en, would have the
effect of a victory. The Russells, Cavendishes,--everything that
could be mustered would come forward; so that I own I should fear
the attempt. Pray let me know if it should take place, as I would
certainly attend; and should the Radicals attempt an Address on
their part, then I think we should at once muster every strength,
and fight them. I hope, in such a case, we should beat them.

I cannot find out the full extent of Lord S----'s history. I
believe it exaggerated; but I have no doubt, from what I have
heard, that there has been a scene. He is not recalled; but I
believe it is understood he is to come home. I rather expect that
Sir Henry Wellesley, from Madrid, will succeed him, provided this
Government stands.

As to what is to become of the Board of Control, I have not a
guess. I can't believe Peel will, at such a moment, plunge himself
in such a troubled lake, nor can I see to what quarter they can
look, in their present distracted and unsettled state, for a
connexion; it is another thing supporting the measures that may be
brought forward.

I am invited to meet the King at dinner to-morrow; and if I hear
anything worth relating, you shall have a letter.

Ever truly yours,

W. H. F.

LORD CASSILIS TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Culzean Castle, Dec. --.

I received your letter, my dear Lord Buckingham, when writhing
under a fit of the gout, the legacy of the Bill of Pains and
Penalties which you made me vote for. God help us! as the saying
is; for what is to become of us, He only knows. There seems nothing
but chaos and desolation whatever way a man turns himself: the
middle classes of the people waging war upon the higher orders; the
tenantry taking advantage of the times to conspire against their
landlords; and the lower orders existing only from the circumstance
of the produce of land being unmarketable: barley two shillings a
bushel, oats nearly the same, and no sale for wheat at any price.
The weavers are certainly all employed here, but cannot earn more
than from six to eight shillings a week. Such is our state. The
finance of the country is "opportunely" a little improved. Had it
retrograded a little, the King was over with us; and there yet
hangs out insurmountable evil. I think I hear you say, "_What a
gloomy dog!_"