abuses. I think it would be unjust and cruel to the people to call upon them for fresh sacrifices, until it is ascertained that by economy and reform resources cannot be obtained sufficient to meet every just demand upon the government. I certainly can have no objection in our resolutions and petition to a tone of moderation and conciliation, provided our wish to conciliate does not prevent us from stating what we think the people have a right to expect in the present circumstances of the country. We ought not to forget that the aristocrats, the loyal lives and fortune men in this county, have stood completely aloof in this business. I think it a very different thing to acquiesce, for the sake of unanimity, in a set of milk-and-water resolutions (provided they do not compromise any principle), if brought forward by others, and to propose such resolutions ourselves. I am endeavouring to draw up some which I intend to submit to the consideration of a private meeting, which must take place to day before the county meeting, in order that every thing may be prepared. I trust it will not be inconvenient to you to attend at the Swan at Warwick about one o'clock As to what you are so good as to say respecting my taking a lead in speaking at the meeting, neither my abilities nor my habits of life will allow me, I fear, to be of much use. Whatever little, however, I can do shall always be at the service of my fellow citizens. Lord Dormer declines signing the requisition. I have not applied to Lord Guilford, being very slightly acquainted with him. In regard of Mr. Leigh I am nearly in the same situation; besides, having made the intention of calling a county meeting as public as possible, I did not wish to appear to be begging signatures to the requisition. Sincerely hoping that I may have the pleasure of meeting you at Warwick the day before the meeting, I remain, my dear Sir, very sincerely yours, FRANCIS CANNING. MY DEAR SIR, Foxcote, Dec. 26, 1816. I shall be most happy to accept your kind invitation for Wed. nesday the first of January. I am sorry our views of the measures to be adopted for pro moting parliamentary reform are so different. I rejoice however that we are agreed as to the principle. I own I do not see how an opportunity can occur of collecting suffrages upon that specific subject, unless it is made the subject of discussion at a public meeting: nor can I conceive any other points more urgent, more important, or which ought to make a stronger impression upon the minds of enlightened and sober-minded men. Without going to the extent of what many judicious persons think absolutely necessary to be done before the country can in any effectual manner be relieved, I think you will allow that those retrenchments, which you will admit are just and necessary, are not likely to be carried into effect by means of the present House of Commons, or of any other chosen according to the actual mode of representation; in virtue of which, persons interested in continuance of the present profligate system of expenditure, return a majority of the members. Do you think a House of Commons so elected would immediately abolish all sinecures, all unmerited pensions, all places which, although not absolutely sinecures, might be dispensed with; would reduce all salaries and allowances which were raised during the war to their former amount; would immediately recall the whole of our army now in France, and instantly disband it, along with a large portion of the regular force now in England? If this, and, in my opinion, a great deal more be not done, no permanent and effectual relief can be afforded; and if it be obvious that the present Parliament will not do this, ought not petitions for reform to precede, or at least to go hand in hand with petitions for retrenchment? As for the circumstances you mention as a reason for delay, I am again so unfortunate as not to see them in the same light with you. If those enlightened and soberminded men, to whom you allude, are not to move in support of this vital question because others treat it with more violence than prudence sanctions, or because some misguided men may be guilty of riotous excesses, I fear the day will never come when we may hope for their support, since it will always be in the power of the enemies of the cause to raise these obstacles: I do not mean to apply this observation to any thing which has lately happened. In regard of Mr. Cobbett, I think his late writings have done more for the cause than those of any other person. I trust, my dear Sir, you will excuse my thus openly giving you my sentiments, although they are at variance with yours; at the same time I must add, that I certainly should not think of bringing forward the question of parliamentary reform at a county meeting, against the general opinion of those persons in the county, to whom I should naturally look up for support. Allow me to offer you my sincere congratulations upon the event which, before this reaches you, I understand has taken place; and to beg your acceptance of the best compliments of the season from Mrs. Canning, and, my dear Sir, yours ever most faithfully, FRANCIS CANNING. E. B. Clive, Esq., to Dr. Parr. DEAR SIR, Whitfield, Hereford, Oct. 12, 1802. I do, indeed, heartily rejoice at your having at last got what you have so long deserved, a competence; and it adds to my gratification, that a man I esteem so much as Sir Francis Burdett, should have agains hewn an example to those who, with similar professions, have not similar deeds to boast of. As the Duke of Norfolk was very anxious about you, and had even began a treaty for the purchase of your Northamptonshire advowson, I immediately communicated your preferment to him. I have waited for an answer from his Grace, and that will account for my having been so long in expressing my joy to you. Your order domineers in this country sadly. We want your principles, your energy, and your talents, to keep the clergy in some order. I therefore, besides the loss of you as a neighbour, have to regret, on many other accounts, that you do not belong to us. However, in this instance, I will adopt Pangloss's philosophy, and suppose that it is for the best. Mrs. Clive joins me in sincere congratulations and good wishes, and I am, ever, dear Sir, very truly yours, E. B. CLIVE. W. Cobbett, Esq. to Dr. Parr. MY DEAR SIR, Coventry, 17th Feb, 1820. Hearing, accidentally, that you live in this neighbourhood, I cannot (though with a bad pen) help addressing a line to you, to express to you my satisfaction at hearing that you are alive and well. What events since I had the honour of your company at my happy house at Botley! What scenes have I passed through! Two years in a prison, two years and a half in exile, losses of all sorts, persecutions of every species, the whole force of the government of this country employed against me; and, after all, in this city, a candidate for a seat in parliament. But, what scenes has this country passed through! And what scenes has she yet to behold! At all events, if we all do our duty, her glories are not yet extinguished; and, for my part, I am resolved to do mine. If I go near you, I will do myself the honour of waiting on you; in the meanwhile I remain, with great respect, your most obedient and most humble servant, W. COBBETT. Joseph Cradock, Esq. to Dr. Parr. MY DEAR SIR, London, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1824. You might possibly hear that I removed from Gumley in the spring, being weary of long winter evenings there, and devoid of all literary society. On my arrival here, I took advantage of little airings daily into the neighbourhood, from which, thank God, I have derived much benefit. For many weeks your numerous friends could hear but little of you, and rumour gave out that you had been seriously ill; however, within these two days, we are happily informed that you have been able to preach again at Hatton. I now sit down in the name of eight at least, who, either at Highbury, Messrs. Payne's, or at Ridgway's, have deputed me to write; and I hope I need not add, that we all most sincerely rejoice at your convalescense. G. Dyer likewise made various enquiries, and you will be glad to hear that he has married a sensible discreet widow, greatly to his advantage. In consequence of the death of Dr. Strahan, it was asserted that I, perhaps, must be the oldest of Dr. Johnson's friends who knew him intimately during the last five or six years of his life; and, in consequence of this being said, in a large party at Mr. Nichols's, I had various applications for reminiscences, letters, &c.; and, possibly, it may be the cause of my commencing four octavo volumes sooner, under the approved title of "Literary and Miscellaneous Memorials of my own Times." I have been lately honoured by the first examination of papers that belonged to the late King, communicated by favour of the Governors of the Museum. These throw great light on my previous enquiries at Haerlem, and other places, as to the Art of Printing; likewise on the rise and progress of the periodical press, for which I have been particularly applied to, as, entre nous, a festival is meditated in honour of it. In the course of my own production I may have occasion to speak of Bishops and Archbishops, and of one, probably, more worthy to have adorned the Right Reverend Bench than any of them. And now, my dear Sir, I throw myself on your candour for this bold intrusion. Any, the shortest note, by your Secretary, if expressive of your health, directed to me, at Mr. Bowyer Nichols's, 25, Parliament-street, would highly oblige all, and particularly yours ever most sincerely. J. CRADOCK. Would I could render myself anyways serviceable to you here. Dr. Parr, to Mr. Cradock. Hatton, Jan. 6th, 1825. DEAR AND TRULY-EXCELLENT MR. CRADOCK, Again and again I thank you for a letter, most elegant in the style, interesting in the matter, and courteous in the spirit. Long, dear Sir, have I been acquainted with your various and curious knowledge, with your pure taste, with your polished manners, and your benevolent disposition. Happy I always was in your enlightened conversation, and accustomed I have been to assign you a very distinguished place among those literary men who combine the best social qualities with intellectual endowments, |