an example of encouraging extravagance at a moment when the prevailing
fashion of prodigality among people of fortune was rapidly destroying
their independence, and making them the tools of the court, and the
contempt of the people. He knew the refusal to pay his debts would be a
severe privation to the Prince of Wales; but it would be a just penalty
for the past, a useful lesson for the future, and a proper deference to
the severe pressure and privations endured by the people. Mr. Grey's
amendment was supported by what was then a strong majority--99 to 260; and
the original motion carried: his conduct on this occasion seems never to
have been forgotten by the Prince of Wales, the Regent or the King. It
should here be mentioned, that, with equal justice, Mr. Grey subsequently
defended the rights of His Royal Highness from the shackles proposed to be
laid on him as Regent.

Mr. Grey's opposition to Mr. Pitt's measures continued unabated for many
years, while he remained equally steady in his attachment to Mr. Fox. His
bitter hostility to the union between Ireland and England may be said to
have produced one of his most celebrated speeches. Neither was he dazzled,
nor misled by the splendid talents of Burke, at this time in highest
repute. When Mr. Fox was deserted by Lords Fitzwilliam, Carlisle, and
other alarmists, Mr. Grey unchangingly adhered to him; and when Mr. Fox
and Lord Grenville formed a Whig ministry, in 1806, Mr. Grey, then, by his
father's elevation to the peerage, become Lord Howick, was appointed First
Lord of the Admiralty, and one of the Cabinet Council. He next succeeded
Mr. Fox as Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and leader in the House of
Commons. This ministry was ill-formed, and wanted unity of purpose: their
abolition of the Slave Trade was a redeeming measure, in which Lord Howick
bore a conspicuous part; but his lordship's motion for the emancipation of
the Catholics brought about his dismissal from the ministry.