for a change, I am persuaded Lord G---- would recommend in the
first place Lord Lansdowne; but if I were to judge of what the King
said of Tierney's conduct on the day of the meeting, this would not
suit his present feelings.--What a game has Lord Grenville now in
his hands! and what an influence he might possess in the country,
could he be tempted to take a lead, which I am sure he will
not!--Pray let me hear from you, as I am dying to know something
about it.--Possibly this may reach you at Dropmore, if it leads to
negotiation.

Ever truly yours,

W. H. F.

P.S.--The King spoke kindly of you, and about Wootton.

The Queen immediately tried to make the most of her "triumph," as it
was called, and wrote to Lord Liverpool, demanding a palace. This was
refused, though a handsome allowance was offered. She then agitated for
a restoration of her name to the Liturgy, which was also firmly
opposed.

The result of the withdrawal of the Bill was remarkable. A delirium of
triumph appeared to have seized the entire country, and more
particularly the populations of the large cities; but singularly true
was Lord Castlereagh's prophecy, that in six months the King would be
the most popular person in his dominions. The madness of the multitude
necessarily brought about a reaction. "When the struggle was over and
the victory gained," observes an historian of these events, "the King
and his Ministers defeated, and the Queen secured in her rank and
fortune, they began to reflect on what they had done, and the qualities
of the exalted personage of whom they had proved themselves such
doughty champions. They called to mind the evidence in the case, which
they had little considered while the contest lasted; and they observed,
not without secret misgivings, the effect it produced on the different
classes of society. They saw that the experienced hesitated at it, the
serious shunned it, the licentious gloated over it. The reaction, so
usual in such cases when the struggle is over, ensued; and, satisfied
with having won the victory, they began to regret that it had not been
gained in a less questionable cause."[52]

[52] Alison's "Europe," vol. ii. p. 467.

The last entry in Plumer Ward's "Diary" of this date is very
characteristic of the Duke of Wellington:--"Met the Duke just come to
town. He took me under the arm, and walked me to Lord Bathurst's. He
was in excellent humour, and