it not be so managed as that it should be perfectly understood between that proprietor, whoever it might be, and myself, and between me and the world, that I owed my seat to your recommendation solely, and not to his choice? as it is with you,' &c. He was highly flattered, &c., and nothing could be more rational or easy. With the proprietor, whoever he might be, my connection might be as slight as I pleased, or none at all. There would be but one circumstance, which he was sure he needed not to suggest to me, that is to say, that if at any time it should so happen that my politics and those of the proprietor should come to differ decidedly, I should in delicacy think it proper-‹ To vacate my seat,' said I. Certainly.' This point being thus understood and mutually adjusted, we turned again to more indifferent subjects, in the discussion of which were intermingled some remarks on Jenky's speaking, and the expectation to be formed of Wallace's, and a very warm eulogium from him on Spencer's conduct at the Hague. After some pause, however, I turned to a matter which I had determined not to leave undecided between us at our first interview. I said, that as there might be, and indeed certainly were, some subjects on which the opinions which I had previously formed, or should hereafter form, might differ from his, I thought it right to mention to him, at this period of our acquaintance, that I should hope and expect to be left to my own feelings and inclinations, meaning of course that the subjects were not such as when the interest of administration itself was materially involved. I would instance the Test Act, both because it was a subject on which, knowing his opinions, and having made up my own, I was aware that we thought differently from each other; and because it was a question which had been discussed almost every year, and was likely to be as often discussed again. His answer was as liberal and unreserved as I could desire. He had not the smallest wish or intention to fetter me in any questions of such a nature. On speculative subjects especially it was natural for every thinking man to form his own opinion, and very probable that any two men might form opinions totally opposite. A general good disposition towards Government was what he hoped to find in me, and as that he hoped would be increased and confirmed by the frequency of our communication with each other, so he rusted that the same circumstance would prevent any very material difference in our general sentiments, whatever distinctions we might take on more particular occasions. This was pretty nearly the turn of our conference, and at the end of it he repeated his pride, pleasure, &c., his wish and endeavour to bring about the object which we both desired as soon as possible, and promised that so soon as he had a prospect of accomplishing it he would lose no time in communicating it to me. The time when, and the place where, are now the two hings to be ascertained. Before the Meeting I suppose cannot expect to hear anything; and how soon after that event must depend upon many accidental circumstances which I cannot foresee or conjecture. I have lived much with Sheridan lately; and by degrees, and in different manners, in argument and in hint, and in narration, and by suffering him to infer some things and to guess others without contradiction, I have so far prepared him that he will not be surprised at anything that appears; and whatever does happen I think it will make no difference between us. He has warned Fox, and, which is more than fifty Foxes in such a case, he has communicated his suspicions and apprehensions to Mr. Bouverie. I told you that I had some doubts about some of my family. That part of it with which I now am (my uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Leigh) are quite delighted; and so tout va bien.1 Yours ever, GEO. CANNING. 1 A few months only from the date of this letter, Mr. Canning was elected Member for Newport, in the Isle of Wight, Sir Richard Worsley having retired purposely to make way for him. His first speech was not delivered till January 31, 1794, on the treaty with the King of Sardinia. NOTES AND EXTRACTS OF LETTERS REFERRING TO MR. PITT AND WALMER CASTLE. 1801-1806. MANY of these letters were not yet in my possession when I wrote the Life of Pitt;' and others were put by as of merely local interest. But, as now collected, they may perhaps be welcome to some at least of those who have stood on the ramparts of Walmer Castle, and thought of its great Lord Warden in the days of the great French war. S. Lady Hester Stanhope to Francis R. Jackson, Esq. Oh, delightful, charming! This evening's post has not only brought me your letter, but a volume from Mr. P.1 He appears to be so happy and well; for he says 'Mr. Pitt. He had resigned the Seals of Office on the 14th of March preceding. what with the luxury of living with his friends, and the improvement of public affairs, his only apprehension will be of growing too fat for horseman's weight, at least as a companion in my rides. Mr. Pitt to Sir Walter Farquhar, Bart. MY DEAR SIR, Walmer Castle, Monday, Sept. 13, 1802. I have written to you in town, but take the chance of your being returned to Ramsgate, to tell you that I have been suffering severely from repeated sickness, and the impossibility of retaining almost any food on my stomach, and that the symptoms are such that I do not at all know how to proceed. I am therefore very anxious to see you and receive your directions as early as possible, as I do not feel that things are going at all right. Under these circumstances, you will, I am sure, forgive my troubling you, and, with your usual kindness, will give me the satisfaction of seeing you as soon as you can. Yours very sincerely, W. PITT. Lady Hester Stanhope to F. R. Jackson, Esq. Walmer Castle, Sept. 21, 1802. Even the illness of my dear uncle has not made me quite forget the request you made me; but the first thing I must say is, that, thank God, he is quite re F |