From Dropmore. Looking for a house in London - wife to be confined in less that two months. Bedford returned from Southey to Town, but not recovered and may have to retire from the Exchequer since the other clerks are grumbling - hard for a man of 38 to regulate the remainder of his life on a pension. But perhaps he will be happier and healthier on
PE less sanguine than he was in November (v.449) - CW advises him to explain himself clearly and unreservedly, preferably to the lady herself, but failing that to her father. Poor news from Wales on CW's prospects and means of living - but at least he receives some proportion of his rents, whereas many Irish landowners receive nothing, their tenantry having abandoned their houses and farms.
Half a letter only. No statesman was allowed to rise to individual and personal prominence under Elizabeth, William 3rd or Oliver Cromwell. Re military merit, England seems to have possessed more good officers than any other country except Spain, but he does not see any particular proof of superiority of talent - it is just that the battles they fought were more important in their consequences and therefore more celebrated. Raleigh, however, was in almost every respect above his age and would have shone in any profession or situation.
Asks PE's opinion of an inscription to go on a newly completed building. Also asks him to pop into the house in Duke Street, and gather and forward sundry genealogical papers concerning the Williams Wynn family.
