reduction of the army, I am by no means so sure that I agree with
you. I have not the means of estimating the exact quantum of troops
which may be requisite for preserving the internal tranquillity of
the country, but am inclined to believe that the salutary operation
of the Bills of 1819, and the increase which has taken place in the
Yeomanry, do afford a reasonable expectation that a less number of
regulars will now be sufficient than were before required--and
unless I was quite satisfied to the contrary, I am not prepared to
complain of any measure which tends to alleviate the financial
pressure.

It is quite true that there are symptoms of some understanding
between Castlereagh and Peel, though the speech of the latter
plainly stated his disapprobation on several points of the conduct
of Government. The most decisive is his abandonment of Pitt's old
Hill Fort, which he had occupied, and returning to his former
position in the rear of the Treasury Bench.

The debate last night was much more decidedly in favour of
Government than either of the former--at least, so it appeared to
me; but perhaps I may be prejudiced, from having taken a part in
it. Wilberforce made a remarkably feeble, vacillating speech, and
at last turning the scale in favour of the motion by the
make-weight of popular opinion, which he allowed to be formed on
false and mistaken principles. Lamb spoke most strongly against the
motion, but concluded by voting in its favour, because the question
had so much disturbed the country, that the true honour would
belong to the party which first conceded it. Acland's was one of
the most impressive and efficient speeches I ever heard. And on
this state of the debate, Castlereagh most wisely, and to the great
satisfaction of the House, allowed us to go to a division at a
quarter before one, instead of keeping us till six or seven, which
would have been the inevitable consequence of his speaking. To our
great amusement, Creevey, Fergusson, Wilson, Lambton, and Sefton
were shut out, and afterwards received the inquiries of their
friends whether it was not from scruples of conscience, and being
unable to make up their minds, that they had abstained from voting.
The party is certainly unlucky; for on a preceding night, Lord
Carhampton and Luke White paired off and went