221—to Francis Hodgson
8, St. James's Street, Feb. 1, 1812.
My Dear Hodgson
,—I am rather unwell with a vile cold, caught in the House of Lords last night. Lord Sligo and myself, being tired,
paired off
, being of opposite sides, so that nothing was gained or lost by
our
votes. I did not speak: but I might as well, for nothing could have been inferior to the Duke of Devonshire, Marquis of Downshire, and the Earl of Fitzwilliam. The Catholic Question comes on this month, and perhaps I may then commence. I must "screw my courage to the sticking-place," and we'll
not
fail.
Yours ever, B.
