it is something. You will easily conceive that the existing circumstances (Pitt's favorite phrase), have made Lansdowne more cordial with us all than formerly, and I should hope the Duke of Leeds, Lord Moira, and other outlying parts of opposition, will soon see the necessity of acting more in concert, and if the public cry continues to be with us, I have no doubt but they will. certainly meant to parry our attacks, by the message from the King relative to peace,† but how far that

Pitt

* Lord Holland was generally called young one, or rather young 'un, by his uncle.

On December 8th, 1795, Mr. Pitt brought down a message from the Crown, informing the House of Commons of the King's disposition to enter into a negotiation for peace with the Government of France. He moved an address expressive of the readiness of the House to concur in

will answer his purpose I doubt much; I think not at all, unless he really gets peace, and as to the question whether he will get it or not, I think it so doubtful, that I have altered my opinion upon it several times. A week ago I thought it almost certain, not from any particular information, but from general reasoning, grounded upon a belief, that both sides wish peace heartily enough to make them get over small difficulties. However the later accounts from Paris lead me to think that the French are less earnest in their wishes than I had supposed, nor do I find any reason to think that our ministers have made up their minds to make the first overtures, in that decided manner, which in my judgment would be most likely to ensure them success. Pray tell me all you think and hear upon the subject. All your information has hitherto turned out to be very correct, and your speculations as right as can be expected, in these times of improbable events. I should like particularly to know what you hear of the inclination of Austria to peace since her victories.* It is true, those victories have now received a check, but her situation is still far better than it was when you wrote last to me. However, how she can go on in point of finance, I cannot conceive, for I hear it is quite impossible to send her any

such a measure. Mr. Sheridan thereupon moved an amendment to the address, signifying the concern of the House that any form of government in that country should induce the King to be averse to peace; and to request that, setting aside all considerations of that nature, he would direct his Ministers to treat with the enemy on safe and honourable terms * Mr. Fox alludes to the successes of the Austrians on the Rhine in the latter part of 1795.

more money from hence. Now here is quite enough I think of politics.

"Lord Ossory tells me you are determined to be at home by Midsummer. I need not tell you, my dear Henry, how very happy I shall be when that happens: if you could contrive to be here before parliament rises, I own I should be still more so, but I will not teaze you, though indeed, indeed, these are times in which the country has some claim upon persons in your situation. Nothing but activity and exertion on the part of those who love liberty can prevent Mr. Hume's Euthanasia from taking place.

"Adieu, my dearest Nephew."

SAME TO SAME.

"MY DEAR HENRY,

66

February 18th, 1796.

"Till I received a letter from you a few days ago, without date, I had been longer without hearing from you than ever before since you have been in Italy. Pray write often. You are quite right in thinking that the circumstances of the times will of themselves bring Lansdowne and me together, much better than any explanations or messages or communications, &c. We are indeed now upon a very good footing, and quite sufficiently so to enable us to act cordially together, if any occasion offers to make our doing so useful. I do not know what to write to you about our politics here, the whole country seems dead, and yet they certainly showed some spirit while the Bills were pending; and I cannot help flattering

VOL. III.

K

myself that the great coldness at present is owing to people being in expectation and doubt with respect to what Pitt means to do in regard to peace. What he does mean, I am sure I do not pretend to guess; but I am convinced that this ministry cannot make any peace without incredible sacrifices. The minds of the two Governments are so hostile to each other, and their mutual diffidence so rooted, that it must be next to a miracle, if they can agree till absolute necessity forces them. Add to this, that Pitt, I really believe, is weak enough to think that the French cannot go on much longer, and they, on the other hand, have but too good grounds for thinking that we cannot. In short there has been no period of the war in which I had less guess of what was like to happen, than the present. I should like to hear your speculations. I own I thought Sheridan's amendment quite right, but many people were of your opinion at the time.* However, I think it was very material to mark our disapprobation of putting our peaceable disposition on the ground of the state of the French Government, for two reasons; first, because in so doing, we appear to adhere to that principle of the war, which gave justly to the French nation the greatest offence; and also, because we rest our inclinations to peace upon a circumstance in its nature so liable to be changed, for who could tell then, or even now who can foresee how long this Directorial Government is to last?

* Sheridan's amendment to the address on peace with France is intended. See note, p. 127.

"I was yesterday in an unexpected majority upon the Slave Trade, 93 to 67 for bringing in the Bill, but I fear we shall do no good, for though Pitt spoke very well, I cannot think him in earnest, as Dundas took so eager a part on the other side.* What a rogue Pitt is! it is quite unpleasant to think that a man with such parts should be so totally devoid, as he seems to me, of all right feelings.

"I never observed before in reading the Odyssey,' that Homer does not mention Polypheme's being one-eyed, and it is only to be inferred from his being blind when his eye is out; and yet he does describe his size, &c., when he first sees him. Can you account for this? +

66

Yours, most affectionately."

"SOUTH STREET, February 19th.

BURKE'S pamphlet is advertized under the title of

* Mr. Wilberforce moved for leave to bring in a bill for the Abolition of the Slave Trade on the 18th of February, 1796.

+ Homer describes the Cyclopes as a race of savage giants, who lived separately, each in his own cave, with his wives and children, who did not till the ground, or navigate the sea ("Odyssey," ix. 106-35). Nothing is said here of their being a one-eyed race. In the description of the blinding of Polyphemus, it is implied that he has only one eye; and, indeed, if he had had two eyes, the stratagem of Ulysses would have been ineffectual (Ib. v. 380-98, 453-516; compare i. 79). For the same reason, Polyphemus is represented as living alone in his cave, without wives or children; for their presence would have rendered the escape of Ulysses and his companions impossible. It is easy to explain why Homer should have represented Polyphemus as one-eyed; but there seems to be no cogent reason why he should not have mentioned this circumstance upon the first introduction of the giant, v. 234. Hesiod, "Theogon." 143, says expressly that the Cyclopes were distinguished by their having a single eye in the middle of their forehead. The same defect, or monstrosity, is pointed out by Euripides in his "Cyclops," v. 21, and by Virgil, "En." iii. 636.