In truth, nothing could be more offensive than Lord Temple’s conduct, whether considered in a public or private light. Opposition to his factious views seemed to let him loose from all ties, all restraint of principles. Of the truth of this assertion he, at the time I am describing, gave a convincing proof. His brother George was at that moment the object of his jealousy and resentment. He had, however, been prevailed upon by his family, or rather by considerations of family, to suffer Mr. Grenville to be rechosen for Buckingham; but on this sole condition, that Mr. Grenville should give up a paper formerly received from him. When Dr. Lyttelton, Bishop of Carlisle,[362] who had negotiated this treaty, gave him the paper, he said, after reading it, “It is true, I am bound in honour and by promise to make a firm entail of my estate,--I will; but it shall be on my brother James.”[363] The case was this: it had been discovered during the life of their uncle, the late Lord Cobham, that he had made a flaw in the settlement of his estate. A meeting of his nephews was held in the presence of his sister,[364] and their mother, the late Lady Temple. She said, “My son Richard is ill with my brother; if we tell my brother of this flaw, he may make a new settlement, and give his fortune from my eldest son.” George Grenville consented to keep the secret, provided his brother gave him the most solemn promise in writing to resettle the estate when he should come to it. Insensible to such a tie, and filled with rancour, he had the mortification of seeing that very brother preserved in power merely to his exclusion.
Other persons preferred on the new settlement were Lord Egmont to the head of the Admiralty, and Lord Hyde to be joint-Postmaster.
Secret power of Lord Bute.--His rupture with Pitt.--The late Prince of Wales’s character of Bute.--Extraordinary Anecdote.-- Mr. Legge’s imprudent Manœuvre.--Unanimous attempt to destroy Wilkes.--Governor Johnstone.--General Wall.--The Comte de Guerchy.--His character.--Madame de Guerchy.--The Duke de Nivernois, and the Chevalier d’Eon.--Death of Augustus the Third, of Saxony.--The Pope invites the Duke of York to Rome.-- Humiliation of the helpless Line of Stuart.--Charles Yorke resigns the Attorney-Generalship.--Trimming conduct of the Yorke Family.-- Unfavourable Commencement of the new Lord-Lieutenant’s power in Ireland.