is to be read the second time to-morrow in the House of Lords ('); therefore, in consequence of what you have done, I shall regulate my conduct, without importuning you for any previous conference upon this subject. I own my pride consists in having your fiat; as no one can be with a more perfect esteem or true respect, than I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

BRISTOL.

THE EARL OF BRISTOL TO MR. PITT.

SIR,

Wednesday, April 6, 1763.

LORD TEMPLE being now out of town makes me presume to communicate to you some changes in

the dealer, but intolerable to the private person." Mr. Grenville, although he admitted that the excise was odious, contended that the tax was unavoidable. "Where," he asked, "can you lay another tax of equal efficiency?" And he repeated several times, "Tell me where you can lay another tax- tell me where?" Upon which Mr. Pitt, in the words of a song at that time popular, replied, in a musical tone, "Gentle shepherd, tell me where!" This anecdote is related by Almon, and also by Mr. Butler in his Reminiscences; who adds, that the effect upon the house was irresistible, and settled on Mr. Grenville the appellation of "the gentle shepherd."

(1) On the division upon the second reading, the numbers were, contents 83, not contents 49. This is said to have been the first time the Lords divided upon a money bill. The opposition to it was opened by the Earl of Hardwicke, who spoke in the house for the last time. He was answered by Lord Bute; whose mode of delivery was remarkably slow and solemn. It was in reference to this speech, that Charles Townshend humorously exclaimed," minute guns!"

the administration, which I was made acquainted with last night. The Earl of Bute intends to quit the treasury; to take no other employment for the present, but to remain of the cabinet, and to be the personal friend of the King, though no longer the servant of the crown. Mr. Grenville is to succeed his lordship, to be chancellor of the exchequer, and the phantom of a prime minister: Mr. Fox goes into the House of Peers, as well as Sir Francis Dashwood: Lord Granby is sent for by a messenger to kiss hands, the latter end of this week, as lord-lieutenant of Ireland: Mr. Charles Townshend is to be offered the first seat at the admiralty board; and, in case he accepts it, Lord Shelburne is to be the first commissioner of trade. Mr. Elliot is not to be brought forward, as their phrase runs, till affairs are riper.

Whether all, or any, of these removals will yet take place, it is impossible to determine; but they were certainly fixed in this manner on Saturday. The ministerial resolutions are so fluctuating, that a sudden turn may perhaps make Lord Bute still determined on keeping things as they are; but next Friday () is the day now settled for the removals.

(1) In a letter to Mr. Montagu, dated "Friday night, late," Horace Walpole says, "To-day has been fatal to a whole nation; I mean to the Scotch. Lord Bute resigned this morning. His intention was not even suspected till Wednesday. In short, there is nothing more or less than a panic. A fortnight's opposition has demolished that scandalous but vast majority, which a fortnight had purchased. He pleads to the world bad health; to his friends, more truly, that the nation was set at him. He pretends to intend retiring absolutely, and giving no umbrage.

I will only add from myself, without making many comments, that if power is not placed in those hands, where superior abilities and inflexible integrity have a claim to its being lodged, it is indifferent to me who has the reins of government. I am, with the truest respect, and most sincere attachment, Sir, your most obedient, &c.

BRISTOL.

In the mean time, he is packing up a sort of ministerial legacy, which cannot hold even till next session. George Grenville is to be at the head of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer; Charles Townshend to succeed him, and Lord Shelburne Charles; Sir Charles Dashwood to have his barony of Despenser and the great wardrobe, in the room of Lord Gower, who takes the privy seal, if the Duke of Bedford takes the presidentship. You ask, what becomes of Mr. Fox? Not at all pleased with this sudden determination, which has blown up so many of his projects, and left him time to heat no more furnaces, he goes to France, by way of the House of Lords; but keeps his place and his tools till something else happens."

The causes of Lord Bute's determination to resign are thus stated by Lord Barrington, in a letter to Mr. Mitchell, of the 10th of April :-" Lord Bute resigned last Friday. He will have no office; and declares he will not be a minister behind the curtain, but give up business entirely. The reasons he gives for this step are, that he finds the dislike to him has lessened the popularity which the King had, and ought to have; that he hopes his retirement will make things quiet, and his Majesty's government easy. To this public reason Lord Bute adds, that his health absolutely requires exercise and calmness of mind. He says, that he unwillingly undertook the business of a minister, on the King's absolute promise, that he might retire when the peace should be made. I am of opinion, that he had a clear and fully sufficient support in both houses of parliament; and therefore I deem his resignation voluntary. People are infinitely surprised at it: for my part, it is when a man accepts the ministry, not when he quits it, that my wonder is excited." Mitchell MSS.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO MR. PITT.

Claremont, April 9, 1763.

DEAR SIR,

THE surprising event, which was to have come out yesterday at court, but I hear is now put off till Monday, of my Lord Bute's resignation, and the appointment of Mr. George Grenville to be first commissioner of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer, was so sudden and so extraordinary, that I cannot avoid troubling you with the few circumstances which I have learnt relating to it.

The first notice I had of it was in a letter from my nephew Onslow, which I received here on Thursday night, at ten o'clock; and I own I thought it so weak and so improbable, that I gave little or no credit to it, till it was confirmed to me yesterday from London; with these proofs of the verity of it, that Mr. Grenville had certainly said that he was to kiss hands as yesterday, and that my Lord Bute had sent for some of his friends, and had declared to them, that he intended to resign his employment, and to have nothing more to do with public business.

My Lord Bute and Mr. Fox have taken good care of their friends. A second reversion of so considerable an office as justice-clerk of Scotland, with that which he has already of keeper of the signet of Scotland, a place worth 1500l. per annum, for life, seems to me to be an ample reward for

Mr. Gilbert Elliot; who has also an employment of treasurer of the chambers, worth between two and three thousand pounds per annum. The extravagant reversions to Jenkinson and Martin (1), and the justice-general of Scotland for Mr. Mackenzie, are what have never been seen before. Mr. Fox also has filled the admiralty, and partly the treasury, with his creatures. I am glad our friend Stanley has absolutely refused the treasury; as I am very sure Lord Granby will do the lieutenancy of Ireland. What my nephew Charles (2) will do, I can't pretend to say; but I should hardly think he would act under George Grenville.

This whole system appears to me so weak and so absurd, that there is no reasoning upon it. Every body, I hear, laughs at it; as indeed it deserves. This fact must be certain, that the minister was

(1) Samuel Martin, Esq., member for Camelford, and one of the secretaries of the treasury. "Bute and Fox," writes Walpole to Mr. Montagu, "have paid their bravoes magnificently: no less than fifty-two thousand pounds a year are granted in reversion! Young Martin, who is older than I am, is named my successor; but I intend he shall wait some years." (Walpole held the patent office of usher of the receipts of exchequer.) "Lord Granby has refused Ireland, and the Northumberlands are to transport their magnificence thither."

(2) In a letter to Mr. Mitchell, of the 19th, Lord Barrington says: "Charles Townshend accepted the admiralty on Thursday, and went to kiss hands the next day; but he brought Peter Burrell with him to court, and insisted he likewise should be one of the board. Being told that Lords Howe and Digby were to fill up the vacant seats at the admiralty, he declined accepting the office destined for him, and the next day received a dismission from the King's service. Lord Sandwich is actually first lord." - Mitchell MSS.