THE FRENCH CLAIM.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—It is a characteristic of unthinking minds to see in others the faults of which they themselves are guilty. Thus " Germanicus " accuses me of making assertions without adequate proof, whilst I made none without giving an illus- tration in support, and I could not give more because I was writing a letter and not a book. He, on the contrary, contents himself with unsupported assertions, some of which are irrelevant, and the general incorrectness and thoughtless- ness of his letter are beautifully illustrated in his concluding sentence :—" 1" (in italics, thus at least excluding others from his foolishness) " think that France might well say with Clive ' I stand astonished at my own moderation.' " Clive never said any such thing, though Warren Hastings did say something like it.
In your editorial you refer, Sir, to the very adroit propa- ganda the French are carrying on in America. It is being carried on in this country also, and " Germanicus " is an excellent example of the foolish and numerous parrots who are its easy victims. His letter, however, shows that my " plain truths " are getting home, and it was with gratifica- tion that on reading Sir Robert Home's speech—of which, I am glad to see, Sir, you approve so warmly—I find he was saying almost the same as I had written. His conclusion is the same. " Our offer to France was far too generous and I hope it will not be renewed," I wrote ; and Sir Robert said, " I am of opinion that the proposal . . . is too generous . . . I am strongly of opinion it should now be with- drawn." Might I urge Sir Robert to continue with per- sistence to drive these " plain truths " home ? He will be rendering the country a real and deep service if he does, for we stand in grave danger of making a foolish and rash settlement with France and jumping out of the frying pan
into the fire.—I am, Sir, &c., BRITANNICUS.
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