Conversation of the King with Mr. Fox on his Regency Bill--Some account of Lord Hardwick--The Pelhams determine to remove the Duke of Bedford and Lord Hardwick--Character of the Duke of Newcastle, and of Mr. Pelham--Sketch of Lord Granville, his former administration, and other events of 1745--Mr. Winnington--The resigners restored--The King’s self-command--Character of George the Second, of the Duke of Grafton, and of Princess Emily--The Duke of Newcastle determines to remove his colleagues--The Duke of Bedford and Lord Sandwich--The Pelhams foment family disputes. The day after the Committee in the House of Commons, the King said aloud in the drawing-room at Kensington, that the amendments to the præmunire clause were rightly made. The Chancellor answered, “the insertion of the word _unlawfully_ was unnecessary.” “That,” replied the King, “is a distinction only for lawyers to make.” Mr. Pelham would have explained it to him in a low voice, but he would talk upon it publicly. About the same time, the King talking to Mr. Fox in his closet upon the Bill, asked him, whom he would have made Regent? “Sir,” said Mr. Fox, “I never thought I should be asked, and therefore never thought--if it was impossible the Duke should!” The King replied, “My affection was there;” but avoided talking on the impossibility. He assumed to himself the chief direction of the Bill, and added, “I have a good opinion of the Princess, but I don’t quite know her.” He then spoke largely and sensibly on the restrictions, and gave reasons for them. “That a Council was necessary for her, even in cases of treason: women are apt to pardon; I myself am always inclined to mercy; it is better to have somebody to refuse for her. As to the power of peace and war, I never would declare either without consulting others. And as to the objection of the Council being irremoveable, who knows it will be composed of the present people? It will be the Ministers I shall leave: had you rather have those I shall leave, or have the Princess at liberty to go and put in Lord Cobham or Lord Egmont? What did you say against the Bill?--do you like it? tell me honestly.” Fox answered, “If you ask me, sir--no. What I said against it was, because what was said for it was against the Duke.” The King told him, “I thank you for that: my affection is with my son: I assure you, Mr. Fox, I like you the better for wishing well to him. The English nation is so changeable! I don’t know why they dislike him. It is brought about by the Scotch, the Jacobites, and the English that don’t love discipline; and by all this not being enough discouraged by the Ministry.” To complete the history of this memorable Bill, I shall subjoin some account of its author.