and I think he will take it, but was there ever so noble an opportunity for him to shew himself a man?
"I think you should be in town, and even in the closet to-morrow. I shall go to Court.
"I am clear, my dear Lord, you should be at Court to-morrow if possible. In the way, for many reasons at this critical juncture, to try to counteract the present proceedings, you certainly should be. I have had a long discourse with Ned Harvey, who knows nothing except from me (and my intelligence is sure) about his Adjutant-Generalship; I wish I could say he was determined, for he has the greatest opportunity to show both his friendship, his sense, and his integrity.
"I find some expressions in your speech are said to have brought on these attacks on your friends.
"Mr. Pitt seems more and more puzzled, but very clear, that if things go much further, the Court will get beyond redemption.
"Adieu, I hope we shall see you to-morrow, and am,
"Most truly yours,
From Bowood Shelburne replied:
"Your conduct is likely to be as firm and manly in civil as it has been in military life, and will I hope do you equal honour. I do assure you I look upon it far above any compliment from me, for to me it has been kind beyond expression, and such as I am bound never to forget. I am sorry however to congratulate you on the honour you must acquire with every honest man at the expense of what I am hurt to name, and still more to think of the King and the publick. For depend upon it, this factious proceeding adopted by the Court, must be productive of dreadful evil to this country, already tottering by faction which seems stepping into the place of justice, and has already you see almost turned the judge off the bench.[1]
- ↑ The allusion is to the outcry raised by the courtiers against the decision of Chief Justice Pratt on the point of privilege raised by the arrest of Wilkes.
