he struggles of Opposition grew more resolute as the hope of
success came nearer, and the Government began to feel the effects of
this perpetual assault, in the sudden neutrality of some of its most
ostentatious champions, and in the general reserve of its supporters
in the House. Even the superb perseverance of Pitt was beginning to be
weary of a contest, in which victory lost its fruits on the one side,
while defeat seemed only to give fresh vigour on the other. But a new
triumph was to cheer the face of things.

I was returning one morning from the House after a night spent in a
fierce debate on the war, which Fox denounced with an asperity unusual
to his generous temperament. The premier had made a powerful speech,
vindicating the government from all share in the continental
misfortunes; pronouncing loftily, that, in a war not made for
conquest, it was sophistry to speak of our failure of possession as a
crime; and declaring in a tone of singular boldness and energy--that
if the Continent were untrod by a British soldier, there was a still
broader field for the arms and the triumphs of England. But his
eloquence had more effect in exposing the errors, than in reducing the
numbers of his opponents, and the smallness of his majority would have
made a feebler mind resign on the spot. The announcement of the
numbers was received with an insulting cheer by the minority, and the
cabinet was already by anticipation in their hands.

I left the House wearied and dejected, and was returning to Downing
Street, to throw myself on a couch, and get a few hours of rest before
my morning toil; when I found a messenger at the door of my office,
bearing a request from the secretary of state, that I should attend
him as soon as possible. I found my friend before a table covered with
despatches, his brow furrowed with weariness like my own.

"You see me here, Marston, more tired than any ploughman or watchman,
or any other son of labour from this to John O'Groat's House. I was
sent for, from the House, six hours ago, and every hour since have I
been poring over those puzzled papers. How long I can stand this wear
and tear the physicians must tell, but it would require the
constitution of Hercules or Samson, or both together, to go through
the work that is beginning to fall on the members of the cabinet."

I offered to give him such assistance as was in my power.

"No, no, Marston; I am chained to the oar for this night at least, an