coming into Ministry with a few of the other party would, with the King's friends who had supported his measures, have made a strong and permanent Government, would have put an end to all the violence of party, and given the best of Sovereigns a quiet and easy reign. I thought this feasible from the temper of mind I was informed Mr. Pitt was in at present. Your Lordship knows what good grounds I went on; I thought it feasible without committing the King's honor or sacrificing his friends, as a few arrangements might with the vacant offices have made things easy. I have been mistaken, but for all that I neither repent my opinions given, nor cease to lament it had no better success.
The die is now cast and I most ardently pray for the King's getting out of all his difficulties, and indeed, from my knowledge of his disposition and resolution, I make no doubt of his success. I shall in a very short time remove from the bustle and noise of this town, but wherever I am, nothing will make me happier than hearing you continue in those generous sentiments you opened to me when I had last the pleasure of seeing you.
I am, my dear Lord,
Most faithfully yours,
Bute.
Shelburne to Bute.
September 19th.
My dear Lord,—I find by the newspapers they load me as well as they do your Lordship. It gives me very little uneasiness; meâ virtute me involvo.
But I should be very sorry your Friends did such severe injustice to the uniform conduct I have to this day preserved towards your Lordship as to join in it, which however I am told some of them do, and that the King and all his Council hear my name mentioned with the least regard. This is the reason given for trying every means to leave me friendless and setting me almost at open defiance. The whole of this is to me inexplicable. I hate to dwell upon it, and I only mention it to your
