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capable of making the most of the new order of things that was dawning upon them.

10th. Yesterday, when I went to the Admiralty to receive, as I thought, the order for the packet, I found they had given directions that I should be forwarded only from Heligoland, and that I was expected to embark with other passengers in this day's boat. In Canning's time, this sort of nonsense with the Admiralty was quite got the better of. He conveyed His Majesty's commands on the subject to the first Lord—as indeed the Secretaries of State always used to do. But now, the different departments instead of working together seem rather to be bent on thwarting each other's arrangements, and it was only with difficulty that I got Cooke to give me a letter of recommendation to Freeling. Of Freeling's attention and friendly dispositions, I cannot say too much. He gave me a positive order for an extra packet, to be entirely at my disposal and without any incumbrances whatever. But I believe, I owe his marked civility, and ready compliance with my request, more to his acquaintance with my brother than to any efficacy of my letter of recommendation; for Cooke himself told me, he had little hope of its success, and expected there would be a further delay. However, as it was, it took up all the early part of the day, and had I even not been detained again by Sir Charles, I could not have got off till this morning. I have fagged so incessantly night and day that I am completely knocked up. It is a relief to me to see the carriage at the door. Rumbold and I start

Sir

directly, and hope to sail early to-morrow. Charles goes this evening, and has at last, I believe, got a passage ordered in the "Nympha."

At the moment of setting out, a letter from Robert Fägel reaches me. He is on his way to England with the Prince of Orange, perhaps is already arrived.

Extract of Letter from M. de Fägel to Mr. G. Jackson. Berlin, March 24th, 1813.

Several estates, if not destroyed, have suffered considerably. Much distress might have been prevented if the Prussians had taken proper measures to secure in time, and within the rayon of the fortress, all cattle and other provisions which fell afterwards into the enemy's hands. There is, as you say, a fair prospect of putting an end to the French dominion in Germany; but at the same time I must confess that I am not very sanguine in my expectations. I have found-entre nous, s-v-p-the Russians bragging of always cheating their allies as to their numbers, and complaining of the Prussians for their want of activity and exertion, whilst on their part, the Prussians were complaining of being drawn by Russia into a war beyond their power to sustain. In a word, there did not appear to me to be that ensemble, indispensably necessary to assure success; and I am afraid, that the consequences of this movement will be to lay waste and devastate a part of Germany, that is intentionally outlawed, to justify the cruelties now exercised there by those worthy executioners of the tyrant's will-Davoust and his comrades.

Wessenberg, I suppose, is now with you? ? He is an honourable and perfectly right-thinking man, though he does out explain himself on the present state of affairs as I should wish him to do. But I have no doubt, if the war continues, that Austria will join the Allies; she would have acted more honourably to have done so two months ago, de premier mouvement, than to wait to be forced to it by the pressure of public opinion, or the true public spirit which prevails in that country.

RT. FAGEL.

Letters-Harwich, April 11th.-I was good for nothing, my dear mother, when I left London, or I would have written my adieux from thence; and have also begged you to be indulgent to me on the score of my sins of omission, in failing to execute the commission you gave me in your two last letters, and to attribute it to incessant occupation rather than to negligence. I must own, that until I was a long way on the road to Harwich, I forgot all about your long black gloves; but I hope you have long since received them, as I believe I was only to remind Painter that they were long ago ordered. However, I really did look in at Oliver's in Bond Street to speak to him about sending your black braid; so that if it has not yet reached you, you must upbraid him, not me.

The reason of your not seeing my name at the levée, was because the mission was meant to be a great secret and that we have not kissed hands upon

it. Rumbold accompanied me. As our going out together is only a private arrangement between ourselves, there was no reason why he should not take leave, as he accordingly did.

Cooke gave me before I left Downing Street 5007. by way of outfit; and in addition to the 10007. a year, and travelling and all extra expenses paid, I shall have two pounds per day as Chargé d'Affaires, when Sir Charles is absent. This would not go far, if I were to entertain all the John Bulls that came in my way, even when separate from Sir Charles; I shall therefore follow your advice and attempt nothing that will lead to superfluous expense in that

way.

I took leave of Lord Castlereagh on Friday; after having thoroughly talked over matters with him and Sir Charles. He seemed to think that, let their plans have been what they may, the Emperor and the King will certainly have rejoined each other upon the receipt of his last despatches announcing our arrival. His Lordship was in a most wonderfully gracious mood; and when we parted, wished us success two or three times over, and on each occasion shook hands upon it.

Sir Charles and I parted the same evening. He said he felt much obliged to me for the great assistance I had given him, and he seemed disposed that we should be on the best and most confidential terms together.

The "in finale" of your last letter, my dear mother, is so deeply diplomatic that I must compliment you

upon it. I shall certainly

66 appear to have no opinion of my own, but fall in with the opinions, be they what they may, of the higher Powers." It would be as useless as impolitic to do otherwise, if not consulted; but in any case, I reserve to myself the right of a little private opinion of my own-for my own breast at least as I should hesitate to believe that black is white; even on the authority of Lord Cathcart.

I had hoped that we should be off to day-but there is very little wind, and a fog so thick that we cannot distinguish one vessel from another.

12th. The fog is still thick, but if the wind holds we shall make an attempt by moonlight. Sir Charles got to Yarmouth yesterday morning. I do not know that he has better luck than we have.

8 o'clock After waiting all day, vainly hoping to get off, we are now just going on board. Evening very fine-wind pretty good, so I hope you will soon hear of us from the other side of the water. Broughton is my agent at the Office. To him, when opportunity offers, I shall forward my packets. Private correspondence on the subject of the war, &c. is generally prohibited; though not yet to me individually. However, upon what may be going on around me though I like to take note of it-you are aware that I rarely write letters. If any of my notes reach you, after passing them on to Francis, lay them up in lavender with the rest. Once more, adieu, dearest mother.

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G. J.

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