You have more than once seen your old master(832) reduced to surrender up his closet to a cabal—­but never with such circumstances of insult, indignity, and humiliation!  For our little party, it is more humbled than ever.  Still I prefer that state to what I dread; I mean, seeing your brother embarked in a desperate administration.  It was proposed first to make him secretary at war, then secretary of state, but he declined both.  Yet I trembled, lest he should think bound in honour to obey the commands of the King and Duke of Cumberland; but, to my great joy, that alarm is over, unless the triumphant faction exact more than the King can possibly suffer.  It will rejoice you, however, my dear lord, to hear that Mr. Conway is perfectly restored to the King’s favour; and that if he continues in opposition, it will not be against the King, but a most abominable faction, who, having raged against the constitution and their country to pay court to Lord Bute, have even thrown off that paltry mask, and avowedly hoisted the standard of their own power.  Till the King has signed their demands, one cannot look upon this scene as closed.

Friday evening.

You will think, my dear lord, and it is natural you should, that I write my letters at once, and compose one part with my prophecies, and the other with the completion of them; but you must recollect that I understand this country pretty well,—­ attend closely to what passes,—­have very good intelligence,—­and know the characters of the actors thoroughly.  A little sagacity added to such foundation, easily carries one’s sight a good way; but you will care for my narrative more than my reflections, so I proceed.

On Wednesday, the ministers dictated their terms; you will not expect much moderation, and, accordingly, there was not a grain:  they demanded a royal promise of never consulting Lord Bute, Secondly, the dismission of Mr. Mckinsy from the direction of Scotland; thirdly, and lastly, for they could go no further, the crown itself—­or, in their words the immediate nomination of Lord Granby to be captain-general.  You may figure the King’s indignation—­for himself, for his favourite, for his uncle.  In my own opinion, the proposal of grounds for taxing his majesty himself hereafter with breaking his word,(833) was the bitterest affront of all.  He expressed his anger and astonishment, and bade them return at ten at night for his answer; but, before that, he sent the Chancellor to the junta, consenting to displace Mekinsy,(834) refusing to promise not to consult Lord Bute, though acquiescing to his not interfering in business, but with a peremptory refusal to the article of Lord Granby.  The rebels took till next morning to advise on their answer; when they gave up the point of Lord Granby, and contented themselves with the modification on the chapter of Lord Bute.  However, not to be too complimentary, they demanded Mekinsy’s place for Lord Lorn,(835) and the instant removal