The letter purported to be
an excuse for the writer's own defalcations. But the chief object
of the writer was to induce the younger Duke once more to submit
to harness.
'Longroyston, 3 June, 187-
'DEAR DUKE OF OMNIUM,
'How quickly the things come round! I had thought that I should
never again have been called upon even to think of the formation
of another Liberal Ministry; and now, though it was but yesterday
that were all telling ourselves that we were thoroughly manumitted
from our labours by the altered opinions of the country, sundry of
our old friends have again been putting their heads together.
'Did they not do so they would neglect a manifest duty. Nothing is
more essential to the political well-being of the country than
that the leaders on both sides in politics should be prepared for
their duties. But for myself, I am bound at last to put in the old
plea with a determination that it shall be respected. "Solve
senescentem." It is now, if I calculate rightly, exactly fifty
years since I first entered public life in obedience to the advice
of Lord Grey.
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