he same motives which made it, in the
opinion of all the world, necessary for Lord Shelburne and Pitt
actually to quit their situations before a successor was
appointed, rather than hold responsible office without
responsibility, must also in the end actuate you, however
unwilling, &c., &c.

Lees is appointed Under Secretary to Lord North. The Duke of
Dorset forced out at the requisition of the Prince of Wales,
contrary, as it is said, to an express promise made to him by
the King. Fortescue (Lord Clermont's nephew) desired me to
remind you of a promise of the Linen Board next after two,
which, he says, is now the case.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

Up to this time, no successor was found for Lord Temple. Mr. Grenville,
writing on the 19th, says: "They are under real difficulties about your
successor. They have offered the situation even to Lord Althorpe, who
refused it two days ago. I rather think, putting together circumstances
and appearances, that it will end in Lord Hillsborough." A successor,
however, was at last found in the person of Lord Northington.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO LORD TEMPLE.

April 25th, 1783.

My dear Brother,

I believe I may at last congratulate you upon the appointment of
Lord Northington, and Wyndham of Norfolk, to succeed us in our
respective situations. It is not yet publicly notified, but I
have every reason to think that you may depend upon my
information. As soon as it is declared, I mean to see them, in
order to settle with the former the time which he wishes to have
for his preparations, &c., and with the latter the taking such
of my things as he may be disposed to. After that I think of
setting out for Ireland _tout de suite_. There is no public news
that I hear of. Things seem to remain pretty much in the same
situation as when I wrote last.

Adieu, my dearest brother,
Believe me most sincerely and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

A short correspondence took place, at this juncture between the Duke of
Portland and Lord Temple. It is impossible not to perceive, or to
suspect, in the Duke of Portland's letter, a certain consciousness of
the discredit attached to his position. He deprecates, in a tone of
courtierly sensitiveness, all allusion to the political changes which
have separated him from Lord Temple in public life, and, with the air of
one who is no