from the most offensive inconveniences. If you lie not, the mortifications of conscience in opposition to truth will never assail you. If you cherish high, undeviating principle, you never can suffer from the penalties of a mean, low, grovelling spirit. If you cherish pure, unsullied virtue, the countenance will remain free, frank, and open, - nothing to hide, and nothing to mask, by expression, the uneasiness within.

"I THINK you had better come up on the 23rd, as that will give you two days to get what you want.

"Your mother suggested an allowance previously to your going to Oxford. This I

object to, because I wish all your responsibility to begin at the same point of time. When at Oxford, whatever Mr. C. decides for his son you shall have. This I shall do most cheerfully; and I shall be ready, so long as you continue to me what you are at present, to abridge my own wants that yours may be comfortably supplied.

"It is likely that a good deal will be said against me by the press, and perhaps by insinuation in Parliament. Do not believe anything to my dishonour; I shall do nothing to disgrace the name you have from me. I only belong to the King,-I have nothing to do either with the faults. or virtues of others; but I cannot expect to escape the dirt that must be thrown during the contention of political strife.

66

My best love to those around you. I am so occupied, I can only write to you

to-day.

"Ever yours,

"W. K."

CHAPTER XVII.

Letters from the Duke of Clarence and Lord Bexley.-Extract from Sir William's Journal of his route to Rotterdam.-Letter from the Earl of Aberdeen.-Letters from Sir William to his Family.

THE following are among the letters received by Sir William in the commencement of the year 1828.

FROM THE DUKE OF CLARENCE.

66 DEAR SIR,

Admiralty, Jan. 7th, 1828. 6 P. M.

"I HAVE this instant received yours of this morning, and you may rest assured not a living soul shall know a word of what you have written or may write to me respecting my brother, who is dearer

to me than the whole world, both on public and private grounds. I am confident you write the truth, and therefore, though his Majesty is uncomfortable, I trust in God this attack will go off without any unpleasant symptom, and shortly. I shall be of course anxious to hear to-morrow, and the shorter the better, I hope, as I shall then be sure the King is going on as we both wish him.

"Adieu till to-morrow; and

"Ever believe me,

"Dear sir,

“Yours unalterably,

"Sir William Knighton, Bt. &c."

" WILLIAM."

66

"Foot's Cray Place, Feb. 1, 1829.

DEAR SIR WILLIAM,

"I HAVE just been favoured with your letter of the 30th ultimo, announcing his Majesty's gracious intention to become the patron of the Episcopal Floating Chapel, and to bestow a donation towards its sup

VOL. I.

2 D

port. I shall immediately communicate his Majesty's gracious pleasure to the society, and, as one of its members, I beg leave to offer my humble and grateful acknowledg

ments to his Majesty for so distinguished an honour. Believe me, dear sir,

"With great regard,

66

Very sincerely yours,

"Sir William Knighton, Bt. &c."

"BEXLEY."

In a manuscript book, dated the 23rd of February 1828, designated, "A Journal of my proceedings at Paris, and on route to Rotterdam," are found the ensuing passages.

"Had an interview with Lord Some conversation passed as to the politics of the day: it was very easy to discover what his feelings were at the present state of things. The Turkish manifesto seemed to impress the ministers that war must be the result.