that had passed with the King. The only point on which he dwelt at all, and on which he had gathered that His Majesty agreed with him, was the addition to the metropolitan representation, and to this he expressed his decided objection.

There was, however, nothing in anything he said. that betrayed the least disposition to promote opposition, or to produce difficulty. I have, &c.

H. TAYLOR.

No. 285.

Earl Grey to the King.

Downing Street, Dec. 16, 1831.

Earl Grey has the honour of sending for your Majesty's information, lists of the Peers present, and of the speakers in the discussion last night on the Tithe question in the House of Lords.

The motion for a Committee met with no direct objection from anybody except Lord Ellenborough. His speech was in a tone of the bitterest hostility to your Majesty's Ministers, as were those of Lord and Lord

In the House of Commons the tone was much more moderate. In both Houses the motions passed without a division, and in the Committee of the House of Lords which met this morning, Earl Grey had the satisfaction of observing in some of the members who are likely to have the greatest influence, and especially in the Bishop of London and Lord Wynford, a disposition to

concur in the views of your Majesty's servants as to the measures which will be found most effectual for the settlement of this very pressing and difficult question.

All which, &c.

GREY

No. 286.

The King to Earl Grey.

Brighton, Dec. 17, 1831.

The King acknowledges the receipt of Earl Grey's letter of yesterday enclosing lists of the Peers present, and of the speakers in the discussion on the Tithe question on the preceding night; and His Majesty is glad to learn that the motion for a Committee met with no direct opposition, and that Earl Grey had observed in the Committee which met yesterday morning, in some of the most influential members, a disposition to concur in the views of His Majesty's Government on this very important question.

Earl Grey cannot be surprised that some of those who are in habitual opposition to the Government, and who may not be remarkable for command of temper or forbearance of expression upon any occasion, should avail themselves of these opportunities of expressing their hostility; but His Majesty does not consider opposition of this description to be the most formidable. WILLIAM R.

No. 287.

Sir H. Taylor to Earl Grey.

Brighton, Dec. 17, 1831. My dear Lord,-I did not delay submitting to the King the letter which I had the honour of receiving from your Lordship this morning; but it was not in my power to acknowledge the receipt of it by the box which conveyed His Majesty's answer to that addressed to himself.

The King learnt with regret, though without surprise, that Lord and Lord had been so violent in

The warmth of temper

the debate on Thursday night. of the latter, and possibly of the former also, would in general account for it; and as to Lord His Majesty had always understood that his disposition is decidedly hostile to the Government.

The debate in the Commons appears to have been conducted by the Opposition with greater moderation. His Majesty is however curious to learn, whether there be any truth in the report which reached him yesterday, that Mr. Sheil meant to move an amendment on the second reading of the Reform Bill, in which he would be supported by the Irish Members in a body.

Nothing further has passed with the Archbishop. I read to the King this morning the copy of the letter I sent to your Lordship last night, and His Majesty observed that I had stated most accurately all he had said to his Grace, as well as the manner in which it had been met. He had only to add that the Archbishop denied having used any influence with the Bench

of Bishops, and expressed his belief that there had been no concert between them as a body.

I have, &c.

H. TAYLOR,

No. 288.

Earl Grey to Sir H. Taylor.

Downing Street, Dec. 17, 1831.

My dear Sir, I have this morning had the pleasure of receiving your letter of yesterday.

The result of the Archbishop's visit I still think will prove advantageous; though he does not appear to have said more than in his interview with me. But I have little doubt that the knowledge of the King's opinion, backed as it will be by that of several of his brother Bishops, will have an advantageous effect upon him. He may not vote for the second reading, but I do not think he will vote against it. The only thing I could have wished otherwise in what passed on the part of His Majesty on this occasion, was the Archbishop's having gone away with an impression that the King was adverse to the representation of the metropolitan districts. Notwithstanding His Majesty's original objection to that provision in the Bill, you, in your letter of the 2nd, conveyed to me the opinion of His Majesty in concurrence with my own, that this part of the measure could not now be altered; that the danger of too large a constituency would be obviated by the conditions to be attached to the 107. qualification; and that His Majesty did not think the number of the

representatives for London, Westminster, and the adjoining districts, too great for the extent and wealth of the population. I felt great relief from this assurance, under the necessity of persevering in a provision which I knew was exposed to great objections, in which I am afraid the Archbishop may be confirmed by supposing that the King concurs in them.

The debate appears to have gone off very well last night in the House of Commons. Mr. Macaulay again made a most powerful and effective speech. The attacks on the other side were bitter and violent, and Mr. Croker's a tissue of vituperation, without much reference to the question itself. It is hoped that the discussion may end to-night, but I doubt it. In that case the House will adjourn at its rising to the 17th of January. As there was no business before the House, I thought it better to adjourn the House of Lords yesterday, to get rid of the questions with which we were daily tormented.

There is a very afflicting account to-day of another affray on account of Tithes in the county of Kilkenny. The chief constable and sixteen police were killed and wounded, and only three or four of the mob. It is stated that they were attacked in a road with high banks, by about 2,000 people armed with pitchforks, stones, &c., who rushed in and closed with them before they could fire more than ten shots. There must, I think, have been neglect or mismanagement, or want of steadiness and courage in the police.

I am, &c.

GREY.