He afterwards volunteered speaking to me more fully on the question of Reform, and expressed his desire, as well as that of many others acting with him, that some understanding could be brought about. I asked why he did not express this feeling to some member of the Government. He replied that he was little acquainted with any except Lord Goderich and Lord Palmerston, and that the latter had not, for some time past, encouraged the intercourse. It was evident however, from what he proceeded to say on some of the provisions of the Bill, particularly on the 10. qualification and the addition to the metropolitan representatives, that, by understanding, he meant concessions on these and other points. I heard what he had to say without of course giving any opinion, merely expressing a wish that a question which so agitates the country might be brought to a speedy and satisfactory termination. I should add that his language was quite free from violence. I have, &c.

H. TAYLOR.

No. 270.

The King to Earl Grey.

Brighton, Dec. 4, 1831.

Although the King will have the pleasure of seeing Earl Grey at St. James's to-morrow, His Majesty will not omit to acknowledge the receipt of his letter of yesterday.

The King assures Earl Grey that he has received

with sincere interest his several communications on the subject of the Reform Bill, and that he has derived much satisfaction from their full and unreserved character. His Majesty rejoices to find that Earl Grey clings, as he does, to the proposed plan of taking the eleven boroughs from Schedule B.; or at least that he maintains his opinion that it would be a great improvement of the measure; and His Majesty trusts that facilities may yet offer for effecting it, particularly if, in the course of the discussion, this alteration should appear to be agreeable to some of the opponents, and calculated to obtain the assent of one portion, although others may persist in their objection.

This is a point upon which Earl Grey will of course use his discretion; and His Majesty is persuaded that he will avoid saying anything that can have the effect of curtailing a discretion so essential, as it applies to this point, as well as to all subordinate provisions of the Bill.

His Majesty clearly understands from Earl Grey's letter of yesterday to Sir Herbert Taylor, that the objection of Lords Palmerston and Melbourne is not to the reduction of the numbers of Schedule B., but to the giving additional members to the large towns; and he also comprehends the principle on which the objection is made; but he owns that he attaches so much importance to restoring the double representation to the county towns, that he had not felt any hesitation on agreeing to the proposed counterpoise.

The King is quite alive to the difficulty and embarrassinent which would have arisen from a difference of qualification in large and small towns, both in the

early establishment of the difference, and in progress, as the value of local interests and property must, in this commercial and speculative country, be subject to continual fluctuations. But this affords one of the proofs of the difficulty of applying any fixed principle, bearing equally on all parts, to ameliorations of a great machine; and shows that the proposed remedy may often prove as defective in that respect as the part for which it is substituted.

The King is not surprised to learn that the proposed Speech had been entirely approved by Earl Grey's colleagues, although His Majesty had been induced, after much and attentive consideration, to suggest, and to direct Sir Herbert Taylor to communicate, some remarks which had occurred to him, as these, even if Earl Grey should consider it advisable to adopt them, would not occasion any essential alteration. Indeed, with the exception of that which applies to the paragraph relating to Portugal, to which His Majesty attaches some importance, the suggestions may be viewed as superfluous; and Earl Grey will consider them as arising more out of the unreserved and confidential character of the communication which has been established between them, than out of any desire to press his own. ideas upon him. WILLIAM R.

(Private.)

No. 271.

Sir H. Taylor to Earl Grey.

Brighton, Dec. 4, 1831.

My dear Lord,-The King has so fully answered your Lordship's letter to him, and that which you

addressed to me, as the subjects are connected, that it is unnecessary that I should trouble you with much more than the acknowledgment of it.

I shall only add that His Majesty has taken a very warm interest in every thing that you have communicated, and that He has frequently expressed the satisfaction he derives from the character of the intercourse which has been established between him and his Government, and particularly your Lordship. I have, &c.

H. TAYLOR.

No. 272.

The King to Earl Grey.

St. James's Palace, Dec. 6, 1831.

Half-past 10 P.M.

The King returns to Earl Grey the proposed answer to the House of Lords, which he entirely approves. The account of the debate in the House of Lords as given by the Earl Grey of this night, has afforded His Majesty great satisfaction, and shows the excellence and discretion of the Speech.

WILLIAM R.

No. 273.

Sir H. Taylor to Earl Grey.

St. James's, Dec. 9, 1831.

My dear Lord, I have just time to say before starting that the Archbishop was out of town, but that His

Majesty has ordered me to invite him to the Pavilion for a couple of nights next week.

I have, &c.

No. 274.

H. TAYLOR.

Earl Grey to Sir H. Taylor.

Downing Street, Dec. 9, 1831.

My dear Sir, I have received your note of this morning, and am very glad that the King has invited the Archbishop of Canterbury to Brighton. I am sure an expression of the King's opinion of the importance of settling the Reform question as soon as possible, and of the danger which would attend a second rejection of the measure by the House of Lords, will have the most beneficial effect in that quarter.

I enclose an extract from the settlement of the late Queen Charlotte relating to the houses which were settled upon Her Majesty, by which you will perceive that she had the power of letting or even selling her interest in them, if, after the King's death, she had been disposed to leave the kingdom.

Before a similar clause is inserted in the settlement of the dower of Her present Majesty, as the King once mentioned this matter to me, I am anxious to have His Majesty's opinion upon it; and I shall be obliged to you to submit this matter to His Majesty for his consideration. In doing so I hope that it is unnecessary for me to guard myself against the suspicion of feeling any distrust of Her present Majesty, or of wishing