Written in answer to Houghton's letter of 29th. Robert Pemberton Milnes hated Mr Shepherd [sic] who was so severe as to be sometimes cruel; his parents were unaware of it at the time and few pupils then would have considered complaining; he was a good classical scholar. Mr Belsham knew nothing and was theologically prejudiced; few gentlemen taught by Belsham except John Cam Hobhouse and sons of Sir Evan Nepean and Sir William Smith. Dissenting background a check to private nature. Robert Pemberton Milnes' private nature. Surprise at his political divergence from the family in famous speech on government of the nation [Apr. 1807]; remembers occasion as it coincided with viewing the corpse of her governess Miss Le Mesurier. Robert Pemberton Milnes was not a Tory by nature but had a personal opposition to Grey and Grenville; he explained his refusal of office on the grounds of unfamiliarity with the task and threat to health, but it must also have arisen from his reservations about the Tory party; her own recollections of his beautiful reading aloud.
London. - Regrets recent silence. Political revolution will not improve Fitzgerald's prospects; support for present administration arises merely from unpopularity of its opponents; their impudent treatment of the King. Attended the House for Lyttelton's Motion: a poor speech; Ward's was better, and [Robert Pemberton] Milnes' an enthusiastically received triumph of 'fluency neatness elegance & force, his studious reputation at Cambridge gave no hint of his powers; regrets to hear that Milnes has wagered he will be Chancellor of the Exchequer in two years. James Macdonald spoke badly. Fitzgerald's chosen pursuit of farming is more honourable than politics. Grenville anticipates an opposition of 200 at forthcoming election. Further political gossip. Omits signature in case letter miscarries. Postscript: Perceval is hastening the dissolution to divert an opposition Motion which would lead to the impeachment of the Duke of York, and the Committee of Finance report which implicates Steele and 'old Rose' as heavy defaulters.