hat they are
and what we are is now pretty evidently experienced; and it is certain,
that, partly by our common faults, but much more by the difficulties of
our situation, and some circumstances of unavoidable misfortune, we are
in little better than a sort of _cul-de-sac_. For my part, I do all I
can to give ease to my mind in this strange position. I remember, some
years ago, when I was pressing some points with great eagerness and
anxiety, and complaining with great vexation to the Duke of Richmond of
the little progress I make, he told me kindly, and I believe very truly,
that, though he was far from thinking so himself, other people could not
be persuaded I had not some latent private interest in pushing these
matters, which I urged with an earnestness so extreme, and so much
approaching to passion. He was certainly in the right. I am thoroughly
resolved to give, both to myself and to my friends, less vexation on
these subjects than hitherto I have done,--much less, indeed.

If _you_ should grow too earnest, you will be still more inexcusable
than I was. Your having entered into affairs so much younger ought to
make them too familiar to you to be the cause of much agitation, and you
have much more before you for your work. Do not be in haste. Lay your
foundations deep in public opinion. Though (as you are sensible) I have
never given you the least hint of advice about joining yourself in a
declared connection with our party, nor do I now, yet, as I love that
party very well, and am clear that you are better able to serve them
than any man I know, I wish that things should be so kept as to leave
you mutually very open to one another in all changes and contingencies;
and I wish this the rather, because, in order to be very great, as I am
anxious that you should be, (always presuming that you are disposed to
make a good use of power,) you will certainly want some better support
than merely that of the crown. For I much doubt, whether, with all your
parts, you are the man formed for acquiring real interior favor in this
court, or in any; I therefore wish you a firm ground in the country; and
I do not know so firm and so sound a bottom to build on as our
party.--Well, I have done with this matter; and you think I ought to
have finished it long ago. Now I turn to Ireland.

Observe, that I have not heard a word of any news relative to it, from
thence or from London; so that I am only going to state to you my
conjectures