_And so I am_, because I cannot see _daylight_ in any
direction. I cannot agree about a reduction of our army: a soldier
less, and we shall have revolution and civil war. Those people
under whose protection we should be put if the army was reduced,
would, as Rollo says, "cover and devour us." It's all really
dreadful. I have not since I saw you heard a reasonable conjecture
even about the Administration's fate or plans. I think that Canning
will stick to Liverpool; Morley told me _he would positively_. I
should not be displeased to see a separation between Liverpool and
Castlereagh. I think it very probable that the Opposition will take
the King by storm, backed as they are and will be by the people, as
they are called. The Addresses to the King as yet are feeble and
poor, nothing like _heart_ appearing. If the Opposition get in,
they will let fly a set of measures calculated to secure popularity
at starting, but which in the end will bring ruin, _absolute_, upon
the country. It does not appear possible to me for the Government
to get on, when Parliament meets, if the present fever in the
public mind does not abate. I will not bore you any more with my
lamentations. Pray do give me some consolation if you can, and at
any rate be kind enough to let me know when anything political is
stirring. What would I not have given to have been _behind the
screen_ at Lord Grenville's audience!--The weather here is nearly
as bad as the times.

Ever, my dear Lord Buckingham,

Your truly faithful

CASSILIS.

MR. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Llangedwin, Dec. 31, 1820.

MY DEAR B----,

I hear from Phillimore that the successor to Canning still remains
undetermined. If Peel would accept it, or were rather to succeed
Vansittart, my opinion of the probability of the present Government
standing would be more strengthened than by any other event
whatever. My estimate of Peel is, I am aware, higher than yours. I
agree with you that he cannot supply the effect of one of Canning's
glittering, eloquent speeches; still, he combines greater
advantages at this moment than any other man in the House of
Commons.

Talent, independent fortune, official habits and reputation, and,
above all, general character both in and out of Parliament, have, I
am persuaded, dispo