Southey has asked him to assist Duppa's views (opinions or paintings?) at the British Museum, but he feels diffident. Has heard that Peter Plymley is Sydney Smith (v.411). Cabinet split on the question of Catholic emancipation.
The Covent Garden fire of 21st September - has heard that Mackinley's bookbinders has been affected, and fears that some mss. of his brother may have been lost (inc. the White Book of Hergest?). Asks PE to buy some books at Lackington's bookstore (inc. a 3rd and 4th folio). Would like to write about Walter Scott's 'false heraldry,' but has been required by Lord Hawkesbury to write on local militia.
Lord Grenville certain to be proposed as a candidate for the Chancellorship, and would be grateful for PE's vote and a copy of his Aristophanes. Will canvass in Oxford and then proceed to Dropmore - asks PE to canvass too.
A 4th occurrence of the King's malady. Remarks on a (quashed) bill promoting the residence of the Irish clergy, and the lack of dutifulness in the Archbishop of Canterbury (Charles Manners).
Ditto - Abbot (in fact elected) has 'practised upon CW a fraud.' Encloses a copy of a letter from Richards to Abbot (OW, Speaker of the House of Commons) dated 9th July, 1805.
(To PE in Florence.) Wife weak after a premature confinement. Brother Henry has just seen two carriages in Lyons said to belong to the Queen, but actually to the servants of Lady Bute; the Queen is probably pretending to journey to England in order to get a better settlement. Government weak -only kept in power by dislike and fear felt for their opponents.
Encloses letter from Southey. PE has asked what he should think about the attack on Copenhagen (part of Napoleon's coalition). CW is against, and thinks the British should rather bolster the Portuguese by placing a squadron in the Tagus and thus deter a French invasion (Portugal is closer to Ireland). The Protestant majority to propose measures of concession to the Catholics - otherwise, according to the Primate, Ireland cannot be saved. Asks PE if he knows the identity of 'Peter Plymley' (letters ridiculing the opposition of country clergy to catholic emancipation - by Sydney Smith). Thanks PE for his account of Bedford (v.406) - 'he must be worked upon by feeling, for he has not solidity enough to weigh an argument.'