ance of any one; or at least (and ever before my eyes, should the worst come to the worst) with that of selling the reversion of what I possess. Your magnificent Queen has made me appear like a bankrupt in the world, and partly like a swindler; having given strict orders that one usurer's account must be paid, or my pension stopped, without taking into consideration others who have equal claims upon me. Her Majesty has not thrown the gauntlet before a driveller or a coward: those who are the advisers of these steps cannot be wise men.
Whatever men's political opinions may be, if they act from conscientious motives, I have always respected them; and you know that I have had friends in all parties. Therefore, without any reference to the present or past political career of ministers, or her Majesty's advisers, their conduct would appear to me, respecting myself, identically as it was, gentlemanlike or blackguard. But, having had but too strong a specimen of the latter by their attempting to bully a Pitt, and to place me under consular control, it is sufficient for me to resign the name of an English subject; for the justice granted to the slave of despotism far exceeds that which has been shown to me. Believe me, with esteem and regard, yours,
- Hester Lucy Stanhope.
