LORD  BYRON  and  his  TIMES
Byron
Documents Biography Criticism
In Whig Society 1775-1818
William Lamb to Lady Melbourne, [26 February 1812]
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
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Introduction
Contents
Forward
Chapter I.
Chapter II.
Chapter III.
Chapter IV.
Chapter V.
Chapter VI.
Chapter VII.
Chapter VIII.
Chapter IX.
Index
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I am very much obliged to you for your letter, & think that you are probably right in supposing that the Prince is more anxious to strengthen the Ministry than the Ministry are to strengthen themselves. He is, however, wrong in his notion, for the more parties a Ministry is composed of, the weaker it is and the more likely to break in the places where it is spliced. The name of Canning and Huskisson is something, but I have no opinion that the present Cabinet will hold long together after they have been introduced into it. It will go on much better and more surely as it stands at present. I can
108POLITICAL INFLUENCE 
hardly believe that such an arrangement, as you mention in the beginning of your letter was ever in contemplation—it is hardly possible that Ld. Sidmouth should consent to give up his present office & return again to the Presidentship of the Council & still more unlikely, that he should allow Ld. Buckingham to be turned out, for whom he has always fought a stout battle; but however all this is of no importance now. I think with you that the Ministers themselves are for having no change & they are right; the Prince’s fears & anxieties may force one upon him, but like all other fears, they will overshoot themselves & perhaps bring about the very event which he most dreads.