In that state of mind I feel no desire whatsoever of interfering." Yet the letter itself, and others which follow, testify to the vehemence of Burke's interest in the matter, and to the persistency with which he would have had them follow his judgment, if they would have listened.

It is as clear that they did not listen.
Apart from the fierce struggle against Pitt's Regency Bill, Burke's friends were intently occupied with the reconstruction of the Portland cabinet, which the king had so unexpectedly dismissed five years before.

This was a sphere in which Burke's gifts were neither required nor sought.

We are rather in distress, Sir Gilbert Elliot writes, for a proper man for the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer.

"Lord J.
Cavendish is very unwilling to engage again in public affairs.