t otherwise have
done, or have been the occasion of my doing an act which my own
mind would have reproached me with as dishonourable in itself, and
in this particular instance a breach of a positive promise which I
had given.

Surely if I am deserving of your confidence, or any man's, it can
only be so long as I feel the nature of such confidence, and fulfil
the obligations which it imposes upon me, even where the violation
of them might be of real advantage to you, much more where it could
have answered no one purpose of utility, or even of gratification.
All I can add is, that if I see this subject in too serious a
light, or entertain ideas too strict with respect to it, my
impressions upon it are at least those of serious reflection; and
that they are the same which direct my conduct towards the few
other persons who have a right, and none has so much right as
yourself, to affection and confidence from me.

I have anticipated your advice, and taken refuge here. I feel
already the advantage of air, and of rather more exercise than I
have been able lately to allow myself. I am sorry if my former
letter bore the appearance of depression, but you know that my mind
has not been at ease on other subjects, and will therefore allow
for the effect of the weight of fresh labour and anxiety suddenly
thrown upon me.

Ever, my dear brother,
Most truly and affectionately yours,
G.

The Duke of Leeds resigned on the 8th of June, and was succeeded by Mr.
Dundas.

At this moment, not England alone, but all Europe, was engrossed by the
strange drama that was going forward in Paris. The first piece of
intelligence that arrived was an announcement that the King and the
royal family had effected their escape at night from the Tuileries by a
subterranean passage leading to the Seine; and, as it afterwards
appeared, that His Majesty had left behind him a paper formally
revoking, on the grounds of compulsion, the oaths and declarations to
which he had been forced to subscribe. Lord Grenville conveyed the
startling news, just as it had reached him, in a hasty note to Lord
Buckingham.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

St. James's Square, June 25th, 1791.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

The enclosed, which I received this morning from Lord Gower, will
inform you of the very unexpected ev