y those with whom you are living on good terms), in a
manner which, however proper for conversation, is, I think,
infinitely hazardous when committed to paper.

Still, however, I hope that every effect intended by it may be
produced as well, and possibly better, by the letter which you
will of course send to him in answer to this conversation. I am
sensible that, in using this discretion, I have taken much upon
me; but I am sure I need not enlarge upon the motive; and I
cannot help flattering myself, that the step itself will meet
your approbation, especially as the conjecture from the words of
the King's letter was justified in great measure by what passed
during so long a conversation, in which, from the inconceivable
quickness with which the King ran on upon the different subjects
of it, I found it very difficult to put in even the little which
I thought it right to say.

When I first came in, he stated, with many very flattering
expressions to you, the concern which he had felt at the idea of
your resignation; that he had sent to me in order that he might
have an opportunity of letting you into all the circumstances of
the present situation, which he thought the most calamitous into
which any country had ever been brought; that the kingdom was
split into parties, not as had been formerly the case--two great
bodies of men acting under the different denominations of Whigs
and Tories, and upon different principles of conduct--but into
factions, which had avowedly no other view than that of forcing
themselves, at all hazards, into office; that before you took
any step, he wished you to be fully apprized of the
circumstances, which he would for that purpose detail to me, as
he hoped that your letter had been written in the idea of the
Government falling into the hands of persons of the description
stated above.

I answered, that I believed you had certainly had that event in
view, as one which the circumstances of the time rendered too
probable. He then went into a long detail (with a great number
of digressions upon the different political subjects of the day)
of what had passed since Monday's vote, particularly between him
and Lord North, of whom he spoke in terms of strong resentment
and disgust.

He stated, that when Lord Shelburne could no longer remain, he