As for saying of each of these things separately, that there are personal objections to A---- and B---- and C----, and that they are each and all of them individuals of too little consequence for you to hang your decisions upon, of what does a discussion of this nature consist, except first, of measures, the explanation of the most important of which is now wrapped up in metaphorical ambiguity; and secondly, of the men who are to execute them; and if these really are severally as insignificant as you deem them, what better argument can be found against putting them or keeping them in the first ranks of a new arrangement, the professed object of which is to supply strength which was confessed to be wanting? But I have done, and have only as before most earnestly to wish that you may do what is best, whether I am able ultimately to think it so or not. LORD GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. Dropmore, Dec. 5, 1821. I return you Wellesley's letter, with which I am much pleased. I wish I could say the same of the other parts of the business; but I am old-fashioned enough to be thoroughly scandalized at the want of the common forms of civility and respect so singularly shown in Lord L----'s sending up for Charles from Wales to receive a proposal of coming into the Cabinet, and in the interim taking himself off to Bath, and leaving behind him not even a letter, but a _message_ that he is not to be back till near the meeting of Parliament. Of the substance of the matters now depending, I have nothing more to add; but do not take it ill if an old man tells you plainly that if you do not on such an occasion so express and conduct yourself as to ensure the attention and respect which is due to you, it will be in vain to attempt to claim it afterwards, and that if you abandon it, you give up with it the hope of being really useful. I have known many such discussions, some ending well, others ill. But I never yet witnessed one in which such arrangements were (as in this case) presented _crudely_, to be accepted or refused, without any previous discussion as to the mode of shaping them, or any facility offered, or even intimated, for softening down such difficulties as such proposals are always more or less attended with. I must say there appears to be, with respect to both of you, a total misunderstanding of your real rank and station in the country, and in its public estimation.