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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Horace Walpole Volume 3
+by Horace Walpole
+(#4 in our series by Horace Walpole)
+
+Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
+copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing
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+**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
+
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+
+*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
+
+
+Title: The Letters of Horace Walpole Volume 3
+
+Author: Horace Walpole
+
+Release Date: December, 2003 [EBook #4773]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on March 16, 2002]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LETTERS OF HORACE WALPOLE VOLUME 3 ***
+
+
+
+
+This eBook was produced by Marjorie Fulton.
+
+
+
+ The Letters of Horace Walpole,
+ Earl of Orford:
+
+ Including Numerous letters Now First Published
+ From The Original Manuscripts.
+
+
+ In Four Volumes.
+ Vol. III.
+
+ 1759-1769.
+
+
+ Contents Of Vol. III.
+
+ [Those Letters now first collected are marked N.]
+
+
+ 1759.
+
+1. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 17.-Lord Temple's resignation of
+the privy-seal. Lady Carlisle's marriage with Sir William
+Musgrave.--25
+
+2. To the Right Hon. William Pitt, Nov. 19.-Congratulations on
+the
+lustre of his administration--[N.] 26
+
+3. To Sir Horace Mann, Nov. 30.-Sir Edward Hawke's victory over
+Conflans. Lord Kinnoul's mission to Portugal--27
+
+4. To the same, Dec. 13.-Regretting his own ignorance of
+mathematics and common figures. Victory of Prince Henry--28
+
+5. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 23.-Tumults in Ireland. Story of
+Lord Lyttelton and Mr. Shelley--30
+
+6. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Dec. 23.-"Life of Lord Clarendon."
+"Lucan"--31
+
+
+ 1760.
+
+7. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 7.-Visit to Princess Emily.
+Commotions in Ireland--32
+
+
+8. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Jan. 12.-Apologizing for an
+unintentional offence--34
+
+9. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 14.-Severity of the weather.
+Military preparations. Prince Edward's party. Edwards's "History
+of
+Birds"--35
+
+10. To Sir Horace Mann, Jan. 26.-Severity of the winter. Death of
+Lady Besborough. Ward's drops--36
+
+11. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 28.-Death of Lady Besborough.
+Lord
+Ferrers's murder of his steward. Visit to the Magdalen. Dr.
+Dodd--
+37
+
+12. To Sir David Dalrymple. Feb. 3.-Macpherson's fragments or
+Erse
+poetry. Mary Queen of Scots. Dyer's "Fleece." Pepys's collection
+of
+ballads. Faction--[N.] 40
+
+13. To Sir Horace Mann, Feb. 3.-Caserta. Character of Mr. Thomas
+Pitt. Death of the Duchess of Bolton. Lord George Sackville's
+court-martial. Lord Charles Hay. Lord Ferrers's murder of his
+steward. Dutch mud-quake--41
+
+14. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Feb. 4.-"Anecdotes of Painting."
+Character of Dr. Hurd. Warburton's "Shakspeare." Edwards's
+"Canons
+of Criticism"--44
+
+15. To Sir Horace Mann, Feb. 28.-M. Thurot's expedition. Siege of
+Carrickfergus. Lord Ferrers--45
+
+16. To the same, March 4.-M. Thurot's expedition. Duke of
+Bedford's
+Irish administration. General Flobert and Mr. Mallet. Ward's
+drops--48
+
+17. To the same, March 26.-Lord George Sackville's
+court-martial--
+49
+
+18. To George Montagu, Esq. March 27.-Lord George Sackville's
+court-martial. Miss Chudleigh's public breakfast--50
+
+19. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 4.-Erse Poetry; Gray's queries
+concerning Macpherson. Home's "Siege of Aquileia." "Tristram
+Shandy"--[N.] 51
+
+20. To George Montagu, Esq. April 19.-Lord George Sackville's
+sentence. Lord Ferrers's trial. Duel between the Duke of Bolton
+and
+Mr. Stewart--52
+
+21. To Sir Horace Mann, April 20.-Lord George Sackville's
+sentence.
+Trial of Lord Ferrers--54
+
+22. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, May 3.-Lord Bath's ,Rhapsody."
+"Anecdotes of Painting"--55
+
+
+23. To George Montagu, Esq. May 6.-Execution of Lord Ferrers--56
+
+24. To Sir Horace Mann, May 7,--Execution of Lord Ferrers. Lady
+Huntingdon. Death of Lord Charles Hay. King of Prussia's poems.
+General Clive--57
+
+25. To Sir David Dalrymple, May 15.-Erse poetry. Lord Lyttelton's
+"Dialogues of the Dead." King of Prussia's poems--[N 63
+
+26. To Sir Horace Mann, May 24.-Lord Lyttelton's "Dialogues of
+the
+Dead." Anecdotes of lord Ferrers--64
+
+27. To the Earl of Strafford, June 7.-Description of Miss
+Chudleigh's ball. Death of Lady Anson--66
+
+28. To Sir Horace Mann, June 20.-Siege of Quebec. The house of
+Fuentes. Pope's house and garden--68
+
+29. To Sir David Dalrymple, June 20.-Authenticity of the Erse
+poems. Lord Lyttelton's "Dialogues of the Dead." Isaac Walton's
+"Complete Angler."--[N.] 69
+
+30. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 21.-Story of Sir Robert
+Walpole
+and his man John. George Townshend's absurdities. "Tant mieux
+pour
+Elle."--[N.] 70
+
+31. To the same, June 28.-Siege of Quebec raised. Lady
+Stormont--72
+
+32. To George Montagu, Esq. July 4:.-Visit to Chaffont. Gray's
+taciturnity--73
+
+33. To Sir Horace Mann, July 7.-Siege of Quebec raised--74
+
+34. To George Montagu, Esq. July 19.-Visit to Oxford. Holbein's
+portraits. Blenheim. Ditchley. --75
+
+35. To the same, July 20.--76
+
+36. To Sir Horace Mann, Aug. 1.-Wolfe's tomb. Death of Lady
+Lincoln. Arrival of General Clive--77
+
+37. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 7.-Fit of the gout--78
+
+38. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 7-Fit of the gout--79
+
+39. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 12.-Reflections on his
+illness--80
+
+40. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Aug. 23.-Visit to Whichnovre.
+Advises her ladyship to claim the flitch of bacon--81
+
+41. To Sir Horace Mann, Aug. 28.-Duke of Cumberland's illness--82
+
+42. To George Montagu, Esq, Sept. 1.-Account of his tour to the
+north. Whichnovre. Litchfield cathedral. Sheffield. Chatsworth.
+Hardwicke. Bess of Hardwicke. Newstead Abbey--83
+
+43. To the Earl of Strafford, Sept. 4.-Visit to Hardwicke.
+Newstead. Althorpe. Mad dogs. An adventure--87
+
+44. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 19--88
+
+45. To the same, Sept. 30--89
+
+46. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 2.-Marriage of his niece
+Charlotte
+to Lord Huntingtower--90
+
+47. To Sir Horace Mann, Oct. 5.-Capture of Montreal. Projected
+expedition. Lord Dysart. His niece's marriage. Death of Lady
+Coventry--91
+
+48. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 14.-Duke of York's visit to
+Strawberry Hill. Intended expedition--92
+
+49. To the same, Oct. 25.-Death of George the Second--95
+
+50. To the Earl of Straford, Oct. 26.-Death of George the
+Second--
+96
+
+51. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 28.-The new court. Manners of
+the
+young King. Capture of Berlin--97
+
+52. To Sir Horace Mann, Oct. 28.-Death of George the Second.
+Capitulation of Berlin. Political movements--98
+
+53. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 31.-Conduct of the young
+King--99
+
+54. To the same, Nov. 4.-Bequests of the late King. Court and
+ministerial changes. George Townshend's challenge to Lord
+Albemarle--100
+
+55. To the same, Nov. 13.-Personal conduct of the new King.
+Funeral
+of George the Second. King of Prussia's victory over Marshal
+Daun--
+102
+
+56. To the same, Nov. 22.-Appointment of the King's
+household--104
+
+57. To the same, Nov. 24.-The King's first visit to the theatre.
+Seditious papers. "Anecdotes of Painting." Foote's "Minor."
+Voltaire's "Peter the Great"--104
+
+58. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Nov. 27.-"lucan." "Anecdotes of
+Painting"--106
+
+59. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 11.-State of the ministry.
+Threatened resignations--106
+
+
+ 1761.
+
+60. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, January 3.-State of the arts.
+Booksellers. Dr. Hill's works. Architects--107
+
+61. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 22.-A party at
+Northumberland-house. Account of a play performed at
+Holland-house-
+-108
+
+62. To the same, Feb. 7.-Ball at Carlton-house. Death of Wortley
+Montagu. Miss Ford's letter to Lord Jersey--109
+
+63. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Feb. 8.-Mr. Conway's speech on the
+Qualification-bill --110
+
+64. To George Montagu, Esq. March 7.-On Mr. Montagu's being
+appointed usher of the black rod in Ireland. Prospect of Peace.
+Rumours of the King's marriage. Lord Pembroke's "Treatise on
+Horsemanship"--111
+
+65. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, March 7.-Voltaire's letter to Lord
+Lyttelton. Colman's "Jealous Wife." "Tristram Shandy." Voltaire's
+"Tancred"--111
+
+66. To George Montagu, Esq. March 17.-Changes in the King's
+household--112
+
+67. To the same, March 19.-Ministerial resignations and changes.
+Militia disturbances. Lord Hardwicke's verses to Lord Lyttelton.
+Death of Lady Gower--113
+
+68. To the same, March 21.-Speaker Onslow's retirement--115
+
+69. To the same, March 25.-Feelings and reflections occasioned by
+a visit to Houghton. Electioneering at Lynn. Aunt Hammond--115
+
+70. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 10.-Prospect of peace. Death
+of
+Sir Harry Bellendine--118
+
+71. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 14.-Macpherson's
+"Fingal."--[N.)
+119
+
+72. To the Countess of Suffolk, April 15.-Election
+arrangements.--
+[N) 120
+
+73. To George Montagu, Esq. April 16.-Anacreontic upon Sir Harry
+Bellendine--121
+
+74. To the same, April 28.-Lady Suffolk. Account of a fire near
+Sackville-street--122
+
+75. To the same, May 5.-Death of Sir William Williams. Gray and
+Mason at Strawberry Hill. Conversation with Hogarth--123
+
+76. To the same, May 14.-Jemmy Lumley's battle with Mrs.
+Mackenzy.
+Party at Bedford-house. Anecdotes--125
+
+77. To the Countess of Ailesbury, June 13.-Thanks for a
+snuff-box.
+New opera. Murphy's "All in the Wrong." Lines on the Duchess of
+Grafton--126
+
+78. To George Montagu, Esq., June 18.-Mr. Bentley's play of The
+Wishes, or Harlequin's mouth opened"--128
+
+79. To the same, July 5.--130
+
+80. To the Earl of Strafford, July 5.-Anecdote of Whitfield and
+Lady Huntingdon--130
+
+81. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 14.-Apologies for not having
+written. Approaching marriage of the King--131
+
+82. To George Montagu, Esq. July 16.-The King's approaching
+marriage. The Queen's household--133
+
+83. To the Countess of Ailesbury, July 20.-Thanks for a present
+of
+some china. Congratulations on Mr. Conway's escape at the battle
+of
+Kirkdenckirk--134
+
+84. To the Earl of Strafford, July 2)@.-Battle of
+Kirkdenckirk--136
+
+85. To George Montagu, Esq. July 22.-The King's marriage.
+Victories. Single-speech Hamilton. "Young Mr. Burke"--136
+
+86. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 23.-Congratulations on the
+success of the army. Taking of Pondicherry--138
+
+87. To George Montagu, Esq. July 28.-First night of Mr. Bentley's
+play. Singular instance of modesty--138
+
+88. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug.,5.-Tomb of the Earl of
+Pembroke.
+Wolfe's monument. Rapacity of the chapter of Westminster--140
+
+89. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 20.-offer of a seat at the
+coronation. The Queen's arrival--142
+
+90. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 21.-Arrival of the Queen.
+Tripoline ambassador. Disputes about rank and precedence--143
+
+91. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 9.-Arrival of the queen. Her
+person and manners--144
+
+92. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 24.-Description of the
+coronation--145
+
+93. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 25.-Delays in the treaty of
+peace. The coronation--147
+
+94. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Sept. 27.-Pedigrees. The
+coronation. The treaty broken off--149
+
+95. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 8.-Resignation of Mr. Pitt--151
+
+96. To the same, Oct. 10.-Mr. Pitt's pension and peerage--152
+
+97. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Oct. 10.-Mr. Pitt's
+resignation,
+pension, and peerage--153
+
+98. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 12.-Mr. Pitt's pension and
+peerage. Ministerial changes--154
+
+99. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 24.-City address to Mr. Pitt.
+Glover's "Medea"--156
+
+100. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 26.-Civic agitations. London
+address to Mr. Pitt. Differences in the cabinet. State of
+parties--
+157
+
+101. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 7.-Sir John Cust's nose.
+Caricature of Hogarth--159
+
+102. To the same, Nov. 28.-Private ball at court. Marriages.
+Political changes--159
+
+103. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Nov. 28.-Politics. Opera.
+Burlettas. Private ball at court. Pamphlets on Mr. Pitt. Gray's
+"Thyrsis, when we parted"--160
+
+104. To Sir David Dalrymple, Nov. 30.-The best picture of an age
+found in genuine letters. One from Anne of Denmark to the Marquis
+of Buckingham. Hume's "History." "Hau Kiou Choaan;" a Chinese
+history.--[N.] 161
+
+105. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 8.-Hume's "History." "Fingal."
+Doubts Of its authenticity. "Cymbeline"--162
+
+106. To Sir David Dalrymple, Dec. 21.-Complaints of printers.
+Difficulties of literature.--[N.] 163
+
+107. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 23.-Irish revivification.
+Effects
+of age. Mistakes of life. Tricks of his printer. Mrs. Dunch's
+auction. Losing at loo. Death of Lady Pomfret. Bon-mot of M. de
+Choiseul. Lines on Lady Mary Coke's having St. Anthony's fire in
+her cheek--164
+
+108. To the same, Dec. 30.-Indifference to politics. Progress of
+"Anecdotes of Painting." Death of Jemmy Pelham--165
+
+
+ 1762.
+
+(109. To the same, Jan. 26.-Upbraiding for not writing--167
+
+
+110. To the same, Feb. 2.-Arrival of' Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.
+Her dress and personal appearance. Mr. Macnaughton's murder of
+Miss
+Knox. Visit to the Cock-Lane Ghost--168
+
+111. To the same, Feb. 6.-Effects of Hamilton's eloquence--169
+
+112. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 7.-Anecdotes of polite
+literature--
+170
+
+113. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Feb. 13.-Lamentation on the
+tediousness of engravers, and tricks of printers--171
+
+114. To the Earl of Bute, Feb. 15.-On the Earl's suggesting to
+him
+a work Similar to Montfaucon's "Monuments de la Monarchie
+Fran`caise."--[N.] 171
+
+115. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 22.-Violent storms. Elopement
+of
+Lord Pembroke and Kitty Hunter--173
+
+116. To Dr. Ducarel, Feb. 24.-English Montfaucon. Medals. Errors
+in
+Vertue and others--174
+
+117. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 25.-Lely's picture of Madame
+Grammont. Harris's "Hibernica." The recent elopement--175
+
+118. To the Countess of Ailesbury, March 5.-Prospect of Peace.
+dresses--176
+
+119. To George Montagu, Esq. March 9.-Epitaph for Lord Cutts--177
+
+120. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, March 20.-"Anecdotes of Painting."
+Advice to antiquaries. Bishop of Imola. Resemblance between
+Tiberius and Charles the Second. Caution on the care of his
+eyesight--178
+
+121. To George Montagu, Esq. March 22.-Capture of Martinico.
+Fatal
+accident at a concert at Rome--179
+
+122. To the same, April 29.-Death of Lady Charlotte Johnstone.
+Efficacy of James's powders. New batch of peers--180
+
+123. To the same, May 14.-Attack of the gout. Visit to Audley
+Inn--
+181
+
+124. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 20.-"Anecdotes of Painting."
+Knavery
+of his printer--183
+
+125. To George Montagu, Esq. May 25.-Duke of Newcastle's
+resignation. Ministerial changes--184
+
+126. To the same, June 1.-Lord Melcomb. Lady Mary Wortley
+Montagu.
+The Cherokee Indian chiefs. Anecdotes and bon-mots--185
+
+127. To the same, June 8.-Account of Lady Northumberland's
+festino.
+Bon-mots. Death of Lord Anson--185
+
+128. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 29.-Invitation to Strawberry
+Hill--
+186
+
+129. To the Countess of Ailesbury, July 31.-Congratulation on the
+taking of the Castle of Waldeck--187
+
+130. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 5.-Revolution in Russia.
+Taking
+of the Castle of Waldeck--187
+
+131. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 5.--188
+
+132. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 10.-Great drought. Revolution
+in
+Russia. Count Biren--189
+
+133. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 19.-Object in publishing the
+"Anecdotes of Painting"--190
+
+134. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 9.-Prospect of peace.
+Christening of the Prince of Wales. Fire at Strawberry Hill. "The
+North Briton."--191
+
+135. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 24.-Prospect of peace--192
+
+136. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 28.-Negotiations for peace.
+Capture of the Havannah--193
+
+137. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 30.--195
+
+138. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 1.-Congratulations on
+her
+son's safe return from the Havannah--196
+
+139. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 4.-Love of fame. Capture of
+the
+Havannah. State of public feeling--196
+
+140. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 14.-Ministerial changes--197
+
+141. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 29.-Change of the ministry.
+State of the opposition. Anticipation of the history of the
+present
+age--198
+
+142. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 31.--200
+
+143. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 4.-The Duke of Devonshire's
+name
+erased out of the council-book--200
+
+144. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Nov. 13.--201
+
+145. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 20.-His illness. Political
+squabbles. A scene at Princess Emily's loo. Mr. Pitt--201
+
+146. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 23.--203
+
+
+ 1763.
+
+
+147. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Feb. 28.-Restoration to health.
+Determination to retire from public life. Wilkes and "The North
+Briton." Riots at Drury-lane Theatre. George Selwyn and Lord
+Dacre's footman--203
+
+148. To George Montagu, Esq. March 29.-Wilkes and "The North
+Briton." Dedication to "The Fall of Mortimer." Lord and Lady
+Pembroke's reconciliation, A song made in a postchaise--205
+
+149. To the same, April 6.-Illness of Lord Waldegrave. And of Mr.
+Thomas Pitt. Mr. Bentley's epistle to Lord Melcomb. Lines by Lady
+Temple on Lady Mary Coke. Opposition to the Cider-tax--206
+
+150. To the same, April 8.-Death of lord Waldegrave. Lord Bute's
+resignation. New ministry. Quarrel among the Opposition--208
+
+151. To the same, April 14.-Lady Waldegrave. Botched-up
+administration. Grants and reversions--210
+
+152. To the same, April 22,-Lady Waldegrave. The new
+administration. Lord Pulteney's extravagance. Sir Robert Brown's
+parsimony. Lord Bath's vault in Westminster-abbey. Lord Holland.
+Charles Townshend--212
+
+153. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, May 1.-Severity of the weather.
+Committal of Wilkes to the Tower--213
+
+154. To Sir David Dalrymple, May 2.-Political revolutions. Mr.
+Grenville.--[N.] 215
+
+155. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, May 6.-Prerogative. Wilkes's
+release from the Tower. Dreadful fire at Lady Molesworth's. Lady
+M. W. Montagu's Letters--216
+
+156. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 16.--217
+
+157. To George Montagu, Esq. May 17.-F`ete at Strawberry Hill.
+Madame de Boufflers. Madame Dusson. Miss Pelham's entertainment
+at Esher. Mrs. Anne Pitt--218
+
+158. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, May 21.-French and English
+vivacity compared. Miss chudleigh's f`ete--221
+
+159. To the same, May 28.-Masquerade at the Duke of
+Richmond's--223
+
+160. To George Montagu, Esq. May 30.-Visit to Kimbolton.
+Hinchinbrook--223
+
+161. To the same, June 16.--225
+
+162. To the same, July 1.-Improvements at Strawberry Hill--226
+
+163. To Sir David Dalrymple, July 1.-Mr. Grenville.--[N.] 227
+
+164. To the Rev. Mr, Cole, July 1.--228
+
+165. To the same, July 12.--228
+
+166. To George Montagu, Esq. July 23.-Visit to Stamford. Castle
+Ashby. Easton Maudit. Boughton. Drayton. Fotheringhay--229
+
+167. To the same, July 25.-Visit to Burleigh. Peterborough.
+Huntingdon. Cambridge--231
+
+168. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 8.--232
+
+169. To Dr. Ducarel, Aug. 8.--232
+
+170. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 9.-Reported marriages. Dupery
+of Opera undertakers--232
+
+171. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 10.-Inclemency of the
+weather- -233
+
+172. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 15.-Singular appearance of the
+Thames--233
+
+173. To the same, Sept. 3.-Crowds of visitors to see Strawberry.
+Comforts of keeping a gallery--235
+
+(174. To the same, Sept. 7. Invitation. Character of Mr. Thomas
+Pitt--236
+
+175. To the same, Oct. 3.-Mrs. Crosby's pictures. Death of Mr.
+Child. Visit to Sir Thomas Reeves--236
+
+176. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Oct. 8.-" Anecdotes of Engravers"--239
+
+177. To the Earl of Hertford, Oct. 18.-Death of the King of
+Poland. Expulsion of the Jesuits--239
+
+178. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 12.-Irish politics. Death of
+Sir Michael Foster--242
+
+179. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 17.-Debates on the King's
+Speech. Wilkes at the Cockpit. Privileges of Parliament. "North
+Briton." Duel between Martin and Wilkes. "Essay on Woman."
+Bon-mots. Lord Sandwich's piety. Wilkes and Churchill. M. de
+Guerchy--243
+
+180. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 20.-Political squabbles.
+Wilkes's "Essay on Woman"--250
+
+181. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 25.-Mr. Conway's voting
+against the court. Unpopularity of the ministry. Debates on
+privilege. Quarrel between Mr. James Grenville and Mr Rigby. M.
+de Guerchy and M. D'Eon--251
+
+182. To the same, Dec. 2.-Dismission of officers. Opera quarrel.
+Lord Clive's Jaghire. State of the Opera. Prince de Masserano.
+Count de Soleirn. Irish politics--254
+
+183. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 6.-Thanks for literary
+information--256
+
+184. To the Earl of Hertford, Dec. 9.-Transactions between
+General Conway and Mr. Grenville. Dismissal of Lord Shelburne and
+Colonel Barr`e. Riot at the burning of "The North Briton."
+Wilkes's suit against Mr. Wood--257
+
+185. To the same, Dec. 16.-City politics. Unpopularity of the
+ministry. Dismissals. Intended assassination of Wilkes. Mrs.
+Sheridan's comedy of "The Dupe"--261
+
+186. To the same, Dec. 29.-Debates on privilege. Lord Clive's
+jaghire. Anecdotes. The King at Drury-lane. Prize in the lottery.
+la Harpe's "Comte de Warwic"--263
+
+
+
+ 1764.
+
+187. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 11.-Visit to Lady Suffolk. A
+New-year's gift. Lady Temple. Portrait of Lady Suffolk at
+seventy-six.--266
+
+188. To the Earl of Hertford, Jan. 22.-Mr. Conway's opposition to
+the ministry. Feelings of the government towards his lordship.
+Ministerial disunion. State of the opposition. Marriage of Prince
+Ferdinand with the Princess Augusta. His reception in England.
+Wilkes. Churchill's "Dueller." Ball at Carlisle house.
+Proceedings against Wilkes. Dismissals. The Duc de Pecquigny's
+quarrel with Lord Garlies.--270
+
+189. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Jan. 31.--277
+
+190. To Sir David Dalrymple,, Jan. 31.-Thanks for corrections of
+the "Anecdotes of Painting." London booksellers--[N.) 278
+
+191. To the Earl of Hertford, Feb. 6.-The Cider-bill. Debates on
+privilege. Charles Townshend's bon-mot. East India affairs. Duc
+de Pecquigny's episode--279
+
+192. To the same, Feb. 15.-Great debates in the House of Commons
+on general warrants. Duel between the Duc de Pecquigny and M.
+Virette. Formidable condition of the Opposition. City rejoicings.
+Expected changes in the ministry--283
+
+193. To Sir David Dalrymple, Feb. 23.-" Anecdotes of Painting."
+Complaints of the carelessness of artists and rapacity of
+booksellers--[N.] 292
+
+194. To the Earl of Hertford, Feb. 24.-Complaint in the House of
+Lords of a book called "Droit le Roy." Wilkes's trials for "The
+North Briton" and the "Essay on Woman." Tottering state of the
+ministry. Mrs. Anne Pitt's ball--294
+
+195. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, March 3.-Thanks for some prints and
+the loan of manuscripts--296
+
+196. To the Earl of Hertford, March 11.-Cambridge University
+election for high-steward. Debate on the budget. Lord Bute's
+negotiations. The Duchess of Queensbury's ball. Affairs of India.
+M. Helvetius--297
+
+197. To the same, March 18.-Death of Lord Malpas and of Lord
+Townshend. Lord Clive's jaghire. George Selwyn's accident--300
+
+198. To the same, March 27.-Uncertain state of politics. D'Eon's
+publication of the Duc de Nivernois's private letters. Liberty of
+the press. Lady Cardigan's ball. Bon-mot of Lady Bell Finch--302
+
+199. To Charles Churchill, Esq. March 27.-Death of Lord Malpas.
+M. de Guerchy. D'Eon's pamphlet. Efficacy of James's powder.
+Reappearance of Lord Bute--306
+
+200. To the Earl of Hertford, April 5.-Wilkes's suspected libel
+on the Earl. Cambridge University election. Jemmy Twitcher. Lord
+Lyttelton's reconciliation with Mr. Pitt. Lord Bath at court.
+Bishop Warburton and Helvetius--308
+
+201. To the same, April 12.-Party abuse. Character. Lady Susan
+Fox's marriage with O'Brien the actor. East India affairs.
+Projected marriages. Expected changes. Confusion at the
+India-house--310
+
+202. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, April 12.--313
+
+203. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 19.-On Mr. Conway's
+dismissal from all his employments--313
+
+204. To the Earl of Hertford, April 20.-On Mr. Conway's dismissal
+from all his employments. Political promotions and changes.
+Prosecution of D'Eonn. East India affairs--314
+
+205. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 21.-On Mr. Conway's
+dismissal. Offers him half his fortune--316
+
+206. The Hon. H. S. Conway to the Earl of Hertford, April
+23.-Giving his brother an account of his total dismissal from the
+King's service for his vote in the House of Commons--317
+
+207. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 24.-On Mr. Conway's
+dismissal- -320
+
+
+208. The Hon. H. S. Conway To the Earl of Hertford, May
+1.-Conjectures as to the cause of his dismissal--320
+
+209. To George Montagu, Esq. May 10.--322
+
+210. To the Earl of Hertford, May 27.-On the Earl's position, in
+consequence of Mr. Conway's dismissal. Promotions and
+changes--322
+
+211. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 5.-On Mr. Conway's dismissal.
+Answer to the "Address to the Public"--325
+
+212. To the Earl of Hertford, June 8.-Lord Tavistock's courtship
+and marriage. The Mecklenburgh Countess. Bon-mot--326
+
+213. To George Montagu, Esq. June 18.-Account of a party at
+Strawberry--328
+
+214. To the same, July 16.-"life of Lord Herbert." Lady Temple's
+poems--329
+
+215. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 16.-"Lord Herbert's Life"--330
+
+216. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, July 21.-Harte's "Gustavus"--330
+
+217. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 21.-"Life of Lord Herbert"--331
+
+218. To the Earl of Hertford, Aug. 3. Instability of the
+ministry. Determination to quit party. Regrets that the Earl did
+not espouse mr. Conway's cause. Consequences of Lord Bute's
+conduct. The Queen's intended visit to Strawberry. A dinner with
+the Duke of Newcastle. Fracas at Tunbridge Wells. on Mr. Conway's
+dismission. Walpole's Counter "Address"--332
+
+219. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 16.--337
+
+220. To the Earl of Hertford, Aug. 27.-Death of Mr. Legge.
+Seizure of Turk's Island. Visit to Sion. Ministerial changes.
+Murder of the Czar Ivan. Mr. Conway's dismission. Generous offer
+of the Earl. Farewell to politics. Lord Mansfield's violence
+against the press. Conduct of the Duke of Bedford. Overtures to
+Mr. Pitt. Recluse life of their Majesties. Court economy.
+Dissensions in the house of Grafton. Nancy Parsons. Death of Sir
+John Barnard. Conduct of Mr. Grenville--338
+
+221. To the Right Hon. William Pitt, Aug. 29.-"Life of Lord
+Herbert of Cherbury"--343
+
+222. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 29.--343
+
+223. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 1.-Enclosing a reply to
+Walpole's "Counter Address." Lady Ailesbury's picture, executed
+in worsteds--344
+
+
+224. To the Rev. Dr. Birch, Sept. 3.-Thanks for an original
+picture of Sir William Herbert--345
+
+225. To the Earl of Hertford, Oct. 5.-Madame de Boufflers and
+Oliver Cromwell. James the Second's Journal. Illness of the Duke
+of Devonshire. Folly of being unhappy--345
+
+226. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 5.-Unfavourable state of
+public affairs. Reflections on his birthday--347
+
+227. To the same, Oct. 13.-Death of the Duke of Devonshire. His
+bequest to Mr. Conway. Virtue rewarded in this world--348
+
+228. To the same, Oct. 29.-Mourning for the Duke of Devonshire.
+Reply of a poor man in Bedlam. Story of Sir Fletcher Norton and
+his mother--348
+
+229. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 1.-Duke of Devonshire's legacy
+to Mr. Conway. Lady Harriot Wentworth's marriage with her
+footman. Unpopularity of the court--350
+
+230. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Nov. 8.--352
+
+231. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 9.-Announcing his intended
+visit to Paris. Adieu to politics--353
+
+232. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 10.-Thanks for some
+pilchards--355
+
+233. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 25.-The Opera. Manzoli. Elisi.
+Tenducci. D'Eon's flight. Wilkes's outlawry. Churchill's death.
+Ministerial changes. Objects of his intended journey to
+Paris--356
+
+234. To the same, Dec. 3.-Ministerial changes. Separation in the
+house of Grafton. The Duke of Kingston and Miss Chudleigh.
+Correspondence between Mr. Legge and Lord Bute. Mr. Dunning's
+pamphlet on the "Doctrine of Libels." Mrs. Ann Pitt's ball--358
+
+235. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 16.-State of the town. Mr.
+Dunning's pamphlet. "Lord Herbert's Life"--362
+
+236. To the same, Dec. 24.-With a present of some books--364
+
+
+
+ 1765.
+
+
+237. To the Earl of Hertford, Jan. 10.-Meeting of Parliament.
+Debate in the House of Commons on the Address--364
+
+238. To the same, Jan. 20.-Sir William Pynsent's bequest to Mr.
+Pitt. Reported death of Lady Hertford. Death of Lady Harcourt.
+Conduct of Charles Townshend. Couplet on Charles Yorke--367
+
+239. To the same, Jan. 27.-Debates on the army estimates. Sir
+William Pynsent's legacy to Mr. Pitt. Duel between Lord Byron and
+Mr. Chaworth. Lady Townshend's arrest. "Castle of Otranto." Mrs.
+Griffiths's "Platonic Wife"--370
+
+240. To the same, Feb. 12.-Debates on the American Stamp-act.
+Petition of the perriwig-makers. Almack's new assembly-room.
+Williams the reprinter of "The North Briton" pilloried. Wretched
+condition of The administration.--373
+
+241. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 19.-Congratulations on his
+health and cheerful spirits. Recommends him to quit his country
+solitude. Contemplated visit to Paris. And retirement from
+Parliament and political connexions. Runic poetry. Mallet's
+"Northern Antiquities." Lord Byron's trial. Antiquarian
+Society--376
+
+242. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 28.-Planting and gardening.
+Publication of "The Castle of Otranto"--377
+
+243. To the same, March 9.-Origin of "The Castle of Otranto."
+Caution to his friend respecting his MSS. Consequences of the
+Droit d'Aubaine. Dr. Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English
+Poetry." Old Ballads. Rosamond's Bower. Ambition and Content--378
+
+244. To Monsieur Elie de Beaumont, March 18.-"The Castle of
+Otranto." Madame de Beaumont's "Letters of the Marquis de
+Roselle." Churchill and Dryden. Effects of Richardson's
+novels--381
+
+245. To the Earl of Hertford, March 26.-Count de Guerchy's
+pretended conspiracy to murder M. D'Eon. The King's illness.
+Count de Caraman. "Siege of Calais." Duc de Choiseul's reply to
+Mademoiselle Clairon. French admiration of Garrick. Quin in
+Falstaff. Old Johnson. Mrs. Porter. Cibber and O'Brien, Mrs.
+Clive. Garrick's chief characters. The wolf of the Gevaudan.
+Favourable reception of "The Castle of Otranto." Bon-mot. Strait
+of Thermopylae--382
+
+246. To George Montagu, Esq. April 5.-"Siege of Calais."
+Bon-mots. Quin and Bishop Warburton. Prerogative.
+Preferments--384
+
+247. To the Earl of Hertford, April 7.-The King's rapid recovery.
+Fire at Gunnersbury. Count Schouvaloff. Count de Caraman. Mrs.
+Anne Pitt. Mr. Pitt the, first curiosity of foreigners. French
+encroachments. Parliament. Poor bill. A late dinner--385
+
+248. To the same, April 18.-The King's recovery. Proceedings on
+the Regency-bill. Enmity between Lord Bute and Mr. Grenville.
+Rumoured changes. State of parties. Lord Byron's acquittal. The
+Duke of Cumberland's illness. Daffy's Elixir. Poor-bill. lord
+Hinchinbrook's marriage--388
+
+249. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 21.-"The Castle of Otranto."
+Old Ballads. Consolations of authorship--[N.] 391
+
+To the Earl of Hertford, May 5.-Proceedings in the House of Lords
+on the Regency-bill--391
+
+251. To the same, May 12.-Proceedings in the House of Commons on
+the Regency bill. The Princess Dowager excluded from the
+Regency--395
+
+252. To the same, May 20.-The King forbids the Parliament to be
+prorogued. The Duke of Cumberland ordered to form a new
+administration. Failure of the Duke's negotiation with Mr. Pitt.
+Ministerial resignations. Humiliations of the Crown. Riots.
+Attack on Bedford-house. General spirit of mutiny and
+dissatisfaction.
+Extraordinary conduct of Mr. Pitt. Second tumult at
+Bedford-house.
+The King compelled to take back his ministers. Reconciliation
+between Lord Temple and George Grenville. Mr. Conway restored to
+the King's favour. Extravagant terms dictated by the ministers to
+the King. Stuart Mackenzie's removal. Ministerial changes and
+squabbles--399
+
+253. To George Montagu, Esq. May 26.-Proceedings on the
+Regency-bill. Ministerial squabbles and changes. Mr. Bentley's'
+poem. Danger of writing political panegyrics or satires. Lines on
+the Fountain Tree in the Canary Islands--405
+
+254. To the same, June 10.-A party at Strawberry. General
+Schouvaloff. Felicity of being a private man. Ingratitude of
+sycophants--407
+
+255. To the right Hon. Lady Hervey, June 11.-Apology for not
+writing. Regrets at being carried backward.,; and forwards to
+balls and suppers. Resolutions of growing old and staid at
+fourscore--408
+
+256. To George Montagu, Esq.-Contradicting a report of his
+dangerous illness--409
+
+257. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 3.-Progress of his illness.
+Effects of the gout. Dreams and reveries. Madame de Bentheim--410
+
+258. To the Countess of Suffolk, July 3,-State of his health.
+Lady Blandford--[N.] 411
+
+259. To the same, July 9.--The new ministry, Conduct of Charles
+Townshend.--(N) 411
+
+260. To George Montagu, Esq. July 11.-Change of the ministry. The
+Rockingham administration--412
+
+261. To the same, July 28.-Reflections on loss of youth. Entrance
+into old age through the gate Of infirmity. A month's confinement
+to a sick bed a stinging lesson. Whiggism--413
+
+262. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 23.-Death of Lady Barbara
+Montagu. Old friends and new faces. A strange story. Motives for
+revisiting Paris. The French reformation. Churches and convents.
+Adieu to politics--414
+
+263. To the same, Aug. 31.-Dropping off and separation of
+friends. Pleasant anticipations from his visit to Paris. Revival
+of old ideas. Stupefying effects of richardson's novels on the
+Frenchmnation--416
+
+264. To the Earl of Strafford, Sept. 3.-Motives of his journey to
+Paris. Death of the Emperor of Germany. "My last sally into the
+world"--418
+
+265. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Sept. 3.-Thanks for letters
+of introduction. Modern French literature--419
+
+266. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 5.-Inviting him to visit Paris--
+420
+
+267. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 11.-Journey to Amiens.
+Meeting with Lady mary Coke. Boulogne. Duchess of Douglas. A
+droll way of being chief mourner. A French absurdity.
+Walnut-trees. Clermont. The Duc de Fitz-James. Arrival at
+Paris--421
+
+
+268. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Sept. 14.-Salutary effects OF
+his journey. French gravity. Parisian dirt. French Opera. Italian
+comedy Chantilly. Illness of the Dauphin. Mr. David Hume the mode
+at Paris. Mesdames de Monaco, d'Egmont, and de Brionne. Nymphs of
+the theatres--423
+
+269. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 18.-Advice respecting his
+journey to Paris--424
+
+270. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 22.-Ingratitude. Amusements.
+French society. Mode of living. Music. Stage. Le Kain. The
+Dumenil. Grandval. Italian comedy. Harlequin. Freethinking.
+Conversation. Their savans. Admiration of Richardson and Hume.
+Dress and equipages. Parliaments and clergy. Effects of company
+--425
+
+271. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 3.-H`otel de Carnavalet.
+Madame Geoffrin. His own defects the sole cause of his not
+enjoying Paris. Duc de Nivernois. Colonel Drumgold. Duchesse de
+Coss`e. Presentations at Versailles. The King and Queen. The
+Mesdames. The Dauphin and Dauphiness. Wild beast of the Gevaudan.
+Mr. hans Stanley--427
+
+272. To John Chute, Esq. Oct. 3.-French manners. Their authors.
+Style of conversations. English and French manners contrasted.
+Presentation at Versailles. Duc de Berri. Count de Provence.
+Count d'Artois. Duc and Duchesse de Praslin. Duc and Duchesse de
+Choiseul. Duc de Richelieu--429
+
+273. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 6.-French society. A supper
+at Madame du Deffand's. President Henault. Walpole's blunders
+against French grammar. Sir James Macdonald's mimicry of Mr.
+David Hume. Mr. Elliot's imitation of Mr. Pitt. Presentation to
+the Royal Family. Dinner at the Duc de Praslin's with the corps
+diplomatique. Visit to the State Paper Office. M. de Marigny's
+pictures. Mada mede Bentheim. Duc de Duras. Wilkes at Paris--431
+
+274. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 13.-Attack of the gout.
+Cupid and death. Allan Ramsay the painter. Madame Geoffrin.
+Common sense. Duc de Nivernois. Lady Mary Chabot. Politics--434
+
+275. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 16.-Illness at Paris. Visit
+from Wilkes. The Dumenil. Grandval. President Henault--436
+
+276. To the Countess of Suffolk, Oct. 16.-Fontainbleau. Duc de
+Richelieu. Lady Mary Chabot. Lady Browne. Visit to Mrs. Hayes.
+Joys of the gout--[N.-) 437
+
+277. To Thomas Brand, Esq. Oct. 19.-Laughter out of fashion at
+Paris. "God and the King to be Pulled down." Admiration of whist
+and Richardson. Freethinking. Wilkes, Sterne, and Foote at Paris.
+Lord Ossory. Mesdames de Rochefort, Monaco, and Mirepoix. The
+Mar`echalle d'Estr`ees--438
+
+278. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 29.-Probable death of the
+Dauphin. Description of the Philosophers. Their object the
+destruction of regal power.--440
+
+279. To Mr. Gray, Nov. 19.-State of his health. Infallible
+specific for the gout. Picture of Paris. French society. The
+Philosophers. Dumenil. Preville. Visit to the Chartreuse--441
+
+280. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 21.-Recovery from a fit
+of the gout. "Le nouveau Richelieu." Indifference to politics.
+Squabbles about the French Parliaments. Bigotry. Logogriphe by
+Madame du Deffand--444
+
+281. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 21.-A simile. Sameness of llife
+at Paris. Invites him to transplant himself to Roehampton.
+Reflections on coming old age. Object of all impostors.
+Rabelais-- 445
+
+282. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 28.-Thanks for her
+introductions. Duchesse d'Aiguillon. French women of quality.
+Duchesse de Nivernois. "L'Orpheline Legu`egu`ee." Count
+Grammont's picture--447
+
+283. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Nov. 29.-Tea-drinking. Dissuades
+him from going to Italy. Advice for his political conduct.
+"L'Orpheline Legu`ee." Count Caylus's auction. Portrait of Count
+Grammont. French painters--448
+
+284. To the Hon. H. S. Conway. Dec. 5.-The Dauphin. French
+politics. M. de Maurepas. Marshal Richelieu. French parliaments--
+450
+
+285. To the Countess of Suffolk, Dec. 5.-Fret)ch society. The
+Comtesse d'Egmont. The Dauphin--[N.] 451
+
+
+
+ 1766.
+
+286. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Jan. 2.-Comtesse d'Egmont.
+Severity of the Frost. Dread of being thought charming.
+Rousseau's visit to England. Great parts. Charles Townshend--452
+
+287. To John Chute, Esq. Jan.-Severity of the weather. Ill-
+accordance of the French manners and climate. Presentation to the
+Comtesse de la Marche. Douceur in the society of the Parisiennes
+of fashion. Charlatanerie of the Savans and Philosophes. Count
+St. Germain. Rousseau in England. Walpole's pretended letter of
+the King of Prussia to Rousseau--453
+
+288. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan, 5.-Robin Hood reform`e and
+Little John. Dreams of life superior to its realities. Politics.
+Lord Temple and George Grenville. Goody Newcastle. Helvetius's
+"Esprit" and Voltaire's "Pucelle"--455
+
+289. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Jan. 11.-A supper at the
+Duchesse d'Aiguillon's. Picture of the Duchesse de Choiseul.
+Madame Geoffrin. Verses on Madame Forcalquier speaking English.
+The Italians. The gout preferable to all other disorders--457
+
+290. To The Hon. H. S. Conway, Jan. 12.-Regrets on leaving Paris.
+Honours and distinctions. Invitation from Madame de Brionne.
+Pretended letter from the King of Prussia to Rousseau--458
+
+291. To the Rev. mr. Cole, Jan. 18.-Severity of the weather.
+Cathedral of Amiens. The Sainte Chapelle. Rousseau in England.
+King of Prussia's letter--460
+
+292. To Mr. Gray, Jan. 25.-State of his health. "Making oneself
+tender." Change in French manners. Their religious opinions. The
+Parliaments. The men dull and empty. Wit, softness, and good
+sense of the women. Picture of Madame Geoffrin. madame du
+Deffand. M. Pontdeveyle. Madame de Mirepoix. Anecdote of M. de
+Maurepas. Madame de Boufflers. Madame de Rochefort. Familiarities
+under the veil of friendship. Duc de Nivernois. Madame de Gisors.
+Duchesse de Choiseul. Duchesse de Grammont. Mar`echale de
+Luxembourg. Pretended letter to Rousseau. Walpole at the head of
+the fashion. Carried to the Princess de Talmond--461
+
+293. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Feb. 3.-Madame de Geoffrin's
+secret mission to Poland. The Comtesse d'Egmont--468
+
+294. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 4.-Madame Roland. Marriages.
+Duc and Duchesse de Choiseul--469
+
+295. To the Same, Feb. 23.-French Parliaments --470
+
+296. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 28.-Pretended letter to Rousseau.
+A French horse-race--470
+
+297. To George Montagu, Esq. March 3.-Preparations for leaving
+Paris. Defeat of George Grenville. Repeal of the American
+Stamp-act. Lit de justice. Remonstrances of the Parliaments--471
+
+298. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, March 10.-Watchings and
+revellings. A supper at the Mar`echale de Luxembourg's. Funeral
+sermon on the Dauphin. The Abb`e Coyer's pamphlet on
+Preaching--472
+
+299. To George Montagu, Esq. March 12.-Colman and Garrick. Mrs.
+Clive--474
+
+300. To the same, March 21.-Madame Roland. A French woman's first
+visit to Paris contrasted with his own. The Princess of Talmond's
+pug-dogs. A commission--474
+
+301. To the same, April 3.-Visit to Livry. The Abb`e de Malherbe.
+Madame de S`evign`e's Sacred pavilion. Old trees--475
+
+302. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 6.-Insurrection at Madrid on
+the attempt of the Court to introduce the French dress in
+Spain--476
+
+303. To the same, April 8.-Further particulars of the
+insurrection at Madrid. Change in the French ministry. Lettres de
+cachet. Insurrections at Bordeaux and Toulouse--478
+
+304. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 10.-Return to England--479
+
+305. To the same, May 13.-Apology for accidentally opening one of
+his letters--479
+
+306. To George Montagu, Esq. May 25.-Ministerial appointments.
+Duke of Richmond. Lord North. Death of Lord Grandison. Lady
+Townshend turned Roman Catholic. Mrs. Clive's bon-mot--480
+
+307. To the same, June 20.-Anstey's New Bath Guide. Swift's
+Correspondence, and Journal to Stella. Bon-mot of George Selwyn.
+Pun of the King of France--481
+
+
+308. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, June 28.-Madame du Deffand's
+present of a snuff-box, with a portrait of Madame de S`evign`e.
+Translation of a tale from the "Dictionnaire d'Anecdotes."--482
+
+309. To George Montagu, Esq. July 10.-Expected change in the
+ministry. The King's letter to Mr. Pitt--485
+
+310. To the same, July 21.-Change of the ministry. Ode on the
+occasion--485
+
+311. To David Hume, Esq. July 26.-Quarrel between David Hume, and
+Rousseau--486
+
+312. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 18.-Contradicting a newspaper
+report of his illness--487
+
+313. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 18.--488
+
+314. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 2.-Journey to Bath. Great
+dislike of the place. The new buildings. Lord Chatham--488
+
+315. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 5.-Recovery. Tired to death of
+Bath. Lord Chatham. Watering places--489
+
+316. To John Chute, Esq. Oct. 10.-Visit to Wesley's meeting.
+Hymns to ballad tunes. Style of Wesley's preaching. Countess of
+Buchan. Lord Chatham--489
+
+317. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 18.-Reasons for leaving Bath.
+Inefficacy of the waters. "Good hours"--490
+
+318. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 18.-Lord Chatham wishes him
+to second the Address on the King's Speech. Life at Bath. Motives
+for leaving the place. Old age. Dread of ridicule--491
+
+319. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 22.-Satisfaction at his return
+to Strawberry Hill. Visit to Bristol. Its buildings. Abbey church
+of Bath. Batheaston--492
+
+320. To Sir David Dalrymple, (Lord Hailes,) Nov. 5.-Thanks for
+his "Memorials and Letters." Folly of burying in oblivion the
+faults and crimes of princes--[N.] 494
+
+321. To David Hume, Esq. Nov. 6.-On his quarrel with Rousseau.
+Folly of literary squabbles--494
+
+322. To the same, Nov. 11.-The same subject. Omissions by
+D'Alembert in a published letter of Walpole's. Picture of modern
+philosophers--496
+
+323. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 12.-Politics. Ministerial
+negotiations. Deaths and marriages. Caleb Whitefoord's
+Cross-readings from the newspapers--499
+
+
+324. To the same, Dec. 16.-Thanks for a present of venison--500
+
+
+
+ 1767.
+
+325. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 13.-Death of his servant Louis.
+Quarrel of Hume and Rousseau. High tide--501
+
+326. To Dr. Ducarel, April 25.-Thanks for his "Anglo Norman
+Antiquities"--501
+
+327. To the Earl of Strafford, July 29.-Death and character of
+Lady Suffolk--502
+
+328. To George Montagu, Esq. July 31.-State of the ministry.
+Intended trip to Paris. Death of Lady Suffolk. Lord Lyttelton's
+"Henry the Second." Lean people. Mrs. Clive--503
+
+329. To the same, Aug. 7.-Motives for revisiting Paris--503
+
+330. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 9.-Death and character of
+Charles Townshend. State of the ministry. Lord Chatham. Dinner at
+the Duc de Choiseul's--[N.] 504
+
+331. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Oct. 24.-Return to England--505
+
+332. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 1.-General Conway's refusal of
+the appointment to secretary of state. Old Pulteney--506
+
+333. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 19.-Intended retirement from
+Parliament. State of his health. Roman Catholic religion--506
+
+
+
+ 1768.
+
+334. To Sir David Dalrymple, Jan. 17.-Advice on sending a young
+artist to Italy. "Historic Doubts." Coronation roll of Richard
+the Third --[N.] 507
+
+335. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 1.-On Sending a copy of his
+"Historic Doubts"--508
+
+336. To Sir David Dalrymple, Feb. 2.-On sending him his "Historic
+Doubts." Rapid sale of the first impression--(N.] 509
+
+337. To Mr. Gray, Feb. 18.-New edition of Gray's poems. On his
+own writings. King of Prussia. Lord Clarendon's "History."
+"Historic Doubts." Disculpation of Richard the Third. "Turned of
+fifty." Garrick's prologues and epilogues. Boswell's "Corsica."
+General Paoli--509
+
+338. To the same, Feb. 26.-"Historic Doubts." Guthrie's answer
+thereto. Thanks for notes on the "Noble, Authors"--512
+
+339. To George Montagu, Esq. March 12.-Reflections on his
+retirement from Parliament. Guthrie's answer to the "Historic
+Doubts." Sterne's Sentimental Journey." Gray's "Odes"--514
+
+340. To the same, April 15.-Wit as temporary as dress and
+manners. Fate of George Selwyn's bon-mots. Completion of his
+tragedy of "The Mysterious Mother." Mrs. Pritchard. Garrick.
+President Henault's tragedy of "Corn elie"--516
+
+341. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, April 16.--Rous's rolls of the Earls
+of Warwick. Projects a History of the Streets of London. St.
+Foix's Rues de Paris. The Methodists. Whitfield's funeral sermon
+on Gibson the forger--517
+
+342. To the same, June 6.-History of Ely cathedral. Cardinal
+Lewis de Luxembourg. Cardinal Morton. Painted glass--519
+
+343. To George Montagu, Esq. June 15.-Inclemency of the weather.
+English summers. Description of the climate by our poets.
+Hot-house of St. Stephen's chapel. Indifference to parties. The
+country going to ruin--520
+
+344. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 16.-Wilkes and liberty.
+Ministerial changes. Conduct of the Duke of Grafton. Distressed
+state of the country. Lord Chatham. Foote's "Devil upon Two
+Sticks." Subject of "The Mysterious Mother"--[N.] 521
+
+345. To Monsieur de Voltaire, June 21.-On his soliciting a copy
+of the "Historic Doubts." Reply to Voltaire's criticisms on
+Shakspeare--523
+
+346. To the Earl of Strafford, June 25.-Wilkes and Number 45. The
+King of Denmark. Lady Rockingham and the Methodist Pope Joan
+Huntingdon. Brentford election--524
+
+347. To Monsieur de Voltaire, July 27.-Reply to Voltaire's
+vindication of his criticism on Shakspeare. Story of M. de
+jumonville. "Historic Doubts"--525
+
+348. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 9.-Lord Botetourt. New
+Archbishop of Canterbury. King of Denmark. Augustus Hervey's
+divorce from the Chudleigh. Gray appointed professor of modern
+history. Efficacy of ice-water--527
+
+349. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 13.-Arrival of the King of
+Denmark. His person and manners. His suite--529
+
+350. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 16.-Personal description of
+the King of Denmark. His cold reception at Court. the first
+favourite, Count Holke. His prime minister, Count Bernsdorff--529
+
+
+351. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 25.-Disturbance in America.
+Coffee-house politicians. King of Denmark. Lady Bel
+Stanhope--(N.] 531
+
+352. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 30.-Thanks for some prints and
+some notices. Improvements at Strawberry. Mr. Granger's
+"Catalogue of English Heads." Dr. Robertson's writings. Scotch
+puffing--532
+
+353. To the Earl of Strafford, Oct. 10.-Health and sickness.
+quiet of his present illness contrasted with the inquiries after
+him when his friends were coming into power--534
+
+354. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 10.-Benefits from bootikins and
+water-drinking. Elections--535
+
+355. To the same, Nov. 15.-Separation of old friends in old age.
+Moroseness of retirement. Evils of solitude. Death of the Duke of
+Newcastle, and of Lady Hervey--535
+
+356. To the same, Dec. 1.-Arlington-street. Reconciliation
+between Lord Chatham, Earl Temple, and Mr. George Grenville.
+Wilkes and the House of Commons--536
+
+
+
+ 1769.
+
+357. To George Montagu, Esq. March 26.-City riot. Brentford
+election. Wilkes and Luttrell. Marriages--538
+
+358. To the same, April 15.-Temperance the best physician. Easy
+mode of preserving the teeth. Advice on wine drinking. Middlesex
+election. Wilkes and the House of Commons--539
+
+359. To the same, May 11.-Grand festino at Strawberry. Ridotto al
+fresco at Vauxhall--540
+
+360. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 27.-Granger's Catalogue of Prints
+and Lives down to the Revolution. Intended visit to Paris.
+Gough's British Topography--541
+
+361. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, June 14.-Proposed painted window for
+Ely cathedral. Bishop Mawson. Granger's dedication. Shenstone's
+Letters. His unhappy passion for fame. The Leasowes. Instructions
+on domestic privacy--542
+
+362. To the same, June 26.-Intended visit to Ely. English
+summers. Advice to quit Marshland. Joscelin de Louvain--545
+
+363. To the Earl of Strafford, July 3.-Disinterestedness and
+length of their friendship. Three years' absence of summer.
+Emptiness of London. City politics. Angling. Methuselah--546
+
+364. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 7.-Lord Chatham at the King's
+levee--547
+
+365. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 15.-Return from Ely. East window
+of the cathedral. Bishop Luda's tomb--548
+
+366. To the same, Aug. 12.-Thanks for some prints. Advice
+respecting a History of Gothic Architecture. Tyson's "History of
+Fashions and Dresses"--549
+
+367. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 18.-Calais. Complaint of his
+friend's long silence. Journey to Paris--551
+
+368. To John Chute, Esq. Aug. 30.-Journey to Paris. Lord Dacre
+and Dr. Pomme. Account of Madame du Deffand. Madame du Barry.
+French theatre. Hamlet. The Dumenil. Voltaire's tragedy of "Les
+Gu`ebres"- -552
+
+(369. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 7.-Character of Madame du
+Deffand. Uncertainty of life. A five-and-thirty years'
+friendship. Visit to the Abbess of Panthemont--553
+
+370. To the Earl of Strafford, Sept. 8.-Affected admiration of
+the French government. Lettres de cachet. Students in
+legislature. French treatment Of trees--555
+
+371. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 17.-Visit to Versailles,
+Madame du Barry. The Dauphin. Count de Provence. Count d'Artois.
+The King. Visit to St. Cyr. Madame de Maintenon. Madame de
+Cambise. Trait of Madame de Mailly --557
+
+372. To the same, Oct. 13.-Return to England. Congratulations on
+his friend's being appointed Lord North's private secretary--560
+
+373. To the same, Oct. 16.-Return to Strawberry. His tragedy of
+"The Mysterious Mother." Bad taste of the public. Garrick's
+prologues and epilogues. French chalk and dirt contrasted with
+English neatness and greenth--560
+
+374. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Nov. 14.-Lord Temple's dinner with
+the Lord Mayor. Tottering position of the Duc de Choiseul. "Trip
+to the Jubilee." Literature and politics of the day. Milton's
+prose writings. Heroes and orators--561
+
+375. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 14.-Condolence on the death of
+Mrs. Trevor. Loss of friends and connexions. Cumberland's comedy
+of "The Brothers." Alderman Backwell--562
+
+376. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 21.-Thanks for communications.
+Mr. Tyson's etchings. Madame du Deffand--[N.] 563
+
+
+
+
+Letter 1 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 17, 1759. (page 25)
+
+I rejoice over your brother's honours, though I certainly had no
+hand in them. He probably received his staff from the board of
+trade. If any part of the consequences could be placed to
+partiality for me, it would be the prevention of your coming to
+town, which I wished. My lady Cutts(1) is indubitably your own
+grandmother: the Trevors would once have had it, but by some
+misunderstanding the old Cowslade refused it. Mr. Chute has
+twenty more corroborating circumstances, but this one is
+sufficient.
+
+Fred. Montagu told me of the pedigree. I shall take care of all
+your commissions. Felicitate yourself on having got from me the
+two landscapes; that source is stopped. Not that Mr. M`untz is
+eloped to finish the conquest of America, nor promoted by Mr.
+Secretary's zeal for my friends, nor because the ghost of Mrs.
+Leneve has appeared to me, and ordered me to drive Hannah and
+Ishmael into the wilderness. A cause much more familiar to me
+has separated US--nothing but a tolerable quantity of ingratitude
+on his side, both to me and Mr. Bentley. The story is rather too
+long for a letter: the substance was most extreme impertinence to
+me, concluded by an abusive letter against Mr. Bentley, who sent
+him from starving on seven pictures for a guinea to One hundred
+pounds a year, my house, table, and utmost countenance. In
+short, I turned his head, and was forced to turn him out of
+doors. You shall see the documents, as it is the fashion to call
+proof papers. Poets and painters imagine they confer the Honour
+when they are protected, and they set down impertinence to the
+article of their own virtue, when you dare to begin to think that
+an ode or a picture is not a patent for all manner of insolence.
+
+My Lord Temple, as vain as if he was descended from the stroller
+Pindar, or had made up card-matches at the siege of Genoa, has
+resigned the privy seal, because he has not the garter.(2) You
+cannot imagine what an absolute prince I feel myself with knowing
+that nobody can force me to give the garter to M`untz.
+
+My Lady Carlisle is going to marry a Sir William Musgrave, who is
+but three-and-twenty; but, in consideration of the match, and of
+her having years to spare, she has made him a present of ten, and
+calls them three-and-thirty. I have seen the new Lady Stanhope.
+I assure you her face will introduce no plebeian charms into the
+faces of the Stanhopes, Adieu!
+
+(1) Lady Cutts was the mother of Mrs. Montagu, by her second
+husband, John Trevor, Esq. and grandmother of George Montagu.-E.
+
+(2) See vol. ii. p. 522, letter 344.
+
+
+
+Letter 2 TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM PITT.(3)
+Arlington Street, Nov. 19, 1759. (page 26)
+
+Sir,
+On coming to town, I did myself the honour of waiting on you and
+Lady Hester Pitt: and though I think myself extremely
+distinguished by your obliging note, I shall be sorry for having
+given you the trouble of writing it, if it did not lend me a very
+pardonable opportunity of saying what I much wished to express,
+but thought myself too private a person, and of too little
+consequence, to take the liberty to say. In short, Sir, I was
+eager to congratulate you on the lustre you have thrown on this
+country; I wished to thank you for the security you have fixed to
+me of enjoying the happiness I do enjoy. You have placed England
+in a situation in which it never saw itself--a task the more
+difficult, as you had not to improve, but recover.
+
+In a trifling book, written two or three years ago,(4) I said
+(speaking of the name in the world the most venerable to me),
+"sixteen unfortunate and inglorious years since his removal have
+already written his eulogium." It is but justice to you, Sir, to
+add, that that period ended when your administration began.
+
+Sir, do not take this for flattery: there is nothing in your
+power to give that I would accept; nay, there is nothing I could
+envy, but what I believe you would scarce offer me--your glory.
+This may seem very vain and insolent: but consider, Sir, what a
+monarch is a man who wants nothing! consider how he looks down
+on one who is only the most illustrious man in England! But Sir,
+freedoms apart, insignificant as I am, probably it must be some
+satisfaction to a great mind like yours to receive incense, when
+you are sure there is no flattery blended with it; and what must
+any Englishman be that could give you a moment's satisfaction and
+would hesitate?
+
+Adieu! Sir. I am unambitious, I am uninterested, but I am vain.
+You have, by your notice, uncanvassed, unexpected, and at a
+period when you certainly could have the least temptation to
+stoop down to me, flattered me in the most agreeable manner. If
+there could arrive the moment when you could be nobody, and I any
+body, you cannot imagine how grateful I would be. In the mean
+time, permit me to be, as I have been ever since I had the honour
+of knowing you, Sir, your most obedient humble servant.
+
+(3) Now first collected.
+
+(4) His "Catalogue of Royal and Noble Authors."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 3 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 30th of the Great Year. (page 27)
+
+here is a victory more than I promised you! For these thirteen
+days we have been in the utmost impatience for news. The Brest
+fleet had got out; Duff, with three ships, was in the utmost
+danger--Ireland ached--Sir Edward Hawke had notice in ten hours,
+and sailed after Conflans--Saunders arrived the next moment from
+Quebec, heard it, and sailed after Hawke, without landing his
+glory. No express arrived, storms blow; we knew not what to
+think. This morning at four we heard that, on the 20th, Sir
+Edward Hawke came in sight of the French, who were pursuing Duff.
+The fight began at half an hour past two--that is, the French
+began to fly, making a running fight. Conflans tried to save
+himself behind the rocks of Belleisle, but was forced to burn his
+ship of eighty guns and twelve hundred men. The Formidable, of
+eighty, and one thousand men, is taken; we burned the Hero of
+seventy-four, eight hundred and fifteen men. The Thes`ee and
+Superbe of seventy-four and seventy, and of eight hundred and
+fifteen and eight hundred men, were sunk in the action, and the
+crews lost. Eight of their ships are driven up the Vilaine,
+after having thrown over their guns; they have moored two
+frigates to defend the entrance, but Hawke hopes to destroy them.
+Our loss is a scratch, one lieutenant and thirty-nine men killed,
+and two hundred and two wounded. The Resolution of seventy-four
+guns, and the Essex of sixty-four, are lost, but the crews saved;
+they, it is supposed, perished by the tempest, which raged all
+the time, for
+
+"We rode in the whirlwind and directed the storm."
+
+Sir Edward heard guns of distress in the night, but could not
+tell whether of friend or foe, nor could assist them.(5)
+
+Thus we wind up this wonderful year! Who that died three years
+ago and could revive, would believe it! Think, that from
+Petersburgh to the Cape of Good Hope, from China to California,
+
+De Paris `a Perou,
+
+there are not five thousand Frenchmen in the world that have
+behaved well! Monsieur Thurot is piddling somewhere on the coast
+of Scotland, but I think our sixteen years of fears of invasion
+are over--after sixteen victories. if we take Paris, I don't
+design to go thither before spring. My Lord Kinnoul is going to
+Lisbon to ask pardon for Boscawen's beating De la Clue in their
+House; it will be a proud supplication, with another victory in
+bank.(6) Adieu! I would not profane this letter with a word of
+any thing else for the world.
+
+(5) This was Hawke's famous victory, for which he received the
+thanks of Parliament, and a pension of two thousand pounds
+a-year. In 1765, he was created a peer.-D.
+
+(6) The object of Lord Kinnoul's mission to the court of Portugal
+was to remove the misunderstanding between the two crowns, in
+consequence of Admiral Boscawen's having destroyed some French
+ships under the Portuguese fort in the bay of Lagos.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 4 TO SIR HORACE MANN.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 13, 1759. (page 28)
+
+That ever you should pitch upon me for a mechanic or geometric
+commission! How my own ignorance has laughed at me since I read
+your letter! I say, your letter, for as to Dr. Perelli's, I know
+no more of a Latin term in mathematics than Mrs. Goldsworthy(7)
+had an idea of verbs. I will tell you an early anecdote in my
+own life, and you shall judge. When I first went to Cambridge, I
+was to learn mathematics of the famous blind professor Sanderson.
+I had not frequented him a fortnight, before he said to me,
+"Young man, it is cheating you to take your money: believe me,
+you never can learn these things; you have no capacity for
+them."- I can smile now, but I cried then with mortification.
+The next step, in order to comfort myself, was not to believe him
+: I could not conceive that I had not talents for any thing in
+the world. I took, at my own expense, a private instructor,(8)
+who came to me once a-day for a year. Nay, I took infinite
+pains, but had so little capacity, and so little attention, (as I
+have always had to any thing that did not immediately strike my
+inclination) that after mastering any proposition,
+when the man came the next day, it was as new to me as if I had
+never heard of it ; in short, even to common figures, I am the
+dullest dunce alive. I have often said it of myself, and it is
+true, that nothing that has not a proper Dame of a man or
+ a woman to it, affixes any idea upon my mind. I could
+remember who was King Ethelbald's great aunt, and not be sure
+whether she lived in the year 500 or 1500. I don't know whether I
+ever told you, that when you sent me the seven gallons of drams,
+and they were carried to Mr. Fox by mistake for Florence wine, I
+pressed @im to keep as much as he liked: for, said I, I have seen
+the bill of lading, and there is a vast quantity. He asked how
+much? I answered seventy gallons; so little idea I have of
+quantity. I will tell you one more story of myself, and you will
+comprehend what sort of a head I have! Mrs. Leneve said to me
+one day, "There is a vast waste of coals in your house ; you
+should make the servants take off the fires at night." I
+recollected this as I was going to bed, and, out of economy, put
+my fire out with a bottle of Bristol water! However, as I
+certainly will neglect nothing to oblige you, I went to Sisson
+and gave him the letter. He has undertaken both the engine and
+the drawing, and has promised the utmost care in both. The
+latter, he says, must be very large, and that it will take some
+time to have it performed very accurately. He has promised me
+both in six or seven weeks. But another time, don't imagine,
+because I can bespeak an enamelled bauble, that I am fit to be
+entrusted with the direction of the machine at Marli. It is not
+to save myself trouble, for I think nothing so for you, but
+I would have you have credit, and I should be afraid of
+dishonouring you.
+
+There! there is the King of Prussia has turned all our war and
+ peace topsy-turvy ! If Mr. Pitt Will conquer
+Germany too, he must go and do it himself. Fourteen thousand
+soldiers and nine generals taken, as it were, in a partridge net!
+and what is worse, I have not heard yet that the monarch owns his
+rashness.(9) As often as he does, indeed, he is apt to repair
+it. You know I have always dreaded Daun--one cannot make a
+blunder but he profits of it-and this ' just at the moment that
+we heard of nothing but new bankruptcy in France. I want to know
+what a kingdom is to do when it is forced to run away?
+
+14th.--Oh! I interrupt my reflections--there is another bit of a
+victory! Prince Henry, who has already succeeded to his
+brother's crown, as king of the fashion, has
+beaten a parcel of Wirternberghers and taken four battalions.
+Daun is gone into Bohemia, and Dresden is still to be ours. The
+French are gone into winter quarters--thank God! What weather is
+here to be lying on the ground! Men should be statues, or will
+be so, if they go through it. Hawke is enjoying himself in
+Quiberon Bay, but I believe has done no more execution. Dr. Hay
+says it will soon be as shameful to beat a Frenchman as to beat a
+woman. Indeed, one is
+forced to ask every morning what victory there is, for fear of
+missing one. We talk of a con(,,ress at Breda, and some think
+Lord Temple will go thither: if he does, I shall really believe
+it will be peace; and a good one, as it will then be of Mr.
+Pitt's making.
+
+I was much pleased that the watch succeeded so triumphantly, and
+beat the French watches, though they were two to one. For the
+Fugitive pieces: the Inscription for the Column(10) was written
+when I was with you at Florence, though I don't wonder that you
+have forgotten it after so many yeirs. I would not have it
+talked of, for I find some grave personages are offended -with
+the liberties I have taken with so imperial a head. What could
+provoke them to give a column Christian burial? Adieu!
+
+(7) Wife of the English consul at Leghorn, where, when she was
+learning Italian by grammar, she said, "Oh! give me a language in
+which there are no verbs!" concluding, as she had not learnt her
+own language by grammar, that there were no verbs in English.
+
+(8) Dr. Treviger.
+
+(9) It was not Frederick's fault; he was not there ; but that of
+General Finek, who had placed himself so injudiciously, that he
+was obliged to capitulate to the Austrians with fourteen thousand
+men.
+
+(10) The inscription for the neglected Column in St. Mark's Place
+at Florence.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 5 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Dec. 23, 1759. (page 30)
+
+
+How do you do? are you thawed again? how have you borne the
+country in this bitter weather? I have not been here these three
+weeks till to-day, and was delighted to find it so pleasant, and
+to meet a comfortable southeast wind, the fairest of all winds,
+in spite of the scandal that lies on the east; though it is the
+west that is parent of all ugliness. The frost was succeeded by
+such fogs, that I could not find my way out of London.
+
+Has your brother told you of the violences in Ireland? There
+wanted nothing but a Massaniello to overturn the government; and
+luckily for the government and for Rigby, he, who was made for
+Massaniello, happened to be first minister there. Tumults, and
+insurrections, and oppositions,
+
+"Like arts and sciences, have travelled west."
+
+Pray make the general collect authentic accounts of those civil
+wars against he returns--you know where they will find their
+place, and that you are one of the very few that will profit of
+them. I will grind and dispense to you all the corn you bring to
+my mill.
+
+We good-humoured souls vote eight millions with as few questions,
+as if the whole House of Commons was at the club at Arthur's; and
+we live upon distant news, as if London was York or Bristol.
+There is nothing domestic, but that Lord George Lennox, being
+refused Lord Ancram's consent, set out for Edinburgh with Lady
+Louisa Kerr, the day before yesterday; and Lord Buckingham is
+going to be married to our Miss Pitt of Twickenham, daughter of
+that strange woman who had a mind to be my wife, and who sent Mr.
+Raftor to know why I did not marry her. I replied, "Because I
+was not sure that the two husbands, that she had at once, were
+both dead." Apropos to my wedding, Prince Edward asked me at the
+Opera, t'other night, when I was to marry Lady Mary Coke: I
+answered, as soon as I got a regiment; which, you know, is now
+the fashionable way.
+
+The kingdom of beauty is in as great disorder as the kingdom of
+Ireland. My Lady Pembroke looks like a ghost-poor Lady Coventry
+is going to be one; and the Duchess of Hamilton is so altered I
+did not know her. Indeed, she is bid with child, and so big,
+that as my Lady Northumberland says, it is plain she has a camel
+in her belly, and my Lord Edgecumbe says, it is as true it did
+not go through the eye of a needle. That Countess has been laid
+up with a hurt in her leg; Lady Rebecca Paulett pushed her on the
+birthnight against a bench: the Duchess of Grafton asked if it
+was true that Lady Rebecca kicked her? "Kick me, Madam! When did
+you ever hear of a Percy that took a kick?"
+
+I can tell you another anecdote of that house, that will not
+divert you less. Lord March making them a visit this summer at
+Alnwick Castle, my lord received him at the gate, and said, "I
+believe, my lord, this is the first time that ever a Douglas and
+a Percy met here in friendship." Think of this from a Smithson to
+a true Douglas!
+
+I don't trouble my head about any connexion; any news into the
+country I know is welcome, though it comes out higlepigledy, just
+as it happens to be packed up. The cry in Ireland has been
+against Lord Hilsborough, supposing him to mediate an union of
+the two islands; George Selwyn, seeing him set t'other night
+between my Lady Harrington and Lord Barrington, said, "Who can
+say that my Lord Hilsborough is not an enemy to an union?"
+
+I will tell you one more story, and then good night. Lord
+Lyttelton(11) was at Covent Garden; Beard came on: the former
+said, "How comes Beard here? what made him leave Drury Lane?"
+Mr. Shelley, who sat next him, replied, "Why, don't you know he
+has been such a fool as to go and marry a Miss Rich? He has
+married Rich's daughter." My lord coloured; Shelley found out
+what he had said, and ran away.
+
+I forgot to tell you, that you need be in no disturbance about
+M`untz's pictures; they were a present I made you. Good night!
+
+(11) Lord Lyttelton married a daughter of Sir Robert Rich.
+
+
+
+Letter 6 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Strawberry Hill, Dec. 23, 1759. (page 31)
+
+Sir,
+I own I am pleased, for your sake as well as my own, at hearing
+from you again. I felt sorry at thinking that you was displeased
+with the frankness and sincerity of my last. You have shown me
+that I made a wrong judgment of you, and I willingly correct it.
+
+You are extremely obliging in giving yourself the least trouble
+to make collections for me. I have received so much assistance
+and information from you, that I am sure I cannot have a more
+useful friend. For the Catalogue, I forgot it, as in the course
+of things I suppose it is forgot. For the Lives of English
+Artists I am going immediately to begin it, and shall then fling
+it into the treasury of the world, for the amusement of the world
+for a day, and then for the service of any body who shall happen
+hereafter to peep into the dusty drawer where it shall repose.
+
+For my Lord Clarendon's new work(12) of which you ask me, I am
+charmed with it. It entertains me more almost than any book I
+ever read. I was told there was little in it that had not
+already got abroad, or was not known by any other channels. If
+that is true, I own I am so scanty an historian as to have been
+ignorant of many of the facts but sure, at least, the
+circumstances productive of, or concomitant on several of them,
+set them in very new lights. The deductions and stating of
+arguments are uncommonly fine. His language I find much
+censured--in truth, it is sometimes involved, particularly in the
+indistinct usage of he and him. But in my opinion his style is
+not so much inferior to the former History as it seems. But this
+I take to be the case; when the former part appeared, the world
+was not accustomed to a good style as it is now. I question if
+the History of the Rebellion had been published but this summer,
+whether it would be thought so fine in point of style as it has
+generally been reckoned. For his veracity, alas! I am sorry to
+say, there is more than one passage in the new work which puts
+one a little upon one's guard in lending him implicit credit.
+When he says that Charles I. and his queen were a pattern of
+conjugal affection, it makes one stare. Charles was so, I verily
+believe; but can any man in his historical senses believe, that
+my Lord Clarendon did not know that, though the Queen was a
+pattern of affection, it was by no means of the conjugal
+kind.(13) Then the subterfuges my Lord Clarendon uses to avoid
+avowing that Charles II. was a Papist, are certainly no grounds
+for corroborating his veracity.(14) In short, I don't believe
+him when he does not speak truth; but he has spoken so much
+truth, that it is easy to see when he does not.
+
+Lucan is in poor forwardness. I have been plagued with a
+succession of bad printers, and am not got beyond the fourth
+book. It will scarce appear before next winter. Adieu! Sir. I
+have received so much pleasure and benefit from your
+correspondence, that I should be sorry to lose it. I will not
+deserve to lose it, but endeavour to be, as you will give me
+leave to be, your, etc.
+
+(12) The life of Edward Earl of Clarendon, etc. Dr. Johnson, in
+the sixty-fifth number of the Idler, has also celebrated the
+appearance of this interesting and valuable work.-C.
+
+(13) Mr. Walpole had early taken up this opinion; witness that
+gross line in his dull epistle to Aston, written in 1740, "The
+lustful Henrietta's Romish shade;" but we believe that no good
+authority for this imputation can be produced: there is strong
+evidence the other way: and if we were even to stand on mere
+authority, we should prefer that of Lord Clarendon to the
+scandalous rumours of troublesome times, which were, we believe,
+the only guides of Mr. Walpole.-C.
+
+(14) Nor for impugning it; for, the very fact, brought to light
+in later times, of Charles's having, with great secrecy and
+mystery, reconciled himself to the church of Rome on his
+deathbed, proves that up to that extreme hour he was not a
+Papist.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 7 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 7, 1760. (page 32)
+
+You must wonder I have not written to you a long time; a person
+of my consequence! I am now almost ready to say, We, instead of I
+In short, I live amongst royalty--considering the plenty, that is
+no great wonder. All the world lives with them, and they with
+all the world. Princes and Princesses open shops in every corner
+of the town, and the whole town deals with them. As I have gone
+to one, I chose to frequent all, that I night not be particular,
+and seem to have views; and yet it went so much against me, that
+I came to town on purpose a month ago for the Duke's levee, and
+had engaged brand to go with me, and then could not bring myself
+to it. At last, I went to him and the Princess Emily yesterday.
+It was well I had not flattered myself with being still in my
+bloom; I am grown so old since they saw me, that neither of them
+knew me. When they were told, he just spoke to me (I forgive
+him; he is not out of my debt, even with that) - she was
+exceedingly gracious, and commended Strawberry to the skies.
+TO-night, I was asked to their party at Norfolk House. These
+parties are wonderfully select and dignified one might sooner be
+a knight of Malta than qualified for them; I don't know how the
+Duchess of Devonshire, Mr. Fox, and I, were forgiven some of our
+ancestors. There were two tables at loo, two at whist, and a
+quadrille. I was commanded to the Duke's loo; he was sat down:
+not to make him wait, I threw my hat upon the marble table, and
+broke four pieces off a great crystal chandelier. I stick to my
+etiquette, and treat them with great respect; not as I do my
+friend, the Duke of York. But don't let us talk any more of
+Princes. My Lucan appears to-morrow; I must say it is a noble
+volume. Shall I send it you--or won't you come and fetch it?
+
+There is nothing new of public, but the violent commotions in
+Ireland,(15) whither the Duke of Bedford still persists in going.
+AEolus to quell a storm!
+
+I am in great concern for my old friend, poor Lady Harry
+Beauclerc; her lord dropped down dead two nights ago, as he was
+sitting with her and all their children. Admiral Boscawen is
+dead by this time.(16) Mrs. Osborne and I are not much
+afflicted; Lady Jane Coke too is dead, exceedingly rich; I have
+not heard her will yet.
+
+If you don't come to town soon, I give you warning, I will be a
+lord of the bedchamber, or a gentleman usher. If you will, I
+will be nothing but what I have been so many years-my own and
+yours ever.
+
+(15) Walpole, in his Memoires, vol. ii. p. 401, gives a
+particular account of these commotions. Gray, in a letter to Dr.
+Wharton, of the 23d of January, says, "They placed an old woman
+on the throne, and called for pipes and tobacco; made my Lord
+Chief Justice administer an oath (which they dictated) to my Lord
+Chancellor; beat the Bishop of Killaloe black and blue; at
+foot-ball with Chenevix, the old refugee Bishop of Waterford;
+rolled my Lord Farnham in the kennel; pulled Sir Thomas
+Prendergast by the nose (naturally large) till it was the size of
+a cauliflower-; and would have hanged Rigby if he had not got out
+of a window. At last the guard was obliged to move (with orders
+not to fire), but the mob threw dirt at them. then the horse
+broke in upon them, cutting and slashing, and took seventeen
+prisoners. The notion that had possessed the crowd was, that a
+union was to be voted between the two nations, and they should
+have no more parliaments there." Works, vol. iii. p. 233.-E.
+
+(16) This distinguished admiral survived till January 1761.-E.
+
+(17) Daughter of lord Torrington, and sister of the unfortunate
+Admiral Byng. She was married to the son of sir John Osborn of
+Chicksand Priory.-E.
+
+
+
+ Letter 8 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+ Jan. 12, 1760. (page 34)
+
+I am very sorry your ladyship could doubt a moment on the cause
+of my concern yesterday. I saw you much displeased at what I had
+said; and felt so innocent of the least intention of offending
+you, that I could not help being struck at my own ill-fortune,
+and wit[) the sensation raised by finding you mix great goodness
+with great severity.
+
+I am naturally very impatient under praise; I have reflected
+enough on myself to know I don't deserve it; and with this
+consciousness you ought to forgive me, Madam, if I dreaded that
+the person Whose esteem I valued the most in the world, should
+think, that I was fond of what I know is not my due. I meant to
+express this apprehension as respectfully as I could, but my
+words failed me-a misfortune not too common to me, who am apt to
+say too much, not too little! Perhaps it is that very quality
+which your ladyship calls wit, and I call tinsel, for which I
+dread being praised. I wish to recommend myself to you by more
+essential merits-and if I can only make you laugh, it will be
+very apt to make me as much concerned as I was yesterday. For
+people to whose approbation I am indifferent, I don't care
+whether they commend or condemn me for my wit; in the former case
+they Will not make me admire myself for it, in the latter they
+can't make me think but what I have thought already. But for the
+few whose friendship I wish, I would fain have them see, that
+under all the idleness of my spirits there are some very serious
+qualities, such as warmth, gratitude, and sincerity, which @ill
+returns may render useless or may make me lock up in my breast,
+but which will remain there while I have a being.
+
+having drawn you this picture of myself, Madam, a subject I have
+to say so much upon, will not your good-nature apply it as it
+deserves, to what passed yesterday? Won't you believe that my
+concern flowed from being disappointed at having offended one
+whom I ought by so many ties to try to please, and whom, if I
+ever meant any thing, I had meaned to please? I intended you
+should see how much I despise wit, if I have any, and that you
+should know my heart was void of vanity and full of gratitude.
+They -are very few I desire should know so much; but my passions
+act too promptly and too naturally, as you saw, when I am with
+those I really love, to be capable of any disguise. Forgive me,
+Madam, this tedious detail but of all people living, I cannot
+bear that you should have a doubt about me.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 9 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 14, 1760. (page 35)
+
+How do you contrive to exist on your mountain in this rude
+season! Sure you must be become a snowball! As I was not in
+England in forty-one, I had no notion of such cold. The streets
+are abandoned; nothing appears in them: the Thames is almost as
+solid. Then think what a campaign must be in such a season! Our
+army was under arms for fourteen hours on the twenty-third,
+expecting the French and several of the men were frozen when they
+should have dismounted. What milksops the Marlboroughs and
+Ttirennes, the Blakes and the Van Tromps appear now, who whipped
+into winter quarters and into port, the moment their noses looked
+blue. Sir Cloudesly Shovel said that an admiral would deserve to
+be broke, who kept great ships out after the end of September,
+and to be shot if after October. There is Hawke(18) in the bay
+weathering this winter, after conquering in a storm. For my
+part, I scarce venture to make a campaign in the Opera-house; for
+if I once begin to freeze, I shall be frozen through in a moment.
+I am amazed, with such weather, such ravages, and distress, that
+there is any thing left in Germany, but money; for thither half
+the treasure of Europe goes: England, France, Russia, and all the
+Empress can squeeze from Italy and Hungary, all is sent thither,
+and yet the wretched people have not subsistence. A pound of
+bread sells at Dresden for eleven-pence. We are going to send
+many more troops thither; and it Is so much the fashion to raise
+regiments, that I wish there were such a neutral kind of beings
+in England as abb`es, that one might have an excuse for not
+growing military mad, when one has turned the heroic corner of
+one's age. I am ashamed of being a young rake, when my seniors
+are covering their gray toupees with helmets and feathers, and
+accoutering their pot-bellies with cuirasses and martial
+masquerade habits. Yet rake I am, and abominably so, for a
+person that begins to wrinkle reverently. I have sat up twice
+this week till between two and three with the Duchess of Grafton,
+at loo, who, by the way, has got a pam-child this morning; and on
+Saturday night I supped with Prince Edward at my Lady Rochford's,
+and we stayed till half an hour past three. My favour with that
+Highness continues, or rather increases. He makes every body
+make suppers for him to meet me, for I still hold out against
+going to court. In short, if he were twenty years older, or I
+could make myself twenty years younger, I might carry him to
+Camden-house, and be as impertinent as ever my Lady Churchill
+was; but, as I dread being ridiculous, I shall give my Lord Bute
+no uneasiness. My Lady Maynard, who divides the favour of this
+tiny court with me,- supped with us. Did you know she sings
+French ballads very prettily? Lord Rochford played on the guitar,
+and the Prince sung; there were my two nieces, and Lord
+Waldegrave, Lord Huntingdon, and Mr. Morrison the groom, and the
+evening was pleasant; but I had a much more agreeable supper last
+night at Mrs. Clive's, with Miss West, my niece Cholmondeley, and
+Murphy, the writing actor, who is very good company, and two or
+three more. Mrs. Cholmondeley is very lively; you know how
+entertaining the Clive is, and Miss West is an absolute original.
+
+There is nothing new, but a very dull pamphlet, written by Lord
+Bath, and his chaplain Douglas, called a Letter to Two Great Men.
+It is a plan for the peace, and much adopted by the city, and
+much admired by all who are too humble to judge for themselves.
+
+I was much diverted the other morning with another volume on
+birds, by Edwards, who has published four or five. The poor man,
+who is grown very old and devout, begs God to take from him the
+love of natural philosophy; and having observed some heterodox
+proceedings among bantam cocks, he proposes that all schools of
+girls and boys should be promiscuous, lest, if separated, they
+should learn wayward passions. But what struck me most were his
+dedications, the last was to God; this is to Lord Bute, as if he
+was determined to make his fortune in one world or the other.
+
+Pray read Fontaine's fable of the lion grown old; don't it put
+you in mind of any thing? No! not when his shaggy majesty has
+borne the insults of the tiger and the horse, etc. and the ass
+comes last, kicks out his only remaining fang, and asks for a
+blue bridle? Apropos, I will tell you the turn Charles Townshend
+gave to this fable. "My lord," said he, "has quite mistaken the
+thing; he soars too high at first: people often miscarry by not
+proceeding by degrees; he went and at once asked for my Lord
+Carlisle's garter-if he would have been contented to ask first
+for my Lady Carlisle's garter, I don't know but he would have
+obtained it." ' Adieu!
+
+(18) Sir Edward Hawke had defeated the French fleet, commanded by
+Admiral Conflans, in the beginning of this winter. [A graphical
+description of this victory is given by Walpole in his Memoires.
+"It was," he says, "the 20th of November: the shortness of the
+day prevented the total demolition of the enemy; but neither
+darkness, nor a dreadful tempest that ensued, could call off Sir
+Edward from pursuing his blow. The roaring of the element was
+redoubled by the thunder from our ships; and both concurred, in
+that scene of horror, to put a period to the navy and hopes of
+France."--E.]
+
+
+
+Letter 10 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Strawberry Hill, Jan. 20, 1760. (page 36)
+
+I am come hither in the bleakest of all winters, not to air and
+exercise, but to look after my gold-fish and orange-trees. We
+import all the delights of hot countries, but as we cannot
+propagate their climate too, such a season as this is mighty apt
+to murder rarities. And it is this very winter that has been
+used for the invention of a campaign in Germany! where all fuel
+is so destroyed that they have no fire but out of the mouth of a
+cannon. If I were writing to an Italian as well as into Italy,
+one might string concetti for an hour, and describe how heroes
+are frozen on their horses till they become their own statues.
+But seriously, does not all this rigour of warfare throw back an
+air of effeminacy on the Duke of Marlborough and the brave of
+ancient days, who only went to fight as one goes out of town in
+spring, and who came back to London with the first frost'@ Our
+generals are not yet arrived, though the Duke de Broglio's last
+miscarriage seems to determine that there shall at last be such a
+thing as winter quarters; but Daun and the King of Prussia are
+still choosing King and Queen in the field.
+
+There is a horrid scene of distress in the family of Cavendish;
+the Duke's sister,(19) Lady Besborough, died this morning of the
+same fever and sore throat of which she lost four children four
+years ago. It looks as if it was a plague fixed in the walls of
+their house: it broke out again among their servants, and carried
+off two, a year and a half after the children. About ten days
+ago Lord Besborough was seized with it, and escaped with
+difficulty; then the eldest daughter had it, though slightly: my
+lady, attending them, is dead of it in three days. It is the
+same sore throat which carried off Mr. Pelham's two only sons,
+two daughters, and a daughter of the Duke of Rutland, at once.
+The physicians, I think, don't know what to make of it.
+
+I am sorry you and your friend Count Lorenzi(20) are such
+political foes, but I am much more concerned for the return of
+your headaches. I don't know what to say about Ward's(21)
+medicine, because the cures he does in that complaint are
+performed by him in person. He rubs his hand with some
+preparation and holds it upon your forehead, from which several
+have found instant relief. If you please, I will consult him
+whether he will send you any preparation for it; but you must
+first send me the exact symptoms and circumstances of your
+disorder and constitution, for I would not for the world venture
+to transmit to you a blind remedy for an unexamined complaint.
+
+You cannot figure a duller season: the weather bitter, no party,
+little money, half the world playing the fool in the country with
+the militia, others raising regiments or with their regiments; in
+short, the end of a war and of a reign furnish few episodes.
+Operas are more in their decline than ever. Adieu!
+
+(19) Caroline, eldest daughter of William third Duke of
+Devonshire, and wife of William Ponsonby, Earl of Besborough.
+
+(20) Minister of France at Florence, though a Florentine.
+
+(21) Ward, the empiric, whose pill and drop were supposed, at
+this time, to have a surprising effect. He is immortalized by
+Pope-
+
+"See Ward by batter'd beaux invited over."
+
+There is a curious statue of him in marble at the Society of
+Arts, in full dress, and a flowing wig.-D.
+
+
+
+Letter 11 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 28, 1760. (page 37)
+
+I shall almost frighten you from coming to London, for whether
+you have the constitution of a horse or a man, you will be
+equally in danger. All the horses in town are laid up with sore
+throats and colds, and are so hoarse you cannot hear them speak,
+I, with all my immortality, have been -half killed; that violent
+bitter weather was too much for me; I have had a nervous fever
+these six or seven weeks every night, and have taken bark enough
+to have made a rind for Daphne; nay, have even stayed at home two
+days; but I think my eternity begins to bud again. I am quite of
+Dr. Garth's mind, who, when any body commended a hard frost to
+him, used to reply, "Yes, Sir, 'fore Gad, very fine weather, Sir,
+very wholesome weather, Sir; kills trees, Sir; very good for man,
+Sir." There has been cruel havoc among the ladies; my Lady Granby
+is dead; and the famous Polly, Duchess of Bolton, and my Lady
+Besborough. I have no great reason to lament the last, and yet
+the circumstances of her death, and the horror of it to her
+family, make one shudder. It was the same sore throat and fever
+that carried off four of their children a few years ago. My lord
+now fell ill of it, very ill, and the eldest daughter slightly:
+my lady caught it, attending her husband, and concealed it as
+long as she could. When at last the physician insisted on her
+keeping her bed, she said, as she went into her room, "Then, Lord
+have mercy on me! I shall never come out of it again," and died
+in three days. Lord Besborough grew outrageously impatient at
+not seeing her, and would have forced into her room, when she had
+been dead about four days. They were obliged to tell him the
+truth: never was an answer that expressed so much horror! he
+said, "And how many children have I left?"not knowing how far
+this calamity might have reached. Poor Lady Coventry is near
+completing this black list.
+
+You have heard, I suppose, a horrid story of another kind, of
+Lord Ferrers murdering his steward in the most barbarous and
+deliberate manner. He sent away all his servants but one, and,
+like that heroic murderess Queen Christina, carried the poor man
+through a gallery and several rooms, locking them after him, and
+then bid the man kneel down, for he was determined to kill him.
+The poor creature flung himself at his feet, but in vain; was
+shot, and lived twelve hours. Mad as this action was from the
+consequences, there was no frenzy in his behaviour; he got drunk,
+and, at intervals, talked of it coolly; but did not attempt to
+escape, till the colliers beset his house, and were determined to
+take him alive or dead. He is now in the gaol at Leicester, and
+will soon be removed to the Tower, then to Westminster Hall, and
+I suppose to Tower Hill; unless, as Lord Talbot prophesied in the
+House of Lords, "Not being thought mad enough to be shut up, till
+he had killed somebody, he will then be thought too mad to be
+executed;" but Lord Talbot was no more honoured in his vocation,
+than other prophets are in their own country.
+
+As you seem amused with my entertainments, I will tell you how I
+passed yesterday. A party was made to go to the Magdalen-house.
+We met at Northumberland-house at five, and set off in four
+coaches. Prince Edward, Colonel Brudenel his groom, Lady
+Northumberland, Lady Mary Coke, Lady Carlisle, Miss Pelham, Lady
+Hertford, Lord Beauchamp, Lord Huntingdon. old Bowman, and I.
+This new convent is beyond Goodman's-fields, and I assure you
+would content any Catholic alive. We were received by--oh!
+first, a vast mob, for princes are not so common at that end of
+the town as at this. Lord Hertford, at the head of the governors
+with their white staves, met us at the door, and led the Prince
+directly into the chapel, where, before the altar, was an
+arm-chair for him, with a blue damask cushion, a prie-Dieu, and a
+footstool of black cloth with gold nails. We set on forms near
+him. There were Lord and Lady Dartmouth in the odour of
+devotion, and many city ladies. The chapel is small and low, but
+neat, hung with Gothic paper, and tablets of benefactions. At
+the west end were enclosed the sisterhood, above an hundred and
+thirty, all in grayish brown stuffs, broad handkerchiefs, and
+flat straw hats, with a blue riband, pulled quite over their
+faces. As soon as we entered the chapel, the organ played, and
+the Magdalens sung a hymn in parts; you cannot imagine how well,
+The chapel was dressed with orange and myrtle, and there wanted
+nothing but a little incense to drive away the devil-or to invite
+him. Prayers then began, psalms, and a sermon: the latter by a
+young clergyman, one Dodd,(22) who contributed to the Popish idea
+one had imbibed, by haranguing entirely in the French style, and
+very eloquently and touchingly. He apostrophized the lost sheep,
+who sobbed and cried from their souls; so did my Lady Hertford
+and Fanny Pelham, till I believe the city dames took them both
+for Jane Shores. The confessor then turned to the audience, and
+addressed himself to his Royal Highness, whom he called most
+illustrious Prince, beseeching his protection. In short, it was
+a very pleasing performance, and I got the most illustrious to
+desire it might be printed. We had another hymn, and then were
+conducted to the parloir, where the governors kissed the Prince's
+hand, and then the lady abbess, or matron, brought us tea. From
+thence we went to the refectory, where all the nuns, without
+their hats, were ranged at long tables, ready for supper. A few
+were handsome, many who seemed to have no title to their
+profession, and two or three of twelve years old; but all
+recovered, and looking healthy. I was struck and pleased with
+the modesty of two of them, who swooned away with the confusion
+of being stared at. We were then shown their work, which is
+making linen, and bead-work; they earn ten pounds a-week. One
+circumstance diverted me, but amidst all this decorum, I kept it
+to myself. The wands of the governors are white, but twisted at
+top with black and white, which put me in mind of Jacob's rods,
+that he placed before the cattle to make them breed. My Lord
+Hertford would never have forgiven me, if I had joked on this; so
+I kept my countenance very demurely, nor even inquired, whether
+among the pensioners there were any novices from Mrs. Naylor's.
+
+The court-martial on Lord George Sackville is appointed: General
+Onslow is to be Speaker of it. Adieu! till I see you; I am glad
+it will be so soon.
+
+(22) The unfortunate Dr. Dodd, who suffered at Tyburn, in June
+1770, for forgery.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 12 To Sir David Dalrymple.(23)
+Strawberry Hill, Feb. 3, 1760. (page 40)
+
+I am much obliged to you, Sir! for the Irish poetry.(24) they
+are poetry, and resemble that of the East; that is, they contain
+natural images and natural sentiment elevated, before rules were
+invented to make poetry difficult and dull. The transitions are
+as sudden as those in Pindar, but not so libertine; for they
+start into new thoughts on the subject, without wandering from
+it.' I like particularly the expression of calling Echo, "Son of
+the Rock." The Monody is much the best.
+
+I (cannot say I am surprised to hear that the controversy on the
+Queen of Scots is likely to continue. Did not somebody write a
+defence of Nero, and yet none of his descendants remained to
+pretend to the empire? If Dr. Robertson could have said more, I
+am sorry it will be forced from him. He had better have said it
+voluntarily. You will forgive me for thinking his subject did
+not demand it. Among the very few objections to his charming
+work, one was, that he seemed to excuse that Queen more than was
+allowable, from the very papers he has printed in his Appendix;
+and some have thought, that though he could not disculpate her,
+he has diverted indignation from her, by his art in raising up
+pity for her and resentment against her persecutress, and by much
+overloading the demerits of Lord Darnley. For my part, Dr.
+Mackenzie, or any body else, may write what they please against
+me: I meaned to speak my mind, not to write controversy-trash
+seldom read but by the two opponents who write it. Yet were I
+inclined to reply, like Dr. Robertson, I could say a little more.
+You have mentioned, Sir, Mr. Dyer's Fleece. I own I think it a
+very insipid poem.(25) His Ruins of Rome had great picturesque
+spirit, and his Grongar Hill was beautiful. His Fleece I could
+never get through; and from thence I suppose never heard of Dr.
+Mackenzie.
+
+Your idea of a collection of ballads for the cause of liberty is
+very public-spirited. I wish, Sir, I could say I thought it
+would answer your view. Liberty, like other good and bad
+principles, can never be taught the people but when it is taught
+them by faction. The mob will never sing lilibullero but in
+opposition to some other mob. However, if you pursue the
+thought, there is an entire treasure of that kind in the library
+of Maudlin College, Cambridge. It was collected by Pepys,
+secretary of the admiralty, and dates from the battle of
+Agincourt. Give me leave to say, Sir, that it is very
+comfortable to me to find gentlemen of your virtue and parts
+attentive to what is so little the object of public attention
+now. The extinction of faction, that happiness to which we owe
+so much of our glory and success, may not be without some
+inconveniences. A free nation, perhaps, especially when arms are
+become so essential to our existence as a free people, may want a
+little opposition: as it is a check that has preserved us so
+long, one cannot wholly think it dangerous; and though I would
+not be one to tap new resistance to a government with which I
+have no fault to find, yet it may not be unlucky hereafter, if
+those who do not wish so well to it, would a little show
+themselves. They are not strong enough to hurt; they may be of
+service by keeping ministers in awe. But all this is
+speculation, and flowed from the ideas excited in me by your
+letter, that is full of benevolence both to public and private.
+Adieu! Sir; believe that nobody has more esteem for you than is
+raised by each letter.
+
+(23) Now first collected.
+
+(24) "Fragments of Ancient Poetry, collected in the Highlands of
+Scotland, and translated from the Gaelic, or Erse Language," the
+production of James Macpherson; the first presentation to the
+world of that literary novelty, which was afterwards to excite so
+much discussion and dissension in the literary world.-E.
+
+(25) Dr. Johnson was pretty much of Walpole's opinion. "Of The
+Fleece," he says, "which never became popular, and is now
+universally neglected, I can say little that is likely to call it
+to attention. The woolcomber and the poet appear to me such
+discordant natures, that an attempt to bring them together is to
+couple the serpent with the fowl."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 13 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Strawberry Hill, Feb. 3, 1760 (page 41)
+
+herculaneum is arrived; Caserta(26) is arrived: what magnificence
+You Send me! My dear Sir, I can but thank you, and thank you--
+oh! yes, I can do more; greedy creature, I can put you in mind,
+that you must take care to send me the subsequent volumes of
+Herculaneum as they appear, if ever they do appear, which I
+suppose is doubtful now that King Carlos(27) is gone to Spain.
+One thing pray observe, that I don't beg these scarce books of
+you, as a bribe to spur me on to obtain for you your
+extra-extraordinaries. Mr. Chute and I admire Caserta; and he at
+least is no villanous judge of architecture; some of our English
+travellers abuse it; but there are far from striking faults: the
+general idea seems borrowed from Inigo Jones's Whitehall, though
+without the glaring uglinesses, which I believe have been lent to
+Inigo; those plans, I think, were supplied by Lord Burlington,
+Kent, and others, to very imperfect sketches of the author. Is
+Caserta finished and furnished? Were not the treasures of
+Herculaneum to be deposited there?
+
+I am in the vein of drawing upon your benevolence, and shall
+proceed. Young Mr. Pitt,(28) nephew of the Pitt, is setting out
+for Lisbon with Lord Kinnoul, and will proceed through Granada to
+Italy, with his friend Lord Strathmore;(29) not the son, I
+believe, of that poor mad Lady Strathmore(30) whom you remember
+at Florence. The latter is much commended; I don't know him: Mr.
+Pitt is not only a most ingenious Young man, but a most amiable
+one: he has already acted in the most noble style-I don't mean
+that he took a quarter of Quebec, or invaded a bit of France, or
+has spoken in the House of Commons better than DemostheneS'S
+nephew: but he has an odious father, and has insisted on glorious
+cuttings off of entails on himself, that his father's debts might
+be paid and his sisters provided for. My own lawyer,(31) who
+knew nothing of my being acquainted with him, spoke to me of him
+in raptures--no small merit in a lawyer to comprehend virtue in
+cutting off an entail when it was not to cheat; but indeed this
+lawyer was recommended to me by your dear brother --no wonder he
+is honest. You will now conceive that a letter I have given Mr.
+Pitt is not a mere matter of form, but an earnest suit to you to
+know one you will like so much. I should indeed have given it
+him, were it only to furnish you with an opportunity of
+ingratiating yourself with Mr. Pitt's nephew: but I address him
+to your heart. Well! but I have heard of another honest lawyer!
+The famous Polly, Duchess of Bolton,(32) is dead, having, after a
+life of merit, relapsed into her Pollyhood. Two years ago, at
+Tunbridge, she picked up an Irish surgeon. When she was dying,
+this fellow sent for a lawyer to make her will, but the man,
+finding who was to be her heir, instead of her children, refused
+to draw it. The Court of Chancery did furnish one other, not
+quite so scrupulous, and her three sons have but a thousand
+pounds apiece; the surgeon about nine thousand.
+
+I think there is some glimmering of peace! God send the world
+some repose from its woes! The King of Prussia has writ to
+Belleisle to desire the King of France will make peace for him:
+no injudicious step, as the distress of France will make them
+glad to oblige him. We have no other news, but that Lord George
+Sackville has at last obtained a court-martial. I doubt much
+whether he will find his account in it. One thing I know I
+dislike-a German aide-de-camp is to be an evidence! Lord George
+has paid the highest compliment to Mr. Conway's virtue. Being
+told, as an unlucky circumstance for him, that Mr. Conway was to
+be one of his judges, (but It is not so,) he replied, there was
+no man in England he should so soon desire of that number. And
+it is no mere compliment, for Lord George has excepted against
+another of them--but he knew whatever provocation he may have
+given to Mr. Conway, whatever rivalship there has been between
+them, nothing could bias the integrity of the latter. There is
+going to be another court-martial on a mad Lord Charles Hay,(33)
+who has foolishly demanded it; but it will not occupy the
+attention of the world like Lord George's. There will soon be
+another trial of another sort on another madman, an Earl Ferrers,
+who has murdered his steward. He was separated by Parliament
+from his wife, a very pretty woman, whom he married with no
+fortune, for the most groundless barbarity, and now killed his
+steward for having been evidence for her; but his story and
+person are too wretched and despicable to give you the detail.
+He will be dignified by a solemn trial in Westminster-hall.
+
+Don't you like the impertinence of the Dutch? They have lately
+had a mudquake, and giving themselves terrafirma airs, call it an
+earthquake! Don't you like much more our noble national charity?
+Above two thousand pounds has been raised in London alone,
+besides what is collected in the country, for the French
+prisoners, abandoned by their monarch. Must not it make the
+Romans blush in their Appian-way, who dragged their prisoners in
+triumph? What adds to this benevolence is, that we cannot
+contribute to the subsistence of our own prisoners in France;
+they conceal where they keep them, and use them cruelly to make
+them enlist. We abound in great charities: the distress of war
+seems to heighten rather than diminish them. There is a new one,
+not quite so certain of its answering, erected for those wretched
+women, called abroad les filles repenties. I was there the other
+night, and fancied myself in a convent.
+
+The Marquis of Buckingham and Earl Temple are to have the two
+vacant garters to-morrow. Adieu!
+
+Arlington Street, 6th.
+
+I am this minute come to town, and find yours of Jan. 12. Pray,
+my dear child, don't compliment me any more upon my learning;
+there is nobody so superficial. Except a little history, a
+little poetry, a little painting, and some divinity, I know
+nothing. How should I? I, who have always lived in the big busy
+world; who lie abed all the morning, calling it morning as long
+as you please; who sup in company; who have played at pharaoh
+half my life, and now at loo till two and three in the morning;
+who have always loved pleasure haunted auctions--in short, who
+don't know so much astronomy as would carry me to Knightsbridge,
+nor more physic than a physician, nor in short any thing that is
+called science. If it were not that I lay up a little provision
+in summer, like the ant, I should be as ignorant as all the
+people I live with. How I have LAUGHED when some of the
+magazines have called me the learned gentleman! Pray don't be
+like THE Magazines.
+
+I see by your letter that you despair of peace; I almost do:
+there is but a gruff sort of answer from the woman of' Russia
+to-day in the papers; but how should there be peace? If We are
+victorious, what is the King of Prussia? Will the distress of
+France move the Queen of Hungary? When we do make peace, how few
+will it content! The war was made for America, but the peace
+will be made for Germany; and whatever geographers may pretend,
+Crown-point lies somewhere in Westphalia. Again adieu! I don't
+like your rheumatism, and much less your plague.
+
+(26) Prints of the palace of Caserta.
+
+(27) Don Carlos, King of Naples, who succeeded his half-brother
+Ferdinand in the crown of Spain. An interesting picture of the
+court of the King of the Two Sicilies at the time of his leaving
+Naples, will be found in the Chatham Correspondence, in a letter
+from Mr. Stanier Porten to Mr. Pitt. See vol. ii. p. 31.-E.
+
+(28) Thomas, only son of Thomas Pitt of boconnock, eldest brother
+of the famous William Pitt. [Afterwards Lord Camelford. (Gray,
+in a letter to Dr. Wharton, of the 23d of January, says, "Mr.
+Pitt (not the great, but the little one, my acquaintance) is
+setting out on his travels. He goes with my Lord Kinnoul to
+Lisbon; then (by sea still) to Cates; then up the Guadalquiver to
+Seville and Cordova, and so perhaps to Toledo, but certainly to
+Grenada; and, after breathing the perfumed air of Andalusia, and
+contemplating the remains of Moorish magnificence, re-embarks at
+Gibraltar or Malaga, and sails to Genoa. Sure an extraordinary
+good way of passing a few winter months, and better than dragging
+through Holland, Germany, and Switzerland, to the same place." A
+copy of Mr. Thomas Pitt's manuscript Diary of his tour to Spain
+and Portugal is in the possession of Mr. Bentley, the proprietor
+of this Correspondence.-E.]
+
+(29) John Lyon, ninth Earl of Strathmore. He married in 1767
+Miss Bowes, the great heiress, whose disgraceful adventures are
+so well known.-D.
+
+(30) Lady Strathmore, rushing between her husband and a
+gentleman, with whom he had quarrelled and was fighting, and
+trying to hold the former, the other stabbed him in her -arms, on
+which she went mad, though not enough to be confined.
+
+(31) His name was Dagge.
+
+
+(32) Miss Fenton, the first Polly of the Beggar's Opera. Charles
+Duke of Bolton took her off the stage, had children by her, and
+afterwards married her.
+
+(33) Lord Charles Hay, brother of the Marquis of Tweedale.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 14 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Strawberry Hill, February 4th, 1760. (page 44)
+
+Sir,
+I deferred answering your last, as I was in hopes of BEING able
+to send you a SHEET or two of my new work, but I find so many
+difficulties and so much darkness attending the beginning, that I
+can scarce say I have begun. I can only say in general, that I
+do not propose to go further back than I have sure footing; that
+is, I shall commence with what Vertue had collected from our
+records, which, with regard to painting, do not date before Henry
+III.; and then from him there is a gap to Henry VII. I shall
+supply that with a little chronology of intervening paintings,
+THOUGH, hitherto, I can find none of the two first Edwards. From
+Henry VIII. there will be a regular succession of painters, short
+lives of whom I am enabled by Vertue's MSS. to write, and I shall
+connect them historically. I by no means Mean to touch on
+foreign Artists, unless they came over hither; but they are
+essential, for we had scarce any others tolerable. I propose to
+begin with the anecdotes of painting only, because, in that
+branch, my materials are by far most considerable. If I shall be
+able to publish this part, perhaps it may induce persons of
+curiosity and knowledge to assist me in the darker parts of the
+story touching our architects, statuaries, and engravers. But it
+is from the same kind friendship which has assisted me so
+liberally already, that I expect to draw most information; need I
+specify, Sir, that I mean yours, when the various hints in your
+last letter speak so plainly for me?
+
+It is a pleasure to have any body one esteems agree with one's
+own sentiments, as you do strongly with mine about Mr. Hurd.(34)
+It is impossible not to own that he has sense and great
+knowledge--but sure he is a most disagreeable writer! He loads
+his thoughts with so many words, and those couched in so hard a
+style, and so void of all veracity, that I have no patience to
+read him. In one point. in the dialogues you mention, he is
+perfectly ridiculous. He takes infinite pains to make the world
+believe, upon his word, that they are the genuine productions of
+the speakers, and yet does not give himself the least trouble to
+counterfeit the style of any one of them. What was so easy as to
+imitate Burnet? In his other work, the notes on Horace, he is
+still more absurd. He cries up Warburton's preposterous notes on
+Shakspeare, which would have died of their own folly, though Mr.
+Edwards had not put them to death with the keenest wit in the
+world.(35) But what signifies any sense, when it takes Warburton
+for a pattern, who, with much greater parts, has not been able to
+save himself from, or rather has affectedly involved himself in
+numberless absurdities?--who proved Moses's legation by the sixth
+book of Virgil;--a miracle (Julian's Earthquake), by proving it
+was none;--and who explained a recent poet (Pope) by metaphysical
+notes, ten times more obscure than the text! As if writing were
+come to perfection, Warburton and Hurd are going back again; and
+since commentators, obscurity, paradoxes, and visions have been
+so long exploded, ay, and pedantry too, they seem to think that
+they shall have merit by reviving what was happily forgotten -,
+and yet these men have their followers, by that balance which
+compensates to one for what he misses from another. When an
+author writes clearly, he is imitated; and when obscurely, he is
+admired. Adieu!
+
+(34) Who died Bishop of Worcester in 1808. He was the author of
+many works, most of which are now little read, although they had
+a great vogue in their day. There is a great deal of justice in
+Mr. Walpole's criticism of him and his patron.-C.
+
+(35) In the "Canons of Criticism."--E.
+
+
+
+Letter 15 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 28, 1760. (page 45)
+
+The next time you see Marshal Botta, and are to act King of Great
+Britain, France, and Ireland, you must abate about an hundredth
+thousandth part of the dignity of your crown. You are no more
+monarch of all Ireland, than King O'Neil, or King Macdermoch is.
+Louis XV. is sovereign of France, Navarre, and Carrickfergus.
+You will be mistaken if you think the peace is made, and that we
+cede this Hibernian town, in order to recover Minorca, or to keep
+Quebec and Louisbourg. To be sure, it is natural you should
+think so: how should so victorious and heroic nation cease to
+enjoy any of its possessions, but to save Christian blood? Oh! I
+know, you will suppose there has been another insurrection, and
+that it is King John(36) of Bedford, and not King George of
+Brunswick, that has lost this town. Why, I own you are a great
+politician, and see things in a moment-and no wonder, considering
+how long you have been employed in negotiations; but for once all
+your sagacity is mistaken. Indeed, considering the total
+destruction of the maritime force of France, and that the great
+mechanics and mathematicians of this age have not invented a
+flying bridge to fling over the sea and land from the coast of
+France to the north of Ireland, it was not easy to conceive how
+the French should conquer Carrickfergus--and yet they have. But
+how I run on! not reflecting that by this time the old Pretender
+must have hobbled through Florence on his way to Ireland, to take
+possession of this scrap of his recovered domains; but I may as
+well tell you at once, for to be sure you and the loyal body of
+English in Tuscany will slip over all this exordium to come to
+the account of so extraordinary a revolution. Well, here it is.
+Last week Monsieur Thurot--oh! now you are au fait!--Monsieur
+Thurot, as I was saying, landed last week in the isle of Islay,
+the capital province belonging to a great Scotch King,(37) who is
+so good as generally to pass the winter with his friends here in
+London. Monsieur Thurot had three ships, the crews of which
+burnt two ships belonging to King George, and a house belonging
+to his friend the King of Argyll--pray don't mistake; by his
+friend(38) I mein King George's, not Thurot's friend. When they
+had finished this campaign, they sailed to Carrickfergus, a
+poorish town, situated in the heart of the Protestant cantons.
+They immediately made a moderate demand of about twenty articles
+of provisions, promising to pay for them; for you know it is the
+way of modern invasions(39) to make them cost as much as possible
+to oneself, and as little to those one invades. If this was not
+complied with, they threatened to burn the town, and then march
+to Belfast, which is much richer. We were sensible of this civil
+proceedings and not to be behindhand, agreed to it; but somehow
+or other this capitulation was broken; on which a detachment (the
+whole invasion consists of one thousand men) attack the place.
+We shut the gates, but after the battle of Quebec it is
+impossible that so great a people should attend to such trifles
+as locks and bolts, accordingly there were none--and as if there
+were no gates neither, the two armies fired through them--if this
+is a blunder, remember I am describing an Irish war. I forgot to
+give you the numbers of the Irish army. It consisted but Of
+seventy-two, under lieut.-colonel Jennings, a wonderful brave
+man--too brave, in short, to be very judicious. Unluckily our
+ammunition was soon spent, for it is not above a year that there
+have been any apprehensions for Ireland, and as all that part of
+the country are most protestantly loyal, it was not thought
+necessary to arm people who would fight till they die for their
+religion. When the artillery was silenced, the garrison thought
+the best way of saving the town was by flinging it at the heads
+of the besiegers; accordingly they poured volleys of brickbats at
+the French, whose commander, Monsieur Flobert, was mortally
+knocked down, and his troops began to give way. However, General
+Jennings thought it most prudent to retreat to the castle, and
+the French again advanced. Four or five raw recruits still
+bravely kept the gates, when the garrison, finding no more
+gunpowder in the castle than they had had in the town, and not
+near so good a brick-kiln, sent to desire to surrender. General
+Thurot accordingly made them prisoners of war, and plundered the
+town.
+
+END OF THE SIEGE OF CARRICKFERGUS.
+
+You will perhaps ask what preparations have been made to recover
+this loss. The, viceroy immediately despatched General
+Fitzwilliam with four regiments of foot and three of horse
+against the invaders, appointing to overtake them in person at
+Newry; but -@is I believe he left Bladen's Caesar, and Bland's
+Military Discipline behind him in England, which he used to study
+in the camp at Blandford, I fear he will not have his campaign
+equipage ready soon enough. My Lord Anson too has sent nine
+ships, though indeed he does not think they will arrive time
+enough. Your part, my dear Sir, will be very easy: you will only
+have to say that it is nothing, while it lasts; and the moment it
+is over, you must say it was an embarkation of ten thousand men.
+I will punctually let you know how to vary your dialect. Mr.
+Pitt is in bed very ill with the gout.
+
+Lord George Sackville was put under arrest to-day. His trial
+comes on to-morrow, but I believe will be postponed, as the
+court-martial will consult the judges, whether a man who is not
+in the army, may be tried as an officer. The judges will answer
+yes, for how can a point that is not common sense, not be common
+law!
+
+Lord Ferrers is in the Tower; so you see the good-natured people
+of England will not want their favourite amusement, executions-
+-not to mention, that it will be very hard if the Irish war don't
+furnish some little diversion.
+
+My Lord Northampton frequently asks me about you. Oh! I had
+forgot, there is a dreadful Mr. Dering come over, who to show
+that he has not been spoiled by his travels, got drunk the first
+day he appeared, and put me horridly out of countenance about my
+correspondence with you--for mercy's sake take care how you
+communicate my letters to such cubs. I will send you no more
+invasions, if you read them to bears and bear-leaders.
+Seriously, my dear child, I don't mean to reprove you; I know
+your partiality to me, and your unbounded benignity to every
+thing English; but I sweat sometimes, when I find that I have
+been corresponding for two or three months with young Derings.
+For clerks and postmasters, I can't help it, and besides, they
+never tell one they have seen One's letters; but I beg you will
+at most tell them my news, but without my name, or my words.
+Adieu! If I bridle you, believe that I know that it is only your
+heart that runs away with you.
+
+(36) John Duke of Bedford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
+
+(37) Archibald Earl of Islay and Duke of Argyle.
+
+(38) The Duke of argyle had been suspected of temporizing in the
+last rebellion.
+
+(39) Alluding to our expensive invasions on the coast of France.
+
+
+
+Letter 16 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Arlington Street, March 4, 1760. (page 48)
+
+never was any romance of such short duration as Monsieur
+Thurot's! Instead of the waiting for the viceroy's army, and
+staying to see whether it had any ammunition, or was only armed
+with brickbats `a la Carrickfergienne, he re-embarked on the
+28th, taking along with him the mayor and three others--I
+suppose, as proofs of his conquest. The Duke of Bedford had sent
+notice of' the invasion to Kinsale, where lay three or four of
+our best frigates. They instantly sailed, and came up with the
+flying invaders in the Irish Channel. You will see the short
+detail of the action in the Gazette; but, as the letter was
+written by Captain Elliot himself, you will not see there, that
+he with half the number of Thurot's crew, boarded the latter's
+vessel. Thurot was killed, and his pigmy navy all taken and
+carried into the Isle of Man. It is an entertaining episode; but
+think what would have happened, if the whole of the plan had
+taken place -it the destined time. The negligence of the Duke of
+Bedford's administration has appeared so gross, that one may
+believe his very kingdom would have been lost, if Conflans had
+not been beat. You will see, by the deposition of Ensign hall,
+published in all our papers, that the account of the siege of
+Carrickfergus, which I sent you in my last, was not half so
+ridiculous as the reality--because, as that deponent said, I was
+furnished with no papers but my memory. The General Flobert, I
+am told, you may remember at Florence; he was then very mad, and
+was to have fought Mallet.--but was banished from Tuscany. Some
+years since he was in England; and met Mallet at lord
+Chesterfield's, but without acknowledging one another. The next
+day Flobert asked the Earl if Mallet had mentioned him?--No-"Il a
+donc," said Flobert, "beaucoup de retenue, car surement ce qu'il
+pourroit dire de moi, ne seroit pas `a mon avantage."--it was
+pretty, and they say he is now grown an agreeable and rational
+man.
+
+The judges have given their opinion that the court-martial on
+lord George Sackville is legal; so I suppose it will proceed on
+Thursday.
+
+I receive yours of the 16th of last month: I wish you had given
+me any account of your headaches that I could show to Ward. He
+will no more comprehend nervous, than the physicians do who use
+the word. Send me an exact description; if he can do you no
+good, at least it will be a satisfaction to me to have consulted
+him. I wish, my dear child, that what you say at the end of your
+letter, of appointments and honours, was not as chronical as your
+headaches-that is a thing you may long complain of-indeed there I
+can consult nobody. I have no dealings with either our
+state-doctors or statequacks. I only know that the political
+ones are so like the medicinal ones, that after the doctors had
+talked nonsense for years, while we daily grew worse, the quacks
+ventured boldly, and have done us wonderful good. I should not
+dislike to have you state your case to the latter, though I
+cannot advise it, for the regular physicians are daintily
+jealous; nor could I carry it, for when they know I would take
+none of their medicines myself, they would not much attend to me
+consulting them for others, nor would it be decent, nor should I
+care to be seen in their shop. Adieu!
+
+P. S. There are some big news from the East Indies. I don't know
+what, except that the hero Clive has taken Mazulipatam and the
+Great Mogul's grandmother. I suppose she will be brought over
+and put in the Tower with the Shahgoest, the strange Indian beast
+that Mr. Pitt gave to the King this winter.
+
+
+
+.Letter 17 To Sir Horace Mann.
+
+Arlington Street, March 26, 1760. (page 49)
+
+I have a good mind to have Mr. Sisson tried by a court-martial,
+in order to clear my own character for punctuality. It is time
+immemorial since he promised me the machine and the drawing in
+six weeks. After above half of time immemorial was elapsed, he
+came and begged for ten guineas. Your brother and I called one
+another to a council of war, and at last gave it him nemine
+contradicente. The moment your hurrying letter arrived, I issued
+out a warrant and took Sisson up, who, after all his promises,
+was guilty by his own confession, of not having begun the
+drawing. However, after scolding him black and blue, I have got
+it from him, have consigned it to your brother James, and you
+will receive it, I trust, along With this. I hope too time
+enough for the purposes it is to serve, and correct; if it is
+not, I shall be very sorry. You shall have the machine as soon
+as possible, but that must go by sea.
+
+I shall execute your commission about Stoschino(40) much better;
+he need not fear my receiving him well, if he has virt`u to
+sell,--I am only afraid, in that case, of receiving him too well.
+You know what a dupe I am when I like any thing.
+
+I shall handle your brother James as roughly as I did Sisson--six
+months without writing to you! Sure he must turn black in the
+face, if he has a drop of brotherly ink in his veins. As to your
+other brother,(41) he is so strange a man, that is, so common a
+one;, that I am not surprised at any thing he does or does not
+do.
+
+Bless your stars that you are not here, to be worn out with the
+details of lord George's court-martial! One hears of nothing
+else. It has already lasted much longer than could be conceived,
+and now the end of it is still at a tolerable distance. The
+colour of it is more favourable for him than it looked at first.
+Prince Ferdinand's narrative has proved to set out with a heap of
+lies. There is an old gentleman(42) of the same family who has
+spared no indecency to give weight to them--but, you know,
+general officers are men of strict honour, and nothing can bias
+them. Lord Charles Hay's court-martial is dissolved, by the
+death of one of the members--and as no German interest is
+concerned to ruin him, it probably will not be re-assumed. Lord
+Ferrers's trial is fixed for the 16th of next month. Adieu!
+
+P. S. Don't mention it from me, but if you have a mind you may
+make your court to my Lady Orford, by announcing the ancient
+barony of Clinton, which is fallen to her, by the death of the
+last incumbentess.(43)
+
+(40) Nephew of Baron Stosch, a well-known virtuoso and antiquary,
+who died at Florence.
+
+(41) Edward Louisa Mann, the eldest brother.
+
+
+(42) George the Second.
+
+(43) Mrs. Fortescue, sister of Hugh last Lord Clinton.
+
+
+
+Letter 18 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 27, 1760. (page 50)
+
+I should have thought that you might have learnt by this time,
+that when a tradesman promises any thing on Monday, Or Saturday,
+or any particular day of the week, he means any Monday or any
+Saturday of any week, as nurses quiet children and their own
+consciences by the refined salvo of to-morrow is a new day. When
+Mr. Smith's Saturday and the frame do arrive, I will pay the one
+and send you the other.
+
+Lord George's trial is not near being finished. By its draggling
+beyond the term of the old Mutiny-bill, they were forced to make
+out a new warrant: this lost two days, as all the depositions
+were forced to be read over again to, and resworn by, the
+witnesses; then there will be a contest, whether Sloper(44) shall
+re-establish his own credit by pawning it farther. Lord Ferrers
+comes on the stage on the sixteenth of next month.
+
+I breakfasted the day before yesterday at Elia laelia
+Chudleigh's. There was a concert for Prince Edward's birthday,
+and at three, a vast cold collation, and all the town. The house
+is not fine, nor in good taste, but loaded with finery.
+Execrable varnished pictures, chests, cabinets, commodes, tables,
+stands, boxes, riding on One another's backs, and loaded with
+terrenes, filigree, figures, and every thing upon earth. Every
+favour she has bestowed is registered by a bit of Dresden china.
+There is a glass-case full of enamels, eggs, ambers, lapis
+lazuli, cameos, toothpick-cases, and all kinds of trinkets,
+things that she told me were her playthings; another cupboard,
+full of the finest japan, and candlesticks and vases of rock
+crystal, ready to be thrown down, in every corner. But of all
+curiosities, are the conveniences in every bedchamber: great
+mahogany projections, with brass handles, cocks, etc. I could
+not help saying, it was the loosest family I ever saw. Adieu!
+
+(44) Lieutenant-colonel Sloper, of Bland's dragoons.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 19 To Sir. David Dalrymple.(45)
+Strawberry Hill, April 4, 1760. (page 51)
+
+Sir,
+As I have very little at present to trouble you with myself, I
+should have deferred writing, till a better opportunity, if it
+were not to satisfy the curiosity of a friend; a friend whom you,
+Sir, will be glad to have made curious, as you originally pointed
+him out as a likely person to be charmed with the old Irish
+poetry you sent me. It is Mr. Gray, who is an enthusiast about
+those poems, and begs me to put the following queries to you;
+which I will do in his own words, and I may say truly, Poeta
+loquitur.
+
+"I am so charmed with the two specimens of Erse poetry, that I
+cannot help giving you the trouble to inquire a little farther
+about them, and should wish to see a few lines of the original,
+that I may form some slight idea of the language, the measure,
+and the rhythm.
+
+"Is there any thing known of the author or authors, and of what
+antiquity are they supposed to be?
+
+"Is there any more to be had of equal beauty, or at all
+approaching to it?
+
+"I have been often told, that the poem called Hardykanute (which
+I always admired and still admire) was the work of somebody that
+lived a few years ago.(46) This I do not at all believe, though
+it has evidently been retouched in places by some modern hand;
+but, however, I am authorized by this report to ask, whether the
+two poems in question are certainly antique and genuine. I make
+this inquiry in quality of an antiquary, and am not otherwise
+concerned about it; for if I were sure that any one now living in
+Scotland had written them, to divert himself and laugh at the
+credulity of the world, I would undertake a journey into the
+Highlands only for the pleasure of seeing him."
+
+You see, Sir, how easily you may make our greatest southern bard
+travel northward to visit a brother. young translator had
+nothing to do but to own a forgery, and Mr. Gray is ready to pack
+up his lyre, saddle Pegasus, and set out directly. But
+seriously, he,' Mr. Mason, my Lord Lyttelton, and one or two
+more, whose taste the world allows, are in love with your Erse
+elegies - I cannot say in general they are so much admired--but
+Mr. Gray alone is worth satisfying.
+
+The "Siege of Aquileia," of which you ask, pleased less than Mr.
+Home's other plays.(47) In my own opinion, Douglas far exceeds
+both the other. Mr. Home seems to have a beautiful talent for
+painting genuine nature and the manners of his country. There
+was so little nature in the manners of both Greeks and Romans,
+that I do not wonder at his success being less brilliant when he
+tried those subjects; and, to say the truth, one is a little
+weary of them. At present, nothing is talked of, nothing
+admired, but what I cannot help calling a very insipid and
+tedious performance: it is a kind Of novel, called "The Life and
+Opinions of Tristram Shandy;" the great humour of which consists
+in the whole narration always going backwards. I cannot conceive
+a man saying that it would be droll to write a book in that
+manner, but have no notion of his persevering in executing it.
+It makes one smile two or three times at the beginnings but in
+recompense makes one yawn for two hours. The characters are
+tolerably kept up, but the humour is for ever attempted and
+missed. The best thing in it is a Sermon, oddly coupled with a
+good deal of bawdy, and both the composition of a clergyman. The
+man's head, indeed, was a little turned before, now topsy-turvy
+with his success and fame.(48) Dodsley has given him six hundred
+and fifty pounds for the second edition and two more volumes
+(which I suppose will reach backwards to his
+great-great-grandfather); Lord Falconberg, a donative of one
+hundred and sixty pounds a-year; and Bishop Warburton gave him a
+purse of gold and this compliment (which happened to be a
+contradiction), "that it was quite an original composition, and
+in the true Cervantic vein:" the only copy that ever was an
+original, except in painting, where they all pretend to be so.
+Warburton, however, not content with this, recommended the book
+to the bench of bishops, and told them Mr. Sterne, the author,
+was the English Rabelais. They had never heard of such a writer.
+Adieu!
+
+(45) Now first collected.
+
+(46) It was written by Mrs. Halket of Wardlaw. Mr. Lockhart
+stated, that on the blank leaf of his copy of Allan Ramsay's
+"Evergreen," Sir Walter Scott has written "Hardyknute was the
+first poem that I ever learnt, the last that I shall forget."-E.
+
+(47) It came out at Drury-Lane, but met with small success.-E.
+
+(48) Gray, in a letter to Wharton, of the 22d of April, says,
+"Tristram Shandy is an object of admiration, the man as well as
+the book. One is invited to dinner, where he dines, a fortnight
+beforehand. His portrait is done by Reynolds, and now
+engraving." He adds, in another letter, "There is much good fun
+in Tristram, and humour sometimes hit and sometimes missed. Have
+you read his Sermons (with his own comic figure at the head of
+them)? They are in the style, I think, most proper for the
+pulpit, and show a very strong imagination and a sensible heart:
+but you see him often tottering on the verge of laughter, and
+ready to throw his periwig in the face of his audience."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 20 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, April 19, 1760. (page 52)
+
+Well, this big week is over! Lord George's sentence, after all
+the communications of how terrible it was, is ended in
+proclaiming him unfit for the King's service. Very moderate, in
+comparison of what was intended and desired, and truly not very
+severe, considering what was proved. The other trial, Lord
+Ferrers's, lasted three days. You have seen the pomp and
+awfulness of such doings, so I will not describe it to you. The
+judge and criminal were far inferior to those you have seen. For
+the Lord High Steward(49) he neither had any dignity nor affected
+any; nay, he held it all so cheap, that he said at his own table
+t'other day, "I will not send for Garrick and learn to act a
+part." At first I thought Lord Ferrers shocked, but in general
+he behaved rationally and coolly; though it was a strange
+contradiction to see a man trying by his own sense, to prove
+himself out of his senses. It was more shocking to see his two
+brothers brought to prove the lunacy in their own blood; in order
+to save their brother's life. Both are almost as ill-looking men
+as the Earl; one of them is a clergyman, suspended by the Bishop
+of London for being a Methodist; the other a wild vagabond, whom
+they call in the country, ragged and dangerous. After Lord
+Ferrers was condemned, he made an excuse for pleading madness, to
+which he said he was forced by his family. He is respited till
+Monday-fortnight, and will then be hanged, I believe in the
+Tower; and, to the mortification of the peerage, is to be
+anatomized, conformably to the late act for murder. Many peers
+were absent; Lord Foley and Lord Jersey attended only the first
+day; and Lord Huntingdon, and my nephew Orford (in compliment to
+his mother), as related to the prisoner, withdrew without voting.
+But never was a criminal more literally tried by his peers, for
+the three persons, who interested themselves most in the
+examination, were at least as mad as he; Lord Ravensworth, Lord
+Talbot, and Lord Fortescue. Indeed, the first was almost
+frantic. The seats of the peeresses were not near full, and most
+of the beauties absent; the Duchess of Hamilton and my niece
+Waldegrave, you know, lie in; but, to the amazement of every
+body, Lady Coventry was there; and what surprised me much more,
+looked as well as ever. I sat next but one to her, and should
+not have asked if she had been ill--yet they are positive she has
+few weeks to live. She and Lord Bolingbroke seemed to have
+different thoughts, and were acting over all the old comedy of
+eyes. I sat in Lord Lincoln's gallery; you and I know the
+convenience of it; I thought it no great favour to ask, and he
+very obligingly sent me a ticket immediately, and ordered me to
+be placed in one of the best boxes. Lady Augusta was in the same
+gallery; the Duke of York and his young brothers were in the
+Prince of Wales's box, who was not there, no more than the
+Princess, Princess Emily, nor the Duke. It was an agreeable
+humanity in my friend--the Duke of York; he would not take his
+seat in the House before the trial, that he might not vote in it.
+There are so many young peers, that the show was fine even in
+that respect; the Duke of Richmond was the finest figure; the
+Duke of Marlborough, with the best countenance in the world,
+looked clumsy in his robes; he had new ones, having given away
+his father's to the valet de chambre. There were others not at
+all so indifferent about the antiquity of theirs; Lord
+Huntingdon's, Lord Abergavenny's, and Lord Castlehaven's scarcely
+hung on their backs; the former they pretend were used at the
+trial of the Queen of Scots. But all these honours were a little
+defaced by seeing Lord Temple, as lord privy seal, walk at the
+head of the peerage. Who, at the last trials, would have
+believed a prophecy, that the three first men at the next should
+be Henley the lawyer, Bishop Secker, and Dick Grenville.
+
+The day before the trial, the Duke of Bolton fought a duel at
+Marylebone with Stewart who lately stood for Hampshire; the
+latter was wounded in the arm, and the former fell down.(50)
+Adieu!
+
+(49) Robert Henley, afterwards Earl of Northington.-E.
+
+(50) "Here has just been a duel between the Duke of Bolton and
+Mr. Stewart, a candidate for the county of Hampshire at the late
+election: what the quarrel was I do not know; but, they met near
+Marylebone, and the Duke, in making a pass, overreached himself,
+fell down, and hurt his knee. The other bid him get up, but he
+could not; then he bid him ask his life, but he would not; so he
+let him alone, and that's all. Mr. Stewart was slightly
+wounded." Gray, vol. iii. p. 238.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 21 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Strawberry Hill, April 20, 1760. (page 54)
+
+The history of Lord George Sackville, which has interested us so
+much and so long, is at last at an end-,gently enough,
+considering who were his parties, and what has been proved. He
+is declared unfit to serve the King in a military capacity-but I
+think this is not the last we shall hear of Whatever were his
+deficiencies in the day of battle, he has at least showed no want
+of spirit, either in pushing on his trial or during it. His
+judgment in both was perhaps a little more equivocal. He had a
+formal message that he must abide the event whatever it should
+be. He accepted that issue, and during the course of the
+examination, attacked judge, prosecutor and evidence. Indeed, a
+man cannot be said to want spirit, who could show so much in his
+circumstances.(51) I think, without much heroism, I could sooner
+have led up the cavalry to the charge, than have gone to
+Whitehall to be worried as he was; nay, I should have thought
+with less danger of my life. But he is a peculiar man; and I
+repeat it, we have hot heard the last of him. You will find that
+by serving the King he understands in a very literal sense; and
+there is a young gentleman(52) who it is believed intends those
+words shall not have a more extensive one.
+
+We have had another trial this week, still more solemn, though
+less interesting, and with more serious determination: I mean
+that of Lord Ferrers. I have formerly described this solemnity
+to you. The behaviour, character, and appearance of the
+criminal, by no means corresponded to the dignity of the show.
+His figure is bad and villanous, his crime shocking. He would
+not plead guilty, and yet had nothing to plead; and at last to
+humour his family, pleaded madness against his inclination: it
+was moving to see two of his brothers brought to depose the
+lunacy in their blood. After he was condemned, he excused
+himself for having used that plea. He is to be hanged in a
+fortnight, I believe, in the Tower, and his body to be delivered
+to the surgeons, according to the tenour of the new act of
+parliament for murder. His mother was to present a petition for
+his life to the King to-day. There were near an hundred and
+forty peers present; my Lord Keeper was lord high steward, but
+was not at all too dignified a personage to sit on such a
+criminal: indeed he gave himself no trouble to figure. I will
+send you both trials as soon as they are published. It is
+astonishing with what order these shows are conducted. Neither
+within the hall nor without was there the least disturbance,(53)
+though the one so full, and the whole way from Charing-cross to
+the House of Lords was lined with crowds. The foreigners were
+struck with the awfulness of the proceeding-it is new to their
+ideas, to see such deliberate justice, and such dignity of
+nobility, mixed with no respect for birth in the catastrophe, and
+still more humiliated by anatomizing the criminal.
+
+I am glad you received safe my history of Thurot: as the accounts
+were authentic, they must have been useful and amusing to you. I
+don't expect more invasions, but I fear our correspondence will
+still have martial events to trade in, though there are such
+Christian professions going about the world. I don't believe
+their Pacific Majesties will waive a campaign, for which they are
+all prepared, and by the issue of which they will all hope to
+improve their terms.
+
+You know we have got a new Duke of York(54) and were to have had
+several new peers, but hitherto it has stopped at him and the
+lord keeper. Adieu!
+
+P. S. I must not forget to recommend to you a friend of Mr.
+Chute, who will ere long be at Florence, in his way to Naples for
+his health. It is Mr. Morrice, clerk of the green cloth, heir of
+Sir William Morrice, and of vast wealth. I gave a letter lately
+for a young gentleman whom I never saw, and consequently not
+meaning to incumber you with him, I did not mention him
+particularly in my familiar letters.
+
+(51) Gray, in a letter of the 22d, gives the following account of
+the result of this trial. "The old Pundles that sat on Lord
+George Sackville have at last hammered out their sentence. He is
+declared disobedient, and unfit for all military command. What
+he will do with himself, nobody guesses. The unembarrassed
+countenance, the looks of revenge, contempt, and superiority that
+he bestowed on his accusers were the admiration of all, but his
+usual talent and art did not appear; in short, his cause would
+not support him. You may think, perhaps, he intends to go abroad
+and hide his head; au contraire, all the world visits him on his
+condemnation." Works, vol. iii. p. 239.-E.
+
+(52) George Prince of Wales.
+
+(53) "I was not present," says Gray, "but Mason was in the Duke
+of Ancaster's gallery. and in the greatest danger; for the cell
+underneath him (to which the prisoner retires) was on fire during
+the trial, and the Duke, with the workmen, by sawing away some
+timbers, and other assistance, contrived to put it out without
+any alarm to the Court." Works, vol. iii. p. 240.-E.
+
+(54) Prince Edward, second son of Frederic Prince of Wales.-D.
+
+
+
+Letter 22 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Strawberry Hill, May 3, 1760. (page 55)
+
+Indeed, Sir, you have been misinformed; I had not the least hand
+in the answer to my Lord Bath's Rhapsody: it is true the
+booksellers sold it as mine, and it was believed so till people
+had 'read it, because my name and that of Pulteney had been apt
+to answer one another, and because that war was dirtily revived
+by the latter in his libel; but the deceit soon vanished; the
+answer a appeared to have much more knowledge of the subject than
+I have, and a good deal more temper than I should probably have
+exerted, if I had thought it worth while to proceed to an answer;
+but though my Lord Bath is unwilling to enter lists in which he
+has suffered so much shame, I am by no means fond of entering
+them; nor was there any honour to be acquired, either from the
+contest or the combatant.
+
+My history of artists proceeds very leisurely; I find the subject
+dry and uninteresting, and the materials scarce worth arranging:
+yet I think I shall execute my purpose, at least as far as
+relates to painters. It is a work I can scribble at any time,
+and on which I shall bestow little pains; things that are so soon
+forgotten should not take one up too much. I had consulted Mr.
+Lethinkai, who told me he had communicated to Mr. Vertue what
+observations he had made. I believe they were scanty, for I find
+small materials relating to architects among his manuscripts.
+Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 23 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, May 6, 1760. (page 56)
+
+The extraordinary history of Lord Ferrers is closed: he was
+executed yesterday. Madness, that in other countries is a
+disorder, is here a systematic character; it does not hinder
+people from forming a plan of conduct, and from even dying
+agreeably to it. You remember how the last Ratcliffe died with
+the utmost propriety; so did this horrid lunatic, coolly and
+sensibly. His own and his wife's relations had asserted that he
+would tremble at last. No such thing; he shamed heroes. He bore
+the solemnity of a pompous and tedious procession of above two
+hours, from the Tower to Tyburn, with as much tranquillity as if
+he was only going to his own burial, not to his own execution.
+He even talked on indifferent subjects in the passage; and if the
+sheriff and the chaplains had not thought that they had parts to
+act, too, and had not consequently engaged him in most particular
+conversation, he did not seem to think it necessary to talk on
+the occasion; he went in his wedding-clothes, marking the only
+remaining impression on -his mind. The ceremony he was in a
+hurry to have over: he was stopped at the gallows by the vast
+crowd, but got out of his coach as soon as he could, and was but
+seven minutes on the scaffold, which was hung with black, and
+prepared by the undertaker of his family at their expense. There
+was a new contrivance for sinking the stage under him, which did
+not play well; and he suffered a little by the delay, but was
+dead in four minutes. The mob was decent, and admired him, and
+almost pitied him; so they would Lord George, whose execution
+they are so angry at missing. I suppose every highwayman will
+now preserve the blue handkerchief he has about his neck when he
+is married, that he may die like a lord. With all his madness,
+he was not mad enough to be struck with his aunt Huntingdon's
+sermons. The Methodists have nothing to brag of his conversion,
+though Whitfield prayed for him and preached about him. Even
+Tyburn has been above their reach. I have not heard that Lady
+Fanny dabbled with his soul; but I believe she is prudent enough
+to confine her missionary zeal to subjects where the body may be
+her perquisite.
+
+When am I likely to see you? The delightful rain is come--we look
+and smell charmingly. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 24 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Strawberry Hill, May 7, 1760. (page 57)
+
+What will your Italians say to a peer of England, an earl of one
+of the best of families, tried for murdering his servant, with
+the utmost dignity and solemnity, and then hanged at the common
+place of execution for highwaymen, and afterwards anatomized?
+This must seem a little odd to them, especially as they have not
+lately had a Sixtus Quinttis. I have hitherto spoken of Lord
+Ferrers to you as a mad beast, a mad assassin, a low wretch,
+about whom I had no curiosity. If I now am going to give you a
+minute account of him, don't think me so far part of an English
+mob, as to fall in love with a criminal merely because I have had
+the pleasure of his execution. I certainly did not see it, nor
+should have been struck with more intrepidity--I never adored
+heroes, whether in a cart or a triumphal car--but there has been
+Such wonderful coolness and sense in all this man's last
+behaviour, that it has made me quite inquisitive about him --not
+at all pity him. I only reflect, what I have often thought, how
+little connexion there is between any man's sense and his
+sensibility--so much so, that instead of Lord Ferrers having any
+ascendant over his passions, I am disposed to think, that his
+drunkenness, which was supposed to heighten his ferocity, has
+rather been a lucky circumstance-what might not a creature of
+such capacity, and who stuck at nothing, have done, if his
+abilities had not been drowned in brandy? I will go back a little
+into his history. His misfortunes, as he called them, were dated
+from his marriage, though he has been guilty of horrid excesses
+unconnected with Matrimony, and is even believed to have killed a
+groom -,,,he died a year after receiving a cruel beating from
+him. His wife, a very pretty woman, was sister of Sir William
+Meredith,(55) had no fortune, and he says, trepanned him into
+marriage, having met him drunk at an assembly in the country, and
+kept him so till the ceremony was over. As he always kept
+himself so afterwards, one need not impute it to her. In every
+other respect, and one scarce knows how to blame her for wishing
+to be a countess, her behaviour was unexceptionable.(56) He had
+a mistress before and two or three children, and her he took
+again after the separation from his wife. He was fond of both
+and used both ill: his wife so ill, always carrying pistols to
+bed, and threatening to kill her before morning, beating her, and
+jealous without provocation, that she got separated from him by
+act of Parliament, which appointed receivers of his estate in
+order to secure her allowance. This he could not bear. However,
+he named his steward for one, but afterwards finding out that
+this Johnson had paid her fifty pounds without his knowledge, and
+suspecting him of being in the confederacy against him, he
+determined, when he failed of opportunities of murdering his
+wife, to kill the steward, which he effected as you have heard.
+The shocking circumstances attending the murder, I did not tell
+you-indeed, while he was alive, I scarce liked to speak my
+opinion even to you; for though I felt nothing for him, I thought
+it wrong to propagate any notions that might interfere with
+mercy, if he could be then thought deserving it--and not knowing
+into what hands my letter might pass before it reached yours, I
+chose to be silent, though nobody could conceive greater horror
+than I did for him at his trial. Having shot the steward at
+three in the afternoon, he persecuted him till one in the
+morning, threatening again to murder him, attempting to tear off
+his bandages, and terrifying him till in that misery he was glad
+to obtain leave to be removed to his own house; and when the earl
+heard the poor creature was dead, he said he gloried in having
+killed him. You cannot conceive the shock this evidence gave the
+court-many of the lords were standing to look at him-at once they
+turned from him with detestation. I had heard that on the former
+affair in the House of Lords, he had behaved with great
+shrewdness--no such thing appeared at his trial. It is now
+pretended, that his being forced by his family against his
+inclination to plead madness, prevented his exerting his parts-
+-but he has not acted in any thing as if his family had influence
+over him--consequently his reverting to much good sense leaves
+the whole inexplicable. The very night he received sentence, he
+played at picquet with the warders and would play for money, and
+would have continued to play every evening, but they refuse.
+Lord Cornwallis, governor of the Tower, shortened his allowance
+of wine after his conviction, agreeably to the late strict acts
+on murder. This he much disliked, and at last pressed his
+brother the clergyman to intercede that at least he might have
+more porter; for, said he, what I have is not a draught. His
+brother represented against it, but at last consenting (and he
+did obtain it)--then said the earl, "Now is as good a time as any
+to take leave of you--adieu!" A minute journal of his whole
+behaviour has been kept, to see if there was any madness in it.
+Dr. Munro since the trial has made -,in affidavit of his lunacy.
+The Washingtons were certainly a very frantic race, and I have no
+doubt of madness in him, but not of a pardonable sort. Two
+petitions from his mother and all his family were presented to
+the King, who said, as the House of Lords had unanimously found
+him guilty, he would not interfere. Last week my lord keeper
+very good-naturedly got out of a gouty bed to present another:
+the King would not hear him. "Sir," said the keeper, "I don't
+come to petition for mercy or respite; but that the four thousand
+pounds which Lord Ferrers has in India bonds may be permitted to
+go according to his disposition of it to his mistress' children,
+and the family of the murdered man." "With all my heart," said
+the King, "I have no objection; but I will have no message
+carried to him from me." However, this grace was notified to him
+and gave him great satisfaction: but unfortunately it now appears
+to be law, that it is forfeited to the sheriff of the county
+where the fact was committed; though when my Lord Hardwicke was
+told that he had disposed of it, he said, to be sure he may
+before conviction.
+
+Dr. Pearce, Bishop of Rochester,(57) offered his service to him:
+he thanked the Bishop, but said, as his own brother was a
+clergyman, he chose to have him. Yet he had another relation who
+has been much more busy about his repentance. I don't know
+whether you have ever heard that one of the singular characters
+here is a Countess of Huntingdon,(58) aunt of Lord Ferrers. She
+is the Saint Theresa of the Methodists. Judge how violent
+bigotry must be in such mad blood! The Earl, by no means
+disposed to be a convert, let her visit him, and often sent for
+her, as it was more company; but he grew sick of her, and
+complained that she was enough to provoke any body. She made her
+suffragan, Whitfield, pray for and preach about him, and that
+impertinent fellow told his enthusiasts in his sermon, that my
+Lord's heart was stone. The earl wanted much to see his
+mistress: my Lord Cornwallis, as simple an old woman as my Lady
+Huntingdon herself, consulted her whether he should permit it.
+"Oh! by no means; it would be letting him die in adultery!" In
+one thing she was more sensible. He resolved not to take leave
+of his children, four girls, but on the scaffold, and then to
+read to them a paper he had drawn up, very bitter on the family
+of Meredith, and on the House of Lords for -the first
+transaction. This my Lady Huntingdon persuaded him to drop, and
+he took leave of his children the day before. He wrote two
+letters in the preceding week to Lord Cornwallis on some of these
+requests - they were cool and rational, and concluded with
+desiring him not to mind the absurd requests of his (Lord
+Ferrers's) family in his behalf. On the last morning he dressed
+himself in his wedding clothes, and said, he thought this, at
+least, as good an occasion of putting them on as that for which
+they were first made. He wore them to Tyburn. This marked the
+strong impression on his mind. His mother wrote to his wife in a
+weak angry Style, telling her to intercede for him as her duty,
+and to swear to his madness. But this was not so easy; in all
+her cause before the lords, she had persisted that he was not
+mad.
+
+Sir William Meredith, and even Lady Huntingdon had prophesied
+that his courage would fail him at last, and had so much
+foundation, that it is certain Lord Ferrers had often been beat:-
+-but the Methodists were to get no honour by him. His courage
+rose where it was most likely to fail,-an unlucky circumstance to
+prophets, especially when they have had the prudence to have all
+kind of probability on their side. Even an awful procession of
+above two hours, with that mixture of pageantry, shame, and
+ignominy, nay, and of delay, could not dismount his resolution.
+He set out from the Tower at nine, amidst crowds, thousands.
+First went a string of constables; then one of the sheriffs, in
+his chariot and six, the horses dressed with ribands; next Lord
+Ferrers, in his own landau and six, his coachman crying all the
+way; guards at each side; the other sheriffs chariot followed
+empty, with a mourning coach-and-six, a hearse, and the Horse
+Guards. Observe, that the empty chariot was that of the other
+sheriff, who was in the coach with the prisoner, and who was
+Vaillant, the French bookseller in the Strand. How will you
+decipher all these strange circumstances to Florentines? A
+bookseller in robes and in mourning, sitting as a magistrate by
+the side of the Earl; and in the evening, every -body going to
+Vaillant's shop to hear the particulars. I wrote to him '. as he
+serves me, for the account: but he intends to print it, and I
+will send it you with some other things, and the trial. Lord
+Ferrers at first talked on indifferent matters, and observing the
+prodigious confluence of people, (the blind was drawn up on his
+side,) he said,--"But they never saw a lord hanged, and perhaps
+will never see another;" One of the dragoons was thrown by his
+horse's leg entangling in the hind wheel: Lord Ferrers expressed
+much concern, and said, "I hope there will be no death to-day but
+mine," and was pleased when Vaillant told him the man was not
+hurt. Vaillant made excuses to him on his office. "On the
+contrary," said the Earl, "I am much obliged to you. I feared
+the disagreeableness of the duty might make you depute your
+under-sheriff. As you are so good as to execute it yourself, I
+am persuaded the dreadful apparatus will be conducted with more
+expedition." The chaplain of the Tower, who sat backwards, then
+thought it his turn to speak, and began to talk on religion; but
+Lord Ferrers received it impatiently. However, the chaplain
+persevered, and said, he wished to bring his lordship to some
+confession or acknowledgment of contrition for a crime so
+repugnant to the laws of God and man, and wished him to endeavour
+to do whatever could be done in so short a time. The Earl
+replied, "He had done every thing he proposed to do with regard
+to God and man; and as to discourses on religion, you and I,
+Sir," said he to the clergyman, "shall probably not agree on that
+subject. The passage is very short: you will not have time to
+convince me, nor I to refute you; it cannot be ended before we
+arrive." The clergyman still insisted, and urged, that. at
+least, the world would expect some satisfaction. Lord Ferrers
+replied, with some impatience, "Sir, what have I to do with the
+world? I am going to pay a forfeit life, which my country has
+thought proper to take from me--what do I care now what the world
+thinks of me? But, Sir, since you do desire some confession, I
+will confess one thing to you; I do believe there is a God. As
+to modes of worship, we had better not talk on them. I always
+thought Lord Bolingbroke in the wrong, to publish his notions on
+religion: I will not fall into the same error." The chaplain,
+seeing sensibly that it was in vain to make any more attempts,
+contented himself with representing to him, that it would be
+expected from one of his calling, and that even decency required,
+that some prayer should be used on the scaffold, and asked his
+leave, at least to repeat the Lord's Prayer there. Lord Ferrers
+replied, "I always thought it a good prayer; you may use it if
+you please."
+
+While these discourses were passing, the procession was stopped
+by the crowd. The Earl said he was dry, and wished for some wine
+and water. The Sheriff said, he was sorry to be obliged to
+refuse him. By late regulations they were enjoined not to let
+prisoners drink from the place of imprisonment to that of
+execution, as great indecencies had been formerly committed by
+the lower species of criminals getting drunk; "And though," said
+he, "my Lord, I might think myself excusable in overlooking this
+order out of regard to a person of your lordship's rank, yet
+there is another reason which, I am sure, will weigh with
+you;-your Lordship is sensible of the greatness of the crowd; we
+must draw up to some tavern; the confluence would be so great,
+that it would delay the expedition which your Lordship seems so
+much to desire." He replied, he was satisfied, adding, "Then I
+must be content with this," and took some pigtail tobacco out of
+his pocket. As they went on, a letter was thrown into his coach;
+it was from his mistress, to tell him, it was impossible, from
+the crowd, for her to get up to the spot where he had appointed
+her to meet and take leave of him, but that she was in a
+hackney-coach of such a number. He begged Vaillant to order his
+officers to try to get the hackney-coach up to his, "My Lord,"
+said Vaillant, you have behaved so well hitherto, that I think it
+is pity to venture unmanning yourself." He was struck, and was
+satisfied without seeing her. As they drew nigh, he said, "I
+perceive we are almost arrived; it is time to do what little more
+I have to do;" and then taking out his watch, gave it to
+Vaillant, desiring him to accept it as a mark of his gratitude
+for his kind behaviour, adding, "It is scarce worth Your
+acceptance; but I have nothing else; it is a stop-watch, and a
+pretty accurate one." He gave five guineas to the chaplain, and
+took out as much for the executioner. Then giving Vaillant a
+pocket-book, he begged him to deliver it to Mrs. Clifford his
+mistress, with what it contained, and with his most tender
+regards, saying, "The key of it is to the watch, but I am
+persuaded you are too much a gentleman to open it." He destined
+the remainder of the money in his purse to the same person, and
+with the same tender regards.
+
+When they came to Tyburn, his coach was detained some minutes by
+the conflux of people; but as soon as the door was opened, he
+stepped out readily and mounted the scaffold: it was hung with
+black, by the undertaker, and at the expense of his family.
+Under the gallows was a new invented stage, to be struck from
+under him. He showed no kind of fear or discomposure, only just
+looking at the gallows with a slight motion of dissatisfaction.
+He said little, kneeled for a moment to the prayer, said, "Lord
+have mercy upon me, and forgive me my errors," and immediately
+mounted the upper stage. He had come pinioned with a black sash,
+and was unwilling to have his hands tied, or his face covered,
+but was persuaded to both. When the rope was put round his neck,
+he turned pale, but recovered his countenance instantly, and was
+but seven minutes from leaving the coach, to the signal given for
+striking the stage. As the machine was new, they were not ready
+at it: his toes touched it, and he suffered a little, having had
+time, by their bungling, to raise his cap; but the executioner
+pulled it down again, and they pulled his legs, so that he was
+soon out of pain, and quite dead in four minutes. He desired not
+to be stripped and exposed, and Vaillant promised him, though his
+clothes must be taken off, that his shirt should not. This
+decency ended with him: the sheriffs fell to eating and drinking
+on the scaffold, ran and helped up one of their friends to drink
+with them, as he was still hanging, which he did for above an
+hour, and then was conveyed back with the same pomp to Surgeons'
+Hall, to be dissected. The executioners fought for the rope, and
+the one who lost it cried. The mob tore off the black cloth as
+relics; but the universal crowd behaved with great decency and
+admiration, as they well might; for sure no exit was ever made
+with more sensible resolution and with less ostentation.
+
+If I have tired you by this long narrative, you feel differently
+from me. The man, the manners of the country, the justice of so
+great and curious a nation, all to me seem striking, and must, I
+believe, do more so to you, who have been absent long enough to
+read of your own country as history.
+
+I have run into so much paper, that I am ashamed at going on, but
+having a bit left, I must say a few more words. The other
+prisoner, from whom the mob had promised themselves more
+entertainment, is gone into the country, having been forbid the
+court, with some barbarous additions to the sentence, as you Will
+see in the papers. It was notified, too, to the second
+court,(59) who have had the prudence to countenance him no
+longer. The third prisoner, and second madman, Lord Charles Hay,
+is luckily dead, and has saved much trouble.
+
+Have you seen the works of the philosopher of Sans Souci, or
+rather of the man who is no philosopher, and who had more Souci
+than any man now in Europe? How contemptible they are! Miserable
+poetry; not a new thought, nor an old one newly expressed.(60) I
+say nothing of the folly of publishing his aversion to the
+English, at the very time they are ruining themselves for him;
+nor of the greater folly of his irreligion. The epistle to Keith
+is puerile and shocking. He is not so sensible as Lord Ferrers,
+who did not think such sentiments ought to be published. His
+Majesty could not resist the vanity of showing how disengaged he
+can be even at this time.
+
+I am going to give a letter for you to Strange, the engraver, who
+is going to visit Italy. He is a very first-rate artist, and by
+far our best. Pray countenance him, though you will not approve
+his politics.(61) I believe Albano(62)) is his Loretto.
+
+I shall finish this vast volume with a very good story, though
+not so authentic as my sheriff's. It is said that General
+Clive's father has been with Mr. Pitt, to notify, that if the
+government will send his son four hundred thousand pounds, and a
+certain number of ships, the heaven-born general knows of a part
+of India, where such treasures are buried, that he will engage,
+to send over enough. to pay the national debt. "Oh!" said the
+minister, "that is too much; fifty millions would be sufficient."
+Clive insisted on the hundred millions,--Pitt, that half would do
+as well. "Lord, Sir!" said the old man, "consider, if your
+administration lasts, the national debt will soon be two hundred
+millions." Good night for a twelvemonth!
+
+(55) Sir William Meredith, Bart. of Hanbury, in Cheshire. The
+title is now extinct.-D.
+
+(56) She afterwards married Lord Frederick Campbell, brother of
+the Duke of Argyle, and was an excellent woman. (She was
+unfortunately burned to death at Lord Frederick's seat, Combe
+Bank, in Kent.-D.)
+
+(57) Zachariah Pearce, translated from the see of Bangor in 1756.
+He was an excellent man, and later in life, in the year 1768,
+finding himself growing infirm, he presented to the world the
+rare instance of disinterestedness, of wishing to relinquish all
+his pieces of preferment. These consisted of the deanery of
+Westminster and bishopric of Rochester. The deanery he gave up,
+but was not allowed to do so by the bishopric, which was said, as
+a peerage, to be inalienable.-D.
+
+(58) Lady Selina Shirley, daughter of an Earl of Ferrers.
+(Selina Shirley, second daughter and coheiress of Washington Earl
+Ferrers, and widow of Theophilus Hastings, ninth Earl of
+Huntingdon. She was the peculiar patroness of enthusiasts of all
+sorts in religion.-D.)
+
+(59) The Prince of Wales's.
+
+(60) "The town are reading the King of Prussia's poetry, and I
+have done like the town; they do not seem so sick of it as I am.
+It is all the scum of Voltaire and Bolingbroke, the crambe
+recocta of our worst freethinkers tossed up in German-French
+rhyme." Gray, vol. iii. p. 241.
+
+(61) Strange was a confirmed Jacobite.
+
+(62) The residence of the Pretender.
+
+
+
+Letter 25 To Sir David Dalrymple.(63)
+Arlington Street, May 15, 1760. (page 63)
+
+Sir,
+I am extremely sensible of your obliging kindness in sending me
+for Mr. Gray the account of Erse poetry, even at a time when you
+were so much out of order. That indisposition I hope is entirely
+removed, and your health perfectly reestablished. Mr. Gray is
+very thankful for the information.(64)
+
+I have lately bought, intending it for Dr. Robertson, a Spanish
+MS. called "Annals del Emperador Carlos V. Autor, Francisco Lopez
+de Gornara." As I am utterly ignorant of the Spanish tongue, I
+do not know whether there is the least merit in my purchase. It
+is not very long; if you will tell me how to convey it, I will
+send it to him.
+
+We have nothing new but some Dialogues of the Dead by Lord
+Lyttelton. I cannot say they are very lively or striking. The
+best I think, relates to your country, and is written with a very
+good design: an intention of removing all prejudices and disUnion
+between the two parts of our island. I cannot tell you how the
+book is liked in general, for it appears but this moment.
+
+You have seen, to be sure, the King of Prussia's Poems. If he
+intended to raise the glory of his military capacity by
+depressing his literary talents, he could not, I think,. have
+succeeded better. One would think a man had been accustomed to
+nothing but the magnificence of vast armies, and to the tumult of
+drums and trumpets. who is incapable of seeing that God is as
+great in the most minute parts of creation as in the most
+enormous. His Majesty does not seem to admire a mite, unless it
+is magnified by a Brobdignag microscope! While he is struggling
+with the force of three empires, he fancies that it adds to his
+glory to be unbent enough to contend for laurels with the
+triflers of a French Parnassus! Adieu! Sir.
+
+(63) Now first collected.
+
+(64) The following is Gray's description of these poems, in a
+letter to Wharton.--"I am gone mad about them. They are said to
+be translations (literal and in prose) from the Erse tongue, done
+by one Macpherson, a young clergyman in the Highlands. He means
+to publish a collection he has of these specimens of antiquity;
+but what plagues me is, I cannot come at any certainty on that
+head. I was so struck, so extasi`e, with their infinite beauty,
+that I writ into Scotland to make a thousand inquiries. The
+letters I have in return are ill-wrote, ill-reasoned,
+unsatisfactory, calculated (one would imagine) to deceive one,
+and yet not cunning enough to do it cleverly: in short, the whole
+external evidence would make one believe these fragments (for so
+he calls them, though nothing can be more entire) counterfeit;
+but the internal is so strong on the other side, that I am
+resolved to believe them genuine, spite of the devil and the
+kirk. It is impossible to convince me, that they were invented
+by the same man that writes me these letters. On the other hand,
+it is almost as hard to suppose, if they are original, that he
+should be able to translate them so admirably. In short, this
+man is the very demon of poetry, or he has lighted on a treasure
+hid for ages." In another letter, be says,--"As to their
+authenticity, I have many enquiries, and have lately procured a
+letter from Mr. David Hume, the historian, which is more
+satisfactory than any thing I have yet met with on that subject.
+He says, 'Certain it is, that these poems are in every body's
+mouth in the Highlands, have been handed down from father to son,
+and are of an age beyond all memory and tradition.'" Works vol.
+iii. pp. 249, 257.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 26 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Strawberry Hill, May 24, 1760. (page 64)
+
+Well! at last Sisson's machine sets out-but, my dear Sir, how you
+still talk of him! You seem to think him as grave and learned as
+a professor of Bologna--why, he is an errant, low, indigent
+mechanic, and however Dr. Perelli found him out, is a shuffling
+knave, and I fear, no fitter to execute his orders than to write
+the letter you expect. Then there was my ignorance and your
+brother James's ignorance to be thrown into the account. For the
+drawing, Sisson says Dr. Perelli has the description of it
+already; however, I have insisted on his making a reference to
+that description in a scrawl we have with much ado extorted from
+him. I pray to Sir Isaac Newton that the machine may answer: It
+costs, the stars know what! The whole charge comes to upwards of
+threescore pounds! He had received twenty pounds, and yet was so
+necessitous, that on our hesitating, he wrote me a most
+impertinent letter for his money. I dreaded at first undertaking
+a commission for which I was so unqualified, and though I have
+done all I could, I fear you and your friend will be but ill
+satisfied.
+
+Along with the machine I have sent you some new books; Lord
+George's trial, Lord Ferrers's, and the account of him; a
+fashionable thing called Tristram Shandy, and my Lord Lyttelton's
+new Dialogues of the Dead, or rather Dead Dialogues; and
+something less valuable still than any of these, but which I
+flatter myself you will not despise; it is my own print, done
+from a picture that is reckoned very like--you must allow for the
+difference that twenty years since you saw me have made. That
+wonderful creature Lord Ferrers, of whom I told you so much in my
+last, and with whom I am not going to plague you much more, made
+one of his keepers read Hamlet to him the night before his death
+after he was in bed-paid all his bills in the morning, as if
+leaving an inn, and half an hour before the sheriffs fetched him,
+corrected some verses he had written in the Tower in imitation of
+the Duke of Buckingham's epitaph, dublus sed ron improbus
+vin.(65) What a noble author have I here to add to my Catalogue!
+For the other noble author, Lord Lyttelton, you will find his
+work paltry enough; the style, a mixture of bombast, poetry, and
+vulcarisms. Nothing new in the composition, except making people
+talk out of character is so. Then he loves changing sides so
+much, that he makes Lord Falkland and Hampden cross over and
+figure in like people in a country dance; not to mention their
+guardian angels, who deserve to be hanged for murder. He is
+angry too at Swift, Lucian, and Rabelais, as if they had laughed
+at him of all men living, and he seems to wish that one would
+read the last's Dissertation 1 on Hippocrates instead of his
+History of Pantagruel. But I blame him most, when he was
+satirizing too free writers, for praising the King of Prussia's
+poetry, to which any thing of Bayle is harmless. I like best the
+Dialogue between the Duke of argyll and the Earl of Angus, and
+the character of his own first wife under that of Penelope. I
+need not tell you that Pericles is Mr. Pitt.
+
+I have had much conversation with your brother James, and intend
+to have more with your eldest, about your nephew. He is a sweet
+boy, and has all the goodness of dear Gal. and dear you in his
+countenance. They have sent him to Cambridge under that
+interested hog the Bishop of Chester,(66) and propose to keep him
+there three years. Their apprehension seems to be of his growing
+a fine gentleman. I could not help saying, "Why, is he not to be
+one?" My wish is to have him with you--what an opportunity of
+his learning the world and business under such a tutor and such a
+parent! but they think he will dress and run into diversions. I
+tried to convince them that of all spots upon earth dress is
+least necessary at Florence, and where one can least divert
+oneself. I am answered with the necessity of Latin and
+mathematics-the one soon forgot, the other never got to any
+purpose. I cannot bear his losing the advantage of being brought
+up by you, with all the advantages of such a situation, and where
+he May learn in perfection living languages, never attained after
+twenty. I am so earnest on this, for I doat on him for dear
+Gal.'s sake, that I will insist to rudeness on his remaining at
+Cambridge but two years; and before that time you shall write to
+second My motions.
+
+The Parliament is up, and news are gone out of town: I expect
+none but what we receive from Germany. As to the Pretender, his
+life or death makes no impression here when a real King is so
+soon forgot, how should an imaginary one be remembered? Besides,
+since Jacobites have found the way to St. James's, it is grown so
+much the fashion to worship Kings, that people don't send their
+adorations so far as Rome. He at Kensington is likely long to
+outlast his old rival. The spring is far from warm, yet he wears
+a silk coat and has left off fires.
+
+Thank you for the entertaining history of the Pope and the
+Genoese. I am flounced again into building--a round tower,
+gallery, cloister, and chapel, all starting up--if I am forced to
+run away by ruining myself, I will come to Florence, steal your
+nephew, and bring him with me. Adieu!
+
+(65) The following verses are said to have been found in Lord
+Ferrers's apartment in the Tower:
+
+"In doubt I lived, in doubt I die,
+Yet stand Prepared the vast abyss to try.
+And undismay'd expect eternity!"-E.
+
+(66) Dr. Edmund Keene, brother of Sir Benjamin, and afterwards
+Bishop of Ely.
+
+
+
+Letter 27 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, June 7, 1760. (page 66)
+
+My dear lord,
+When at my time of day one can think a ball worth going to London
+for on purpose, you will not wonder that I am childish enough to
+write an account of it. I could give a better reason, your
+bidding me send you any news; but I scorn a good reason when I am
+idle enough to do any thing for a bad one. You had heard, before
+you left London, of Miss Chudleigh's intended loyalty on the
+Prince's birthday. Poor thing, I fear she has thrown away above
+a quarter's salary! It was magnificent and well-understood--no
+crowd--and though a sultry night, one was not a moment
+incommoded. The court was illuminated on the whole summit of the
+wall with a battlement of lamps; smaller ones on every step, and
+a figure of lanterns on the outside of the house. The
+virgin-mistress began the ball with the Duke of York, who was
+dressed in a pale blue watered tabby, which, as I told him, if he
+danced much, would soon be tabby all over, like the man's
+advertisement,(67) but nobody did dance much. There was a new
+Miss Bishop from Sir Cecil's endless hoard of beauty daughters,
+who is still prettier than her sisters. The new Spanish embassy
+was there--alas! Sir Cecil Bishop has never been in Spain!
+Monsieur de Fuentes is a halfpenny print of my Lord Huntingdon.
+His wife homely, but seems good-humoured and civil. The son does
+not degenerate from such high-born ugliness; the daughter-in-law
+was sick, and they say is not ugly, and has as good set of teeth
+as one can have, when one has but two and those black. They seem
+to have no curiosity, sit where they are placed, and ask no
+questions about so strange a country. Indeed, the ambassadress
+could see nothing; for Doddington(68) stood before her the whole
+time, sweating Spanish at her, of which it was evident, by her
+civil nods without answers, she did understand a word. She
+speaks bad French, danced a bad minuet, and went away--though
+there was a miraculous draught of fishes for their supper, for it
+was a fast-day--but being the octave of their f`ete-dieu, they
+dared not even fast plentifully. Miss Chudleigh desired the
+gamblers would go up into the garrets--"Nay, they are not
+garrets-it is only the roof of the house hollowed for upper
+servants-but I have no upper servants." Every body ran up: there
+is a low gallery with bookcases, and four chambers practised
+under the pent of the roof, each hung with the finest Indian
+pictures on different colours, and with Chinese chairs of the
+same colours. Vases of flowers in each for nosegays, and in one
+retired nook a most critical couch!
+
+The lord of the Festival(69) was there, and seemed neither
+ashamed nor vain of the expense of his pleasures. At supper she
+offered him Tokay, and told him she believed he would find it
+good. The supper was in two rooms and very fine, and on the
+sideboards, and even on the chairs, were pyramids and troughs of
+strawberries and cherries you would have thought she was kept by
+Vertumnus. Last night my Lady Northumberland lighted up her
+garden for the Spaniards: I was not there, having excused myself
+for a headache, which I had not, but ought to have caught the
+night before. Mr. Doddington entertained these Fuentes's at
+Hammersmith; and to the shame of our nation, while they were
+drinking tea in the summer-house, some gentlemen, ay, my lord,
+gentlemen, went into the river and showed the ambassadress and
+her daughter more than ever they expected to see of England.
+
+I dare say you are sorry for poor Lady Anson. She was
+exceedingly good-humoured, and did a thousand good-natured and
+generous actions. I tell you nothing of the rupture of Lord
+Halifax's match, of which you must have heard so much; but you
+will like a bon-mot upon it. They say, the hundreds of Drury
+have got the better of the thousands of Drury.(70) The pretty
+Countess(71) is still alive, was I thought actually dying on
+Tuesday night, and I think will go off very soon. I think there
+will soon be a peace: my only reason is, that every body seems so
+backward at making war. Adieu! my dear lord!
+
+(67) A staymaker of the time, who advertised in the newspapers
+that he made stays at such a price, "tabby all over."
+
+(68) Dodington had been minister in Spain.
+
+(69) The Duke of Kingston.
+
+(70) Lord Halifax kept an actress belonging to Drury Lane
+Theatre; and the marriage broken off was with a daughter of Sir
+Thomas Drury, an heiress.-E.
+
+(71) The Countess of Coventry. She survived till the 1st of
+October.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 28 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Arlington Street, June 20, 1760. (page 68)
+
+Who the deuce was thinking of Quebec? America was like a book one
+has read and done with; or at least, if one looked at the book,
+one just recollected that there was a supplement promised, to
+contain a chapter on Montreal, the starving and surrender of it-
+-but here are we on a sudden reading our book backwards. An
+account came two days ago that the French on their march to
+besiege Quebec, had been attacked by General Murray, who got into
+a mistake and a morass, attacked two bodies that were joined,
+when he hoped to come up with one of them before the junction,
+was enclosed, embogged,'and defeated. By the list of officers
+killed and wounded, I believe there has been a rueful slaughter-
+-the place, too, I suppose will be retaken. The year 1760 is not
+the year 1759. Added to the war we have a kind of plague too, an
+epidemic fever and sore throat: Lady Anson is dead of it; Lord
+Bute and two of his daughters were in great danger; my Lady
+Waldegrave has had it, and I am mourning for Mrs. Thomas
+Walpole,(72) who died of it--you may imagine I don't come much to
+town; I had some business here to-day, particularly with Dagge,
+whom I have sent for to talk about Sophia;(73) he will be here
+presently, and then I will let you know what he says.
+
+The embassy and House of Fuentes are arrived-many feasts and
+parties have been made for them, but they do not like those out
+of town, and have excused themselves rather ungraciously. They
+were invited to a ball last Monday at Wanstead, but did not go:
+yet I don't know where they can see such magnificence. The
+approach, the coaches, the crowds of spectators to see the
+company arrive, the grandeur of the fa`cade and apartments, were
+a charming sight; but the town is so empty that that great house
+appeared so too. He, you know, is all attention, generosity, and
+good breeding.
+
+I must tell you a private wo that has happened to me in my
+neighbourhood--Sir William Stanhope bought Pope's house and
+garden. The former was so small and bad, one could not avoid
+pardoning his hollowing out that fragment of the rock Parnassus
+into habitable chambers--but would you believe it, he has cut
+down the sacred groves themselves! In short, it was a little bit
+of ground of five acres, inclosed with three lanes, and seeing
+nothing. Pope had twisted and twirled, and rhymed and harmonized
+this, till it appeared two or three sweet little lawns opening
+beyond one another, and the whole surrounded with thick
+impenetrable woods. Sir William, by advice of his
+son-in-law,(74) Mr. Ellis, has hacked and hewed these groves,
+wriggled a winding-gravel walk through them with an edging of
+shrubs, in what they call the modern taste, and in short, has
+designed the three lanes to walk in again--and now is forced to
+shut them out again by a wall, for there was not a Muse could
+walk there but she was spied by every country fellow that went by
+with a pipe in his mouth.
+
+It is a little unlucky for the Pretender to be dying just as the
+Pope seems to design to take Corsica into his hands, and might
+give it to so faithful a son of the church.
+
+I have heard nothing yet of Stosch.
+
+Presently.
+Mr. Dagge has disappointed me, and I am obliged to go out of
+town, but I have writ to him to press the affair, and will press
+it, as it is owing to his negligence. Mr. Chute, to whom I
+spoke, says he told Dagge he was ready to be a trustee, and
+pressed him to get it concluded.
+
+(72) Daughter of Sir Gerard Vanneck.
+
+(73) Natural daughter of Mr. Whitehed, mentioned in preceding
+letters, by a Florentine woman.
+
+(74) Welbore Ellis, afterwards*Lord Mendip, married the only
+daughter of Sir William Stanhope; in right of whom he afterwards
+enjoyed Pope's villa at Twickenham.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 29 To Sir David Dalrymple.(75)
+June 20th, 1760. (page 69)
+
+I am obliged to you, Sir, for the volume of Erse poetry - all of
+it has merit; but I am sorry not to see in it the six
+descriptions of night, with which you favoured me before, and
+which I like as much as any of the pieces. I can, however, by no
+means agree with the publisher, that they seem to be parts of an
+heroic poem; nothing to me can be more unlike. I should as soon
+take all the epitaphs in Westminster Abbey, and say it was an
+epic poem on the History of England. The greatest part are
+evidently elegies; and though I should not expect a bard to write
+by the rules of Aristotle, I would not, on the other hand, give
+to any work a title that must convey so different an idea to
+every common reader. I could wish, too, that the authenticity
+had been more largely stated. A man who knows Dr. Blair's
+character, will undoubtedly take his word; but the gross of
+mankind, considering how much it is the fashion to be sceptical
+in reading, will demand proofs, not assertions.
+
+I am glad to find, Sir, that we agree so much on the Dialogues of
+the Dead; indeed, there are very few that differ from us. It is
+well for the author, that none of his critics have undertaken to
+ruin his book by improving it, as you have done in the lively
+little specimen you sent me., Dr. Brown has writ a dull dialogue,
+called Pericles and Aristides, which will have a different effect
+from what yours, would have. One of the most objectionable
+passages in lord Lyttelton's book is, in my opinion, his
+apologizing for 'the moderate government of Augustus. A man who
+had exhausted tyranny in the most lawless and Unjustifiable
+excesses is to be excused, because, out of weariness or policy,
+he grows less sanguinary at last!
+
+There is a little book coming Out, that will amuse you. It is a
+new edition of Isaac Walton's Complete Angler,. full of anecdotes
+and historic notes. It is published by Mr. Hawkins,(76) a very
+worthy gentleman in my neighbourhood, but who, I could wish, did
+not think angling so very innocent an amusement. We cannot live
+without destroying animals, but shall-we torture them for our
+sport--sport in their destruction?(77) I met a rough officer at
+his house t'other day, who said he knew such a person was turning
+Methodist; for, in the middle of conversation, he rose, and
+opened the window to let out a moth. I told him I did not know
+that the Methodists had any principle so good, and that I, who am
+certainly not on the point of becoming one, always did so too.
+One of the bravest and best men I ever knew, Sir Charles Wager, I
+have often heard declare he never killed a fly willingly. It is
+a comfortable reflection to me, that all the victories of last
+year have been gained since the suppression of the bear garden
+and prize-fighting; as it is plain, and nothing else would have
+made it so, that our valour did not, singly and solely depend
+upon, those two universities. Adieu.!
+
+(75) Now first collected.
+
+
+(76) Afterwards Sir John Hawkins, Knight, the executor and
+biographer of Dr. Johnson.-E.
+
+(77) Lord Byron, like Walpole, had a mortal dislike to angling,
+and describes it as " the cruelest, the coldest, and the
+stupidest of pretended sports." Of good Isaac Walton he says,
+
+"The quaint, old, cruel coxcomb,. in his gullet
+Should have a hook, and a small trout to pull it."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 30 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(78)
+Strawberry Hill, June 21, 1760. (page 70)
+
+There is nothing in the world so tiresome as a person that always
+says they will come to one and never does; that is a mixture of
+promises and excuses; that loves one better than anybody, and yet
+will not stir a step to see one; that likes nothing but their own
+ways and own books, and that thinks the Thames is not as charming
+in one place as another, and that fancies Strawberry Hill is the
+only thing upon earth worth living for-all this you would say, if
+even I could make you peevish: but since you cannot be provoked,
+you see I am for you, and give myself my due. It puts me in mind
+of General Sutton, who was one day sitting by my father at his
+dressing. Sir Robert said to Jones, who was shaving him, "John,
+you cut me"--presently afterwards, "John, you cut me"--and again,
+with the same patience or Conway-ence, "John, you cut me."
+Sutton started up and cried, "By God! if he can bear it, I can't;
+if you cut him once more, damn my blood if I don't knock you
+down!" My dear Harry, I will knock myself down-but I fear I
+shall cut you again. I wish you sorrow for the battle of Quebec.
+I thought as much of losing the duchies of Aquitaine and Normandy
+as Canada.
+
+However, as my public feeling never carries me to any great
+lengths of reflection, I bound all my Qu`ebecian meditations to a
+little diversion on George Townshend's absurdities. The Daily
+Advertiser said yesterday, that a certain great officer who had a
+principal share in the reduction of Quebec had given it as his
+opinion, that it would hold out a tolerable siege. This great
+general has acquainted the public to-day in an advertisement
+with--what do you think?--not that he has such an opinion, for he
+has no opinion at all, and does not think that it can nor cannot
+hold out a siege,--but, in the first place, that he was luckily
+shown this paragraph, which, however, he does not like; in the
+next, that he is and is not that great general, and yet that
+there is nobody else that is; and, thirdly, lest his silence,
+till he can proceed in another manner with the printer, (and
+indeed it is difficult to conceive what manner of proceeding
+silence is,) should induce anybody to believe the said paragraph,
+he finds himself under a necessity of giving the public his
+honour, that there is no more truth in this paragraph than in
+some others which have tended to set the opinions of some general
+officers together by the ears--a thing, however, inconceivable,
+which he has shown may be done, by the confusion he himself has
+made in the King's English. For his another manner with the
+printer, I am impatient to see how the charge will lie against
+Matthew Jenour, the publisher of the Advertiser, who, without
+having the fear of God before his eyes, has forcibly, violently,
+and maliciously, with an offensive weapon called a hearsay, and
+against the peace of our sovereign Lord the King, wickedly and
+traitorously assaulted the head of George Townshend, general, and
+accused it of having an opinion, and him the said George
+Townshend, has slanderously and of malice prepense believed to be
+a great general; in short, to make Townshend easy, I wish, as he
+has no more contributed to the loss of Quebec than he did to the
+conquest of it, that he was to be sent to sign this capitulation
+too.
+
+There is a delightful little French book come out, called "Tant
+Mieux pour elle." It is called Cr`ebillon's, and I should think
+was so. I only borrowed it, and cannot get one; tant pis pour
+vous. By the way, I am not sure you did not mention it to me;
+somebody did.
+
+Have you heard that Miss Pitt has dismissed Lord Buckingham?
+Tant mieux pour lui. She damns her eyes that she will marry some
+captain--tant mieux pour elle. I think the forlorn earl should
+match with Miss Ariadne Drury; and by the time my Lord Halifax
+has had as many more children and sentiments by and for Miss
+Falkner, as he can contrive to have. probably Miss Pitt may be
+ready to be taken into keeping. Good night!
+
+P. S. The Prince of Wales has been in the greatest anxiety for
+Lord Bute; to whom he professed to Duncombe, and Middleton, he
+has the greatest obligations; and when they pronounced their
+patient out of danger, his Royal Highness gave to each of them a
+gold modal of himself, as a mark of his sense of their care and
+attention.
+
+(78) Now first printed.
+
+
+
+Letter 31 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, June 28, 1760. (page 72)
+
+The devil is in people for fidgetting about! They can neither be
+quiet in their own houses, nor let others be at peace in theirs!
+Have not they enough of one another in winter, but they must
+cuddle in summer too? For your part, you are a very priest: the
+moment one repents, you are for turning it to account. I wish
+you was in camp--never will I pity you again. How did you
+complain when you was in Scotland, Ireland, Flanders, and I don't
+know where, that you could never enjoy Park-place! Now you have a
+whole summer to yourself, and you are as junkettaceous as my Lady
+Northumberland. Pray, what horse-race do you go to next? For my
+part, I can't afford to lead such a life: I have Conway-papers to
+sort; I have lives of the painters to write; I have my prints to
+paste, my house to build, and every thing in the world to tell
+posterity. How am I to find time for all this? I am past forty,
+and may 'not have above as many more to live; and here I am to go
+here and to go there--well, I will meet you at Chaffont on
+Thursday; but I positively will stay but one night. I have
+settled with our brother that we will be at Oxford on the 13th of
+July, as Lord Beauchamp is only loose from the 12th to the 20th.
+I will be at Park-place on the 12th, and we will go together the
+next day. If this is too early for you, we may put it off to the
+15th: determine by Thursday, and one of us will write to Lord
+Hertford.
+
+Well! Quebec(79) is come to life again. Last night I went to see
+the Holdernesses, who by the way are in raptures with Park-in
+Sion-lane; as Cibber says of the Revolution, I met the Raising of
+the Siege; that is, I met my lady in a triumphal car, drawn by a
+Manks horse thirteen little fingers high, with Lady Emily:
+
+et sibi Countess
+Ne placeat, ma'amselle curru portatur eodem-
+
+Mr. Milbank was walking in ovation by himself after the car; and
+they were going to see the bonfire at the alehouse at the corner.
+The whole procession returned with me; and from the countess's
+dressing-room we saw a battery fired before the house, the mob
+crying "God bless the good news!"--These are all the particulars
+I know of the siege: my lord would have showed me the journal,
+but we amused ourselves much better in going to eat peaches from
+the new Dutch stoves.
+
+The rain is come indeed, and my grass is as green as grass; but
+all my hay has been cut and soaking this week, and I am too much
+in the fashion not to have given Up gardening for farming; as
+next I suppose We shall farming and turn graziers and hogdrivers.
+
+I never heard of such a Semele as my Lady Stormont(80) brought to
+bed in flames. I hope Miss Bacchus Murray will not carry the
+resemblance through, and love drinking like a Pole. My Lady
+Lyttelton is at Mr. Garrick's, and they were to have breakfasted
+here this morning; but somehow or other they have changed their
+mind. Good Night!
+
+(79) Quebec was besieged by the French in the spring of this
+year, with an army of fifteen thousand men, under the command of
+the Chevalier de Levis, assisted by a naval force. They were,
+however, repulsed by General Murray, who was supported by Lord
+Colville and the fleet under his command; and on the night of the
+16th of May raised the siege very precipitately, leaving their
+cannon, small arms, stores, etc. behind them.-E.
+
+(80) See vol. ii. p. 513, letter 336.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 32 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 4, 1760. (page 73)
+
+I am this minute returned from Chaffont, where I have been these
+two days. Mr. Conway, Lady Ailesbury, Lady Lyttelton, and Mrs.
+Shirley are there; and Lady Mary is going to add to the number
+again. The house and grounds are still in the same dislocated
+condition; in short, they finish nothing but children; even Mr.
+Bentley's Gothic stable, which I call Houynhm castle, is not
+roughcast yet. We went to see More-park, but I was not much
+struck with it, after all the miracles I had heard Brown had
+performed there. He has undulated the horizon in so many
+artificial mole-hills, that it is full as unnatural as if it was
+drawn with a rule and compasses. Nothing is done to the house;
+there are not even chairs in the great apartment. My Lord Anson
+is more slatternly than the Churchills, and does not even finish
+children. I am going to write to Lord Beauchamp, that I shall be
+at Oxford on the 15th, where I depend upon meeting you. I design
+to see Blenheim, and Rousham, (is not that the name of Dormer's?)
+and Althorp, and Drayton, before I return--but don't be
+frightened, I don't propose to drag you to all or any of these,
+if you don't like it.
+
+Mr. Bentley has sketched a very pretty Gothic room for Lord
+Holderness, and orders are gone to execute it directly in
+Yorkshire. The first draught was Mason's; but as he does not
+pretend to much skill, we were desired to correct it. I say we,
+for I chose the ornaments. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+P. S. My Lady Ailesbury has been much diverted, and so will you
+too. Gray is in @their neighbourhood. My Lady Carlisle says,
+"he is extremely like me in his manner." They went a party to
+dine on a cold loaf, and passed the day; Lady A. protests he
+never opened his lips but once, and then only said, "Yes, my
+lady, I believe so."(81)
+
+(81) Gray, in a letter to Dr. Clarke, of the 12th of August,
+says, "For me, I am come to my resting-place, and find it very
+necessary, after living for a month in a house with three women
+that laughed from morning till night, and would allow nothing to
+the sulkiness of my disposition. Company and cards at home,
+parties by land and water abroad, and (what they call) doing
+something, that is, racketting about from morning to night, are
+occupations, I find, that wear out my spirits." Works, vol. iii.
+p. 253.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 33 To Sir Horace Mann.
+
+Arlington Street, July 7, 1760. (page 74)
+
+I shall write you but a short letter myself, because I make your
+brother, who has this moment been here, write to-night with all
+the particulars relating to the machine. The ten guineas are
+included in the sixty; and the ship, which is not yet sailed, is
+insured. My dear child, don't think of making me any excuses
+about employing me; I owe you any trouble sure that I can
+possibly undertake, and do it most gladly; in this one instance I
+was sorry you had pitched upon me, because it was entirely out of
+my sphere, and I could not even judge whether I had served you
+well or not. I am here again waiting for Dagge, whom it is more
+difficult to see than a minister; he disappointed me last time,
+but writ to me afterwards that he would immediately settle the
+affair for poor Sophia.
+
+Quebec, you know, is saved; but our German histories don't go on
+so well as our American. Fouquet is beat, and has lost five out
+of twelve thousand men, after maintaining himself against thirty
+for seven hours--he is grievously wounded, but not prisoner. The
+Russians are pouring on--adieu the King of Prussia, unless Prince
+Ferdinand's battle, of which we have expected news for these four
+days, can turn the scale a little--we have settled that he is so
+great a general, that you must not wonder if We expect that he
+should beat all the world in their turns.
+
+There has been a woful fire at Portsmouth; they say occasioned by
+lightning; the shipping was saved, but vast quantities of stores
+are destroyed.
+
+I shall be more easy about your nephew, since you don't adopt my
+idea; and yet I can't conceive with his gentle nature and your
+good sense but you would have sufficient authority over him. I
+don't know who your initials mean, Ld. F. and Sr. B. But don't
+much signify, but consider by how many years I am removed from
+knowing the rising generation.
+
+I shall some time hence trouble you for some patterns of
+brocadella of two or three colours: it is to furnish a round
+tower that I am adding, with a gallery, to my castle: the
+quantity I shall want will be pretty large; it is to be a
+bedchamber entirely hung bed, and eight armchairs; the dimensions
+thirteen feet high, and twenty-two diameter. Your Bianca Capello
+is to be over the chimney. I shall scarce be ready to hang it
+these two years, because I move gently, and never begin till I
+have the money ready to pay, which don't come very fast, as it is
+always to be saved out of my income, subject, too, to twenty
+other whims and expenses. I only mention it now, that you may at
+your leisure look me out half a dozen patterns; and be so good as
+to let me know the prices. Stosch is not arrived yet as I have
+heard.
+
+Well,--at last, Dagge is come, and tells me I may assure you
+positively that the money will be paid in- two months from this
+time; he has been at Thistlethwait's,(82) which is nineteen miles
+from town, and goes again this week to make him sign a paper, on
+which the parson(82) will pay the money. I shall be happy when
+this is completed to your satisfaction, that is, when your
+goodness is rewarded by being successful; but till it is
+completed, with all Mr. Dagge's assurances, I shall not be easy,
+for those brothers are such creatures, that I shall always expect
+some delay or evasion, when they are to part with money. Adieu!
+
+(82) Brother and heirs of Mr. Whithed, who had changed his name
+for an estate.
+(Transcriber's note: this note really is cited twice in the above
+paragraph.)
+
+
+
+Letter 34 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 19, 1760. (page 75)
+
+Mr. Conway, as I told you, was With me at Oxford, and I returned
+with him to Park-place, and to-day hither. I am sorry you could
+not come to us; we passed four days most agreeably, and I believe
+saw more antique holes and corners than Tom Hearne did in
+threescore years. You know my rage for Oxford; if King's-college
+would not take it ill,. I don't l(now but I should retire
+thither, and profess Jacobitism, that I might enjoy some
+venerable set of chambers. Though the weather has been so
+sultry, I ferreted from morning to night, fatigued that strong
+young lad Lord Beauchamp, and harassed his tutors till they were
+forced to relieve one another.' With all this, I found nothing
+worth seeing, except the colleges themselves, painted glass, and
+a couple of crosiers. Oh, yes! in an old buttery at Christ-
+church I discovered two of the most glorious portraits by Holbein
+in the world. They call them Dutch heads. I took them down,
+washed them myself, and fetched out a thousand beauties. We went
+to Blenheim and saw all Vanbrugh's quarries, all the acts of
+parliament and gazettes on the Duke in inscriptions, and all the
+old flock chairs, wainscot tables, and gowns and petticoats of
+Queen Anne, that old Sarah could crowd among blocks of marble.
+It looks like the palace of an auctioneer, who has-been chosen
+King of Poland, and furnished his apartments with obsolete
+trophies, rubbish that nobody bid for, and a dozen pictures, that
+he had stolen from the inventories of different families. The
+place is as ugly as the house, and the bridge, like the beggars
+at the old Duchess's gate, begs for a drop of water, and is
+refused. We went to Ditchley, which is a good house, well
+furnished, has good portraits, a wretched saloon, and one
+handsome scene behind the house. There are portraits of the
+Litchfield hunt, in true blue frocks, with ermine capes. One of
+the colleges has exerted this loyal pun, and made their east
+window entirely of blue glass. But the greatest pleasure we had,
+was in seeing Sir Charles Cotterel's at Housham; it reinstated
+Kent with me; he has nowhere shown so much taste. The house is
+old, and was bad; he has improved it, stuck as close as he could
+to Gothic, has made a delightful library, and the whole is
+comfortable. The garden is Daphne in little; the sweetest little
+groves, streams, glades, porticoes, cascades, and river,
+imaginable; all the scenes are perfectly classic. Well, if I had
+such a house, such a library, so pretty a place, and so pretty a
+wife, I think I should let King George send to Herenhausen for a
+master of the ceremonies.
+
+Make many compliments to all your family for me; Lord Beauchamp
+was much obliged by your invitation. I shall certainly accept
+it, as I return from the north; in the mean time, find out how
+Drayton and Althorp lie according to your scale. Adieu! Yours
+most sincerely.
+
+
+
+Letter 35 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 20, 1760. (page 76)
+
+I shall be very sorry if I don't see you at Oxford on Tuesday
+next: but what can I say if your Wetenhalls will break into my
+almanack, and take my very day, can I help it! I must own I
+shall be glad if their coach-horse is laid up with the
+fashionable sore throat and fever can you recommend no coachman
+to them like Dr. Wilmot, who will despatch it in three days? If
+I don't see you at Oxford, I don't think I shall at Greatworth
+till my return from the north, which will be about the 20th or
+22d of August. Drayton,(83) be it known to you, is Lady Betty
+Germain's., is in your own county, was the old mansion of the
+Mordaunts, and is crammed with whatever Sir John could get from
+them and the Norfolks. Adieu!
+
+(83) The seat of Sir John Germain, Bart.; by whose will, and that
+of his widow, Lady Betty, his property devolved upon Lord George
+Sackvillc; who, in consequence, assumed, in 1770, the name of
+Germain.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 36 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Arlington Street, Aug. 1, 1760. (page 77)
+
+I came to town to-day on purpose to see Stosch, who has been
+arrived some days; and to offer him all manner, of civilities on
+your account--when indeed they can be of no use to him, for there
+is not a soul in town. There was a wild report last week of the
+plague being in St. Thomas's Hospital, and to be sure Stosch must
+believe there is some truth in it, for there is not a coach to be
+seen, the streets are new paving, and the houses new painting,
+just as it is always at this season. I told him if he had a mind
+to see London, he must go to Huntingdon races, Derby races,
+Stafford races, Warwick races-that is the fashionable route this
+year-alas! I am going part of it; the Duchess of Grafton and Loo
+are going to the Duke of Devonshire's, Lord Gower's, and Lord
+Hertford's; but I shall contrive to arrive after every race is
+over. Stosch delivered me the parcel safe, and I should have
+paid him for your Burgundy, but found company with him, and
+thought it not quite so civil to offer it at the first interview,
+lest it should make him be taken for a wine-merchant. He dines
+with me on Tuesday at Strawberry Hill, when I shall find an
+opportunity. He is going for a few days to Wanstead, and then
+for three months to a clergyman's in Yorkshire, to learn English.
+Apropos, you did not tell me why he comes; is it to sell his
+uncle's collection? Let me know before winter on what foot I
+must introduce him, for I would fain return a few of the thousand
+civilities you have showed at my recommendation.
+
+The hereditary Prince has been beaten, and has beaten, with the
+balance on his side; but though the armies are within a mile of
+one another, I don't think it clear there will be a battle, as we
+may lose much more than we can get. A defeat will cost Hanover
+and Hesse; a victory cannot be vast enough to leave us at liberty
+to assist the King of Prussia. He gave us a little advantage the
+other day; outwitted Daun, and took his camp and magazines, and
+aimed at Dresden; but to-day the siege is raised. Daun sometimes
+misses himself, but never loses himself. It is not the fashion
+to admire him, but for my part, I should think it worth while to
+give the Empress a dozen Wolfes and Dauns, to lay aside the
+cautious Marshal. Apropos to Wolfe, I cannot Imagine what you
+mean by a design executing at Rome for his tomb. The designs
+have been laid before my lord chamberlain several months; Wilton,
+Adam, Chambers, and others, all gave in their drawings
+immediately; and I think the Duke of Devonshire decided for the
+first. Do explain this to me, or get a positive explanation. of
+it-and whether any body is drawing for Adam or Chambers.
+
+Mr. Chute and Mr. Bentley, to whom I showed your accounts of the
+Papa-Portuguese war, were infinitely diverted, as I was too, with
+it. The Portuguese, "who will turn Jews not Protestants," and the
+Pope's confession, "which does more honour to his sincerity than
+to his infallibility," are delightful. I will tell you who will
+neither, turn Jew nor Protestant, Day, nor Methodist, which is
+much more in fashion than either--Monsieur Fuentes will not; he
+has given the Virgin Mary (who he fancies hates public places,
+because he never met her at one,) his honour that he never will
+go to any more. What a charming sort of Spanish Ambassador! I
+wish they always sent us such-the worst they can do, is to buy
+half a dozen converts.
+
+My Lady Lincoln,(84) who was ready to be brought to bed, is dead
+in three hours of convulsions. It has been a fatal year to great
+ladies: within this twelvemonth have gone off Lady Essex, Lady
+Besborough, Lady Granby, Lady Anson, and Lady Lincoln. My Lady
+Coventry is still alive, sometimes at the point of death,
+sometimes recovering. They fixed the spring: now the autumn is
+to be critical for her.
+
+I set out for my Lord Strafford's to-morrow se'nnight, so shall
+not be able to send you any victory this fortnight.
+
+General Clive(85) is arrived all over estates and diamonds. If a
+beggar asks charity, be says, "Friend, I have no small brilliants
+about me."
+
+I forgot to tell you that Stosch was to dine with General
+Guise.(86) The latter has notified to Christ Church, Oxford,
+that in his will he has given them his collection of pictures.
+Adieu!
+
+(84) Catherine, eldest daughter of Henry Pelham, wife of Henry
+Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, afterwards Duke of newcastle.
+
+(85) Afterwards created Lord Clive in Ireland. It is to him that
+we in great measure owe our dominion in India; in the acquisition
+of which he is, however, reproached with having exercised great
+cruelties.-D.
+
+(86) General Guise did leave his collection as he promised; but
+the University employing the son of Bonus, the cleaner of
+pictures, to repair them, he entirely repainted them, and as
+entirely spoiled them.
+
+
+
+Letter 37 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 7, 1760. (page 78)
+
+My dear lord,
+You will laugh, but I am ready to cry, when I tell you that I
+have no notion when I shall be able to wait on you.-Such a
+calamity!--My tower is not fallen down, nor Lady Fanny Shirley
+run away with another printer; nor has my Lady D * * * * insisted
+on living with me as half way to Weybridge. Something more
+disgraceful than all these, and wofully mortifying for a young
+creature, who is at the same time in love with Lady Mary Coke,
+and following the Duchess of Grafton and Loo all over the
+kingdom. In short, my lord, I have got the gout-yes, the gout in
+earnest. I was seized on Monday morning, suffered dismally all
+night, am now wrapped in flannels like the picture of a Morocco
+ambassador, and am carried to bed by two servants. You see
+virtue and leanness are no preservatives. I write this now to
+your lordship, because I think it totally impossible that I
+should be able to set out the day after to-morrow, as I intended.
+The moment I can, I will, but this is a tyrant that will not let
+one name a day. All I know is, that it may abridge my other
+parties, but shall not my stay at Wentworth Castle. The Duke of
+Devonshire was so good as to ask me to be at Chatsworth
+yesterday, but I did not know it time enough. As it happens, I
+must have disappointed him. At present I look like Pam's father
+more than one of his subjects; only one of my legs appears: The
+rest my parti.colour'd robe conceals. Adieu! my dear lord.
+
+
+
+Letter 38To The Hon. H. S/ Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, August 7, 1760. (page 79)
+
+I can give you but an unpleasant account of myself, I mean
+unpleasant for me; every body else I suppose it will make laugh.
+Come, laugh at once! I am laid up with the gout, am an absolute
+cripple, am carried up to bed by two men, and could walk to China
+as soon as cross the room. In short, here is my history: I have
+been out of order this fortnight, without knowing what was the
+matter with me; pains in my head, sicknesses at my stomach,
+dispiritedness, and a return of the nightly fever I had in the
+winter. I concluded a northern journey would take all this off-
+-but, behold! on Monday morning I was seized as I thought with
+the cramp in my left foot; however, I walked about all day:
+towards evening it discovered itself by its true name, and that
+night I suffered a great deal. However, on Tuesday I was -,again
+able to go about the house; but since Tuesday I have not been
+able to stir, and am wrapped in flannels and swathed like Sir
+Paul Pliant on his wedding-night. I expect to hear that there is
+a bet at Arthur's, which runs fastest, Jack Harris(87) or I.
+Nobody would believe me six years ago when I said I had the gout.
+They would do leanness and temperance honours to which they had
+not the least claim.
+
+I don't yet give up my expedition; as my foot is much swelled, I
+trust this alderman distemper is going: I shall set out the
+instant I am able; but I much question whether it will be soon
+enough for me to get to Ragley by the time the clock strikes Loo.
+I find I grow too old to make the circuit with the charming
+Duchess.(88)
+
+I did not tell you about German skirmishes, for I knew nothing of
+them: when two vast armies only scratch one another's faces it
+gives me no attention. My gazette never contains above one or
+two casualties of foreign politics:-overlaid, one king; dead of
+convulsions, an electorate; burnt to death, Dresden.
+
+I wish you joy of all your purchases; why, you sound as rich as
+if you had had the gout these ten years. I beg their pardon; but
+just at present, I am very glad not to be near the vivacity of
+either Missy or Peter. I agree with you much about the
+Minor:(89) there are certainly parts and wit in it. Adieu!
+
+(87) John Harris, of Hayne in Devonshire, married to Mr. Conway's
+eldest sister.
+
+(88) Anne Liddell, Duchess of Grafton.
+
+(89) Foote's comedy of The Minor came out at the Haymarket
+theatre, and, though performed by a young and unpractised
+company, brought full houses for many nights. In the character
+of Mrs. Cole and Mr. Smirk, the author represented those of the
+notorious Mother Douglas, and Mr. Langford, the auctioneer. In
+the epilogue, spoken by Shift, which the author himself
+performed, together with the other two characters, he took off,
+to a degree of exactness, the manner and person of the celebrated
+George Whitfield.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 39 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, August 12, 1760. (page 80)
+
+In what part of the island you are just now, I don't know; flying
+about some where or other, I suppose. Well, it is charming to be
+so young! Here I am, lying upon a couch, wrapped up in flannels,
+with the gout in both feet--oh yes, gout in all the terms. Six
+years ago I had it, and nobody would believe me--now they may
+have proof. My legs are as big as your cousin Guildford's and
+they don't use to be quite so large. I was seized yesterday
+se'nnight; have had little pain in the day, but most
+uncomfortable nights; however, I move about again a little with a
+stick. If either my father or mother had had it, I should not
+dislike it so much. I am bound enough to approve it if descended
+genealogically: but it is an absolute upstart in me, and what is
+more provoking, I had trusted to my great abstinence for keeping
+me from it: but thus it is, if 1 had had any gentlemanlike
+virtue, as patriotism or loyalty, I might have got something by
+them: I had nothing but that beggarly virtue temperance, and she
+had not interest enough to keep me from a fit of the gout.
+Another plague is, that every body that ever knew any body that
+had it, is so good as to come with advice, and direct me how to
+manage it; that is, how to contrive to have it for a great many
+years. I am very refractory; I say to the gout, as great
+personages do to the executioners, "Friend, do your work
+as quick as you can." They tell me of wine to keep it out of my
+stomach; but I will starve temperance itself; I will be virtuous
+indeed--that is, I will stick to virtue, though I find it is not
+its own reward.
+
+This confinement has kept me from Yorkshire; I hope, however, to
+be at Ragley by the 20th, from whence I shall still go to Lord
+Strafford's and by this delay you may possibly be at Greatworth
+by my return, which will be about the beginning of September.
+Write me a line as soon as you receive this; direct it to
+Arlington Street, it will be sent after me. Adieu.
+
+P. S. My tower erects its battlements bravely; my Anecdotes of
+Painting thrive exceedingly: thanks to the gout, that has pinned
+me to my chair: think of Ariel the sprite in a slit shoe!
+
+
+
+
+Letter 40 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.(90)
+Whichnovre, August 23, 1760. (page 81)
+
+ Well, madam, if I had known whither I was coming, I would not
+have come alone! Mr. Conway and your ladyship should have come
+too. Do you know, this is the individual manor-house,(91) where
+married ladies may have a flitch of bacon upon the easiest terms
+in the world? I should have expected that the owners would be
+ruined in satisfying the conditions of the obligation, and that
+the park would be stocked with hogs instead of deer. On the
+contrary, it is thirty years since the flitch was claimed, and
+Mr. Offley was never so near losing one as when you and Mr.
+Conway were at Ragley. He so little expects the demand, that the
+flitch is only hung in effigie over the hall chimney, carved in
+wood. Are not you ashamed, Madam, never to have put in your
+claim? It is above a year and a day that you have been married,
+and I never once heard either of you mention a journey to
+Whichnovre. If you quarrelled at loo every night, you could not
+quit your pretensions with more indifference. I had a great mind
+to take my oath, as one of your witnesses, that you neither of
+you would, if you were at liberty, prefer any body else, ne
+fairer ne fouler, and I could easily get twenty persons to swear
+the same. Therefore, unless you will let the world be convinced,
+that all your apparent harmony is counterfeit, you must set out
+immediately for Mr. Offley's, or at least send me a letter of
+attorney to claim the flitch in your names; and I will send it up
+by the coach, to be left at the Blue Boar, or wherever you will
+have it delivered. But you had better come in person; you will
+see one of the prettiest spots in the world; it is a little
+paradise, and the more like the antique one, as, by all I have
+said, the married couple seems to be driven out of it. The house
+is very indifferent: behind is a pretty park; the situation, a
+brow of a hill commanding sweet meadows, through which the Trent
+serpentizes in numberless windings and branches. The spires of
+the cathedral of Litchfield are in front at a distance, with
+variety of other steeples, seats, and farms, and the horizon
+bounded by rich hills covered with blue woods. If you love a
+prospect, or bacon, you will certainly come hither.
+
+Wentworth Castle, Sunday night.
+
+I had writ thus far yesterday, but had no opportunity of sending
+my letter. I arrived here last night, and found only the Duke of
+Devonshire, who went to Hardwicke this morning: they were down at
+the menagerie, and there was a clean little pullet, with which I
+thought his grace looked as if he should be glad to eat a slice
+of Whichnovre bacon. We follow him to Chatsworth tomorrow, and
+make our entry to the public dinner, to the disagreeableness of
+which I fear even Lady Mary's company will not reconcile me.
+
+My Gothic building, which tiny lord Strafford has executed in the
+menagerie, has a charming effect. There are two bridges built
+besides; but the new front is very little advanced. Adieu,
+Madam!
+
+(90) Daughter of the Duke of Argyle, first married to the Earl of
+Ailesbury, and afterwards to the Hon. H. S. Conway.
+
+(91) Of Whichnovre, near Litchfield. Sir Philip de Somerville,
+in the 10th of Edward III., held the manor of Whichnovre, etc. of
+the Earls of Lancaster, lords of the honour of Tutbury, upon two
+small fees, but also upon condition of his keeping ready
+"arrayed, at all time of the year but Lent, one bacon flyke
+hanging in his hall at Whichnovre, to be given to every man or
+woman who demanded it a year and a day after the marriage upon
+their swearing they would not have changed for none other, fairer
+nor fouler, richer nor poorer, nor for no other descended of a
+great lineage, sleeping nor waking, at no time," etc.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 41 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Chatsworth, Aug. 28, 1760. (page 82)
+
+I am a great way out of the world, and yet enough in the way of
+news to send you a good deal. I have been here but two or three
+days, and it has rained expresses. The most important
+intelligence I can give you is that I was stopped from coming
+into the north for ten days by a fit of the gout in both feet,
+but as I have a tolerable quantity of resolution, I am now
+running about with the children and climbing hills--and I intend
+to have only just as much of this wholesome evil as shall carry
+me to a hundred. The next point of consequence is, that the Duke
+of Cumberland has had a stroke of the palsy-- As his courage is
+at least equal to mine, he makes nothing of it; but being above
+an inch more in the girth than I am, he is not Yet arrived at
+skipping about the house. In truth, his case is melancholy: the
+humours that have fallen upon the wound in his leg have kept him
+lately from all exercise-. as he used much, and is so corpulent,
+this must have bad consequences. Can one but pity him? A hero,
+reduced by injustice to crowd all his fame into the supporting
+bodily ills, and to looking upon the approach of a lingering
+death with fortitude, is a real object of compassion. How he
+must envy, what I am sure I don't, his cousin of Prussia risking
+his life every hour against Cossacks and Russians! Well! but this
+risker has scrambled another victory: he has beat that pert
+pretender Laudon(92)--yet it looks to me as if he was but new
+gilding his coffin; the undertaker Daun will, I fear, still have
+the burying of him!
+
+I received here your letter of the 9th, and am glad Dr. Perelli
+so far justifies Sisson as to disculpate me. I trust I shall
+execute Sophia's business better.
+
+Stosch dined with me at Strawberry before I set out. He is a
+very rational creature. I return homewards to-morrow; my
+campaigns are never very long; I have great curiosity for seeing
+places, but I despatch it soon, and am always impatient to be
+back with my own Woden and Thor, my own Gothic Lares. While the
+lords and ladies are at skittles, I just found a moment to write
+you a line. Adieu!
+
+Arlington Street, Sept. 1.
+
+I had no opportunity of sending my letter to the secretary's
+office, so brought it myself. You will see in the Gazette
+another little victory of a Captain Byron over a whole diminutive
+French squadron. Stosch has had a fever. He is now going to
+establish himself at Salisbury.
+
+(92) This was the battle of Licgnitz, fought on the 15th of
+August, 1760, and in which the King of Prussia signally defeated
+the Austrians under Marshal Laudon, and thereby saved Silesia.-D.
+
+
+
+Letter 42 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, September 1, 1760. (page 83)
+
+I was disappointed at your not being at home as I returned from
+my expedition; and now I fear it must be another year before I
+see Greatworth, as I have two or three more engagements on my
+books for the residue of this season. I go next week to Lord
+Waldegrave, and afterwards to George Selwyn, and shall return by
+Bath, which I have never yet seen. Will not you and the general
+come to Strawberry in October?
+
+Thank you for your lamentations on my gout; it was, in proportion
+to my size, very slender--my feet are again as small as ever they
+were. When I had what I called big shoes, I could have danced a
+minuet on a silver penny.
+
+My tour has been extremely agreeable. I set out with winning a
+good deal at loo at Ragley; the Duke of Grafton was not so
+successful. and had some high words with Pam. I went from thence
+to Offley's at Whichnovre, the individual manor of the flitch of
+bacon, which has been growing rusty for these thirty years in his
+hall. I don't wonder; I have no notion that one could keep in
+good humour with one's wife for a year and a day, unless one was
+to live on the very spot, which is one of the sweetest scenes I
+ever saw. It is the brink of a high hill; the Trent wriggles
+through at the foot; Litchfield and twenty other churches and
+mansions decorate the view. Mr. Anson has bought an estate close
+by, whence my lord used to cast many a wishful eye, though
+without the least pretensions even to a bit of lard.
+
+I saw Litchfield cathedral, which has been rich, but my friend
+Lord Brook and his soldiery treated poor St. Chadd(93) with so
+little ceremony, that it is in a most naked condition. In a
+niche ,it the very summit they have crowded a statue of Charles
+the Second, with a special pair of shoo-strings, big enough for a
+weathercock. As I went to Lord Strafford's I passed through
+Sheffield, which is one of the foulest towns in England in the
+most charming situation there are two-and-twenty thousand
+inhabitants making knives and scissors; they remit eleven
+thousand pounds a week to London. One man there has discovered
+the art of plating copper with silver; I bought a pair of
+candlesticks for two guineas that are quite pretty. Lord
+Strafford has erected the little Gothic building, which I got Mr.
+Bentley to draw; I took the idea from Chichester-cross. It
+stands on a high bank in the menagerie, between a pond and a
+vale, totally bowered over with oaks. I went with the Straffords
+to Chatsworth, and stayed there four days; there were Lady Mary
+Coke, Lord Besborough and his daughters, Lord Thomond, Mr.
+Boufoy, the Duke, the old Duchess,(94) and two of his brothers.
+Would you believe that nothing was ever better humoured than the
+ancient grace? She stayed every evening till it was dark in the
+skittle-ground, keeping the score: and one night, that the
+servants had a ball for Lady Dorothy'S(95) birthday, we fetched
+the fiddler into the drawing-room, and the dowager herself danced
+with us! I never was more disappointed than at Chatsworth, which,
+ever since I was born, I have condemned. It is a glorious
+situation; the vale rich in corn and verdure, vast woods hang
+down the hills, which are green to the top, and the immense rocks
+only serve to dignify the prospect. The river runs before the
+door, and serpentizes more than you can conceive in the vale.
+The duke is widening it, and will make it the middle of his park;
+but I don't approve an idea they are going to execute, of a fine
+bridge with statues under a noble cliff. If they will have a
+bridge (which by the way will crowd the scene), it should be
+composed of rude fragments, such as the giant of the Peak would
+step upon, that he might not be wet-shod. The expense of the
+works now carrying on will amount to forty thousand pounds. A
+heavy quadrangle of stables is part of the plan,. is very
+cumbrous, and standing higher than the house, is ready to
+overwhelm it. The principal front of the house is beautiful, and
+executed with the neatness of wrought-plate; the inside is most
+sumptuous, but did not please me; the heathen gods, goddesses,
+Christian virtues, and allegoric gentlefolks, are crowded into
+every room, as if Mrs. Holman had been in heaven and invited
+every body she saw. The great apartment is first; painted
+ceilings, inlaid floors, and unpainted wainscots make every room
+sombre. The tapestries are fine, but, not fine enough, and there
+are few portraits. The chapel is charming. The great jet d'eau
+I like, nor would I remove it; whatever is magnificent of the
+kind in the time it was done, I would retain,
+else all gardens and houses wear a tiresome resemblance. I
+except that absurdity of a cascade tumbling down marble steps,
+which reduces the steps to be of no use at all. I saw
+Haddon,(96) an abandoned old castle of the Rutlands, in a
+romantic situation, but which never could have composed a
+tolerable dwelling. The Duke sent Lord John with me to
+Hardwicke, where I was again disappointed; but I will not take
+relations from others; they either don't see for themselves, or
+can't see for me. How I had been promised that I should be
+charmed with Hardwicke, and told that the Devonshires ought to
+have established there! never was I less charmed in my life. The
+house is not Gothic, but of that betweenity, that intervened when
+Gothic declined and Palladian was creeping in--rather, this is
+totally naked of either. It has vast chambers--aye, vast, such
+as the nobility of that time delighted in, and did not know how
+to furnish. The great apartment is exactly what it was when the
+Queen of @Scots was kept there. Her council-chamber, the
+council-chamber of a poor woman, who had only two secretaries, a
+gentleman usher, an apothecary, a confessor, and three maids, is
+so outrageously spacious, that you would take it for King
+David's, who thought, contrary to all modern experience, that in
+the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom. At the upper
+end is the state, with a long table, covered with a sumptuous
+cloth, embroidered and embossed with gold, -at least what was
+gold: so are all the tables. Round the top of the chamber runs a
+monstrous frieze, ten or twelve feet deep, representing
+stag-hunting in miserable plastered relief. The next is her
+dressing-room, hung with patchwork on black velvet; then her
+state bedchamber. The bed has been rich beyond description, and
+now hangs in costly golden tatters. The hangings, part of which
+they say her Majesty worked, are composed of figures as large as
+life, sewed and embroidered on black velvet, white satin, etc.
+and represent the virtues that were necessary for her, or that
+she was forced to have, as patience and temperance, etc. The
+fire-screens are particular; pieces of yellow velvet, fringed
+with gold, hang on a cross-bar of wood, which is fixed on the top
+of a single stick, that rises from the foot. The only furniture
+which has any appearance of taste are the table and cabinets,
+which are all of oak, richly carved. There is a privata chamber
+within, where she lay, her arms and style over the door; the
+arras hangs over all the doors; the gallery is sixty yards long,
+covered with bad tapestry, and wretched pictures of Mary herself,
+Elizabeth in a gown of sea-monsters, Lord Darnley, James the
+Fifth and his Queen, curious, and a whole history of Kings of
+England, not worth sixpence apiece. There is an original of old
+Bess(97) of Hardwicke herself, who built the house. Her estates
+were then reckoned at sixty thousand pounds a-year, and now let
+for two hundred thousand pounds. Lord John Cavendish told me,
+that the tradition in the family was that it had been prophesied
+to her that she should never die as long as she was building; and
+that at last she died in a hard frost, when the labourers could
+not work. There is a fine bank of old oaks in the park over a
+lake; nothing else pleased me there. However, I was so diverted
+with this old beldam and her magnificence, that I made this
+epitaph for her:
+
+Four times the nuptial bed she warm'd,
+And every time so well perform'd,
+That when death spoil'd each husband's billing,
+He left the widow every shilling.
+Fond was the dame, but not dejected;
+Five stately mansions she erected
+With more than royal pomp, to vary
+The prison of her captive
+When Hardwicke's towers shall bow their head,
+Nor mass be more in Worksop said;
+When Bolsover's fair fame shall tend,
+Like Olcotes, to its mouldering end;
+When Chatsworth tastes no Can'dish bounties,
+Let fame forget this costly countess.
+
+As I returned, I saw Newstead and Althorpe: I like both. The
+former is the very abbey.(98) The great east window(99) of the
+church remains, and connects with the house; the hall entire, the
+refectory entire, the cloister untouched, with the ancient
+cistern of the convent, and their arms on it; a private chapel
+quite perfect. The park, which is still charming, has not been
+so much unprofaned; the present lord has lost large sums, and
+paid part in old oaks, five thousand pounds of which have been
+cut near the house. In recompense he has built two baby forts,
+to pay his country in castles for the damage done to the navy,
+and planted a handful of Scotch firs, that look like plough-boys
+dressed in old family liveries for a public day. In the hall is
+a very good collection of pictures, all animals; the refectory,
+now the great-drawing-room, is full of Byrons; the vaulted roof
+remaining, but the windows have new dresses making for them by a
+Venetian tailor.(100) Althorpe(101) has several very fine
+pictures by the best Italian hands, and a gallery of all one's
+acquaintance by Vandyke and Lely. I wonder you never saw it; it
+is but six miles from Northampton. Well, good night; I have writ
+you such a volume, that you see I am forced to page it. The Duke
+has had a stroke of the palsy, but is quite recovered, except in
+some letters, which he cannot pronounce; and it is still visible
+in the contraction of one side of his mouth. My compliments to
+your family.
+
+(93) The patron saint Of the town. The imagery and carved work
+on the front of the cathedral was much injured in 1641. The
+cross upon the west window is said to have been frequently aimed
+at by Cromwell's soldiery.-E.
+
+(94) Daughter of John Hoskins, Esq. and widow of William the
+third Duke of Devonshire.
+
+(95) Afterwards Duchess of Portland.
+
+(96) Anciently the seat of the Vernons. Sir George Vernon, in
+Queen Elizabeth's time, was styled King of the Peak," and the
+property came into the Manners family by his daughter marrying
+Thomas, son of the first Earl of Rutland.-E.
+
+(97) She was daughter of John Hardwicke, of Hardwicke in
+Derbyshire. Her first husband was Robert Barley, Esq. who
+settled his large estate on her and hers. She married, secondly,
+Sir William Cavendish; her third husband was Sir William St. Lo;
+and her fourth was George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, whose
+daughter, Lady Grace, married her son by Sir William Cavendish.
+
+(98) Evelyn, who visited Newstead in 1654, says of it:--"It is
+situated much like Fontainbleau, in France, capable of being made
+a noble seat, accommodated as it is with brave woods and streams;
+it has yet remaining the front of a glorious abbey church." Lord
+Byron thus beautifully describes the family seat, in the
+thirteenth canto of Don Juan:
+
+"An old, old monastery once, and now
+Still older mansion-of a rich and rare
+Mix'd Gothic, much as artists all allow
+Few specimens yet left us can compare.
+
+"Before the mansion lay a lucid lake,
+Broad as transparent, deep, and freshly fed
+By a river, which its soften'd way did take
+In currents through the calmer water spread
+Around: the wildfowl nestled in the brake
+And sedges, brooding in their liquid bed:
+The woods sloped downwards to its brink, and stood
+With their green faces fix'd upon the flood."-E.
+
+(99) A mighty window, hollow in the centre,
+Shorn of its glass of thousand colourings,
+Through which the deepen'd glories once could enter,
+Streaming from off the sun like seraph's wings,
+Now yawns all desolate."-E.
+
+(100) "----The cloisters still were stable,
+The cells, too, and refectory, I ween:
+An exquisite small chapel had been able
+Still unimpaired to decorate the scene
+The rest had been reform'd, replaced, or sunk,
+And spoke more of the baron than the monk."-E.
+
+(101) The seat of Earl Spencer.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 43 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 4, 1760. (87)
+
+My dear lord,
+You ordered me to tell you how I liked Hardwicke. To say the
+truth, not exceedingly. The bank of oaks over the ponds is fine,
+and the vast lawn behind the house: I saw nothing else that is
+superior to the common run of parks. For the house, it did not
+please me at all; there is no grace, no ornament, no Gothic in
+it. I was glad to see the style of furniture of that age; and my
+imagination helped me to like the apartment of the Queen of
+Scots. Had it been the chateau of a Duchess of Brunswick, on
+which they had exhausted the revenues of some centuries, I don't
+think I should have admired it at all. In short, Hardwicke
+disappointed me as much as Chatsworth surpassed my expectation.
+There is a richness and vivacity of prospect in the latter; in
+the former, nothing but triste grandeur.
+
+Newstead delighted me. There is grace and Gothic indeed--good
+chambers and a comfortable house. The monks formerly were the
+only sensible people that had really good mansions.(102) I saw
+Althorpe too, and liked it very well: the pictures are fine. In
+the gallery I found myself quite at home; and surprised the
+housekeeper by my familiarity with the portraits.
+
+I hope you have read Prince Ferdinand's thanksgiving, where he
+has made out a victory by the excess of his praises. I supped at
+Mr. Conway's t'other night with Miss West'(103) and we diverted
+ourselves with the encomiums on her Colonel Johnston. Lady
+Ailesbury told her, that to be sure next winter she would burn
+nothing but laurel-faggots. Don't you like Prince Ferdinand's
+being so tired with thanking, that at last he is forced to turn
+God over to be thanked by the officers?
+
+In London there is a more cruel campaign than that waged by the
+Russians: the streets are a very picture of the murder of the
+innocents--one drives over nothing but poor dead dogs!(104) The
+dear, good-natured, honest, sensible creatures! Christ! how can
+anybody hurt them? Nobody could but those Cherokees the English,
+who desire no better than to be halloo'd to blood:--one day
+Admiral Byng, the next Lord George Sackville, and to-day the poor
+dogs!
+
+I cannot help telling your lordship how I was diverted the night
+I returned hither. I was sitting with Mrs. Clive, her sister and
+brother, in the bench near the road at the end of her long walk.
+We heard a violent scolding; and looking out, saw a pretty woman
+standing by a high chaise, in which was a young fellow, and a
+coachman riding by. The damsel had lost her hat, her cap, her
+cloak, her temper, and her senses; and was more drunk and more
+angry than you can conceive. Whatever the young man had or had
+not done to her. she would not ride in the chaise with him, but
+stood cursing and swearing in the most outrageous style: and when
+she had vented all the oaths she could think of, she at last
+wished perfidion might seize him. You may imagine how we
+laughed. The fair intoxicate turned round, and cried "I am
+laughed at!--Who is it!--What, Mrs. Clive? Kitty Clive?--No:
+Kitty Clive would never behave so!" I wish you could have seen
+My neighbour's confusion. She certainly did not grow paler than
+ordinary. I laugh now while I repeat it to you.
+
+I have told Mr. Bentley the great honour you have done him, my
+lord. He is happy the Temple succeeds to please you.
+
+(102) "----It lies perhaps a little low, Because the monks
+preferred a hill behind To shelter their devotion from the wind."
+Byron.-E.
+
+(103) Lady Henrietta-Cecilia, eldest daughter of John, afterwards
+Lord de la Warr. In 1763, she was married to General James
+West.-E.
+
+(104) In the summer of this year the dread of mad dogs' raged
+like an epidemic: the periodical publications of the time being
+filled with little else of domestic interest than the squabbles
+of the dog-lovers and dog-haters. The Common Council of London,
+at a meeting on the @6th August, issued an order for killing all
+dogs found in the street., or highways after the 27th, and
+offered a reward of two shillings for every dog that should be
+killed and buried in the skin. In Goldsmith's Citizen of the
+World there is an amusing paper in which he ridicules the fear of
+mad dogs as one of those epidemic terrors to which our countrymen
+are occasionally prone.-E.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 44 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, September 19, 1760. (page 88)
+
+thank you for your notice, though I should certainly have
+contrived to see you without it. Your brother promised he would
+come and dine here one day with you and Lord Beauchamp. I go to
+Navestock on Monday, for two or three days; but that Will not
+exhaust your waiting.(105) I shall be in town on Sunday; but- as
+that is a court-day, I will not--so don't propose it--dine with
+you at Kensington; but I will be with my Lady Hertford about six,
+where your brother and you will find me if you please. I cannot
+come to Kensington in the evening, for I have but one pair of
+horses in the world, and they will have to carry me to town in
+the morning.
+
+I wonder the King expects a battle; when Prince Ferdinand can do
+as well without fighting, why should he fight? Can't he make the
+hereditary Prince gallop into a mob of Frenchmen, and get a
+scratch on the nose; and Johnson straddle across a river and come
+back with six heads of hussars in his fob, and then can't he
+thank all the world, and assure them he shall never forget the
+victory they have not gained? These thanks are sent over: the
+Gazette swears that this no-success was chiefly owing to General
+Mostyn; and the Chronicle protests, that it was achieved by my
+Lord Granby's losing his hat, which he never wears; and then his
+lordship sends over for three hundred thousand pints of porter to
+drink his own health; and then Mr. Pitt determines to carry on
+the war for another year; and then the Duke of Newcastle hopes
+that we shall be beat, that he may lay the blame on Mr. Pitt, and
+that then he shall be minister for thirty years longer; and then
+we shall be the greatest nation in the universe. Amen! My dear
+Harry, you see how easy it is to be a hero. If you had but taken
+impudence and Oatlands in your way to Rochfort, it would not have
+signified whether you had taken Rochfort or not. Adieu! I don't
+know who Lady Ailesbury's Mr. Alexander is. If she curls like a
+vine with any Mr. Alexander but you, I hope my Lady Coventry will
+recover and be your Roxana.
+
+(105) Mr. Conway, as groom of the bedchamber to the King, was
+then in waiting at Kensington.
+
+
+
+Letter 45 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill. (page 89)
+
+You are good for nothing; you have no engagement, you have no
+principles; and all this I am not afraid to tell you,. as you
+have left your sword behind you. If you take it ill, I have
+given my nephew, who brings your sword, a letter of attorney to
+fight you for me; I shall certainly not see you: my Lady
+Waldegrave goes to town on Friday, but I remain here. You lose
+Lady Anne Connolly and her forty daughters, who all dine here
+to-day upon a few loaves and three small fishes. I should have
+been glad if you would have breakfasted here on Friday on your
+way; but as I lie in bed rather longer than the lark, I fear our
+hours would not suit one another. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 46 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, October 2, 1760. (page 90)
+
+I announce my Lady Huntingtower(106) to you. I hope you will
+approve the match a little more than I Suppose my Lord Dysart
+will, as he does not yet know, though they have been married
+these two hours, that, at ten o'clock this morning, his son
+espoused my niece Charlotte at St. James's church. The moment
+my Lord Dysart is dead, I will carry you to see the Ham-house;
+it is pleasant to call cousins with a charming prospect over
+against one. Now you want to know the detail: there was none.
+It is not the style of Our Court to have long negotiations; we
+don't fatigue the town with exhibiting the betrothed for six
+months together in public places. Vidit, venit, vicit;--the
+young lord has liked her some time; on Saturday se'nnight He
+came to my brother, and made his demand. The princess did not
+know him by sight, and did not dislike him when she did; she
+consented. and they were married this morning. My Lord Dysart
+is such a - that nobody will pity him; he has kept his son till
+six-and-twenty, and would never make the least settlement on
+him; "Sure," said the young man, "if he will do nothing for me,
+I may please myself; he cannot hinder me of ten thousand pounds
+a-year, and sixty thousand that are in the funds, all entailed
+on me"--a reversion one does not wonder the bride did not
+refuse, as there is present possession too of a very handsome
+person; the only thing his father has ever given him. His
+grandfather, Lord Granville, has always told him to choose a
+gentlewoman, and please himself; yet I should think the ladies
+Townshend and Cooper would cackle a little.
+
+I wish you could have come here this October for more reasons
+than one. The Teddingtonian history is grown wofully bad.
+Mark Antony, though no boy, persists in losing the world two or
+three times over for every gipsy that be takes for a Cleopatra.
+I have laughed, been scolded, represented, begged, and at last
+spoken very roundly--all with equal success; at present we do
+not meet. I must convince him of ill usage, before I can make
+good usage of any service. All I have done is forgot, because
+I will not be enamoured of Hannah Cleopatra too. You shall
+know the whole history when I see you; you may trust me for
+still being kind to him; but that he must not as yet suspect;
+they are bent on going to London, that she may visit and be
+visited, while he puts on his red velvet and ermine, and goes
+about begging in robes.
+
+Poor Mr. Chute has had another very severe fit of the gout; I
+left him in bed, but by not hearing he is worse, trust on
+Saturday to find him mended. Adieu!
+
+(106) Charlotte, third daughter of Sir Edward Walpole, and
+sister to Lady Waldegrave, and to Mrs. Keppel.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 47 To Sir Horace Mann.
+Arlington Street, Oct. 5, 1760. Page 91)
+
+I am afraid you will turn me off from being your gazetteer. Do
+you know that I came to town to-day by accident, and was here
+four hours before I heard that Montreal was taken? The express
+came early this morning. I am so posthumous in my intelligence,
+that you must not expect any intelligence from me--but the same
+post that brings you this, will convey the extraordinary gazette,
+which of late is become the register of the Temple of Fame. All
+I know is, that the bonfires and squibs are drinking General
+Amherst's(107) health.
+
+Within these two days Fame and the Gazette have laid another egg;
+I wish they may hatch it themselves! but it is one of that
+unlucky hue which has so often been addled; in short, behold
+another secret expedition. It was notified on Friday, and
+departs in a fortnight. Lord Albemarle, it is believed, will
+command it. One is sure at least that it cannot be to America,
+for we have taken it all. The conquest of Montreal may perhaps
+serve in full of all accounts, as I suspect a little that this
+new plan was designed to amuse the City of London at the
+beginning of the session, who would not like to have wasted so
+many millions on this campaign, without any destruction of friend
+or foe.(108) Now, a secret expedition may at least furnish a
+court-martial, and the citizens love persecution even better than
+their money. A general or in admiral to be mobbed either by
+their applause or their hisses, is all they desire.-Poor Lord
+Albemarle!
+
+The charming Countess(109) is dead at last; and as if the whole
+history of both sisters was to be extraordinary, the Duchess of
+Hamilton is in a consumption too, and going abroad directly.
+Perhaps you may see the remains of these prodigies, you will see
+but little remains; her features were never so beautiful as Lady
+Coventry's, and she has long been changed, though not yet I think
+above six-and-twenty. The other was but twenty-seven.
+
+As all the great ladies are mortal this year, my family is forced
+to recruit the peerage. My brother's last daughter is married;
+and, as Biddy Tipkin(110) says, though their story is too short
+for a romance, it will make a very pretty novel--nay, it is
+almost brief enough for a play, and very near comes within one of
+the unities, the space of four-and-twenty hours. There is in the
+world, particularly in my world, for he lives directly over
+against me across the water, a strange brute called Earl of
+Dysart.(111) Don't be frightened, it is not he. His son, Lord
+Huntingtower, to whom he gives but four hundred pounds a year, is
+a comely young gentleman of twenty-six, who has often had
+thoughts of trying whether his father would not like
+grandchildren better than his own children, as sometimes people
+have more grand-tenderness than paternal. All the answer he
+could ever get was, that the Earl could not afford, as he has
+five younger children, to make any settlement, but he offered, as
+a proof of his inability and kindness, to lend his son a large
+sum of money at low interest. This indigent usurer has thirteen
+thousand pounds a year, and sixty thousand pounds in the funds.
+The money and ten of the thirteen thousand in land are entailed
+on Lord Huntingtower. The young lord, it seems, has been in love
+with Charlotte for some months, but thought so little of
+inflaming her, that yesterday fortnight she did not know him by
+sight. On that day he came and proposed himself to my brother,
+who with much surprise heard his story, but excused himself from
+giving an answer. He said, he would never force the inclinations
+of his children; he did not believe his daughter had any
+engagement or attachment, but she might have: he would send for
+her and know her mind. She was at her sister Waldegrave's, to
+whom, on receiving the notification, she said very sensibly, "if
+I was but nineteen, I would refuse pointblank; I do not like to
+be married in a week to a man I never saw. But I am
+two-and-twenty; some people say I am handsome, some say I am not;
+I believe the truth is, I am likely to be at large and to go off
+soon-it is dangerous to refuse so great a match." Take notice of
+the married in a week; the love that was so many months in
+ripening, could not stay above a week. She came and saw this
+impetuous lover, and I believe was glad she had not refused
+pointblank-for they were married last Thursday. I tremble a
+little for the poor girl; not to mention the oddness of the
+father, and twenty disagreeable things that may be in the young
+man, who has been kept and lived entirely out of the world; @
+takes her fortune, ten thousand pounds, and cannot settle another
+shilling upon her till his father dies, and then promises Only a
+thousand a year. Would one venture one's happiness and one's
+whole fortune for the chance of being Lady Dysart?@if Lord
+Huntingtower dies before his father, she will not have sixpence.
+Sure my brother has risked too much!
+
+Stosch, who is settled at Salisbury, has writ to me to recommend
+him to somebody or other as a travelling governor or companion.
+I would if I knew any body: but who travels now? He says you
+have notified his intention to me-so far from it, I have not
+heard from you this age: I never was SO long without a letter-
+-but you don't take Montreals and Canadas every now and then.
+You repose like the warriors in Germany-at least I hope so--I
+trust no ill health has occasioned your silence. Adieu!
+
+(107) General Sir Jeffrey Amherst distinguished himself in the
+war with the French in America. He was subsequently created a
+peer, and made commander-in-chief.-D.
+
+(108) The large armament, intended for a secret expedition and
+collected at Portsmouth, was detained there the whole summer, but
+the design was laid aside.-E.
+
+(109) Maria Gunning, Countess of Coventry.
+
+(110) In Steele's "Tender Husband"
+
+(111) Lionel Tolmache, Earl of Dysart, lived at Ham House, over
+against Twickenham.
+
+
+
+Letter 48 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 14, 1760. (page 92)
+
+If you should see in the newspapers, that I have offered to raise
+a regiment at Twickenham, am going with the expedition, and have
+actually kissed hands, don't believe it; though I own, the two
+first would not be more surprising than the last. I will tell
+you how the calamity befell me, though you will laugh instead of
+pitying me. Last Friday morning, I was very tranquilly writing
+my Anecdotes of Painting,--I heard the bell at the gate ring--I
+called out, as usual, "Not at home;" but Harry, who thought it
+would be treason to tell a lie, when he saw red liveries, owned I
+was, and came running up: "Sir, the Prince of Wales is at the
+door, and says he is come on purpose to make you a visit!" There
+was I, in the utmost confusion, undressed, in my slippers, and my
+hair about my ears; there was no help, insanunt vetem aspiciet-
+-and down I went to receive him. Him was the Duke of York.
+Behold my breeding of the old court; at the foot of the stairs I
+kneeled down, and kissed his hand. I beg your uncle Algernon
+Sidney's pardon, but I could not let the second Prince of the
+blood kiss my hand first. He was, as he always is, extremely
+good-humoured; and I, as I am not always, extremely respectful.
+He stayed two hours, nobody with him but Morrison; I showed him
+all my castle, the pictures of the Pretender's sons, and that
+type of the Reformation, Harry the Eighth's ----, moulded into a
+to the clock he gave Anne Boleyn. - But observe my luck; he would
+have the sanctum sanctorum in the library opened: about a month
+ago I removed the MSS. in another place. All this is very well;
+but now for the consequences; what was I to do next? I have not
+been in a court these ten years, consequently have never kissed
+hands in the next reign. Could I let a Duke of York visit me,
+and never go to thank him? I know, if I was a great poet, I might
+be so brutal, and tell the world in rhyme that rudeness is
+virtue; or, if I was a patriot, I might, after laughing at Kings
+and Princes for twenty years, catch at the first opening of
+favour and beg a place. In truth, I can do neither; yet I could
+not be shocking; I determined to go to Leicester-house, and
+comforted myself that it was not much less meritorious to go
+there for nothing, than to stay quite away; yet I believe I must
+make a pilgrimage to Saint Liberty of Geneva, before I am
+perfectly purified, especially as I am dipped even at St.
+James's. Lord Hertford, at my request, begged my Lady Yarmouth
+to get an order for my Lady Henry to go through the park, and the
+countess said so many civil things about me and my suit, and
+granted it so expeditiously, that I shall be forced to visit,
+even before she lives here next door to my Lady Suffolk. My
+servants are transported; Harry expects to see me first minister,
+like my father, and reckons upon a place in the Custom-house..
+Louis, who drinks like a German, thinks himself qualified for a
+page of the back stairs--but these are not all my troubles. As I
+never dress in summer, I had nothing upon earth but a frock,
+unless I went in black, like a poet, and pretended that a cousin
+was dead, one of the muses. Then I was in panics lest I should
+call my Lord Bute, your Royal Highness. I was not indeed in much
+pain at the conjectures the Duke of Newcastle would make on such
+an apparition, even if he should suspect that a new opposition
+was on foot, and that I was to write some letters to the Whigs.
+
+Well, but after all, do you know that my calamity has not
+befallen me yet? I could not determine to bounce over head and
+ears into the drawing-room at once, without one soul knowing why
+I cane thither. I went to London on Saturday night, and Lord
+Hertford was to carry me the next Morning; in the meantime I
+wrote to Morrison, explaining my gratitude to one brother, and my
+unacquaintance with t'other, and how afraid I was that it would
+be thought officious and forward if I was presented now, and
+begging he would advise me what to do; and all this upon my
+bended knee, as if Schutz had stood over me and dictated every
+syllable. The answer was by order from the Duke of York, that he
+smiled at my distress, wished to put me to no inconvenience, but
+desired, that as the acquaintance had begun without restraint, it
+might continue without ceremony. Now I was in more perplexity
+than ever! I could not go directly, and yet it was not fit it
+should be said I thought it an inconvenience to wait on the
+Prince of Wales. At present it is decided by a jury of court
+matrons, that is, courtiers, that I must write to my Lord Bute
+and explain the whole, and why I desire to come now--don't fear;
+I will take care they shall understand how little I come for. In
+the mean time, you see it is my fault if I am not a favourite,
+but alas! I am not heavy enough to be tossed in a blanket, like
+Doddington; I should never come down again; I cannot be driven in
+a royal curricle to wells and waters: I can't make love now to my
+contemporary Charlotte Dives; I cannot quit Mufti and my
+parroquet for Sir William Irby,(112) and the prattle of a
+drawing-room, nor Mrs. Clive for Aelia Lalia Chudleigh; in short,
+I could give up nothing but an Earldom of EglingtOn; and yet I
+foresee, that this phantom of the reversion of a reversion will
+make me plagued; I shall have Lord Egmont whisper me again; and
+every tall woman and strong man, that comes to town, will make
+interest with me to get the Duke of York to come and see them.
+Oh! dreadful, dreadful! It is plain I never was a patriot, for I
+don't find my virtue a bit staggered by this first glimpse of
+court sunshine.
+
+Mr. Conway has pressed to command the new Quixotism on foot, and
+has been refused; I sing a very comfortable te Deum for it.
+Kingsley, Craufurd, and Keppel, are the generals, and Commodore
+Keppel the admiral. The mob are sure of being pleased; they will
+get a conquest, or a court-martial. A very unpleasant thing has
+happened to the Keppels; the youngest brother, who had run in
+debt at Gibraltar, and was fetched away to be sent to Germany,
+gave them the slip at the first port they touched at in Spain,
+surrendered himself to the Spanish governor, has changed his
+religion, and sent for a ---- that had been taken from him at
+Gibraltar; naturam expellas fure`a. There's the true blood of
+Charles the Second sacrificing every thing for popery and a
+bunter.
+
+Lord Bolingbroke, on hearing the name of Lady Coventry at
+Newmarket, affected to burst into tears, and left the room, not
+to hide his crying, but his not crying.
+
+Draper has handsomely offered to go on the expedition, and goes.
+
+Ned Finch, t'other day, on the conquest of Montreal, wished the
+King joy of having lost no subjects, but those that perished in
+the rabbits. Fitzroy asked him if he thought they crossed the
+great American lakes in such little boats as one goes to
+Vauxhall? he replied, "Yes, Mr. Pitt said the rabbits"--it was
+in the falls, the rapids.
+
+I like Lord John almost as well as Fred. Montagu; and I like your
+letter better than Lord John; the application of Miss Falkener
+was charming. Good night.
+
+P. S. If I had been told in June, that I should have the gout,
+and kiss hands before November, I don't think I should have given
+much credit to the prophet.
+
+(112) In 1761, created Baron Boston.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 49 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street. October 25, 1760. (page 95)
+I tell a lie: I am at Mr. Chute's.
+
+Was ever so agreeable a man as King George the Second, to die the
+very day it was necessary to save me from a ridicule? I was to
+have kissed hands to-morrow-but you will not care a farthing
+about that now; so I must tell you all I know of departed
+majesty. He went to bed well last night, rose at six this
+morning as usual, looked, I suppose, if all his money was in his
+purse, and called for his chocolate. A little after seven, he
+went into the water-closet; the German valet de chambre heard a
+noise, listened, heard something like a groan, ran in, and found
+the hero of Oudenarde and Dettingen on the floor, with a gash on
+his right temple, by falling against the corner of a bureau. He
+tried to speak, could not, and expired. Princess Emily was
+called, found him dead, and wrote to the Prince. I know not a
+syllable, but am come to see and hear as much as I can. I fear
+you will cry and roar all night, but one could not keep it from
+you. For my part, like a new courtier, I comfort myself,
+considering what a gracious Prince comes next. Behold my luck.
+I wrote to Lord Bute, just in all the unexpecteds, want Of
+ambition, disinteresteds, etc. that I could amass, gilded with as
+much duty affection, zeal, etc. as possible, received a very
+gracious and sensible answer, and was to have been presented
+to-morrow, and the talk of the few people, that are in town, for
+a week. Now I shall be lost in the crowd, shall be as well there
+as I desire to be, have done what was right, they know I want
+nothing, may be civil to me very cheaply, and I can go and see
+the puppet-show for this next month at my ease: but perhaps you
+will think all this a piece of art; to be sure, I have timed my
+court, as luckily as possible, and contrived to be the last
+person in England that made interest with the successor. You see
+virtue and philosophy always prone to know the world and their
+own interest. However, I am not so abandoned a patriot yet, as
+to desert my friends immediately; you shall hear now and then the
+events of this new reign--if I am not made secretary of state--if
+I am, I shall certainly take care to let you know it.
+
+I had really begun to think that the lawyers for once talked
+sense, when they said the King never dies. He probably cot his
+death, as he liked to have done two years ago, by viewing the
+troops for the expedition from the wall of Kensington Garden. My
+Lady Suffolk told me about a month ago that he had often told
+her, speaking of the dampness of Kensington, that he would never
+die there. For my part, my man Harry will always be a favourite:
+he tells me all the amusing news; he first told me of the late
+Prince of Wales's death, and to-day of the King's.
+
+Thank you, Mr. Chute is as well as can be expected--in this
+national affliction. Sir Robert Brown has left every thing to my
+Lady--aye, every thing, I believe his very avarice.
+
+Lord Huntingtower wrote to offer his father eight thousand pounds
+of Charlotte's fortune, if he would give them one thousand a-year
+in present, and settle a jointure on her. The Earl returned this
+truly laconic, for being so unnatural, an answer. "Lord
+Huntingtower, I answer your letter as soon as I receive it; I
+wish you joy; I hear your wife is very accomplished. Yours,
+Dysart." I believe my Lady Huntingtower must contrive to make it
+convenient for me, that my Lord Dysart should die--and then he
+will. I expect to be a very respectable personage in time, and
+to have my tomb set forth like the Lady Margaret Douglas, that I
+had four earls to my nephews, though I never was one myself.
+Adieu! I must go govern the nation.
+
+
+
+Letter 50 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Arlington Street, October 26, 1760. (page 96)
+
+My dear lord,
+I beg your pardon for so long a silence in the late reign; I knew
+nothing worth telling you; and the great event of this morning
+you Z, will certainly hear before it comes to you by so sober and
+regular a personage as the postman. The few circumstances known
+yet are, that the King went well to bed last night; rose well at
+six this morning; went to the water-closet a little after seven
+-, had a fit, fell against a bureau, and gashed his right temple:
+the valet de chambre heard a noise and a groan, and ran in: the
+King tried to speak, but died instantly. I should hope this
+would draw you southward: such scenes are worth looking at, even
+by people who regard them with such indifference as your lordship
+and I. I say no more, for what will mix in a letter with the
+death of a King! I am my lady's and your lordship's most
+faithful servant.
+
+
+
+Letter 51 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Tuesday, October 28. (page 97)
+
+The new reign dates with great propriety and decency; the
+civilest letter to Princess Emily; the greatest kindness to the
+duke; the utmost respect to the dead body. No changes to be made
+but those absolutely necessary, as the household, etc.--and what
+some will think the most unnecessary, in the representative of
+power. There are but two new cabinet counsellors named; the Duke
+of York and Lord Bute, so it must be one of them. The Princess
+does not remove to St. James's, so I don't believe it will be
+she. To-day England kissed hands, so did I, and it is more
+comfortable to kiss hands with all England, than to have all
+England ask why one kisses hands. Well! my virtue is safe; I had
+a gracious reception, and yet I am almost as impatient to return
+to Strawberry, as I was to leave it on the news. There is great
+dignity and grace in the King's manner. I don't say this, like
+my dear Madame de S`evign`e, because he was civil to me but the
+part is well acted. If they do as well behind the scenes, as
+upon the stage, it will be a very complete reign. Hollinshed, or
+Baker, would think it begins well, that is, begins ill; it has
+rained without intermission, and yesterday there came a cargo of
+bad news, all which, you know, are similar omens to a man who
+writes history upon the information of the clouds. Berlin is
+taken by the Prussians, the hereditary Prince beaten by the
+French. Poor Lord Downe has had three wounds. He and your
+brother's Billy Pitt are prisoners. Johnny Waldegrave was shot
+through the hat and through the coat; and would have been shot
+through the body, if he had had any. Irish Johnson is wounded in
+the hand; Ned Harvey somewhere; and Prince Ferdinand mortally in
+his reputation for sending this wild detachment. Mr. Pitt has
+another reign to set to rights. The Duke of Cumberland has taken
+Lord Sandwich's, in Pall-mall; Lord Chesterfield has offered his
+house to Princess Emily; and if they live at Hampton-court, as I
+suppose his court will, I may as well offer Strawberry for a
+royal nursery; for at best it will become a cakehouse; 'tis such
+a convenient airing for the maids of honour. If I was not forced
+in conscience to own to you, that my own curiosity is exhausted,
+I would ask you, if you would not come and look at this new
+world; but a new world only reacted by old players is not much
+worth seeing; I shall return on Saturday. The Parliament is
+prorogued till the day it was to have met; the will is not
+opened; what can I tell you more? Would it be news that all is
+hopes and fears, and that great lords look as if they dreaded
+wanting bread? would this be news? believe me, it all grows
+stale soon. I had not seen such a sight these three-and-thirty
+years: I came eagerly to town; I laughed for three days-. I am
+tired already. Good night!
+
+P. S. I smiled to myself last night. Out of excess of attention,
+which costs me nothing, when I mean it should cost nobody else
+any thing, I went last night to Kensington to inquire after
+Princess Emily and Lady Yarmouth: nobody knew me, they asked my
+name. When they heard it, they did not seem ever to have heard
+it before, even in that house. I waited half an hour in a lodge
+with a footman of Lady Yarmouth's; I would not have waited so
+long in her room a week ago; now it only diverted me. Even
+moralizing is entertaining, when one laughs at the same time; but
+I pity those who don't moralize till they cry.
+
+
+
+Letter 52 To Sir Horace Mann.
+
+Arlington Street, Oct. 28, 1760. (page 98)
+
+The deaths of kings travel so much faster than any post, that I
+cannot expect to tell you news, when I say your old master is
+dead. But I can pretty well tell you what I like best to be
+able to say to you on this occasion, that you are in no danger.
+Change Will scarce reach to Florence when its hand is checked
+even in the capital. But I will move a little regularly, and
+then you will form your judgment more easily--This is Tuesday;
+on Friday night the King went to bed in perfect health, and
+rose so the next morning at his usual hour of six; he called
+for and drank his chocolate. At seven, for every thing with
+him was exact and periodic, he went into the closet to dismiss
+his chocolate. Coming from thence, his valet de chambre heard
+a noise; waited a moment, and heard something like a groan. He
+ran in, and in a small room between the closet and bedchamber
+he found the King on the floor, who had cut the right side of
+his face against the edge of a bureau, and who after a gasp
+expired. Lady Yarmouth was called, and sent for Princess
+Amelia; but they only told the latter that the King was ill and
+wanted her. She had been confined for some days with a
+rheumatism, but hurried down, ran into the room without farther
+notice, and saw her father extended on the bed. She is very
+purblind, and more than a little deaf They had not closed his
+eyes: she bent down close to his face, and concluded he spoke
+to her, though she could not hear him-guess what a shock when
+she found the truth. She wrote to the Prince of Wales--but so
+had one of the valets de chambre first. He came to town and
+saw the Duke(113) and the privy council. He was extremely kind
+to the first--and in general has behaved with the greatest
+propriety, dignity, and decency. He read his speech to the
+council with much grace, and dismissed the guards on himself to
+wait on his grandfather's body. It is intimated, that he means
+to employ the same ministers, but with reserve to himself of
+more authority than has lately been in fashion. The Duke of
+York and Lord Bute are named of the cabinet council. The late
+King's will is not yet opened. To-day every body kissed hands
+at Leicester-house, and this week, I believe, the King will go
+to St. James's. The body has been opened; the great ventricle
+of the heart had burst. What an enviable death! In the
+greatest period of glory of this country, and of his reign, in
+perfect tranquillity at home, at seventy-seven, growing blind
+and deaf, to die without a pang, before any reverse of fortune,
+or any distasted peace, nay, but two days before a ship load of
+bad news: could he have chosen such another moment? The news is
+bad indeed! Berlin taken by capitulation, and yet the Austrians
+behaved so savagely that even the Russians(114) felt delicacy,
+were shocked, and checked them! Nearer home, the hereditary
+Prince(115) has been much beaten by Monsieur de Castries, and
+forced to raise the siege of Wesel, whither Prince Ferdinand
+had Sent him most unadvisedly: we have scarce an officer
+unwounded. The secret expedition will now, I conclude, sail,
+to give an `eclat to the new reign. Lord Albemarle does not
+command it, as I told you, nor Mr. Conway, though both applied.
+
+Nothing is settled about the Parliament; not even the necessary
+changes in the household. Committees of council are regulating
+the mourning and the funeral. The town, which between armies,
+militia, and approaching elections, was likely to be a desert
+all the winter, is filled in a minute, but every thing is in
+the deepest tranquility. People stare; the only expression.
+The moment any thing is declared, one shall not perceive the
+novelty of the reign. A nation without parties is soon a
+nation without curiosity. You may now judge how little your
+situation is likely to be affected. I finish; I think I feel
+ashamed of tapping the events of a new reign, of which probably
+I shall not see half. If I was not unwilling to balk your
+curiosity, I should break my pen, as the great officers do
+their white wands, over the grave of the old King. Adieu!
+
+(113) William Duke of Cumberland.
+
+(114) The Russians and Austrians obtained possession of Berlin,
+while Frederick was employed in watching the great Austrian
+army. They were, however, soon driven from it.-D.
+
+(115) Of Brunswick; afterwards the celebrated duke of that
+name.-D.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 53 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Oct. 31, 1760. (page 99)
+
+When you have changed the cipher of George the Second into that
+of George the Third. and have read the addresses, and have
+shifted a few lords and grooms of the bedchamber, you are master
+of the history of the new reign, which is indeed but a new lease
+of the old one. The favourite took it up in a
+high style; but having, like my Lord Granville, forgot to ensure
+either house of Parliament, or the mob, the third house of
+Parliament, he drove all the rest to unite. They have united,
+and have notified their resolution of governing as
+ before: not but the Duke of Newcastle cried for his old
+master, desponded for himself, protested he would retire,
+consulted every body whose interest it was to advise him to stay,
+and has accepted to-day, thrusting the dregs of his ridiculous
+life into a young court, which will at least be saved from the
+imputation of childishness, by being governed by folly of seventy
+years growth.
+
+The young King has all the appearance of being amiable. There is
+great grace to temper much dignity and extreme good-nature, which
+breaks out on all occasions. Even the household is not settled
+yet. The greatest difficulty is the master of the horse. Lord
+Huntingdon is so by all precedent; Lord Gower, I believe, will be
+so. Poor Lord Rochford is undone - nobody is unreasonable to
+save him. The Duke of Cumberland has taken Schomberg-house in
+Pall-mall; Princess Emily is dealing for Sir Richard Lyttelton's
+in Cavendish-square. People imagined the Duke of Devonshire had
+lent her Burlington-house; I don't know why, unless they supposed
+she was to succeed my Lady Burlington in every thing.
+
+A week has finished my curiosity fully; I return to Strawberry
+to-morrow, and I fear go next week to Houghton, to make an
+appearance of civility to Lynn, whose favour I never asked, nor
+care if I have or not; but I don't know how to refuse this
+attention to Lord Orford, who begs it.
+
+I trust you will have approved my behaviour at court, that is, my
+mixing extreme politeness with extreme indifference. Our
+predecessors, the philosophers of ancient days, knew not how to
+be disinterested without brutality; I pique myself on founding a
+new sect. My followers are to tell kings, with excess of
+attention, that they don't want them, and to despise favour with
+more good breeding than others practise in suing for it. We are
+a thousand times a greater nation than the Grecians: why are we
+to imitate them! Our sense is as great, our follies greater; sure
+we have all the pretensions to superiority! Adieu!
+
+P. S. As to the fair widow Brown, I assure you the devil never
+sowed two hundred thousand pounds in a more fruitful soil: every
+guinea has taken root already. I saw her yesterday; it shall be
+some time before I see her again.
+
+
+
+Letter 54 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 4, 1760. (page 100)
+
+I am not gone to Houghton, you see: my Lord Orford is come to
+town, and I have persuaded him to stay and perform decencies.
+King George the Second is dead richer than Sir Robert Brown,
+though perhaps not so rich as my Lord Hardwicke. He has left
+fifty thousand pounds between the Duke, Emily, and Mary; the Duke
+has given up his share. To Lady Yarmouth a cabinet, with the
+contents; they call it eleven thousand pounds. By a German deed,
+he gives the Duke to the value of one hundred and eighty thousand
+pounds, placed on mortgages, not immediately recoverable. e had
+once given him twice as much more, then revoked it, and at last
+excused the revocation, on the pretence of the expenses of the
+war; but owns he was the best son that ever lived, and had never
+offended him; a pretty strong comment on the affair of
+Closterseven! He gives him, besides, all his jewels in England;
+but had removed all the best to Hanover, which he makes crown
+jewels, and his successor residuary legatee. The Duke, too, has
+some uncounted cabinets. My Lady Suffolk has given me a
+particular of his jewels, which plainly amount to one hundred and
+fifty thousand pounds. It happened oddly to my Lady Suffolk.
+Two days before he died, she went to make a visit at Kensington,
+not knowing of the review; she found herself hemmed in by
+coaches, and was close to him, whom she had not seen for so many
+years, and to my Lady Yarmouth; but they did not know her: it
+struck her, and has made her very sensible to his death.
+The changes hang back. Nothing material has been altered yet.
+
+Ned Finch, the only thing my Lady Yarmouth told the new King she
+had to ask for, is made surveyor of the roads, in the room of Sir
+Harry Erskine, who is to have an old regiment. He excuses
+himself from seeing company, as favourite of the favourite.
+Arthur is removed from being clerk of the wine-cellar, a
+sacrifice to morality The Archbishop has such hopes of the young
+King, that he is never out of the circle. He trod upon the
+Duke's foot on Sunday, in the haste of his zeal; the Duke said to
+him, "My lord, if your grace is in such a hurry to make your
+court, that is the way." Bon-mots come thicker than changes.
+Charles Townshend, receiving an account of the impression the
+King's death had made, was told Miss Chudleigh cried. "What,"
+said he, "Oysters?" And last night, Mr. Dauncey, asking George
+Selwyn if Princess Amelia would have a guard? he replied, "Now
+and then one, I suppose."
+
+An extraordinary event has happened to-day; George Townshend sent
+a challenge to Lord Albemarle, desiring him to be with a second
+in the fields. Lord Albemarle took Colonel Crawford, and went to
+Mary-le-bone; George Townshend bespoke Lord Buckingham, who loves
+a secret too well not to tell it: he communicated it to Stanley,
+who went to St. James's, and acquainted Mr. Caswall, the captain
+on guard. The latter took a hackney-coach, drove to
+Mary-le-bone, and saw one pair. After waiting ten minutes, the
+others came; Townshend made an apology to Lord Albemarle for
+making him wait. "Oh," said he, "men of spirit don't want
+apologies: come, let us begin what we came for." At that
+instant, out steps Caswall from his coach, and begs their pardon,
+as his superior officers, but told them they were his prisoners.
+He desired Mr. Townshend and Lord Buckingham to return to their
+coach; he would carry back Lord Albemarle and Crawford in his.
+He did, and went to acquaint the King, who has commissioned some
+of the matrons of the army to examine the affair, and make it up.
+All this while, I don't know what the quarrel was, but they hated
+one another so much on the Duke's account, that a slight word
+would easily make their aversions boil over. Don't you, nor even
+your general come to town on this occasion? Good night.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 55 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 13, 1760. (page 102)
+
+Even the honeymoon of a new reign don't produce events every day.
+There is nothing but the common Paying of addresses and kissing
+hands. The chief difficulty is settled; Lord Gower yields the
+mastership of the horse to Lord Huntingdon, and removes to the
+great wardrobe, from whence Sir Thomas Robinson was to have gone
+into Ellis's place, but he is saved. The city, however, have a
+mind to be out of humour; a paper has been fixed on the Royal
+Exchange, with these words, "No petticoat government, no Scotch
+minister, no Lord George Sackville;" two hints totally unfounded,
+and the other scarce true. No petticoat ever governed less, it
+is left at Leicester-house; Lord George's breeches are as little
+concerned; and, except Lady Susan Stuart and Sir Harry Erskine,
+nothing has yet been done for any Scots. For the King himself,
+he seems all good-nature, and wishing to satisfy every body; all
+his speeches are obliging. I saw him again yesterday, and was
+surprised to find the levee-room had lost so entirely the air of
+the lion's den. This sovereign don't stand in one spot, with his
+eyes fixed royally on the ground, and dropping bits of German
+news; he walks about, and speaks to every body- I saw him
+afterwards on the throne, where he is graceful and genteel, sits
+with dignity, and reads his answers to addresses well; it was the
+Cambridge address, carried by the Duke of Newcastle in his
+doctor's gown, and looking like the M`edecin malgr`e lui. He had
+been vehemently solicitous for attendance, for fear my Lord
+Westmoreland, who vouchsafes himself to bring the address from
+Oxford, should outnumber him. Lord Litchfield and several other
+Jacobites have kissed hands; George Selwyn says, "They go to St.
+James's, because now there are so many Stuarts there."
+
+Do you know, I had the curiosity to go to the burying t'other
+night; I had never seen a royal funeral; nay, I walked as a rag
+of quality, which I found would be, and so it was, the easiest
+way of seeing it. It is absolutely a noble sight. The Prince's
+chamber, hung with purple, and a quantity of silver lamps, the
+coffin under a canopy of purple velvet, and six vast chandeliers
+of silver on high stands, had a very good effect. The ambassador
+from Tripoli and his son were carried to see that chamber. The
+procession through a line of foot-guards, every seventh man
+bearing a torch, the horse-guards lining the outside, their
+officers with drawn sabres and crape sashes on horseback, the
+drums muffled, the fifes, bells tolling, and minute guns,--all
+this was very solemn. But the charm was the entrance of the
+abbey, where we were received by the dean and chapter in rich
+robes, the choir and almsmen bearing torches; the whole abbey so
+illuminated, that one saw it to greater advantage than by day;
+the tombs, long aisles, and fretted roof, all appearing
+distinctly, and with the happiest chiaro scuro. There wanted
+nothing but incense, and little chapels here and there, with
+priests saying mass for the repose of the defunct; yet one could
+not complain of its not being Catholic enough. I had been in
+dread of' being coupled with some boy of ten years old; but the
+heralds were not very accurate, and I walked with George
+Grenville, taller and older, to keep me in countenance. When we
+came to the chapel of Henry the Seventh, all solemnity and
+decorum ceased; no order was observed, people sat or stood where
+they could or would; the yeomen of the guard were crying out for
+help, oppressed by the immense weight of the coffin; the bishop
+read sadly, and blundered in the prayers; the fine chapter, Man
+that is born of a woman, was chanted, not read; and the anthem,
+besides being immeasurably tedious, would have served as well for
+a nuptial. The real serious part was the figure of the Duke of
+Cumberland, heightened by a thousand melancholy circumstances.
+He had a dark brown adonis, and a cloak of black cloth, with a
+train of five yards. Attending the funeral of a father could not
+be pleasant: his leg extremely bad, yet forced to stand upon it
+near two hours; his face bloated and distorted with his late
+paralytic stroke, which has affected, too, one of his eyes, and
+placed over the mouth of the vault, into which, in all
+probability, he must himself so soon descend; think how
+unpleasant a situation! he bore it all with a firm and
+unaffected countenance. This grave scene was fully contrasted by
+the burlesque Duke of Newcastle. He fell into a fit of crying
+the moment he came into the chapel, and flung himself back in a
+stall, the archbishop hovering over him with a smelling-bottle;
+but in two minutes his curiosity got the better of his hypocrisy,
+and he ran about the chapel with his glass to spy who was or was
+not there, spying with one hand, and mopping his eyes with the
+other. Then returned the fear of catching cold; and the Duke of
+Cumberland, who was sinking with heat, felt himself weighed down,
+and turning round, found it was the Duke of Newcastle standing
+upon his train, to avoid the chill of the marble. It was very
+theatric to look down into the vault, where the coffin lay,
+attended by mourners with lights. Clavering, the groom of the
+bedchamber, refused to sit up with the body, and was dismissed by
+the King's order.
+
+I have nothing more to tell you, but a trifle, a very trifle.
+The King of Prussia has totally defeated Marshal Daun.(116)
+This, which would have been prodigious news a month ago, is
+nothing to-day; it only takes its turn among the questions, "Who
+is to be groom of the bedchamber? what is Sir T. Robinson to
+have?" I have been to Leicester-fields to-day; the crowd was
+immoderate; I don't believe it will continue so. good night.
+Yours ever.
+
+(116) At Torgau, on the 3d of November. An animated description
+of this desperate battle is given by Walpole in his Memoires,
+vol. ii. p. 449.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 56 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Thursday, 1760. (page 104)
+
+As a codicil to my letter, I send you the bedchamber. There are
+to be eighteen lords, and thirteen grooms; all the late King's
+remain, but your cousin Manchester, Lord Falconberg, Lord Essex,
+and Lord Flyndford, replaced by the Duke of Richmond, Lord
+Weymouth, Lord March, and Lord Eglinton: the last at the request
+of the Duke of York. Instead of Clavering, Nassau, and General
+Campbell, who is promised something else, Lord Northampton's
+brother and Commodore Keppel are grooms. When it was offered to
+the Duke of Richmond, he said he could not accept it, unless
+something was done for Colonel Keppel, for whom he has interested
+himself; that it would look like sacrificing Keppel to his own
+views. This is handsome; Keppel is to be equery.
+
+Princess Amelia goes every where, as she calls it; she was on
+Monday at Lady Holderness's, and next Monday is to be at
+Bedford-house; but there is only the late King's set, and the
+court of Bedford so she makes the houses of other people as
+triste as St. James's was. Good night.
+
+Not a word more of the King of Prussia: did you ever know a
+victory mind the wind so?
+
+
+
+Letter 57 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Monday, Nov. 24, 1760. (page 104)
+
+
+Unless I were to send you journals, lists, catalogues,
+computations of the bodies, tides, swarms of people that go to
+court to present addresses, or to be presented, I can tell you
+nothing new. The day the King went to the House, I was three
+quarters of an hour getting through Whitehall; there were
+subjects enough to set up half-a-dozen petty kings: the Pretender
+would be proud to reign over the footmen only; and, indeed,
+unless he acquires some of them, he will have no subjects left;
+all their masters flock to St. James's. The palace is so
+thronged, that I will stay tilt some people are discontented.
+The first night the King went to the play, which was civilly on a
+Friday, not on the opera-night, as he used to do, the whole
+audience sung God save the King in chorus. For the first act,
+the press was so great at the door, that no ladies could go to
+the boxes, and only the servants appeared there, who kept places:
+at the end of the second act, the whole mob broke in, and seated
+themselves; yet all this zeal is not likely to last, though he so
+well deserves it. Seditious papers are again stuck up: one
+t'other day in Westminster Hall declared against a Saxe-Gothan
+Princess. The Archbishop, who is never out of the drawing-room,
+has great hopes from the King's goodness, that he shall make
+something of him, that is something bad of him. On the Address,
+Pitt and his zany Beckford quarrelled, on the latter's calling
+the campaign languid. What is become of our magnanimous ally and
+his victory, I know not. It) eleven days, no courier has arrived
+from him; but I have been these two days perfectly indifferent
+about his magnanimity. I am come to put my Anecdotes of Painting
+into the press. You are one of the few that I expect will be
+entertained with it. It has warmed Gray's coldness so much, that
+he is violent about it; in truth, there is an infinite quantity
+of new and curious things about it; but as it is quite foreign
+from all popular topics, I don't suppose it will be much attended
+to. There is not a word of Methodism in it, it says nothing of
+the disturbances in Ireland, it does not propose to keep all
+Canada, it neither flattered the King of Prussia nor Prince
+Ferdinand, it does not say that the city of London are the wisest
+men in the world, it is silent about George Townshend, and does
+not abuse my Lord George Sackville; how should it please? I want
+you to help me in a little affair, that regards it. I have found
+in a MS. that in the church of Beckley, or Becksley, in Sussex,
+there are portraits on glass, In a window, of Henry the Third and
+his Queen. I have looked in the map, and find the first name
+between Bodiham and Rye, but I am not sure it is the place. I
+will be much obliged to you if you will write directly to your
+Sir Whistler, and beg him to inform himself very exactly if there
+is any such thing in such a church near Bodiham. Pray state it
+minutely; because if there is, I will have them drawn for the
+frontispiece to my work.
+
+Did I tell you that the Archbishop tried to hinder the "Minor"
+from being played at Drury Lane? for once the Duke of Devonshire
+was firm, and would only let him correct some passages, and even
+of those the Duke has restored some. One that the prelate
+effaced was, "You snub-nosed son of a bitch." Foote says, he
+will take out a license to preach Tam. Cant, against Tom.
+Cant.(117)
+
+The first volume of Voltaire's Peter the Great is arrived. I
+weep over it. It is as languid as the campaign; he is grown old.
+He boasts of the materials communicated to him by the Czarina's
+order--but alas! he need not be proud of them. They only serve
+to show how much worse he writes history with materials than
+without. Besides, it is evident how much that authority has
+cramped his genius. I had heard before, that when he sent the
+work to Petersburgh for imperial approbation, it was returned
+with orders to increase the panegyric. I wish he had acted like
+a very inferior author. Knyphausen once hinted to me, that I
+might have some authentic papers, if I was disposed to write the
+life of his master; but I did not care for what would lay me
+under such restrictions. It is not fair to use weapons against
+the persons that lend them; and I do not admire his master enough
+to commend any thing in him, but his military actions. Adieu!
+
+(117) The following anecdote is related in the Biographia
+Dramatica:--"Our English Aristophanes sent a copy of the Minor to
+the Archbishop of Canterbury, requesting that, if his grace
+should see any thing objectionable in it, he would exercise the
+free use of his pen, either in the way of erasure or correction.
+The Archbishop returned it untouched; observing to a confidential
+friend, that he was sure the wit had only laid a trap for him,
+and that if he had put his pen to the manuscript, by way of
+correction or objection, Foote would have had the assurance to
+have advertised the play as 'corrected and prepared for the press
+by his grace the Archbishop of Canterbury.'"-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 58 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 27, 1760. (page 106)
+
+You are extremely kind, Sir, in remembering my little commission
+I troubled you with. As I am in great want of some more painted
+glass to finish a window in my round tower, I should be glad,
+though it may not be a Pope, to have the piece you mentioned, if
+it can be purchased reasonably.
+
+My Lucan is finished, but will not be published till after
+Christmas, when I hope you will do me the favour of accepting
+one, and let me know how I shall Convey it. The Anecdotes of
+Painting have succeeded to the press: I have finished two
+volumes, but as there will at least be a third, I am not
+determined whether I shall not wait to publish the whole
+together. You will be surprised, I think, to see what a quantity
+of materials the industry of one man (Vertue) could amass and how
+much he retrieved at this late period. I hear of nothing new
+likely to appear; all the world is taken up in penning addresses,
+or in presenting them;(118) and the approaching elections will
+occupy the thoughts of men so much that an author could not
+appear at a worse era.
+
+(118) On the then recent accession of George III.-E.
+
+
+
+letter 59 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 11, 1760. (page 106)
+
+I thank you for the inquiries about the painted glass, and shall
+be glad if I prove to be in the right.
+
+There is not much of news to tell you; and yet there is much
+dissatisfaction. The Duke of Newcastle has threatened to resign
+on the appointment of Lord Oxford and Lord Bruce without his
+knowledge. His court rave about Tories, which you know comes
+with a singular grace from them, as the Duke never preferred any.
+Murray, Lord Gower, Sir John Cotton, Jack Pitt, etc. etc. etc.
+were all firm whigs. But it is unpardonable to put an end to all
+faction, when it is not for factious purposes. Lord
+Fitzmaurice,(119) made aide-de-camp to the King, has disgusted
+the army. The Duke of Richmond, whose brother has no more been
+put over others than the Duke of Newcastle has preferred Tories,
+has presented a warm memorial in a warm manner, and has resigned
+the bedchamber, not his regiment-another propriety.
+
+Propriety is so much in fashion, that Miss Chudleigh has called
+for the council books of the subscription concert, and has struck
+off the name of Mrs. Naylor.(120) I have some thoughts of
+remonstrating, that General Waldegrave is too lean for to be a
+groom of the bedchamber. Mr. Chute has sold his house to Miss
+Speed for three thousand pounds, and has taken one for a year in
+Berkeley Square.
+
+This is a very brief letter; I fear this reign will soon furnish
+longer. When the last King could be beloved, a young man with a
+good heart has little chance of being so. Moreover, I have a
+maxim, that the extinction of party is the origin of faction."
+Good night.
+
+(119) Afterwards Earl of Shelburne, and in 1784 created Marquis
+of Lansdowne.-E.
+
+(120) A noted procuress.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 60 To The Rev. Henry Zouch
+Arlington Street, Jan. 3, 1761. (page 107)
+
+Sir,
+I stayed till I had the Lucan ready to send you, before I thanked
+you for your letter, and for the pane of glass, about which you
+have given yourself so much kind trouble, and which I have
+received; I think it is clearly Heraclitus weeping over a globe.
+
+Illuminated MSS., unless they have portraits of particular
+persons, I do not deal in; the extent of my collecting is already
+full asgreat as I can afford. I am not the less obliged to you,
+Sir, for thinking Of me. Were my fortune larger, I should go
+deeper into printing, and having engraved curious MSS. and
+drawings; as I cannot, I comfort myself with reflecting on the
+mortifications I avoid, by the little regard shown by the world
+to those sort of things. The sums laid out on books one should,
+at first sight, think an indication of encouragement to letters;
+but booksellers only are encouraged, not books. Bodies of
+sciences, that is, compilations and mangled abstracts, are the
+only saleable commodities. Would you believe, what I know is
+fact, that Dr. Hill(121) earned fifteen guineas a-week by working
+for wholesale dealers: he was at once employed on six voluminous
+works of Botany, Husbandry, etc. published weekly. I am sorry to
+say, this journeyman is one of the first men preferred in the new
+reign: he is made gardener of Kensington, a place worth two
+thousand pounds a-year.(122) The King and lord Bute have
+certainly both of them great propensity to the arts; but Dr.
+Hill, though undoubtedly not deficient in parts, has as little
+claim to favour in this reign, as Gideon, the stock-jobber, in
+the last; both engrossers without merit. Building, I am told, is
+the King's favourite study; I hope our architects will not be
+taken from the erectors of turnpikes.
+
+(121) Dr. Hill's were among the first works in which scientific
+knowledge was put in a popular shape, by the system of number
+publishing. The Doctor's performances in this way are not
+discreditable, and are still useful as works of reference.-C.
+
+(122) This was an exaggeration of the emoluments of a place,
+which, after all was not improperly bestowed on a person of his
+pursuits and merits.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 61 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 22, 1761. (page 108)
+
+I am glad you are coming, and now the time is over, that you are
+coming so late, as I like to have you here in the spring. You
+will find no great novelty in the new reign. Lord Denbigh(123)
+is made master of the harriers, with two thousand a-year. Lord
+Temple asked it, and Newcastle and Hardwicke gave into it for
+fear of Denbigh's brutality in the House of Lords. Does this
+differ from the style of George the Second?
+
+The King designs to have a new motto; he will not have a French
+one; so the Pretender may enjoy Dieu et mon droit in quiet.
+
+Princess Amelia is already sick of being familiar: she has been
+at Northumberland-house, but goes to nobody more. That party was
+larger, but still more formal than the rest, though the Duke of
+York had invited himself and his commerce-table. I played with
+Madam and we were mighty well together; so well, that two nights
+afterwards she commended me to Mr. Conway and Mr. Fox, but
+calling me that Mr. Walpole, they did not guess who she meant.
+For my part, I thought it very well, that when I played with her,
+she did not call me that gentleman. As she went away, she
+thanked my Lady Northumberland, like a parson's wife, for all her
+civilities.
+
+I was excessively amused on Tuesday night; there was a play at
+Holland-house, acted by children; not all children, for Lady
+Sarah Lenox(124) and Lady Susan Strangways(125) played the women.
+It was Jane Shore; Mr. Price, Lord Barrington's nephew, was
+Gloster, and acted better than three parts of the comedians.
+Charles Fox, Hastings; a little Nichols, who spoke well, Belmour;
+Lord Ofaly,,(126) Lord Ashbroke, and other boys did the rest: but
+the two girls were delightful, and acted with so much nature and
+simplicity, that they appeared the very things they represented.
+Lady Sarah was more beautiful than you can conceive, and her very
+awkwardness gave an air of truth to the shame of the part, and
+the antiquity of the time, which was kept up by her dress, taken
+out of Montfaucon. Lady Susan was dressed from Jane Seymour; and
+all the parts were clothed in ancient habits, and with the most
+minute propriety. I was infinitely more struck with the last
+scene between the two women than ever I was when I have seen it
+on the stage. When Lady Sarah was in white, with her hair about
+her ears, and on the ground, no Magdalen by Corregio was half so
+lovely and expressive. You would have been charmed too with
+seeing Mr. Fox's little boy of six years old, who is beautiful,
+and acted the Bishop of Ely, dressed in lawn sleeves and with a
+square cap; they had inserted two lines for him, which he could
+hardly speak plainly. Francis had given them a pretty prologue.
+Adieu!
+
+(123) Basil Fielding, sixth Earl of Denbigh, and fifth Earl of
+Desmond. He died in 1800.-E.
+
+(124) daughter of the Duke of Richmond, afterwards married to Sir
+Thomas Charles Bunbury, Bart.-E.
+
+(125) Daughter of Stephen Fox, first Earl of Ilchester; married,
+in 1764, to William O'Brien, Esq.-E.
+
+(126) Eldest son of the Marquis of Kildare.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 62 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 7, 1761. (page 109)
+
+I have not written to you lately, expecting your arrival. As you
+are not come yet, you need not come these ten days if you please,
+for I go next week into Norfolk, that my subjects of Lynn may at
+least once in their lives see me. 'Tis a horrible thing to dine
+with a mayor! I shall profane King John's cup, and taste nothing
+but water out of it, as if it were St. John Baptist's.
+
+Prepare yourself for crowds, multitudes. In this reign all the
+world lives in one room: the capital is as vulgar as a country
+town in the season of horse-races. There were no fewer than four
+of these throngs on Tuesday last, at the Duke of Cumberland's,
+Princess Emily's, the Opera, and Lady Northumberland's; for even
+operas, Tuesday's operas, are crowded now. There is nothing else
+new. Last week there was a magnificent ball at Carleton-house:
+the two royal Dukes and Princess Emily were there. He of York
+danced; the other and his sister had each their table at loo. I
+played at hers, and am grown a favourite; nay, have been at her
+private party, and was asked again last Wednesday, but took the
+liberty to excuse myself, and am yet again summoned for Tuesday.
+It is triste enough: nobody sits till the game begins, and then
+she and the company are all on stools. At Norfolk-house were two
+armchairs placed for her and the Duke of Cumberland, the Duke of
+York being supposed a dancer, but they would not use them. Lord
+Huntingdon arrived in a frock, pretending he was just come out of
+the country; unluckily, he had been at court, full-dressed, in
+the morning. No foreigners were there but the son and
+daughter-in-law of Monsieur de Fuentes: the Duchess told the
+Duchess of Bedford, that she had not invited the ambassadress,
+because her rank is disputed here. You remember the Bedford took
+place, of madame de Mirepoix; but Madame de Mora danced first,
+the Duchess of Norfolk saying she supposed that was of no
+consequence.
+
+Have you heard what immense riches old Wortley has left? One
+million three hundred and fifty thousand pounds.(127) It is all
+to centre in my Lady Bute; her husband is one of Fortune's
+prodigies. They talk of a print, in which her mistress is
+reprimanding Miss Chudleigh; the latter curtsies, and replies,
+"Madame, chacun a son but."
+
+Have you seen a scandalous letter in print, from Miss Ford,(128)
+to lord Jersey, with the history of a boar's head? George Selwyn
+calls him Meleager. Adieu! this is positively my last.
+
+(127) "You see old Wortley Montagu is dead at last, at eighty-
+three. It was not mere avarice and its companion abstinence, that
+kept him alive so long. He every day drank, I think it was,
+half-a-pint of tokay, which he imported himself from Hungary in
+greater quantity than he could use, and sold the overplus for any
+price he chose to set upon it. He has left better than half a
+million of money." Gray, Works, vol. iii. p. 272.-E.
+
+(128) Miss Ford was the object of an illicit, but unsuccessful
+attachment, on the part of Lord Jersey, whose advances, if not
+sanctioned by the lady, appear to have been sanctioned by her
+father, who told her "she might have accepted the settlement his
+lordship offered her, and yet not have complied" with his terms.
+The following extract from the letter will explain the history
+above alluded to:--"However, I must do your lordship the justice
+to say, that as you conceived this meeting [one with a noble
+personage which Lord Jersey had desired her not to make] would
+have been most pleasing to me, and perhaps of some ,advantage,
+your lordship did (in consideration of so great a disappointment)
+send me, a few days after, a present of a boar's head, which I
+had often had the honour to meet at your lordship's table before.
+It was rather an odd first and only present from a lord to his
+beloved mistress; but as coming from your lordship gave it an
+additional value, which it had not in itself; and I received it
+with the regard I thought due to every thing coming from your
+lordship, and would have eat it, had it been eatable. I am''
+impatient to acquit your lordship and myself, by showing that as
+your lordship's eight hundred pounds a-year did not purchase my
+person, the boar's head did not purchase my silence."-E.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 63 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Monday, five o'clock, Feb. 1761. (page 110)
+
+I am a little peevish with you-I told you on Thursday night that
+I had a mind to go to Strawberry on Friday without staying for
+the Qualification bill. You said it did not signify--No! What if
+you intended to speak on it? Am I indifferent to hearing you?
+More-Am I indifferent about acting with you? Would not I follow
+you in any thing in the world?--This is saying no profligate
+thing. Is there any thing I might not follow you in? You even
+did not tell me yesterday that you had spoken. Yet I will tell
+you all I have heard; though if there was a Point in the world in
+which I could not wish you to succeed where you wish yourself,
+perhaps it would be in having you employed. I cannot be cool
+about your danger; yet I cannot know any thing that concerns you,
+and keep it from you. Charles Townshend called here just after I
+came to town to-day. Among other discourse he told me of your
+speaking on Friday, and that your speech was reckoned hostile to
+the Duke of Newcastle. Then talking of regiments going abroad,
+he said, * * * * * With regard to your reserve to me, I
+can easily believe that your natural modesty made you unwilling
+to talk of yourself to me. I don't suspect you of any reserve to
+me: I only mention it now for an occasion of telling you, that I
+don't like to have any body think that I would not do whatever
+you do. I am of no consequence: but at least it would give me
+some, to act invariably with you; and that I shall most certainly
+be ever ready to do. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 64 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 7, 1761. (page 111)
+
+I rejoice, you know, in whatever rejoices you, and though I am
+not certain what your situation(129) is to be, I am glad you go,
+as you like it. I am told it is black rod. lady Anne
+Jekyll(130) said, she had written to you on Saturday night. I
+asked when her brother was to go, if before August; she answered:
+"Yes, if possible." long before October you may depend upon it;
+in the quietest times no lord lieutenant ever went so late as
+that. Shall not you come to town first? You cannot pack up
+yourself, and all you will want, at Greatworth.
+
+We are in the utmost hopes of a peace; a Congress is agreed upon
+at Augsbourg, but yesterday's mail brought bad news. Prince
+Ferdinand has been obliged to raise the siege of Cassel, and to
+retire to Paderborn; the hereditary prince having been again
+defeated, with the loss of two generals, and to the value of five
+thousand men, in prisoners and exchanged. If this defers the
+peace it will be grievous news to me, now Mr. Conway is gone to
+the army.
+
+The town talks of nothing but an immediate Queen, yet I am
+certain the ministers know not of it. Her picture is come, and
+lists of her family given about; but the latter I do not send
+you, as I believe it apocryphal. Adieu!
+
+P.S. Have you seen the -,advertisement of a new noble author? A
+Treatise of Horsemanship, by Henry Earl of Pembroke!(131) As
+George Selwyn said of Mr. Greville, "so far from being a writer,
+I thought he was scarce a courteous reader."
+
+(129) Mr. Montagu was appointed usher of the black rod in
+Ireland.
+
+(130) sister of the Earl of Halifax.
+
+(131) Tenth Earl of Pembroke and seventh Earl of Montgomery. The
+work was entitled "Military Equitation; or a Method of breaking
+Horses, and teaching Soldiers to ride." A fourth edition, in
+quarto, appeared in 1793.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 65 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Arlington Street, March 7, 1761. (page 111)
+
+Just what I supposed, Sir, has happened; with your good breeding,
+I did not doubt but you would give yourself the trouble of
+telling me that you had received the Lucan, and as you did not, I
+concluded Dodsley had neglected it: he has in two instances. The
+moment they were published, I delivered a couple to him, for you,
+and one for a gentleman in Scotland. I received no account of
+either, and after examining Dodsley a fortnight ago, I learned
+three days since from him, that your copy, Sir, was delivered to
+Mrs. Ware, bookseller, in Fleet Street, who corresponds with Mr.
+Stringer, to be sent in the first parcel; but, says he, as they
+send only once a month, it probably was not sent away till very
+later),. I am vexed, Sir, that you have waited so long
+for this trifle: if you neither receive it, nor get information
+of it, I will immediately convey another to you. It would be
+very ungrateful in me to neglect what would give you a moment's
+amusement, after your thinking so obligingly of the painted glass
+for me. I shall certainly be in Yorkshire this summer, and as I
+flatter myself that I shall be more lucky in meeting you, I will
+then take what you shall be so good as to bestow on me, without
+giving you the trouble of sending it.
+
+If it were not printed in the London Chronicle, I would
+transcribe for you, Sir, a very weak letter of Voltaire to Lord
+Lyttelton,(132) and the latter's answer: there is nothing else
+new, but a very indifferent play,(133) called The Jealous Wife,
+so well acted as to have succeeded greatly. Mr. Mason, I
+believe, is going to publish some elegies: I have seen the
+principal one, on Lady Coventry; it was then only an unfinished
+draft. The second and third volumes of
+Tristram Shandy, the dregs of nonsense, have universally met the
+contempt they deserve: genius may be exhausted;--I see that
+folly's invention may be so too.
+
+The foundations of my gallery at Strawberry are laying. May I
+not flatter myself, Sir, that you will see the whole even before
+it is quite complete?
+
+P. S. Since I wrote my letter, I have read a new play of
+Voltaire's, called Tancred, and I am glad to say that it repairs
+the idea of his decaying parts, which I had conceived from his
+Peter the Great, and the letter I mentioned. Tancred did not
+please at Paris, nor was I charmed with the two first acts; in
+the three last are great flashes of genius, single lines, and
+starts of passion of the first fire: the woman's part is a little
+too Amazonian.
+
+(132) An absurd letter from Voltaire to the author of the
+Dialogues of the Dead, remonstrating against a statement, that
+"he, Voltaire, was in exile, on account of some blamable freedoms
+in his writings." He denies both the facts and the cause
+assigned; but he convinced nobody, for both were notoriously
+true. Voltaire was, it is true, not banished by sentence; but he
+was not permitted to reside in France, and that surely may be
+called exile, particularly as he was all his life endeavouring to
+obtain leave to return to Paris.-C.
+
+(133) The Jealous Wife still keeps the stage, and does not
+deserve to be so slightingly spoken of: but there were private
+reasons which might possibly warp Mr. Walpole's judgment on the
+works of Colman. He was the nephew of lord Bath, and The Jealous
+Wife was dedicated to that great rival of Sir Robert Walpole.-C.
+[Dr. Johnson says.-that the Jealous Wife, "though not written
+with much genius, was yet so well exhibited by the actors, that
+it was crowded for near twenty nights."]
+
+
+
+
+Letter 66 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 17, 1761. (page 112)
+
+If my last letter raised your wonder, this Will not allay it.
+Lord Talbot is lord steward! The stone, which the builders
+refused, is become the head-stone of the corner. My Lady Talbot,
+I suppose, would have found no charms in Cardinal Mazarin. As
+the Duke of Leeds was forced to give way to Jemmy Grenville, the
+Duke of Rutland has been obliged to make room for this new Earl.
+Lord Huntingdon is groom of the stole, and the last Duke I have
+named, master of the horse; the red liveries cost Lord Huntingdon
+a pang. Lord Holderness has the reversion of the Cinque-ports
+for life, and I think may pardon his expulsion.
+
+If you propose a fashionable assembly, you must send cards to
+Lord Spenser, Lord Grosvenor, Lord Melcomb, Lord Grantham, Lord
+Boston, Lord Scarsdale, Lady Mountstuart, the Earl of TyrConnell,
+and Lord Wintertown. The two last you will meet in Ireland. No
+joy ever exceeded your cousin's or Doddington's: the former came
+last night to Lady Hilsborough's to display his triumph; the
+latter too was there, and advanced to me. I said, ":I was coming
+to wish you joy." "I concluded so," replied he, "and came to
+receive it." He left a good card yesterday at Lady Petersham's, a
+very young lord to wait on Lady Petersham, to make her ladyship
+the first offer of himself. I believe she will be content with
+the exchequer: Mrs. Grey has a pension of eight hundred pounds
+a-year.
+
+Mrs. Clive is at her villa for Passion week; I have written to
+her for the box, but I don't doubt of its being (,one; but,
+considering her alliance, why does not Miss Price bespeak the
+play and have the stage box?
+
+I shall smile if Mr. Bentley, and M`Untz, and their two Hannahs
+meet at St. James's; so I see neither of them, I care not where
+they are.
+
+Lady Hinchinbrook and Lady Mansel are at the point of death; Lord
+Hardwicke is to be poet-laureate; and, according to modern usage,
+I suppose it will be made a cabinet-counsellor's place. Good
+night!
+
+
+
+Letter 67 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 19, 1761. (page 113)
+
+I can now tell you, with great pleasure, that your cousin(134) is
+certainly named lord-lieutenant. I wish you joy. You will be
+sorry too to hear that your Lord North is much talked of for
+succeeding him at the board of' trade. I tell you this with
+great composure, though today has been a day of amazement. All
+the world is staring, whispering, and questioning. Lord
+Holderness has resigned the seals,(135) and they are given to
+Lord Bute. Which of the two secretaries of state is first
+minister? the latter or Mr. Pitt? Lord Holderness received the
+command but yesterday, at two o'clock, till that moment thinking
+himself extremely well at court; but it seems the King said he
+was tired of having two secretaries, of which one would do
+nothing, and t'other could do nothing; he would have a secretary
+who both could act and would. Pitt had as
+short a notice of this resolution as the sufferer, and was little
+better pleased. He is something softened for the present by the
+offer of cofferer for Jemmy Grenville, which is to be ceded by
+the Duke of Leeds, who returns to his old post of justice in
+eyre, from whence Lord Sandys is to be removed, some say to the
+head of the board of trade. Newcastle, who enjoys this fall of
+Holderness's, who had deserted him for Pitt, laments over the
+former, but seems to have made his terms with the new favourite:
+if the Bedfords have done so too, will it surprise you? It will
+me, if Pitt submits to this humiliation; if he does not, I take
+for granted the Duke of Bedford will have the other seals. The
+temper with which the new reign has hitherto proceeded, seems a
+little impeached by this sudden act, and the Earl now stands in
+the direct light of a minister-, if the House of Commons should
+cavil at him. Lord Delawar kissed hands to-day for his earldom;
+the other new peers are to follow on Monday.
+
+There are horrid disturbances about the militia(136) in
+Northumberland, where the mob have killed an officer and three of
+the Yorkshire militia, who, in return, fired and shot twenty-one.
+
+Adieu! I shall be impatient to hear some consequences of my first
+paragraph.
+
+
+P. S. Saturday.--I forgot to tell you that Lord Hardwicke has
+written some verses to Lord Lyttelton, upon those the latter made
+on Lady Egremont.(137) If I had been told that he had put on a
+bag, and was gone off with Kitty Fisher,(138) I should not have
+been more astonished.
+
+Poor Lady Gower(139) is dead this morning of a fever in her
+lying-in. I believe the Bedfords arc very sorry; for there is a
+new opera(140) this evening.
+
+(134) The Earl of Halifax.
+
+(135) Lord Barrington, in a letter to Mr. Mitchell, of the 23d
+says, "Our friend Holderness is finally in harbour; he has four
+thousand a-year for life, with the reversionship of the Cinque-
+ports, after the Duke of Dorset; which he likes better than
+having the name of pensioner. I never could myself understand
+the difference between a pension and a synecure place."-E.
+
+(136) In consequence of the expiration of the three years' term
+of service, prescribed by the Militia-act, and the new ballot
+about to take place.-E.
+
+(137) The following are the lines alluded to, "Addition extempore
+to the verses on Lady Egremont:
+
+
+"Fame heard with pleasure--straight replied,
+First on my roll stands Wyndham's bride,
+My trumpet oft I've raised to sound
+Her modest praise the world around;
+But notes were wanting-canst thou find
+A muse to sing her face, her mind?
+Believe me, I can name but one,
+A friend of yours-'tis Lyttelton."
+
+(138) A celebrated courtesan of the day.-E.
+
+(139) Daughter of Scroope Duke of Bridgewater.
+
+(140) The serious opera of Tito Manlio, by Cocchi. By a letter
+from Gray to Mason, of the 22d of January, the Opera appears at
+this time to have been in a flourishing condition--"The Opera is
+crowded this year like any ordinary theatre. Elisi is finer than
+any thing that has been here in your memory; yet, as I suspect,
+has been finer than he is: he appears to be near forty, a little
+potbellied and thick-shouldered, otherwise no bad figure; has
+action proper, and not ungraceful. We have heard nothing, since
+I remember operas, but eternal passages, divisions, and flights
+of execution: of these he has absolutely none; whether merely
+from judgment, or a little from age, I will not affirm: his point
+is expression, and to that all the ornaments he inserts (which
+are few and short) are evidently directed. He gets higher, they
+say, than Farinelli; but then this celestial note you do not hear
+above once in a whole opera; and he falls from this altitude at
+once to the mellowest, softest, Strongest tones (about the middle
+of his compass) that can be heard. The Mattei, I assure you, is
+much improved by his example, and by her great success this
+winter; but then the burlettas and the Paganina, I have not been
+so pleased with any thing these many years. She is too fat, and
+above forty, yet handsome withal, and has a face that speaks the
+language of all nations. She has not the invention, the fire,
+and the variety of action that the Spiletta had; yet she is
+light, agile, ever in motion, and above all, graceful; but then,
+her voice, her ear, her taste in singing; good God! as Mr.
+Richardson, the painter, says." Works, vol. iii. p. 268.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 68 To George Montagu, Esq.
+March 21, 1761. (page 115)
+
+Of the enclosed, as you perceive, I tore off the seal, but it has
+not been opened. I grieve at the loss of your suit, and for the
+injustice done you, but what can one expect but injury, when
+forced to have recourse to law! Lord Abercorn asked me this
+evening, if it was true that you are going to Ireland? I gave a
+vague answer, and did not resolve him how much I knew of it. I
+am impatient for the answer to your compliment.
+
+There is not a word of newer news than what I sent you last. The
+Speaker has taken leave, and received the highest compliments,
+and substantial ones too; he did not over-act, and it was really
+a handsome scene.(141) I go to my election on Tuesday, and, if I
+do not tumble out of the chair, and break my neck, you shall hear
+from me at my return. I got the box for Miss Rice; Lady
+Hinchinbrook is dead.
+
+(141) Mr, Onslow held the office of Speaker of the House of
+Commons for above thirty-three years, and during part of that
+time enjoyed the lucrative employment of treasurer of the navy:
+"notwithstanding which," says Mr Hatsell, "it is an anecdote
+perfectly well known, that on his quitting the Chair, his income
+from his private fortune, which had always been inconsiderable,
+Was rather less than it had been in 1727, when he was first
+elected into it. Superadded to his great and accurate knowledge
+of the history of this country, and of the minuter forms and
+proceedings of Parliament, the distinguishing features of his
+character were a regard and veneration for the British
+constitution, as it was declared at and established at the
+Revolution."-E.
+
+
+
+letter 69 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Houghton, March 25, 1761. (page 115)
+
+Here I am at Houghton! and alone! in this spot, where (except two
+hours last month) I have not been in sixteen years! Think what a
+crowd of reflections! No; Gray, and forty churchyards, could not
+furnish so many: nay, I know one must feel them with greater
+indifference than I possess, to have the patience to put them
+into verse. Here I am, probably for the last time of my life,
+though not for the time: every clock that strikes tells me I am
+an hour nearer to yonder church--that church, into which I have
+not yet had courage to enter, where lies that mother on whom I
+doated, and who doated on me! There are the two rival mistresses
+of Houghton, neither of whom ever wished to enjoy it! There too
+lies he who founded its greatness; to contribute to whose fall
+Europe was embroiled; there he sleeps in quiet and dignity, while
+his friend and his foe, rather his false ally and real enemy,
+Newcastle and Bath, are exhausting the dregs of their pitiful
+lives in squabbles and pamphlets.
+
+The surprise the pictures(142) gave me is again renewed;
+accustomed for many years to see nothing but wretched daubs and
+varnished copies at auctions, I look at these as enchantment. My
+own description of them seems poor; but shall I tell you truly,
+the majesty of Italian ideas almost sinks before the warm nature
+of Flemish colouring. Alas! don't I grow old? My young
+imagination was fired with Guido's ideas; must they be plump and
+prominent as Abishag to warm me now? Does great youth feel with
+poetic limbs, as well as see with poetic eyes? In one respect I
+am very young, I cannot satiate myself with looking: an incident
+contributed to make me feel this more strongly. A party arrived
+just as I did, to see the house, a man and three women In riding
+dresses, and they rode post through the apartments. I could not
+hurry before them fast enough; they were not so long in seeing
+for the first time, as I could have been in one room, to examine
+what I knew by heart. I remember formerly being often diverted
+with this kind of seers; they come, ask what such a room is
+called, in which Sir Robert lay, write it down, admire a lobster
+on a cabbage in a market-piece, dispute whether the last room was
+green or purple, and then hurry to the inn for fear the fish
+should be over-dressed. How different my sensations! not a
+picture here but recalls a history; not one, but I remember in
+Downing-street or Chelsea, where queens and crowds admired them,
+though seeing them as little as these travellers!
+
+When I had drank tea, I strolled into the garden; they told me it
+was now called the pleasure-ground. What a dissonant idea of
+pleasure! those groves, those all`ees, where I have passed so
+many charming moments, are now stripped up or over-grown--many
+fond paths I could not unravel, though with a very exact clew in
+my memory: I met two gamekeepers, and a thousand hares In the
+days when all my soul was tuned to pleasure and vivacity (and you
+will think, perhaps, it is far from being out of tune yet), I
+hated Houghton and its solitude; yet I loved this garden, as now,
+with many regrets, I love Houghton; Houghton, I know not what to
+call it, monument of grandeur or ruin! How I have wished this
+evening for Lord Bute! how I could preach to him! For myself, I
+do not want to be preached to; I have long considered, how every
+Balbec must wait for the chance of a Mr. Wood. The servants
+wanted to lay me in the great apartment-what, to make me pass my
+night as I have done my evening! It were like Proposing to
+Margaret Roper(143) to be a duchess in the court that cut off her
+father's head, and imagining it would please her. I have chosen
+to sit in my father's little dressing-room, and am now by his
+scrutoire, where, in the heights of his fortune, he used to
+receive the accounts of his farmers, and deceive himself, or us,
+with the thoughts of his economy. How wise a man at once, and
+how weak! For what has he built Houghton? for his grandson to
+annihilate, or for his son to mourn over. If Lord Burleigh could
+rise and view his representative driving the Hatfield stage, he
+would feel as I feel now.(144) Poor little Strawberry! at least
+it will not be stripped to pieces by a descendant! You will find
+all these fine meditations dictated by pride, not by philosophy.
+Pray consider through how many mediums philosophy must pass,
+before it is purified--
+
+"how often must it weep, how often burn!"
+
+My mind was extremely prepared for all this gloom by parting with
+Mr. Conway yesterday morning; moral reflections or commonplaces
+are the livery one likes to wear, when one has just had a real
+misfortune. He is going to Germany: I was glad to dress myself
+up in transitory Houghton, in lieu of very sensible concern.
+To-morrow I shall be distracted with thoughts, at least images of
+very different complexion. I go to Lynn, and am to be elected on
+Friday. I shall return hither on Saturday, again alone, to
+expect Burleighides on Sunday, whom I left at Newmarket. I must
+once in my life see him on his grandfather's throne.
+
+Epping, Monday night, thirty-first.-No, I have not seen him; he
+loitered on the road, and I was kept at Lynn till yesterday
+morning. It is plain I never knew for how many trades I was
+formed, when at this time of day I can begin electioneering, and
+succeed in my new vocation.. Think of me, the subject of a mob,
+who was scarce ever before in a mob, addressing them in the
+town-hall, riding at the head of two thousand people through such
+a town as Lynn, dining with above two hundred of them, amid
+bumpers, huzzas, songs, and tobacco, and finishing with country
+dancing at a ball and sixpenny whisk! I have borne it all
+cheerfully; nay, have sat hours in conversation, the thing upon
+earth that I hate; have been to hear misses play on the
+harpsichord, and to see an alderman's copies of Rubens and Carlo
+Marat. Yet to do the folks justice, they are sensible, and
+reasonable, and civilized; their very language is polished since
+I lived among them. I attribute this to their more frequent
+intercourse with the world and the capital, by the help of good
+roads and postchaises, which, if they have abridged the King's
+dominions, have at least tamed his subjects. Well, how
+comfortable it will be to-morrow, to see my parroquet, to play at
+loo, and not be obliged to talk seriously! The Heraclitus of the
+beginning of this letter will be overjoyed on finishing it to
+sign himself your old friend, Democritus.
+
+P. S. I forgot to tell you that my ancient aunt Hammond came over
+to Lynn to see me; not from any affection, but curiosity. The
+first thing she said to me, though we have not met these sixteen
+years, was, ,Child, you have done a thing to-day, that your
+father never did in all his life; you sat as they carried you,--
+he always stood the whole time." "Madam," said I, "when I am
+placed in a chair, I conclude I am to sit in it; besides, as I
+cannot imitate my father in great things, I am not at all
+ambitious of mimicking him in little ones." I am sure she
+proposes to tell her remarks to my uncle Horace's ghost, the
+instant they meet.
+
+(142) This magnificent collection of pictures was sold to the
+Empress of Russia, and some curious particulars relative to the
+sale will be found in Beloe's Anecdotes of Literature. A series
+Of engravings was likewise made from them, which was published in
+1788, under the title of "The Houghton Gallery: a collection of
+prints, from the best pictures in the possession of the Earl of
+Orford."-E.
+
+(143) Wife,, of William Roper, Esq. and eldest and favourite
+daughter of Sir Thomas More. She bought the head of her
+ill-fated parent, when it was about to be thrown into the Thames,
+after having been affixed to London bridge, and on being
+questioned by the Privy Council about her conduct, she boldly
+replied, that she had done so that "it might not become food for
+fishes." She survived her father nine years, and died at the age
+of thirty-six, in 1544, and was buried at St. Dunstan's church,
+Canterbury; the box containing her father's head being placed on
+her coffin.-E.
+
+(144) the prayer of Sir Robert Walpole, recorded on the
+foundation-stone, was, that "after its master, to a mature old
+age, had long enjoyed it in perfection, his latest descendants
+might safely possess it to the end of time."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 70 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, April 10, 1761. (page 118)
+
+If Prince Ferdinand had studied how to please me, I don't know
+any method he could have lighted upon so likely to gain my heart,
+as being beaten out of the field before you joined him. I
+delight in a hero that is driven so far that nobody can follow
+him. He is as well at Paderborn, as where I have long wished the
+King of Prussia, the other world. You may frown if you please at
+my imprudence, you who are gone with all the disposition in the
+world to be well with your commander; the peace is in a manner
+made, and the anger of generals will not be worth sixpence these
+ten years. We peaceable folks are now to govern the world, and
+you warriors must in your turn tremble at our Subjects the mob,
+as we have done before your hussars and court-martials.
+
+I am glad you had so pleasant a passage.(145) My Lord Lyttelton
+would say, that Lady Mary Coke, like Venus, smiled over the
+waves, et mare prestabat eunti. in truth, when she could tame
+me, she must have had little trouble with the ocean. Tell me how
+many burgomasters she has subdued, or how many would have fallen
+in love with her if they had not fallen asleep! Come, has she
+saved two-pence by her charms? Have they abated a farthing of
+their impositions for her being handsomer than any thing in the
+seven provinces? Does she know how political her journey is
+thought? Nay, my Lady Ailesbury, you are not out of the scrape;
+you are both reckoned des Mar`echale de Guebriant,(146) going to
+fetch, and consequently govern the young queen. There are more
+jealousies about your voyage, than the Duke of Newcastle would
+feel if Dr. Shaw had prescribed a little ipecacuanha to my Lord
+Bute.
+
+I am sorry I must adjourn my mirth, to give Lady Ailesbury a
+pang; poor Sir Harry Bellendine(147) is dead; he made a great
+dinner at Almac's for the House of Drummond, drank very hard,
+caught a violent fever, and died in a very few days. Perhaps you
+will have heard this before; I shall wish so; I do not like, even
+innocently, to be the cause of sorrow.
+
+I do not at all lament Lord Granby's leaving the army, and your
+immediate succession. There are persons in the world who would
+gladly ease you of this burden. As you are only to take the
+vice-royalty of a coop, and that for a few weeks, I shall but
+smile if you are terribly distressed. Don't let Lady Ailesbury
+proceed to Brunswick: you might have had a wife who would not
+have thought it so terrible to fall into the hands [arms] of
+hussars; but as I don't take that to be your Countess's turn,
+leave her with the Dutch, who are not so boisterous as Cossacks
+or chancellors of the exchequer.
+
+My love, my duty, my jealousy, to Lady Mary, if she is not sailed
+before you receive this--if she is, I shall deliver them myself
+Good night! I write immediately on the receipt of your letter,
+but you see I have nothing yet new to tell you.
+
+(145) From Harwich to Holvoetsluys.
+
+(146) The Mar`echale de Gu`ebriant was sent to the King of Poland
+with the character of ambassadress by Louis Xiii. to accompany
+the Princess Marie de Gonzague, who had been married by proxy to
+the King of Poland at Paris.
+
+(147) Uncle to the Countess of Ailesbury.
+
+
+
+Letter 71 To Sir David Dalrymple.(148)
+Arlington Street, April 14, 1761. (page 119)
+
+Sir, I have deferred answering the favour of your last, till I
+could tell you that I had seen Fingal. Two journeys into Norfolk
+for my election, and other accidents, prevented my seeing any
+part of the poem till this last week, and I have yet only seen
+the first book. There are most beautiful images in it, and it
+surprises one how the bard could strike out so many shining ideas
+from a few so very simple objects, as the moon, the storm, the
+sea, and the heath, from whence he borrows almost all his
+allusions. The particularizing of persons, by "he said," "he
+replied," so much objected to in Homer, is so wanted in
+Fingal,(149) that it in some measure justifies the Grecian
+Highlander; I have even advised Mr. Macpherson (to prevent
+confusion) to have the names prefixed to the speeches, as in a
+play. It is too obscure without some such aid. My doubts of the
+genuineness are all vanished.
+
+I fear, sir, from Dodsley's carelessness, you have not received
+the Lucan. A gentleman in Yorkshire, for whom I consigned
+another copy at the same time with yours, has got his but within
+this fortnight. I have the pleasure to find, that the notes are
+allowed the best of Dr. Bentley's remarks on poetic authors.
+Lucan was muscular enough to bear his rough hand.
+
+Next winter I hope to be able to send you Vertue's History of the
+Arts, as I have put it together from his collections. Two
+volumes are finished, the first almost printed and the third
+begun. There will be a fourth, I believe, relating solely to
+engravers. You will be surprised, sir, how the industry of one
+man could at this late period amass so near a complete history of
+our artists. I have no share in it, but in arranging his
+materials. Adieu!
+
+(148) Now first collected.
+
+(149) "For me," writes Gray, it this time, to Dr. Wharton, "I
+admire nothing but Fingal; yet I remain still in doubt about the
+authenticity of these poems, though inclining rather to believe
+them genuine in spite of the worio. Whether they are the
+inventions of antiquity, or of a modern Scotchman, either case to
+me is alike unaccountable. Je m'y perds." Dr. Johnson, on the
+contrary, all along denied their authenticity. "The subject,"
+says Boswell, "having been introduced by Dr. Fordyce, Dr. Blair,
+relying on the external evidence of their antiquity, asked
+Johnson whether he thought any man of modern age could have
+written such poems? Johnson replied, 'Yes, Sir, many men, many
+women, and many children.' He, at this time, did not know that
+Dr. Blair had just published a dissertation, not only defending
+their authenticity, but seriously ranking them with the poems of
+Homer and Virgil; and when he was afterwards informed of this
+circumstance, he expressed some displeasure at Dr. Fordyce's
+having suggested the topic, and said, 'I am not sorry that they
+got thus much for their pains: Sir, it was like leading one to
+talk of a book, when the author is concealed behind the
+door.'"-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 72 To The Countess Of Suffolk.(150)
+Friday night, April 1761. (page 120)
+
+We are more successful, Madam, than I could flatter myself we
+should be. Mr. Conway--and I need say no more--has negotiated so
+well, that the Duke of Grafton is disposed to bring Mr.
+Beauclerk(151) in for Thetford. It will be expected, I believe,
+that Lord Vere should resign Windsor in a handsome manner to the
+Duke of Cumberland. It must be your ladyship's part to prepare
+this; which I hope will be the means of putting an end to these
+unhappy differences. My only fear now is, lest the Duke should
+have promised the Lodge.' Mr. Conway writes to Lord Albemarle,
+who is yet at Windsor, to prevent this, if not already done, till
+the rest is ready to be notified to the Duke of Cumberland. Your
+ladyship's good sense and good heart make it unnecessary for me
+to say more.
+
+(150) Now first collected.
+
+(151) The Hon. Aubrey Beauclerk, son of Lord Vere; afterwards
+Duke of St. Albans.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 73 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, April 16, 1761. (page 121)
+
+
+You are a very mule; one offers you a handsome stall and manger
+in Berkeley Square, and you will not accept it. I have chosen
+your coat, a claret colour, to suit the complexion of the country
+you are going to visit; but I have fixed nothing about the lace.
+Barrett had none of gauze, but what were as broad as the Irish
+Channel. Your tailor found a very reputable one at another
+place, but I would not determine rashly; it will be two or
+three-and-twenty shillings the yard: you might have a very
+substantial real lace,' which would wear like your buffet, for
+twenty. The second order of gauzes are frippery, none above
+twelve shillings, and those tarnished, for the species are out of
+fashion. You will have time to sit in judgment upon these
+important points; for Hamilton(152) your secretary told me at the
+Opera two nights ago, that he had taken a house near Busby, and
+hoped to be in my neighbourhood for four months.
+
+I was last night at your plump Countess's who is so shrunk, that
+she does not seem to be composed of above a dozen hassocs. Lord
+Guildford rejoiced mightily over your preferment. The Duchess of
+Argyle was playing there, not knowing that the great Pam was just
+dead,, to wit, her brother-in-law. He was abroad in the morning,
+was seized with a palpitation after dinner, and was dead before
+the surgeon could arrive. There's the crown of Scotland too
+fallen upon my Lord Bute's head! Poor Lord Edgecumbe is still
+alive, and may be so for some days; the physicians, who no longer
+ago than Friday se'nnight persisted that he had no dropsy, in
+order to prevent his having Ward,(153) on Monday last proposed
+that Ward should be called in, and at length they owned they
+thought the mortification begun. It is not clear it is yet; at
+times he is in his senses, and entirely so, composed, clear, and
+most rational; talks of his death, and but yesterday, after such
+a conversation with his brother, asked for a pencil to amuse
+himself with drawing. What parts, genius, agreeableness thrown
+away at a hazard table, and not permitted the chance of being
+saved by the villainy of physicians!
+
+You will be pleased with the Anacreontic, written by Lord
+Middlesex upon Sir Harry Bellendine: I have not seen any thing so
+antique for ages; it has all the fire, poetry, and simplicity of
+Horace.
+
+"Ye sons of Bacchus, come and join
+in solemn dirge, while tapers shine
+Around the grape-embowered shrine
+Of honest Harry Bellendine.
+
+Pour the rich juice of Bourdeaux's wine,
+Mix'd with your falling tears of brine,
+In full libation o'er the shrine
+Of honest Harry Bellendine.
+
+Your brows let ivy chaplets twine,
+While you push round the sparkling wine,
+And let your table be the shrine
+Of honest Hairy Bellendine."
+
+He died in his vocation, of a high fever, after the celebration
+of some orgies. Though but six hours in his senses, he gave a
+proof of his usual good humour, making it his last request to the
+sister Tuftons to be reconciled; which they are. His pretty
+villa, in my neighbourhood, I fancy he has left to the new Lord
+Lorn. I must tell you an admirable bon-mot of George Selwyn,
+though not a new one; when there was a malicious report that the
+eldest Tufton was to marry Dr. Duncan, Selwyn said, "How often
+will she repeat that line of Shakspeare,
+
+"Wake Duncan with this knocking--would thou couldst!"
+
+I enclose the receipt from your lawyer. Adieu!
+
+(152) William Gerard Hamilton, commonly called Single-speech
+Hamilton, was, on the appointment of Lord Halifax to the
+viceroyalty of Ireland, selected as his secretary, and was
+accompanied thither by the celebrated Edmund Burke, partly as a
+friend and partly as his private secretary.-E.
+
+(153) The celebrated empiric, see ant`e, p. 37, letter 10. His
+drops were first introduced in 1732, by Sir Thomas Robinson; upon
+which occasion, Sir C. H. Williams addressed to him his poem,
+commencing,
+
+"Say, knight, for learning most renown'd,
+What is this wondrous drop?"-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 74 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, April 28, 1761. (page 122)
+
+I am glad you will relish June for Strawberry; by that time I
+hope the weather will have recovered its temper. At present it
+is horridly cross and uncomfortable; I fear we shall have a cold
+season; we cannot eat our summer and have our summer.
+
+There has been a terrible fire in the little traverse street, at
+the upper end of Sackville Street. Last Friday night, between
+eleven and twelve, I was sitting with Lord Digby in the
+coffee-room at Arthur's; they told us there was a great fire
+somewhere about Burlington Gardens. I, who am as constant at a
+fire as George Selwyn at an execution, proposed to Lord Digby to
+go and see where it was. We found it within two doors of that
+pretty house of Fairfax, now General Waldegrave's. I sent for
+the latter, who was at Arthur's; and for the guard, from St.
+James's. Four houses were in flames before they could find a
+drop of water; eight were burnt. I went to my Lady Suffolk, in
+Saville Row, and passed the whole night, till three in the
+morning, between her little hot bedchamber and the spot up to my
+ancles in water, without catching cold.(154) As the wind, which
+had sat towards Swallow Street, changed in the middle of the
+conflagration, I concluded the greater part of Saville Row would
+be consumed. I persuaded her to prepare to transport her most
+valuable effects--"portantur avari Pygmalionis opes miserae."
+She behaved with great composure, and observed to me herself how
+much worse her deafness grew with the alarm. Half the people of
+fashion in town were in the streets all night, as it happened in
+such a quarter of distinction. In the crowd, looking on with
+great tranquillity, I saw a Mr. Jackson, an Irish gentleman, with
+whom I had dined this winter, at Lord Hertford's. He seemed
+rather grave; I said, "Sir, I hope you do not live hereabouts."
+"Yes, Sir," said he, "I lodged in that house that is Just burnt."
+
+Last night there was a mighty ball at Bedford-house; the royal
+Dukes and Princess Emily were there; your lord-lieutenant, the
+great lawyer, lords, and old Newcastle, whose teeth are tumbled
+out, and his mouth tumbled in; hazard very deep; loo, beauties,
+and the Wilton Bridge in sugar, almost as big as the life. I am
+glad all these joys are near going out of town. The Graftons go
+abroad for the Duchess's health; Another climate may mend that--I
+will not answer for more. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(154) This accident was owing to a coachman carrying a lighted
+candle into the stable, and, agreeably to Dean Swift's Advice to
+Servants, sticking it against the rack; the straw being set in a
+flame in his absence, by the candle falling. Eight or nine
+horses perished, and fourteen houses were burnt to the ground.
+Walpole was, most probably, not an idle spectator for the
+newspapers relate, that the "gentlemen in the neighbourhood,
+together with their servants, formed a ring, kept off the mob,
+and handed the goods and movables from one another, till they
+secured them in a place of safety; a noble instance of
+neighbourly respect and kindness."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 75 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, May 5, 1761. (page 123)
+
+We have lost a young genius, Sir William Williams;(155) an
+express from Belleisle, arrived this morning, brings nothing but
+his death. He was shot very unnecessarily, riding too near a
+battery; in sum, he is a sacrifice to his own rashness, and to
+ours. For what are we taking Belleisle? I rejoiced at the little
+loss we had on landing; for the glory, I leave it to the common
+council. I am very willing to leave London to them too, and do
+pass half the week at Strawberry, where my two passions, lilacs
+and nightingales, are in full bloom. I spent Sunday as if it
+were Apollo's birthday -. Gray and Mason were with me, and we
+listened to the nightingales till one o'clock in the morning.
+Gray has translated two noble incantations from the Lord knows
+who, a Danish Gray, who lived the Lord knows when. They are to
+be enchased in a history of English bards, which Mason and he are
+Writing; but of which the former has not written a word yet, and
+of which the latter, if he rides Pegasus at his usual foot-pace,
+will finish the first page two years hence.
+
+But the true frantic OEstus resides at present with Mr. Hogarth;
+I went t'other morning to see a portrait he is painting of Mr.
+Fox. Hogarth told me he had promised, if Mr. Fox would sit as he
+liked, to make as good a picture as Vandyke or Rubens could. I
+was silent--"Why now," said he, "you think this very vain, but
+why should not one speak the truth?" This truth was uttered in
+the face of his own Sigismonda, which is exactly a maudlin w----,
+tearing off the trinkets that her keeper had given her, to fling
+at his head. She has her father's picture in a bracelet on her
+arm, and her fingers are bloody with the heart, as if she had
+just bought a sheep's pluck in St. James's Market. As I was
+going, Hogarth put on a very grave face, and said, "Mr. Walpole,
+I want to speak to you." I sat down, and said I was ready to
+receive his commands. For shortness, I will mark this wonderful
+dialogue by initial letters.
+
+H. I am told you are going to entertain the town with something
+in our way. W. Not very soon, Mr. Hogarth. H. I wish you would
+let me have it to correct; I should be very sorry to have you
+expose yourself to censure; we painters must know more of those
+things than other people. W. Do you think nobody understands
+painting but painters? H. Oh! so far from it, there's Reynolds,
+who certainly has genius; why but t'other day he offered a
+hundred pounds for a picture, that I would not hang in my cellar;
+and indeed, to say truth I have generally found, that persons who
+had studied painting least were the best judges of it; but what I
+particularly wished to say to you was about Sir James Thornhill
+(you know he married Sir James' daughter): I would not have you
+say any thing against him; there was a book published some time
+ago, abusing him, and it gave great offence. He was the first
+that attempted history in England, and, I assure you, some
+Germans have said that he was a very great painter. W. My work
+will go no lower than the year one thousand seven hundred, and I
+really have not considered whether Sir J. Thornhill will come
+within my plan or not; if he does, I fear you and I shall not
+agree upon his merits. H. I wish you would let me correct it;
+besides; I am writing something of the same kind myself; I should
+be sorry we should clash. W. I believe it is not much known what
+my work is, very few persons have seen it. H. Why, it is a
+critical history of painting , is it not? W. No, it is an
+antiquarian history of it in England; I bought Mr. Vertue's MSS.
+and, I believe, the work will not give much offence; besides, if
+it does, I cannot help it: when I publish any thing, I give it to
+the world to think of it as they please. H. Oh! if it is an
+antiquarian work, we shall not clash; mine is a critical work; I
+don't know whether I shall ever publish it. It is rather an
+apology for painters. I think it is owing to the good sense of
+the English that they have not painted better. W. My dear Mr.
+Hogarth, I must take my leave of you, you now grow too wild--and
+I left him. If I had stayed, there remained nothing but for him
+to bite me. I give you my honour, this conversation is literal,
+and, perhaps, as long as you have known Englishmen and painters,
+You never met with any thing so distracted. I had consecrated a
+line to his genius (I mean, for wit) in my preface; I shall not
+erase it; but I hope nobody will ask me if he is not mad. Adieu!
+
+(155) Sir William Pere Williams, Bart. member for Shoreham, and a
+captain in Burgoyne's Dragoons. He was killed in reconnoitring
+before Belleisle. Gray wrote his epitaph, at the request of Mr.
+Frederick Montagu, who intended to have it inscribed on a
+monument at Belleisle:--
+
+"Here, foremost in the dangerous paths of fame,
+Young Williams fought for England's fair renown;
+His mind each Muse, each Grace adornd his frame,
+Nor Envy dared to view him with a frown," etc.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 76 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, May, 14, 1761. (page 125)
+
+As I am here, and know nothing of our poor heroes at Belleisle,
+who are combating rocks, mines, famine, and Mr. Pitt's obstinacy,
+I will send you the victory of a heroine, but must preface it
+with an apology, as it was gained over a sort of relation of
+yours. Jemmy Lumley last week had a party of whist at his own
+house; the combatants, Lucy Southwell, that curtseys like a bear,
+Mrs. Prijean, and a Mrs. Mackenzy. They played from six In the
+evening till twelve next day; Jemmy never winning one rubber, and
+rising a loser of two thousand pounds. How it happened I know
+not, nor why his suspicions arrived so late, but he fancied
+himself cheated, and refused to pay. However, the bear had no
+share in his evil surmises: on the contrary, a day or two
+afterwards, he promised a dinner at Hampstead to Lucy and her
+virtuous sister. As he went to the rendezvous his chaise was
+stopped by somebody, who advised him not to proceed. Yet no whit
+daunted, he advanced. In the garden he found The gentle
+conqueress, Mrs. MacKenzy, Who accosted him in the most friendly
+manner. After a few compliments, she asked if he did not intend
+to pay her. "No, indeed I shan't, I shan't; your servant, your
+servant."--"Shan't you?" said the fair virago; and taking a
+horsewhip from beneath her hoop, she fell upon him with as much
+vehemence as the Empress-queen would upon the King of Prussia, if
+she could catch him alone in the garden at Hampstead. Jemmy
+cried out murder; his servant,- rushed in, rescued him from the
+jaws of the lioness, and carried him off in his chaise to town.
+The Southwells, were already arrived, and descended on the noise
+of the fray, finding nobody to pay for the dinner, and fearing
+they must, set out for London too without it, though I suppose
+they had prepared tin pockets to carry off all that should be
+left. Mrs. Mackenzy is immortal, and in the crown-office.(156)
+
+The other battle in my military journal happened between the
+Duchess of Argyle and Lord Vere. The Duchess, who always talks
+of puss and pug, and who, having lost her memory, forgets how
+often she tells the same story, had tired the company at
+Dorset-house with the repetition of the same story; when the
+Duke's spaniel reached up into her lap, and placed his nose most
+critically: "See," said she, "see, how fond all creatures are of
+me." Lord Vere, who was at cards, and could not attend to them
+for her gossiping, said peevishly, without turning round or
+seeing where the dog was, "I suppose he smells PUSS." "What!"
+said the Duchess of Argyle, in a passion, "Do you think my puss
+stinks?" I believe you have not two better stories in
+Northamptonshire.
+
+Don't imagine that my gallery will be prance-about-in-able, as
+you expect, by the beginning of June; I do not propose to finish
+it till next year, but you will see some glimpse of it, and for
+the rest of Strawberry, it never was more beautiful, You must now
+begin to fix your motions: I go to Lord Dacre's at the end of
+this month, and to Lord Ilchester's the end of the next; between
+those periods I expect you.
+
+Saturday morning, Arlington Street.
+I came to town yesterday for a party at Bedford-house, made for
+Princess Amelia; the garden was open, with French horns and
+clarionets, and would have been charming with one single zephyr,
+that had not come from the northeast; however, the young ladies
+found it delightful. There was limited loo for the Princess,
+unlimited for the Duchess of Grafton, to whom I belonged, a table
+of quinze, and another of quadrille. The Princess ha(f heard of
+our having cold meat upon the loo-table, and would have some. A
+table was brought in, she was served so, others rose by turns and
+went to the cold meat; in the outward room were four little
+tables for the rest of the company. Think, if King George the
+Second could have risen and seen his daughter supping pell-mell
+with men, as if it were in a booth! The tables were removed, the
+young people began to dance to a tabor and pipe; the Princess sat
+down again, but to unlimited loo; we played till three, and I won
+enough to help on the gallery. I am going back to it, to give my
+nieces and their lords a dinner.
+
+We were told there was a great victory come from Pondicherry, but
+it came from too far to divert us from liking our party better.
+Poor George Monson has lost his leg there. You know that Sir W.
+Williams has made Fred. Montagu heir to his debts. Adieu!
+
+(156) "Sure Mr. Jonathan, or some one, has told you how your good
+friend Mr. L. has been horsewhippcd, trampled, bruised, and p--d
+upon, by a Mrs. Mackenzie, a sturdy Scotchwoman. it was done in
+an inn-yard at Hampstead, in the face of day, and he has put her
+in the crown-office. it is very true." Gray to Wharton.
+
+
+
+Letter 77 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.
+Strawberry Hill, June 13, 1761. (page 126)
+
+I never ate such good snuff, nor smelt such delightful bonbons,
+as your ladyship has sent me. Every time you rob the Duke's
+dessert, does it cost you a pretty snuff-box? Do the pastors at
+the Hague(157) enjoin such expensive retributions? If a man
+steals a kiss there, I suppose he does penance in a sheet of
+Brussels lace. The comical part is, that you own the theft, ind
+sending me, but say nothing of the vehicle of your repentance.
+In short, Madam, the box is the prettiest thing I ever saw, and I
+give you a thousand thanks for it.
+
+When you comfort yourself about the operas, you don't know what
+you have lost; nay, nor I neither; for I was here, concluding
+that a serenata for a birthday would be -is dull and as vulgar as
+those festivities generally are: but I hear of nothing but the
+enchantment of it.(158) There was a second orchestra in the
+footman's gallery, disguised by clouds, and filled with the music
+of the King'S chapel. The choristers behaved like angels, and
+the harmony between the two bands was in the most exact time.
+Elisi piqued himself, and beat both heaven and earth. The joys
+of the year do not end there. The under-actors open at
+Drury-lane to-night with a new comedy by Murphey, called "All in
+the Wrong."(159) At Ranelagh, all is fireworks and skyrockets.
+The birthday exceeded the splendour of Haroun Alraschid and the
+Arabian Nights, when people had nothing to do but to scour a
+lantern and send a genie for a hamper of diamonds and rubies. Do
+you remember one of those stories, where a prince has eight
+statues of diamonds, which he overlooks, because he fancies he
+wants a ninth; and to his great surprise the ninth proves to be
+pure flesh and blood, which he never thought of? Some how or
+other, Lady Sarah(160 is the ninth statue; and, you will allow,
+has better white and red than if she was made of pearls and
+rubies. Oh! I forgot, I was telling you of the birthday: my Lord
+P * * * * had drunk the King's health so often at dinner, that at
+the ball he took Mrs. * * * * for a beautiful woman, and, as she
+says, "made an improper use of his hands." The proper use of
+hers, she thought, was to give him a box on the ear, though
+within the verge of the court. He returned it by a push, and she
+tumbled off the end of the bench; which his Majesty has accepted
+as sufficient punishment, and she is not to lose her right
+hand.(161)
+
+I enclose the list your ladyship desired: you will see that the
+Plurality of Worlds" are Moore's, and of some I do not know the
+authors. ' There is a late edition with these names to them.
+
+My duchess was to set out this morning. I saw her for the last
+time the day before yesterday at Lady Kildare's: never was a
+journey less a party of pleasure. She was so melancholy, that
+all Miss Pelham's oddness and my spirits could scarce make her
+smile. Towards the end of the night, and that was three in the
+morning, I did divert her a little. I slipped Pam into her lap,
+and then taxed her with having it there. She was quite
+confounded; but, taking it up, saw he had a Telescope in his
+hand, which I had drawn, and that the card, which was split, and
+just waxed together, contained these lines:
+
+"Ye simple astronomers, lay by your glasses;
+The transit of Venus has proved you all asses:
+Your telescopes signify nothing to scan it;
+'Tis not meant in the clouds, 'tis not meant of a planet:
+The seer who foretold it mistook or deceives us,
+For Venus's transit is when Grafton leaves us."
+
+I don't send your ladyship these verses as good, but to show you
+that all gallantry does not centre at the Hague.
+
+I wish I could tell you that Stanley(162) and Bussy, by crossing
+over and figuring in, had forwarded the peace. It is no more
+made than Belleisle is taken. However, I flatter myself that you
+will not stay abroad till you return for the coronation, which is
+ordered for the beginning of October. I don't care to tell you
+how lovely the season is; how my acacias are powdered with
+flowers, and my hay just in its picturesque moment. Do they ever
+make any other hay in Holland than bulrushes in ditches? My new
+buildings rise so swiftly, that I shall have not a shilling left,
+so far from giving commissions on Amsterdam. When I have made my
+house so big that I don't know what to do with it, and am
+entirely undone, I propose, like King Pyrrhus, who took such a
+roundabout way to a bowl of punch, to sit down and enjoy myself;
+but with this difference, that it is better to ruin one's self
+than all the world. I am sure you would think as I do, though
+Pyrrhus were King of Prussia. I long to have you bring back the
+only hero that ever I could endure. Adieu, Madam! I sent you
+just such another piece of tittle-tattle as this by General
+Waldegrave: you are very partial to me, or very fond of knowing
+every thing that passes in your own country, if you can be amused
+so. If you can, 'tis surely my duty to divert you, though at the
+expense of my character; for I own I am ashamed when I look back
+and see four sides of paper scribbled over with nothings.
+
+(157) Lady Ailesbury remained at the Hague while Mr. Conway was
+with the army during the campaign in 1761.
+
+(158) The music was by Cocchi. Dr. Burney says it was not
+sufficiently admired to encourage the manager to perform it more
+than twice.-E.
+
+(159) 'This comedy, which came out in the summer-season at
+Drury-lane, under the conduct of Foote and the author, met with
+considerable success. Some of the hints are acknowledged to have
+been borrowed from Moli`ere's "Cocu Imaginaire."-E.
+
+(160) Lady Sarah Lenox.-E.
+
+
+(161) The old punishment for giving a blow in the King's
+presence.
+
+(162) Mr. Hans Stanley was at this time employed in negotiating a
+peace at Paris.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 78 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, June 18, 1761. (page 128)
+
+I am glad you will come on Monday, and hope you will arrive in a
+rainbow and pair, to signify that we are not to be totally
+drowned. It has rained incessantly, and floated all my new
+works; I seem rather to be building a pond than a gallery. My
+farm too is all under water, and what is vexatious, if Sunday had
+not thrust itself between, I could have got in my hay on Monday.
+As the parsons will let nobody else make hay on Sundays, I think
+they ought to make it on that day themselves.
+
+By the papers I see Mrs. Trevor Hampden is dead of the smallpox.
+Will he be much concerned? If you will stay with me a fortnight
+or three weeks, perhaps I may be able to carry you to a play of
+Mr. Bentley's--you stare, but I am in earnest: nay, and de par le
+roy. In short, here is the history of it. You know the passion
+he always had for the Italian comedy; about two years ago he
+wrote one, intending to get it offered to Rich, but without his
+name. He would have died to be supposed an author, and writing
+for gain. I kept this an inviolable secret. Judge then of my
+surprise, when about a fortnight or three weeks ago, I found my
+Lord Melcomb reading this very Bentleiad in a circle at my Lady
+Hervey's. Cumberland had carried it to him with a recommendatory
+copy of verses, containing more incense to the King and my Lord
+Bute, than the magi brought in their portmanteaus to Jerusalem.
+The idols were propitious, and to do them justice, there is a
+great deal of wit in the piece, which is called "The Wishes, or
+Harlequin's Mouth Opened."(163) A bank note of two hundred
+pounds was sent from the treasury to the author, and the play
+ordered to be performed by the summer company. Foote was
+summoned to Lord Melcomb's, where Parnassus was composed of the
+peer himself, who, like Apollo, as I am going to tell you, was
+dozing, the two chief justices, and Lord B. Bubo read the play
+himself, "with handkerchief and orange by his side." But the
+curious part is a prologue, which I never saw. It represents the
+god of verse fast asleep by the side of Helicon: the race of
+modern bards try to wake him, but the more they repeat their
+works, the louder he snores. At last "Ruin seize thee, ruthless
+King!" is heard, and the god starts from his trance. This is a
+good thought, but will offend the bards so much, that I think Dr.
+Bentley's son will be abused at least @as much as his father was.
+The prologue concludes with young Augustus, and how much he
+excels the ancient one by the choice of his friend. Foote
+refused to act this prologue, and said it was too strong.
+"Indeed," said Augustus's friend, "I think it is." They have
+softened it a little, and I suppose it will be performed. You
+may depend upon the truth of all this; but what is much more
+credible is, that the comely young author appears every night in
+the Mall in a milk-white coat with a blue cape, disclaims any
+benefit, and says he has done with the play now it is out of his
+own hands, and that Mrs. Hannah Clio, alias Bentley, writ the
+best scenes in it. He is going to write a tragedy, and she, I
+suppose, is going--to court.
+
+You will smile when I tell you that t'other day a party went to
+Westminster Abbey, and among the rest saw the ragged regiment.
+They inquired the names of the figures. "I don't know them," said
+the man, "but if Mr. Walpole was here he could tell you every
+one." Adieu! I expect Mr. John and you with impatience.
+
+(163) This piece, founded on Fontaine's "Trois Souhaits," was
+written in imitation of the Italian comedy; Harlequin, Pantaloon,
+Columbine, etc. being introduced into it as speaking characters.
+"Many parts of it," says the Biographia Dramatica, "exhibit very
+just satire and solid sense, and give evident testimony of the
+author's learning, knowledge, understanding, and critical
+judgment; yet the deficiency of incident which appears in it, as
+well as of that lively kind of wit which is one of the essentials
+of perfect comedy, seem, in great measure, to justify that
+coldness with which the piece was received by the town."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 79 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 5, 1761. (page 130)
+
+You are a pretty sort of a person to come to one's house and get
+sick, only to have an excuse for not returning to it. Your
+departure is so abrupt, that I don't know but I may expect to
+find that Mrs. Jane Truebridge, whom you commend so much, and
+call Mrs. Mary, will prove Mrs. Hannah. Mrs. Clive is still more
+disappointed: she had proposed to play at quadrille with you from
+dinner till supper, and to sing old Purcell to you from supper to
+breakfast next morning.(164) If you cannot trust yourself from
+Greatworth for a whole fortnight, how will you do in Ireland for
+six months? Remember all my preachments, and never be in spirits
+at supper. Seriously I am sorry you are out of order, but am
+alarmed for you at Dublin, and though all the bench of bishops
+should quaver Purcell's hymns, don't let them warble you into a
+pint of wine. I wish you were going among catholic prelates, who
+would deny you the cup. Think of me and resist temptation.
+Adieu!
+
+
+(164) Dr. Burney tells us, that Mrs. Clive's singing, "which was
+intolerable when she meant to be fine, in ballad-farces and songs
+of humour, was, like her comic acting, every thing it should
+be."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 80 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, July 5, 1761. (page 130)
+
+My dear lord,
+I cannot live at Twickenham and not think of you: I have long
+wanted to write, and had nothing to tell you. My Lady D. seems
+to have lost her sting; she has neither blown up a house nor a
+quarrel since you departed. Her wall, contiguous to you, is
+built, but so precipitate and slanting that it seems hurrying to
+take water. I hear she grows sick of her undertakings. We have
+been ruined by deluges; all the country was under water. Lord
+Holderness's new foss`e(165) was beaten in for several yards -
+this tempest was a little beyond the dew of Hermon, that fell on
+the Hill of Sion. I have been in still more danger by water: my
+parroquet was on my shoulder as I was feeding my gold-fish, and
+flew into the middle of the pond: I was very near being the
+Nouvelle Eloise, and tumbling in after him; but with much ado I
+ferried him out with my hat.
+
+Lord Edgecumbe has had a fit of apoplexy; your brother
+Charles(166) a bad return of his old complaint; and Lord Melcombe
+has tumbled down the kitchen stairs, and--waked himself.
+
+London is a desert; no soul in it but the king. Bussy has taken
+a temporary house. The world talks of peace-would I could
+believe it! every newspaper frightens me: Mr. Conway would be
+very angry if he knew how I dread the very name of the Prince de
+Soubise.
+
+We begin to perceive the tower of Kew(167) from Montpellier in a
+fortnight you will see it in Yorkshire.
+
+The Apostle Whitfield is come to some shame: he went to Lady
+Huntingdon lately, and asked for forty pounds for some distressed
+saint or other. She said she had not so much money in the house,
+but would give it him the first time she had. He was very
+pressing, but in vain. At last he said, "There's your watch and
+trinkets, you don't want such vanities; I will have that." She
+would have put him off- but he persisting, she said, "Well, if
+you must have it, you must." About a fortnight afterwards, going
+to his house, and being carried into his wife's chamber, among
+the paraphernalia of the latter the Countess found her own
+offering. This has made a terrible schism: she tells the story
+herself--I had not it from Saint Frances,(168) but I hope it is
+true. Adieu, my dear lord!
+
+P. S. My gallery sends its humble duty to your new front, and all
+my creatures beg their respects to my lady.
+
+(165) At Sion-hill, near Brentford.
+
+(166) Charles Townshend, married to Lady Greenwich, eldest sister
+to Lady Strafford.
+
+(167) The pagoda in the royal garden at Kew.
+
+(168) Lady Frances Shirley.
+
+
+
+Letter 81 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, July 14, 1761. (page 131)
+
+My dearest Harry,
+How could you write me such a cold letter as I have just received
+from you, and beginning Dear sir! Can you be angry with me, for
+can I be in fault to you? Blamable in ten thousand other
+respects, may not I almost say I am perfect with regard to you'?
+Since I was fifteen have I not loved you unalterably? Since I
+was capable of knowing your merit, has not my admiration been
+veneration? For what could so much affection and esteem change?
+Have not your honour, your interest, your safety been ever my
+first objects? Oh, Harry! if you knew what I have felt and am
+feeling about you, would you charge me with neglect? If I have
+seen a person since you went, to whom my first question has not
+been, "What do you hear of the peace?" you would have reason to
+blame me. You say I write very seldom: I will tell you what, I
+should almost be sorry to have you see the anxiety I have
+expressed about you in letters to every body else. No; I must
+except Lady Ailesbury, and there is not another on earth who
+loves you so well, and is so attentive to whatever relates to
+you.
+
+With regard to writing, this is exactly the case.- I had nothing
+to tell you; nothing has happened; and where you are I was
+cautious of writing. Having neither hopes nor fears, I always
+write the thoughts of the moment, and even laugh to divert the
+person I am writing to, without any ill will on the subjects I
+mention. But in your situation that frankness might be
+prejudicial to you: and to write grave unmeaning letters, I
+trusted you was too secure of' me either to like them or desire
+them. I knew no news, nor could: I have lived quite alone at
+Strawberry; am connected with no court, ministers, or party;
+consequently heard nothing, and events there have been none. I
+have not even for this month heard my Lady Townshend's extempore
+gazette. All the morning I play with my workmen or animals, go
+regularly every evening to the meadows with Mrs. Clive, or sit
+with my Lady Suffolk, and at night scribble my Painters-What a
+journal to send you! I write more trifling letters than any man
+living; am ashamed of them, and yet they are expected of me.
+You, my Lady Ailesbury, your brother, Sir Horace Mann, George
+Montagu, Lord Strafford-all expect I should write--Of what? I
+live less and less in the world, care for it less and less, and
+yet am thus obliged to inquire what it is doing. Do make these
+allowances for me, and remember half your letters go to my Lady
+Ailesbury. I writ to her of the King's marriage, concluding she
+would send it to you: tiresome as it would be, I will copy my own
+letters, if you it; for I will do any thing rather than disoblige
+you. I will send you a diary of the Duke of York's balls and
+Ranelaghs, inform you of how many children my Lady Berkeley is
+with child, and how many races my nephew goes to. No; I will
+not, you do not want such proofs of my friendship.
+
+The papers tell us you are retiring, and I was glad? You seem to
+expect an action--Can this give me spirits? Can I write to you
+joyfully, and fear? Or is it fit Prince Ferdinand should know
+you have a friend that is as great a coward about you as your
+wife? The only reason for my silence that can not be true, is,
+that I forget you. When I am prudent or cautious, it is no
+symptom of my being indifferent. Indifference does not happen in
+friendships, as it does in passions; and if I was young enough,
+or feeble enough to cease to love you, I would not for my own
+sake let it be known. Your virtues are my greatest pride; I have
+done myself so much honour by them, that I will not let it be
+known you have been peevish with me unreasonably. Pray God we
+may have peace, that I may scold you for it!
+
+The King's marriage was kept the profoundest secret till last
+Wednesday, when the privy council was extraordinarily summoned,
+and it was notified to them. Since that, the new Queen's mother
+is dead, and will delay it a few days; but Lord Harcourt is to
+sail on the 27th, and the coronation will certainly be on the 22d
+of September. All that I know fixed is, Lord Harcourt master of
+the horse, the Duke of Manchester chamberlain, and Mr. Stone
+treasurer. Lists there are in abundance; I don't know the
+authentic: those most talked of, are Lady Bute groom of the
+stole, the Duchesses of Hamilton and Ancaster, Lady
+Northumberland, Bolingbroke, Weymouth, Scarborough, Abergavenny,
+Effingham, for ladies; you may choose any six of them you please;
+the four first are most probable. Misses Henry Beauclerc, M.
+Howe, Meadows, Wrottesley, Bishop, etc. etc. Choose your maids
+too. Bedchainber women, Mrs. Bloodworth, Robert Brudenel,
+Charlotte Dives, Lady Erskine; in short, I repeat a mere
+newspaper.
+
+We expect the final answer of France this week. Bussy(169) was
+in great pain on the fireworks for quebec, lest he should be
+obliged to illuminate his house: you see I ransack my memory for
+something to tell you.
+
+Adieu! I have more reason to be angry than you had; but I am not
+so hasty: you are of a violent, impetuous, jealous temper--I,
+cool, sedate, reasonable. I believe I must subscribe my name, or
+you will not know me by this description.
+
+(169) The Abb`e de Bussy, sent here with overtures of peace. Mr.
+Stanley was at the same time sent to Paris.
+
+
+
+Letter 82 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Friday night, July 16, 1761. (page 133)
+
+I did not notify the King's marriage to you yesterday, because I
+knew you would learn as much by the evening post as I could tell
+you. The solemn manner of summoning the council was very
+extraordinary: people little imagined, that the urgent and
+important business in the rescript was to acquaint them that his
+Majesty was going to * * * * * * * *. All I can tell you of
+truth is, that Lord Harcourt goes to fetch the Princess, and
+comes back her master of the horse. She is to be here in August,
+and the coronation certainly on the 22d of September. Think of
+the joy the women feel; there is not a Scotch peer in the fleet
+that might not marry the greatest fortune in England between this
+and the 22d of September. However, the ceremony will lose its
+two brightest luminaries, my niece Waldegrave for beauty, and the
+Duchess of Grafton for figure. The first will be lying-in, the
+latter at Geneva; but I think she will come, if she walks to It
+as well as at it. I cannot recollect but Lady Kildare and Lady
+Pembroke of great beauties. Mrs. Bloodworth and Mrs. Robert
+Brudenel, bedchamber women, Miss Wrottesley and Miss Meadows,
+maids of honour, go to receive the Princess at Helvoet; what lady
+I do not hear. Your cousin's Grace of Manchester, they say, is
+to be chamberlain, and Mr. Stone, treasurer; the Duchess of
+Ancaster and Lady Bolingbroke of her bedchamber: these I do not
+know are certain, but hitherto all seems well chosen. Miss Molly
+Howe, one of the pretty Bishops, and a daughter of Lady Harry
+Beauclerc, are talked of for maids of honour. The great
+apartment at St. James's is enlarging, and to be furnished with
+the pictures from Kensington : this does not portend a new
+palace.
+
+In the midst of all this novelty and hurry, my mind is very
+differently employed. They expect every minute the news of a
+battle between Soubise and the hereditary Prince. Mr. Conway, I
+believe, is in the latter army; judge if I can be thinking much
+of espousals and coronations! It is terrible to be forced to sit
+still, expecting such an event; in one's own room one is not
+obliged to be a hero; consequently, I tremble for one that is
+really a hero.
+
+Mr. Hamilton, your secretary, has been to see me to-day; I am
+quite ashamed not to have prevented him. I will go to-morrow
+with all the speeches I can muster.
+
+I am sorry neither you nor your brother are quite well, but shall
+be content if my Pythagorean sermons have any weight with you.
+You go to Ireland to make the rest of your life happy; don't go
+to fling the rest of it away. Good night!
+
+Mr. Chute is gone to his Chutehood.
+
+
+
+Letter 83 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.
+Strawberry Hill, July 20, 1761. (page 134)
+
+I blush, dear Madam, on observing that half my letters to your
+ladyship are prefaced with thanks for presents:-don't mistake; I
+am not ashamed of thanking you, but of having so many occasions
+for it. Monsieur Hop has sent me the piece of china: I admire it
+as much as possible, and intend to like him as much as ever I can
+but hitherto I have not seen him, not having been in town since
+he arrived.
+
+Could I have believed that the Hague would so easily compensate
+for England? nay, for Park-place! Adieu, all our agreeable
+suppers! Instead of Lady Cecilia's(170) French songs, we shall
+have Madame Welderen(171) quavering a confusion of d's and t's,
+b's and p's--Bourquoi s`cais du blaire?(172)--Worse than that, I
+expect to meet all my relations at your house, and Sir Samson
+Gideon instead of Charles Townshend. You will laugh like Mrs.
+Tipkin(173) when a Dutch Jew tells you that he bought at two and
+a half per cent. and sold at four. Come back, if you have any
+taste left: you had better be here talking robes, ermine, and
+tissue, Jewels and tresses, as all the world does, than own you
+are corrupted. Did you receive my notification of the new Queen?
+Her mother is dead, and she will not be here before the end of
+August.
+
+My mind is much more at peace about Mr. Conway than it was.
+Nobody thinks there will be a battle, as the French did not
+attack them when both armies shifted camps; and since that,
+Soubise has entrenched himself up to the whiskers:--whiskers I
+think he has, I have been so afraid of him! Yet our hopes of
+meeting are still very distant: the peace does not advance; and
+if Europe has a stiuer left in its pockets, the war will
+continue; though happily all parties have been so scratched, that
+they only sit and look anger at one another, like a dog and cat
+that don't care to begin again.
+
+We are in danger of losing our sociable box at the Opera. The
+new Queen is very musical, and if Mr. Deputy Hodges and the city
+don't exert their veto, will probably go to the Haymarket.
+George Pitt, in imitation of the Adonises in Tanzai's retinue,
+has asked to be her Majesty's grand harper. Dieu s`cait quelle
+raclerie il y aura! All the guitars are untuned; and if Miss
+Conway has a mind to be in fashion at her return, she must take
+some David or other to teach her the new twing twang, twing twing
+twang. As I am still desirous of being in fashion with your
+ladyship, and am, over and above, very grateful, I keep no
+company but my Lady Denbigh and Lady Blandford, and learn every
+evening, for two hours, to mask my English. Already I am
+tolerably fluent in saying she for he.(174)
+
+Good night, Madam! I have no news to send you: one cannot
+announce a royal wedding and a coronation every post.
+
+P. S. Pray, Madam, do the gnats bite your legs? Mine are swelled
+as big as one, which is saying a deal for me.
+
+July 22.
+
+I HAD writ this, and was not time enough for the mail, when I
+receive your charming note, and this magnificent victory!(175)
+Oh! my dear Madam, how I thank you, how I congratulate you, how I
+feel for you, how I have felt for you and for myself! But I
+bought it by two terrible hours to-day--I heard of the battle two
+hours before I could learn a word of Mr. Conway--I sent all round
+the world, and went half around it myself. I have cried and
+laughed, trembled and danced, as you bid me. If you had sent me
+as much old china as King Augustus gave two regiments for, I
+should not be half so much obliged to you as for your note. How
+could you think of me, when you had so much reason to think of
+nothing but yourself?--And then they say virtue is not rewarded
+in this world. I will preach at Paul's Cross, and quote you and
+Mr. Conway; no two persons were ever so good and happy. In
+short, I am serious in the height of all my joy. God is very
+good to you, my dear Madam; I thank him for you; I thank him for
+myself: it is very unalloyed pleasure we taste at this moment!-
+-Good night! My heart is so expanded, I could write to the last
+scrap of my paper; but I won't. Yours most entirely.
+
+(170) Lady Cecilia West, daughter of John Earl of Delawar,
+afterwards married to General James Johnston.
+
+(171) Wife of the Count de Welderen, one of the lords of the
+States of Holland.-E.
+
+(172) The first words of a favourite French air, with Madame
+Welderen's confusion of p's, t's' etc.
+
+(173) A character in Steele's comedy of The Tender Husband, or
+the Accomplished Fools brought out at Drury-lane in 1709.-E.
+
+(174) A mistake which these ladies, who were both Dutch women,
+constantly made.
+
+(175) The battle of Kirckdenckirck, on the 15th and 16th of July,
+in which the allied army, under Prince Ferdinand, gained a great
+victory over the French, under the Prince of Soubise.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 84 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, July 22, 1761. (page 136)
+
+My dear lord,
+I love to be able to contribute to your satisfaction, and I think
+few things would make you happier than to hear that we have
+totally defeated the French combined armies, and that Mr. Conway
+is safe. The account came this morning: I had a short note from
+my poor Lady Ailesbury, who was waked with the good news before
+she had heard there had been a battle. I don't pretend to send
+you circumstances, no more than I do of the wedding and
+coronation, because you have relations and friends in town nearer
+and better informed. indeed, only the blossom of victory is come
+yet. Fitzroy is expected, and another fuller courier after him.
+Lord Granby, to the mob's heart's content, has the chief honour
+of the day--rather, of the two days. The French behaved to the
+mob's content too, that is, shamefully: and all this glory
+cheaply bought on our side. Lieutenant-colonel Keith killed, and
+Colonel Marlay and Harry Townshend wounded. If it produces a
+peace, I shall be happy for mankind--if not, shall content myself
+with the single but pure joy of Mr. Conway's being safe.
+
+Well! my lord, when do you come? You don't like the question, but
+kings will be married and must be crowned-and if people will be
+earls, they must now and then give up castles and new fronts for
+processions and ermine. By the way, the number of peeresses that
+propose to excuse themselves makes great noise; especially as so
+many are breeding, or trying to breed, by commoners, that they
+cannot walk. I hear that my Lord Delawar, concluding all women
+would not dislike the ceremony, is negotiating his peerage in the
+city, and trying if any great fortune will give fifty thousand
+pounds for one day, as they often do for one night. I saw Miss
+this evening at my Lady Suffolk's, and fancy she does not think
+my Lord quite so ugly as she did two months ago. Adieu, my lord!
+This is a splendid year!
+
+
+
+Letter 85 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 22, 1761. (page 136)
+
+For my part, I believe Mademoiselle Scuderi drew the plan of this
+year. It is all royal marriages, coronations, and victories;
+they come tumbling so over one another from distant parts of the
+globe, that it looks just like the handywork of a lady romance
+writer, whom it costs nothing but a little false geography to
+make the Great Mogul in love with a Princess of Mecklenburg, and
+defeat two marshals of France as he rides post on an elephant to
+his nuptials. I don't know where I am. I had scarce found
+Mecklenburg Strelitz(176) with a magnifying-glass before I am
+whisked to Pondicherri(177)--well, I take it, and raze it. I
+begin to grow acquainted with Colonel Coote, and to figure him
+packing up chests and diamonds, and sending them to his wife
+against the King's wedding--thunder go the Tower guns, and
+behold, Broglio and Soubise are totally defeated; if the mob have
+not much stronger heads and quicker conceptions than I have, they
+-will conclude my Lord Granby is become nabob. How the deuce in
+two days can one digest all this? Why is not Pondicherri in
+Westphalia? I don't know how the Romans did, but I cannot
+support two victories every week. Well, but you will want to
+know the particulars. Broglio and Soubise united, attacked our
+army on the 15th, but were repulsed; the next day, the Prince
+Mahomet Alli d Cawn--no, no, I mean Prince Ferdinand, returned
+the attack, and the French threw down their arms and fled, run
+over my Lord Harcourt, who was going to fetch the new Queen; in
+short, I don't know how it was, but Mr. Conway is safe, and I am
+as happy as Mr. Pitt himself. We have only lost a
+Lieutenant-colonel Keith; Colonel Marlay and Harry Townshend are
+wounded.
+
+I could beat myself for not having a flag ready to display on my
+round tower, and guns mounted on all m@battlements. Instead of
+that, I have been foolishly trying on My new pictures upon my
+gallery. However, the oratory of our Lady of Strawberry shall be
+dedicated next year on the anniversary of Mr. Conway's safety.
+Think with his intrepidity, and delicacy of honour wounded, what
+I had to apprehend; you shall absolutely be here on the sixteenth
+of next July. Mr. Hamilton tells me your King does not set out
+for his new dominions till the day after the coronation; if you
+will come to it, I can give you a very good place for the
+procession; which is a profound secret, because, if known, I
+should be teased to death, and none but my first friends shall be
+admitted. I dined with your secretary yesterday; there were
+Garrick and a young Mr. Burke, who wrote a book in
+the style of Lord Bolingbroke, that was much admired.(178) He is
+a sensible man, but has not worn off his authorism yet, and
+thinks there is nothing so charming as writers, and to be one.
+He will know better one of these days. I like Hamilton's little
+Marly; we walked in the great all`ee, and drank tea in the arbour
+of treillage; they talked of Shakspeare and Booth, of Swift and
+my Lord Bath, and I was thinking of Madame S`evign`e,-. Good
+night! I have a dozen other letters to write; I must tell my
+friends how happy I am--not as an Englishman, but as a cousin.
+
+(176) The King had just announced his intention of demanding in
+marriage the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelitz.-E.
+
+(177) the news of the capture of Pondicherry had only arrived on
+the preceding day.-E.
+
+(178) Mr. Burke's "Vindication of Natural Society," in imitation
+of Lord Bolingbroke's style, which came out in the spring of
+1756, was his first avowed production.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 86 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, July 23, 1761. (page 138)
+
+Well, mon beau cousin! you may be as cross as you please now.
+when you beat two Marshals of France and cut their armies to
+pieces, I don't mind your pouting; but in good truth, it was a
+little vexatious to have you quarrelling with me, when I was in
+greater pain about you than I can express. I Will Say no more;
+make a peace, under the walls of Paris if you please, and I will
+forgive you all--but no more battles: consider, as Dr. Hay said,
+it is cowardly to beat the French now.
+
+Don't look upon yourselves as the only conquerors in the world.
+Pondicherri is ours, as well as the field of KirkDenckirk. The
+park guns never have time to cool; we ruin ourselves in gunpowder
+and skyrockets. If you have a mind to do the gallantest thing in
+the world after the greatest, you must escort the Princess of
+Mecklenburgh through France. You see what a bully I am; the
+moment the French run away, I am sending you on expeditions. I
+forgot to tell you that the King has got the isle of Dominique
+and the chickenpox, two trifles that don't count in the midst of
+all these festivities. No more does your letter of the 8th,
+which I received yesterday: it is the one that is to come after
+the 16th, that I shall receive graciously.
+
+Friday 24th.
+
+Not satisfied with the rays of glory that reached Twickenham, I
+came to town to bask in your success; but am most disagreeably
+disappointed to find you must beat the French once more, who seem
+to love to treat the English mob with subjects for bonfires. I
+had got over such an alarm, that I foolishly ran into the other
+extreme, and concluded there was not a French battalion left
+entire upon the face of Germany. Do write to me; don't be out of
+humour, but tell me every motion you make: I assure you I have
+deserved you should. Would you were out of the question, if it
+were only that I might feel a little humanity! There is not a
+blacksmith or linkboy in London that exults more than I do, upon
+any good news, since you went abroad. What have I to do to hate
+people I never saw, and to rejoice in their calamities? Heaven
+send us peace, and you home! Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 87 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, July 28, 1761. (page 138)
+
+No, I shall never cease being a dupe, till I have been undeceived
+round by every thing that calls itself a virtue. I came to town
+yesterday, through clouds of dust, to see The Wishes, and went
+actually feeling for Mr. Bentley, and full of the emotions he
+must be suffering. What do you think, in a house crowded, was
+the first thing I saw? Mr. and Madame Bentley, perched up in the
+front boxes, and acting audience at his own play! No, all the
+impudence of false patriotism never came up to it. Did one ever
+hear of an author that had courage to see his own first night in
+public'? I don't believe Fielding or Foote himself ever did; and
+this was the modest, bashful Mr. BenTley, that died at the
+thought of being known for an author even by his own
+acquaintance! In the stage-box was Lady Bute, Lord Halifax, and
+Lord Melcombe. I must say, the two last entertained the house as
+much as the play; your King was prompter, and called out to the
+actor every minute to speak louder. The other went backwards,
+behind the scenes, fetched the actors into the box, and was
+busier than Harlequin. The curious prologue was not spoken, the
+whole very ill acted. It turned out just what I remembered it;
+the good extremely good, the rest very flat and vulgar; the
+genteel dialogue, I believe, might be written by Mrs. Hannah.
+The audience were extremely fair: the first act they bore with
+patience, though it promised very ill; the second is admirable,
+and was much applauded; so was the third; the fourth-woful; the
+beginning of the fifth it seemed expiring, but was revived by a
+delightful burlesque of the ancient chorus, which was followed by
+two dismal scenes, at which people yawned, but were awakened on a
+sudden by Harlequin's being drawn up to a gibbet, nobody knew why
+or wherefore - this raised a prodigious and continued hiss,
+Harlequin all the while suspended in the air,--at last they were
+suffered to finish the play, but nobody attended to the
+conclusion.(179) Modesty and his lady all the while sat with the
+utmost indifference; I suppose Lord Melcombe had fallen asleep
+before he came to this scene, and had never read it. The
+epilogue was the King and new queen, and ended with a personal
+satire on Garrick: not very kind on his own stage To add to the
+judgment of his conduct, Cumberland two days ago published a
+pamphlet to abuse him. It was given out for to-night with rather
+more claps than hisses, but I think will not do unless they
+reduce it to three acts.
+
+I am sorry you will not come to the coronation. The place I
+offered I am not sure I can get for any body else; I cannot
+explain it to you, because I am engaged to secrecy: if I can get
+it for your brother John I will, but don't tell him of it,
+because it is not sure. Adieu!
+
+(179) The piece was coldly received by the town. Cumberland says
+that, "when the last of the three Wishes produced the ridiculous
+catastrophe of the hanging of Harlequin in full view of the
+audience, my uncle, the author, then sitting by me, whispered in
+my ear, 'If they don't damn this they deserve to be damned
+themselves;' and whilst he was yet speaking the roar began, and
+The Wishes were irrevocably damned."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 88 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill. (page 140)
+
+This is the 5th of August, and I just receive your letter of the
+17th of last month by Fitzroy.(180) I heard he had lost his
+pocket-book with all his despatches, but had found it again. He
+was a long time finding the letter for me.
+
+You do nothing but reproach me; I declare I will bear it no
+longer, though you should beat forty more Marshals of France. I
+have already writ you two letters that would fully justify me if
+you receive them; if you do not, it is not I that am in fault for
+not writing, but the post-offices for reading my letters, content
+if they would forward them when they have done with them. They
+seem to think, like you that I know more news than any body.
+What is to be known in the dead of summer, when all the world is
+dispersed? Would you know who won the sweepstakes at Huntingdon?
+what parties are at Woburn? what officers upon guard in Betty's
+fruit-shop? whether the peeresses are to wear long, or short
+tresses at the coronation? how many jewels Lady Harrington
+borrows of actresses? All this is your light summer wear for
+conversation; and if my memory were as much stuffed with it as my
+ears, I might have sent you Volumes last week. My nieces, Lady
+Waldegrave and Mrs. Keppel, were here five days, and discussed
+the claim or disappointment of every miss in the kingdom for maid
+of honour. Unfortunately this new generation is not at all my
+affair. I cannot attend to what Concerns them. Not that their
+trifles are less important than those of one's own time, but my
+mould has taken all its impressions, and can receive no more. I
+must grow old upon the stock I have. I, that was so impatient at
+all their chat, the moment they were gone, flew to my Lady
+Suffolk, and heard her talk with great satisfaction of the late
+Queen's coronation-petticoat. The preceding age always appears
+respectable to us (I mean as one advances in years), one's own
+age interesting, the coming age neither one nor t'other.
+
+You may judge by this account that I have writ all my letters, or
+ought to have written them; and yet, for occasion to blame Me,
+you draw a very pretty picture of my situation: all which tends
+to prove that I ought to write to you every day, whether I have
+any thing to say or not. I am writing, I am building--both works
+that will outlast the memory of battles and heroes! Truly, I
+believe, the one will as much as t'other. My buildings are
+paper, like my writings, and both will be blown away in ten years
+after I am dead; if they had not the substantial use of amusing
+me while I live, they would be worth little indeed. I will give
+you one instance that will sum up the vanity of great men,
+learned men, and buildings altogether. I heard lately, that Dr.
+Pearce, a very learned personage, had consented to let the tomb
+of Aylmer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, a very great personage,
+be removed for Wolfe's monument; that at first he had objected,
+but was wrought upon by being told that hight Aylmer was a knight
+templar, a very wicked set of people, as his lordship had heard,
+though he knew nothing of them, as they are not mentioned by
+Longinus. I own I thought this a made story, and wrote to his
+lordship, expressing my concern that one of the finest and most
+ancient monuments in the abbey should be removed, and begging, if
+it was removed, that he would bestow it on me, who would erect
+and preserve it here. After a fortnight's deliberation, the
+bishop sent me an answer, civil indeed, and commending my zeal
+for antiquity! but avowing the story under his own hand. He
+said, that at first they had taken Pembroke's tomb for a knight
+templar's. Observe, that not only the man who shows the tombs
+names it every day, but that there is a draught of it at large in
+Dart's Westminster; that upon discovering whose it was, he had
+been very unwilling to consent to the removal, and at last had
+obliged Wilton to engage to set it up within ten feet of where it
+stands at present. His lordship concluded with congratulating me
+on publishing learned authors at my press. don't wonder that a
+man who thinks Lucan a learned author, should mistake a tomb in
+his own cathedral. If I had a mind to be angry, I could complain
+with reason; as, having paid forty pounds for ground for my
+mother's tomb, that the Chapter of Westminster sell their church
+over and over again; the ancient monuments tumble upon one's head
+through their neglect, as one of them did, and killed a man at
+Lady Elizabeth Percy's funeral; and they erect new waxen dolls of
+Queen Elizabeth, etc. to draw visits and money from the mob. I
+hope all this history is applicable to some part or other of my
+letter; but letters you will have, and so I send you one, very
+like your own stories that you tell your daughter-. There was a
+King, and he had three daughters, and they all went to see the
+tombs; and the youngest, -who was in love with Aylmer de Valence,
+etc.
+
+Thank you for your account of the battle; thank Prince Ferdinand
+for giving you a very Honourable post, which, in spite of his
+teeth and yours, proved a very safe one; and above all, thank
+Prince Soubise, whom I love better than all the German Princes in
+the universe. Peace, I think, we must have at last, if you beat
+the French, or at least hinder them from beating you, and
+afterwards starve them. Bussy's last last courier is expected;
+but as he may have a last last last courier, I trust more to this
+than to all the others. He was complaining t'other day to Mr.
+Pitt of our haughtiness, and said it would drive the French to
+some desperate effort, "Thirty thousand men," continued he,
+"would embarrass you a little, I believe!" "Yes," replied Pitt,
+"for I am so embarrassed with those we have already, I don't know
+what to do with them."
+
+Adieu! Don't fancy that the more you scold, the more I will
+write: it has answered three times, but the next cross word you
+give me shall put an end to our correspondence. Sir Horace
+Mann's father used to say, "Talk, Horace, you have been abroad:"-
+-You cry, "Write, Horace, you are at home." No, Sir. you can
+beat an hundred and twenty thousand French, but you cannot get
+the better of me. I will not write such foolish letters as this
+every day, when I have nothing to say. Yours as you behave.
+
+(180) George Fitzroy, afterwards created Lord Southampton.
+
+
+
+Letter 89 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 20, 1761. (page 142)
+
+A few lines before you go; your resolutions are good, and give me
+great pleasure; bring them back unbroken; I have no mind to lose
+you; we have been acquainted these thirty years, and to give the
+devil his due, in all that time I never knew a bad, a false, a
+mean, or ill-natured thing in the devil--but don't tell him I say
+so, especially as I cannot say the same of myself. I am now
+doing a dirty thing, flattering you to preface a commission.
+Dickey Bateman(181) has picked up a whole cloister full of old
+chairs in Herefordshire. He bought them one by one, here and
+there in farmhouses, for three-and-sixpence, and a crown apiece.
+They are of' wood, the seats triangular, the backs, arms, and
+legs loaded with turnery. A thousand to one but there are plenty
+up and down Cheshire too. If Mr. and Mrs. Wetenhall, as they
+ride or drive out would now and then pick up such a chair, it
+would oblige me greatly. Take notice, no two need be of the same
+pattern.
+
+Keep it as the secret of your life; but if your brother John
+addresses himself to me a day or two before the coronation, I can
+place him well to see the procession: when it is over, I will
+give you a particular reason why this must be such a mystery. I
+was extremely diverted t'other day with my mother's and my old
+milliner; she said she had a petition to me--"What is it, Mrs.
+Burton?" "It Is in behalf of two poor orphans." I began to feel
+for my purse. "What can I do for them, Mrs. Burton?" "Only if
+your honour would be so compassionate as to get them tickets for
+the coronation." I could not keep my countenance, and these
+distressed orphans are two and three-and-twenty! Did you ever
+hear a more melancholy case?
+
+The Queen is expected on Monday. I go to town on Sunday. Would
+these shows and your Irish journey were over, and neither of us a
+day the poorer!
+
+I am expecting Mr. Chute to hold a chapter on the cabinet. A
+barge-load of niches, window-frames, and ribs, is arrived. The
+cloister is paving, the privy garden making, painted glass
+adjusting to the windows on the back stairs - with so many irons
+in the fire, you may imagine I have not much time to write. I
+wish you a safe and pleasant voyage.
+
+(181) Richard Bateman, brother of Viscount Bateman. In Sir
+Charles Hanbury Williams's Poems he figures as "Constant
+Dickey."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 90 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Arlington Street, Tuesday morning. (page 143)
+
+My dear lord,
+Nothing was ever equal to the bustle and uncertainty of the town
+for these three days. The Queen was seen off the coast of Sussex
+on Saturday last, and is not arrived yet-nay, last night at ten
+o'clock it was neither certain when she landed, nor when she
+would be in town. I forgive history for knowing nothing, when so
+public an event as the arrival of a new Queen is a mystery even
+at the very moment in St. James's Street. The messenger that
+brought the letter yesterday morning, said she arrived ,it half
+an hour after four at Harwich. This was immediately translated
+into landing, and notified in those words to the ministers. Six
+hours afterwards it proved no such thing, and that she was only
+in Harwich-road; and they recollected that an hour after four
+happens twice in twenty-four hours, and the letter did not
+specify which of the twices it was. Well! the bridemaids whipped
+on their virginity; the new road and the parks were thronged; the
+guns were choking with impatience to go off; and Sir James
+Lowther, who was to pledge his Majesty was actually married to
+Lady Mary Stuart.(182) Five, six, seven, eight o'clock came, and
+no Queen--She lay at Witham at Lord Abercorn's, who was most
+tranquilly in town; and it is not certain even whether she will
+be composed enough to be in town to-night. She has been sick but
+half an hour; sung and played on the harpsicord all the voyage,
+and been cheerful the whole time. The coronation will now
+certainly not be put off-so I shall have the pleasure of seeing
+you on the 15th. The weather is close and sultry; and if the
+wedding is to-night, we shall all die.
+
+They have made an admirable speech for the Tripoline ambassador
+that he said he heard the King had sent his first eunuch to fetch
+the Princess. I should think he meaned Lord Anson.
+
+You will find the town over head and ears in disputes about rank,
+and precedence, processions, entr`ees, etc. One point, that of
+the Irish peers, has been excellently liquidated: Lord Halifax
+has stuck up a paper in the coffee-room at Arthur's, importing, ,
+That his Majesty, not having leisure to determine a point of such
+great consequence, permits for this time such Irish peers as
+shall be at the marriage to walk in the procession." Every body
+concludes those personages will understand this order as it is
+drawn up in their own language; otherwise it is not very clear
+how they are to walk to the marriage, if they are at it before
+they come to it.
+
+Strawberry returns its duty and thanks for all your lordship's
+goodness to it, and though it has not got its wedding-clothes
+yet, will be happy to see you. Lady Betty Mackenzie is the
+individual woman she was--she seems to have been gone three
+years, like the Sultan in the Persian Tales, who popped his head
+into a tub of water, pulled it up again, and fancied he had been
+a dozen years in bondage in the interim. She is not altered a
+tittle. Adieu, my dear lord!
+
+Twenty minutes past three in the afternoon, not in the middle of
+the night.
+
+Madame Charlotte is this instant arrived. The noise of coaches,
+chaises, horsemen, mob, that have been to see her pass through
+the parks, is so prodigious that I cannot distinguish the guns.
+I am going to be dressed, and before seven shall launch into the
+crowd. Pray for me!
+
+(182) Eldest daughter of the Earl of Bute.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 91 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, Sept. 9, 1761. (page 144)
+
+The date of my promise is now arrived, and I fulfil it--fulfil it
+with great satisfaction, for the Queen is come; and I have seen
+her, have been presented to her--and may go back to Strawberry.
+For this fortnight I have lived upon the road between Twickenham
+and london: I came, grew inpatient, returned; came again, still
+to no purpose. The yachts made the coast of Suffolk last
+Saturday, on Sunday entered the road of Harwich, and on Monday
+morning the King's chief eunuch, as the Tripoline ambassador
+calls Lord Anson, landed the Princess. She lay that night at
+Lord Abercorn's at Whitham, the palace of silence; and yesterday
+at a quarter after three arrived at St. James's. In half an hour
+one heard nothing but proclamations of her beauty: every body was
+content, every body pleased. At seven one went to court. The
+night was sultry. About ten the procession began to move towards
+the chapel, and at eleven they all came up into the drawing-room.
+She looks very sensible, cheerful, and is remarkably genteel.
+Her tiara of diamonds was very pretty, her stomacher sumptuous;
+her violet-velvet mantle and ermine so heavy, that the spectators
+knew as much of her upper half as the King himself. You will
+have no doubts of her sense by what I shall tell you. On the
+road they wanted to curl her toupet; she said she thought it
+looked as well as that of any of the ladies sent to fetch her; if
+the King bid her, she would wear a periwig, otherwise she would
+remain as she was. When she caught the first glimpse of the
+palace, she grew frightened and turned pale; the Duchess of
+Hamilton smiled--the Princess said, "My dear Duchess, you may
+laugh, you have been married twice, but it is no joke to me."
+Her lips trembled as the coach stopped, but she jumped out with
+spirit, and has done nothing but with good-humour and
+cheerfulness. She talks a great deal--is easy, civil, and not
+disconcerted. At first, when the bridemaids and the court were
+introduced to her, she said, "Mon Dieu, il y en a tant, il y en a
+tant!" She was pleased when she was to kiss the peeresses; but
+Lady Augusta was forced to take her hand and give it to those
+that were to kiss it, which was prettily humble and good-natured.
+While they waited for supper, she sat down, sang, and played.
+Her French is tolerable, she exchanged much both of that and
+German with the King, and the Duke of York. They did not get to
+bed till two. To-day was a drawing-room: every body was
+presented to her; but she spoke to nobody, as she could not know
+a soul. The crowd was much less than at a birthday, the
+magnificence very little more. The King looked very handsome,
+and talked to her continually with great good-humour.- It does
+not promise as if they two would be the two most unhappy persons
+in England, from this event. The bridemaids, especially Lady
+Caroline Russel, Lady Sarah Lenox, and Lady Elizabeth Keppel,
+were beautiful figures. With neither features nor air, Lady
+Sarah was by far the chief angel. The Duchess of Hamilton was
+almost in possession of her former beauty today: and your other
+Duchess, your daughter, was much better dressed than ever I saw
+her. Except a pretty Lady Sutherland, and a most perfect beauty,
+an Irish Miss Smith,(183) I don't think the Queen saw much else
+to discourage her: my niece,(184) Lady Kildare, Mrs. Fitzroy,
+were none of them there. There is a ball to-night, and two more
+drawing-rooms; but I have done with them. The Duchess of
+Queensbury and Lady Westmoreland were in the procession, and did
+credit to the ancient nobility.
+
+You don't presume to suppose, I hope, that we are thinking of
+you, and wars, and misfortunes, and distresses, in these festival
+times. Mr. Pitt himself Would be mobbed if he talked of any
+thing but clothes, and diamonds, and bridemaids. Oh! yes, we
+have wars, civil wars; there is a campaign opened in the
+bedchamber. Every body is excluded but the ministers; even the
+lords of the bedchamber, cabinet counsellors, and foreign
+ministers: but it has given such offence that I don't know
+whether Lord Huntingdon must not be the scapegoat. Adieu! I am
+going to transcribe most of this letter to your Countess.
+
+(183) Afterwards married to Lord Llandaff.
+
+(184) The Countess of Waldegrave.
+
+
+
+Letter 92 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Sept. 24, 1761. (page 145)
+
+I am glad you arrived safe in Dublin, and hitherto like it so
+well; but your trial is not begun yet. When your King comes;,
+the ploughshares will be put into the fire. Bless your stars
+that your King is not to be married or crowned. All the vines of
+Bordeaux, and all the fumes of Irish brains cannot make a town so
+drunk as a regal wedding and coronation. I am going to let
+London cool, and will not venture into it again this fortnight.
+O! the buzz, the prattle, the crowds, the noise, the hurry! Nay,
+people are so little come to their senses, that though the
+coronation was but the day before yesterday, the Duke of
+Devonshire had forty messages yesterday, desiring tickets for a
+ball, that they fancied was to be at court last night. People
+had sat up a night and a day, and yet wanted to see a dance. If
+I was to entitle ages, I would call this the century of crowds.
+For the coronation, if a puppet-show could be worth a million,
+that is. The multitudes, balconies, guards, and processions,
+made Palace-yard the liveliest spectacle in the world - the hall
+was the most glorious. The blaze of lights, the richness and
+variety of habits, the ceremonial, the benches of peers, and
+peeresses, frequent and full, was as awful as a pageant can be -.
+and yet for the King's sake and my own, I never wish to see
+another; nor am impatient to have my Lord Effingham's promise
+fulfilled. The King complained that so few precedents were kept
+for their proceedings. Lord Effingham owned, the earl marshal's
+office had been strangely neglected; but he had taken such care
+for the future, that the next coronation would be regulated in
+the most exact manner imaginable. The number of peers and
+peeresses present was not very great; some of the latter, with no
+excuse in the world, appeared in Lord Lincoln's gallery, and even
+walked about the hall indecently in the intervals of the
+procession. My Lady Harrington, covered with all the diamonds
+she could borrow, hire, or seize, and with the air of Roxann, was
+the finest figure at a distance; she complained to George Selwyn
+that she was to walk with Lady Portsmouth, who would have a wig
+and a stick--"Pho," said he, "you will only look as if you were
+taken up by the constable." She told this everywhere, thinking
+the reflection was on my Lady Portsmouth. Lady Pembroke, alone
+at the head of the countesses, was the picture of majestic
+modesty; the Duchess of Richmond as pretty as nature and dress,
+with no pains of her own, could make her; Lady Spencer, Lady
+Sutherland, and Lady Northampton, very pretty figures. Lady
+Kildare, still beauty itself, if not a little too large. The
+ancient peeresses were by no means the worst party: Lady
+Westmoreland, still handsome, and with more dignity than all; the
+Duchess of Queensbury looked well, though her locks were
+milk-white; Lady Albemarle very genteel; nay, the middle age had
+some good representatives in lady Holderness, Lady Rochford, and
+Lady Strafford, the perfectest little figure of all. My Lady
+Suffolk ordered her robes, and I dressed part of her head, as I
+made some of my Lord Hertford's dress; for you know, no
+profession comes amiss to me, from a tribune of the people to a
+habit-maker. Don't imagine that there were not figures as
+excellent on the other side: old Exeter, who told the King he was
+the handsomest man she ever saw; old Effingham and a Lady Say and
+Seale, with her hair powdered and her tresses black, were in
+excellent contrast to the handsome. Lord B * * * * put on rouge
+upon his wife and the Duchess of Bedford in the painted chamber;
+the Duchess of Queensbury told me of the latter, that she looked
+like an orange-peach, half red, and half yellow. The coronets of
+the peers and their robes disguised them strangely; it required
+all the beauty of the Dukes of Richmond and Marlborough to make
+them noticed. One there was, though of another species, the
+noblest figure I ever saw, the high-constable of Scotland, Lord
+Errol; as one saw him in a space capable of containing him, one
+admired him. At the wedding, dressed in tissue, he looked like
+one of the giants in Guildhall, new gilt. It added to the energy
+of his person, that one considered him acting so considerable a
+part in that very hall, where so few years ago one saw his
+father, Lord Kilmarnock, condemned to the block. The champion
+acted his part admirably, and dashed down his gauntlet with proud
+defiance. His associates, Lord Effingham, Lord Talbot, and the
+Duke of Bedford, were woful: Lord Talbot piqued himself on his
+horse backing down the hall, and not turning its rump towards the
+King; but he had taken such pains to dress it to that duty, that
+it entered backwards, and at his retreat the spectators clapped,
+a terrible indecorum, but suitable to such Bartholomew-fair
+doings. He had twenty demel`es and came out of none creditably.
+He had taken away the table of the knights of the Bath, and was
+forced to admit two in their old place, and dine the others in
+the court of requests. Sir William Stanhope said, "We are
+ill-treated, for some of us are gentlemen." beckford told the
+Earl, it was hard to refuse a table to the city of london Whom it
+would cost ten thousand pounds to banquet the King, and his
+lordship would repent it if they had not a table in the Hall;
+they had. To the barons of the Cinque-ports, who made the same
+complaint, he said, "If you come to me as lord-steward, I tell
+you it is impossible; if, as Lord Talbot, I am a match for any of
+you:" and then he said to Lord Bute, "If I were a minister, thus
+I would talk to France, to Spain, to the Dutch--none of your half
+measures." This has brought me to a melancholy topic. Bussy
+goes tomorrow, a Spanish war is hanging in the air, destruction
+is taking a new lease of mankind--of the remnant of mankind. I
+have no prospect of seeing Mr. Conway. Adieu! I will not disturb
+you with my forebodings. You I shall see again in spite of war,
+and I trust in spite of Ireland. I was much disappointed at not
+seeing your brother John: I kept a place for him to the last
+minute, but have heard nothing of him. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 93 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, Sept. 25, 1761. (page 147)
+
+This is the most unhappy day I have known of years: Bussy goes
+away! Mankind is again given up, to the sword! Peace and you are
+far from England!
+
+Strawberry Hill.
+
+I was interrupted this morning, just as I had begun my letter, by
+Lord Waldegrave; and then the Duke of Devonshire sent for me to
+Burlington-house to meet the Duchess of Bedford, and see the old
+pictures from Hardwicke. If my letter reaches you three days
+later, at least you are saved from a lamentation. Bussy has put
+off his journey to Monday (to be sure, you know this is Friday):
+he says this is a strange country, he can get no Waggoner to
+carry his goods on a Sunday. I am Clad a Spanish war waits for a
+conveyance, and that a wagoner's veto is as good as a tribune's
+of Rome, and can stop Mr. Pitt on his career to Mexico. He was
+going post to conquer it--and Beckford, I suppose, would have had
+a contract for remitting all the gold, of which Mr. Pitt never
+thinks, unless to serve a city friend. It is serious that we
+have discussions with Spain, who says France is humbled enough,
+but must not be ruined: Spanish gold is actually coining in
+frontier towns of France; and the privilege which Biscay and two
+other provinces have of fishing on the coast of Newfoundland, has
+been demanded for all Spain. It was refused peremptorily; and
+Mr. Secretary Cortez(185) insisted yesterday se'nnight on
+recalling Lord Bristol.(186) The rest of the council, who are
+content with the world they have to govern, without conquering
+Others, prevailed to defer this impetuosity. However, if France
+or Spain are the least untractable, a war is inevitable: nay, if
+they don't submit by the first day of the session, I have no
+doubt but Mr. Pitt will declare it himself on the address. I
+have no opinion of Spain intending it: they give France money to
+protract a war, from which they reap such advantages in their
+peaceful capacity; and I should think would not give their money
+if they were on the point of having occasion for it themselves.
+In spite of you, and all the old barons our ancestors, I pray
+that we may have done with glory, and would willingly burn every
+Roman and Greek historian who have don nothing but transmit
+precedents for cutting throats.
+
+The coronation is over: 'tis even a more gorgeous sight than I
+imagined. I saw the procession and the hall; but the return was
+in the dark. In the morning they had forgot the sword of state,
+the chairs for King and Queen, and their canopies. They used the
+Lord Mayor's for the first, and made the last in the hall so they
+did not set forth till noon; and then, by a childish compliment
+to the King, reserved the illumination of the hall till his
+entry; by which means they arrived like a funeral, nothing being
+discernible but the plumes of the knights of the Bath, which
+seemed the hearse. Lady Kildare the Duchess of Richmond, and
+Lady Pembroke were the capital beauties. Lady Harrington, the
+finest figure at a distance; old Westmoreland, the most majestic.
+Lady Hertford could not walk, and indeed I think is in a way to
+give us great anxiety. She is going to Ragley to ride. Lord
+Beauchamp was one of the King's train-bearers. Of all the
+incidents of the day, the most diverting was what happened to the
+Queen. She had a retiring-chamber, with all conveniences,
+prepared behind the altar. She went thither--in the most
+convenient what found she, but--the Duke of Newcastle! Lady
+Hardwicke died three days before the Ceremony, Which kept away
+the whole house of Yorke. Some of the peeresses were dressed
+overnight, slept in armchairs, and were waked if they tumbled
+their heads. Your sister Harris's maid, Lady Peterborough, was a
+comely figure. My Lady Cowper refused, but was forced to walk
+with Lady Macclesfield. Lady Falmouth was not there on which
+George Selwyn said, "that those peeresses who were most used to
+walk, did not." I carried my Lady Townshend, Lady Hertford, Lady
+Anne Connolly, my Lady Hervey, and Mrs. Clive, to my deputy's
+house at the gate of Westminster-hall. My Lady Townshend said
+she should be very glad to see a coronation, as she never had
+seen one. "Why," said I, "Madam, you walked at the last?" "Yes,
+child," said she, "but I saw nothing of it: I only looked to see
+who looked at me." The Duchess of Queensbury walked! her
+affectation that day was to do nothing preposterous. The Queen
+has been at the Opera, and says she will go once a week. This is
+a fresh disaster to our box, where we have lived so harmoniously
+for three years. We can get no alternative but that over Miss
+Chudleigh's; and Lord Strafford and Lady Mary Coke will not
+subscribe, unless we can. The Duke of Devonshire and I are
+negotiating with all our -art to keep our party together. The
+crowds at the Opera and play when the King and Queen go, are a
+little greater than what I remember. The late royalties went to
+the Haymarket, when it was the fashion to frequent the other
+opera in Lincoln's-inn-fields. Lord Chesterfield one night came
+into the latter, and was asked, if he had been at the other
+house? "Yes," said he, "but there was nobody but the King and
+Queen; and as I thought they might be talking business, I came
+away."
+
+Thank you for your journals: the best route you can send me in
+would be of your Journey homewards. Adieu!
+
+P. S. If you ever hear from, or write to, such a person as Lady
+Ailesbury, pray tell her she is worse to me in point of
+correspondence than ever you said I was to you, and that she
+sends me every thing but letters!
+
+(185) Mr. Pitt, then secretary of state.
+
+(186) The English ambassador at the court of Madrid.
+
+
+
+Letter 94 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 27, 1761. (page 149)
+
+You are a mean mercenary woman. If you did not want histories of
+weddings and coronations, and had not jobs to be executed about
+muslins, and a bit of china, and counterband goods, one should
+never hear of you. When you don't want a body, you can frisk
+about with greffiers and burgomasters. and be as merry in a dyke
+as my lady frog herself. The moment your curiosity is agog, or
+your cambric seized, you recollect a good cousin in England, and,
+as folks said two hundred years ago, begin to write "upon the
+knees of your heart." Well! I am a sweet-tempered creature, I
+forgive you. I have already writ to a little friend in the
+customhouse, and will try what can be done; however, by Mr.
+Amyand's report to the Duchess of Richmond, I fear your case is
+desperate. For the genealogies, I have turned over all my books
+to no purpose; I can meet with no Lady Howard that married a
+Carey, nor a Lady Seymour that married a Canfield. Lettice
+Canfield, who married Francis Staunton, was a daughter of Dr.
+James (not George) Canfield, younger brother of the first Lord
+Charlemont. This is all I can ascertain. For the other
+pedigree; I can inform your friend that there was a Sir Nicholas
+Throckmorton, who married an Anne Carew, daughter of Sir Nicholas
+Carew, knight of the garter, not Carey. But the Sir Nicholas
+Carew married Joan Courtney--not a Howard: and besides, the
+Careys and Throckmortons you wot of were just the reverse, your
+Carey was the cock, and Throckmorton the hen-mine are vice
+versa:--otherwise, let me tell your friend, Carews and Courtneys
+are worth Howards any day of the week, and of ancienter blood;-
+-so, if descent is all he wants, I advise him to take up with the
+pedigree as I have refitted it. However, I will cast a figure
+once more, and try if I can conjure up the dames Howard and
+Seymour that he wants.
+
+My heraldry was much more offended at the coronation with the
+ladies that did walk, than with those that walked out of their
+place; yet I was not so perilously angry as my Lady Cowper, who
+refused to set a foot with my Lady Macclesfield; and when she was
+at last obliged to associate with her, set out on a round trot,
+as if she designed to prove the antiquity of her family by
+marching as lustily as a maid of honour of Queen Gwiniver. It
+was in truth a brave sight. The sea of heads in palace-yard, the
+guards, horse and foot, the scaffolds, balconies, and procession,
+exceeded imagination. The hall, when once illuminated, was
+noble; but they suffered the whole parade to return in the dark,
+that his Majesty might be surprised with the quickness with which
+the sconces catched fire. The champion acted well; the other
+Paladins had neither the grace nor alertness of Rinaldo. Lord
+Effingham and the Duke of Bedford were but untoward knights
+errant; and Lord Talbot had not much more dignity than the figure
+of General Monk in the abbey. The habit of the peers is
+unbecoming to the last degree; but the peeresses made amends for
+all defects. Your daughter Richmond, Lady Kildare, and Lady
+Pembroke were as handsome as the Graces. Lady Rochford, Lady
+Holderness, and Lady Lyttelton looked exceedingly well in that
+their day; and for those of the day before, the Duchess of
+Queensbury, Lady Westmoreland, and Lady Albemarle were
+surprising. Lady Harrington was noble at a distance, and so
+covered with diamonds, that you would have thought she had bid
+somebody or other, like Falstaff, rob me the exchequer. Lady
+Northampton was very magnificent too, and looked prettier than I
+have seen her of late. Lady Spencer and Lady Bolingbroke were
+not the worst figures there. The Duchess of Ancaster marched
+alone after the Queen with much majesty; and there were two new
+Scotch peeresses that pleased every body, Lady Sutherland and
+Lady Dunmore. Per contra, were Lady P * * *, who had put a wig
+on, and old E * * * *, who had scratched hers off, Lady S * * *,
+the Dowager E * * *, and a Lady Say and Sele, with her tresses
+coal-black, and her hair coal-white. Well! it was all delightful,
+but not half so charming as its being over. The gabble one heard
+about it for six weeks before, and the fatigue of the day, could
+not well be compensated by a mere puppet-show; for puppet-show it
+was, though it cost a million. The Queen is so gay that we shall
+not want sights; she has been at the Opera, the Beggar's Opera
+and the Rehearsal, and two nights ago carried the King to
+Ranelagh. In short, I am so miserable with losing my
+Duchess,(187) and you and Mr. Conway, that I believe, if you
+should be another six weeks without writing to me, I should come
+to the Hague and scold you in person--for, alas! my dear lady, I
+have no hopes of seeing you here. Stanley is recalled, is
+expected every hour. Bussy goes tomorrow ; and Mr. Pitt is so
+impatient to conquer Mexico, that I don't believe he will stay
+till my Lord Bristol can be ordered to leave Madrid. I tremble
+lest Mr. Conway should not get leave to come--nay, are we sure he
+would like to ask it? he was so impatient to get to the army,
+that I should not be surprised if he stayed there till every
+suttler and woman that follows the camp was come away. You ask
+me if we are not in admiration of Prince Ferdinand. In truth, we
+have thought very little of him. He may outwit Broglio ten
+times, and not be half so much talked of as lord Talbot' backing
+his horse down Westminster-hall. The generality are not struck
+with any thing under a complete victory. If you have a mind to
+be well with the mob of England, you must be knocked on the head
+like Wolfe, or bring home as many diamonds as Clive. We live in
+a country where so many follies or novelties start forth every
+day, that we have not time to try a (general's capacity by the
+rules of Polybius.
+
+I have hardly left room for my obligations-to your ladyship, for
+my commissions at Amsterdam; to Mrs. Sally,(188) for her teapots,
+which are to stay so long at the Hague, that I fear they will
+have begot a whole set of china; and to Miss Conway and Lady
+George, for thinking of me. Pray assure them of my re-thinking.
+Adieu, dear Madam! Don't You think we had better write oftener
+and shorter.
+
+(187) The Duchess of Grafton, who was abroad.
+
+(188) Lady Ailesbury's woman.
+
+
+
+Letter 95 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Oct. 8, 1761. (page 151)
+
+I cannot swear I wrote to you again to offer your brother the
+place for the coronation; but I was Confident I did, nay, I think
+so still: my proofs are, the place remained vacant, and I sent to
+old Richard to inquire if Mr. John was not arrived. He had no
+great loss, as the procession returned in the dark.
+
+Your King(189) will have heard that Mr. Pitt resigned last
+Monday.(190) Greater pains have been taken to recover him than
+were used to drive him out. He is inflexible, but mighty
+peaceable. Lord Egremont is to have the seals to-morrow. It is
+a most unhappy event--France and Spain will soon let us know we
+ought to think so. For your part, you will be invaded; a blacker
+rod than you will be sent to Ireland. Would you believe that the
+town is a desert'! The wedding filled it, the coronation crammed
+it; Mr. Pitt's resignation has not brought six people to London.
+As they could not hire a window and crowd one another to death to
+see him give up the seals, it seems a matter of perfect
+indifference. If he will accuse a single man of checking our
+career of glory, all the world will come to see him hanged; but
+what signifies the ruin of a nation, if no particular man ruins
+it?
+
+The Duchess of Marlborough died the night before last. Thank you
+for your descriptions; pray continue them. Mrs. Delany I know a
+little, Lord Charlemont's villa is in Chambers's book.(191)
+
+I have nothing new to tell you; but the grain of mustard seed
+sown on Monday will soon produce as large a tree as you can find
+in any prophecy. Adieu!
+
+P. S. Lady Mary Wortley is arrived.
+
+(189) The Earl of Halifax, lord-lieutenant of Ireland.
+
+
+(190) The following is Mr. Pitt's own account of this
+transaction, in a letter to Alderman Beckford:--"A difference of
+opinion with regard to measures to be taken against Spain, of the
+highest importance to the Honour of the crown and to the most
+essential national interests, and this founded on what Spain had
+already done, not on what that court may further intend to do,
+was the cause of my resigning, the seals. Lord Temple and I
+submitted in writing, and urged our most humble sentiments to his
+Majesty; which being overruled by the united opinion of the rest
+of the King's servants, I resigned, on Monday the 5th, in order
+not to remain responsible for measures which I was no longer
+allowed to guide." Chatham Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 158.-E.
+
+(191) Sir William Chambers's "Treatise on Civil Architecture," a
+work which Walpole describes as "the most sensible book, and the
+most exempt from prejudices, that was ever written on that
+science." It first appeared in 1759. A fourth edition, edited by
+Mr. Gwin was published in 1825.-E.
+
+
+
+letter 96 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 10, 1761. (page 152)
+
+Pray, sir, how does virtue sell in Ireland now? I think for a
+province they have now and then given large prices. Have you a
+mind to know what the biggest virtue in the world is worth? If
+Cicero had been a drawcansir instead of a coward, and had carried
+the glory of Rome to as lofty a height as he did their eloquence,
+for how much do you think he would have sold all that reputation?
+Oh! sold it! you will cry, vanity was his predominant passion; he
+would have trampled on sesterces like dirt, and provided the
+tribes did but erect statues enough for him, he was content with
+a bit of Sabine mutton; he would have preferred his little
+Tusculan villa, or the flattery of Caius Atticus at Baia, to the
+wealth of Croesus, or to the luxurious banquets of Lucullus.
+Take care, there is not a Tory gentleman, if there is one left,
+who would not have laid the same wager twenty years ago on the
+disinterestedness of my Lord Bath. Come, u tremble, you are so
+incorrupt yourself you will give the world Mr. Pitt was so too.
+You adore him for what he has done for us; you bless him for
+placing England at the head of Europe, and you don't hate him for
+infusing as much spirit into us, as if a Montague, Earl of
+Salisbury, was still at the head of our enemies. Nothing could
+be more just. We owe the recovery of our affairs to him, the
+splendour of our country, the conquest of Canada, Louisbourg,
+Guadaloupe, Africa, and the East. Nothing is too much for such
+services; accordingly, I hope you will not think the barony of
+Chatham, and three thousand pounds a-year for three lives too
+much for my Lady Hester. She has this pittance: good night!
+
+P. S. I told you falsely in my last that Lady Mary Wortley was
+arrived--I cannot help it if my Lady Denbigh cannot read English
+in all these years, but mistakes Wrottesley for Wortley.
+
+
+
+Letter 97 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 10, 1761. (page 153)
+
+I don't know what business I had, madam, to be an economist: it
+was out of' character. I wished for a thousand more drawings in
+that sale at Amsterdam, but concluded they would be very dear;
+and not having seen them, I thought it too rash to trouble your
+ladyship with a large commission. I wish I could give you as
+good an account of your commission; but it is absolutely
+impracticable. I employed one of the most sensible and
+experienced men in the customhouse; and all the result was, he
+could only recommend me to Mr. Amyand as the newest, and
+consequently the most polite of the commissioners--but the
+Duchess of Richmond had tried him before--to no purpose. There
+is no way of recovering any of your goods, but purchasing them
+again at the sale.
+
+What am I doing, to be talking to you of drawings and chintzes,
+when the world is all turned topsy-turvy! Peace, as the poets
+would say, is not only returned to heaven, but has carried her
+sister Virtue along with her!--Oh! no, peace will keep no such
+company--Virtue is an errant strumpet, and loves diamonds as well
+as my Lady Harrington, and is as fond of a coronet as my Lord
+Melcombe.(192) Worse! worse! She will set men to cutting
+throats, and pick their pockets at the same time. I am in such a
+passion, I cannot tell you what I am angry about--why, about
+Virtue and Mr. Pitt; two errant cheats, gipsies! I believe he
+was a comrade of Elizabeth Canning, when he lived at
+Enfield-wash. In short, the council were for making peace;
+
+"But he, as loving his own pride, and purposes,
+Evades them with a bombast circumstance,
+horribly stuffed with epithets of war,
+And in conclusion--nonsuits my mediators."
+
+He insisted on a war with Spain, was resisted, and last Monday
+resigned. The city breathed vengeance on his opposers, the
+council quailed, and the Lord knows what would have happened; but
+yesterday, which was only Friday, as this giant was stalking to
+seize the tower of London, he stumbled over a silver penny,
+picked it up, carried it home to Lady Hester, and they are now as
+quiet, good sort of people, as my Lord and Lady Bath who lived in
+the vinegar-bottle. In fact, Madam, this immaculate man has
+accepted the Barony of Chatham for his wife, with a pension of
+three thousand pounds a year for three lives; and though he has
+not quitted the House of Commons, I think my Lord Anson would now
+be as formidable there. The pension he has left us, is a war for
+three thousand lives! perhaps, for twenty times three thousand
+lives!--But--
+
+"Does this become a soldier? this become
+Whom armies follow'd, and a people loved?"
+
+What! to sneak out of the scrape, prevent peace, and avoid the
+war! blast one's character, and all for the comfort of a Paltry
+annuity, a long-necked peeress, and a couple of Grenvilles! The
+city looks mighty foolish, I believe, and possibly even Beckford
+may blush. Lord Temple resigned yesterday: I suppose his virtue
+pants for a dukedom. Lord Egremont has the seals; Lord
+Hardwicke, I fancy, the privy seal; and George Grenville, no
+longer Speaker, is to be the cabinet minister in the House of
+Commons. Oh! Madam, I am glad you are inconstant to Mr. Conway,
+though it is only with a Barbette! If you piqued yourself on
+your virtue, I should expect you would sell it to the master of a
+Trechscoot.
+
+I told you a lie about the King's going to Ranelagh--No matter;
+there is no such thing as truth. Garrick exhibits the
+coronation, and, opening the end of the stage, discovers a real
+bonfire and real mob: the houses in Drury-lane let their windows
+at threepence a head. Rich is going to produce a finer
+coronation, nay, than the real one; for there is to be a dinner
+for the Knights of the Bath and the Barons of the Cinque-ports,
+which Lord Talbot refused them.
+
+I put your Caufields and Stauntons into the hands of one of the
+first heralds upon earth, and who has the entire pedigree of the
+Careys; but he cannot find a drop of Howard or Seymour blood in
+the least artery about them. Good night, Madam!
+
+(192) Bubb Doddington, having for many years placed his ambition
+on the acquisition of a coronet, obtained the long-wished-for
+prize in the preceding April.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 98 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, Oct. 12, 1761. (page 154)
+
+It is very lucky that you did not succeed in the expedition to
+Rochfort. Perhaps you might have been made a peer; and as
+Chatham is a naval title, it might have fallen to your share.
+But it was reserved to crown greater glory: and lest it should
+not be substantial pay enough, three thousand pounds a year for
+three lives go along with it. Not to Mr. Pitt--you can't suppose
+it. Why truly, not the title, but the annuity does, and Lady
+Hester is the baroness; that, if he should please, he may earn an
+earldom himself. Don't believe me, if you have not a mind. I
+know I did not believe those who told me. But ask the gazette
+that swears it--ask the King, who has kissed Lady Hester--ask the
+city of London, who are ready to tear Mr. Pitt to pieces--ask
+forty people I can name, who are overjoyed at it--and then ask me
+again, who am mortified, and who have been the dupe of his
+disinterestedness. Oh, my dear Harry! I beg you on my knees,
+keep your virtue: do let me think there is still one man upon
+earth who despises money. I wrote you an account last week of his
+resignation. Could you have believed that in four days he would
+have tumbled from the conquest of Spain to receiving' a quarter's
+pension from Mr. West?(193) To-day he has advertised his seven
+coach-horses to be sold--Three thousand a year for three lives,
+and fifty thousand pounds of his own, will not keep a coach and
+six. I protest I believe he is mad, and Lord Temple thinks so
+too; for he resigned the same morning that Pitt accepted the
+pension. George Grenville is minister of the House of Commons.
+I don't know who will be Speaker. They talk of Prowse, Hussey,
+Bacon, and even of old Sir John Rushout. Delaval has said an
+admirable thing: he blames Pitt not as you and I do; but calls
+him fool; and says, if he had gone into the city, told them he
+had a poor wife and children unprovided for, and had opened a
+subscription, he would have got five hundred thousand pounds,
+instead of three thousand pounds a year. In the mean time the
+good man has saddled us with a war which we can neither carry on
+nor carry off. 'Tis pitiful! 'tis wondrous pitiful! Is the
+communication stopped, that we never hear from you? I own 'tis
+an Irish question. I am out of humour: my visions are dispelled,
+and you are still abroad. As I cannot put Mr. Pitt to death, at
+least I have buried him: here is his epitaph:
+
+Admire his eloquence--it mounted higher
+Than Attic purity or Roman fire:
+Adore his services-our lions view
+Ranging, where Roman eagles never flew:
+Copy his soul supreme o'er Lucre's sphere;
+--But oh! beware three thousand pounds a-year!(194)
+
+October 13.
+
+Jemmy Grenville resigned yesterday. Lord Temple is all
+hostility; and goes to the drawing-room to tell every body how
+angry he is with the court-but what is Sir Joseph Wittol, when
+Nol Bluff is pacific? They talk of erecting a tavern in the city,
+called The Salutation: the sign to represent Lord Bath and Mr.
+Pitt embracing. These are shameful times. Adieu!
+
+(193) Secretary to the treasury.
+
+(194) Gray also appears to have been greatly offended at this
+acceptance of the title and the pension: "Oh!" he exclaim, "that
+foolishest of great men, that sold his inestimable diamond for a
+paltry peerage and pension! The very night it happened was I
+swearing that it was a d-d lie, and never could be: but it was
+for want of reading Thomas `a Kempis, who knew mankind so much
+better than I." Works, vol. iii. p. 265. Mr. Burke took a very
+different view of Mr. Pitt's conduct on this occasion. "With
+regard to the pension and title, it is a shame," he says, "that
+any defence should be necessary. What eye cannot distinguish, at
+the first glance, between this and the exceptionable case of
+titles and pensions? What Briton, with the smallest sense of
+honour and gratitude, but must blush for his country, if such a
+man retired unrewarded from the public service, let the motives
+for that retirement be what they would? It was not possible that
+his sovereign could let his eminent services pass unrequited: the
+sum that was given was inadequate to his merits; and the quantum
+was rather regulated by the moderation of the great mind that
+received it, than by the liberality of that which bestowed it."-
+E.
+
+
+
+Letter 99 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, October 24, 1761. (page 156)
+
+I have got two letters from you, and am sensibly pleased with
+your satisfaction. I love your cousin for his behaviour to you;
+he will never place his friendship better. His parts and
+dignity, I did not doubt, would bear him out. I fear nothing but
+your spirits and the frank openness of your heart; keep them
+within bounds, and you will return in health, and with the
+serenity I wish you long to enjoy.
+
+You have heard our politics; they do not mend, sick of glory,
+without being tired of war, and surfeited with unanimity before
+it had finished its work, we are running into all kinds of
+confusion. The city have bethought themselves, and have voted
+that they will still admire Mr. Pitt; consequently, be, without
+the cheek of seeming virtue, may do what he pleases. An address
+of thanks to hit-() has been carried by one hundred and nine
+against fifteen, and the city are to instruct their members; that
+is, because we are disappointed of a Spanish war, we must have
+one at home. Merciful! how old I am grown! here am I, not liking
+a civil war! Do you know me? I am no longer that Gracchus, who,
+when Mr. Bentley told him something or other, I don't know what,
+would make a sect, answered quickly, "Will it make a party?" In
+short, I think I am always to be in contradiction; now I am
+loving my country.
+
+Worksop(195) is burnt down; I don't know the circumstances; the
+Duke and Duchess are at Bath; it has not been finished a month;
+the last furniture was brought in for the Duke of York; I have
+some comfort that I had seen it, and, except the bare chambers,
+in which the Queen of Scots lodged, nothing remained of ancient
+time.
+
+I am much obliged to Mr. Hamilton's civilities; but I don't take
+too much to myself; yet it is no drawback to think that he sees
+an compliments your friendship for me. I shall use his
+permission of sending you any thing that I think will bear the
+sea; but how must I send it! by what conveyance to the sea, and
+where deliver it? Pamphlets swarm already; none very good, and
+chiefly grave; you would not have them. Mr. Glover has published
+his long-hoarded Medea,(196) as an introduction to the House of
+Commons; it had been more proper to usher him from school to the
+University. There are a few good lines, not much conduct, and a
+quantity of iambics, and trochaics, that scarce speak English,
+and yet have no rhyme to keep one another in countenance. If his
+chariot is stopped at Temple-bar, I suppose he will take it for
+the Straits of Thermopylae, and be delivered of his first speech
+before its time.
+
+The catalogue of the Duke of Devonshire's collection is only in
+the six volumes of the Description of London. I did print about
+a dozen, and gave them all away so totally that on searching, I
+had not reserved one for myself. When we are at leisure, I will
+reprint a few more, and you shall have one for your Speaker. I
+don't know who is to be ours: Prowse, they say, has refused; Sir
+John Cust was the last I heard named: but I am here and know
+nothing; sorry that I shall hear any thing on Tuesday se'nnight.
+
+Pray pick me up any prints of lord-lieutenants, Irish bishops,
+ladies --nay, or patriots; but I will not trouble you for a
+snuff-box or toothpick-case, made of a bit of the Giant's
+Causeway.
+
+My anecdotes of Painting will scarcely appear before Christmas.
+My gallery and cabinet are at a full stop till spring. but I
+shall be sorry to leave it all in ten days; October, that scarce
+ever deceived one before, has exhibited a deluge; but it was
+recovered, and promised to behave well as long as it lives, like
+a dying sinner. Good night!
+
+P. S. My niece lost the coronation for only a daughter. It makes
+me smile, when I reflect that you are come into the world again,
+and that I have above half left it.
+
+(195) The Duke of norfolk's seat at Worksop Manor,
+Nottinghamshire, was burnt down on the 20th of October 1761. The
+damage was estimated at one hundred thousand pounds. When the
+Duke heard of it, he exclaimed, "God's will be done!" and the
+Duchess, "How many besides us are sufferers by the like
+calamity!" Evelyn, who visited Worksop in 1654, says, "The manor
+belongs to the Earle of Arundel, and has to it a faire house at
+the foote of an hill, in a park that affords a delicate
+prospect."-E.
+
+(196) Glover's tragedy of Medea was performed several times at
+Drury-lane and Covent-garden, for the benefit of Mrs. Yates,
+whose spirited acting Gave it considerable effect.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 100 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 26, 1761. (page 157)
+
+and how strange it seems! You are talking to me of the King's
+wedding, while we are thinking of a civil war. Why, the King's
+wedding was a century ago, almost two months; even the coronation
+things that happened half an age ago, is quite forgot. The post
+to Germany cannot keep pace with our revolutions. Who knows but
+you may still be thinking that Mr. Pitt is the most disinterested
+man in the world? Truly, as far as the votes of a common-council
+can make him so, he is. Like Cromwell, he has always promoted
+the self-denying ordinance, and has contrived to be excused from
+it himself. The city could no longer choose who should be their
+man of virtue; there was not one left - by all rules they ought
+next to have pitched upon one who was the oldest offender:
+instead of that, they have reelected the most recent; and, as if
+virtue was a borough, Mr. Pitt is rechosen for it, on vacating
+his seat. Well, but all this is very serious: I shall offer a
+prophetic picture, and shall be very glad if I am not a true
+soothsayer. The city have voted an address of thanks to Mr.
+Pitt, and given instructions to their members; the chief articles
+of which are, to promote an inquiry into the disposal of the
+money that has been granted, and to consent to no peace, unless
+we are to retain all, or near all, our conquests. Thus the city
+of London usurp the right of making peace and war. But is the
+government to be dictated to by one town? By no means. But
+suppose they are not -what is the consequence? How will the
+money be raised? If it cannot be raised without them, Mr. Pitt
+must again be minister: that you think would be easily
+accommodated. Stay, stay; he and Lord Temple have declared
+against the whole cabinet council. Why, that they have done
+before now, and yet have acted with them again. It is very true;
+but a little word has escaped Mr. Pitt, which never entered into
+his former declarations; nay, nor into Cromwell's, nor Hugh
+Capet's, nor Julius Caesar's, nor any reformer's of ancient time.
+He has happened to say, he will guide. Now, though the cabinet
+council are mighty willing to be guided, when they cannot help
+it, yet they wish to have appearances saved: they cannot be fond
+of being told they are to be guided still less, that other people
+should be told so. Here, then, is Mr. Pitt and the
+common-council on one hand, the great lords on the other. I
+protest, I do not see but it will come to this. Will it allay
+the confusion, if Mr. Fox is retained on the side of the court?
+Here are no Whigs and Tories, harmless people, that are content
+with worrying one another for i hundred and fifty years together.
+The new parties are, I will, and you shall not; and their
+principles do not admit delay. However, this age is of suppler
+mould than some of its predecessors; and this may come round
+again, by a coup de baguette, when one least expects it. If it
+should not, the honestest part one can take is to look on, and
+try if one can do any good if matters go too far.
+
+I am charmed with the Castle of Hercules;(197) it is the boldest
+pile I have seen since I travelled in Fairyland. You ought to
+have delivered a princess imprisoned by enchanters in his club:
+she, in gratitude, should have fallen in love with you; your
+constancy should have been immaculate. The devil knows how it
+would have ended--I don't--and so I break off my romance.
+
+You need not beer the French any more this year: it cannot be
+ascribed to Mr. Pitt; and the mob won't thank you. If we are to
+have a warm campaign in Parliament, I hope you will be sent for.
+Adieu! We take the field tomorrow se'nnight.
+
+P. S. You will be sorry to hear that Worksop is burned. My Lady
+Waldegrave has got a daughter, and your brother an ague.
+
+(197) Alluding to a description of a building in Hesse Cassel,
+given by Mr. Conway in one of his letters.
+
+
+
+Letter 101 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 7, 1761. (page 159)
+
+You will rejoice to hear that your friend Mr. Amyand is going to
+marry the dowager Lady Northampton; she has two thousand pounds
+a-year, and twenty thousand in money. Old Dunch(198) is dead,
+and Mrs. Felton Hervey(199) was given over last night, but is
+still alive.
+
+Sir John Cust is Speaker, and bating his nose, the chair seems
+well filled. There are so many new faces in this Parliament,
+that I am not at all acquainted with it.
+
+The enclosed print will divert you, especially the baroness in
+the right-hand corner--so ugly, and so satisfied: the Athenian
+head was intended for Stewart; but was so like, that Hogarth was
+forced to cut off the nose. Adieu!
+
+(198) Widow of Edmund Dunch, Esq. comptroller of the household of
+George the First.-E.
+
+(199) Wife of the Hon. Felton Hervey, ninth son of John, first
+Earl of Bristol.-E.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Letter 102 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 28, 1761. (page 159)
+
+I am much obliged for the notice of Sir Compton's illness; if you
+could send me word of peace too, I should be completely satisfied
+on Mr. Conway's account. He has been in the late action, and
+escaped, at a time that, I flattered myself, the campaign -was at
+an end. However, I trust it is now. You will have been
+concerned for young Courtney. The war, we hear, is to be
+transferred to these islands; most probably to yours. The
+black-rod I hope, like a herald, is a sacred personage.
+
+There has been no authentic account of the coronation published;
+if there should be, I will send it. When I am at Strawberry, I
+believe I can make you out a list of those that walked; but I
+have no memorandum in town. If Mr. Bentley's play is printed in
+Ireland, I depend on your sending me two copies.
+
+There has been a very private ball at court, consisting of not
+above twelve or thirteen couple; some of the lords of the
+bedchamber, most of the ladies, the maids of honour, and six
+strangers, Lady Caroline Russell, Lady Jane Stewart, Lord
+Suffolk, Lord Northampton, Lord Mandeville, and Lord Grey.
+Nobody sat by, but the Princess, the Duchess of Bedford, and Lady
+Bute. They began before seven, danced till one, and parted
+without a supper.
+
+Lady Sarah Lenox has refused Lord Errol; the Duke of Bedford is
+privy seal; Lord Thomond cofferer; Lord George Cavendish
+comptroller; George Pitt goes minister to Turin; and Mrs. Speed
+must go thither, as she is marrying the Baron de Perrier, Count
+Virry's son.(200) Adieu! Commend me to your brother.
+
+(200) "My old friend Miss SPeed has done what the world calls a
+very foolish thing; she has married the Baron de la Poyri`ere,
+son to the Sardinian minister, the Count de Viry. He is about
+twenty-eight years old (ten years younger than herself), but
+looks nearer This is not the effect of debauchery; for he is a
+very sober and good-natured man honest and no conjurer." Gray to
+Wliarton. Works, vol. iii. p. 263.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 103 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 28, 1761. (page 160)
+
+Dear Madam,
+You are so bad and so good, that I don't know how to treat you.
+You give me every mark of kindness but letting me hear from you.
+You send me charming drawings the moment I trouble you with a
+commission, and you give Lady Cecilia(201) commissions for
+trifles of my writing, in the most obliging manner. I have taken
+the latter off her hands.- The Fugitive Pieces, and the Catalogue
+of Royal and Noble Authors shall be conveyed to you directly.
+Lady Cecilia and I agree how we lament the charming suppers
+there, every time we pass the corner of Warwick Street! We have
+a little comfort for your sake and our own, in believing that the
+campaign is at an end, at least for this year--but they tell us,
+it is to recommence here or in Ireland. You have nothing to do
+with that. Our politics, I think, will soon be as warm as our
+war. Charles Townshend is to be lieutenant-general to Mr. Pitt.
+The Duke of Bedford is privy seal; Lord Thomond, cofferer; Lord
+George Cavendish, comptroller.
+
+Diversions, you know, Madam, are never at high watermark before
+Christmas: yet operas flourish pretty well: those on Tuesdays are
+removed to Mondays, because the Queen likes the burlettas, and
+the King cannot go on Tuesdays, his postdays. On those nights we
+have the middle front box railed in, where Lady Mary(202) and I
+sit in triste state like a Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. The
+night before last there was a private ball at court, which began
+at half an hour after six, lasted till one, and finished without
+a supper. The King danced the whole time with the Queen, Lady
+Augusta with her four younger brothers. The other performers
+were: the two Duchesses of Ancaster and Hamilton, who danced
+little; Lady Effingham, and Lady Egremont who danced much; the
+six maids of honour; Lady Susan Stewart, as attending Lady
+Augusta; and Lady Caroline Russel, and Lady Jane Stewart, the
+only women not of the family. Lady Northumberland is at Bath;
+Lady Weymouth lies in; Lady Bolingbroke was there in Waiting, but
+in black gloves, so did not dance. The men, besides the royals,
+were Lords March and Lord Eglinton, of the bedchamber: Lord
+Cantalope, vice-chamberlain; Lord Huntingdon; and four strangers,
+Lord Mandeville, Lord Northampton, lord Suffolk, and lord Grey.
+No sitters-by, but the Princess, the Duchess of Bedford, and Lady
+Bute.
+
+If it had not been for this ball, I don't know how I should have
+furnished a decent letter. Pamphlets on Mr. Pitt are the whole
+conversation, and none of them worth sending cross the water: at
+least I, who am said to write some of them, think so; by which
+you may perceive I am not much flattered with the imputation.
+There must be new personages at least, before I write on any
+side. Mr. Pitt and the Duke of Newcastle! I should as soon think
+of informing the world that Miss Chudleigh is no vestal. You
+will like better to see some words which Mr. Gray has writ, at
+Miss Speed's request, to an old air of Geminiani: the thought is
+from the French.
+
+Thyrsis, when we parted, swore
+Ere the spring he would return.
+Ah! what means yon violet flower,
+And the buds that deck the thorn?
+'Twas the lark that upward sprung,
+'Twas the nightingale that sung.
+
+Idle notes! untimely green!
+Why this unavailing haste?
+Western gales and skies serene
+Speak not always winter past.
+Cease my doubts, my fears to move;
+Spare the Honour of my love.
+
+Adieu, Madam, your most faithful servant.
+
+(201) Lady Cecilia Johnston.
+
+(202) lady Mary Coke.
+
+
+
+Letter 104 To Sir David Dalrymple.(203)
+Nov. 30, 1761. (page 161)
+
+I am much obliged to you, Sir, for the specimen of letters(204)
+you have been so good as to send me. The composition is
+touching, and the printing very beautiful. I am still more
+pleased with the design of the work; nothing gives so just an
+idea of an age as genuine letters; nay, history waits for its
+last seal from them. I have an immense collection in my hands,
+chiefly of the very time on which you are engaged: but they are
+not my own.
+
+If I had received your commands in summer when I was at
+Strawberry Hill, and at leisure, I might have picked you out
+something to your purpose; at present I have not time, from
+Parliament and business, to examine them: yet to show you, Sir,
+that I have great desire to oblige you and contribute to your
+work, I send you the following singular paper, which I have
+obtained from Dr. Charles lyttelton, Dean of Exeter, whose name I
+will beg you to mention in testimony of his kindness, and as
+evidence for the authenticity of the letter, which he copied from
+the original in the hands of Bishop Tanner, in the year 1733. It
+is from Anne of Denmark, to the Marquis of Buckingham.
+
+"Anna R.,
+
+"My kind dogge, if I have any power or credit with you, let me
+have a trial of it at this time, in dealing sincerely and
+earnestly with the King, that Sir Walter Raleigh's life may not
+be called in question. If you do it, so that the success answer
+my expectation, assure yourself that I will take it
+extraordinarily kindly at your hands, and rest one that wisheth
+you well, and desires you to continue still as you have been, a
+true servant to your master."
+
+I have begun Mr. Hume's history, and got almost through the first
+volume. It is amusing to one who ]knows a little of his own
+country, but I fear would not teach much to a beginner; details
+are so much avoided by him, and the whole rather skimmed than
+elucidated. I cannot say I think it very carefully performed.
+Dr. Robertson's work I should expect would be more accurate.
+
+P. S. There has lately appeared, in four little volumes, a
+Chinese Tale, called Hau Kiou Choaan,(205) not very entertaining
+from the incidents, but I think extremely so from the novelty of
+the manner and the genuine representation of their customs.
+
+(203) Now first collected.
+
+(204) Probably Sir David's "Memorials and Letters relating to the
+History of Britain in the Reigns of James the First and Charles
+the First," which were published in 1766, from the originals in
+the Advocates' Library.-E.
+
+(205) This pleasing little novel, in which the manners of the
+Chinese are painted to the life, was a translation from the
+Chinese by Mr. Wilkinson, and revised for publication by Dr.
+Percy.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 105 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 8, 1761. (page 162)
+
+I return you the list of prints, and shall be glad you will bring
+me all to which I have affixed this mark X. The rest I have; yet
+the expense of the whole list would not ruin me. Lord Farnham,
+who, I believe, departed this morning, brings you the list of the
+Duke of Devonshire's pictures.
+
+I have been told that Mr. Bourk's history was of England, not of
+Ireland; I am glad it is the latter, for I am now in Mr. Hume's
+England, and would fain read no more. I not only know what has
+been written, but what would be written. Our story is so
+exhausted, that to make it new, they really make it new. Mr.
+Hume has exalted Edward the Second and depressed Edward the
+Third. The next historian, I suppose, will make James the First
+a hero, and geld Charles the Second.
+
+Fingal is come out; I have not yet got through it; not but, it is
+very fine-yet I cannot at once compass an epic poem now. It
+tires me to death to read how many ways a warrior is like the
+moon, or the sun, or a rock, or a lion, or the ocean. Fingal is
+a brave collection of similes, and will serve all the boys at
+Eton and Westminster for these twenty years. I will trust you
+with a secret, but you must not disclose it; I should be ruined
+with my Scotch friends; in short, I cannot believe it genuine; I
+cannot believe a regular poem of six books has been preserved,
+uncorrupted, by oral tradition, from times before Christianity
+was introduced into the island. What! preserved unadulterated by
+savages dispersed among mountains, and so often driven from their
+dens, so wasted by wars civil and foreign! alas one man ever got
+all by heart? I doubt it; were parts preserved by some, other
+parts by others? Mighty lucky, that the tradition was never
+interrupted, nor any part lost-not a verse, not a measure, not
+the sense! luckier and luckier. I have been extremely qualified
+myself lately for this Scotch memory; we have had nothing but a
+coagulation of rains, fogs, and frosts, and though they have
+clouded all understanding, I suppose, if I had tried, I should
+have found that they thickened, and gave great consistence to my
+remembrance.
+
+You want news--I must make it, if I send it. To change the
+dulness of the scene I went to the play, where I had not been
+this winter. They are so crowded, that though I went before six,
+I got no better place than a fifth row, where I heard very ill,
+and was pent for five hours without a soul near me that I knew.
+It was Cymbeline, and appeared to me as long as if every body in
+it went really to Italy in every act,, and came back again. With
+a few pretty passages and a scene or two, it is so absurd and
+tiresome, that I am persuaded Garrick(206) * * * * *
+
+(206) The rest of this letter is lost.
+
+
+
+Letter 106 To Sir David Dalrymple.(207)
+December 21, 1761. (page 163)
+
+Your specimen pleases me, and I give you many thanks for
+promising me the continuation. You will, I hope, find less
+trouble with printers than I have done. Just when my book was, I
+thought, ready to appear, my printer ran away, and has left it
+very imperfect. This is the fourth I have tried, and I own it
+discourages me. Our low people are so corrupt and such knaves,
+that being cheated and disappointed are all the fruits of
+attempting to amuse oneself or others. Literature must struggle
+with many difficulties. They who print for profit print only for
+profit; we, who print to entertain or instruct others, are the
+bubbles of our designs, defrauded, abused, pirated--don't you
+think, Sir, one need have resolution? Mine is very nearly
+exhausted.
+
+(207) Now first collected.
+
+
+
+Letter 107 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 23, 1761. Past midnight. (page 164)
+
+I am this minute come home, and find such a delightful letter
+from you, that I cannot help answering it, and telling you so
+before I sleep. You need not affirm, that your ancient wit and
+pleasantry are revived; your letter is but five and twenty, and I
+will forgive any vanity, that is so honest, and so well founded.
+Ireland I see produces wonders of more sorts than one; if my Lord
+Anson was to go lord-lieutenant, I suppose he would return a
+ravisher. How different am I from this state of revivification!
+Even such talents as I had are far from blooming again; and while
+my friends, or contemporaries, or predecessors, are rising to
+preside over the fame of this age, I seem a mere antediluvian;
+must live upon what little stock of reputation I had acquired,
+and indeed grow so indifferent, that I can only wonder how those,
+whom I thought as old as myself, can interest themselves so much
+about a world, whose faces I hardly know. You recover your
+spirits and wit, Rigby is grown a speaker, Mr. Bentley a poet,
+while I am nursing one or two gouty friends, and sometimes
+lamenting that I am likely to survive the few I have left.
+Nothing tempts me to launch out again; every day teaches me how
+much I was mistaken in my own parts, and I am in no danger now
+but of thinking I am grown too wise; for every period of life has
+its mistake.
+
+Mr. Bentley's relation to Lord Rochester by the St. Johns is not
+new to me, and you had more reason to doubt of their affinity by
+the former marrying his mistress, than to ascribe their
+consanguinity to it. I shall be glad to see the epistle: are not
+"The Wishes" to be acted? remember me, if they are printed; and I
+shall thank you for this new list of prints.
+
+I have mentioned names enough in this letter to lead me naturally
+to new ill usage I have received. Just when I thought my book
+finished, my printer ran away, and had left eighteen sheets in
+the middle of the book untouched, having amused me with sending
+proofs. He had got into debt, and two girls with child; being
+two, he could not marry two Hannahs. You see my luck; I had been
+kind to this fellow; in short, if the faults of my life had been
+punished as severely as my merits have been, I should be the most
+unhappy of beings; but let us talk of something else.
+
+I have picked up at Mrs. Dunch's auction the sweetest Petitot in
+the world-the very picture of James the Second, that he gave Mrs.
+Godfrey,(208) and I paid but six guineas and a half for it. I
+will not tell you how vast a commission I had given; but I will
+own, that about the hour of sale, I drove about the door to find
+what likely bidders there were. The first coach I saw was the
+Chudleighs; could I help concluding, that a maid of honour, kept
+by a duke, would purchase the portrait of a duke kept by a maid
+of honour-but I was mistaken. The Oxendens reserved the best
+pictures; the fine china, and even the diamonds, sold for
+nothing; for nobody has a shilling. We shall be beggars if we
+don't conquer Peru within this half year.
+
+
+If you are acquainted with my lady Barrymore, pray tell her that
+in less than two hours t'other night the Duke of Cumberland lost
+four hundred and fifty pounds at loo; Miss Pelham won three
+hundred, and I the rest. However, in general, loo is extremely
+gone to decay; I am to play at Princess Emily's to-morrow for the
+first time this winter, and it is with difficulty she has made a
+party.
+
+My Lady Pomfret is dead on the road to Bath; and unless the
+deluge stops, and the fogs disperse, I think we shall all die. A
+few days ago, on the cannon firing for the King going to the
+House, some body asked what it was? M. de Choiseul replied,
+"Apparemment, c'est qu'on voit le soleil."
+
+Shall I fill up the rest of my paper with some extempore lines
+that I wrote t'other night on Lady Mary Coke having St. Anthony's
+fire in her cheek! You will find nothing in them to contradict
+what I have said in the former part of my letter; they rather
+confirm it.
+
+No rouge you wear, nor can a dart
+>From Love's bright quiver wound your heart.
+And thought you, Cupid and his mother
+Would unrevenged their anger smother?
+No, no, from heaven they sent the fire
+That boasts St. Anthony its sire;
+They pour'd it on one peccant part,
+Inflamed your cheek, if not your heart.
+In vain-for see the crimson rise,
+And dart fresh lustre through your eyes
+While ruddier drops and baffled pain
+Enhance the white they mean to stain.
+Ah! nymph, on that unfading face
+With fruitless pencil Time shall trace
+His lines malignant, since disease
+But gives you mightier power to please.
+
+Willis is dead, and Pratt is to be chief justice; Mr. Yorke
+attorney general; solicitor, I don't know who. Good night! the
+watchman cries past one!
+
+(208) Arabella Churchill, sister of the great Duke of
+Marlborough, was the mistress of James the Second while Duke of
+York, by whom she had four children; the celebrated Duke of
+Berwick, the Duke of Albemarle, and two daughters. She
+afterwards became the wife of Colonel Charles Godfrey, master of
+the jewel office, and died in 1714, leaving by him two daughters,
+Charlotte Viscountess Falmouth, and Elizabeth, wife of Edmund
+Dunch, Esq.-E.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 108 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 30, 1761. (page 165)
+
+I have received two more letters from You since I wrote last
+week, and I like to find by them that you are so well and so
+happy. As nothing has happened of change in my situation but a
+few more months passed, I have nothing to tell you new of myself.
+Time does not sharpen my passions or pursuits, and the experience
+I have had by no means prompts me to make new connexions. 'Tis a
+busy world, and well adapted to those who love to bustle in it; I
+loved it once, loved its very tempests--now I barely open my
+windows to view what course the storm takes. The town, who, like
+the devil, when one has once sold oneself' to him, never permits
+one to have done playing the fool, believe I have a great hand in
+their amusements; but to write pamphlets, I mean as a volunteer,
+one must love or hate, and I have the satisfaction of doing
+neither. I Would not be at the trouble of composing a distich to
+achieve a revolution. 'Tis equal to me what names are on the
+scene. In the general view, the prospect is very dark: the
+Spanish war, added to the load, almost oversets our most sanguine
+heroism: and now we have in opportunity of conquering all the
+world, by being at war with all the world, we seem to doubt a
+little of our abilities. On a survey
+of our situation, I comfort myself with saying, "Well, what is it
+to me?" A selfishness that is far from anxious, when it is the
+first thought in one's constitution; not so agreeable when it is
+the last, and adopted by necessity alone.
+
+You drive your expectations much too fast, in thinking my
+Anecdotes of Painting are ready to appear, in demanding three
+volumes. You will see but two, and it will be February first.
+True, I have written three, but I question whether the third will
+be published at all; certainly not soon; it is not a work of
+merit enough to cloy the town with a great deal at once. My
+printer ran away, and left a third part of the two first volumes
+unfinished. I suppose he is writing a tragedy himself, or an
+epistle to my Lord Melcomb, or a panegyric on my Lord Bute.
+
+Jemmy Pelham(209) is dead, and has left to his servants what
+little his servants had left him. Lord Ligonier was killed by
+the newspapers, and wanted to prosecute them; his lawyer told him
+it was impossible--a tradesman indeed might prosecute, as such a
+report might affect his credit. "Well, then," said the old man,
+"I may prosecute too, for I can prove I have been hurt by this
+'report I was going to marry a great fortune, who thought I was
+but seventy-four; the newspapers have said I am eighty, and she
+will not have me."
+
+Lord Charlemont's Queen Elizabeth I know perfectly; he outbid me
+for it; is his villa finished? I am well pleased with the design
+in Chambers. I have been my out-of-town with Lord Waldecrave,
+Selwyn, and Williams; it was melancholy the missing poor
+Edgecombe, who was constantly of the Christmas and Easter
+parties. Did you see the charming picture Reynolds painted for
+me of him, Selwyn, and Gilly Williams? It is by far one of the
+best things he has executed. He has just finished a pretty
+whole-length of Lady Elizabeth Keppel,(210) in the bridemaid's
+habit, sacrificing to Hymen.
+
+If the Spaniards land in Ireland, shall you make the campaign?
+No. no, come back to England; you and I will not be patriots,
+till the Gauls are in the city, and we must take our great chairs
+and our fasces, and be knocked on the head with decorum in St.
+James's market. Good night!
+
+P. S. I am told that they bind in vellum better at Dublin than
+any where; pray bring me one book of their binding, as well as it
+can be done, and I will not mind the price. If Mr. Bourk's
+history appear,-, before your return, let it be that.
+
+(209) The Hon. James Pelham, of Crowhurst, Sussex. He had been
+principal secretary to Frederick Prince of Wales, and for nearly
+forty years secretary to the several lords-chamberlain.-E.
+
+(210) She was daughter of the Earl of Albemarle, and married to
+the Marquis of Tavistock.
+
+
+
+Letter 109 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 26, 1762. (page 167)
+
+We have had as many mails due from Ireland as you had from us. I
+have at last received a line from you; it tells me you are well,
+which I am always glad to hear; I cannot say you tell me much
+more. My health is so little subject to alteration, and so
+preserved by temperance, that it is not worth repetition; thank
+God you may conclude it is good, if I do not say to the contrary.
+
+Here is nothing new but preparations for conquest, and approaches
+to bankruptcy; and the worst is, the former will advance the
+latter at least as much as impede it. You say the Irish will
+live and die with your cousin: I am glad they are so well
+disposed. I have lived long enough to doubt whether all, who
+like to live with one, would be so ready to die with one. I know
+it is not pleasant to have the time arrived when one looks about
+to see whether they would or not; but you are in a country of
+more sanguine complexion, and where I believe the clergy do not
+deny the laity the cup.
+
+The Queen's brother arrived yesterday; your brother, Prince John,
+has been here about a week; I am to dine with him to-day at Lord
+Dacre's with the Chute. Our burlettas are gone out of fashion;
+do the Atnicis come hither next year, or go to Guadaloupe, as is
+said? I have been told that a lady Kingsland(211) at Dublin has
+a picture of Madame Grammont by Petitot; I don't know who Lady
+Kingsland is, whether rich or poor, but I know there is nothing I
+would not give for such a picture. I wish you would hunt it; and
+if the dame is above temptation, do try if you could obtain a
+copy in water colours, if there is any body in Dublin could
+execute it.
+
+The Duchess of Portland has lately enriched me exceedingly; nine
+portraits of the court of Louis quatorze! Lord Portland brought
+them over; they hung in the nursery at Bulstrode, the children
+amused themselves with shooting at them. I have got them, but I
+will tell you no more, you don't deserve it; you write to me as
+if I were your godfather: "Honoured Sir, I am brave and well, my
+cousin George is well, we drink your health every night, and beg
+your blessing." This is the sum total of all your letters. I
+thought in a new country, and with your spirits and humour, you
+could have found something to tell me. I shall only ask you now
+when you return; but I declare I will not correspond with you: I
+don't write letters to divert myself, but in expectation of
+returns; in short, you are extremely in disgrace with me; I have
+measured my letters for sometime, and for the future will answer
+you paragraph for paragraph. You yourself don't seem to find
+letter-writing so amusing as to pay itself. Adieu!
+
+(211) Nicholas Barnewall, third Viscount Kingsland, married Mary,
+daughter of Frances Jennings, sister to the celebrated Sarah
+Duchess of Marlborough, by George Count Hamilton: "by which
+marriage," says Walpole, "the pictures I saw at Tarvey, Lord
+Kingsland's house, came to him: I particularly recollect the
+portraits of Count Hamilton and his brother Anthony, and two of
+Madame Grammont; one taken in her youth, the other in advanced
+age."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 110 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 2, 1762. (page 168)
+
+I scolded YOU in my last, but I shall forgive you if you return
+soon to England, as you talk of doing; for though you are an
+abominable correspondent, and only write to beg letters, you are
+good company, and I have a notion I shall still be glad to see
+You.
+
+Lady Mary Wortley is arrived;(212) I have seen her; I think her
+avarice, her dirt, and her vivacity, are all increased. Her
+dress, like her languages, is a gralimatias of several countries;
+the groundwork rags, and the embroidery nastiness. She needs no
+cap, no handkerchief, no gown, no petticoat, no shoes. An old
+black-laced hood represents the first; the fur of a horseman's
+coat, which replaces the third, serves for the second; a dimity
+petticoat is deputy, and officiates for the fourth; and slippers
+act the part of the last. When I was at Florence, and she was
+expected there, we were drawing Sortes Virgili-anas for her; we
+literally drew
+
+Insanam vatem aspicies.
+
+
+It would have been a stronger prophecy now, even than it was
+then.
+
+You told me not a word of Mr. Macnaughton,(213) and I have a
+great mind to be as coolly indolent about our famous ghost in
+Cock-lane. Why should one steal half an hour from one's
+amusements to tell a story to a friend in another island? I
+could send you volumes on the ghost, and I believe if I were to
+stay a little, I might send its life, dedicated to my Lord
+Dartmouth, by the ordinary of Newgate, its two great patrons. A
+drunken parish clerk set it on foot out of revenge, the
+Methodists have adopted it, and the whole town of london think of
+nothing else. Elizabeth Canning and the Rabbit-woman were modest
+impostors in comparison of this, which goes on Without saving the
+least appearances. The Archbishop, who would not suffer the
+Minor to be acted in ridicule of the Methodists, permits this
+farce to be played every night, and I shall not be surprised if
+they perform in the great hall at Lambeth. I went to hear it,
+for it is not an apparition, but an audition. We set out from
+the Opera, changed our clothes at Northumberland-house, the Duke
+of York, Lady Northumberland, Lady Mary Coke, Lord Hertford, and
+I, all in one hackney coach, and drove to the spot: it rained
+torrents; yet the lane was full of mob, and the house so full we
+could not get in; at last they discovered it was the Duke of
+York, and the company squeezed themselves into one another's
+pockets to make room for us. The house, which is borrowed, and
+to which the ghost has adjourned, is wretchedly small and
+miserable; when we opened the chamber, in which were fifty
+people, with no light but one tallow candle at the end, we
+tumbled over the bed of the child to whom the ghost comes,
+and whom they are murdering by inches in such insufferable heat
+and stench. At the top of the room are ropes to dry clothes. I
+asked, if we were to have rope-dancing between the acts? We had
+nothing; they told us, as they would at a puppet-show, that it
+would not come that night till seven in the morning, that is,
+when there are only 'prentices and old women. We stayed however
+till half an hour after one. The Methodists have promised them
+contributions; provisions are sent in like forage, and all the
+taverns and alehouses in the neighbourhood make fortunes. The
+most diverting part is to hear people wondering when it will be
+found out--as if there was any thing to find out--as if the
+actors would make their noises when they can be discovered.
+However, as this pantomime cannot last much longer, I hope Lady
+Fanny Shirley will set up a ghost of her own at Twickenham, and
+then you shall hear one. The Methodists, as Lord Aylesford
+assured Mr. Chute two nights ago at Lord Dacre's have attempted
+ghosts three times in Warwickshire. There, how good I am!
+
+(212) Lady Mary Wortley Montagu remained at Venice till the death
+of Mr. Wortley in this year when she yielded to the solicitations
+of her daughter, the Countess of Bute, and, after an absence of
+two-and-twenty years, began her journey to England, where she
+arrived in October.-E.
+
+
+(213) john Macnaughton, Esq. executed in December, 1761, for the
+murder of Miss Knox, daughter of Andrew Knox, Esq. of Prehen,
+member of parliament for Donegal. macnaughton, who had ruined
+himself by gambling, sought to replenish his fortune by marriage
+with this young lady, who had considerable expectations; but as
+her friends would not consent to their union, and he failed both
+in inveigling her into a secret marriage, and in compelling her
+by the suits which he commenced in the ecclesiastical courts to
+ratify an alleged promise of marriage, he revenged himself by
+shooting her while riding in a carriage with her father.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 111 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 6, 1762. (PAGE 169)
+
+You must have thought me very negligent of your commissions; not
+only in buying your ruffles, but in never mentioning them; but my
+justification is most ample and verifiable. Your letters of Jan.
+2d arrived but yesterday with the papers of Dec. 29. These are
+the mails that have so long been missing, and were shipwrecked or
+something on the Isle of Man. Now you see it was impossible for
+me to buy you a pair of ruffles for the 18th of January, when I
+did not receive the orders till the 5th of February.
+
+You don't tell me a word (but that is not new to you) of Mr.
+Hamilton's wonderful eloquence, which converted a whole House of
+Commons on the five regiments. We have no such miracles here;
+five regiments might work such prodigies, but I never knew mere
+rhetoric gain above one or two proselytes at a time in all my
+practice.
+
+We have a Prince Charles here, the Queen's brother; he is like
+her, but more like the Hows; low, but well made, good eyes and
+teeth. Princess Emily is very ill, has been blistered, and been
+blooded four times.
+
+My books appear on Monday se'nnight: if I can find any quick
+conveyance for them, you shall have them; if not, as you are
+returning soon, I may as well keep them for you. Adieu! I grudge
+every word I write to you.
+
+
+
+Letter 112To The Rev. Mr. Cole.(214)
+Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1762. (PAGE 170)
+
+Dear Sir,
+The little leisure I have to-day will, I trust, excuse my saying
+very few words in answer to your obliging letter, of which no
+part touches me more than what concerns your health, which,
+however, I rejoice to hear is reestablishing itself.
+
+I am sorry I did not save you the trouble of cataloguing Ames's
+beads, by telling you that another person has actually done it,
+and designs to publish a new edition ranged in a different
+method. I don't know the gentleman's name, but he is a friend of
+Sir William Musgrave, from whom I had this information some
+months ago.
+
+You will oblige me much by the sight of the volume you mention.
+Don't mind the epigrams you transcribe on my father. I have been
+inured to abuse on him from my birth. It is not a quarter of an
+hour ago since, cutting the leaves of a new dab called Anecdotes
+of Polite Literature, I found myself abused for having defended
+my father. I don't know the author, and suppose I never shall,
+for I find Glover's Leonidas is one of the things he admires--and
+so I leave them to be forgotten together, Fortunati Ambo!
+
+I sent your letter to Ducarel, who has promised me those poems--I
+accepted the promise to get rid of him t'other day, when he would
+have talked me to death.
+
+(214) A distinguished antiquary, better known by the assistance
+he gave to others than by publications of his own. He was vicar
+of Burnham, in the county of Bucks; and died December 16th, 1782,
+in his sixty-eighth year.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 113 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 13, 1762. (PAGE 171)
+
+Sir,
+I should long ago have given myself the pleasure of writing to
+you, if I had not been constantly in hope of accompanying my
+letter with the Anecdotes of Painting, etc.; but the tediousness
+of engraving, and the roguery of a fourth printer, have delayed
+the publication week after week- for months: truly I do not
+believe that there is such a being as an honest printer in the
+world.
+
+I Sent the books to Mr. Whiston, who, I think you told me, was
+employed by you: he answered, he knew nothing of the matter. Mr.
+Dodsley has undertaken now to convey them to you, and I beg your
+acceptance of them: it will be a very kind acceptance if you will
+tell me of any faults, blunders ,omissions, etc. as you observe
+them. In a first sketch of this nature, I cannot hope the work
+is any thing like complete. Excuse, Sir, the brevity Of this. I
+am much hurried at this instant of publication, and have barely
+time to assure you how truly I am your humble servant.
+
+
+
+Letter 114To The Earl Of Bute.(215)
+Strawberry Hill, Feb. 15, 1762. (PAGE 171)
+
+My lord,
+I am sensible how little time your lordship can have to throw
+away on reading idle letters of compliment; yet as it would be
+too great want of respect to your lordship, not to make some sort
+of reply to the note(216) you have done me the honour to send me,
+I thought I could couch what I have to say in fewer words by
+writing, than in troubling you with a visit, which might come
+unseasonably, and a letter you may read at any moment when you
+are most idle. I have already, my lord, detained you too long by
+sending you a book, which I could not flatter myself you would
+turn over in such a season of business: by the manner in 'Which
+you have considered it, you have shown me that your very minutes
+of amusement you try to turn to the advantage of your country.
+It was this pleasing prospect of patronage to the arts that
+tempted me to offer you my pebble towards the new structure. I
+am flattered that you have taken notice' of the only ambition I
+have: I should be more flattered if I could contribute to the
+smallest of your lordship's designs for illustrating Britain.
+The hint your lordship is so good as to give me for a work like
+Montfaucon's Monuments de la Monarchie Francaise, has long been a
+subject that I have wished to see executed, nor, in point of
+materials, do I think it would be a very difficult one. The
+chief impediment was the expense, too great for a private
+fortune. The extravagant prices extorted by English artists is a
+discouragement to all public undertakings. Drawings from
+paintings, tombs, etc. would be very dear. To have them engraved
+as they ought to be, would exceed the compass of a much ampler
+fortune than mine; which though equal to my largest wish, cannot
+measure itself with the rapacity of our performers.
+
+But, my lord, if his Majesty was pleased to command such a work,
+on so laudable an idea as your lordship's, nobody would be more
+ready than myself to give his assistance. I own I think I could
+be of use in it, in collecting or pointing out materials, and I
+would readily take any trouble in aiding, supervising, or
+directing such a plan. Pardon me, my lord, if I offer no more; I
+mean, that I do not undertake the part of composition. I have
+already trespassed too much upon the indulgence of the public; I
+wish not to disgust them with hearing of me, and reading me. It
+is time for me to have done; and when I shall have completed, as
+I almost have, the History of the Arts on which I am now engaged,
+I did not purpose to tempt again the patience of mankind. But
+the case is very different with regard to my trouble. My whole
+fortune is from the bounty of the crown, and from the public: it
+would ill become me to spare any pains for the King's glory, or
+for the honour and satisfaction of my country; and give me leave
+to add, my lord, it would be an ungrateful return for the
+distinction with which your lordship has condescended to honour
+me if I withheld such trifling aid as mine, when it might in the
+least tend to adorn your lordship's administration. From me, my
+lord, permit me to say, these are not words of course or of
+compliment, this is not the language of flattery; your lordship
+knows I have no Views, perhaps knows that, insignificant as it
+is, my praise is never detached from my esteem: and when you have
+raised, as I trust you will, real monuments of glory, the most
+contemptible characters in the inscription dedicated by your
+country, may not be the testimony of, my lord, etc.(217)
+
+(215) Now first collected.
+
+(216) This letter is in reply to the following note, which
+Walpole had, a few days before, received from the Earl of Bute:--
+"Lord Bute presents his compliments to Mr. Walpole, and returns
+him a thousand thanks for the very agreeable present he has made
+him. In looking over it, Lord Bute observes Mr. Walpole has
+mixed several curious remarks on the customs, etc. of the times
+he treats of; a thing much wanted, and that has never yet been
+executed, except in parts, by Peck, etc. Such a general work
+would be not only very agreeable, but instructive: the French
+have attempted it; the Russians are about it; and Lord Bute has
+been informed Mr. Walpole is well furnished with materials for
+such a noble work."-E.
+
+(217) The following passage, in a letter from Gray to Walpole, of
+the 28th of February, has reference to that work projected by
+Lord Bute:--"I rejoice in the good disposition of our court, and
+in the propriety of their application to you: the work is a thing
+so much to be wished; has so near a connexion with the turn of
+your studies and of your curiosity, and might find such ample
+materials among your hoards and in your head, that it will be a
+sin if you let it drop and come to nothing, or worse than
+nothing, for want of your assistance. The historical part should
+be in the manner of Herault, a mere abridgment; a series of facts
+selected with judgment, that may serve as a clue to lead the mind
+along in the midst of those ruins and scattered monuments of art
+that time has spared. This would be sufficient, and better than
+Montfaucon's more diffuse narrative." Works, vol. iii. p. 293.
+Before Walpole had received Gray's letter, he had already adopted
+the proposed method; a large memorandum book of his being extant,
+with this title page, Collections for a History of the Manners,
+Customs, Habits, Fashions, Ceremonies, etc. of England; begun
+February 21, 1762, by Horace Walpole." For a specimen of it, see
+his Works, vol. v. p. 400.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 115 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 22, 1762. (PAGE 173)
+
+My scolding does you so much good. that I will for the future
+lecture you for the most trifling peccadillo. You have written
+me a very entertaining letter, and wiped out several debts; not
+that I will forget one of them if you relapse.
+
+As we have never had a rainbow to assure us that the world shall
+not be snowed to death, I thought last night was the general
+connixation. We had a tempest of wind and snow for two hours
+beyond any thing I remember: chairs were blown to pieces, the
+streets covered with tassels and glasses and tiles, and coaches
+and chariots were filled like reservoirs. Lady Raymond's house
+in Berkeley-square is totally unroofed; and Lord Robert Bertie,
+who is going to marry her, may descend into it like a Jupiter
+Pluvius. It is a week of wonders, and worthy the note of an
+almanack-maker. Miss Draycott, within two days of matrimony, has
+dismissed Mr. Beauclerc; but this is totally forgotten already in
+the amazement of a new elopement. In all your reading, true or
+false, have you ever heard of a young Earl, married to the most
+beautiful woman in the world, a lord of the bedchamber, a general
+officer, and with a great estate, quitting every thing, resigning
+wife and world, and embarking for life in a pacquetboat with a
+Miss? I fear your connexions will but too readily lead you to
+the name of the peer; it is Henry Earl of Pembroke,(218) the
+nymph Kitty Hunter. The town and Lady Pembroke were but too much
+witnesses to this intrigue, last Wednesday, at a great ball at
+Lord Middleton's. On Thursday they decamped. However, that the
+writer of their romance, or I, as he is a noble author, might not
+want materials, the Earl has left a bushel of letters behind him;
+to his mother, to Lord Bute, to Lord Ligonier, (the two last to
+resign his employments,) and to Mr. Stopford, whom he acquits of
+all privity to his design. In none he justifies himself, unless
+this is a justification, that having long tried in vain to make
+his wife hate and dislike him, he had no way left but this, and
+it is to be hoped will succeed; and then it may not be the worst
+event that could have happened to her. You may easily conceive
+the hubbub such an exploit must occasion. With ghosts,
+elopements, abortive motions, etc., we can amuse ourselves
+tolerably well, till the season arrives for taking the field and
+conquering the Spanish West Indies.
+
+I have sent YOU my books by a messenger; Lord Barrington was so
+good as to charge himself with them. They barely saved their
+distance; a week later, and no soul could have read a line in
+them, unless I had changed the title-page, and called them the
+loves of the Earl of Pembroke and Miss Hunter.
+
+I am sorry Lady Kingsland is so rich. However, if the Papists
+should be likely to rise, pray disarm her of the enamel, and
+commit it to safe custody in the round tower at Strawberry. Good
+night! mine is a life of letter-writing; I pray for a peace that
+I may sheath my Pen.
+
+(218) Henry Herbert, tenth Earl of Pembroke, married, 13th March
+1756, Lady Elizabeth Spencer, second daughter of Charles, third
+Duke of Marlborough, by whom he had a son, George, eleventh Earl,
+born 19th September 1759: and some years afterwards, when he ran
+away with her, which he actually did, after they had lived for
+some time separated, a daughter, born in 1773, who died in 1784,
+unmarried.
+
+
+
+Letter 116 To Dr. Ducarel.(219)
+Feb. 24, 1762. (PAGE 174)
+
+Sir, I am glad my books have at all amused you, and am much
+obliged to you for your notes and communications. Your thought
+of an English Montfaucon accords perfectly with a design I have
+long had of attempting something of that kind, in which too I
+have been lately encouraged; and therefore I will beg you at your
+leisure, as they shall occur, to make me little notes of customs,
+fashions, and portraits, relating to our history and manners.
+Your work on vicarages, I am persuaded, will be very useful, as
+every thing you undertake is, and curious.--After the medals I
+lent Mr. Perry, I have a little reason to take it ill, that he
+has entirely neglected me; he has published a number, and sent it
+to several persons,-and never to me.(220) I wanted to see him
+too, because I know of two very curious medals, which I could
+borrow for him. He does not deserve it at my hands, but I will
+not defraud the public of any thing valuable; and therefore, if
+he will call on me any morning, but a Sunday or Monday, between
+eleven and twelve, I will speak to him of them.--With regard to
+one or two of your remarks, I have not said that real lions were
+originally leopards. I have said that lions in arms, that is,
+painted lions, were leopards; and it is fact, and no inaccuracy.
+Paint a leopard yellow, and it becomes a lion.--YOU say, colours
+rightly prepared do not grow black. The art would be much
+obliged for such a preparation. I have not said that oil-colours
+would not endure with a glass; on the contrary, I believe they
+would last the longer.
+
+I am much amazed at Vertue's blunder about my marriage of Henry
+VII.; and afterwards, he said, "Sykes, knowing how to give names
+to pictures to make them sell," called this the marriage of Henry
+VII.; and afterwards, he said, Sykes had the figures in an old
+picture of a church. He must have known little Indeed, Sir, if
+he had not known how to name a picture that he had painted on
+purpose that he might call it so! That Vertue, on the strictest
+examination, could not be convinced that the man was Henry VII.,
+not being like any of his pictures. Unluckily, he is extremely
+like the shilling, which is much more authentic than any picture
+of Henry VII. But here Sykes seems to have been extremely
+deficient in his tricks. Did he order the figure to be painted
+like Henry VII., and yet could not get it painted like him, which
+was the easiest part of the task? Yet how came he to get the
+Queen painted like, whose representations are much scarcer than
+those of her husband? and how came Sykes to have pomegranates
+painted on her robe, only to puzzle the cause! It is not worth
+adding, that I should much sooner believe the church was painted
+to the figures, than the figures to the church. They are hard
+and antique: the church in a better style, and at least more
+fresh. If Vertue had made no better criticisms than these, I
+would never have taken so much trouble with his MS. Adieu!
+
+(219) Librarian at Lambeth Palace, and a well-known antiquary.
+He died in 1785.
+
+
+(220) A series of English Medals, by Francis Perry, 4to. with
+thirteen plates.
+
+
+
+Letter 117 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 25, 1762. (PAGE 175)
+
+I sent you my gazette but two days ago; I now write to answer a
+kind long letter I have received from you since.
+
+I have heard of my brother's play several years ago; but I never
+understood that it was completed, or more than a few detached
+scenes. What is become of Mr. Bentley's play and Mr. Bentley's
+epistle?
+
+When I go to Strawberry, I will look for where Lord Cutts was
+buried; I think I can find it. I am disposed to prefer the
+younger picture of Madame Grammont by Lely; but I stumbled at the
+price; twelve guineas for a copy in enamel is very dear. Mrs.
+Vezey tells me, his originals cost sixteen, and are not so good
+as his copies. I will certainly have none of his originals.
+His, what is his name'! I would fain resist his copy; I would
+more fain excuse myself for having it. I say to myself, it Would
+be rude not to have it, now Lady Kingsland and Mr. Montagu have
+had so much trouble--well--"I think I must have it," as my Lady
+Wishfort says, "Why does not the fellow take me?" Do try if he
+will not take ten; remember it is the younger picture: and, oh!
+now you are remembering, don't forget all my prints and a book
+bound in vellum. There is-a thin folio too I want, called
+"Hibernica;"(221) it is a collection of curious papers, one a
+translation by Carew Earl of Totness: I had forgot that you have
+no books in Ireland; however, I must have this, and your pardon
+for all the trouble I give you.
+
+No news yet of the runaways: but all that comes out antecedent to
+the escape, is more and more extraordinary and absurd. The day
+of the elopement he had invited his wife's family and other folk
+to dinner with her, but said he must himself dine at a tavern;
+but he dined privately in his own dressing-room, put on a
+sailor's habit, and black wig, that he had brought home with him
+in a bundle, and threatened the servants he would murder them if
+they mentioned it to his wife. He left a letter for her, which
+the Duke 'of Marlborough was afraid to deliver to her, and
+opened. It desired that she would not write to him, as it would
+make him completely mad. He desires the King would preserve his
+rank of major-general, as some time or other he may serve again.
+Here is an indifferent epigram made on the occasion: I send it to
+you, though I wonder any body could think it a subject to joke
+upon.
+
+As Pembroke a horseman by most is accounted,
+'Tis not strange that his lordship a Hunter has mounted.
+
+Adieu! yours ever.
+
+(221) Hibernica; or, some Ancient Pieces relating to Ireland,"
+published at Dublin in 1757, by Walter Harris.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 118 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.
+Strawberry Hill, March 5, 1762. (PAGE 176)
+
+Madam,
+one of your slaves, a fine young officer, brought me two days ago
+a very pretty medal from your ladyship. Amidst all your triumphs
+you do not, I see, forget your English friends, and it makes me
+extremely happy. He pleased me still more, by assuring me that
+you return to England when the campaign opens. I can pay this
+news by none so good as by telling you that we talk of nothing
+but peace. We are equally ready to give law to the world, or
+peace. MartiniCO has not made us intractable. We and the new
+Czar are the best sort of people upon earth: I am sure, Madam,
+you must adore him; he is ,,, to resign all his conquests, that
+you and Mr. Conway may be settled again at Park-place. My Lord
+Chesterfield, with the despondence of an old man and the wit of a
+young one, thinks the French and Spaniards must make some attempt
+upon these islands, and is frightened lest we should not be so
+well prepared to repel invasions as to make them: he says, "What
+will it avail us if we gain the whole world, and lose our own
+soul!"
+
+I am here alone, Madam, and know nothing to tell you. I came
+from town on Saturday for the worst cold I ever had in my life,
+and, what I care less to own even to myself, a cough. I hope
+Lord Chesterfield will not speak more truth in what I have
+quoted, than in his assertion, that one need not cough if one did
+not please. It has pulled me extremely, and you may believe I do
+not look very plump, when I am more emaciated that usual.
+However, I have taken James's powder for four nights, and have
+found great benefit from it; and if Miss Conway does not come
+back with soixante et douze quartiers, and the hauteur of a
+landgravine, I think I shall still be able to run down the
+precipices at Park-place with her-This is to be understood,
+supposing that we have any summer. Yesterday was the first
+moment that did not feel like Thule: not a glimpse of spring or
+green, except a miserable almond tree, half opening one bud, like
+my Lord PowersCOurt'S eye.
+
+It will be warmer, I hope, by the King's birthday, or the old
+ladies will catch their deaths. There is a court dress to be
+instituted--(to thin the drawing-rooms)--stiff-bodied gowns and
+bare shoulders. What dreadful discoveries will be made both on
+fat and lean! I recommend to you the idea of Mrs. Cavendish,
+when half-stark; and I might fill the rest of my paper with such
+images, but your imagination will supply them; and you shall
+excuse me, though I leave this a short letter: but I wrote merely
+to thank your ladyship for the medal, and, as you perceive, have
+very little to say, besides that known and lasting truth, how
+much I am Mr. Conway's and your ladyship's faithful humble
+servant.
+
+
+
+Letter 119 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 9, 1762. (PAGE 177)
+
+I am glad you have received my books safe, and are content with
+them. I have little idea of Mr. Bentley's; though his
+imagination is sufficiently Pindaric, nay obscure, his numbers
+are not apt to be so tuneful as to excuse his flights. He should
+always give his wit, both in verse and prose, to somebody else to
+make up. If any of his things are printed at Dublin, let me have
+them; I have no quarrel with his talents. Your cousin's
+behaviour has been handsome, and so was his speech, which is
+printed in our papers. Advice is arrived to-day, that our troops
+have made good their landing at Martinico; I don't know any of
+the incidents yet.
+
+You ask me for an epitaph for Lord Cutts;(222) I scratched out
+the following lines last night as I was going to bed; if they are
+not good enough, pray don't take them: they were written in a
+minute, and you are under no obligation to like them.
+
+Late does the muse approach to Cutts's grave,
+But ne'er the grateful muse forgets the brave;
+He gave her subjects for the immortal lyre,
+And sought in idle hours the tuneful choir;
+Skilful to mount by either path to fame,
+And dear to memory by a double name.
+Yet if ill known amid the Aonian groves,
+His shade a stranger and unnoticed roves,
+The dauntless chief a nobler band may join:
+They never die who conquer'd at the Boyne.
+
+The last line intends to be popular in Ireland; but you must take
+care to be certain that he was at the battle of the Boyne; I
+conclude so; ind it should be specified the year, when you erect
+the monument-The latter lines mean to own his having been but a
+moderate poet, and to cover that mediocrity under his valour; all
+which is true. Make the sculptor observe the steps.
+
+
+I have not been at Strawberry above a month, nor ever was so long
+absent - but the weather has been cruelly cold and disagreeable.
+We have not had a single dry week since the beginning of
+September; a great variety of weather, all bad. Adieu!
+
+(222) John Lord Cutts, a soldier of most hardy bravery in King
+William's wars. He died at Dublin in 1707. Swift's epigram on a
+Salamander alluded to this lord, who was called by the Duke of
+Marlborough the Salamander, on account of his always being in the
+thickest of the fire. He published, in 1687, "Poetical
+Exercises, written upon several Occasions."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 120 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Arlington Street, March 20, 1762. (PAGE 178)
+
+I am glad you are pleased, Sir, with my "Anecdotes of Painting;"
+but I doubt you praise me too much: it was an easy task when I
+had the materials Collected. and I would not have the labours of
+forty years, which was Vertue's case, depreciated in compliment
+to the work of four months, which is almost my whole merit.
+Style is become, in a manner, a mechanical affair,--and if to
+much ancient lore our antiquaries would add a little modern
+reading, to polish their language and correct their prejudices, I
+do not see why books of antiquities should not be made as amusing
+as writings on any other subject. If Tom Herne had lived in the
+world, he might have writ an agreeable history of dancing; at
+least, I am sure that many modern volumes are read for no reason
+but for their being penned in the dialect of the age.
+
+I am much beholden to you, dear Sir, for your remarks; they shall
+have their due place whenever the work proceeds to a second
+edition, for that the nature of it as a record will ensure to it.
+A few of your notes demand a present answer: the Bishop of Imola
+pronounced the nuptial benediction at the marriage of Henry VII.,
+which made me suppose him the person represented.(223)
+
+Burnet, who was more a judge of characters than statues, mentions
+the resemblance between Tiberius and Charles II.; but, as far as
+countenances went, there could not be a more ridiculous
+prepossession; Charles had a long face, with very strong lines,
+and a narrowish brow; Tiberius a very square face, and flat
+forehead, with features rather delicate in proportion. I have
+examined this imaginary likeness, and see no kind of foundation
+for it. It is like Mr. Addison's travels, of which it was so
+truly said, he might have composed them without stirring out of
+England. There are a kind of naturalists who have sorted out the
+qualities of the mind, and allotted particular turns of features
+and complexions to them. It would be much easier to prove that
+every form has been endowed with every vice. One has heard much
+of the vigour of Burnet himself; yet I dare to say, he did not
+think himself like to Charles II.
+
+I am grieved, Sir, to hear that your eyes suffer; take care of
+them; nothing can replace the satisfaction they afford: one
+should hoard them, as the only friend that will not be tired of
+one when one grows old, and when one should least choose to
+depend on others for entertainment. I most sincerely wish you
+happiness and health in that and every other instance.
+
+(223) In the picture by Mabuse of the marriage of Henry VII.
+Whatever was Mr. Zouch's correction (in which Mr. Walpole seems
+to acquiesce), no alteration seem,- to have been made in the
+passage about the Bishop of Imola. This curious picture is at
+Strawberry Hill, and should be in the Royal Collection.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 121 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 22, 1762. (PAGE 179)
+
+You may fancy what you -will, but the eyes of all the world are
+not fixed upon Ireland. Because you have a little virtue, and a
+lord-lieutenant(224) that refuses four thousand pounds a-year,
+and a chaplain(225) of a lord-lieutenant that declines a huge
+bishopric, and a secretary(226) whose eloquence can convince a
+nation of blunderers, you imagine that nothing is talked of but
+the castle of Dublin. In the first place, virtue may sound its
+own praises, but it never is praised; and in the next place,
+there are other feats besides self-denials; and for eloquence, we
+overflow with it. Why, the single eloquence of Mr. Pitt, like an
+annihilated star, can shine many months after it has set. I tell
+you it has conquered Martinico.(227) If you will not believe me,
+read the Gazette; read Moncton's letter; there is more martial
+spirit in it than in half Thucydides, and in all the grand Cyrus.
+Do you think Demosthenes or Themistocles ever raised the Grecian
+stocks two per cent. in four-and-twenty hours? I shall burn all
+my Greek and Latin books; they are histories of little people.
+The Romans never conquered the world, till they had conquered
+three parts of it, and were three hundred years about it; we
+subdue the globe in three campaigns; and a globe, let me tell
+you, as big again as It was in their days. Perhaps you may think
+me proud; but you don't know that I had some share in the
+reduction of Martinico; the express was brought to my godson, Mr.
+Horatio Gates; and I have a very good precedent for attributing
+some of the glory to myself - I have by me a love-letter, written
+during my father's administration, by a journeyman tailor to my
+brother's second chambermaid; his offers Honourable; he proposed
+matrimony, and to better his terms, informed her of his
+pretensions to a place; they were founded on what he called,
+"some services to the government." As the nymph could not read,
+she carried the epistle to the housekeeper to be deciphered, by
+which means it came into my hands. I inquired what were the
+merits of Mr. Vice Crispin, was informed that he had made the
+suit of clothes for a figure of Lord Marr, that was burned after
+the rebellion. I hope now you don't hold me too presumptuous for
+pluming myself on the reduction of Martinico. However, I shall
+not aspire to a post, nor to marry my Lady Bute's Abigail. I
+only trust my services to you as a friend, and do not mean under
+your temperate administration to get the list of Irish pensions
+loaded with my name, though I am godfather to Mr. Horatio Gates.
+
+The Duchess of Grafton and the English have been miraculously
+preserved at Rome by being at loo, instead of going to a great
+concert, where the palace fell in, and killed ten persons and
+wounded several others. I shall send orders to have an altar
+dedicated in the Capitol.
+
+Pammio O. M.
+Capitolino
+Annam Ducisam de Grafton
+Merito Incolumem.
+
+I tell you of it now, because I don't know whether it will be
+worth while to write another letter on purpose. Lord Albemarle
+takes up the victorious grenadiers at Martinico, and in six weeks
+will conquer the Havannah.- Adieu!
+
+(224) The Irish House of Commons having voted an address to the
+King to increase the salary of the lord-lieutenant, the Earl of
+Halifax declined having any augmentation.
+
+(225) Dr. Crane, chaplain to the Earl of Halifax, had refused the
+bishopric of Elphin.
+
+(226) Single-speech Hamilton.
+
+(227) Sir Richard Lyttelton, in a letter to Mr. Pitt, written
+from Rome on the 14th of April, says, " I cannot forbear
+congratulating you on the glorious conquest of Martinico, which,
+whatever effect it may have on England, astonishes all Europe,
+and fills every mouth with praise and commendation of the noble
+perseverance and superior ability of the planner of this great
+and decisive undertaking. His Holiness told Mr. Weld, that, were
+not the information such as left no possibility of its being
+doubted, the news of our success could not have been credited;
+and that so great was the national glory and reputation all over
+the world, that he esteemed it the highest honour to be born an
+Englishman. If this, sir, be the end of your administration, I
+shall only say finis coronet opus." Chatham Correspondence, vol.
+ii. p. 173-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 122 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, April 29, 1762. (PAGE 180)
+
+I am most absurdly glad to hear you are returned well and safe,
+of which I have at this moment received your account from
+Hankelow, where you talk of staying a week. However, not knowing
+the exact day of your departure, I direct this to Greatworth,
+that it may rather wait for you, than you for it, if it should go
+into Cheshire and not find you there. As I should ever be sorry
+to give you any pain, I hope I shall not be the first to tell you
+of the loss of poor Lady Charlotte Johnstone,(228) who, after a
+violent fever of less than a week, was brought to bed yesterday
+morning of a dead child, and died herself at four in the
+afternoon. I heartily condole with you, as I know your
+tenderness for all your family, and the regard you have for
+Colonel Johnstone. The time is wonderfully sickly; nothing but
+sore throats, colds, and fevers. I got rid of one of the worst
+of these disorders, attended with a violent cough, by only taking
+seven grains of James's powder for six nights. It was the first
+cough I ever had, and when coughs meet with so spare a body as
+mine, they are not apt to be so easily conquered. Take great
+care of yourself, and bring the fruits of your expedition in
+perfection to Strawberry. I shall be happy to see you there
+whenever you please. I have no immediate purpose of settling
+there yet, as they are laying floors, which is very noisy, and as
+it is uncertain when the Parliament will rise, but I would go
+there at any time to meet you. The town will empty instantly
+after the King's birthday; and consequently I shall then be less
+broken in upon, which I know you do not like. If, therefore, it
+suits you, any time you will name after the 5th of June will be
+equally agreeable; but sooner if you like it better.
+
+We have little news at present, except a profusion of new
+peerages, but are likely I think to have much greater shortly.
+The ministers disagree, and quarrel with as much alacrity as
+ever; and the world expects a total rupture between Lord Bute and
+the late King's servants. This comedy has been so often
+represented, it scarce interests one, especially one who takes no
+part, and who is determined to have nothing to do with the world,
+but hearing and seeing the scenes it furnishes.
+
+The new peers, I don't know their rank, scarce their titles, are
+Lord Wentworth and Sir William Courtenay, Viscounts; Lord Egmont,
+Lord Milton, Vernon of Sudbury, old Foxiane, Sir Edward Montagu,
+Barons; and Lady Caroline Fox, a Baroness; the Duke of Newcastle
+is created Lord Pelham, with an entail to Tommy Pelham; and Lord
+Brudenel is called to the House of lords, as Lord Montagu. The
+Duchess of Manchester was to have had the peerage alone, and
+wanted the latter title: her sister, very impertinently, I think,
+as being the younger, objected and wished her husband Marquis of
+Monthermer. This difference has been adjusted, by making Sir
+Edward Montagu Lord Beaulieu, and giving the title of the family
+to Lord Brudenel. With pardon of your Cu-blood, I hold, that
+Lord Cardigan makes a very trumpery figure by so meanly
+relinquishing all Brudenelhood. Adieu! let me know soon when you
+will keep your Strawberry tide.
+
+P. S. Lord Anson is in a very bad way;(229) and Mr. Fox, I think,
+in not a much better.
+
+(228) Sister of the Earl of Halifax.
+
+(229) His lordship, who was at this time first lord of the
+admiralty, died on the 6th of June.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 123 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, May 14, 1762. (page 181)
+
+
+It is very hard, when you can plunge over head and ears in Irish
+claret, and not have even your heel vulnerable by the gout, that
+such a Pythagorean as I am should yet be subject to it! It is
+not two years since I had it last, and here am I with My foot
+again upon cushions. But I will not complain; the pain is
+trifling, and does little more than prevent my frisking about.
+If I can bear the motion of the chariot, I shall drive to
+Strawberry tomorrow, for I had rather only look at verdure and
+hear my nightingales from the bow-window, than receive visits and
+listen to news. I can give you no certain satisfaction relative
+to the viceroy, your cousin. It is universally said that he has
+no mind to return to his dominions, and pretty much believed that
+he will succeed to Lord Egremont's seals, who will not detain
+them long from whoever is to be his successor.
+
+I am sorry you have lost another Montagu, the Duke of
+Manchester.(230) Your cousin Guilford is among the competitors
+for chamberlain to the Queen. The Duke of Chandos, Lord
+Northumberland, and even the Duke of Kingston, are named as other
+candidates; but surely they will not turn the latter loose into
+another chamber of maids of honour! Lord Cantelupe has asked to
+rise from vice-chamberlain, but met with little encouragement.
+It is odd, that there are now seventeen English and Scotch dukes
+unmarried, and but seven out of twenty-seven have the garter.
+It is comfortable to me to have a prospect of seeing Mr. Conway
+soon; the ruling part of the administration are disposed to
+recall our troops front Germany. In the mean time our officers
+and their wives are embarked for Portugal-what must Europe think
+of us when we make wars and assemblies all over the world?
+
+I have been for a few days this week at Lord Thomond's; by making
+a river-like piece of water, he has converted a very ugly spot
+into a tolerable one. As I was so near, I went to see Audley
+Inn(231) once more; but it is only the monument now of its former
+grandeur. The gallery is pulled down, and nothing remains but
+the great hall, and an apartment like a tower at each end. In
+the church I found, still existing and quite fresh, the
+escutcheon of the famous Countess of Essex and Somerset.
+
+Adieu! I shall expect you with great pleasure the beginning of
+next month.
+
+(230) Robert Montagu, third Duke of Manchester, lord-chamberlain
+to the Queen, died on the 10th of May.-E.
+
+(231) In Essex; formerly the largest palace in England. It was
+built out of the ruins of a dissolved monastery, near Saffron
+Walden, by Thomas, second son of Thomas Duke of Norfolk, who
+married the only daughter and heir of Lord Audley, chancellor to
+King Henry VIII. This Thomas was summoned to parliament in Queen
+Elizabeth's time as Lord Audley of Walden, and was afterwards
+created Earl of Suffolk by James I., to whom he was lord
+chancellor and lord high treasurer. It was intended for a royal
+palace for that King, who, when it was finished, was invited to
+see it, and lodged there one night on his way to Newmarket; when,
+after having viewed it with astonishment, he was asked how he
+approved of it, he answered, "Very well; but troth, man, it is
+too much for a king, but it may do for a lord high treasurer;"
+and so left it upon the Earl's hands. It was afterwards
+purchased by Charles II.; but, as he had never been able to pay
+the purchase-money, it was restored to the family by William
+III.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 124 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+strawberry Hill, May 20, 1762. (page 183)
+
+Dear Sir,
+You have sent me the most kind and obliging letter in the world,
+and I cannot sufficiently thank you for it; but I shall be very
+glad to have an opportunity of acknowledging it in person, by
+accepting the agreeable visit you are so good as to offer me, and
+for which I have long been impatient.
+I should name the earliest day possible; but besides having some
+visits to make, I think it will bi more pleasant to you a few
+weeks hence (I mean, any time in July,) when the works, with
+which I am finishing my house, will be more advanced, and the
+noisy part, as laying floors and fixing wainscots, at an end, and
+which now make me a deplorable litter. As you give me leave, I
+will send You notice.
+
+I am glad my books amused you;(232) yet you, who are so much
+deeper an antiquarian, must have found more faults and emissions,
+I fear, than your politeness suffers you to reprehend; yet you
+will, I trust, be a little more severe. We both labour, I will
+not say for the public (for the public troubles its head very
+little about our labours),. but for the few of posterity that
+shall be curious; and therefore, for their sake, you must assist
+me in making my works as complete as possible. This sounds
+ungrateful, after all the trouble you have given yourself; but I
+say it to prove MY gratitude, and to show you how fond I am of
+being corrected.
+
+For the faults of impression, they were owing to the knavery of a
+printer, who, when I had corrected the sheets, amused me with
+revised proofs, and never printed off the whole number, and then
+ran away. This accounts, too, for the difference of the ink in
+various sheets, and for some other blemishes; though there are
+still enough of my own, which I must not charge on others.
+
+Ubaldini's book I have not, and shall be pleased to see it; but I
+cannot think of robbing your collection, and am amply obliged by
+the offer. The Anecdotes of Horatio Palavacini are extremely
+entertaining.
+
+In an Itinerary of the late Mr. Smart Lethiullier, I met the very
+tomb of Gainsborough this winter that you mention; and, to be
+secure, sent to Lincoln for an exact draught of it. But what
+vexed me then, and does still, is, that by the defect at the end
+of the inscription, one cannot be certain whether he lived in
+CCC. or CCCC. as another C might have been there. Have you any
+corroborating circumstance, Sir, to affix his existence to 1300
+more than 1400? Besides, I don't know any proof of his having
+been architect of the church: his epitaph only calls him
+Caementarius, which, I suppose, means mason.
+
+I have observed, since my book was published, what you mention of
+the tapestry in Laud's trial; yet as the Journals were by
+authority, and certainly cannot be mistaken, I have concluded
+that Hollar engraved his print after the restoration. Mr. Wight,
+clerk of the House of Lords, says, that Oliver placed them in the
+House of Commons. I don't know on what grounds he says so. I
+am, Sir, with great gratitude, etc.
+
+(232) Anecdotes of Painting.
+
+
+
+Letter 125 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, May 25, 1762. (page 184)
+
+I am diverted with your anger at old Richard. Can you really
+suppose that I think it any trouble to frank a few covers for
+you? Had I been with you, I should have cured you and your whole
+family in two nights with James's powder. If you have any
+remains of the disorder, let me beg you to take seven or eight
+grains when you go to bed: if you have none, shall I send you
+some? For my own part, I am released -again, though I have been
+tolerably bad, and one day had the gout for several hours in my
+head. I do not like such speedy returns. I have been so much
+confined that I could not wait on Mrs. Osborn, and I do not take
+it unkindly that she will not let me have the prints without
+fetching them. I met her, that is, passed her, t'other day as
+she was going to Bushy, and was sorry to see her look much older.
+
+Well! tomorrow is fixed for that phenomenon, the Duke of
+Newcastle's resignation.(233) He has had a parting lev`ee; and
+as I suppose all bishops are prophets, they foresee that he will
+never come into place again, for there was but one that had the
+decency to take leave of him after crowding his rooms for forty
+years together; it was Cornwallis. I hear not even Lord Lincoln
+resigns. Lord Bute succeeds to the treasury, and is to have the
+garter too On Thursday with Prince William. Of your cousin I hear
+no more mention, but that he returns to his island. I cannot
+tell you exactly even the few changes that are to be made, but I
+can divert you with a bon-mot, which they give to my Lord
+Chesterfield. The new peerages being mentioned, somebody said,
+"I suppose there will be no duke made," he replied, "Oh yes,
+there is to be one."--"Is? who?"--"Lord Talbot: he is to be
+created Duke Humphrey, and there is to be no table kept at court
+but his." If you don't like this, what do you think of George
+Selwyn, who asked Charles Boone if it is true that he is going to
+be married to the fat rich Crawley? Boone denied it. "Lord!"
+said Selwyn, "I thought you were to be Patrick Fleming on the
+mountain, and that gold and silver you were counting!" * * * *
+
+P.S. I cannot help telling you how comfortable the new
+disposition of the court is to me-, the King and Queen are
+settled for good and all at Buckingham-house, and are stripping
+the other palaces to furnish it. In short, they have already
+fetched pictures from Hampton Court, which indicates their never
+living there; consequently Strawberry Hill will remain in
+possession of its own tranquillity, and not become a cheesecake
+house to the palace. All I ask of Princes is, not to live within
+five miles of me.
+
+(233) The Duke of Newcastle, finding himself, on the subject of a
+pecuniary aid to the King of Prussia, only supported in the
+council by the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Hardwicke, resigned on
+the 26th of May, and Lord Bute became prime minister.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 126 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Wednesday night, June 1. (page 185)
+
+Since you left Strawberry, the town (not the King of Prussia) has
+beaten Count Daun, and made the peace, but the benefits of either
+have not been felt beyond Change Alley. Lord Melcomb is
+dying(234) of a dropsy in his stomach,' and Lady Mary Wortley of
+a cancer in her breast.(235)
+
+Mr. Hamilton was here last night, and complained of your not
+visiting him. He pumped me to know if Lord Hertford has not
+thoughts of the crown of Ireland, and was more than persuaded
+that I should go with him: I told him what was true, that I knew
+nothing of the former; and for the latter, that I would as soon
+return with the King of the Cherokees.(236) When England has
+nothing that can tempt me, it would be strange if Ireland had.
+The Cherokee Majesty dined here yesterday at Lord Macclesfield's,
+where the Clive sang to them and the mob; don't imagine I was
+there, but I heard so at my Lady Suffolk's.
+
+We have tapped a little butt of rain to-night, but my lawn is far
+from being drunk yet. Did not you find the Vine in great beauty?
+My compliments to it, and to your society. I only write to
+enclose the enclosed. I have consigned your button to old
+Richard. Adieu!
+
+(234) Lord Melcombe died on the 28th of July: upon which event
+the title became extinct.-E.
+
+(235) Lady Mary Wortley Montagu died on the 21st August, in the
+seventy-third year of her age.-E.
+
+
+(236) Three Cherokee Indian chiefs arrived this month in London,
+from South Carolina, and became the lions of the day.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 127 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, June 8, 1762. (page 185)
+
+Well, you have had Mr. Chute. I did not dare to announce him to
+you, for he insisted on enjoying all your ejaculations. He gives
+me a good account of your health and spirits, but does not say
+when you come hither. I hope the General, as well as your
+brother John, know how welcome they would be, if they would
+accompany you. I trust it will be before the end of this month,
+for the very beginning of July I am to make a little visit to
+Lord Ilchester, in Somersetshire, and I should not like not to
+see you before the middle or end of next month.
+
+
+Mrs. Osborn has sent me the prints; they are woful; but that is
+my fault and the engraver's, not yours, to whom I am equally
+obliged; you don't tell me whether Mr. Bentley's play was acted
+or not, printed or not.
+
+There is another of the Queen's brothers come over. Lady
+Northumberland made a pompous festino for him t'other night; not
+only the whole house, but the garden, was illuminated, and was
+quite a fairy scene. Arches and pyramids of lights alternately
+surrounded the enclosure; a diamond necklace of lamps edged the
+rails and descent, with a spiral obelisk of candles on each hand;
+and dispersed over the lawn were little bands of kettle-drums,
+clarionets, flutes, etc., and the lovely moon, who came without a
+card. The birthday was far from being such a show; empty and
+unfine as possible. In truth, popularity does not make great
+promises to the new administration, and for fear it should
+hereafter be taxed with changing sides, it lets Lord Bute be
+abused every day, though he has not had time to do the least
+wrong. His first levee was crowded. Bothmer, the Danish
+minister, said, "La chaleur est excessive!" George Selwyn
+replied, "Pour se mettre au froid, il faut aller chez Monsieur le
+Duc de Newcastle!" There was another George not quite SO tender.
+George Brudenel was passing by; somebody in the mob said, "What
+is the matter here?" Brudenel answered, "Why, there is a
+Scotchman got into the treasury, and they can't get him out."
+The Archbishop, conscious of not having been at Newcastle's last
+levee, and ashamed of appearing at Lord Bute's, first pretended
+he had been going by in his way from Lambeth, and, Upon inquiry,
+found it was Lord Bute's levee, and so had thought he might as
+well go in-I am glad he thought he might as well tell it.
+
+The mob call Buckingham-house, Holyrood-house; in short, every
+thing promises to be like times I can remember. Lord Anson is
+dead; poor Mrs. Osborn will not break her heart; I should think
+Lord Melcomb will succeed to the admiralty. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 128 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, July 29, 1762. (page 186)
+
+
+Sir,
+I fear you will have thought me neglectful of the visit you was
+so good as to offer me for a day or two at this place; the truth
+is, I have been in Somersetshire on a visit, which was protracted
+much longer than I intended. I am now returned, and shall be
+glad to see you as soon as you please, Sunday or Monday next, if
+you like either, or any other day you will name. I cannot defer
+the pleasure of seeing you any longer, though to my mortification
+you will find Strawberry Hill with its worst looks-not a blade of
+grass! My workmen too have disappointed me; they have been in the
+association for forcing their masters to raise their wages, and
+but two are yet returned--so you must excuse litter and shavings.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 129 To The Countess Of Ailesbury.
+Strawberry Hill, July 31, 1762 (page 187)
+
+Madam,
+Magnanimous as the fair soul of your ladyship is, and plaited
+with superabundanCe of Spartan fortitude, I felicitate my own
+good fortune who can circle this epistle with branches of the
+gentle olive, as well as crown it with victorious laurel. This
+pompous paragraph, Madam, which in compliment to my Lady
+Lyttelton I have penned in the style of her lord, means no more,
+them that I wish you joy of the castle of Waldeck,(237) and more
+joy on the peace,
+which I find every body thinks is concluded. In truth, I have
+still my doubts; and yesterday came news, which, if my Lord Bute
+does not make haste, may throw a little rub in the way. In
+short, the Czar is dethroned. Some give the honour to his wife;
+others, who add the little circumstance of his being murdered
+too, ascribe the revolution to the Archbishop of Novogorod, who,
+like other priests, thinks assassination a less affront to Heaven
+than three Lutheran churches. I hope the latter is the truth;
+because, in the honeymoonhood of Lady Cecilia's tenderness, I
+don't know but she might miscarry at the thought of a wife
+preferring a crown, and scandal says a regiment of grenadiers, to
+her husband.
+
+I have a little meaning in naming Lady Lyttelton and Lady
+Cecilia, who I think are at Park-place. Was not there a promise
+that you all three would meet Mr. Churchill and Lady Mary here in
+the beginning of August! Yes, indeed was there, and I put in my
+claim. Not confining your heroic and musical ladyships to a day
+or a week; my time is at your command: and I wish the rain was at
+mine; for, if you or it do not come soon, I shall not have a leaf
+left. Strawberry is browner than Lady Bell Finch.
+
+I was grieved, Madam, to miss seeing you in town on Monday,
+particularly as I wished to settle this party. If you will let
+me know when it will be your pleasure, I will write to my sister.
+
+
+(237) At the taking of which Mr. Conway had assisted.
+
+
+
+Letter 130 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, August 5, 1762. (page 187)
+
+My dear lord,
+As you have correspondents of better authority in town, I don't
+pretend to send you great events, and I know no small ones.
+Nobody talks of any thing under a revolution. That in Russia
+alarms me,.lest Lady Mary should fall in love with the Czarina,
+who has deposed her Lord Coke, and set out for Petersburgh. We
+throw away a whole summer in writing Britons and North Britons;
+the Russians change sovereigns faster than Mr. Wilkes can choose
+a motto for a paper. What years were spent here in controversy
+on the abdication of King James, and the legitimacy of the
+Pretender! Commend me to the Czarina. They doubted, that is,
+her husband did, whether her children were of genuine
+blood-royal. She appealed to the Preobazinski guards, excellent
+casuists; and, to prove Duke Paul heir to the crown, assumed it
+herself. The proof was compendious and unanswerable.
+
+I trust you know that Mr. Conway has made a figure by taking the
+castle of Waldeck. There has been another action to Prince
+Ferdinand's advantage, but no English were engaged.
+
+You tantalize me by talking of the verdure of Yorkshire; we have
+not had a teacupfull of rain till to-day for these six weeks.
+Corn has been reaped that never wet its lips; not a blade of
+grass; the leaves yellow and falling as in the end of October.
+In short, Twickenham is rueful; I don't believe Westphalia looks
+more barren. Nay, we are forced to fortify ourselves too.
+Hanworth was broken open last night, though the family was all
+there. Lord Vere lost a silver standish, an old watch, and his
+writing-box with fifty pounds in it. They broke it open in the
+park, but missed a diamond ring which was found, and the
+telescope, which by the weight of the case they had fancied full
+of money. Another house in the middle of Sunbury has had the
+same fate. I am mounting cannon on my
+battlements.
+
+Your chateau, I hope, proceeds faster than mine. The carpenters
+are all associated for increase of wages; I have had but two men
+at work these five weeks. You know, to be sure, that Lady Mary
+Wortley cannot live. Adieu, my dear Lord!
+
+
+
+Letter 131 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, August 5, 1762. (page 188)
+
+Sir,
+As I had been dilatory in accepting your kind offer of coming
+hither, I proposed it as soon as I returned. As we are so burnt,
+and as my workmen have disappointed me, I am not quite sorry that
+I had not the pleasure of seeing you this week. Next week I am
+obliged to be in town on business. If you please, therefore, we
+will postpone our meeting till the first of September; by which
+time, I flatter myself we shall be green, and I shall be able to
+show you my additional apartment to more advantage. Unless you
+forbid me, I shall expect you, Sir, the very beginning of next
+month. In the mean time, I will only thank you for the obliging
+and curious notes you have sent me, which will make a great
+figure in my second edition.
+
+
+
+Letter 132 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, August 10, 1762. (page 189)
+
+I have received your letter from Greatworth since your return,
+but I do not find that you have got one, which I sent you to the
+Vine, enclosing one directed for you: Mr. Chute says you did
+mention hearing from me there. I left your button too in town
+with old Richard to be transmitted to you. Our drought
+continues, though we have had one handsome storm. I have been
+reading the story of Phaeton in the Metamorphoses; it is a
+picture of Twickenham. Ardet
+Athos, taurusque Cilix, etc.; Mount Richmond burns, parched is
+Petersham: Parnassusque biceps, dry is Pope's grot, the nymphs of
+Clievden are burning to blackmoors, their faces are already as
+glowing as a cinder, Cycnus is changed into a swan: quodque suo
+Tagus amne vehit, fluit ignibus aurum; my gold fishes are almost
+molten. Yet this conflagration is nothing to that in Russia;
+what do you say to a czarina mounting her horse, and marching at
+the head of fourteen thousand men, with a large train of
+artillery, to dethrone her husband? Yet she is not the only
+virago in that country; the conspiracy was conducted by the
+sister of the Czar's mistress, a heroine under twenty! They have
+no fewer than two czars now in coops-that is, supposing these
+gentle damsels have murdered neither of them. Turkey Will become
+a moderate government; one must travel to frozen climates if one
+chooses to see revolutions in perfection. Here's room for
+meditation even to madness:" the deposed Emperor possessed
+Muscovy, was heir to Sweden, and the true heir of Denmark; all
+the northern crowns centered in his person; one hopes he is in a
+dungeon, that is, one hopes he is not assassinated. You cannot
+crowd more matter into a lecture of morality, than is
+comprehended in those few words. This is the fourth czarina that
+you and I have seen: to be sure, as historians, we have not
+passed our time ill. Mrs. Anne Pitt, who, I suspect, envies the
+heroine of twenty a little, says, "The Czarina has only robbed
+Peter to pay Paul;" and I do not believe that her brother, Mr.
+William Pitt, feels very happy, that he cannot immediately
+despatch a squadron to the Baltic to reinstate the friend of' the
+King of Prussia. I cannot afford to live less than fifty years
+more; for so long, I suppose, at least, it will be before the
+court of Petersburgh will cease to produce amusing scenes. Think
+of old Count Biren, former master of that empire, returning to
+Siberia, and bowing to Bestucheff, whom he may meet on the road
+from thence. I interest myself now about nothing but Russia;
+Lord Bute must be sent to the Orcades before I shall ask a
+question in English politics; at least I shall expect that Mr.
+Pitt, at the head of the Preobazinski guards, will seize the
+person of the prime minister for giving up our conquests to the
+chief enemy of this nation.
+
+My pen is in such a sublime humour, that it can scarce condescend
+to tell you that Sir Edward Deering is going to marry Polly Hart,
+Danvers's old mistress; and three more baronets, whose names
+nobody knows, but Collins, are treading in the same steps.
+
+My compliments to the House of' Montagu-upon my word I
+congratulate the General and you, and your viceroy, that you
+escaped being deposed by the primate of Novogorod.
+
+
+
+Letter 133 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, August 19, 1762. (page 190)
+
+Sir,
+I am very sensible of the obligations I have to you and Mr.
+Masters, and ought to make separate acknowledgments to both; but,
+not knowing how to direct to him, I must hope that you will
+kindly be once more the channel of our correspondence; and that
+you will be so good as to convey to him an answer to what you
+communicated from him to me, and in particular my thanks for the
+most obliging offer he has made me of a picture of Henry VII.; of
+which I will by no means rob him. My view in publishing the
+Anecdotes was, to assist gentlemen in discovering the hands of
+pictures they possess: and I am sufficiently rewarded when that
+purpose is answered. If there is another edition, the mistake in
+the calculation of the tapestry shall be rectified, and any
+others, which any gentleman will be so good as to point out.
+With regard to the monument of Sir Nathaniel Bacon, Vertue
+certainly describes it as at Culford; and in looking Into the
+place to which I am referred, in Mr. Master's History of Corpus
+Christi College, I think he himself allows in the note, that
+there is such a monument at Culford. Of Sir Balthazar Gerber
+there are several different prints. Nich. Lanicre purchasing
+pictures at the King's sale, is undoubtedly a mistake for one of
+his brothers--I cannot tell now whether Vertue's mistake or my
+own. At Longleafe is a whole-length of Frances Duchess of
+Richmond, exactly such as Mr. Masters describes, but in
+oil. I have another whole-length of the same duchess, I believe
+by Mytins, but younger than that at Longleafe. But the best
+picture of her is in Wilson's life of King James, and very
+diverting indeed. I Will not trouble you, Sir, or Mr. Masters,
+with any more at present; but, repeating my thanks to both, will
+assure you that I am, etc.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 134 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 9, 1762. (page 191)
+
+Nondurn laurus erat, longoque decentia crine
+Tempera cingebat de qualibet arbore Phoebus.(238)
+
+This is a hint to you, that Phoebus, who was certainly your
+superior, could take up with a chestnut garland, or any crown he
+found, you must have the humility to be content without laurels,
+when none are to be had: you have hurried far and near for them,
+and taken true pains to the last in that old nursery-garden
+Germany, and by the way have made me shudder with your last
+journal: but you must be easy with qu`alibet other arbore; you
+must come home to your own plantations. The Duke of Bedford is
+gone in a fury to make peace, for he cannot be even pacific with
+temper; and by this time I suppose the Duke de Nivernois is
+unpacking his portion of olive dans la rue de Suffolk-street. I
+say, I suppose- -for I do not, like my friends at Arthur's, whip
+into my postchaise to see every novelty. My two sovereigns, the
+Duchess of Grafton and Lady Mary Coke, are arrived, and yet I
+have seen neither Polly nor Lucy. The former, I hear, is
+entirely French; the latter as absolutely English.
+
+Well! but if you insist on not doffing your cuirass, you may find
+an opportunity of wearing it. The storm thickens. The city of
+London are ready to hoist their standard; treason is the bon-ton
+at that end of the town; seditious papers pasted up at every
+corner: nay, my neighbourhood is not unfashionable; we have had
+them at Brentford and Kingston. The Peace is the cry; but to
+make weight, they throw in all the abusive ingredients they can
+collect. They talk of your friend the Duke of Devonshire's
+resigning; and, for the Duke of Newcastle, it puts him so much in
+mind of the end of Queen Anne's time, that I believe he hopes to
+be minister again for another forty years.
+
+In the mean time. there are but dark news from the Havannah; the
+Gazette, who would not fib for the world, says, we have lost but
+four officers; the World, who is not quite so scrupulous, says,
+our loss is heavy. But whit shocking notice to those who have
+Harry Conways there! The Gazette breaks off with saying, that
+they were to storm the next day! Upon the whole, it is regarded
+as a preparative to worse news.
+
+Our next monarch was christened last night, George Augustus
+Frederick; the Princess, the Duke of Cumberland, and the Duke of
+Mecklenburgh, sponsors,; the ceremony performed by the Bishop of
+London. The Queen's bed, magnificent, and they say in taste, was
+placed in the great drawing-room: though she is not to see
+company in form, yet it looks as if they had intended people
+should have been there, as all who presented themselves were
+admitted, which were very few, for it had not been notified; I
+suppose to prevent too great a crowd: all I have heard named,
+besides those in waiting, were the Duchess of Queensbury, Lady
+Dalkeith, Mrs. Grenville, and about four more ladies.
+
+My Lady Ailesbury is abominable: she settled a party to come
+hither, and Put it off a month; and now she has been here and
+seen my cabinet, she ought to tell you what good reason I had not
+to stir. If she has not told you that it is the finest, the
+prettiest, the newest and the oldest thing in the world, I will
+not go to Park-place on the 20th, as I have promised. Oh! but
+tremble you may for me, though you will not for yourself--all my
+glories were on the point of vanishing last night in a flame!
+The chimney of the new gallery, which chimney is full of
+deal-boards, and which gallery is full of shavings was on fire at
+eight o'clock. Harry had quarrelled with the other servants, and
+would not sit in the
+kitchen; and to keep up his anger, had lighted a vast fire in the
+servants' hall, which is under the gallery. The chimney took
+fire; and if Margaret had not smelt it with the first nose that
+ever a servant had, a quarter of an hour had set us in a blaze.
+I hope you are frightened out of your senses for me: if you are
+not, I will never live in a panic for three or four years for you
+again.
+
+I have had Lord March and the Rena(239) here for One night, which
+does not raise my reputation in the neighbourhood, and may usher
+me again for a Scotchman into the North Briton.(240) I have had
+too a letter from a German that I never saw, who tells me, that,
+hearing by chance how well I am with my Lord Bute, he desires me
+to get him a place. The North Briton first recommended me for an
+employment, and has now given me interest -.it the backstairs.
+It is a notion, that whatever is said of one, has generally some
+kind of foundation: surely I am a contradiction to this maxim!
+yet, was I of consequence enough to be remembered, perhaps
+posterity would believe that I was a flatterer! Good night! Yours
+ever.
+
+(238) "The laurel was not yet for triumphs born,
+But every green, alike by Phoebus worn,
+Did, with promiscuous grace, his flowing locks adorn." Garth.-E.
+
+(239) A fashionable courtesan.
+
+(240) The favourable opinion given by Mr. Walpole of the
+abilities of the Scotch in the Royal and Noble Authors, first
+drew upon him the notice of the North Briton. ("The Scotch are
+the most accomplished nation in Europe; the nation to which, if
+any one country is endowed with a superior partition of sense, I
+should be inclined to give the preference in that particular."]
+
+
+
+
+Letter 135 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 24, 1762. (page 192)
+
+I was disappointed at not seeing you, as you had given me hopes,
+but shall he glad to meet the General, as I think I shall, for I
+go to town on Monday to restore the furniture of my house, which
+has been painted; and to stop the gaps as well as I can, which I
+have made by bringing away every thing hither; but as long as
+there are auctions, and I have money or hoards, those wounds soon
+close.
+
+I can tell you nothing of your dame Montagu and her arms; but I
+dare to swear Mr. Chute can. I did not doubt but you would
+approve Mr. Bateman's, since it has changed its religion; I
+converted it from Chinese to Gothic. His cloister of founders,
+which by the way is Mr. Bentley's, is delightful; I envy him his
+old chairs, and the tomb of Bishop Caducanus; but I do not agree
+with you in preferring the Duke's to Stowe. The first is in a
+greater style, I grant, but one always perceives the mesalliance,
+the blood of Bagshot-heath will never let it be green, If Stowe
+had but half so many buildings as it has, there would be too
+many; but that profusion that glut enriches, and makes it look
+like a fine landscape of Albano; one figures oneself in Tempe or
+Daphne. I never saw St. Leonard's-hill; would you spoke
+seriously of buying it! one could stretch out the arm from one's
+postchaise, and reach you when one would.
+
+
+I am here all in ignorance and rain, and have seen nobody these
+two days since I returned from Park-place. I do not know whether
+the mob hissed my Lord Bute at his installation,(241) as they
+intended, or whether my lord Talbot drubbed them for it. I know
+nothing of the peace, nor of the Havannah; but I could tell you
+much of old English engravers, whose lives occupy me at present.
+On Sunday I am to dine with your prime minister Hamilton; for
+though I do not seek the world, and am best pleased when quiet
+here, I do not refuse its invitations, whet) it does not press
+one to pass above a few hours with it. I have no quarrel to it,
+when it comes not to me, nor asks me to lie from home. That
+favour is only granted to the elect, to Greatworth, and a very
+few more spots. Adieu!
+
+(241) The ceremony of the installation of
+ Prince William and Lord Bute, as knights of the garter, took
+place at Windsor on the 22d of September.-E.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 136 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 28, 1762. (page 193)
+
+To my sorrow and your wicked joy, it is a doubt whether Monsieur
+de Nivernois will shut the temple of Janus. We do not believe
+him quite so much in earnest as the dove(242) we have sent, who
+has summoned his turtle to Paris. She sets out the day after
+to-morrow, escorted, to add gravity to the embassy, by George
+Selwyn. The stocks don't mind this journey of a rush, but draw
+in their horns every day. We can learn nothing of the Havannah,
+though the axis of which the whole treaty turns. We believe, for
+we have never seen them, that the last letters thence brought
+accounts of great loss, especially by the sickness. Colonel
+Burgoyne(243) has given a little fillip to the Spaniards, and
+shown them, that though they can take Portugal from the
+Portuguese, it will not be entirely so easy to wrest it from the
+English. Lord Pulteney,(244) and my nephew,(245) Lady
+Waldegrave's brother, distinguished themselves. I hope your
+hereditary Prince is recovering of the wounds in his loins; for
+they say he is to marry Princess Augusta.
+
+Lady Ailesbury has told you, to be sure, that I have been at Park
+place. Every thing there is in beauty; and, I should think,
+pleasanter than a campaign in Germany. Your Countess is
+handsomer than Fame; your daughter improving every day; your
+plantations more thriving than the poor woods about Marburg and
+Cassel. Chinese pheasants swarm there. For Lady Cecilia
+Johnston, I assure you, she sits close upon her egg, and it will
+not be her fault if she does not hatch a hero. We missed all the
+glories of the installation, and all the faults, and all the
+frowning faces there. Not a knight was absent but the lame and
+the deaf.
+
+Your brother, Lady Hertford, and Lord Beauchamp, are gone from
+Windsor into Suffolk. Henry,(246) who has the genuine
+indifference of a Harry Conway, would not stir from Oxford for
+those pageants. Lord Beauchamp showed me a couple of his
+letters, which have more natural humour and cleverness than is
+conceivable. They have the ease and drollery of a man of parts
+who has lived long in the world--and he is scarce seventeen!
+
+I am going to Lord Waldegrave's for a few days, and, when your
+Countess returns from Goodwood, am to meet her at Churchill's.
+Lord Strafford, who has been terribly alarmed about my lady,
+mentions, with great pleasure, the letters he receives from you.
+His neighbour and cousin, Lord Rockingham, I hear, is one of the
+warmest declaimers at Arthur's against the present system. Abuse
+continues in much plenty, but I have seen none that I thought had
+wit enough to bear the sea. Good night. There are satiric
+prints enough to tapestry Westminster-hall.
+
+Stay a moment: I recollect telling you a lie in my last, which,
+though of no consequence, I must correct. The right reverend
+midwife, Thomas Secker, archbishop, did christen the babe, and
+not the Bishop of London, as I had been told by matron authority.
+Apropos to babes: have you read Rousseau on Education? I almost
+got through a volume at Park-place, though impatiently; it has
+mor(-tautology than any of his works, and less eloquence. Sure
+he has writ more sense and more nonsense than ever any man did of
+both! All I have yet learned from this work is, that one should
+have a tutor for one's son to teach him to have no ideas, in
+order that he may begin to learn his alphabet as he loses his
+maidenhead.
+
+Thursday noon, 30th.
+
+lo Havannah! Lo Albemarle! I had sealed my letter, and given it
+to Harry for the post, when my Lady Suffolk sent me a short note
+from Charles Townshend, to say the Havannah surrendered on the
+12th of August, and that we have taken twelve ships of the line
+in the harbour. The news came late last night. I do not know a
+particular more. God grant no more blood be shed! I have hopes
+again of the peace. My dearest Harry, now we have preserved you
+to the last moment, do take care of yourself. When one has a
+whole war to wade through, it is not worth while to be careful in
+any one battle; but it is silly to fling one's self away in the
+last. Your character is established; Prince Ferdinand's letters
+are full of encomiums on you; but what will weigh more with you,
+save yourself for another war, which I doubt you will live to
+see, and in which you may be superior commander, and have space
+to display your talents. A second in service is never
+remembered, whether the honour of the victory be owing to him -.
+or be killed. Turenne would have a very short paragraph, if the
+Prince of Cond`e had been general when he fell. Adieu!
+
+(242) The Duke of Bedford, then ambassador at Paris.
+
+(243) Colonel, afterwards General Burgoyne, with the Compte de
+Lippe, commanded the British troops sent to the relief of
+Portugal.
+
+(244) Only son of William Pulteney, Earl of Bath. He died before
+his father.
+
+(245) Edward, only son of sir Edward Walpole. He died in 1771.
+
+(246) ,Henry Seymour Conway, second son of Francis, Earl and
+afterwards Marquis of Hertford.
+
+
+
+Letter 137 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 30, 1762. (page 195)
+
+It gives me great satisfaction that Strawberry Hill pleased you
+enough to make it a second visit. I could name the time
+instantly, but you threaten me with coming so loaded with
+presents, that it will look mercenary, not friendly, to accept
+your visit. If your chaise is empty, to be sure I shall rejoice
+to hear it at my gate about the 22d of this next month: if it is
+crammed, though I have built a convent, I have not SO much of the
+monk in me as not to blush-nor can content myself with praying to
+our Lady of Strawberries to reward you.
+
+I am greatly obliged to you for the accounts from Gothurst. What
+treasures there are still in private seats, if one knew where to
+hunt them! The emblematic picture of Lady Digby is like that at
+Windsor, and the fine small one at Mr. Skinner's. I should be
+curious to see the portrait of Sir Kenelm's father; was not he
+the remarkable Everard Digby?(247) How singular too is the
+picture of young Joseph and Madam Potiphar! His Mujora--one has
+heard of Josephs that did not find the lady's purse any
+hinderance to Majora.
+
+You are exceedingly obliging, in offering to make an index to my
+prints, Sir; but that would be a sad way of entertaining you. I
+am antiquary and virtuoso enough myself not to dislike such
+employment, but could never think it charming enough to trouble
+any body else with. Whenever you do me the favour of coming
+hither, you will find yourself entirely at liberty to choose your
+own amusements--if you choose a bad one, and in truth there is
+not very good, you must blame yourself, while you know I hope
+that it would be my wish that you did not repent your favours to,
+Sir, etc.
+
+(247) Executed in 1605, as a conspirator in the Gunpowder
+Plot.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 138 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 1, 1762. (page 196)
+
+Madam,
+I hope you are as free from any complaint, as I am sure you are
+full of joy. Nobody partakes more of your satisfaction for Mr.
+Hervey's(248) safe return; and now he is safe, I trust you enjoy
+his glory: for this is a wicked age; you are one of those
+un-Lacedaemonian mothers, that are not content unless your
+children come off with all their limbs. A Spartan countess would
+not have had the confidence of my Lady Albemarle to appear in the
+drawing-room without at least one of her sons being knocked on
+the head.(249) However, pray, Madam, make my compliments to her;
+one must conform to the times, and congratulate people for being
+happy, if they like it. I know one matron, however, with whom I
+may condole; who, I dare swear, is miserable that she has not one
+of her acquaintance in affliction, and to whose door she might
+drive with all her sympathizing greyhounds to inquire after her,
+and then to Hawkins's, and then to Graham's, and then cry over a
+ball of rags that she is picking, and be sorry for poor Mrs.
+Such-a-one, who has lost an only son!
+
+When your ladyship has hung up all your trophies, I will come and
+make you a visit. There is another ingredient I hope not quite
+disagreeable that Mr. Hervey has brought with him,
+un-Lacedaemonian too, but admitted among the other vices of our
+system. If besides glory and riches they have brought us peace,
+I will make a bonfire myself, though it should be in the
+mayoralty of that virtuous citizen Mr. Beckford. Adieu, Madam!
+
+(248) General William Hervey, youngest son of Lady Hervey; who
+had just returned from the Havannah.
+
+(249) Lady Anne Lenox, Countess of Albemarle, had three sons
+present at the taking of the Havannah. The eldest, Lord
+Albemarle, commanded the land forces; the second, afterwards Lord
+Keppel, was then captain of a man of war; and the third was
+colonel of a regiment.
+
+
+
+Letter 139 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, Oct. 4, 1762. (page 196)
+
+I am concerned to hear you have been so much out of order, but
+should rejoice your sole command(250) disappointed you, if this
+late cannonading business(251) did not destroy all my little
+prospects. Can one believe the French negotiators are sincere,
+when their marshals are so false? What vexes me more is to hear
+you seriously tell your brother that you are always unlucky, and
+lose all opportunities of fighting. How can you be such a child?
+You cannot, like a German, love fighting for its own sake. No:
+you think of the mob of London, who, if you had taken Peru, would
+forget you the first lord mayor's day, or for the first hyena
+that comes to town. How can one build on virtue and on fame too?
+When do they ever go together? In my passion, I could almost wish
+you were as worthless and as great as the King of Prussia! If
+conscience is a punishment, is not it a reward too? Go to that
+silent tribunal, and be satisfied with its sentence.
+
+I have nothing new to tell you. The Havannah is more likely to
+break off the peace than to advance it.(252) We are not in a
+humour to give up the world; anza, are much more disposed to
+conquer the rest of it. We shall have some commanding here, I
+believe, if we sign the peace. Mr. Pitt, from the bosom of his
+retreat, has made Beckford mayor. The Duke of Newcastle, if not
+taken in again, will probably end his life as he began it-at the
+head of a mob. Personalities and abuse, public and private,
+increase to the most outrageous degree, and yet the town is at
+the emptiest. You may guess what will be the case in a month. I
+do not see at all into the storm: I do not mean that there will
+not be a great majority to vote any thing; but there are times
+when even majorities cannot do all they are ready to do. Lord
+Bute has certainly great luck, which is something in politics,
+whatever it is in logic: but whether peace or war, I would not
+give him much for the place he will have this day twelvemonth.
+Adieu! The watchman goes past one in the morning; and as I have
+nothing better than reflections and conjectures to send YOU, I
+may as well go to bed.
+
+(250) During Lord Granby's absence from the army in Flanders, the
+command in chief had devolved on Mr. Conway.
+
+(251) The affair of Bucker-Muhl.
+
+(252) On this subject, Sir Joseph Yorke, in a letter to Mr.
+Michell of the 9th of October, Observes, "All the world is struck
+with the noble capture of the Havannah, which fell into our hands
+on the Prince of Wales's birthday, as a just punishment upon the
+Spaniards for their unjust quarrel with us, and for the supposed
+difficulties they have raised in the negotiation for peace. By
+what I hear from Paris, my old acquaintance Grimaldi is the cause
+of the delay in signing the preliminaries, insisting upon points
+neither France nor England would ever consent to grant, such as
+the liberty of fishing at Newfoundland; a point we should not
+dare to yield, as Mr. Pitt told them, though they were masters of
+the Tower of London. What effect the taking of the Havannah will
+have is uncertain; for the Spaniards have nothing to give us in
+return."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 140 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct 14, 1762. (page 197)
+
+You will not make your fortune in the admiralty at least; your
+King's cousin is to cross over and figure in with George
+Grenville; the latter takes the admiralty, Lord Halifax the
+seals--still, I believe, reserving Ireland for pocket-money; at
+least no new viceroy is named. mr. Fox undertakes the House of
+Commons--and the peace--and the war--for if we have the first, we
+may be pretty sure of the second.(253)
+
+you see Lord Bute totters; reduced to shift hands so often, it
+does not look like much stability. The campaign at Westminster
+will be warm. When Mr. Pitt can have such a mouthful as Lord
+Bute, Mr. Fox, and the peace, I do not think three thousand
+pounds a year will stop it. Well, I shall go into my old corner
+under the window, and laugh I had rather sit by my fire here; but
+if there are to be bull-feasts, one would go and see them, when
+one has a convenient box for nothing, and is very indifferent
+about the cavalier combatants. Adieu!
+
+(253) In a letter to Mr. Pitt, of this day's date, Mr. Nuthall
+gives the ex-minister the following account of these changes:-
+-"Mr. Fox kissed hands yesterday, as one of the cabinet; Lord
+Halifax, as secretary of state, and Mr. George Grenville, as
+first lord of the admiralty. Mr. Fox's present state of health,
+it was given out, would not permit him to take the seals.
+Charles Townshend was early yesterday morning sent for by Lord
+Bute, who opened to him this new system, and offered him the
+secretaryship of the plantations and board of trade, which he not
+only refused, but refused all connexion and intercourse whatever
+with the new counsellor, and spoke out freely. He was afterwards
+three times in with the King, to whom be was more explicit, and
+said things that did not a little alarm." Chatham Correspondence,
+vol. ii. p. 181.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 141 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 29, 1762. (page 198)
+
+You take my philosophy very kindly, as it was meant; but I
+suppose you smile a little in your sleeve to hear me turn
+moralist. Yet why should not I? Must every absurd young man
+prove a foolish old one? Not that I intend, when the latter term
+is quite arrived, to profess preaching; nor should, I believe,
+have talked so gravely to you, if your situation had not made me
+grave. Till the campaign is ended, I shall be in no humour to
+smile. For the war, when it will be over, I have no idea. The
+peace is a jack o' lanthorn that dances before one's eyes, is
+never approached, and at best seems ready to lead some follies
+into a woful quagmire.
+
+As your brother was in town, and I had my intelligence from him,
+I concluded you would have the same, and therefore did not tell
+you of this last resolution, which has brought Mr. Fox again upon
+the scene. I have been in town but once since; yet learned
+enough to confirm the opinion I had conceived, that the building
+totters, and that this last buttress will but push on its fall.
+Besides the clamorous opposition already encamped, the world
+talks of another, composed of names not so often found in a
+mutiny. What think you of the great Duke,(254) and the little
+Duke,(255) and the old Duke,(256) and the Derbyshire Duke,(257)
+banded together against the favourite?(258) If so, it proves the
+Court, as the late Lord G * * * wrote to the mayor of Litchfield,
+will have a majority in every thing but numbers. However, my
+letter is a week old before I write it: things may have changed
+since last Tuesday. Then the prospect was des plus gloomy.
+Portugal at the eve of being conquered--Spain preferring a diadem
+to the mural crown of the Havannah--a squadron taking horse for
+Naples, to see whether King Carlos has any more private bowels
+than public, whether he is a better father than brother. If what
+I heard yesterday be true, that the Parliament is to be put off
+till the 24th, it does not look as if they were ready in the
+green-room, and despised catcalls.
+
+You bid me send you the flower of brimstone, the best things
+published in this season of outrage. I should not have waited
+for orders, if I had met with the least tolerable morsel. But
+this opposition ran stark mad at once, cursed, swore, called
+names, and has not been one minute cool enough to have a grain of
+wit. Their prints are gross, their papers scurrilous: indeed the
+authors abuse one another more than any body else. I have not
+seen a single ballad or epigram. They are as seriously dull as
+if the controversy was religious. I do not take in a paper of
+either side; and being very indifferent, the only way of being
+impartial, they shall not make me pay till they make me laugh. I
+am here quite' alone, and shall stay a fortnight longer, unless
+the Parliament prorogued lengthens my holidays. I do not pretend
+to be so indifferent, to have so little curiosity, as not to go
+and see the Duke of Newcastle frightened for his country--the
+only thing that never yet gave him a panic. Then I am still such
+a schoolboy, that though I could guess half their orations, and
+know all their meaning, I must go and hear Caesar and Pompey
+scold in the Temple of Concord. As this age is to make such a
+figure hereafter, how the Gronoviuses and Warburtons would
+despise a senator that deserted the forum when the masters of the
+world harangued! For, as this age is to be historic, so of
+course it will be a standard of virtue too; and we, like our
+wicked predecessors the Romans, shall be quoted, till our very
+ghosts blush, as models of patriotism and magnanimity. What
+lectures will be read to poor children on this era! Europe taught
+to tremble, the great King humbled, the treasures of Peru
+diverted into the Thames, Asia subdued by the gigantic Clive! for
+in that age men were near seven feet high; France suing for peace
+at the gates of Buckingham-house, the steady wisdom of the Duke
+of Bedford drawing a circle round the Gallic monarch, and
+forbidding him to pass it till he had signed the cession of
+America; Pitt more eloquent than Demosthenes, and trampling on
+proffered pensions like-I don't know who; Lord Temple sacrificing
+a brother to the love of his country; Wilkes as spotless as
+Sallust, and the Flamen Churchill(259) knocking down the foes of
+Britain with statues of the gods!-Oh! I am out of breath with
+eloquence and prophecy, and truth and lies; my narrow chest was
+not formed to hold inspiration! I must return to piddling with
+my painters: those lofty subjects are too much for me. Good
+night!
+
+P. S. I forgot to tell -you that Gideon, who is dead worth more
+than the whole land of canaan, has left the reversion of all his
+milk and honey, after his son and daughter and their children, to
+the Duke of Devonshire, without insisting on his taking the name,
+or even being circumcised. Lord Albemarle is expected home in
+December. My nephew Keppel(260) is Bishop of Exeter, not of the
+Havannah, as you may imagine, for his mitre was promised the day
+before the news came.
+
+(254) Of Cumberland.
+
+(255) Of Bedford.
+
+(256) Of Newcastle.
+
+(257) Of Devonshire.
+
+(258) The Earl of Bute.
+
+(259) Charles Churchill the poet.
+
+(260) Frederick Keppel, youngest brother of George Earl of
+Albemarle, who commanded at taking the Havannah, had married
+Laura, eldest daughter of Sir Edward Walpole.
+
+
+
+Letter 142 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 31, 1762. (page 200)
+
+Madam,
+It is too late, I fear, to attempt acknowledging the honour
+Madame de Chabot,(261) does me; and yet, if she is not gone, I
+would fain not appear ungrateful. I do not know where she lives,
+or I would not take the liberty again of making your ladyship my
+penny-post. If she is gone, you will throw my note into the
+fire.
+
+Pray, Madam, blow your nose with a piece of flannel-not that I
+believe it will do you the least good--but, as all wise folks
+think it becomes them to recommend nursing and flannelling the
+gout, imitate them; and I don't know any other way of lapping it
+up, when it appears in the person of a running cold. I will make
+it a visit on Tuesday next, and shall hope to find it tolerably
+vented.
+
+P. S. You must tell me all the news when I arrive, for I know
+nothing of what is passing. I have only seen in the papers, that
+the cock and hen doves(262) that went to Paris not having been
+able to make peace, there is a third dove(263) just flown thither
+to help them.
+
+(261) Lady Mary Chabot, daughter of the Earl of Stafford.
+
+(262) The Duke and Duchess of Bedford.
+
+(263) Mr. Hans Stanley.
+
+
+
+letter 143 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Thursday, Nov. 4, 1762. (page 200)
+
+The events of these last eight days will make you stare. This
+day se'nnight the Duke of Devonshire came to town, was flatly
+refused an audience, and gave up his key. Yesterday Lord
+Rockingham resigned, and your cousin Manchester was named to the
+bedchamber. The King then in council called for the book, and
+dashed out the Duke of Devonshire's name. If you like spirit, en
+Voila! Do you know I am sorry for all this? You will not
+suspect me of tenderness for his grace of Devonshire, nor,
+recollecting how the whole house of Cavendish treated me on my
+breach with my uncle, will any affronts, that happen to them,
+call forth my tears. But I think the act too violent and too
+serious, and dipped in a deeper dye than I like in politics.
+Squabbles, and speeches, and virtue, and prostitution, amuse one
+sometimes; less and less indeed every day; but measures, from
+which you must advance and cannot retreat, is a game too deep;
+one neither knows who may be involved, nor where may be the end.
+It is not pleasant. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 144 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Nov. 13, 1762. (page 201)
+
+Dear sir,
+You will easily guess that my delay in answering your obliging
+letter, was solely owing to my not knowing whither to direct to
+you. I waited till I thought you may be returned home. Thank
+you for all the trouble you have given, and do give yourself for
+me; it is vastly more than I deserve.
+
+Duke Richard's portrait I willingly wave, at least for the
+present, till one can find out who he is. I have more curiosity
+about the figures of Henry VII. at Christ's College. I shall be
+glad some time or other to visit them, to see how far either of
+them agree with his portrait in my picture of his marriage. St.
+Ethelreda was mighty welcome.
+
+We have had variety of weather since I saw you, but I fear none
+of the patterns made your journey more agreeable.
+
+
+
+Letter 145 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 20, 1762. (page 201)
+
+As I am far from having been better since I wrote to you last, my
+postchaise points more and more to Naples. Yet Strawberry, like
+a mistress, As oft as I descend the hill of health, Washes my
+hold away. Your company would have made me decide much faster,
+but I see I have little hopes of that, nor can I blame you; I
+don't use so rough a word with regard to myself, but to your
+pursuing your amusement, which I am sure the journey Would be. I
+never doubted your kindness to me one moment; the affectionate
+manner in which you offered, three weeks ago, to accompany me to
+Bath, Will never be forgotten. I do not think my complaint very
+serious: for how can it be so, when it has never confined me a
+whole day? But my mornings are so bad, and I have had so much
+more pain this last week, with restless nights, that I am
+convinced it must not be trifled with. Yet I think Italy would
+be the last thing I would try, if it were 'not to avoid politics:
+yet I hear nothing else. The court and opposition both grow more
+violent every day from the same cause; the victory of the former.
+Both sides torment me with their affairs, though it is so plain I
+do not care a straw about either. I wish I -were great enough to
+say, as a French officer on the stage at Paris said to the pit,
+"Accordez vous, canaille!" Yet to a man without ambition or
+interestedness, politicians are canaille. Nothing appears to me
+more ridiculous in my life than my having ever loved their
+squabbles, and that at an age when I loved better things too! My
+poor neutrality, which thing I signed with all the world,
+subjects me, like other insignificant monarchs on parallel
+occasions, to affronts. On Thursday I was summoned to Princess
+Emily's loo. Loo she called it, politics it was. The second
+thing she said to me was, "How were you the two long days?"
+"Madam, I was only there the first." "And how did you vote!"
+"Madam, I went away." "Upon my word, that was carving well."
+Not a very pleasant apostrophe to one who certainly never was a
+time-server! Well, we sat down. She said, "I hear Wilkinson is
+turned out, and that Sir Edward Winnington is to have his place;
+who is he?" addressing herself to me, who sat over against her.
+"He is the late Mr. Winnington's heir, Madam." "Did you like
+that Winnington?" "I can't but say I did, Madam." She shrugged
+her shoulders, and continued; "Winnington originally was a great
+Tory; what do you think he was when he died?" "Madam, I believe
+what all people are in place." Pray, Mr. Montagu, do you
+perceive any thing rude or offensive in this? Hear then: she
+flew into the most outrageous passion, Coloured like scarlet, and
+said, "None of your wit; I don't understand joking on those
+subjects; what do you think your father would have said if he had
+heard you say so? He Would have murdered you, and you would have
+deserved it." I was quite Confounded and amazed; it was
+impossible to explain myself across a loo-table, as she is so
+deaf: there was no making a reply to a woman and a Princess, and
+particularly for me, who have made it a rule, when I must
+converse with royalties, to treat them with the greatest respect,
+since it is all the court they will ever have from me. I said to
+those on each side of me, "What can I do? I cannot explain
+myself now." Well, I held my peace, and so did she for a quarter
+of an hour. Then she began with me again, examined me on the
+whole debate, and at last asked me directly, which I thought the
+best speaker, my father or Mr. Pitt. If possible, this was more
+distressing than her anger. I replied, it was impossible to
+compare two men so different: that I believed my father was more
+a man of business than Mr. Pitt. "Well, but Mr. Pitt's
+language?" "Madam," said I, "I have always been remarkable for
+admiring Mr. Pitt's language." At last, this unpleasant scene
+ended; but as we were going away, I went close to her, and said,
+"Madam, I must beg leave to explain myself; your royal highness
+has seemed to be very angry with me, and I am sure I did not mean
+to offend you: all I intended to say was, that I supposed Tories
+were Whigs when they got places!" "Oh!" said she, "I am very
+much obliged to you; indeed, I was very angry." Why she was
+angry, or what she thought I meaned, I do not know to this
+moment, unless she supposed that I would have hinted that the
+Duke of Newcastle and the opposition were not men of consummate
+virtue, and had lost their places out of principle. The very
+reverse was at that time in my head; for I meaned that the Tories
+would be just as loyal as the Whigs, when they got any thing by
+it.
+
+You will laugh at my distresses, and in truth they are little
+serious yet they almost put me out of humour. If your cousin
+realizes his fair words to you, I shall be very good-humoured
+again. I am not so morose as to dislike my friends for being in
+place; indeed, if they are in great place, my friendship goes to
+sleep like a paroli at pharaoh, and does not wake again till
+their deal is over. Good night!
+
+
+
+Letter 146 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 23, 1762. (page 203)
+
+Dear sir,
+You are always abundantly kind to me, and pass my power of
+thanking you. You do nothing but give yourself trouble and me
+presents. My cousin Calthorpe is a great rarity, and I think I
+ought, therefore, to return him to you; but that would not be
+treating him like a relation, or you like a
+friend. My ancestor's epitaph, too, was very agreeable to me.
+
+I have not been at Strawberry Hill these three weeks. My maid is
+ill there, and I have not been well myself with the same flying
+gout in my stomach and breast, of which you heard me complain a
+little in the summer. I am much persuaded to go to a warmer
+climate, which often disperses these unsettled complaints. I do
+not care for it, nor can determine till I see I grow worse: if I
+do (To, I hope it will not be for long; and you shall certainly
+hear again before I set out.
+
+
+
+Letter 147
+To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+
+Strawberry Hill, Feb. 28, 1763. (page 203)
+
+
+Your letter of the 19th seems to postpone your arrival rather
+than advance it; yet Lady Ailesbury tells me that to her you
+talk of being here in ten days. I wish devoutly to see you,
+though I am not departing myself; but I am impatient to have
+your disagreeable function(264) at an end, and to know that YOU
+enjoy Yourself after such fatigues, dangers, and ill-requited
+services. For any public satisfaction you will receive in
+being at home, you must not expect much. Your mind was not
+formed to float on the surface of a mercenary world. My prayer
+(and my belief) is, that you may always prefer what you always
+have preferred, your integrity to success. You will then
+laugh, as I do, at the attacks and malice of faction or
+ministers. I taste of both; but, as my health is recovered,
+and My Mind does not reproach me, they will perhaps only give
+me an opportunity, which I should never have sought, of proving
+that I have some virtue--and it will not be proved in the way
+they probably expect. I have better evidence than by hanging
+out the tattered ensigns of patriotism. But this and a
+thousand other things I shall reserve for our meeting. Your
+brother has pressed me much to go with him, if he goes, to
+Paris.(265) I take it very kindly, but have excused myself,
+though I have promised either to accompany him for a short time
+at first, or to go to him if he should have any particular
+occasion for me: but my resolution against ever appearing in
+any public light is unalterable. When I wish to live less and
+less in the world here, I cannot think of mounting a new stage
+at Paris. At this moment I am alone here, while every body is
+balloting in the House of Commons. Sir John Philips proposed a
+commission of accounts, which has been converted into a select
+committee of twenty-one, eligible by ballot. As the ministry
+is not predominant in the affections of mankind, some of them
+may find a jury elected that will not be quite so complaisant
+as the House is in general when their votes are given openly.
+As many may be glad of this opportunity, I shun it; for I
+should scorn to do any thing in secret, though I have some
+enemies that are not quite so generous.
+
+
+You say you have seen the North Briton, in which I make a
+capital figure. Wilkes, the author, I hear, says, that if he
+had thought I should have taken it so well, he would have been
+damned before he would have written it-but I am not sore where
+I am not sore.
+
+
+The theatre of Covent-garden has suffered more by riots than
+even Drury-lane.(266) A footman of Lord Dacre has been hanged
+for murdering the butler. George Selwyn had great hand in
+bringing him to confess it. That Selwyn should be a capital
+performer in a scene of that kind is not extraordinary: I tell
+it you for the strange coolness which the young fellow, who was
+but nineteen, expressed: as he was writing his confession, "I
+murd--" he stopped, and asked, "how do you spell murdered?"
+
+
+Mr. Fox is much better than at the beginning of the winter; and
+both his health and power seem to promise a longer duration
+than people expected. Indeed, I think the latter is so
+established, that poor Lord Bute would find it more difficult
+to remove him, than he did his predecessors, and may even feel
+the effects of the weight he has made over to him; for it is
+already obvious that Lord Bute's lev`ee is not the present path
+to fortune. Permanence is not the complexion of these times--a
+distressful circumstance to the votaries of a court, but
+amusing to us spectators. Adieu!
+
+
+(264) The re-embarkation of the British troops from Flanders
+after the peace.
+
+
+(265) An ambassador.
+
+
+(266. In January, there was a riot at Drury-lane, in
+consequence of the managers refusing admittance at the end of
+the third act of a play for half-price; when the glass lustres
+were broken and thrown upon the stage, the benches torn up, and
+the performance put a stop to. The same scene was threatened
+on the following evening, but was prevented by Garrick's
+consenting to give admittance at half-price after the third
+act, except during the first winter of a new pantomime. At
+Covent-garden, the redress demanded having been acceded to, no
+disturbance took place on that occasion; but a more serious
+riot happened on the 24th of February, in consequence of a
+demand for full prices at the opera of Artaxerxes. The
+mischief done was estimated at not less than two thousand
+pounds.-E.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 148 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 29, 1763. (page 205)
+
+Though you are a runaway, a fugitive, a thing without friendship
+or feeling, though you grow tired of your acquaintance in half
+the time you intended, I will not quite give you up: I will write
+to you once a quarter, just to keep up a connexion that grace may
+catch at, if it ever proposes to visit you. This is my plan, for
+I have little or nothing to tell you. The ministers only cut one
+another's throats instead of ours. They growl over their prey
+like two curs over a bone, which neither can determine to quit;
+and the whelps in opposition are not strong enough to beat either
+way, though like the species, they will probably hunt the one
+that shall be worsted. The saddest dog of all, Wilkes, shows
+most spirit. The last North Briton is a masterpiece of mischief.
+He has written a dedication too to an old play, the Fall of
+Mortimer, that is wormwood; and he had the impudence t'other day
+to ask Dyson if he was going to the treasury; "Because," said he,
+"a friend of mine has dedicated a play to Lord Bute, and 'It is
+usual to give dedicators something; I wish you would put his
+lordship in mind of it." Lord and Lady Pembroke are reconciled,
+and live again together.(267) Mr. Hunter would have taken his
+daughter too, but upon condition she should give back her
+settlement to Lord Pembroke and her child: she replied nobly,
+that she did not trouble herself about fortune, and would
+willingly depend on her father; but for her child, she had
+nothing left to do but to take care of that, and would not part
+with it; so she keeps both, and I suppose will soon have her
+lover again too, for T'other sister(268) has been sitting to
+Reynolds, who by her husband's direction has made a speaking
+picture. Lord Bolingbroke said to him, "You must give the eyes
+something of Nelly O'Brien, or it will not do." As he has given
+Nelly something of his wife's, it was but fair to give her
+something of Nelly's, and my lady will not throw away the
+present!
+
+I am going to Strawberry for a few days, pour faire mes piques.
+The gallery advances rapidly. The ceiling is Harry the Seventh's
+chapel in proprid persona; the canopies are all placed; I think
+three months will quite complete it. - I have bought at Lord
+Granville's sale the original picture of Charles Brandon and his
+queen; and have to-day received from France a copy of Madame
+Maintenon, which with my La Vali`ere, and copies of Madame
+Grammont, and of the charming portrait of the Mazarine at the
+Duke of St. Alban's, is to accompany Bianca Capello and Ninon
+L'Enclos in the round tower. I hope now there will never be
+another auction, for I have not an inch of space, or a farthing
+left. As I have some remains of paper, I will fill it up with a
+song that I made t'other day in the postchaise, after a
+particular conversation that I had with Miss Pelham the night
+before at the Duke of Richmond's.
+
+ THE ADVICE.
+
+The business of women, dear Chloe, is pleasure,
+And by love ev'ry fair one her minutes should measure.
+"Oh! for love we're all ready," you cry.--very true;
+Nor would I rob the gentle fond god of his due.
+Unless in the sentiments Cupid has part,
+And dips in the amorous transport his dart
+'Tis tumult, disorder, 'tis loathing and hate;
+Caprice gives it birth, and contempt is its fate.
+
+"True passion insensibly leads to the joy,
+And grateful esteem bids its pleasures ne'er cloy.
+Yet here you should stop-but your whimsical sex
+Such romantic ideas to passion annex,
+That poor men, by your visions and jealousy worried,
+To Dyinphs less ecstatic, but kinder, are hurried.
+In your heart, I consent, let your wishes be bred;
+Only take care your heart don't get into your head.
+
+Adieu, till Midsummer-day!
+
+(267) See ant`e, p. 175, Letter 117.-E.
+
+(268) Lady Bolingbroke and the Countess of Pembroke were
+sisters.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 149 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, April 6, 1763. (page 206)
+
+You will pity my distress when I tell you that Lord Waldegrave
+has got the smallpox, and a bad sort. This day se'nnight, in the
+evening, I met him at Arthur's: he complained to me of the
+headache, and a sickness in the stomach. I said, "My dear lord,
+why don't you go home, and take James's powder you will be well
+in the morning." He thanked me, said he was glad I had put him
+in mind of it, and he would take my advice. I sent in the
+morning; my niece said he had taken the powder, and that James
+thought he had no fever, but that she found him very low. As he
+had no fever, I had no apprehension. At eight o'clock on Friday
+night, I was told abruptly at Arthur's, that Lord Waldegrave had
+the small-pox. I was excessively shocked, not knowing if the
+powder was good or bad for it. I went instantly to the house; at
+the door I was met by a servant of Lady Ailesbury, sent to tell
+me that Mr. Conway was arrived. These two opposite strokes of
+terror and joy overcame me so much, that when I got to Mr.
+Conway's I could not speak to him, but burst into a flood of
+tears. The next morning, Lord Waldegrave hearing I was there,
+desired to speak to me alone. I should tell you, that the moment
+he knew it was the small-pox, he signed his will. This has been
+the unvaried tenor of his behaviour, doing just what is wise and
+necessary, and nothing more. He told me, he knew how great the
+chance was against his living through that distemper at his age.
+That, to be sure, he should like to have lived a few years
+longer; but if he did not, he should submit patiently. That all
+he desired was, that if he should fail, we would do our utmost to
+comfort his wife, who, he feared was breeding, and who, he added,
+was the best woman in the world. I told him he could not doubt
+our attention to her, but that at present all our attention was
+fixed on him. That the great difference between having the
+small-pox young, or more advanced in years, consisted in the fear
+of the latter; but that as I had so often heard him say, and now
+saw, that he had none of those fears, the danger of age was
+considerably lessened. Dr. Wilmot says, that if any thing saves
+him, it will be his tranquillity. To my comfort I am told, that
+James's powder has probably been a material ingredient towards
+his recovery. In the mean time, the universal anxiety about him
+is incredible. Dr. Barnard, the master of Eton, who is in town
+for the holidays, says, that, from his situation, he is naturally
+invited to houses of all ranks and parties, and that the concern
+is general in all. I cannot say so much of my lord, and not do a
+little justice to my niece too. Her tenderness, fondness,
+attention, and courage are surprising. She has no fears to
+become her, nor heroism for parade. I could not help saying to
+her, "There never was a nurse of your age had such attention."
+She replied, "There never was a nurse of my age had such an
+object." It is this astonishes one, to see so much beauty
+sincerely devoted to a man so unlovely in his person; but if
+Adonis was sick, she could not stir seldomer out of his
+bedchamber. The physicians seem to have little hopes, but, as
+their arguments are not near so strong as their alarms, I own I
+do not give it up, and yet I look on it in a very dangerous
+light.
+
+I know nothing of news and of the world, for I go to
+Albemarle-Street early in the morning, and don't come home till
+late at night. Young Mr. Pitt has been dying of a fever in
+Bedfordshire. The Bishop of Carlisle,(269) whom I have appointed
+visiter of Strawberry, is gone down to him. You will be much
+disappointed if you expect to find the gallery near finished.
+They threaten me with three months before the gilding can be
+begun. twenty points are at a stand by my present confinement,
+and I have a melancholy prospect of being forced to carry my
+niece thither the next time I go. The Duc de Nivernois, in
+return for a set of the Strawberry editions, has sent me four
+seasons, which, I conclude, he thought good, but they shall pass
+their whole round in London, for they have not even the merit of
+being badly old enough for Strawberry. Mr. Bentley's epistle to
+Lord Melcomb has been published in a magazine. It has less wit
+by far than I expected from him, and to the full as bad English.
+The thoughts are old Strawberry phrases; so are not the
+panegyrics. Here are six lines written extempore by Lady Temple,
+on Lady Mary Coke, easy and genteel, and almost true:
+
+She sometimes laughs, but never loud;
+She's handsome too, but somewhat proud:
+At court she bears away the belle;
+She dresses fine, and figures well:
+With decency she's gay and airy;
+Who can this be but Lady Mary?
+
+There has been tough doings in Parliament about the tax on cider;
+and in the Western counties the discontent is so great, that if
+Mr. Wilkes will turn patriot-hero, or patriot-incendiary in
+earnest, and put himself at their head, he may obtain a rope of
+martyrdom before the summer is over. Adieu! I tell you my
+sorrows, because, if I escape them, I am sure nobody will rejoice
+more.
+
+(269) Dr. Charles Lyttelton, consecrated Bishop of Carlisle in
+1762, in the room of Dr. Osbaldiston, translated to the see of
+London.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 150 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Friday night, late. [April 8, 1763.. (page 208)
+
+Amidst all my own grief, and all the distress which I have this
+moment left, I cannot forget you, who have so long been my steady
+and invariable friend. I cannot leave it to newspapers and
+correspondents to tell you my loss. Lord Waldegrave died to-day.
+Last night he had some glimmerings of hope. The most desponding
+of the faculty flattered us a little. He himself joked with the
+physicians, and expressed himself in this engaging manner: asking
+what day of the week it was; they told him Thursday: "Sure," said
+he, "it is Friday." "No, my lord, indeed it is Thursday."
+"Well," said he, "see what a rogue this distemper makes one; I
+want to steal nothing but a day." By the help of opiates, with
+which, for two or three days, they had numbed his sufferings, he
+rested well. This morning he had no worse symptoms. I told Lady
+Waldegrave, that as no material alteration was expected before
+Sunday, I would go to dine at Strawberry, and return in time to
+meet the physicians in the evening; in truth, I was worn out with
+anxiety and attendance, and wanted an hour or two of fresh air.
+I left her at twelve, and had ordered dinner at three that I
+might be back early. I had not risen from table when I received
+an express from Lady Betty Waldegrave, to tell me that a sudden
+change had happened, that they had given him James's powder, but
+that they feared it was too late, and that he probably would be
+dead before I could come to my niece, for whose sake she begged I
+would return immediately. It was indeed too late! too late for
+every thing--late as it was given, the powder vomited him even in
+the agonies--had I had power to direct, he should never have
+quitted James; but these are vain regrets! vain to recollect how
+particularly kind he, who was kind to every body, was to me! I
+found Lady Waldegrave at my brother's; she weeps without ceasing,
+and talks of his virtues and goodness to her in a manner that
+distracts one. My brother bears this mortification with more
+courage than I could have expected from his warm passions: but
+nothing struck me more than to see my rough savage Swiss, Louis,
+in tears, as he opened my chaise. I have a bitter scene to come:
+to-morrow morning I carry poor Lady Waldegrave to Strawberry.
+Her fall is great, from that adoration and attention that he paid
+her, from that splendour of fortune, so much of which dies with
+him, and from that consideration, which rebounded to her from the
+great deference which the world had for his character. Visions
+perhaps. Yet who could expect that they would have passed away
+even before that fleeting thing, her beauty!
+
+If I had time or command enough of my thoughts, I could give you
+as long a detail of as unexpected a revolution in the political
+world. To-day has been as fatal to a whole nation, I mean to the
+Scotch, as to our family. Lord Bute resigned this morning. His
+intention was not even suspected till Wednesday, nor at all known
+a very few days before. In short, there is nothing, more or
+less, than a panic; a fortnight's opposition has demolished that
+scandalous but vast majority, which a fortnight had purchased;
+and in five months a plan of absolute power has been demolished
+by a panic. He pleads to the world bad health; to his friends,
+more truly, that the nation was set at him. He pretends to
+intend retiring absolutely, and giving no umbrage. In the mean
+time he is packing up a sort of ministerial legacy, which cannot
+hold even till next session, and I should think would scarce take
+place at all. George Grenville is to be at the head of the
+treasury and chancellor of the exchequer; Charles Townshend to
+succeed him; and Lord Shelburne, Charles. Sir Francis Dashwood
+to have his barony of Despencer and the great wardrobe, in the
+room of Lord Gower, who takes the privy seal, if the Duke of
+Bedford takes the presidentship; but there are many ifs in this
+arrangement; the principal if is, if they dare stand a tempest
+which has so terrified the pilot. You ask what becomes of Mr.
+Fox? Not at all pleased with this sudden determination, which has
+blown up so many of his projects, and left him time to heat no
+more furnaces, he goes to France by the way of the House of
+Lords,(270) but keeps his place and his tools till something else
+happens. The confusion I suppose will be enormous, and the next
+act of the drama a quarrel among the opposition, who would be
+all-powerful if they could do what they cannot, hold together and
+not quarrel for the plunder. As I shall be
+at a distance for some days, I shall be able to send you no more
+particulars of this interlude, but you will like a pun my brother
+made when he was told of this explosion: "Then," said he, "they
+must turn the Jacks out of the drawing-room again, and again take
+them into the kitchen." Adieu! what a world to set one's heart
+on!
+
+270) Mr. Fox was Created Baron Holland of Foxley.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 151 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, April 14, 1763. (page 210)
+
+I have received your two letters together, and foresaw that your
+friendly good heart would feel for us just as you do. The loss
+is irreparable,(271) and my poor niece is sensible it is. She
+has such a veneration for her lord's memory, that if her sister
+and I make her cheerful for a moment, she accuses herself of it
+the next day to the Bishop of Exeter,(272) as if he was her
+confessor, and that she had committed a crime. She cried for two
+days to such a degree, that if she had been a fountain it must
+have stopped. Till yesterday she scarce eat enough to keep her
+alive, and looks accordingly; but at her age she must be
+comforted: her esteem will last, but her spirits will return in
+spite of herself. Her lord has made her sole executrix, and
+added what little douceurs he could to her jointure, which is but
+a thousand pounds a-year, the estate being but three-and-twenty
+hundred. The little girls will have about eight thousand pounds
+apiece; for the teller's place was so great during the war, that
+notwithstanding his temper was a sluice of generosity, he had
+saved thirty thousand pounds since his marriage.
+
+Her sisters have been here with us the whole time. Lady
+Huntingtower is all mildness and tenderness; and by dint of
+attention I have not displeased the other. Lord Huntingtower has
+been here once; the Bishop most of the time: he is very
+reasonable and good-natured, and has been of great assistance and
+comfort to me in this melancholy office, which is to last here
+till Monday or Tuesday. We have got the eldest little girl too,
+Lady Laura, who is just old enough to be amusing; and last night
+my nephew arrived here from Portugal. It was a terrible meeting
+at first; but as he is very soldierly and lively, he got into
+spirits, and diverted us much with his relations of the war and
+the country. He confirms all we have heard of the villany,
+poltroonery, and ignorance of the Portuguese, and of their
+aversion to the English; but I could perceive, even through his
+relation, that our flippancies and contempt of them must have
+given a good deal of play to their antipathy.
+
+You are admirably kind, as you always are in inviting me to
+Greatworth, and proposing Bath; but besides its being impossible
+for me to take any journey just at present, I am really very well
+in health, and the tranquillity and air of Strawberry have done
+much good. The hurry of London, where I shall be glad to be just
+now, will dissipate the gloom that this unhappy loss has
+occasioned; though a deep loss I shall always think it. The time
+passes tolerably here; I have my painters and gilders and
+constant packets of news from town, besides a thousand letters of
+condolence to answer; for both my niece and I have received
+innumerable testimonies of the regard that was felt for Lord
+Waldegrave. I have heard of but one man who ought to have known
+his worth, that has shown no concern; but I suppose his childish
+mind is too much occupied with the loss of his last
+governor.(273) I have given up my own room to my niece, and have
+taken myself to the Holbein chamber, where I am retired from the
+rest of the family when I choose it, and nearer to overlook my
+workmen. The chapel is quite finished except the carpet. The
+sable mass of the altar gives it a very sober air; for,
+notwithstanding the solemnity of the painted windows, it had a
+gaudiness that was a little profane.
+
+I can know no news here but by rebound; and yet, though they are
+to rebound again to you, they will be as fresh as any you can
+have at Greatworth. A kind of administration is botched up for
+the present, and even gave itself an air of that fierceness with
+which the winter set out. Lord Hardwicke -was told, that his
+sons must vote with the court, or be turned out; he replied, as
+he meant to have them in place, he chose they should be removed
+now. It looks ill for the court when he is sturdy. They wished,
+too, to have had Pitt, if they could have had him Without
+consequences; but they don't find any recruits repair to their
+standard. They brag that they should have had Lord Waldegrave; a
+most notorious falsehood, as he had refused every offer they
+could invent the day before he was taken ill. The Duke of'
+Cumberland orders his servants to say, that so far from joining
+them, he believes if Lord Waldecrave could have been foretold of
+his death, he would have preferred it to an union with Bute and
+Fox. The former's was a decisive panic; so sudden, that it is
+said Lord Egremont was sent to break his resolution of retiring
+to the King. The other, whose journey to France does not
+indicate much less apprehension, affects to walk in the streets
+at the most public hours to mark his not trembling. In the mean
+time the two chiefs have paid their bravoes magnificently: no
+less than fifty-two thousand pounds a-year are granted in
+reversion! Young Martin,(274) Who is older than I am, is named
+my successor; but I intend he shall wait some years: if they had
+a mind to serve me, they could not have selected a fitter tool to
+set my character in a fair light by the comparison. Lord Bute's
+son has the reversion of an auditor of the imprest; this is all
+he has done ostensibly for his family, but the great things
+bestowed on the most insignificant objects, make me suspect some
+private compacts. Yet I may wrong him, but I do not mean it.
+Lord Granby has refused Ireland, and the Northumberlands are to
+transport their magnificence thither.(275) I lament that you
+made so little of that voyage, but is this the season of
+unrewarded merit? One should blush to be preferred within the
+same year. Do but think that Calcraft is to be an Irish lord!
+Fox's millions, or Calcraft's tythes of millions, cannot purchase
+a grain of your virtue or character. Adieu!
+
+(271) In September 1766, Lady Waldegrave became the wife of his
+Royal Highness William Henry Duke of Gloucester; by whom she was
+mother of Prince William and of the Princess Sophia of
+Gloucester.-E.
+
+(272) Married to a sister of Lady Waldegrave.
+
+
+(273) Lord Waldegrave had been governor of George the Third.-E.
+
+(274) Samuel Martin, Esq. member for Camelford, one of the joint
+secretaries of the treasury, named to succeed Walpole as usher of
+receipts of the exchequer, comptroller of the great roll, and
+keeper of the foreign receipts.-E.
+
+(275) The Earl of Northumberland was gazetted on the 20th of
+April lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and on the 14th of May the
+Marquis of Granby was appointed master of the ordnance.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 152 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, April 22, 1763. (page 212)
+
+I have two letters from you, and shall take care to execute the
+commission in the second. The first diverted me much. .
+
+I brought my poor niece from Strawberry on Monday. As executrix,
+her presence was quite necessary, and she has never refused to do
+any thing reasonable that has been desired of her. But the house
+and the business have shocked her terribly; she still eats
+nothing, sleeps worse than she did, and looks dreadfully; I begin
+to think she will miscarry. She said to me t'other day, "they
+tell me that if my lord had lived, he might have done great
+service to his country at this juncture, by the respect all
+parties had for him. This is very fine; but as he did not live
+to do those services, it will never be mentioned in history!" I
+thought this solicitude for his honour charming. But he will be
+known by history; he has left a small volume of Memoirs, that are
+a chef-d'oeuvre.(276) He twice
+showed them to me, but I kept his secret faithfully; now it is
+for his glory to divulge it.
+
+I and glad you are going to Dr. Lewis After an Irish voyage I do
+not wonder you want careening. I have often preached to
+you--nay, and lived to you too; but my sermons were flung away
+and my example.
+
+This ridiculous administration is patched up for the present; the
+detail is delightful, but that I shall reserve for
+Strawberry-tide. Lord Bath has complained to Fanshaw of Lord
+Pulteney's(277) extravagance, and added, "if he had lived he
+would have spent my whole estate." This almost comes up to Sir
+Robert Brown, who, when his eldest daughter was given over, but
+still alive, on that uncertainty sent for an undertaker, and
+bargained for her funeral in hopes of having it cheaper, as it
+was possible she might recover. Lord Bath has purchased the
+Hatton vault in Westminster-abbey, squeezed his wife, son, and
+daughter into it, reserved room for himself, and has set the rest
+to sale. Come; all this is not far short of Sir Robert Brown.
+
+To my great satisfaction, the new Lord Holland has not taken the
+least friendly, or even formal notice of me, on Lord Waldegrave's
+death. It dispenses me from the least farther connexion with
+him, and saves explanations, which always entertain the world
+more than satisfy.
+
+Dr. Cumberland is an Irish bishop; I hope before the summer is
+over that some beam from your cousin's portion of the triumvirate
+may light on poor Bentley. If he wishes it till next winter, he
+will be forced to try still new sunshine. I have taken Mrs.
+Pritchard's house for Lady Waldegrave; I offered her to live with
+me at Strawberry, but with her usual good sense she declined it,
+as she thought the children would be troublesome.
+
+
+Charles Townshend's episode in this revolution passes belief,
+though he does not tell it himself. If I had a son born, and an
+old fairy were to appear and offer to endow him with her choicest
+gifts, I should cry out, "Powerful Goody, give him any thing but
+parts!"(278) Adieu!
+
+(276) "the Memoirs, from 1754 to 1758, by James Earl Waldegrave,"
+which were published in 1821, in a small quarto volume.-E.
+
+(277) Son Of the Earl of Bath. He was a lord of the bedchamber
+and member for Westminster. He died on the 16th of February.-E.
+
+(278) Lord Barrington, in a letter to Mr. Mitchell of the 19th of
+April, says,--"Charles Townshend accepted the admiralty on
+Thursday, and went to kiss hands the next day; but he brought
+Peter Burrell with him to court, and insisted he likewise should
+be one of the board. Being told that Lords Howe and Digby were
+to fill up the vacant seats at the admiralty, he declined
+accepting the office destined for him, and the next day received
+a dismission from the King's service."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 153To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, May 1, 1763. (page 213)
+
+I feel happy at hearing your happiness; but, my dear Harry, your
+vision is much indebted to your long absence, which Makes
+
+bleak rocks and barren mountains smile.
+
+I mean no offence to Park-place, but the bitterness of the
+weather makes me wonder how you can find the country tolerable
+now. This is a May-day for the latitude of Siberia! The
+milkmaids should be wrapped in @the motherly comforts of a
+swanskin petticoat. In short, such hard words have passed
+between me and the north wind to-day, that, according to the
+language of the times, I was very near abusing it for coming from
+Scotland, and to imputing it to Lord Bute. I don't know whether
+I should not have written a North Briton against it, if the
+printers were not all sent to Newgate, and Mr. Wilkes to the
+Tower--ay, to the Tower, tout de bon.(279) The new ministry are
+trying to make up for their ridiculous insignificance by a coup
+d'`eclat. As I came hither yesterday, I do not know whether the
+particulars I have heard are genuine--but in the Tower he
+certainly is, taken up by Lord Halifax's warrant for treason;
+vide the North Briton of Saturday was se'nnight. It is said he
+refused to obey the warrant, of which he asked and got a copy
+from the two messengers, telling them he did not mean to make his
+escape, but sending to demand his habeas corpus, which was
+refused. He then went to Lord Halifax, and thence to the Tower;
+declaring they should get nothing out of him but what they knew.
+All his papers have been seize(]. Lord Chief Justice Pratt, I am
+told, finds great fault with the wording of the warrant.
+
+
+I don't know how to execute your commission for books of
+architecture, nor care to put you to expense, which I know will
+not answer. I have been consulting my neighbour young Mr. Thomas
+Pitt,(280) my present architect: we have all books of that sort
+here, but, cannot think of one which will help you to a cottage
+or a green-house. For the former you should send me your idea,
+your dimensions; for the latter, don't you rebuild your old one,
+though in another place? A pretty greenhouse I never saw; nor
+without immoderate expense can it well be an agreeable object.
+Mr. Pitt thinks a mere portico without a pediment, and windows
+retrievable in summer, would be the best plan you could have. If
+so, don't you remember something of that kind, which you liked at
+Sir Charles Cotterel's at Rousham? But a fine greenhouse must be
+on a more exalted plan. In Short.. YOU Must be more particular,
+before I can be at all so.
+
+I called at Hammersmith yesterday about Lady Ailesbury's tubs;
+one of them is nearly finished, but they will not both be
+completed these ten days. Shall they be sent to you by water?
+Good night to her ladyship and you, and the infanta,(281) whose
+progress in waxen statuary I hope advances so fast, that by next
+winter she may rival Rackstrow's old man. Do you know that,
+though apprised of what I was going to see, it deceived me, and
+made such impression on my mind, that, thinking on it as I came
+home in my chariot. and seeing a woman steadfastly at work in a
+window in Pall-mall, it made me start to see her move. Adieu!
+
+Arlington Street, Monday night.
+
+The mighty commitment set out with a blunder; the warrant
+directed the printer, and all concerned (unnamed) to be taken up.
+Consequently Wilkes had his habeas corpus of course, and was
+committed again; moved for another in the common pleas, and is to
+appear there to-morrow morning. Lord Temple, by another strain
+of power refused admittance to him, said, "I thought this was the
+Tower, but find it the Bastille." They found among Wilkes's
+papers an unpublished North Briton. designed for It contains
+advice to the King not to go to St. Paul's for the thanksgiving,
+but to have a snug one in his own chapel; and to let Lord George
+Sackville carry the sword. There was a dialogue in it too
+between Fox and Calcraft: the former says to the latter, "I did
+not think you would have served me so, Jemmy Twitcher."
+
+(279) For his strictures in the North Briton, No. 45, on the
+King's speech at the close of the session.-E.
+
+(280) Afterwards created Lord Camelford.
+
+(281) Anne Seymour Conway.
+
+
+
+Letter 154 To Sir David Dalrymple.(282)
+Strawberry Hill, May 2, 1763. _page 215)
+
+Sir,
+I forebore to answer your letter for a few days, till I knew
+whether it was in my power to give you satisfaction. Upon
+inquiry, and having conversed with some who could inform me, I
+find it would be very difficult to obtain so peremptory an order
+for dismissing fictitious invalids (as I think they may properly
+be called), as you seem to think the state of the case requires;
+by any interposition of mine, quite impossible. Very difficult I
+am told it would be to get them dismissed from our hospitals when
+once admitted, and subject to a clamour which, in the present
+unsettled state of government, nobody would care to risk. Indeed
+I believe it could not be done by any single authority. The
+power of admission, and consequently of dismission, does not
+depend on the minister, but on the board who direct the affairs
+of the hospital, at which board preside the paymaster,, secretary
+at war, governor, etc.; if I am not quite exact, I know it is so
+in general. I am advised to tell you, Sir, that if upon
+examination it should be thought right to take the step you
+counsel, still it could not be done without previous and
+deliberate discussion. As I should grudge no trouble, and am
+very desirous of executing any
+commission, Sir, you will honour me with, if you will draw up a
+memorial in form, stating the abuses which have come to your
+]Knowledge, the advantages which would result to the community by
+more rigorous examination of candidates for admission, and the
+uses
+to which the overflowings of the military might be put, I will
+engage to put it into the hands of Mr. Grenville, the present
+head
+of the treasury, and to employ all the little credit he is so
+good
+to let me have with him, in backing your request. I can answer
+for
+one thing and no more, that as long as he sits at that board,
+which
+probably will not be long, he will give all due attention to any
+scheme of national utility.
+
+It is seldom, Sir, that political revolutions bring any man upon
+the stage, with whom I have much connexion. The great actors are
+not the class whom I much cultivate; consequently I am neither
+elated with hopes on their advancement, nor mortified nor
+rejoiced
+at their fall. As the scene has shifted often of late, and is
+far
+from promising duration at present, one must, if one lives in the
+great world, have now and then an acquaintance concerned in the
+drama. Whenever I happen to have one, I hope I am ready and glad
+to make use of such (however unsubstantial) interest to do good
+or
+to oblige; Ind this being the case at present, and truly I cannot
+call Mr. Grenville much more than an acquaintance, I shall be
+happy, Sir, if I can Contribute to your views, which I have
+reason
+to believe are those of a benevolent man and good citizen; but I
+advertise you truly, that my interest depends more on Mr.
+Grenville's goodness and civility, than on any great connexion
+between Us, and still less on any Political connexion. I think
+he would like to do public good, I know I should like to
+contribute to it-but if it is to be done by this channel, I
+apprehend there is not much time to be lost--you See, what I
+think of the permanence of the present system! Your ideas, Sir,
+on the hard fate of our brave soldiers concur with mine; I
+lamented their sufferings, and have tried in vain to suggest some
+little plans for their relief. I only mention this, to prove to
+you that I am not indifferent to the subject, nor undertake your
+commission from mere complaisance. You Understand the matter
+better than I do, but you cannot engage in it with more zeal.
+Methodize, if you please, your plan, and communicate it to me,
+and it shall not be lost for want of solicitation. We swarm with
+highwaymen, who have been heroes. We owe our safety to them,
+consequently we owe a return Of preservation to them, if we can
+find out methods of employing them honestly. Extend your views,
+Sir, for them, and let me -be@solicitor to the cause.
+
+(282) Now first collected.
+
+
+
+Letter 155To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, May 6, very late, 1763. (page 216)
+
+The complexion of the times is a little altered since the
+beginning of this last winter. Prerogation, that gave itself
+such airs in November, and would speak to nothing but a Tory, has
+had a rap this morning that will do it some good, unless it is
+weak enough to do itself more harm. The judges of the common
+pleas have unanimously dismissed Wilkes from his
+imprisonment,(283) as a breach of
+privilege; his offence not being a breach of peace, only tending
+to it. The people are in transports; and it will require all the
+vanity and confidence of those able ministers, Lord Sandwich and
+Mr. C * * * to keep up the spirits of the court.
+
+I must change this tone, to tell you of the most dismal calamity
+that ever happened. Lady Molesworth's house, in Upper Brook-
+street was burned to the ground between four and five this
+morning. She herself, two of her daughters, her brother,(284)
+and six servants Perished. Two other of the young ladies jumped
+out of the two pair of stairs and garret windows: one broke her
+thigh, the other (the eldest of all) broke hers too, and has had
+it cut off. The fifth daughter is much burnt. The French
+governess leaped from the garret, and was dashed to pieces. Dr.
+Molesworth and his wife, who were there on a visit, escaped; the
+wife by jumping from the two pair of stairs, and saving herself
+by a rail; he by hanging by his hands, till a second ladder was
+brought, after a first had proved too short. Nobody knows how or
+where the fire began; the catastrophe is shocking beyond what one
+ever heard: and poor Lady Molesworth whose character and conduct
+were the most amiable in the world, is universally lamented.
+Your good hearts will feel this in the most lively manner.(285)
+
+I go early to Strawberry to-morrow, giving up the new Opera,
+Madame de Boufflers, and Mr. Wilkes, and all the present topics.
+Wilkes, whose case has taken its place by the side of the seven
+bishops, calls himself the eighth--not quite improperly, when One
+remembers that Sir Jonathan Trelawney, who swore like a trooper,
+was one of those confessors.
+
+There is a good letter in the Gazetteer on the other side,
+pretending to be written by Lord Temple, and advising Wilkes to
+cut his throat, like Lord E * * * as it would be of infinite
+service to their cause. There are published, too, three volumes
+of Lady Mary Wortley's letters, which I believe are genuine, and
+are not unentertaining. But have you read Tom Hervey's letter to
+the late King? That beats every thing for madness, horrid
+indecency, and folly, and yet has some charming and striking
+passages. I have advised Mrs. Harris to inform
+against Jack, as writing in the North Briton; he will then be
+shut up in the Tower, and may be shown for old Nero.(286) Adieu!
+
+(283) Wilkes was discharged on the 6th of May, by Lord Chief
+Justice Pratt, who decided that he was entitled to plead his
+privilege as a member of parliament; the crime of which he was
+accused, namely, a libel, being in the eyes of the law only a
+high misdemeanour, whereas the only three cases which could
+affect the privilege of a member of parliament were treason,
+felony, and breach of the peace.-E.
+
+(284) Captain Usher. Lady Molesworth was daughter of the Rev. W.
+Usher, archdeacon of Clonfret, and second wife of Richard third
+Viscount Molesworth, who was aide-de-camp to the Duke of
+Marlborough at the battle of Ramilies, and saved his grace's life
+in that engagement.-E.
+
+(285) The King upon hearing of this calamity, immediately sent
+the young ladies a handsome present; ordered a house to be taken
+and furnished for them at his expense; and not only continued the
+pension settled on the mother, but ordered it to be increased two
+hundred pounds per annum.
+
+(286) An old lion there, so called.
+
+
+
+Letter 156 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, May 16, 1763. (page 217)
+
+Dear sir,
+I promised you should hear from me if I did not go abroad, and I
+flatter myself that you will not be sorry to know that I am much
+better in health than I was at the beginning of the winter. My
+journey is quite laid aside, at least for this year; though as
+Lord Hertford goes ambassador to Paris, I propose to make him a
+visit there next spring. As I shall be a good deal here this
+summer, I hope you did not take a surfeit of Strawberry Hill, but
+will bestow a visit on it while its beauty lasts; the gallery
+advances fast now, and I think in a few weeks will make a figure
+worth your looking at.
+
+
+
+Letter 157 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, May 17, 1763. (page 218)
+
+"On vient de nous donner une tr`es jolie f`ete au ch`ateau de
+Straberri: tout etoit tapiss`e de narcisses, de tulipes, et de
+lilacs; des cors de chasse, des clarionettes; des petits vers
+galants faits par des f`ees, et qui se trouvoient sous la presse;
+des fruits `a la glace, du th`e, du caff`e, des biscuits, et
+force hot-rolls."--This is not the beginning of a letter to you,
+but of one that I might suppose sets out to-night for Paris, or
+rather, which I do not suppose will set out thither: for though
+the narrative is circumstantially true, I don't believe the
+actors were pleased enough with the scene, to give so favourable
+an account of it.
+
+The French do not come hither to see. A l'Anglaise happened to
+be the word in fashion; and half a dozen of the most fashionable
+people have been the dupes of it. I take for granted that their
+next mode will be `a l'Iroquaise, that they may be under no
+obligation of realizing their pretensions. Madame de
+Boufflers(287) I think will die a martyr to a taste, which she
+fancied she had, and finds she has not. Never having stirred ten
+miles from Paris, and having only rolled in an easy coach from
+one hotel to another on a gliding pavement, she is already worn
+out with being hurried from morning till night from one sight to
+another. She rises every morning SO fatigued with the toils of
+the preceding day, that she has not strength, if she had
+inclination, to observe the least, or the finest thing she sees!
+She came hither to-day to a great breakfast I made for her, with
+her eyes a foot deep in her head, her hands dangling, and scarce
+able to support her knitting-bag. She had been yesterday to see
+a ship launched, and went from Greenwich by water to Ranelagh.
+Madame Dusson, who is Dutch-built, and whose muscles are
+pleasure-proof, came with her; there were besides, Lady Mary
+Coke, Lord and Lady Holderness, the Duke and Duchess of Grafton,
+Lord Hertford, Lord Villiers, Offley, Messieurs de Fleury,
+D'Eon,(288) et Duclos. The latter is author of the Life of Louis
+Onze;(289) dresses like a dissenting minister, which I suppose is
+the livery of le bel esprit, and is much more impetuous than
+agreeable. We breakfasted in the great parlour, and I had filled
+the hall and large cloister by turns with French horns and
+clarionettes. As the French ladies had never seen a
+printing-house, I carried them into mine; they found something
+ready set, and desiring to see what it was, it proved as
+follows:--
+
+ The Press speaks:
+
+For MADAME DE BOUFFLERS--
+
+The graceful fair, who loves to know,
+Nor dreads the North's inclement snow:
+Who bids her polish'd accent wear
+The British diction's harsher air;
+Shall read her praise in every clime
+Where types can speak or poets rhyme
+
+For MADAME: DUSSON.
+
+Feign not an ignorance of what I speak
+You could not miss my meaning were it Greek:
+'Tis the same language Belgium utter'd first,
+The same which from admiring Gallia burst.
+True sentiment a like expression pours;
+Each country says the same to eyes like yours.
+
+You will comprehend that the first speaks English, and that the
+second does not; that the second is handsome, and the first not;
+and that the second was born in Holland. This little gentilesse
+pleased, and atoned for the popery of my house, which was not
+serious enough for Madame de Boufflers, who is Montmorency, et du
+sang du premier Chritien; and too serious for Madame Dusson, who
+is a Dutch Calvinist. The latter's husband was not here, nor
+Drumgold,(290) who have both got fevers, nor the Duc de
+Nivernois, who dined at Claremont. The gallery is not advanced
+enough to give them any idea at all, as they are not apt to go
+out of their way for one; but the cabinet, and the glory of
+yellow glass at top, which had a charming sun for a foil, did
+surmount their indifference, especially as they were animated by
+the Duchess of Grafton, who had never happened to be here before,
+and who perfectly entered into the air of enchantment and
+fairyism, which is the tone of the place, and was peculiarly so
+to-day--a-propos, when do you design to come hither? Let me know,
+that I may have no measures to interfere with receiving you and
+your grandsons.
+
+Before Lord Bute ran away, he made Mr. Bentley a commissioner of
+the lottery; I don't know whether a single or double one: the
+latter, which I hope it is, is two hundred a-year.
+
+Thursday, 19th.
+
+I am ashamed of myself to have nothing but a journal of pleasures
+to send you; I never passed a more agreeable day than yesterday.
+Miss Pelham gave the French an entertainment at Esher; but they
+have been so feasted and amused, that none of them were well
+enough, or reposed enough. to come, but Nivernois and Madame
+Dusson. The rest of the company were, the Graftons, Lady
+Rockingham, Lord and Lady Pembroke, Lord and Lady Holderness,
+Lord Villiers, Count Worotizow the Russian minister, Lady Sondes,
+Mr. and Miss Mary Pelham, Lady Mary Coke, Mrs. Anne Pitt, and Mr.
+Shelley. The day was delightful, the scene transporting; the
+trees, lawns, concaves, all in the perfection in which the ghost
+of Kent would joy to see them. At twelve we made the tour of the
+farm in chaises, and calashes, horsemen, and footmen, setting out
+like a picture of Wouverman's. My lot fell in the lap of Mrs.
+Anne Pitt,(291) which I could have excused, as she was not at all
+in the style of the day, romantic, but political. We had a
+magnificent dinner, cloaked in the modesty of earthenware; French
+horns and hautboys On the lawn. We walked to the Belvidere on
+the summit of the hill, where a theatrical storm only served to
+heighten the beauty Of the landscape, a rainbow on a dark cloud
+falling precisely behind the tower of a neighbouring church,
+between another tower and the building at Claremont. Monsieur de
+Nivernois, who had been absorbed all day, and lagging behind,
+translating my verses, was delivered of bis version, and of some
+more lines which he wrote on Miss Pelham in the Belvedere, while
+we drank tea and coffee. From thence we passed into the wood,
+and the ladies formed a circle on chairs before the Mouth of the
+cave, which was overhung to a vast height with the woodbines,
+lilacs, and liburnums, and dignified by the tall shapely
+cypresses. On the descent of the hill were placed the French
+horns; the abigails, servants, and neighbours wandering below the
+river; in short, it was Parnassus, as Watteau would have painted
+it. Here we had a rural syllabub, and part of the company
+returned to town; but were replaced
+by Giardini and Onofrio, who, with Nivernois on he violin, an
+Lord Pembroke on the bass, accompanied Mrs. Pelham, Lady
+Rockingham, and the Duchess of Grafton, who sang. This little
+concert lasted till past ten; then there were minuets, and as we
+had seven couple left, it concluded with a Country dance. I
+blush again, for I danced, but was kept in countenance by
+Nivernois, who has one wrinkle more than I have. A quarter after
+twelve they sat down to supper, and I came home by a charming
+moonlight. I am going to dine in town, and to a great ball with
+fireworks at Miss Chudleigh's, but I return hither on Sunday, to
+bid adieu to this abominable Arcadian life; for really when one
+IS not young, one ought to do nothing but s'ennuyer; I will try,
+but I always go about it awkwardly. Adieu!
+
+P. S. I enclose a copy of both the English and French verses.
+
+A MADAME DE BOUFFLRLRS.
+
+Boufflers, qu'embellissent les graces,
+Et qui plairot sans le vouloir,
+Elle `a qui l'amour du s`cavoir
+Fit braver le Nord et les glaces;
+Boufflers se plait en nos vergers,
+Et veut `a nos sons `etrangers
+Plier sa voix enchanteresse.
+R`ep`etons son nom Mille fois,
+Sur tons les coeurs Bourflers aura des droits,
+Par tout o`u la rime et la Presse
+`a l'amour pr`eteront leur voix.
+
+A MADAME DUSSON.
+
+Ne feignez point, Iris, de ne pas nous entendre
+Cc que vous inspirez, en Grec doit se comprendre.
+On vous l'a dit d'abord en Hollandois,
+Et dans on langage plus tendre
+Paris vous l'a repet`e mille fois.
+C'est de nos coeurs l'expression sinc`ere;
+En tout climat, Iris, & toute heure, en tous lieux,
+Par tout o`u brilleront vos yeux,
+Vous apprendrez combien ils s`cavent plaire.
+
+(287) La Comtesse de Boufflers, a lady of some literary
+pretensions, and celebrated as the intimate friend of the Prince
+de Conti, to whom she is said to have been united by a marriage
+de la main gauche. During her stay in England she paid a visit
+to Dr. Johnson, of which Mr. Beauclerk gave the following account
+to Boswell:--"When Madame de Boufflers was first in England, she
+was desirous to see Johnson; I accordingly went with her to his
+chambers in the Temple, where she was entertained with his
+conversation for some time. When our visit was over, she and I
+left him, and were got into Inner-Temple-lane, when all at once I
+heard a voice like thunder. This was occasioned by Johnson, who,
+it seem,;, upon a little reflection, had taken it into his head
+that he ought to have done the honours of his literary residence
+to a foreign lady of quality, and, eager to show himself a man of
+gallantry, was hurrying down the staircase in violent agitation.
+He overtook us before we reached the Temple gate, and brushing in
+between me and Madame de Boufflers, seized her hand and conducted
+her to her coach. His dress was a rusty-brown morning suit, a
+pair of old shoes by way of slippers, a little shrivelled wig
+sticking on the top of his head, and the sleeves of his shirt and
+the knees of his breeches hanging loose. A considerable crowd of
+people gathered round, and were not a little struck by this
+singular appearance."-E.
+
+(288) The Chevalier D'Eon, secretary to the Duke de Nivernois,
+the French ambassador, and, upon the Duke's return to France,
+appointed minister plenipotentiary. On the Comte de Guerchy
+being some time afterwards nominated ambassador, the Chevalier
+was ordered to resume his secretaryship; at which he was so much
+mortified that he libelled the Comte, for which he was indicted
+and found guilty in the court of king's bench, in July 1764. For
+a further account of this extraordinary personage, see post,
+letter 181 to Lord Hertford, of the 25th of November.-E.
+
+(289) Duclos's History of Louis XI. appeared in 1743. He was
+also the author of several ingenious novels, and had a large
+share in the Dictionary of the Academy. After his death, which
+took place in 1772, his Secret Memoirs of the Courts of Louis
+XIV. and Louis XV. appeared. Rousseau describes him as a man
+"droit et adroit;" and D'Alembert said of him, "De tons les
+hommes que je connais, c'est lui qui a le plus d'esprit dans un
+temps donn`e."-E.
+
+(290) Secretary to the Duc de Nivernois.
+
+(291) Sister of Lord Chatham, whom she strikingly resembled in
+features as well as in talent. She was remarkable, even to old
+age, for decision of character and sprightliness of conversation.
+She died in 1780.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 158 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, May 21, 1763. (page 221)
+
+You have now seen the celebrated Madame de Boufflers. I dare say
+you could in that short time perceive that she is agreeable, but
+I dare say too that you will agree with me that vivacity is by no
+means the partage of the French--bating the `etourderie of the
+mousquetaires and of a high-dried petit-maitre or two, they
+appear to me more lifeless than Germans. I cannot comprehend how
+they came by the character of a lively people. Charles Townshend
+has more sal volatile in him than the whole nation. Their King
+is taciturnity itself, Mirepoix was a walking mummy, Nivernois
+his about as much life as a sick favourite child, and M. Dusson
+is a good-humoured country gentleman, who has been drunk the day
+before, and is upon his good behaviour. If I have the gout next
+year, and am thoroughly humbled by it again, I will go to Paris,
+that I may be upon a level with them: at present, I am trop fou
+to keep them company. Mind, I do not insist that, to have
+spirits, a nation should be as frantic as poor Fanny Pelham, as
+absurd as the Duchess of Queensbury, or as dashing as the Virgin
+Chudleigh. Oh, that you had been' at her ball t'other night!
+History could never describe it and keep its countenance. The
+Queen's real birthday, you know, is not kept: this maid of honour
+kept it--nay, while the court is in mourning, expected people to
+be out of mourning; the Queen's family really was so, Lady
+Northumberland having desired leave for them. A scaffold was
+erected in Hyde-park for fireworks. To show the illuminations
+without to more advantage, the company were received in an
+apartment totally dark, where they remained for two hours. If
+they gave rise to any more birthdays, who could help it? The
+fireworks were fine, and succeeded well. On each side of the
+court were two large scaffolds for the Virgin's tradespeople.
+When the fireworks ceased, a large scene was lighted in the
+court, representing their majesties; on each side of which were
+six obelisks, painted with emblems, and illuminated; mottoes
+beneath in Latin and English: 1. For the Prince of Wales, a ship,
+Mullorum spes. 2. For the Princess Dowager, a bird of paradise,
+and two little ones, meos ad sidera tollo. People smiled. 3.
+Duke of York, a temple, Virtuti et honori. 4. Princess Augusta, a
+bird of paradise, Non habet paren--unluckily this was translated,
+I have no peer. People laughed out, considering where this was
+exhibited. 5. The three younger princes, an orange tree,
+Promiiuit et dat. 6. the younger princesses, the flower
+crown-imperial. I forget the Latin: the translation was silly
+enough, Bashful in youth, graceful in age. The lady of the house
+made many apologies for the poorness of the performance, which
+she said was only oil-paper, painted by one of her servants; but
+it really was fine and pretty. The Duke of Kingston was in a
+frock coat come chez lui. Behind the house was a cenotaph for
+the Princess Elizabeth, a kind of illuminated cradle; the motto,
+All the honours the dead can receive. This burying-ground was a
+strange codicil to a festival, and, what was more strange, about
+one in the morning, this sarcophagus burst out into crackers and
+guns. The Margrave of Anspach began the ball with the Virgin.
+The supper was most sumptuous.
+
+You ask, when I propose to be at Park-place. I ask, shall not
+you come to the Duke of Richmond's masquerade, which is the 6th
+of June? I cannot well be with you till towards the end of that
+month.
+
+The enclosed is a letter which I wish you to read attentively, to
+give me your opinion upon it, and return it. It is from a
+sensible friend of mine in Scotland,(292) who has lately
+corresponded with me on the enclosed subjects, which I little
+understand; but I promised to communicate his ideas to George
+Grenville, if he would state them-are they practicable? I wish
+much that something could be done for those brave soldiers and
+sailors, who will all come to the gallows, unless some timely
+provision can be made for them. The former part of his letter
+relates to a Grievance he complains of, that men who have not
+served are admitted into garrisons, and then into our hospitals,
+which were designed for meritorious sufferers. Adieu!
+
+(292) Sir David Dalrymple. See ant`e, p. 215, letter 154.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 159 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, Saturday evening. (May 28, 1763.] (page 223)
+
+No, indeed, I cannot consent to your being a dirty
+Philander.(293) Pink and white, and white and pink and both as
+greasy as if you had gnawed a leg of a fowl on the stairs of the
+Haymarket with a bunter from the Cardigan's Head! For Heaven's
+sake don't produce a tight rose-coloured thigh, unless you intend
+to prevent my Lord Bute's return from Harrowgate. Write, the
+moment you receive this, to your tailor to get you a sober purple
+domino as I have done, and it will make you a couple of
+summer-waistcoats.
+
+In the next place, have your ideas a little more correct about us
+of times past. We did not furnish ou cottages with chairs of ten
+guineas apiece. Ebony for a farmhouse!(294) So, two hundred
+years hence some man of taste will build a hamlet in the style of
+George the Third, and beg his cousin Tom Hearne to get him some
+chairs for it of mahogany gilt, and covered with blue damask.
+Adieu! I have not a minute's time more.
+
+(293) At the masquerade given by the Duke of Richmond on the 6th
+of June at his house in Privy-garden.
+
+(294) Mr. Conway was at this time fitting up a little building
+at Park-place, called the Cottage, for which he had consulted Mr.
+Walpole on the propriety of ebony chairs.
+
+
+
+Letter 160 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Huntingdon, May 30, 1763. (page 223)
+
+As you interest yourself about Kimbolton, I begin my journal of
+two days here. But I must set Out With owning, that I believe I
+am the first man that ever went sixty miles to an auction. As I
+came for ebony, I have been up to my chin in ebony; there is
+literally nothing but ebony in the house; all the other goods. if
+there were any, and I trust my Lady Convers did not sleep upon
+ebony mattresses, are taken away. There are two tables and
+eighteen chairs, all made by the Hallet of two hundred years ago.
+These I intend to have; for mind, the auction does not begin till
+Thursday. There are more plebeian chairs of the same materials,
+but I have left commission for only the true black blood. Thence
+I went to Kimbolton,(295) and asked to see the house. A kind
+footman, who in his zeal to open the chaise pinched half my
+finger off, said he would call the housekeeper: but a groom of
+the chambers insisted on my visiting their graces; and as I vowed
+I did not know them, he said they were in the great apartment,
+that all the rest was in disorder and altering, and would let me
+see nothing. This was the reward of my first lie. I returned to
+my inn or alehouse, and instantly received a message from the
+Duke to invite me to the castle. I was quite undressed, and
+dirty with my journey, and unacquainted with the Duchess--yet was
+forced to go--Thank the god of dust, his grace was dirtier than
+me. He was extremely civil, and detected me to the groom of the
+chambers--asked me if I had dined. I said yes--lie the second.
+He pressed me to take a bed there. I hate to be criticised at a
+formal supper by a circle of stranger-footmen, and protested I
+was to meet a gentleman at Huntingdon to-night. the Duchess and
+Lady Caroline(296) came in from walking; and to disguise my not
+having dined, for it was past six, I drank tea with them. The
+Duchess is much altered, and has a bad short cough. I pity
+Catherine of Arragon(297) for living at Kimbolton: I never saw an
+uglier spot. The fronts are not so bad as I expected, by not
+being so French as I expected; but have no pretensions to beauty,
+nor even to comely ancient ugliness. The great apartment is
+truly noble, and almost all the portraits good, of what I saw;
+for many are not hung up, and half of those that are, my lord
+Duke does not know. The Earl of Warwick is delightful; the Lady
+Mandeville, attiring herself in her wedding garb, delicious. The
+Prometheus is a glorious picture, the eagle as fine as my statue.
+Is not it by Vandyck? The Duke told me that Mr. Spence found out
+it was by Titian--but critics in poetry I see are none in
+painting. This was all I was shown, for I was not even carried
+into the chapel. The walls round the house are levelling, and I
+saw nothing without doors that tempted me to taste. So I made my
+bow, hurried to my inn, snapped up my dinner, lest I should again
+be detected, and came hither, where I am writing by a great fire,
+and give up my friend the east wind, which I have long been
+partial to for the Southeast's sake, and in contradiction to the
+west, for blowing perpetually and bending all one's plantations.
+To-morrow I see Hinchinbrook(298)--and London. Memento, I
+promised the Duke that you should come and write on all his
+portraits. Do, as you honour the blood of Montagu! Who is the
+man in the picture with Sir Charles Goring, where a page is tying
+the latter's scarf? And who are the ladies in the double
+half-lengths?
+
+Arlington Street, May 31.
+
+Well! I saw Hinchinbrook this morning. Considering it is in
+Huntingdonshire, the situation is not so ugly nor melancholy as I
+expected; but I do not conceive what provoked so many of your
+ancestors to pitch their tents in that triste country, unless the
+Capulets(299) loved fine prospects. The house of Hinchinbrook is
+most comfortable, and just what I like; old, spacious, irregular,
+yet not vast or forlorn. I believe much has been done since you
+saw it--it now only wants an apartment, for in no part of it are
+there above two chambers together. The furniture has much
+simplicity, not to say too much; some portraits tolerable, none I
+think fine. When this lord gave Blackwood the head of the
+Admiral' that I have now, he left himself not one so good. The
+head he kept is very bad: the whole-length is fine, except the
+face of it. There is another of the Duke of Cumberland by
+Reynolds, the colours of which are as much changed as the
+original is to the proprietor. The garden is wondrous small, the
+park almost smaller, and no appearance of territory. The whole
+has a quiet decency that seems adapted to the Admiral after his
+retirement, or to Cromwell before his exaltation. I returned
+time enough for the opera; observing all the way I came the proof
+of the duration of this east wind, for on the west side the
+blossoms were so covered with dust one could not distinguish
+them; on the eastern hand the hedges were white in all the pride
+of May. Good night!
+
+Wednesday, June 1.
+
+My letter is a perfect diary. There has been a sad alarm in the
+kingdom of white satin and muslin. The Duke of Richmond was
+seized last night with a sore throat and fever; and though he is
+much better to-day, the masquerade of to-morrow night is put off
+till Monday. Many a Queen of Scots, from sixty to sixteen, has
+been ready to die of the fright. Adieu once more! I think I can
+have nothing more to say before the post goes out to-morrow.
+
+(295) The seat of the Duke of Manchester.-E.
+
+(296) Sister of the Duke of Manchester.-E.
+
+(297) Queen Catherine of Arragon, after her divorce from Henry
+the Eighth, resided some time in this castle, and died there in
+1536.-E.
+
+(298) The seat of the Earl of Sandwich.-E.
+
+(299) As opposing in every thing the Montagus.
+
+
+
+Letter 161 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, June 16, 1763. (page 225)
+
+I do not like your putting off your visit hither for so long.
+Indeed, by September the gallery will probably have all its fine
+clothes on, and by what have been tried, I think it will look
+very well. The fashion of the garments to be sure will be
+ancient, but I have given them an air that is very becoming.
+Princess Amelia was here last night While I was abroad; and if
+Margaret is not too much prejudiced by the guinea left, or by
+natural partiality to what servants call our house, I think was
+pleased, particularly with the chapel.
+
+As Mountain-George will not come to Mahomet-me, Mahomet-I Must
+come to Greatworth. Mr. Chute and I think of visiting you about
+the seventeenth of July, if you shall be at home, and nothing
+happens to derange our scheme; possibly we may call at Horton; we
+certainly shall proceed to Drayton, Burleigh, Fotheringay,
+Peterborough, and Ely; and shall like much of your company, all,
+or part of the tour. The only present proviso I have to make is
+the health of my niece who is at present much out of order, we
+think not breeding, and who was taken so ill on Monday, that I
+was forced to carry her suddenly to town, where I yesterday left
+her better at her father's.
+
+There has been a report that the new Lord Holland was dead at
+Paris, but I believe it is not true. I was very indifferent
+about it: eight months ago it had been lucky. I saw his jackall
+t'other night in the meadows, the secretary at war,(301) so
+emptily-important and distilling paragraphs of old news with such
+solemnity, that I did not know whether it was a man or the
+Utrecht gazette.
+
+(300) Admiral Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich; by Sir Peter Lely.
+In early life he was distinguished as a military commander under
+the parliamentary banner, and subsequently joint high-admiral of
+England; in which capacity, having had sufficient influence to
+induce the whole fleet to acknowledge the restored monarchy, he
+received the peerage as his reward. Having attained the highest
+renown as a naval officer, he fell in the great sea-fight with
+the Dutch, off Southwold-bay, on the 28th of May, 1672. Evelyn,
+in his diary of the 31st, gives the following high character of
+the Earl:--"Deplorable was the loss of that incomparable person,
+and my particular friend. He was learned in sea affairs, in
+politics, in mathematics, and in music: he had been on divers
+embassies, was of a sweet and obliging temper, sober, chaste,
+very ingenious, a true nobleman and ornament to the court and his
+prince; nor has he left any behind him who approach his many
+virtues."-E.
+
+(301) Welbore Ellis, Esq. afterwards Lord Mendip.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 162 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 1, 1763. (page 226)
+
+Mr. chute and I intend to be with you on the seventeenth or
+eighteenth; but as we are wandering swains, we do not drive one
+nail into one day of the almanack irremovably. Our first stage is
+to Bleckley, the parsonage of venerable Cole, the antiquarian of
+Cambridge. Bleckley lies by Fenny Stratford; now can you direct
+us how to make Horton(302) in our way from Stratford to
+Greatworth? If this meander engrosses more time than we propose,
+do not be disappointed, and think we shall not come, for we
+shall. The journey you must accept as a great sacrifice either
+to you or to my promise, for I quit the gallery almost in the
+critical minute of consummation. Gilders, carvers, upholsterers,
+and picture-cleaners are labouring at their several forges, and I
+do not love to trust a hammer or a brush without my own
+supervision. This will make my stay very short, but it is a
+greater compliment than a month would be at another season and
+yet I am not profuse of months. Well, but I begin to be ashamed
+of my magnificence; Strawberry is growing Sumptuous in its latter
+day; it will scarce be any longer like the fruit of its name, or
+the modesty of its ancient demeanour, both which seem to have
+been in spencer's prophetic eye when he sung of
+
+"The blushing strawberries
+Which lurk, close-shrouded from high-looking eyes,
+Showing that sweetness low and hidden lies."
+
+In truth, my collection was too great already to be lodged
+humbly; it has extended my walls, and pomp followed. It was a
+neat, small house; it now will be a comfortable one, and except
+for one fine apartment, does not deviate from its simplicity.
+Adieu! I know nothing about the world, and am only Strawberry's
+and yours, sincerely.
+
+(302) The seat of the Earl of Halifax.
+
+
+
+Letter 163 To Sir David Dalrymple.(303)
+Strawberry Hill, July 1, 1763. (page 227)
+
+Perhaps, sir, you have wondered that I have been
+so long silent about a scheme,(304) that called for despatch.
+The truth is I have had no success. Your whole
+plan has been communicated to Mr. Grenville by one whose heart
+went with it, going always with what is humane. Mr. Grenville
+mentions two objections; one, insuperable as to expedition; the
+other, totally so. No crown or public lands could be so disposed
+of without an act of parliament. In that case the scheme should
+be digested during a war, to take place at the conclusion, and
+cannot be adjusted in time for receiving the disbanded. But what
+is worse, he hints, Sir, that your good heart has only considered
+the practicability with regard to Scotland, where there are no
+poor's rates. Here every parish would object to such settlers.
+ This is the sum of his reply; I am not master
+enough of the subject or the nature of it, as to answer either
+difficulty. If you can, Sir, I am ready to continue the
+intermediate negotiator; but you must furnish me with answers to
+these obstacles, before I could hope to make any way even with
+any private person. In truth, I am little versed in the subject;
+which I own, not to excuse myself from pursuing it if it can be
+made feasible, but to prompt you, Sir, to instruct me. Except at
+this place, which cannot be called the country, I have scarce
+ever lived in the country, and am shamefully ignorant of the
+police and domestic laws of my own country. Zeal to do any good,
+I have; but I want to be tutored when the operation is at all
+complicated. Your knowledge, Sir, may supply my deficiencies; at
+least you are sure of a solicitor for your good intentions, in
+your, etc.
+
+(303) Now first collected.
+
+(304) See ant`e, p. 215, letter 154.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 164 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+
+Strawberry Hill, July 1, 1763. (page 228)
+
+
+Dear sir,
+As you have given me leave, I propose to pass a day with you,
+on my way to Mr. Montagu's. If you have no engagement, I will
+be with you on the 16th of this month, and if it is not
+inconvenient, and you will tell me truly whether it is or not,
+I shall bring my friend Mr. Chute with me, who is destined to
+the same place. I will beg you too to let me know how far it
+is to Bleckley, and what road I must take: that is, how far
+from London, or how far from Twickenham, and the road from
+each, as I am uncertain yet from which I shall set out. If any
+part of this proposal does not suit You, I trust you will own
+it, and I will take some other opportunity of calling on you,
+being most truly, dear Sir, etc.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 165 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, July 12, 1763. (page 228)
+
+Dear sir,
+Upon consulting maps and the knowing, I find it will be my best
+way to call on Mr. Montagu first, before I come to you, or I must
+go the same road twice. This will make it a few days later than
+I intended before I wait on you, and will leave you time to
+complete your hay-harvest, as I gladly embrace your offer of
+bearing me company on the tour I meditate to Burleigh, Drayton,
+Peterborough, Ely, and twenty other places, of all which you
+shall take as much or as little as you please. It will, I think,
+be Wednesday or Thursday se'nnight, before I wait on you, that is
+the 20th or 21st, and I fear I shall come alone; for Mr. Chute is
+confined with the gout: but you shall hear again before I set
+out. Remember I am to see Sir Kenelm Digby's.
+
+I thank you much for your informations. The Countess of
+Cumberland is an acquisition, and quite new to me. With the
+Countess of Kent I am acquainted since my last edition.
+
+Addison certainly changed sides in the epitaph to indicabit to
+avoid the jingle with dies: though it is possible that the
+thought may have been borrowed elsewhere. Adieu, Sir!
+
+To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+
+Dear sir,
+Wednesday is the day I propose waiting on you; what time of it
+the Lord and the roads know; so don't wait for me any part of it.
+If I should be violently pressed to stay a day longer at Mr.
+Montagu's I hope it will be no disappointment to you: but I love
+to be uncertain, rather than make myself expected and fail.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 166 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Stamford, Saturday night, July 23, 1763. (page 229)
+
+"Thus far arms have with success been crowned," bating a few
+mishaps, which will attend long marches like ours. We have
+conquered as many towns as Louis Quatorze in the campaign of
+seventy-two; that is, seen them, for he did little more, and into
+the bargain he had much better roads, and a dryer summer. It has
+rained perpetually till to-day, and made us experience the rich
+soil of Northamptonshire, which is a clay-pudding stuck full of
+villages. After we parted with you on Thursday, we saw Castle
+Ashby(305) and Easton MaudUit.(306) The first is most
+magnificently triste, and has all the formality of the Comptons.
+I should admire 'It if I could see out of it, or any thing in it,
+but there is scarce any furniture, and the bad little frames of
+glass exclude all objects. Easton is miserable enough; there are
+many modern portraits, and one I was glad to see of the Duchess
+of Shrewsbury. We lay at Wellingborough--pray never lie there--
+the beastliest inn upon earth is there! We were carried into a
+vast bedchamber, which I suppose is the club-room, for it stunk
+of tobacco like a justice of peace. I desired some boiling water
+for tea; they brought me a sugar dish of hot water in a pewter
+plate. Yesterday morning we went to Boughton,(307) where we were
+scarce landed, before the Cardigans, in a coach and six and three
+chaises, arrived with a cold dinner in their pockets, on their
+way to Deane; for as it is in dispute, they never reside at
+Boughton. This was most unlucky, that we should pitch on the
+only hour in the year in which they are there. I was so
+disconcerted, and so afraid, of falling foul of the Countess and
+her caprices, that I hurried from chamber to chamber, and scarce
+knew what I saw, but that the house is in the grand old French
+style, that gods and goddesses lived over my head in every room,
+and that there was nothing but pedigrees all around me, and under
+my feet, for there is literally a coat of arms at the end of
+every step of the stairs: did the Duke mean to pun, and intend
+this for the descent of the Montagus? Well! we hurried away and
+got to Drayton an hour before dinner. Oh! the dear old place!
+you would be transported with it. In the first place, it stands
+in as ugly a hole as Boughton: well! that is not its beauty. The
+front is a brave strong castle wall, embattled and loopholed for
+defence. Passing the great gate, you come to a sumptuous but
+narrow modern court, behind which rises the old mansion, all
+towers and turrets. The house is excellent; has a vast hall,
+ditto dining-room, king's chamber, trunk gallery at the top of
+the house, handsome chapel, and seven or eight distinct
+apartments, besides closets and conveniences without end. Then
+it is covered with portraits, crammed with old china, furnished
+richly, and not a rag in it under forty, fifty, or a thousand
+years old; but not a bed or chair that has lost a tooth, or got a
+gray hair, so well are they preserved. I rummaged it from head
+to foot, examined every spangled bed, and enamelled pair of
+bellows, for such there are; in short, I do not believe the old
+mansion was ever better pleased with an inhabitant, since the
+days of Walter de Drayton, except when it has received its divine
+old mistress.(308) If one could honour her more than one did
+before, it would be to see with what religion she keeps up the
+old dwelling and customs, as well as old servants, who you may
+imagine do not love her less than other people do. The garden is
+just as Sir John Germain brought it from Holland; pyramidal yews,
+treillages, and square cradle walks with windows clipped in them.
+Nobody was there but Mr. Beauclerc(309) and Lady Catharine,(310)
+and two parsons: the two first suffered us to ransack and do as
+we would, and the two last assisted us, informed us, and carried
+us to every tomb in the neighbourhood. I have got every
+circumstance by heart, and was pleased beyond my expectation,
+both with the place and the comfortable way of seeing it. We
+stayed here till after dinner to-day, and saw Fotheringhay in our
+way hither. The castle is totally ruined.(311) The mount, on
+which the keep stood, two door-cases, and a piece of the moat,
+are all the remains. Near it is a front and two projections of
+an ancient house, which, by the arms about it, I suppose was part
+of the palace of Richard and Cicely, Duke and Duchess of York.
+There are two pretty tombs for them and their uncle Duke of York
+in the church, erected by order of Queen Elizabeth. The church
+has been very fine, but is now intolerably shabby; yet many large
+saints remain in the windows, two entire, and all the heads well
+painted. You may imagine we were civil enough to the Queen of
+Scots, to feel a feel of pity for her, while we stood on the very
+spot where she was put to death; my companion,(312) I believe,
+who is a better royalist than I am, felt a little more. There, I
+have obeyed you. To-morrow we see Burleigh and Peterborough, and
+lie @t Ely; on Monday I hope to be in town, and on Tuesday I hope
+much more to be in the gallery at Strawberry Hill, and to find
+the gilders laying on the last leaf of gold. Good night!
+
+(305) A seat of the Earl of Northampton.
+
+(306) A seat of the Earl of Sussex.
+
+(307) The seat of Lord Montagu.
+
+(308) Lady Betty Germain.-E.
+
+(309) Aubrey Beauclerk, Esq. member for Thetford. He succeeded
+to the dukedom of St. Albans, as fifth Duke, in 1787, and died in
+1802.-E.
+
+(310) Lady Catharine Ponsonby, daughter of the Earl of
+Desborough.
+
+(311) James the First is said to have ordered it to be destroyed,
+in consequence of its having been the scene of the trial and
+execution of his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, beheaded there in
+February 1587.-E.
+
+(312) Mr. Cole.
+
+
+
+Letter 167 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Hockerill, Monday night, July 25, Vol. 2d. (page 231)
+
+You must know we were drowned on Saturday night. It rained, as
+it did at Greatworth on Wednesday, all night and all next
+morning, so we could not look even at the outside of Burleigh;
+but we saw the inside pleasantly; for Lord Exeter, whom I had
+prepared for our intentions, came to us, and made every door and
+every lock fly open, even of his magazines, yet unranged. He is
+going through the house by decrees, furnishing a room every year,
+and has already made several most sumptuous. One is a little
+tired of Carlo Maratti and Lucca Jordano, yet still these are
+treasures. The china and japan are of the finest; miniatures in
+plenty, and a shrine full of crystal vases, filigree, enamel,
+jewels, and the trinkets of taste, that have belonged to many a
+noble dame. In return for his civilities, I made my Lord Exeter
+a present of a glorious cabinet, whose drawers and sides are all
+painted by Rubens. This present you must know is his own, but he
+knew nothing of the hand or the value. Just so I have given Lady
+Betty Germain a very fine portrait, that I discovered ,at Drayton
+in the Woodhouse.
+
+I was not much pleased with Peterborough; the front is adorable,
+but the inside has no more beauty than consists in vastness. By
+the way, I have a pen and ink that will not form a letter. We
+were now sent to Huntingdon in our way to Ely, as we found it
+impracticable, from the rains and floods, to cross the country
+thither. We landed in the heart of the assizes, and almost in
+the middle of the races, both which, to the astonishment of the
+virtuosi, we eagerly quitted this morning. We were hence sent
+south to Cambridge, still on our way north to Ely: but when we
+got to Cambridge we were forced to abandon all thoughts of Ely,
+there being nothing but lamentable stories of inundations and
+escapes. However, I made myself amends at the university, which
+I have not seen these four-and-twenty years, and which revived
+many youthful scenes, which, merely from their being youthful,
+are forty times pleasanter than any other ideas. You know I
+always long to live at Oxford: I felt that I could like to live
+even at Cambridge again. The colleges are much cleaned and
+improved since my days, and the trees and groves more venerable;
+but the town is tumbling about their ears. We surprised Gray
+with our appearance, dined and drank tea with him, and are come
+hither within sight of land. I always find it worth my while to
+make journeys, for the joy I have in getting home again. A
+second adieu!
+
+
+
+
+Letter 168 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 8, 1763. (page 232)
+
+Dear sir,
+You judge rightly, I am very indifferent about Dr. Shorton, since
+he is not Dr. Shorter. It has done nothing but rain since my
+return; whoever wants hay, must fish for it; it is all drowned,
+or swimming about the country. I am glad our tour gave you so
+much pleasure; you was so very obliging, as you have always been
+to me, that I should have been grieved not to have had it give
+you satisfaction. I hope your servant is quite recovered.
+
+The painters and gilders quit my gallery this week, but I have
+not got a chair or a table for it yet; however, I hope it will
+have all its clothes on by the time you have promised me a visit.
+
+
+
+Letter 169 To Dr. Ducarel.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 8, 1763. (page 232)
+
+Sir,
+I have been rambling about the country, or should not so long
+have deferred to answer the favour of your letter. I thank you
+for the notices in it, and have profited of them. I am much
+obliged to you too for the drawings you intended me; but I have
+since had a letter from Mr. Churchill, and he does not mention
+them.
+
+
+
+Letter 170 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 9, 1763. (page 232)
+
+My gallery claims your promise; the painters and gilders finish
+to-morrow, and next day it washes its hands. You talked of the
+15th; shall I expect you then, and the Countess,(313) and the
+Contessina,(314) and the Baroness?(315)
+
+Lord Digby is to be married immediately to the pretty Miss
+Fielding; and Mr. Boothby, they say, to Lady Mary Douglas. What
+more news I know I cannot send you; for I have had it from Lady
+Denbigh and Lady Blandford, who have so confounded names,
+genders, and circumstances, that I am not sure whether Prince
+Ferdinand is not going to be married to the hereditary Prince.
+Adieu!
+
+P. S. If you want to know more of me, you may read a whole column
+of abuse upon me in the Public Ledger of Thursday last; where
+they inform me that the Scotch cannot be so sensible @as the
+English, because they have not such good writers. Alack! I am
+afraid the most sensible men in any country do not write.
+
+I had writ this last night. This morning I receive your paper of
+evasions, perfide que vous `etes! You may let it alone, you will
+never see any thing like my gallery--and then to ask me to leave
+it the instant it is finished! I never heard such a request in my
+days!--Why, all the earth is begging to come to see it: as Edging
+says, I have had offers enough from blue and green ribands to
+make me a falbala-apron. Then I have just refused to let Mrs.
+Keppel and her Bishop be in the house with me, because I expected
+all you--it is mighty well, mighty fine!-No, sir, no, I shall not
+come; nor am I in a humour to do any thing else you desire:
+indeed, without your provoking me, I should not have come into
+the proposal of paying Giardini. We have been duped and cheated
+every winter for these twenty years by the undertakers of
+operas, and I never will pay a farthing more till the last
+moment, nor can be terrified at their puffs; I am astonished you
+are. So far from frightening me. the kindest thing they could do
+would be not to let one have a box to hear their old threadbare
+voices and frippery thefts; and as for Giardini himself, I would
+not go cross the room to hear him play to eternity. I should
+think he could frighten nobody but Lady Bingley by a refusal.
+
+(313) Of Ailesbury.
+
+(314) Miss Anne Seymour Conway.
+
+(315) Elizabeth Rich, second wife of George Lord Lyttelton.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 171 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug 10, 1763. Page 233)
+
+My dear lord,
+I have waited in hopes that the world would do something worth
+telling you: it will not, and I cannot stay any longer without
+asking you how you do, and hoping you have not quite forgot me.
+It has rained such deluges, that I had some thoughts of turning
+my gallery into an ark, and began to pack up a pair of bantams, a
+pair of cats, in short, a pair of every living creature about my
+house: but it is grown fine at last, and the workmen quit my
+gallery to-day without hoisting a sail in it. I know nothing
+upon earth but what the ancient ladies in my neighbourhood knew
+threescore years ago; I write merely to pay you my pepper-corn of
+affection, and to inquire after my lady, who I hope is perfectly
+well. A longer letter would not have half the merit: a line in
+return will however repay all the merit I can possibly have to
+one to whom I am so much obliged.
+
+
+
+Letter 172 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 15, 1763. (page 233)
+
+The most important piece of news I have to tell you is, that the
+gallery is finished; that is, the workmen have quitted it. For
+chairs and tables, not one is arrived yet. Well, how you will
+tramp up and down in it! Methinks I wish you would. We are in
+the perfection of beauty; verdure itself was never green till
+this summer, thanks to the deluges of rain. Our complexion used
+to be mahogany in August. Nightingales and roses indeed are out
+of blow, but the season is celestial. I don't know whether we
+have not even had an earthquake to-day. Lady Buckingham, Lady
+Waldegrave, the Bishop of' Exeter, and Mrs. Keppel, and the
+little Hotham dined here; between six and seven we were sitting
+in the great parlour; I sat in the window looking at the river:
+on a sudden I saw it violently agitated, and, as it were, lifted
+up and down by a thousand hands. I called out, they all ran to
+the window; it continued; we hurried into the garden, and all saw
+the Thames in the same violent commotion for I suppose a hundred
+yards. We fancied at first there must be some barge rope; not
+one was in sight. It lasted in this manner, and at the farther
+end, towards Teddington, even to dashing. It did not cease
+before I got to the middle of the terrace, between the fence and
+the hill. Yet this is nothing: to what is to come. The Bishop
+and I walked down to my meadow by the river. At this end were
+two fishermen in a boat, but their backs had been turned to the
+agitation, and they had seen nothing. At the farther end of the
+field was a gentleman fishing, and a woman by him; I had
+perceived him on the same spot at the time of the motion of the
+waters, which was rather beyond where it was terminated. I now
+thought myself sure of a witness, and concluded he could not have
+recovered his surprise. I ran up to him. "Sir," said I, "did
+you see that strange agitation of the waters?" "When, Sir? when,
+Sir?" "Now, this very instant, not two minutes ago." He
+replied, with the phlegm of a philosopher, or of a man that can
+love fishing, "Stay, Sir, let me recollect if I remember nothing
+of it." "Pray, Sir," said I, scarce able to help laughing, "you
+must remember whether you remember it or not, for it is scarce
+over." "I am trying to recollect," said he, with the same
+coolness. "Why, Sir," said I, "six of us saw it from my parlour
+window yonder." "Perhaps," answered he, "you might perceive it
+better where you were, but I suppose it was an earthquake." His
+nymph had seen nothing neither, and so we returned as wise as
+most who inquire into natural phenomena. We expect to hear
+to-morrow that there has been an earthquake somewhere; unless
+this appearance portended a state-quake. You see, my impetuosity
+does not abate much; no, nor my youthfullity, which bears me out
+even at a sabat. I dined last week at Lady Blandford's, with
+her, the old Denbigh, the old Litchfield, and Methuselah knows
+who. I had stuck some sweet peas in my hair, was playing at
+quadrille, and singing to my sorci`eres. The Duchess of Argyle
+and Mrs. Young came in; you may guess how they stared; at last
+the Duchess asked what was the meaning of those flowers? "Lord,
+Madam," said I, "don't you know it is the fashion? The Duke of
+Bedford is come over with his hair full." Poor Mrs. Young took
+this in sober sadness, and has reported that the Duke of Bedford
+wears flowers. You will not know me less by a precipitation of
+this morning. Pitt and I were busy adjusting the gallery. Mr.
+Elliott came in and discomposed us; I was horridly tired of him.
+As he was going, he said, "Well, this house is so charming, I
+don't wonder at your being able to live so much alone." I, who
+shudder at the thought of any body's living With me, replied very
+innocently, but a little too quick, "No, only pity me when I
+don't live alone." Pitt was shocked, and said, "To be sure he
+will never forgive you as long as he lives." Mrs. Leneve used
+often to advise me never to begin being civil to people I did not
+care for: For," says she, "you grow weary of them, and can't help
+showing it, and so make it ten times worse than if you had never
+attempted to please them."
+
+I suppose you have read in the papers the massacre of my
+innocents. Every one of my Turkish sheep, that I have been
+nursing up these fourteen years, torn to pieces in one night by
+three strange dogs! They killed sixteen outright, and mangled
+the two others in such a manner that I was forced to have them
+knocked on the head. However, I bore this better than an
+interruption.
+
+I have scrawled and blotted this letter so I don't know whether
+you can read it; but it is no matter, for I perceive it is all
+about myself: but what has one else in the dead of summer? In
+return, tell me as much as you please about yourself, which you
+know is always a most welcome subject to me. One may preserve
+one's spirits with one's juniors, but I defy any body to care but
+about their contemporaries. One wants to linger about one's
+predecessors, but who has the least curiosity about their
+successors? This is abominable ingratitude: one takes wondrous
+pains to consign one's own memory to them at the same time that
+one feels the most perfect indifference to whatever relates to
+them themselves. Well, they will behave just so in their turns.
+Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 173 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 3, 1763. (page 235)
+
+I have but a minute's time for answering your letter; my house is
+full of people, and has been so from the instant I breakfasted,
+and more are coming; in short, I keep an inn; the sign, the
+Gothic Castle. Since my gallery was finished I have not been in
+it a quarter of an hour together; my whole time is passed in
+giving tickets for seeing it, and hiding myself while it is seen.
+Take my advice, never build a charming house for yourself between
+London and Hampton-court: every body will live in it but you. I
+fear you must give up all thoughts of the Vine for this year, at
+least for some time. The poor master is on the rack; I left him
+the day before yesterday in bed, where he had been ever since
+Monday, with the gout in both knees and one foot, and suffering
+martyrdom every night. I go to see him again on Monday. He has
+not had so bad a fit these four years, and he has probably the
+other foot still to come. You must come to me at least in the
+mean time, before he is well enough to receive you. After next
+Tuesday I am unengaged, except on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
+following; that is, the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth, when the
+family from Park-place are to be with me. Settle your motions,
+and let me know them as soon as you can, and give me as much time
+as you can spare. I flatter myself the General(316) and Lady
+Grandison will keep the kind promise they made me, and that I
+shall see your brother John and Mr. Miller too.
+
+My niece is not breeding. You shall have the auction books as
+soon as I can get them, though I question if there is any thing
+in your way; however, I shall see you long before the sale, and
+we will talk on it.
+
+There has been a revolution and a re-revolution, but I must defer
+the history till I see you, for it is much too big for a letter
+written in such a hurry as this. Adieu!
+
+(316) General Montagu, who, in the preceding February, had
+married the Countess-dowager of Grandison.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 174 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 7, 1763. (page 236)
+
+As I am sure the house of Conway will not stay with me beyond
+Monday next, I shall rejoice to see the house of Montagu this day
+se'nnight (Wednesday), and shall think myself highly honoured by
+a visit from Lady Beaulieu;(317) I know nobody that has better
+taste, and it would flatter me exceedingly if she should happen
+to like Strawberry. I knew you would be pleased with Mr. Thomas
+Pitt; he is very amiable and very sensible, and one of the very
+few that I reckon quite worthy of being at home at Strawberry.
+
+I have again been in town to see Mr. Chute; he thinks the worst
+over, yet he gets no sleep, and is still confined to his bed 'but
+his spirits keep up surprisingly. As to your gout, so far from
+pitying you, 'tis the best thing that can happen to you. All
+that claret and port are very kind to you, when they prefer the
+shape of lameness to that of apoplexies, or dropsies, or fevers,
+or pleurisies.
+
+Let me have a line certain what day I may expect your party, that
+I may pray to the sun to illuminate the cabinet. Adieu!
+
+(317) Isabella, eldest daughter and co-heir of John Duke of
+Montagu, and relict of William Duke of Manchester; married, in
+1763, to Edward Montagu, Lord Beaulieu.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 175 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 3, 1763. (page 236)
+
+
+I was just getting into my chaise to go to Park-place, when I
+received your commission for Mrs. Crosby's pictures; but I did
+not neglect it, though I might as well, for the old gentlewoman
+was a little whimsical, and though I sent my own gardener and
+farmer with my cart to fetch them on Friday, she would not
+deliver them, she said, till Monday; so this morning they were
+forced to go again. They are now all safely lodged in my
+cloister; when I say safely, you understand, that two of them
+have large holes in them, as witness this bill of lading signed
+by your aunt. There are eleven in all, besides Lord Halifax,
+seven half-lengths and four heads; the former are all desirable,
+and one of the latter; the three others woful. Mr. Wicks is now
+in the act of packing them, for we have changed our minds about
+sending them to London by water, as your wagoner told Louis last
+time I was at Greatworth, that if they were left at the Old Hat,
+near Acton, he would take them up and convey them to Greatworth;
+so my cart carries them thither, and they will set out towards
+you next Saturday.
+
+I felt shocked, as you did, to think how suddenly the prospect of
+joy at Osterly was dashed after our seeing it. However the young
+lover(318) died handsomely. Fifty thousand pounds will dry
+tears, that at most could be but two months old. His brother, I
+heard, has behaved still more handsomely, and confirmed the
+legacy, and added from himself the diamonds that had been
+prepared for her. Here is a charming wife ready for any body
+that likes a sentimental situation, a pretty woman, and a large
+fortune.(319)
+
+I have been often at Bulstrode from Chaffont, but I don't like
+it. It is Dutch and triste. The pictures you mention in the
+gallery would be curious if they knew one from another; but the
+names are lost, and they are only sure that they have so many
+pounds of ancestors in the lump. One or two of them indeed I
+know, as the Earl of Southampton, that was Lord Essex's friend.
+
+The works of Park-place go on bravely; the cottage will be very
+pretty, and the bridge sublime, composed of loose rocks, that
+will appear to have been tumbled together there the very wreck of
+the deluge. One stone is of fourteen hundred weight. It will be
+worth a hundred of Palladio's brigades, that are only fit to be
+used in an opera.
+
+I had a ridiculous adventure on my way hither. A Sir Thomas
+Reeves wrote to me last year, that he had a great quantity of
+heads of painters, drawn by himself from Dr. Mead's collection,
+of which many were English, and offered me the use of them. This
+was one of the numerous unknown correspondents which my books
+have drawn upon me. I put it off then, but being to pass near
+his door, for he lives but two miles from Maidenhead, I sent him
+word I would call on my way to Park-place. After being carried
+to three wrong houses, I was directed to a very ancient mansion,
+composed of timber, and looking as unlike modern habitations, as
+the picture of Penderel's house in Clarendon. The garden was
+overrun with weeds, and with difficulty we found a bell. Louis
+came riding back in great haste, and said, "Sir, the Gentleman is
+dead suddenly." You may imagine I was surprised; however, as an
+acquaintance I had never seen was an endurable misfortune, I was
+preparing to depart; but happening to ask some women, that were
+passing by the chaise, if they knew any circumstance of Sir
+Thomas's death, I discovered that this was not Sir Thomas's
+house, but belonged to a Mr. Mecke,(320) fellow of a college at
+Oxford, who was actually just dead, and that the antiquity itself
+had formerly been the residence of Nell Gwyn. Pray inquire after
+it the next time you are at Frocmore. I went on, and after a
+mistake or two more found Sir Thomas, a man about thirty in age,
+and twelve in understanding; his drawings very indifferent, even
+for the latter calculation. I did not know what to do or say,
+but commended them and his child, and his house; said I had all
+the heads, hoped I should see him at Twickenham, was afraid of
+being too late for dinner, and hurried out of his house before I
+had been there twenty minutes. It grieves one to receive
+civilities when one feels obliged, and yet finds it impossible to
+bear the people that bestow them.
+
+I have given my assembly, to show my gallery, and it was
+glorious; but happening to pitch upon the feast of tabernacles,
+none of my Jews could come, though Mrs. Clive proposed to them to
+change their religion; so I am forced to exhibit once more. For
+the morning spectators, the crowd augments instead of
+diminishing. It is really true that Lady Hertford called here
+t'other morning, and I was reduced to bring her by the back gate
+into the kitchen; the house was so full of company that came to
+see the gallery, that I had no where else to carry her. Adieu!
+
+P. S. I hope the least hint has never dropped from the Beaulieus
+of that terrible picture of Sir Charles Williams, that put me
+into such confusion the morning they breakfasted here. If they
+did observe the inscription, I am sure they must have seen too
+how it distressed me. Your collection of pictures is packed up,
+and makes two large cases and one smaller.
+
+My next assembly will be entertaining; there will be five
+countesses, two bishops, fourteen Jews, five papists, a doctor of
+physic, and an actress; not to mention Scotch, Irish, East and
+West Indians.
+
+I find that, to pack up your pictures, Louis has taken some paper
+out of a hamper of waste, into which I had cast some of the
+Conway papers, perhaps only as useless , however, if you find any
+such in the packing, be so good as to lay them by for me.
+
+(318) Francis Child, Esq. the banker at Temple-bar, and member
+for Bishop's-Castle, who died on the @3d of September. He was to
+have been married in a few days to the only daughter of the Hon.
+Robert Trevor Hampden, one of the postmasters-general.-E.
+
+(319) This young lady was married in the May following to Henri,
+twelfth Earl of Suffolk.-E.
+
+(320) The Rev. Mr. Mecke, of Pembroke College. He died on the
+26th of September.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 176 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 8, 1763. Page 239)
+
+Dear Sir,
+You are always obliging to me and always thinking Of me kindly;
+yet for once you have forgotten the way of obliging me most. You
+do not mention any thought of coming hither, which you had given
+me cause to hope about this time, I flatter myself nothing has
+intervened to deprive me of that visit. Lord Hertford goes to
+France the end of next week; I shall be in town to take leave of
+him; but after the 15th, that is, this day se'nnight, I shall be
+quite unengaged and the sooner I see you after the 15th, the
+better, for I should be sorry to drag you across the country in
+the badness of November roads.
+
+I shall treasure up your notices against my second edition for
+the volume of Engravers is printed off, and has been some time; I
+only wait for some of the plates. The book you mention I have
+not seen, nor do you encourage me to buy it. Some time or other
+however I will get you to let me turn it over.
+
+As I will trust that you will let me know soon when I shall have
+the pleasure of seeing you here, I will make this a very short
+letter indeed. I know nothing new or old worth telling you.
+
+
+
+Letter 177 To The Earl Of Hertford.(321)
+Arlington Street, Oct. 18, 1763. (page 239)
+
+My dear Lord,
+I am very impatient for a letter from Paris, to hear of your
+outset, and what my Lady Hertford thinks of the new world she is
+got into, and whether it is better or worse than she expected.
+Pray tell me all: I mean of that sort, for I have no curiosity
+about the family compact, nor the harbour of Dunkirk. It is your
+private history--your audiences, reception, comforts or
+distresses, your way of life, your company--that interests me; in
+short, I care about my cousins and friends, not, like Jack
+Harris,(322) about my lord ambassador. Consider you are in my
+power. You, by this time,
+are longing to hear from England, and depend upon me for the news
+of London. I shall not send you a tittle, if you are not very
+good, and do not (one of you, at least) write to me punctually.
+
+This letter, I confess, will not give you much encouragement, for
+I can absolutely tell you nothing. I dined at Mr. Grenville's
+to-day, if there had been any thing to hear, I should have heard
+it; but all consisted in what you will see in the papers--some
+diminutive(323) battles in America, and the death of the King of
+Poland,(324) which you probably knew before we did. The town is
+a desert; it is like a vast plain, which, though abandoned at
+present, is in three weeks to have a great battle fought upon it.
+One of the colonels, I hear, is to be in town tomorrow, the Duke
+of Devonshire. I came myself but this morning, but as I shall
+not return to Strawberry till the day after to-morrow, I shall
+not seal my letter till then. In the mean time, it is but fair
+to give you some more particular particulars of what I expect to
+know. For instance, of Monsieur de Nivernois's cordiality; of
+Madame Dusson's affection for England; of my Lord Holland's joy
+at seeing you in France, especially without your Secretary;(325)
+of all my Lady Hertford's(326) cousins at St. Germains; and I
+should not dislike a little anecdote or two of the late
+embassy,(327) of which I do not doubt you will hear plenty. I
+must trouble you with many
+compliments to Madame de Boufflers, and with still more to the
+Duchesse de Mirepoix,(328) who is always so good as to remember
+me. Her brother, Prince de Beauvau,(329) I doubt has forgotten
+me.
+In
+the disagreeableness of taking leave, I omitted these messages.
+Good night for to-night--OH! I forgot--pray send me some caff`e
+au lait: the Duc de Picquigny(33) (who by the way is somebody's
+son, as I thought) takes it for snuff; and says it is the new
+fashion at
+Paris; I suppose they drink rappee after dinner.
+
+Wednesday night.
+
+I might as well have finished last night; for I know nothing more
+than I did then, but that Lady mary Coke arrived this evening.
+She has behaved very honourably, and not stolen the hereditary
+Prince.(331)
+
+Mr. Bowman(332) called on me yesterday before I came, and left
+word that he would come again to-day, but did not. I wished to
+hear of you from him, and a little of my old acquaintance at
+Rheims. Did you find Lord Beauchamp(333) much grown? Are all
+your sons to be like those of the Amalekites? who were I forget
+how many cubits high.
+
+Pray remind Mr. Hume(334) Of collecting the whole history of the
+expulsion of the Jesuits. It is a subject worthy of his inquiry
+and pen. Adieu! my dear lord.
+
+(321) This is the first of the series of letters which Walpole
+addressed to his relation, the Earl of Hertford, during his
+lordship's embassy in Paris, in the years 1763, 1764, and 1765.
+The first edition of these letters appeared, in quarto, in 1825,
+edited by the Right Honourable John Wilson Croker, and contained
+the following introductory notice:--
+
+"No apology, it is presumed, is necessary for the following
+publication. The Letters of Mr. Walpole have already attained
+the highest rank in that department of English literature, and
+seem to deserve their popularity, whether they are regarded as
+objects of mere amusement, or as a collection of anecdotes
+illustrative of the politics, literature, and manners of an
+important and interesting period.
+
+"The following collection is composed of his letters to his
+cousin, the Earl of Hertford, while ambassador at Paris, from
+1763 to 1765;
+which seem, at least as much as those which have preceded them,
+deserving of the public attention.
+
+"It appears from some circumstances connected with the letters
+themselves, that Mr. Walpole wrote them in the intention and hope
+that they might be preserved; and although they are enlivened by
+his characteristic vivacity, and are not deficient in the lighter
+matters with which he was in the habit of amusing all his
+correspondents, they are, on the whole, written in a more careful
+style, and are employed on more important subjects than any
+others which have yet come to light.
+
+"Of the former collections, anecdote and chit-chat formed the
+principal topics, and politics were introduced Only as they
+happened to be the news of the day. Of the series now offered to
+the public, politics are the groundwork, and the town-talk is
+only the accidental embroidery.
+
+"Mr. Walpole's lately published Memoires have given proof of his
+ability in sketching parliamentary portraits and condensing
+parliamentary debates. In the following letters, powers of the
+same class will, it is thought, be recognised; and as the
+published parliamentary debates are extremely imperfect for the
+whole time to which this correspondence relates, Mr. Walpole's
+sketches are additionally valuable.
+
+"These letters also give a near view of the proceedings of
+political parties during that interesting period; and although
+the representation of so warm a partisan must be read with due
+caution, a great deal of authentic information on this subject
+will be found, and even the very errors of the writer will
+sometimes tend to elucidate the state of parties during one of
+the busiest periods of our domestic dissensions.
+
+"Mr. Walpole's party feelings were, indeed, so warm, and his
+judgment of individuals was so often affected by the political
+lights in which he viewed them, that the Editor has thought it
+due to many eminent political characters to add a few notes, to
+endeavour to explain the prejudices and to correct the
+misapprehensions under which Mr. Walpole wrote. In doing so, the
+Editor has, he hopes, shown (what he certainly felt) a perfect
+impartiality; and he flatters himself that he has only
+endeavoured to perform, (however imperfectly) what Mr. Walpole
+himself, after the heat of party had subsided, would have been
+inclined to do."--
+To the notes here spoken of, the letter C. is affixed.
+
+(322) John Harris, Esq. of Hayne, in Devonshire, who married
+Anne, Lord Hertford's eldest sister.-E.
+
+(323) The actions at Detroit and Edge Hill, on the 31st of July
+and 5th and 6th of August, between the British and the Indians.
+In the former the British were defeated, and their leader,
+Captain Ditlyell, killed; in the latter engagements, under
+Colonel Bouguet, they defeated the Indians.-C.
+
+(324) Stanislaus Augustus, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.
+He died at Dresden, on the 5th of October.-E.
+
+(325) Mr. Fox, so long a political leader in the House of
+Commons, had been lately created Lord Holland, and was now in
+Paris. Mr. Walpole insinuates, in his letter to Mr. Montagu of
+the 14th of April, that Lord Holland's visit to France arose from
+apprehension of personal danger to himself, in consequence of his
+share in Lord Bute's administration--an absurd insinuation! What
+is meant by his joy at seeing Lord Hertford in France is not
+clear; but the allusion to the secretary probably refers to the
+absence of Sir Charles, then Mr. Bunbury, who was nominated
+secretary to the embassy, but who had not accompanied Lord
+Hertford to Paris: as Mr.
+Bunbury had married Lady Holland's niece, there may have been
+family reason for this allusion.-C.
+
+(326) Lady Hertford was a granddaughter of Charles II., and
+therefore cousin to the pretender, who, however, was at this
+period in Italy; and the cousins alluded to were probably the
+family of Fitz-James.-C.
+
+(327) John, fourth Duke of Bedford, was Lord Hertford's
+predecessor. Mr. Walpole had been on terms of personal and
+political intimacy at Bedford-house; but political and private
+differences had occurred to sharpen his resentment against the
+Duke, and even occasionally against the Duchess of Bedford.-C.
+
+(328) The Mar`eschale de Mirepoix was a clever woman, who was at
+the head of one class of French society. She, however,
+quarrelled with her family, and lost the respect of the public by
+the meanness of countenancing Madame du Barri.-C.
+
+(329) Son of the Prince de Craon: he was born in 1720; served
+with great distinction from the earliest age, and was created, in
+1782, marshal of France. His conduct in discountenancing the
+favouritism of the last years of Louis XV. was very honourable,
+as was his devotion to Louis XVI. in the first years of the
+revolution. The marshal survived his unfortunate sovereign but
+three months.-C.
+
+(330) Son of the Duke de Chaulnes.-E.
+
+(331) The Hereditary Prince of Brunswick was at this time
+betrothed to the King's eldest sister; and Mr. Walpole, a
+constant friend and admirer of Lady Mary, affects to think that
+her beauty and vivacity might have seduced his Serene Highness
+from his royal bride. Lady Mary lived till 1810.-C.
+
+(332) This gentleman was travelling tutor to Lord Hertford's
+eldest son, and had been lately residing with him at Rheims.-C.
+
+(333) Francis, afterwards second Marquis of Hertford, who died in
+the year 1822.-E.
+
+(334) David Hume, the historian. He was at first private
+secretary to Lord Hertford, and afterwards secretary of
+embassy.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 178 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Nov. 12, 1763. (page 242)
+
+I send you the catalogue as you desired; and as I told you, you
+will, I think, find nothing to your purpose: the present lord
+bought all the furniture at Navestock;(335) the few now to be
+sold are the very fine ones of the best masters, and likely to go
+at vast prices, for there are several people determined to have
+some one thing that belonged to Lord Waldegrave. I did not get
+the catalogue till the night before last, too late to send by the
+post, for I had dined with Sir Richard Lyttelton at Richmond, and
+was forced to return by Kew-bridge, for the Thames was swelled so
+violently that the ferry could not work. I am here quite alone
+in the midst of a deluge, without Mrs. Noah, but with half as
+many animals. The waters are as much out as they were last year,
+when her vice-majesty of Ireland,(336) that now is sailed to
+Newmarket with both legs out at the fore glass, was here.
+Apropos, the Irish court goes on ill; they lost a question by
+forty the very first day
+on the address. The Irish, not being so absurd or so
+complimental as Mr. Allen, they would not suffer the word
+"adequate" to pass.(337) The prime minister is so unpopular that
+they think he must be sent back. His patent and Rigby's are
+called in question.
+You see the age is not favourable to prime ministers: well! I am
+going amidst it all, very unwillingly; I had rather stay here,
+for I am sick of the storms, that once loved them so cordially:
+over and above, I am not well; this is the third winter my
+nightly fever
+has returned; it comes like the bellman before Christmas, to put
+me in mind of my mortality.
+
+Sir Michael Foster(338) is dead, a Whig of the old rock: he is a
+greater loss to his country than the prim attorney-general,(339)
+who has resigned, or than the attorney's father, who is dying,
+will be.
+
+My gallery is still in such request, that, though the middle of
+November, I give out a ticket to-day for seeing it. I see little
+of it myself, for I cannot sit alone in such state; I should
+think myself like the mad Duchess of Albemarle,(340) who fancied
+herself Empress of China. Adieu!
+
+(335) In Essex, the seat of the Waldegraves.-E.
+
+(336) The Countess of Northumberland.-E.
+
+(337) To prevent the presentation of a more objectionable address
+from the corporation of Bath, in favour of the peace, Mr. Allen
+had secured the introduction of the word adequate, into the one
+agreed to; which gave such offence to Mr. Pitt that he refused to
+present it.-E.
+
+(338) One of the judges in the court of King's Bench.-E.
+
+(339) The Hon. Charles Yorke.
+
+(340) Widow of Christopher Duke of Albemarle, and daughter of the
+Duke of Newcastle.
+
+
+
+Letter 179 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 17, 1763. (page 243)
+
+If the winter keeps up to the vivacity of its d`ebut, you will
+have no reason to complain of the sterility of my letters. I do
+not say
+this from the spirit of the House of Commons on the first
+day,(341) which was the most fatiguing and dull debate I ever
+heard, dull as
+I have heard many; and yet for the first quarter of an hour it
+looked as if we were met to choose a King of Poland,(342) and
+that all our names ended in zsky. Wilkes, the night before, had
+presented himself at the Cockpit: as he was listening to the
+Speech,(343) George Selwyn said to him, in the words of the
+Dunciad, "May Heaven preserve the ears you lend!"(344) We lost
+four hours debating whether or not it was necessary to open the
+session with reading a bill. The opposite sides, at the same
+time, pushing to get the start, between the King's message, which
+Mr. Grenville stood at the bar to present, which was to acquaint
+us with the arrest of Wilkes and all that affair, and the
+complaint which Wilkes himself stood up to make. At six we
+divided on the question of reading a bill.(345) Young Thomas
+Townshend(346) divided the House injudiciously, as the question
+was so idle; yet the whole argument of the day had been so
+complicated with this question, that in effect it became the
+material question for trying
+forces. This will be an interesting part to you, when you hear
+that your brother(347) and I were in the minority. You know him,
+and therefore know he did what he thought right; and for me, my
+dear lord, you must know that I would die in the House for its
+privileges, and the liberty of the press. But come, don't be
+alarmed: this will have no Consequences. I don't think your
+brother is going into opposition; and for me, if I may name
+myself to your affection after him, nothing but a question of
+such magnitude can carry me to the House at all. I am sick of
+parties and factions, and leave them to buy and sell one another.
+Bless me! I had forgot the numbers; they were 300, we 111. We
+then went upon the King's message; heard the North Briton read;
+and Lord North,(348) who took the prosecution upon him and did it
+very well, moved to vote a scandalous libel, etc. tending to
+foment treasonable insurrections. Mr. Pitt gave up the paper,
+but fought against the last words of the censure. I say Mr.
+Pitt, for indeed,
+like Almanzor, he fought almost singly, and spoke forty times:
+the first time in the day with much wit, afterwards with little
+energy. He had a tough enemy too; I don't mean in parts or
+argument, but one that makes an excellent bulldog, the
+solicitor-general Norton.
+Legge was, as usual, concise; and Charles Townshend, what is not
+usual, silent. We sat till within a few minutes of two, after
+dividing again; we, our exact former number, 111; they, 273; and
+then we adjourned to go on the point of privilege the next day;
+but now
+
+"Listen, lordings, and hold you still;
+Of doughty deeds tell you I will."
+
+Martin,(349) in the debate, mentioned the North Briton, in which
+he himself had been so heavily abused; and he said, "whoever
+stabs a reputation in the dark, without setting his name, is a
+cowardly, malignant, and scandalous scoundrel." This, looking at
+Wilkes, he
+repeated twice, with such rage and violence, that he owned his
+passion obliged him to sit down. Wilkes bore this with the same
+indifference as he did all that passed in the day. The -House,
+too, who from Martin's choosing to take a public opportunity of
+resentment, when he had so long declined any private notice, and
+after Wilkes's courage was become so problematic, seemed to think
+there was no danger of such champions going further; but the next
+day, when we came into the House, the first thing we heard was
+that Martin had shot Wilkes: so he had; but Wilkes has six lives
+still good. It seems Wilkes had writ, to avow the paper, to
+Martin, on which the latter challenged him. They went into
+Hyde-park about noon; Humphrey Coates, the wine-merchant, waiting
+in a postchaise to convey Wilkes away if triumphant. They fired
+at the distance of
+fourteen yards: both missed. then Martin fired and lodged a ball
+in the side of Wilkes; who was going to return it, but dropped
+his pistol. He desired Martin to take care of securing himself,
+and assured him he would never say a word against him, and he
+allows that Martin behaved well. The wound yesterday was thought
+little more than a flesh-wound, and he was in his old spirits.
+To-day the account is worse, and he has been delirious: so you
+will think when
+you hear what is to come. I think, from the agitation his mind
+must be in, from his spirits, and from drinking, as I Suppose he
+will, that he probably will end here. He puts me in mind of two
+lines of Hudibras,(350) which, by the arrangement of the words
+combined with Wilkes's story, are stronger than Butler intended
+them:--
+
+"But he, that fights and runs away,
+May live to fight another day."
+
+His adventures with Lord Talbot,(351) Forbes,(352) and Martin,
+make these lines history.
+
+Now for part the second. On the first day, in your House, where
+the address was moved by Lord Hilsborough and Lord Suffolk, after
+some wrangling between Lord Temple, Lord Halifax, the Duke of
+Bedford, and Lord Gower; Lord Sandwich(353) laid before the House
+the most blasphemous and indecent poem that ever was composed,
+called "An Essay on Woman, With notes, by Dr. Warburton."', I
+will tell you none of the particulars: they were so exceedingly
+bad, that Lord Lyttelton begged the reading might be stopped.
+The House
+was amazed; nobody ventured even to ask a question: so it was
+easily voted every thing you please, and a breach of privilege
+into the bargain. Lord Sandwich then informed your Lordships,
+that Mr.
+Wilkes was the author. Fourteen copies alone were printed, one
+of which the ministry had bribed the printer to give up. Lord
+Temple then objected to the manner of obtaining it; and Bishop
+Warburton, as much shocked at infidelity as Lord Sandwich had
+been at obscenity, said, "the blackest fiends in hell would not
+keep company with Wilkes when he should arrive there." Lord
+Sandwich moved to vote Wilkes the author; but this Lord Mansfield
+stopped, advertising the House that it was necessary first to
+hear what Wilkes could say in his defence. To-day, therefore,
+Was appointed
+for that purpose; but it has been put off by Martin's lodging a
+caveat.(354) This bomb was certainly well conducted, and the
+secret, though known to many, well kept. The management is
+worthy of Lord Sandwich, and like him. It may sound odd for me,
+with my principles, to admire Lord Sandwich; but besides that he
+has in several instances been very obliging to me, there is a
+good humour and an industry about him that are very uncommon. I
+do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their
+way, one cannot help allowing them their due. Nobody but he
+could have struck a stroke like this.
+
+Yesterday we sat till eight on the address, which yet passed
+without a negative - we had two very long speeches from Mr. Pitt
+and Mr. Grenville; many fine parts in each. Mr. Pitt has given
+the latter some strong words, yet not so many as were
+expected.(355) To-morrow we go on the great question 'of
+privilege; but I must send this away, as we have no chance of
+leaving the House before midnight, if before next morning.
+
+This long letter contains the history of but two days; yet if two
+days furnish a history, it is not my fault. The ministry, I
+think, may do whatever they please. Three hundred, that will
+give up their own privileges, may be depended upon for giving up
+any thing else. I have not time or room to ask a question, or
+say a word more.
+
+Nov. 18, Friday.
+
+I have luckily got a holiday, and can continue my despatch, as
+you know dinner time is my chief hour of business. The Speaker,
+unlike Mr. Onslow, who was immortal in the chair, is taken very
+ill, and our House is adjourned to Monday. Wilkes is thought in
+great danger: instead of keeping him quiet, his friends have
+shown their zeal by him, and himself has been all spirits and
+riot, and sat in his bed the next morning to correct the press
+for to-morrow's North Briton. His bon-mots are all over the
+town, but too gross, I think, to repeat; the chief' are at the
+expense of poor Lord George.(356) Notwithstanding Lord
+Sandwich's masked battery, the tide runs violently for Wilkes,
+and I do not find people in general so inclined to excuse his
+lordship as I was. One hears nothing but
+stories of the latter's impiety, and of the concert he was In
+with Wilkes on that subject. Should this hero die, the Bishop of
+Gloucester may doom him whither he pleases, but Wilkes will pass
+for a saint and a martyr.
+
+Besides what I have mentioned, there were two or three passages
+in the House of Lords that were diverting. Lord Temple dwelled
+much on the Spanish ministry being devoted to France. Lord
+Halifax replied, "Can we help that? We can no more oblige the
+King of Spain to change his ministers, than his lordship can
+force his Majesty to change the present administration." Lord
+Gower, too, attacking Lord Temple on want of respect to the King,
+the Earl replied, "he never had wanted respect for the King: he
+and his family had been attached to the house of Hanover full as
+long as his lordship's family had."(357)
+
+You may imagine that little is talked of but Wilkes, and what
+relates to him. Indeed, I believe there is no other news, but
+that Sir George Warren marries Miss Bishop, the maid of honour.
+The Duchess Of Grafton is at Euston, and hopes to stay there till
+after Christmas. Operas do not begin till tomorrow se'nnight;
+but the Mingotti is to sing, and that contents me. I forgot to
+tell you, and you may Wonder at hearing nothing Of the Reverend
+Mr. Charles Pylades,(358) while Mr. John Orestes is making such a
+figure: but Dr. Pylades, the poet, has forsaken his consort and
+the Muses, and is gone off with a stonecutter's daughter.(359)
+If he should come and offer himself to you for chaplain to the
+embassy!
+
+The Countess of Harrington was extremely alarmed last Sunday,, on
+seeing the Duc de Prequigny enter her assembly: she forbade Lady
+Caroline(360) speaking to such a debauched young man, and
+communicated her fright to everybody. The Duchess of Bedford
+observed to me that as Lady Berkeley(361) and some other matrons
+of the same stamp were there, she thought there was no danger of
+any violence being committed. For my part, the sisters are so
+different, that I conclude my Lady Hertford has not found any
+young man in France wild enough for her. Your counterpart, M. de
+Guerchy, takes extremely. I have not yet seen his wife.
+
+I this minute receive your charming long letter of the 11th, and
+give you a thousand thanks for it. I wish next Tuesday was past,
+for Lady Hertford's sake. You may depend on my letting you know,
+if I hear the least rumour in your disfavour. I shall do so
+without your orders, for I could not bear to have you traduced
+and not advertise you to defend yourself. I have hitherto not
+heard a
+syllable; but the newspapers talk of your magnificence, and I
+approve extremely your intending to support their evidence; for
+though I do not think it necessary to scatter pearls and diamonds
+about the streets like their vice-majesties(362), of Ireland, one
+owes it to one's self and to the King's choice to prove it was
+well made.
+
+The colour given at Paris to Bunbury's(363) stay in England has
+been given out here too. You need not, I think, trouble yourself
+about that; a majority of three hundred will soon show, that if
+he was detained, the reason at least no longer subsists.
+
+Hamilton is certainly returning from Ireland. Lord
+Shannon's(364) son is going to marry the Speaker's daughter, and
+the Primate has begged to have the honour of Joining their hands.
+
+This letter is wofullv blotted and ill-written, yet I must say it
+is print compared to your lordship's. At first I thought you had
+forgot that you was not writing to the secretary of state, and
+had put it into cipher. Adieu! I am neither, dead of my fever
+nor apoplexy, nay, nor of the House of Commons. I rather think
+the violent heat of the latter did me good. Lady Ailesbury was
+at court yesterday, and benignly received;(365) a circumstance
+you will not dislike.
+
+P.S. If I have not told you all you want to know, interrogate me,
+and I will answer the next post.
+
+(341) Parliament met on the 15th of November. The public mind
+was at this moment in a considerable ferment, and the King's
+speech invited Parliament "to discourage that licentious spirit
+which is repugnant to the true principles of liberty and of this
+happy constitution." It was expected that these words would, from
+their being understood as a direct attack on Mr. Wilkes, have
+opened a debate on his question, which was then uppermost in
+every mind; but the opposition were unwilling to put themselves
+under the disadvantage of opposing the address and of excepting
+against words, which, in their general meaning were
+unexceptionable; they, therefore, had recourse to the proceedings
+so well described in this letter.-C.
+
+(342) He means, that parties were so violent that the members
+seemed inclined to come to blows.-C.
+
+(343) The King's speech, which is now read at the house of the
+minister, to a selection of the friends of government, was
+formerly read at the Cockpit, and all who chose attended.-C.
+
+(344) "Yet oh, my sons! a father's words attend;
+So may the Fates preserve the ears you lend."-E.
+
+(345) "As soon as the members were sworn at the table, Mr. Wilkes
+and Mr. Grenville then a chancellor of the exchequer, arose in
+their places, the first to make a complaint of a breach of
+privilege in having been imprisoned, etc.; and Mr. Grenville, to
+communicate to the House a message from the King, which related
+to the privileges of the House: the Speaker at the same time
+acquainted the House, that the clerk had prepared a bill, and
+submitted it to them, whether, in point of form, the reading of
+the bill should not be the first proceeding towards opening the
+session. A very long debate ensued, which of these three matters
+ought to have the precedence,, -and at last it was carried in
+favour of the bill." Hatsell's Precedents, vol. ii. p. 77.-E.
+
+(346) Afterwards Lord Sydney. The Townshends were supposed to be
+very unsteady, if not fickle, in their political conduct; a
+circumstance which gives point to Goldsmith's mention of this Mr.
+Townshend in his character of Burke:-
+
+"----yet straining his throat
+To persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote."-C.
+
+(347) Henry Seymour Conway, only brother of Lord Hertford, at
+this time a groom of the bedchamber, lieutenant-general in the
+army, and colonel of the first regiment of dragoons. He was, as
+we will see, in consequence of his opposition to government on
+these questions, dismissed both from court and his regiment: but
+he became, on a change of ministers in 1765, secretary of state;
+and in 1772 was promoted to be a general; and in 1793 a
+field-marshal.-C.
+
+(348) Lord North was at this time one of the junior lords of the
+treasury.-E.
+
+(349) Samuel Martin, Esq. Member for Camelford. He had been
+secretary of the treasury during the Duke of Newcastle's and Lord
+Bute's administration.-E.
+
+(350) These lines, and two others, usually appended to them--
+
+"He that is in battle slain
+Can never rise to fight again,"
+
+are not in Hudibras. Butler has the same thought in two lines--
+
+
+"For those that fly may fight again,
+Which he can never do that's slain."
+Par. iii. Cant. 3, 1. 243.-C.
+
+(351) At the coronation, Lord Talbot, as lord steward, appeared
+on horseback in Westminster-hall. His horse had been, at
+numerous rehearsals, so assiduously trained to perform what was
+thought the most difficult part of his duty, namely, the retiring
+backwards from the royal table, that, at the ceremony itself, no
+art of his rider could prevent the too docile animal from making
+his approaches to the royal presence tail foremost. This
+ridiculous incident, was the occasion of some sarcastic remarks
+in the North Briton, of the 21st August, which led to a
+correspondence between Lord Talbot and Mr. Wilkes, and ultimately
+to a duel in the garden of the Red Lion Inn, at Bagshot, Mr.
+Wilkes proposed that the parties should sup together that night,
+and fight next morning. Lord Talbot insisted on fighting
+immediately. This altercation, and some delay of Wilkes in
+writing papers, which (not expecting, he said, to take the field
+before morning) he had left unfinished, delayed the affair till
+dusk, and after the innocuous exchange of shots by moonlight, the
+parties shook hands, and supped together at the inn with a great
+deal of jollity.-C.
+
+(352) A young Scotch officer of the name of Forbes, fastened a
+quarrel on Mr. Wilkes, in Paris, for having written against
+Scotland, and insisted on his fighting him. Wilkes declined
+until he should have settled an engagement of the same nature
+which he had with Lord Egremont. Just at this time Lord Egremont
+died, and Wilkes immediately offered to meet Captain Forbes at
+Menin, in Flanders. By some mistake Forbes did not appear, and
+the affair blew over. A long controversy was kept up on the
+subject by partisans in the newspapers; but on the whole it is
+impossible to deny that Forbes's conduct was nasty and foolish,
+and that Wilkes behaved himself like a man of temper and
+honour.-C.
+
+(353) At this time secretary of state. " It is a great mercy,"
+says Lord Chesterfield, in a letter to his son, of the 3d of
+December, "that Mr. Wilkes, the intrepid defender of our rights
+and liberties, is out of danger; and it is no less a mercy, that
+God hath raised up the Earl of Sandwich, to vindicate true
+religion and morality. These two blessings will justly make an
+epocha in the annals affairs country."-E.
+
+(354) The Bishop of Gloucester, whose laborious commentaries on
+Pope's Essay on Man gave Wilkes the idea of fathering on him the
+notes on the Essay on Woman.-C.
+
+(355) Dr. Birch, in a letter to Lord Royston, gives the following
+account of what passed in the House of Lords on this occasion:-
+-"The session commenced with a complaint made by Lord Sandwich
+against Mr. Wilkes for a breach of privilege in being the author
+of a poem full of obscenity and blasphemy, intitled 'An Essay on
+Woman,' with notes, under the name of the Bishop of Gloucester.
+His letters, which discovered the piece was his, had been seized
+at Kearsley's the bookseller, when the latter was taken up for
+publishing No. 45 of the North Briton. Lord Temple and Lord
+Sandys objected to the reading letters, till the secretary of
+state's warrant, by which Kearsley had been arrested, had been
+produced and shown to be a legal act; but this objection being
+overruled, the Lords voted the Essay a most scandalous, obscene,
+and impious libel, and adjourned the farther consideration of the
+subject, as far as concerned the author, till the Thursday
+following."-E.
+
+Lord Barrington, in a letter to Sir Andrew Mitchell, gives the
+following account of Mr. Pitt's speech:--"He spoke with great
+ability, and the utmost degree of temper: he spoke civilly, and
+not unfairly, of the ministers; but of the King he said every
+thing which duty and affection could inspire. The effect of this
+was a vote for an address, nem. con. I think, if fifty thousand
+pounds had been given for that speech, it would have been well
+expended. It secures us a quiet session." See Chatham
+Correspondence, Vol. ii. p. 262.-E.
+
+(356) Probably Lord George Sackville, so disagreeably celebrated
+for his conduct at Minden; afterwards a peer, by the title of
+Lord Sackville, and secretary of state. In the North Briton
+which was in preparation when Wilkes was taken up, he advised
+that Lord George should carry the sword before the King at an
+intended thanksgiving. Of all the persons suspected of being the
+author of Junius, Lord George Sackville seems the most
+probable.-C. ["It is peculiarly hostile to the opinion in favour
+of Lord George, that Junius should roundly have accused him of
+want of courage." Woodfall's Junius, Vol. i. P. 161.]
+
+
+(357) Lord Gower had been reputed the head of the Jacobites. Sir
+C. H. Williams sneeringly calls him "Hanoverian Gower;" and when
+he accepted office from the house of Brunswick, all the Jacobites
+in England were mortified and enraged. Dr. Johnson, a steady
+Tory, was, when compiling his Dictionary, with difficulty
+persuaded not to add to his explanation of the word
+deserter--"Sometimes it is called a Go'er."-C. ["Talking," says
+Boswell, "upon this subject, Dr. Johnson mentioned to me a
+stronger instance of the predominance
+of his private feelings in the composition of this work than any
+now to be found in it: 'You know, Sir, Lord Gower forsook the old
+Jacobite interest: when I came to the word renegades after
+telling what it meant, one who deserts to the enemy, a revolter,
+I added, sometimes we Say a GOWER: thus it went to the press; but
+the printer had more wit than I, and struck it out.'" Croker's
+Boswell.]
+
+(358) Churchill the satirist and Wilkes; of whom Mr. Southey, in
+his Life of Cowper, relates the following anecdote:--"Churchill
+became Wilkes's coadjutor in the North Briton; and the
+publishers, when examined before the privy council on the
+publication of No. 45, having declared that Wilkes gave orders
+for the printing, and Churchill received the profits from the
+sale, orders were given for arresting Churchill under the general
+warrant. He was saved from arrest by Wilkes's presence of mind,
+who was in custody of the messenger when Churchill entered the
+room. 'Good morning, Thompson,' said Wilkes to him: 'how does
+Mrs. Thompson do? Does she dine in the country?' Churchill took
+the hint as readily as it had been given. He replied, that Mrs.
+Thompson was waiting for him, and that he only came for a moment,
+to ask him how he did. Then almost directly he took his leave,
+hastened home, secured his papers, retired into the Country, and
+eluded all search."-E.
+
+(359) Mr. Southey states, that "a fortnight had not elapsed
+before both parties were struck with sincere compunction, and
+through the intercession of a true friend, at their entreaty, the
+unhappy penitent was received by her father: it is said she would
+have proved worthy of this parental forgiveness, if an elder
+sister had not, by continual taunt,; and reproaches, rendered her
+life so miserable, that, in absolute despair, she threw herself
+upon Churchill for protection. Instead of making a just
+provision forher, which his means would have allowed, he received
+her as his mistress. If all his other writings were forgotten,
+the lines in which he expressed his compunction for his conduct
+would deserve always to be remembered--
+
+"Tis not the babbling of a busy world,
+Where praise and censure are at random hurl'd,
+Which can the meanest of my thoughts control,
+one settled purpose of my soul;
+Free and at large might their wild curses roam,
+If all, if all, alas! were well at home.
+No; 'tis the tale which angry conscience tells,
+When she, with more than tragic horror, swells
+Each circumstance of guilt; when stern, but true,
+She brings bad action.,; full into review,
+And, like the dread handwriting on the wall,
+Bids late remorse awake at reason's call;
+Arm'd at all points, bids scorpion vengeance pass,
+And to the mind holds up reflection's glass--
+The mind, which starting heaves the heartfelt groan,
+And hates that form she knows to be her own.'"-E.
+
+(360) Her eldest daughter, afterwards Viscountess Fortrose . she
+died in 1767, at the age of twenty.-E.
+
+(361) Elizabeth Drax, wife of Augustus, fourth Earl Berkeley; she
+had been lady of the bedchamber to the Princess-dowager.-E.
+
+(362) Hugh Earl, and afterwards Duke of Northumberland, and his
+lady, Elizabeth Seymour, only surviving child of Algernon Duke of
+Somerset, and heiress, by her grandmother, of the Percies.-E.
+
+
+(363) Sir Charles Bunbury, Bart. The reason evidently was, that
+he remained to vote in the House of Commons.-C.
+
+(364) Lord Boyle, eldest son of the first Earl of Shannon,
+married, in the following month, Catharine, eldest daughter of
+the Right Hon. John Ponsonby, Speaker of the Irish House of
+commons, by Lady Ellen Cavendish, second daughter of the third
+Duke of Devonshire. Lord Shannon, Mr. Ponsonby, and the Primate,
+Dr. George Stone, Archbishop of Armagh, were the ruling
+triumvirate of Ireland. They
+were four times declared lords justices of that kingdom. Some
+differences had, however, occurred between these great leaders,
+which Mr. Walpole insinuates that this marriage was likely to
+heal.-C.
+
+(365) the benignity of her reception at court is noticed because
+General Conway's late votes against the ministry might naturally
+have displeased the King, to whom he was groom of the
+bedchamber.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 180 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 20, 1763. (page 250)
+
+You are in the wrong; believe me you are in the wrong to stay in
+the country; London never was so entertaining since it had a
+steeple or a madhouse. Cowards fight duels; secretaries of state
+turn Methodists on the Tuesday, and are expelled the playhouse
+for blasphemy on Friday. I am not turned Methodist, but patriot,
+and what is more extraordinary, am not going to have a place.
+What is more wonderful still, Lord Hardwicke has made two of his
+sons resign their employments. I know my letter sounds as
+enigmatic as Merlin's almanack; but my events have really
+happened. I had almost persuaded myself like you to quit the
+world; thank my stars I did not. Why, I have done nothing but
+laugh since last Sunday; though on Tuesday I was one of a hundred
+and eleven, who were outvoted by three hundred; no laughing
+matter generally to a true patriot, whether he thinks his country
+undone or himself. Nay, I am still: more absurd; even for my
+dear country's sake I cannot bring myself to connect with Lord
+Hardwicke, or the Duke of Newcastle, though they are in the
+minority-an unprecedented case, not to love every body one
+despises, when they are of the same side. On the contrary, I
+fear I resembled a fond woman, and dote on the dear betrayer. In
+short, and to write something that you can understand, you know I
+have long had a partiality for your cousin Sandwich, who has
+out-Sandwiched himself. He has impeached
+Wilkes for a blasphemous poem, and has been expelled for
+blasphemy himself by the Beefsteak Club at Covent-garden. Wilkes
+has been shot by Martin, and instead of being burnt at an auto da
+fe, as the Bishop of Gloucester intended, is reverenced as a
+saint by the mob, and if he dies, I suppose, the people will
+squint themselves into convulsions at his tomb, in honour of his
+memory. Now is not this better than feeding one's birds and
+one's bantams, poring one's eyes out over old histories, not half
+so extraordinary as the present, or ambling to Squire Bencow's on
+one's padnag, and playing
+at cribbage with one's brother John and one's parson? Prithee
+come to town, and let us put off taking the veil for another
+year: besides by this time twelvemonth we are sure the world will
+be a year older in wickedness, and we shall have more matter for
+meditation. One would not leave it methinks till it comes to the
+worst, and that time cannot be many months off. In the mean
+time, I have bespoken a dagger, in case the circumstances should
+grow so classic as to make it becoming to kill oneself; however,
+though disposed to quit the world, as I have no mind to leave it
+entirely, I shall put off my death to the last minute, and do
+nothing rashly, till I see Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple place
+themselves in their curule chairs in St. James's-market, and
+resign their throats to the victors. I am determined to see them
+dead first, lest they should play me a trick, and be hobbling to
+Buckingham-house, while I am shivering and waiting for them on
+the banks of Lethe. Adieu! Yours, Horatius.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 181
+To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 25, 1763. (page 251)
+
+You tell me, my dear lord, in a letter I have this moment
+received from you, that you have had a comfortable one from me; I
+fear it was not the last: you will not have been fond of your
+brother's voting against the court. Since that, he has been told
+by different channels that they think of taking away regiments
+from opposers. He heard it, as he would the wind whistle: while
+in the shape of a threat, he treats it with contempt; if put into
+execution his scorn would subside into indifference. You know he
+has but one object--doing what is right; the rest may betide as
+it will. One or two of the ministers,(366) who are honest men,
+would, I have reason to believe, be heartily concerned to have
+such measures adopted; but they are not directors. The little
+favour they possess, and the desperateness of their situation
+oblige them to swallow many things they disapprove, and which
+ruin their character with the nation; while others, who have no
+character to lose, and whose situation is no less desperate, care
+not what inconveniences they bring on their master, nor what
+confusion on their country, in which they can never prosper,
+except when it is convulsed. The nation, indeed, seems
+thoroughly sensible of this truth. They are unpopular beyond
+conception: even of those that vote with them there are numbers
+that express their aversion without reserve. Indeed, on
+Wednesday, the 23d, this went farther: we were to debate the
+great point of privilege: Wilbraham(367)
+objected, that Wilkes was involved in it, and ought to be
+present. On this, though, as you see, a question of slight
+moment, fifty-seven left them at once: they were but 243 to
+166.(368) As we had sat, however, till eight at night, the
+debate was postponed to next day. Mr. Pitt, who had a fever and
+the gout, came on crutches, and wrapped in flannels: so he did
+yesterday, but was obliged to retire at ten at night, after
+making a speech of an hour and fifty minutes; the worst, I think,
+I ever heard him make in my life. For our parts, we sat till
+within ten minutes of two in the morning: yet we had but few
+speeches, all were so long. Hussey,(369) solicitor to the
+Princess of Wales, was against the court, and spoke with great
+spirit, and true Whig spirit. Charles Yorke(370) shone
+exceedingly. He had spoke and voted with us the night before;
+but now maintained his opinion against Pratt's.(371) It was a
+most able and learned performance, and the latter part, which was
+oratoric, uncommonly beautiful and eloquent. You find I don't
+let partiality to the Whig cause blind my judgment. That speech
+was certainly the masterpiece of the day. Norton would not have
+made a figure, even if Charles Yorke had not appeared; but giving
+way to his natural brutality, he got into an ugly scrape. Having
+so little delicacy or decency as to mention a cause in which he
+had prosecuted Sir John Rushout(372) (Who sat just under him) for
+perjury, the tough old knight (who had been honourably acquitted
+of the charge) gave the House an account of the affair; and then
+added, "I was assured the prosecution was set on foot by that
+Honest gentleman; I hope I don't Call him out of his name--and
+that it was in revenge for my having opposed him in an election."
+Norton denied the charge upon his honour, which did not seem to
+persuade every body. Immediately after this we had another
+episode. Rigby,(373) totally unprovoked either by any thing said
+or by the complexion of the day, which was grave and
+argumentative, fell Upon Lord Temple, and described his behaviour
+on the commitment of Wilkes. James Grenville,(374) who sat
+beside him, rose in all the acrimony of resentment: drew a very
+favourable picture of his brother, and then one of Rigby,
+conjuring up the bitterest words, epithet, and circumstances that
+he could amass together: told him how interested he was, and how
+ignorant: painted his Journey to Ireland to get a law-place, for
+which he was so unqualified; and concluded with affirming he had
+fled from thence to avoid the vengeance of the people. The
+passive Speaker suffered both painters to finish their words, and
+would have let them carry their colours and brushes into
+Hyde-park the next morning, if other people had not represented
+the necessity of demanding their paroles that it should go no
+farther. They were both unwilling to rise: Rigby did at last,
+and put an end to it with humour(375) and good-humour. The
+numbers were 258 to 133. The best speech of
+all those that were not spoken was Charles Townshend's.(376) He
+has for some time been informing the world that for the last
+three months he had constantly employed six clerks to search and
+transcribe records, journals, precedents, etc. The production of
+all this mountain of matter was a mouse, and that mouse
+stillborn: he has voted with us but never uttered a word.
+
+We shall now repose for some time; at least I am sure I shall.
+It has been hard service; and nothing but a Whig point of this
+magnitude could easily have carried me to the House at all, of
+which I have so long been sick. Wilkes will live, but is not
+likely to be in a situation to come forth for some time. The
+blasphemous book has fallen ten times heavier on Sandwich's own
+head than on Wilkes's: it has brought forth such a catalogue of
+anecdotes as is incredible! Lord Hardwicke fluctuates between
+life and death. Lord Effingham is dead suddenly, and Lord
+Cantelupe(377) has got his troop.
+
+These are all our news; I am glad yours go on so smoothly. I
+take care to do you justice at M. de Guerchy's for all the
+justice you do to France, and particularly to the house of
+Nivernois. D'Eon(378) is here still: I know nothing more of him
+but that the honour of having a hand in the peace overset his
+poor brain. This was evident on the fatal night(379) at Lord
+Halifax's: when they told him his behaviour was a breach of the
+peace, he was quite distracted, thinking it was the peace between
+his country and this.
+
+Our operas begin to-morrow. The Duchess of Grafton is come for a
+fortnight only. My compliments to the ambassadress, and all your
+court.
+
+(366) There is reason to think that at this moment Mr. Grenville
+and Lord Halifax were those to whom Mr. Walpole gave credit for
+honest intentions and a disposition to moderate and conciliate.
+This opinion, though probably correct, Walpole soon changed, as
+to Mr. Grenville.-C.
+
+(367) Randle Wilbraham, LL.D. a barrister, deputy steward of the
+University of Oxford, and member for Newton, in Lancashire.-E.
+
+(368) The question was, "That Privilege of Parliament does not
+extend to the case of writing and publishing seditious libels,
+nor ought to be allowed to obstruct the ordinary course of the
+laws in the speedy and effectual prosecution of so heinous and
+dangerous an offence."-C.
+
+(369) Richard Hussey, member for St. Mawes. He was counsel to
+the navy, as well as solicitor to the Queen, not, as Mr. Walpole
+says, to the Princess. He was afterwards her majesty's
+attorney-general.-C.
+
+(370) Charles Yorke, second son of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke. He
+had been attorney-general, but resigned on the 31st of October.
+He agreed with the ministry on the question of privilege, but
+differed from them on general warrants. This last difference may
+have accelerated his resignation; but the event itself had been
+determined on, ever since the failure of a negotiation which took
+place towards the end of the preceding August, through Mr. Pitt
+and Lord Hardwicke, to form a new administration on a Whig
+basis.-C.
+
+
+(371) Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, afterwards Lord Camden.
+He had discharged Wilkes out of confinement on the ground of
+privilege.-E.
+
+(372) Sir John Rushout, of Northwick, the fourth baronet. He had
+sat in ten Parliaments; in the three first for Malmsbury, and in
+the rest for Evesham. He had been a violent politician in Sir
+Robert Walpole's administration. See vol. i. p. 222, letter
+53.-E.
+
+(373) The Right Hon. Richard Rigby, master of the rolls in
+Ireland, afterwards paymaster of the forces; a statesman of the
+second class, and a bon vivant of the first. Mr. Rigby was at one
+time a chief friend and favourite of Mr. Walpole's, but became
+involved in Mr. Walpole's dislike to the Duke of Bedford, to whom
+Mr. Rigby was sincerely and constantly attached, and over whom he
+was supposed to have great influence.-C.
+
+(374) Fourth brother of Lord Temple and Mr. George Grenville;
+father of Lord Glastonbury.-E.
+
+(375) Lady Suffolk, in a letter to the Earl of Buckingham, of the
+29th of November, says, "Jemmy Grenville and Mr. Rigby were
+ so violent against each other, one in his manner of treating
+Lord Temple, who was in the House, and the brother in his
+justification of his brother, that the House was obliged to
+interfere to prevent mischief. Lord Temple comes to me; but
+politics is the bane of friendship, and when personal resentments
+join, the man becomes another creature."-E.
+
+(376) As Mr. Walpole seems to impute Mr. Charles Townshend's
+silence on the question of privilege to fickleness, or some worse
+cause, it is but just to state that he never quite approved that
+question. This will be seen from the following extract from some
+of his confidential letters to Dr. Brocklesby, written two months
+before Parliament met:--"You know I never approved of No. 45, or
+engaged in any of the consequential measures. As to the question
+of privilege, it is an intricate matter; The authorities are
+contradictory, and the distinctions to be reasonably made on the
+precedents are plausible and endless." Mr. Townshend gave a good
+deal of further consideration to the subject, and his silence in
+the debate only proves that his first impressions were confirmed.
+Mr. Burke's beautiful, but, perhaps, too favourable character of
+Charles Townshend will immortalize the writer and the subject.-C.
+
+(377) John, afterwards second Earl of Delawarr, vice-chamberlain
+to the Queen.-E.
+
+(378) This singular person had been secretary to the Duke de
+Nivernois's embassy, and in the interval between that
+ambassador's departure and the arrival of M. de Guerchy, the
+French mission to our court devolved upon him. This honour, as
+Mr. Walpole intimates, seems to have turned his head, and he was
+so absurdly exasperated at being superseded by M. de Guerchy,
+that he refused to deliver his letters of recall, set his court
+at defiance, and published a volume of libels on M. de Guerchy
+and the French ministers. As he persisted in withholding the
+letters of recall, the two courts were obliged to notify in the
+London Gazette that his mission was at an end; and the French
+government desired that he be given up to them. This, of course,
+could not be done: but he was proceeded against by criminal
+information, and finally convicted of the libels against M. de
+Guerchy. D'Eon asserted, that the French ministry had a design
+to carry him off privately; and it has been said that he was
+apprised of this scheme by Louis XV. who, it seems, had
+entertained some kind of secret and extra- official communication
+with this adventurer. He afterwards continued in obscurity until
+1777, when the public was astonished by the trial of an action
+before Lord Mansfield, for money lost on
+a wager respecting his sex. On that trial it seemed proved
+beyond all doubt, that the person was a female. Proceedings in
+the Parliament of Paris had a similar result, and the soldier and
+the minister was condemned to wear woman's attire, which d'Eon
+did for many years. He emigrated at the revolution, and died in
+London in May, 1810. On examination, after death, the body
+proved to be that of a male. This circumstance, attested by the
+most respectable authorities, is so strongly it variance with all
+the former evidence, that the French biographers have been
+induced to doubt whether the original Chevalier D'Eon and the
+person who died in 1810 were the same, and they even endeavour to
+show that the real person, the Chevali`ere, as they term it, died
+in 1790; but we cannot admit this solution of the difficulty, for
+one, at least, of the surgeons who examined the body in 1810, had
+known D'Eon in his habiliments, and he had for ten years lived
+unquestioned under the name of D'Eon.-C.
+
+(379) On the 26th of October, D'Eon, meeting M. de Guerchy and a
+M. de Vergy at Lord Halifax's, in Great George-street, burst out
+into such violence on some observation made by De Vergy, that it
+became necessary to call in the guard. His whole behaviour in
+this affair looks like insanity.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 182 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 2, 1763. (page 254)
+
+I have been expecting a letter all day, as Friday is the day I
+have generally received a letter from you, but it is not yet
+arrived and I begin mine without it. M. de Guerchy has given us
+a prosperous account of my Lady Hertford's audience still I am
+impatient to hear it from yourselves. I want to know, too, what
+you say to your brother's being in the minority. I have already
+told you that unless they use him ill, I do not think him likely
+to take any warm part. With regard to dismission of officers, I
+hear no more of it: such a violent step would but spread the
+flames. which are already fierce enough. I will give you an
+instance: last' Saturday, Lord Cornwallis(380) and Lord
+Allen,(381) came drunk to the Opera: the former went up to Rigby
+in the pit, and told him in direct words that Lord Sandwich was a
+pickpocket. Then Lord Allen, with looks and gestures no less
+expressive, advanced close to him, and repeating this again in
+the passage, would have provoked a quarrel, if George West(382)
+had not carried him away by force. Lord (Cornwallis, the next
+morning in Hyde-park, made an apology to Rigby for his behaviour,
+but the rest of the world is not so complaisant. His pride,
+insolence, and over-bearingness, have made him so many enemies,
+that they are glad to tear him to pieces for his attack on Lord
+Temple, so unprovoked, and so poorly performed. It was well that
+with his spirit and warmth he had the sense not to resent the
+behaviour of those two drunken young fellows.
+
+On Tuesday your Lordship's House sat till ten at night, on the
+resolutions we had communicated to you; and you agreed to them by
+114 to 35: a puny minority indeed, considering of what great
+names it was composed! Even the Duke of Cumberland voted in it;
+but Mr. Yorke's speech in our House, and Lord Mansfield's in
+yours, for two hours, carried away many of the opposition,
+particularly Lord Lyttelton, and the greater part of the Duke of
+Newcastle's Bishops.(383) The Duke of Grafton is much commended.
+The Duke of Portland commenced, but was too much frightened.
+There was no warmth nor event; but Lord Shelburne, who they say
+spoke well, and against the court, and as his friends had voted
+in our House, has produced one, the great Mr. Calcraft(384) being
+turned out yesterday, from some muster-mastership; I don't know
+what. Lord Sandwich is canvassing to succeed Lord
+Hardwicke, as High Steward of Cambridge; another egg of
+animosity. We shall, however, I believe, be tolerably quiet till
+after Christmas, as Mr. Wilkes Will not be able to act before the
+holidays. I rejoice at it: I am heartily sick of all this folly,
+and shall be glad to get to Strawberry again, and hear nothing of
+it. The ministry have bought off Lord Clive(385) with a bribe
+that would frighten the King of France himself: they have given
+him back his 25,000 a year.
+Walsh(386) has behaved nobly: he said he could not in conscience
+vote with the administration, and would not Vote against Lord
+Clive, who chose him: he has therefore offered to resign his
+seat. Lady Augusta's(387) fortune was to be voted to-day and
+Lord Strange talked of opposing it; but I had not the curiosity
+to go down. This is all our politics, and indeed all our news;
+we have none of any other kind. So far you will not regret
+England. For my part, I wish myself with you. Being perfectly
+indifferent who is minister and Who is not, and weary of
+laughing(388) at both, I shall take hold of the first spring to
+make you my visit.
+
+Our operas do not succeed. Girardini, now become minister and
+having no exchequer to buy an audience, is grown unpopular. The
+Mingotti, whom he has forced upon the town, is as much disliked
+as if he had insisted on her being first lord of the treasury.
+The first man, though with sweet notes, has so weak a voice that
+he might as well hold his tongue like Charles Townshend. The
+figurantes are very pretty, but can dance no more than Tommy
+Pelham.(389) The first man dancer is handsome, well made, and
+strong enough to make his fortune any where: but you know,
+fortunes made in private are seldom agreeable to the public.(390)
+In short, it will not do; there was not a soul in the pit the
+second night.
+
+Lady Mary Coke has received her gown by the Prince de Masseran,
+and is exceedingly obliged to you, though much disappointed; this
+being a slight gown made up, and not the one she expected, which
+is a fine one bought for her by Lady Holland,(391) and which you
+must send somehow or other: if you cannot, you must despatch an
+ambassador on purpose. I dined with the Prince de Masseran, at
+Guerchy's, the day after his arrival; and if faces speak truth,
+he will not be our ruin. Oh! but there is a ten times more
+delightful man--the Austrian minister:(392) he is so stiff and
+upright, that you would think all his mistress's diadems were
+upon his head, and that he was afraid of their dropping off.
+
+I know so little of Irish politics, that I am afraid of
+misinforming you: but I hear that Hamilton, who has come off with
+honour in a squabble with Lord Newton,(393) about the latter's
+wife, speaks and votes with the opposition against the
+Castle.(394) I don't know the meaning of it, nor, except it had
+been to tell you, should I have remembered it.
+
+Well! your letter will not come, and I must send away mine.
+Remember, the holidays are coming, and that I shall be a good
+deal out of town. I have been charming hitherto, but I cannot
+make brick without straw. Encore, you are almost the only person
+I ever write a line to. I grow so old and so indolent that I
+hate the sight of a pen and ink.
+
+(380) Charles, first Marquis of Cornwallis: born in 1738,
+succeeded his father, the first Earl, in 1762, and died in India
+in 1805.-E.
+
+(381) Joshua, fifth Viscount Allen, of Ireland, born in 1738.-E.
+
+(382) George, second son of the first Earl of Delawarr.-E.
+
+(383) Bishops made during the Duke of Newcastle's administration,
+and who were therefore supposed likely to be of his opinion. The
+Duke of Newcastle after being nearly half a century in office,
+was now in opposition.-C.
+
+(384) John Calcraft, Esq. was deputy commissary-general of
+musters: he was particularly attached to Mr. Fox; which is,
+perhaps, one reason why Mr. Walpole, who had now quarrelled with
+Mr. Fox, speaks so slightingly of Mr. Calcraft.-C.
+
+(385) Robert Clive, who, for his extraordinary services and
+success in India, was, at the age of thirty-five, created an
+Irish peer. It was of him that Mr. Pitt said, that he was "a
+heaven-born general, who without any experience in military
+affairs, had surpassed all the officers of his time." The wealth
+which this great man accumulated in India was, during his whole
+subsequent life, a subject of popular jealousy and party
+attack.-C.
+
+(386) John Walsh, Esq. member for Worcester.-E.
+
+(387) Princess Augusta, eldest sister of George III.; married in
+January 1764 to the Duke of Brunswick, killed at Jena, in 1806.
+Her Royal Highness died in London in 1810.-E.
+
+(388) Mr. Walpole affected indifference to politics, but the tone
+of his correspondence does not quite justify the expression of
+laughing at either party; he was warmly interested in the one,
+and bitterly hostile to the other, and for a considerable period
+took a deep and active interest in political party.-C.
+
+(389) Thomas Pelham, member for Sussex, afterwards comptroller of
+the household, and first Earl of Chichester.-E.
+
+(390) The reader will observe, in this description of the Opera,
+an amusing allusion to public affairs; the last sentence refers,
+no doubt, to Lord Bute.-C.
+
+(391) Lady Georgina Caroline Lenox, eldest daughter of Charles,
+second Duke of Richmond. She had been, in 1762, created Baroness
+Holland in her own right.-C.
+
+(392) Probably the Count de Seleirn, minister from the
+Empress-Queen, Maria Theresa.
+
+(393) Brinsley Lord Newton, afterwards second Earl of
+Lanesborough, married Lady Jane Rochfort, eldest daughter of the
+first Earl of Belvidere. In the affair here alluded to Lord
+Newton exhibited at first an extreme jealousy, and subsequently
+what was thought an extreme facility in admitting Mr. hamilton's
+exculpatory assurances.-C.
+
+(394) This is not quite true; but Mr. Hamilton was on very bad
+terms with the Lord Lieutenant, and certainly did not take that
+prominent part in the House of Commons of Ireland which his
+station as chief secretary seemed to require,.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 183 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 6, 1763. (page 256)
+
+Dear sir,
+According to custom I am excessively obliged to you: you are
+continually giving me proofs of your kindness. I have now three
+packets to thank you for, full of information, and have only
+lamented the trouble you have given yourself.
+
+I am glad for the tomb's sake and my own, that Sir Giles
+Allington's monument is restored. The draught you have sent is
+very perfect. The account of your ancestor Tuer(395) shall not
+be forgotten in my next edition. The pedigree of Allington I had
+from Collins before his death, but I think not as perfect as
+yours. You have made one little slip in it: my mother was
+granddaughter, not daughter of Sir John Shorter, and was not
+heiress, having three brothers, who all died after her, and we
+only quarter the arms of Shorter, which I fancy occasioned the
+mistake, by their leaving no children. The verses by Sir Edward
+Walpole, and the translation by Bland, are published in my
+description of Houghton.
+
+I am come late from the House of Lords, and am just going to the
+Opera; so you will excuse me saying more than that I have a print
+of Archbishop Hutton for you (it @is Dr. Ducarel's), and a
+little plate of Strawberry; but I do not send them by the post,
+as it would crease them: if you will tell me how to convey them
+otherwise, I will. I repeat many thanks to you.
+
+(395) Herbert Tuer, the painter. After the death of Charles 1.
+he withdrew into Holland, and it is believed that he died at
+Utrecht.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 184 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Friday, Dec. 9, 1763. (page 257)
+
+Your brother has sent you such a full account of his transaction
+with Mr. Grenville(396) that it is not necessary for me to add a
+syllable, except, what your brother will not have said himself,
+that he has acted as usual with the strictest honour and
+firmness, and has turned this negotiation entirely to his own
+credit. He has learned the ill wishes of his enemies, and what
+is more, knows who they are: he has laughed at them, and found at
+last that their malice was much bigger than their power. Mr.
+Grenville, as you would wish, has proved how much he disliked the
+violence of his associates, as I trust he will, whenever he has
+an opportunity, and has at last contented himself with so little
+or nothing, that I am sure you will feel yourself obliged to him.
+For the measure itself, of turning out the officers in general
+who oppose, it has been much pressed, and what is still sillier,
+openly threatened by one set; but they dare not do it, and having
+notified it without effect, are ridiculed by the whole town, as
+well as by the persons threatened, particularly by Lord
+Albermarle, who has treated their menaces with the utmost
+contempt and spirit. This mighty storm, like another I shall
+tell you of, has vented itself on Lord Shelburne and Colonel
+Barr`e,(397) who were yesterday turned out; the first from
+aide-de-camp to the King, the latter from adjutant-general and
+governor of Stirling. Campbell,(398) to Whom it was promised
+before, has got the last; Ned Harvey,(399) the
+former. My present expectation is an oration from Barr`e(400 in
+honour of Mr. Pitt; for those are scenes that make the world so
+entertaining. After that, I shall demand a satire on Mr. Pitt,
+from Mr. Wilkes; and I do not believe I shall be balked, for
+Wilkes has already expressed his resentment on being given up by
+Pitt, who, says Wilkes, ought to be expelled for an
+impostor.(401) I do not know whether the Duke of Newcastle does
+not expect a palinodia from me(402) T'other morning at the Duke's
+lev`ee he embraced me,
+and hoped I would come and eat a bit of Sussex mutton With him.
+I had such difficulty to avoid laughing in his face that I got
+from him as fast as I could. Do you think me very likely to
+forget that I have been laughing at him these twenty years?
+
+Well! but we have had a prodigious riot: are not you impatient to
+know the particulars? It was so prodigious a tumult, that I
+verily thought half the administration would have run away to
+Harrowgate. The north Briton was ordered to be burned by the
+hangman at Cheapside, on Saturday last. The mob rose; the
+greatest mob, says Mr. Sheriff Blunt, that he has known in forty
+years. They were armed with that most bloody instrument, the mud
+out of the kennels: they hissed in the most murderous manner:
+broke Mr. Sheriff Harley's coach-glass in the most frangent
+manner; scratched his forehead, so that he is forced to wear a
+little patch in the most becoming manner; and obliged the hangman
+to burn the paper with a link, though fagots were prepared to
+execute it in a more solemn manner. Numbers of gentlemen, from
+windows and balconies, encouraged the mob, who, in about an hour
+and a half, were so undutiful to the ministry, as to retire
+without doing any mischief, or giving Mr. Carteret Webb(403) the
+opportunity of a single information, except against an ignorant
+lad, who had been in town but ten days.
+
+This terrible uproar has employed us four days. The sheriffs
+were called before your House on Monday, and made their
+narrative. My brother Cholmondeley,(404) in the most pathetic
+manner, and suitably to the occasion, recommended it to your
+lordships, to search for precedents of what he believed never
+happened since the world began. Lord Egmont,(405) who knows of a
+plot, which he keeps to himself, though It has been carrying on
+these twenty years, thought more vigorous measures ought to be
+taken on such a crisis, and moved to summon the mistress of the
+Union Coffee-house. The Duke of Bedford thought all this but
+piddling, and at once attacked Lord Mayor, common council, and
+charter of the city, whom, if he had been supported, I believe he
+would have ordered to be all burned by the hangman next Saturday.
+Unfortunately for such national justice, Lord Mansfield, who
+delights in every opportunity of exposing and mortifying the Duke
+of Bedford, and Sandwich, interposed for the magistracy of
+London, and after much squabbling, saved them from immediate
+execution. The Duke of Grafton, with infinite shrewdness and
+coolness, drew from the witnesses that the whole mob was of one
+mind; and the day ended in a vote of general
+censure on the rioters. This was communicated to us at a
+conference, and yesterday we acted the same farce; when Rigby
+trying to revive the imputation on the Lord Mayor, etc. (who, by
+the by, did sit most tranquilly at Guildhall during the whole
+tumult) the ministry disavowed and abandoned him to a man,
+vindicating the magistracy, and plainly discovering their own
+fear and awe of the city, who feel the insult, and will from
+hence feel their own strength. In short, to finish this foolish
+story, I never saw a transaction in which appeared so little
+parts, abilities, or conduct; nor do I think there can be any
+thing weaker than the administration except it is the opposition:
+but an opposition, bedrid and tonguetied, is a most ridiculous
+body. Mr. Pitt is laid up with the gout; Lord Hardwicke, though
+much relieved by a quack medicine, is still very ill; and Mr.
+Charles Townshend is as silent as my Lord Abercorn(406--that they
+too should ever be alike!
+
+
+This is not all our political news; Wilkes is an inexhaustible
+fund: on Monday was heard, in the common Pleas, his suit against
+Mr. Wood,(407) when, after a trial of fourteen hours, the jury
+gave him damages of one thousand pounds; but this was not the
+heaviest part of the blow. The Solicitor-general(408) tried to
+prove Wilkes author of the North Briton, and failed in the proof.
+You may judge how much this miscarriage adds to the defeat.
+Wilkes is not yet out of danger: they think there is still a
+piece of coat or lining to come Out of the wound. The campaign
+is over for the present, and the troops going into country
+quarters. In the mean time, the house of Hamilton has supplied
+us with new matter of talk. My lord was robbed about three
+o'clock in the night between Saturday and Sunday, of money,
+bills, watches, and snuff-boxes, to the amount of three thousand
+pounds. Nothing is yet discovered, but that the
+guard in the stable yard saw a man in a great coat and white
+stockings come from thereabouts, at the time I have named. The
+servants have all been examined over and over to no purpose.
+Fielding(409) is all day in the house, and a guard of his at
+night. The bureau in my lord's dressing-room (the little red
+room where the pictures are) was forced open. I fear you can
+guess who was at first suspected.(410)
+
+
+I have received yours, my dear lord, of Nov. 30th, and am pleased
+that my Lady Hertford is so well reconciled to her ministry. You
+forgot to give me an account of her audience, but I have heard of
+the Queen's good-natured attention to her.
+
+The anecdotes about Lord Sandwich are numerous; but I do not
+repeat them to you, because I know nothing how true they are, and
+because he has, in several instances, been very obliging to me,
+and I have no reason to abuse him. Lord Hardwicke's illness, I
+think, is a rupture and consequences.
+
+I hope to hear that your little boy is recovered. Adieu! I have
+filled my gazette, and exhausted my memory. I am glad such
+gazettes please you - I can have no other excuse for sending such
+tittle-tattle.
+
+(396) This transaction was an endeavour on the part of Mr.
+Grenville to obtain from General Conway a declaration that "his
+disposition was not averse from a general support of the persons
+and measures of those now employed," and permission " to say so
+much when he might have occasion to speak to him." This
+declaration General Conway declined to give, although Mr.
+Grenville seemed to ask it only to enable him to save Conway from
+dismissal on account of his late vote. There is reason to
+believe that at this conference (at which the Duke of Richmond
+was present, as Conway's friend) some overtures of a more
+intimate connexion with the administration were made; but Conway
+declared his determination to adhere to the politics of his
+friends, the Dukes of Devonshire and Grafton. "At least," he
+said, "if he should hereafter happen to differ from them, he
+should so steer his conduct as not to be, in any way of office or
+emolument, the better for it."-C.
+
+(397) Isaac Barr`e was a native of Ireland, and born in 1726: he
+entered the army early in life, and rose, gradually to the rank
+of colonel. He was in 1763 made adjutant-general and the
+governor of Stirling Castle, but was turned out on this occasion,
+and even resigned his half-pay. He continued to make a
+considerable figure in the House of Commons: in 1782 he became a
+privy-councillor and treasurer of the navy, which latter office
+he soon exchanged for paymaster of the forces; but on the change
+of government he retired on a pension of 3200 pounds, which his
+political friends had previously secured for him. From this time
+his sight failed him, and he was quite blind for many years
+previous to his death, which took place in 1802.-C.
+
+(398) Captain James, afterwards Sir James Campbell, of
+Ardkinglass: a captain in the army, and member for the county of
+Stirling.-E.
+
+(399) Major-General Edward Harvey, lieutenant-general in 1772.-E.
+
+(400) Colonel Barr`e, previous to his dismissal, had
+distinguished himself by an attack on Mr. Pitt, which is not
+reported in the Parliamentary Debates.-C. [In the Chatham
+Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 171, will be found the following
+passage, in a letter from Mr. Symmers to Sir Andrew Mitchell,
+dated January 29, 1762:--"Would you know a little of the humour
+of Parliament, and particularly with regard to Mr. Pitt?' I must
+tell you that Colonel Barr`e, a soldier of fortune, a young man
+born in Dublin, of a mean condition, his father and mother from
+France, and established in a little grocer's shop by the
+patronage of the Bishop of Clogher; a child of whom the mother
+nursed; this young man (a man of address and parts), found
+out, pushed, and brought into Parliament by Lord Shelburne, had
+not sat two days in the House of Commons before he attacked Mr.
+Pitt. I shall give you a specimen of his philippics. Talking in
+the manner of Mr. Pitt's speaking, he said, 'There he would
+stand, turning up his eyes to heaven, that witnessed his
+perjuries, and laying his hand in a solemn manner upon the table,
+that sacrilegious hand, that hand that had been employed in
+tearing out the bowels of his mother country!' Would you think
+that Mr. Pitt would bear this and be silent; or would you think
+that the House would suffer a respectable member to be so
+treated? Yet so it Was."]
+
+(401) In the House of Commons, a few days before, Mr. Pitt had
+condemned the whole series of North Britons, and called them
+illiberal, unmanly, and detestable: "he abhorred," he said, "all
+national reflections: the King's subjects were one people;
+whoever divided them was guilty of sedition: his Majesty's
+complaint was well-founded; it was just; it was necessary: the
+author did not deserve to be ranked among the human species; he
+was the blasphemer of his God and the libeller of the King."-E.
+
+(402) This improbable event a few weeks brought about. We shall
+see that Mr. Walpole did sing his Palinodia, and went down to
+Claremont to eat a bit of mutton with the man in the world whom
+(as all his writings, but especially his lately published
+Memoires, show) he had most heartily hated and despised.-C.
+
+(403) Philip Carteret Webb, Esq. solicitor to the treasury and
+member for Haslemere.-E.
+
+(404) George third Earl of Cholmondeley; born in 1703: married
+Mr. Walpole's only legitimate sister, who died at Aix in 1731;
+and as all Sir Robert Walpole's sons died without issue, Lord
+Cholmondeley's family succeeded to Houghton, and the rest of the
+Walpole property, as heirs-at-law of Sir Robert.-C.
+
+(405) John, second Earl of Egmont, at this time first lord of the
+admiralty. Lord Egmont had been in the House of Commons what
+Coxe calls "a fluent and plausible debater;" but he had some
+peculiarities of mind, to which Walpole here and elsewhere
+alludes.-C.
+
+(406) James, eighth Earl of Abercorn, "a nobleman," says his
+panegyrist, "whose character was but little known, or rather but
+little understood; but who possessed singular vigour of mind,
+integrity of conduct, and patriotic views." Mr. Walpole elsewhere
+laughs at his lordship's dignified aversion to throwing away his
+words.-C.
+
+(407) An action brought by Wilkes against Robert Wood, Esq. late
+under-secretary of State for seizing Wilkes's papers, etc. It
+was tried before Chief Justice Pratt, and under his direction the
+jury found for the plaintiff.-C.
+
+(408) Sir Fletcher Norton was not made attorney-general till
+after this trial.-E.
+
+(409) Mr. John Fielding, chief police magistrate.-E.
+
+(410) The robbery was committed by one Bradley, a discharged
+footman, and one John Wisket. The former was admitted a witness
+for the crown, and the latter was hanged on his evidence, in Dec.
+1764.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 185 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 16, 1763. (page 261)
+
+On the very day I wrote to you last, my dear lord, an
+extraordinary event happened, which I did not then know. A
+motion was made in the common council, to thank the sheriffs for
+their behaviour at the riot, and to prosecute the man who was
+apprehended for it. This was opposed, and the previous question
+being put, the numbers were equal; but the casting vote of the
+Lord Mayor(411) was given against putting the first
+question--pretty strong proceeding; for though, in consequence
+and in resentment of the Duke of Bedford's speech, it seemed to
+justify his grace, who had accused the mayor and magistracy of
+not trying to suppress the tumult; if they will not prosecute the
+rioters, it is not very unfair to surmise that they did not
+dislike the riot. Indeed, the city is so inflamed, and the
+ministry so obnoxious, that I am very apprehensive of some
+violent commotion. The court have lost the Essex election(412)
+merely from Lord Sandwich interfering in it, and from the Duke of
+Bedford's speech; a great number of votes going from the city on
+that account to vote for Luther. Sir John Griffin,(413) who was
+disobliged by Sandwich's espousing Conyers, went to Chelmsford,
+at the head of five hundred voters.
+
+One of the latest acts of the ministry will not please my Lady
+Hertford: they have turned out her brother, Colonel Fitzroy:(414
+Fitzherbert,(415) too, is removed; and, they say, Sir Joseph
+Yorke recalled.(416) I must do Lord Halifax and Mr. Grenville
+the justice to say that these violences are not imputed to them.
+It is certain that the former was the warmest opposer of the
+measure for breaking the officers; and Mr. Grenville's friends
+take every opportunity of throwing the blame on the Duke of
+Bedford and Lord Sandwich. The Duchess of Bedford, who is too
+fond a Wife not to partake in all her husband's fortunes, has
+contributed her portion of indiscretion. At a great dinner,
+lately, at Lord Halifax's, all the servants present, mention
+being made of the Archbishop of Canterbury,(417) M. de Guerchy
+asked the Duchess, "Est-il de famille?" She replied, "Oh! mon
+Dieu, non, il a `et`e sage-femme." The mistake of sage-femme for
+accoucheur, and the strangeness of the proposition, confounded
+Guerchy so much, that it was necessary to explain it: but think
+of a minister's wife telling a foreigner, and a Catholic, that
+the primate of her own church had been bred a man-midwife!
+
+The day after my last, another verdict was given in the common
+Pleas, of four hundred pounds to the printers; and another
+episode happened, relating to Wilkes; one Dunn, a mad Scotchman,
+was seized in Wilkes's house, whither he had gone intending to
+assassinate him. This was complained of in the House of Commons,
+but the man's phrensy was verified; it was even proved that he
+had notified his design in a coffee-house, some days before. The
+mob, however, who are determined that Lord Sandwich shall answer
+for every body's faults, as well as his own, believe that he
+employed Dunn. I wish the recess, which begins next Monday, may
+cool matters a little, for indeed it grows very serious.
+
+Nothing is discovered of Lord Harrington's robbery, nor do I know
+any other news, but that George West(418) is to marry lady Mary
+Grey. The Hereditary Prince's wound is broken out again, and
+will defer his arrival. We have had a new comedy,(419) written
+by Mrs. Sheridan, and admirably acted; but there was no wit in
+it, and it was so vulgar that it ran but three nights.
+
+Poor Lady Hervey desires you will tell Mr. Hume how incapable she
+is of answering his letter. She has been terribly afflicted for
+these six weeks with a complication of gout, rheumatism, and a
+nervous complaint. She cannot lie down in her bed, nor rest two
+minutes in her chair. I never saw such continued suffering.
+
+You say in your last, of the 7th, that you have omitted to invite
+no Englishman of rank or name. This gives me an opportunity, my
+dear lord, of mentioning one Englishman, not of great rank, but
+who is very unhappy that you have taken no notice of him. You
+know how utterly averse I am to meddle, or give impertinent
+advice; but the letter I saw was expressed with so much respect
+and esteem for you, that you would love the person. It is Mr.
+Selwyn, the banker. He says, he expected no favour; but the
+great regard he has for the amiableness of your character, makes
+him miserable at being totally undistinguished by you. He has so
+good a character himself and is so much beloved by many persons
+here that you know, that I think you will not dislike my putting
+you in mind of him. The letter was not to me, nor to any friend
+of mine; therefore, I am sure, unaffected. I saw the whole
+letter, and he did not even hint at its being communicated to me.
+
+I have not mentioned Lady Holdernesse's presentation, though I by
+no means approve it, nor a Dutch woman's lowering the peerage of
+England. Nothing of that sort could make me more angry, except a
+commoner's wife taking such a step; for you know I have all the
+pride of A citizen of Rome, while Rome survives: In that respect
+my name is thoroughly Horatius.
+
+(411) William Bridgen, Esq.-E.
+
+(412) John Luther, Esq. was returned for Essex, on the popular
+interest, after a severe and most expensive contest.-C.
+
+(413) Sir john Griffin Griffin, K. B., major-general and colonel
+of the 33d regiment; member for Andover. He established, in
+1784, a claim to the barony of Howard de Walden, and was created,
+in 1788,
+Baron Braybrook, with remainder to A. A. Neville, Esq. He died
+in 1797.-C.
+
+(414) Colonel Charles Fitzroy, member for Bury, afterwards Lord
+Southampton. It seems strange that Mr. Walpole should be
+mistaken in such a point; but Colonel Fitzroy was not Lady
+Hertford's brother, but her brother's son.-C.
+
+(415) William Fitzherbert, Esq. member for Derby: a lord of
+trade.-C.
+
+(416) the rumour mentioned in the text was unfounded, Sir Joseph
+continued at the Hague till 1783.-C.
+
+(417) Archbishop Secker. The Grounds for this strange story
+(which Walpole was fond of repeating) was, that the Archbishop
+had, in early youth, been intended for the medical profession,
+and had attended some hospitals.-C.
+
+(418) Mr. West married, in February 1764, Lady Mary Grey,
+daughter of the Earl of Stamford: he died without issue, in
+1776.-E.
+
+(419) "The Dupe," by Mrs. Sheridan, mother of Richard Brinsley
+Sheridan. The Biographia Dramatica says it was condemned, "on
+account of a few passages, which the audience thought two
+indelicate."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 186 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 29, 1763. (page 263)
+
+You are sensible, my dear lord, that any amusement from my
+letters must depend upon times and seasons. We are a very absurd
+nation (though the French are so good at present as to think us a
+very wise one, only because they themselves, are now a very weak
+one); but then that absurdity depends upon the almanac.
+Posterity, who will know nothing of our intervals, wilt conclude
+that this age was a succession of events. I could tell them that
+we know as well when an event, as when Easter will happen. Do
+but recollect these last ten years. The beginning of October,
+one is certain that every body will be at Newmarket, and the Duke
+of Cumberland will lose', and Shafto(420) win, two or three
+thousand pounds. After that, while people are preparing to come
+to town for the winter, the ministry is suddenly changed, and all
+the world comes to learn how it happened, a fortnight sooner than
+they intended; and fully persuaded that the new arrangement
+cannot last a month. The Parliament opens; every body is bribed;
+and the new establishment is perceived to be composed of adamant.
+November passes, with two or three self-murders, and a new play.
+Christmas arrives; every body goes out of town; and a riot
+happens in one of the theatres. The Parliament meets again;
+taxes are warmly opposed; and some citizen makes a fortune by a
+subscription.(421) The opposition languishes; balls and
+assemblies begin; some master and miss begin to get together, are
+talked of, and give occasion to forty more matches being
+invented; an unexpected debate starts up at the end of the
+session, that makes more noise than any thing that was designed
+to make a noise, and subsides again in a new peerage or two.
+Ranelagh opens and Vauxhall; one produces scandal, and t'other a
+drunken quarrel. People separate, some to Tunbridge, and some to
+all the horseraces in England; and so the year comes again to
+October. I dare to prophesy, that if you keep this letter, YOU
+Will find that my future correspondence will be but an
+illustration of this text; at least, it is an excuse for my
+having very little to tell you at present, and was the reason of
+My not writing to you last week.
+
+Before the Parliament adjourned, there was nothing but a trifling
+debate in an empty House, occasioned by a motion from the
+ministry, to order another physician and surgeon to attend
+Wilkes; it was carried by about seventy to thirty, and was only
+memorable by producing Mr. Charles Townshend, who having sat
+silent through the question of privilege, found himself
+interested in the defence of Dr. Brocklesby!(422) Charles
+ridiculed Lord North extremely, and had warm words with George
+Grenville. I do not look upon this as productive of
+consequential speaking for the opposition; on the contrary, I
+should expect him sooner in place, if the ministry could be fools
+enough to restore weight to him and could be ignorant that he can
+never hurt them so much as by being with them. Wilkes refused to
+see Heberden and Hawkins, whom the House commissioned to visit
+him; and to laugh at us more, sent for two Scotchmen, Duncan and
+Middleton. Well! but since that, he is gone off himself:
+however, as I (lid in D'Eon's case, I can now only ask news of
+him from you, and not tell you any; for You have got him. I do
+not believe you will invite him, and make so much of him, as
+the Duke of Bedford did. Both sides pretend joy at his being
+gone; and for once I can believe both. You will be diverted, as
+I was, at the cordial esteem the ministers have for one another;
+Lord Waldegrave(423) told my niece, this morning, that he had
+offered a shilling, to receive an hundred pounds when-@Sandwich
+shall lose his head! What a good opinion they have of one
+another! apropos to losing heads, is Lally beheaded?
+
+The East India Company have come to an unanimous resolution of
+not paying Lord Clive the three hundred thousand pounds, which
+the ministry had promised him in lieu of his nabobical annuity.
+Just after the bargain was made, his old rustic of a father was
+at the King's lev`ee; the King asked where his son was; he
+replied, "Sire, he is coming to town, and their your Majesty will
+have another vote." If you like these franknesses, I can tell
+you another. The Chancellor(424) is chosen a governor of St.
+Bartholomew's Hospital; a smart gentleman, who was sent with the
+staff, carried it in the evening, when the Chancellor happened to
+be drunk. "Well, Mr. Bartlemy," said his lordship, snuffling,
+"what have you to say?" The man, who had prepared a formal
+harangue, was transported to have so fair opportunity given him
+of uttering it, and with much dapper gesticulation congratulated
+his lordship on his health, and the nation on enjoying such great
+abilities. The Chancellor stopped him short, crying, "By God, it
+is a lie! I have neither health nor abilities my bad health has
+destroyed my abilities." The late Chancellor(425) is much
+better.
+
+The last time the King was at Drury-lane, the play given out for
+the next night was "All in the Wrong:" the Galleries clapped, and
+then cried out. "Let us be all in the right! Wilkes and Liberty!"
+When the King comes to a theatre, or goes out, or goes to the
+House, there is not a single applause; to the Queen there is a
+little: in short, Louis le bien-aim`e is not French at present
+for King George.
+
+The town, you may be sure, is very empty; the greatest party is
+at Woburn, whither the Comte de Guerchy and the Duc de Pecquigny
+are going. I have been three days at Strawberry, and had George
+Selwyn, Williams, and Lord Ashburnham;(426) but the weather was
+intolerably bad. We have scarce had a moment's drought since you
+went, no more than for so many months before. The towns and the
+roads are beyond measure dirty, and every thing else under water.
+I was not well neither, nor am yet, with pains in my stomach:
+however, if I ever used one, I could afford to pay a physician.
+T'other day, coming from my Lady Townshend's, it came into my
+head to stop at one of the lottery offices, to inquire after a
+single ticket I had, expecting to find it a blank, but it was
+five hundred pounds--Thank you! I know you wish me joy. It will
+buy twenty pretty things when I come to Paris.
+
+I read last night, your new French play, Le Comte de Warwick(427)
+which we hear has succeeded much. I must say, it does but
+confirm the cheap idea I have of you French: not to mention the
+preposterous perversion of history in so known a story, the
+Queen's ridiculous preference of old Warwick to a young King; the
+omission of the only thing she ever said or did in her whole life
+worth recording, which was thinking herself too low for his wife,
+and too high for his mistress;(428) the romantic honour bestowed
+on two such savages as Edward and Warwick: besides these, and
+forty such glaring absurdities, there is but one scene that has
+any merit, that between Edward and Warwick in the third act.
+Indeed, indeed, I don't honour the modern French: it is making
+your son but a slender compliment, with his knowledge, for them
+to say it is extraordinary. The best proof I think they give of
+their taste, is liking you all three. I rejoice that your little
+boy is recovered. Your brother has been at Park-place this week,
+and stays a week longer: his hill is too high to be drowned.
+
+Thank you for your kindness to Mr. Selwyn: if he had too much
+impatience, I am sure it proceeded only from his great esteem for
+you.
+
+I will endeavour to learn what you desire; and will answer, in
+another letter, that and some other passages in your last. Dr.
+Hunter is very good, and calls on me sometimes. You may guess
+whether we talk you over or not. Adieu!
+
+P. S. There has not been a death, but Sir William Maynard's, who
+is come to life again: or a marriage, but Admiral Knollys's who
+has married his divorced wife again.
+
+(420) Robert Shafto, Esq. of Whitworth, member of Durham, well
+known on the turf.-C.
+
+(421) To a loan.-C.
+
+(422) Dr. Richard Brocklesby, an eminent physician. He had been
+examined before the House of Commons, as to Mr. Wilkes's
+incapacity to attend in his place. His Whig politics, which
+probably induced Mr. Wilkes to sen@ for him, induced the majority
+of the House to distrust his report, and to order two other
+medical men to visit the patient. This proceeding implied a
+doubt of Dr. Brocklesby's veracity, which certainly called for,@
+the interference of Mr. Charles Townshend, who was a private as
+well as a political friend of the doctor's. Dr. Brocklesby,
+besides being one of the first physicians of his time, was a man
+of literature and taste, and did not confine his society nor his
+beneficence to those who agreed with him in politics. He was the
+friend and physician of Dr. Johnson, and when, towards the close
+of this great man's life, it was supposed that his circumstances
+were not quite easy, Dr. Brocklesby generously pressed him to
+accept an annuity of one hundred pounds, and he attended him to
+his death with unremitted affection and care.-C.
+
+(423) John, third Earl of Waldegrave, a general in the army: in
+1770 master of the horse to the Queen.-E.
+
+(424) Lord Henley; afterwards Earl of Northington.
+
+(425) Lord Hardwicke.
+
+(426) John, second Earl of Ashburnham; one of the lords of the
+bedchamber, and keeper of the parks.-E.
+
+(427) By La Harpe. This play, written when the author was only
+twenty-three years old, raised him into great celebrity; and is,
+in the opinion of the French critics, his first work in merit as
+well as date.-C.
+
+(428) This phrase has been also attributed to Mademoiselle de
+Montmorency, afterwards Princess de Cond`e, in reply to the
+solicitations of Henry IV.; and is told also of Mademoiselle de
+Rohan, afterwards Duchess of Deux Ponts.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 187 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 11, 1764. (page 266)
+
+It is an age, I own, since I wrote to you; but except politics,
+what was there to send you? and for politics, the present are too
+contemptible to be recorded by any body but journalists,
+gazetteers, and such historians! The ordinary of Newgate, or Mr.
+* * * * who write for their monthly half-crown, and who are
+indifferent whether Lord Bute, Lord Melcombe, or Maclean is their
+hero, may swear they find diamonds on dunghills; but you will
+excuse me, if I let our correspondence lie dormant rather than
+deal in such trash. I am forced to send Lord Hertford and Sir
+Horace Mann such garbage, because they are out of England, and
+the sea softens and makes palatable any potion, as it does
+claret; but unless I can divert you, I had rather wait till we
+can laugh together; the best employment for friends, who do not
+mean to pick one another's pocket, nor make a property of
+either's frankness. Instead of politics, therefore, I shall
+amuse you to-day with a fairy tale.
+
+I was desired to be at my Lady Suffolk's on New-year's morn,
+where I found Lady Temple and others. On the toilet Miss Hotham
+spied a small round box. She seized it with all the eagerness
+and curiosity of eleven years. In it was wrapped up a
+heart-diamond ring and a paper in which, in a hand as small as
+Buckinger's, who used to write the Lord's Prayer in the compass
+of a silver penny, were the following lines:--
+
+Sent by a sylph, unheard, unseen
+A new-year's gift from Mab our queen:
+But tell it not, for if you do,
+You will be pinch'd all black and blue.
+Consider well, what a disgrace,
+To show abroad your mottled face
+Then seal your lips, put on the ring,
+And sometimes think of Ob., the king.
+
+You will easily guess that Lady Temple(429) was the poetess, and
+that we were delighted with the genteelness of the thought and
+execution. The child, you may imagine, was less transported with
+the poetry than the present. Her attention, however, was hurried
+backwards and forwards from the ring to a new coat, that she had
+been trying on when sent for down; impatient to revisit her coat,
+and to show the ring to her maid, she whisked up stairs; when she
+came down again, she found a letter sealed, and lying on the
+floor--new exclamations! Lady Suffolk bade her open it: here it
+is:--
+
+Your tongue, too nimble for your sense,
+Is guilty of a high offence;
+Hath introduced unkind debate,
+And topsy-turvy turned our state.
+In gallantry I sent the ring,
+The token of a lovesick king:
+Under fair Mab's auspicious name
+>From me the trifling present came.
+You blabb'd the news in Suffolk's ear;
+The tattling zephyrs brought it here;
+As Mab was indolently laid
+Under a poppy's spreading shade.
+The jealous queen started in rage;
+She kick'd her crown and beat her page:
+"Bring me my magic wand," she cries;
+"Under that primrose there it lies;
+I'll change the silly, saucy chit,
+Into a flea, a louse, a nit,
+A worm, a grasshopper, a rat,
+An owl, a monkey, hedge-hog, bat.
+Ixion once a cloud embraced,
+By Jove and jealousy well placed;
+What sport to see proud Oberon stare,
+And flirt it with a pet-en Pair!"
+Then thrice she stamped the trembling ground,
+And thrice she waved her wand around;
+When I endowed with greater skill,
+And less inclined to do you ill,
+Mutter'd some words, withheld her arm
+And kindly stoppld the unfinish'd charm
+But though not changed to owl or bat,
+Or something more indelicate;
+Yet, as your tongue has run too fast,
+Your boasted beauty must not last,
+No more shall frolic Cupid lie
+In ambuscade in either eye,
+>From thence to aim his keenest dart
+To captivate each youthful heart:
+No more shall envious misses pine
+At charms now flown, that once were thine:
+No more, since you so ill behave,
+Shall injured Oberon be your slave.
+
+The next day my Lady Suffolk desired I would write her a patent
+for appointing Lady Temple poet laureate to the fairies. I was
+excessively out of order with a pain in my stomach, which I had
+had for ten days, and was fitter to write verses like a poet
+laureate, than for making one: however, I was going home to
+dinner alone, and at six I sent her some lines, which you ought
+to have seen how sick I was, to excuse; but first, I must tell
+you my tale methodically. The next morning by nine o'clock Miss
+Hotham (she must forgive me twenty years hence for saying she was
+eleven, for I recollect she is but ten,) arrived at Lady
+Temple's, her face and neck all spotted with saffron, and
+limping. "Oh, Madam!" said she, "I am undone for ever if you do
+not assist me!" "Lord, child," cried my Lady Temple, "what is
+the matter?" thinking she had hurt herself, or lost the ring, and
+that she was stolen out before her aunt was up. "Oh, Madam,"
+said the girl. "nobody but you can assist me!" My Lady Temple
+protests the 'child acted her part so well as to deceive her.
+"What can I do for you?" "Dear Madam, take this load from my
+back; nobody but you can." Lady Temple turned her round, and
+upon her back was tied a child's waggon. In it were three tiny
+purses of blue velvet; in one of them a silver cup, in another a
+crown of laurel, and in the third four new silver pennies, with
+the patent, signed at top, Oberon Imperator; and two sheets of
+warrants strung together with blue silk according to form; and at
+top an office seal of wax and a chaplet of cut paper on it. The
+warrants were these:--
+
+>From the Royal Mews:
+A waggon with the draught horses, delivered by command without
+fee.
+
+>From the Lord Chamberlain's Office:
+A warrant with the royal sign manual, delivered by command
+without fee, being first entered in the office books.
+
+>From the Lord Steward's Office:
+A butt of sack, delivered without fee or gratuity, with an order
+for returning the cask for the use of the office, by command.
+
+>From the Great Wardrobe:
+Three velvet bags, delivered without fee, by command.
+
+>From the Treasurer of the Household's Office:
+A year's salary paid free from land-tax, poundage, or any other
+deduction whatever, by command.
+
+>From the Jewel Office:
+A silver butt, a silver cup, a wreath of bays, by command without
+fee.
+
+Then came the patent:
+
+By these presents be it known,
+To all who bend before your throne,
+Fays and fairies, elves and sprites,
+Beauteous dames and gallant knights,
+That we, Oberon the grand,
+Emperor of fairy land,
+King of moonshine, prince of dreams,
+Lord of Aganippe's streams,
+Baron of the dimpled isles
+That lie in pretty maidans' smiles,
+Arch-treasurer of all the graces
+Dispersed through fifty lovely faces,
+Sovereign of the slipper's order,
+With all the rites thereon that border,
+Defender of the sylphic faith,
+Declare--and thus your monarch saith:
+Whereas there is a noble dame,
+Whom mortals Countess Temple name,
+To whom ourself did erst impart
+The choicest secrets of our art,
+Taught her to tune the harmonious line
+To our own melody divine,
+Taught her the graceful negligence,
+Which, scorning art and veiling sense,
+Achieves that conquest o'er the heart
+Sense seldom gains, and never art;
+This lady, 'tis our royal will
+Our laureate's vacant seat should fill:
+A chaplet of immortal bays
+Shall crown her brow and guard her lays;
+Of nectar sack an acorn cup
+Be at her board each year fill'd up;
+And as each quarter feast comes round
+A silver penny shall be found
+Within the compass of her shoe;
+And so we bid you all adieu!
+
+Given at our palace of Cowslip-castle, the shortest night of the
+year. Oberon. And underneath,
+Hothamina.
+
+How shall I tell you the greatest curiosity of the story? The
+whole plan and execution of the second act was laid and adjusted
+by my Lady Suffolk herself and Will. Chetwynd, master of the
+mint, Lord Bolingbroke's Oroonoko-Chetwynd; he fourscore, she
+past seventy-six; and, what is more, much worse than I was, for,
+added to her deafness, she has been confined these three weeks
+with the gout in her eyes, was actually then in misery, and had
+been without sleep. What spirits, and cleverness, and
+imagination, at that age, and under those afflicting
+circumstances! You reconnoitre her old court knowledge, how
+charmingly she has applied it! Do you wonder I pass so many
+hours and evenings with her? Alas! I had like to
+have lost her this morning! They had poulticed her feet to draw
+the gout downwards, and began to succeed yesterday, but to-day it
+flew up into the head, and she was almost in convulsions with the
+agony, and screamed dreadfully; proof enough how ill she was, for
+her patience and good breeding makes her for ever sink and
+conceal what she feels. This evening the gout has been driven
+back to her foot, and I trust she is out of' danger. Her loss
+would be irreparable to me at Twickenham, where she is by far the
+most rational and agreeable company I have.
+
+I don't tell you that the Hereditary Prince(430) is still
+expected and not arrived. A royal wedding would be a flat
+episode after a re(il fairy tale, though the bridegroom is a
+hero. I have not seen your brother General yet, but have called
+on him. When come you yourself? Never mind the town and its
+filthy politics; we can go to the gallery at Strawberry--stay, I
+don't know whether we can or not, my hill is almost drowned, I
+don't know how your mountain is--well, we can take a boat, and
+always be gay there; I wish we may be so at seventy-six and
+eighty! I abominate politics more and more; we had glories, and
+would not keep them: well! content, that there was an end of
+blood; then perks prerogative its ass's ears up; we are always to
+be saving our liberties, and then staking them
+again! 'Tis wearisome! I hate the discussion, and yet One cannot
+always sit at a gaming-table and never make a bet. I wish for
+nothing, I care not a straw for the ins or the outs; I determine
+never to think of them, yet the contagion catches one; can you
+tell any thing that will prevent infection? Well then, here I
+swear,-no I won't swear, one always breaks one's oath. Oh, that
+I had been born to love a court like Sir William Breton! I should
+have lived and died with the comfort of thinking that courts
+there will be to all eternity, and the liberty of my country
+would never once have ruffled my smile, or spoiled my bow. I
+envy Sir William. Good night!
+
+(429) Anne, one of the daughters and coheirs of Thomas Chambers,
+of Hanworth, in the county of Middlesex, Esq. wife of Earl
+Temple. This lady was a woman of genius: it will hereafter be
+seen, that a small volume of her poems was printed at the
+Strawberry Hill press.-E.
+
+(430) Of Brunswick.
+
+
+
+Letter 188 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 22, 1764. (page 270)
+
+Monsieur Monin, who will deliver this to you, my dear lord, is
+the particular friend I mentioned in my last,(431) and is,
+indeed, no particular friend of mine at all, but I had a mind to
+mislead my Lord Sandwich, and send you one letter which he should
+not open. This I write in peculiar confidence to you, and insist
+upon your keeping it entirely to yourself from every living
+creature. It will be an answer to several passages in your
+letters, to which I did not care to reply by the post.
+
+Your brother was not pleased with your laying the stopping your
+bills to his charge.(432) To tell you the truth, he thinks you
+are too much inclined to courts and ministers, as you think him
+too little so. So far from upbraiding him on that head, give me
+leave to say you have no reason to be concerned at it. You must
+be sensible, my dear lord, that you are far from standing well
+with the opposition, and should any change happen, your brother's
+being well with them, would prevent any appearance that might be
+disagreeable to you. In truth, I cannot think you have abundant
+reason to be fond of the administration. Lord Bute(433) never
+gave you the least real mark of friendship. The Bedfords
+certainly do not wish you well: Lord Holland has amply proved
+himself your enemy: for a man of your morals, it would be a
+disgrace to you to be connected with Lord Sandwich; and for
+George Grenville,(434) he has shown himself the falsest and most
+contemptible of mankind. He is now the intimate tool of the
+Bedfords, and reconciled to Lord Bute, whom he has served and
+disserved just as occasion or interest directed. In this
+situation of things, can you wonder that particular marks of
+favour are withheld from you, or that the expenses of your
+journey are not granted to you as they were to the
+Duke of Bedford!
+
+You ask me how your letters please; it is impossible for me to
+learn, now I am so disconnected with every thing ministerial. I
+wish YOU not to make them please too much. The negotiations with
+France must be the great point on which the nation will fix its
+eyes: with France we must break sooner or later. Your letters
+will be strictly canvassed: I hope and firmly believe that
+nothing will appear in them but attention to the honour and
+interest of the nation; points, I doubt, little at the heart of
+the present administration, who have gone too far not to be in
+the power of France, and who must bear any thing rather than
+quarrel. I would not take the liberty of saying so much to you,
+if, by being on the spot, I was not a judge how very serious
+affairs grow, and how necessary it is for you to be upon your
+guard.
+
+Another question you ask is, whether it is true that the
+opposition is disunited. I will give you one very necessary
+direction, which is, not to credit any court stories. Sandwich
+is the father of lies,(435) and every report is tinctured by him.
+The administration give it out, and trust to this disunion. I
+will tell you very nearly what truth there is or is not in this.
+The party in general is as firmly and cordially united as ever
+party was. Consider, that without any heads or leaders at all,
+102(436) men stuck to Wilkes, the worst cause they could have
+had, and with all the weight of the Yorkes against them. With
+regard to the leaders there is a difference. The old Chancellor
+is violent against the court: but, I believe, displeased that his
+son was sacrificed(437) to Pratt, in the case of privilege.
+Charles Yorke(438) resigned, against his own and Lord
+Royston,S(439) inclination, is particularly angry with Newcastle
+for complying with Pitt in the affair of privilege, and not less
+displeased that Pitt prefers Pratt to him for the seals; but then
+Norton is attorney-general, and it would not be graceful to
+return to court, which he has quitted, while the present
+ministers remain there. In short, as soon as the affair of
+Wilkes and privilege is at an end, it is much expected that the
+Yorkes will take part in the opposition. It is for that
+declaration that Charles Townshend says he waits. He again broke
+out strongly on Friday last against the ministry, attacking
+George Grenville, who seems his object. However, the childish
+fluctuation of his temper, and the vehemence of his brother
+George(440) for the court, that is for himself, will for ever
+make Charles little to be depended on. For Mr. Pitt, you know,
+he never will act like any other man in the opposition, and
+to that George Grenville trusts: however, here are such
+materials, that if they could once be put in operation for a
+fortnight together, the present administration would be blown up.
+To this you may throw in dissensions among themselves: Lord
+Halifax and Lord Talbot are greatly dissatisfied. Lord Bute is
+reconciled to the rest; sees the King continually; and will soon
+want more power, or will have more jealousy than is consistent
+with their union. Many single men are ill disposed to them,
+particularly Lord George Sackville: indeed, nobody is with them,
+but as it is farther off from, or nearer to, quarter-day: the
+nation is unanimous against them: a disposition, which their own
+foolish conduct during the episode of the Prince of
+Brunswick,(441) to which I am now coming, has sufficiently
+manifested. The fourth question put to him on his arrival was,
+"When do you go?" The servants of the King and Queen were forbid
+to put on their new clothes for the wedding, or drawing-room,
+next day, and ordered to keep them for the Queen's birth-day.
+Such pains were taken to keep the Prince from any intercourse
+with any of the opposition, that he has done nothing but take
+notice of them. He not only wrote to the Duke of Newcastle and
+Mr. Pitt, but has been at Hayes to see the latter, and has dined
+twice with the Duke of Cumberland; the first time on Friday last,
+when he was appointed to be at St. James's at half an hour after
+seven, to a concert. As the time drew near, F`e6ronce(442)
+pulled out his watch; the Duke took the hint, and said, "I am
+sorry to part with you, but I fear your time is come." He
+replied "N'importe;" sat on, drank coffee, and it was half an
+hour after eight before he set out from Upper-Grosvenor street
+for St. James's. He and Princess Augusta have felt and shown
+their disgusts so strongly, and his suite have complained so much
+of the neglect and disregard of him, and of the very quick
+dismission of him, that the people have caught it, and on
+Thursday, at the play, received the King and Queen without the
+least symptom of applause, but repeated such outrageous
+acclamations to the Prince, as operated very visibly on the
+King's countenance. Not a gun was fired for the marriage, and
+Princess Augusta asking Lord Gower(443) about some ceremony, to
+which he replied, it could not be, as no such thing had been done
+for the Prince of Orange;(444) she said, it was extraordinary to
+quote that precedent to her in one case, which had been followed
+in no other. I could tell you ten more of these stories, but one
+shall suffice. The Royal Family went to the Opera on Saturday:
+the crowd not to be described: the Duchess of Leeds, ]lady
+Denbigh, Lady Scarborough, and others, sat on chairs between the
+scenes; the doors of the front boxes were thrown open, and the
+passages were all filled to the back of the stoves; nay, women of
+fashion stood on the very stairs till eight at night. In the
+middle of the second act, the Hereditary Prince, who sat with his
+wife and her brothers in their box, got up, turned his back to
+the King and Queen, pretending to offer his place to Lady
+Tankerville(445) and then to Lady Susan. You know enough of
+Germans and their stiffness to etiquette, to be sure that this
+could not be done inadvertently: especially as he repeated this,
+only without standing up, with one of his own gentlemen, in the
+third act. I saw him, without any difficulty, from the Duchess
+of Grafton's box. He is extremely slender, and looks many years
+older than he is: in short, I suppose it is his manner with which
+every mortal is captivated, for though he is well enough for a
+man, he is far from having any thing striking in his person.
+To-day (this is Tuesday) there was a drawing-room at
+Leicester-house, and to-night there is a subscription ball for
+him at Carlisle-house, Soho, made chiefly by the Dukes of
+Devonshire and Grafton. I was invited to be of it, but not
+having been to wait on him, did not think it Civil to meet him
+there. The Court, by accident or design, had forgot to have a
+bill passed for naturalizing him. The Duke of Grafton Undertook
+it, on which they adopted it, and the Duke of Bedford moved it;
+but the Prince sent word to the Duke of Grafton, that he should
+not have liked the compliment half so well, if he had not owed it
+to his grace. You may judge how he will report of us at his
+return!
+
+With regard to your behaviour to Wilkes,(446) I think you
+observed the just medium: I have not heard it mentioned: if they
+should choose to blame it, it will not be to me, known as your
+friend and no friend of theirs. They very likely may say that
+you did too much, though the Duke of Bedford did ten times more.
+Churchill has published a new satire, called "The Duellist,"(447)
+the finest and bitterest of his works. The poetry is glorious;
+some lines on Lord Holland, hemlock: charming abuse on that
+scurrilous mortal, Bishop Warburton: an ill-drawn, though
+deserved, character of Sandwich; and one, as much deserved, and
+better, of Norton.
+
+Wednesday, after dinner.
+
+The Lord knows when this letter will be finished; I have been
+writing it this week, and believe I shall continue it till old
+Monin sets out. Encore, the Prince of Brunswick. At the ball,
+at Buckingham house, on Monday: it had begun two hours before he
+arrived. Except the King's and Queen's servants, nobody was
+there but the dukes of Marlborough and Ancaster, and Lord Bute's
+two daughters. No supper. On Sunday evening the Prince had been
+to Newcastle-house, to visit the Duchess. His speech to the Duke
+of Bedford, at first, was by no means so strong as they gave it
+out; he only said, "Milord, nous avons fait deux m`etiers bien
+diff`erens; le v`otre a `et`e le plus agr`eable: j'ai fait couler
+du sang, vous l'avez fait cesser." His whole behaviour, so much
+`a la minorit`e, makes this much more probable. His Princess
+thoroughly, agrees with him. When Mr. Grenville objected to the
+greatness of her fortune, the King said, "Oh! it will not be
+opposed, for Augusta is in the opposition."
+
+The ball, last night, at Carlisle-house, Soho, was most
+magnificent: one hundred and fifty men subscribed, and five
+guineas each, and had each three tickets. All the beauties in
+town were there, that is, of rank, for there was no bad company.
+The Duke of Cumberland was there too; and the Hereditary Prince
+so pleased, and in such spirits, that he stayed till five in the
+morning. He is gone to-day, heartily sorry to leave every thing
+but St. James's and Leicester-house. They lie to-night at Lord
+Abercorn's,(448) at Witham, who does not step from his pedestal
+to meet them. Lady Strafford said to him, "Soh! my lord, I hear
+your house is to be royal] v filled on Wednesday."--"And
+serenely,"(449) he replied, and closed his mouth again till next
+day.
+
+Our politics have been as follow. Last Friday the opposition
+moved for Wilkes's complaint of breach of privilege to be heard
+to-day: Grenville objected to it, and at last yielded, after
+receiving some smart raps from Charles Townshend and Sir George
+Saville. On Tuesday the latter, and Sir William Meredith,
+proposed to put it off to the 13th of February, that Wilkes's
+servant, the most material evidence might be here. George
+Grenville again opposed it, was not supported, and yielded.
+Afterwards Dowdeswell moved for a committee on the Cider-bill;
+and, at last, a committee was appointed for Tuesday next, with
+powers to report the grievances of the bill, and suggest
+amendments and redress, but with no authority to repeal it. This
+the administration carried but by 167 to 125.
+Indeed, many of their people were in the House of Lords, where
+the court triumphed still less. They were upon the "Essay on
+Woman." Sandwich proposed two questions; 1st, that Wilkes was
+the author of it;(450) 2dly, to order the Black Rod to attach
+him. It was much objected by the Dukes of Devonshire, Grafton,
+Newcastle, and even Richmond, that the first was not proved, and
+might affect him in the courts below. Lord Mansfield tried to
+explain this away, and Lord Marchmont and Lord Temple had warm
+words. At last Sandwich, artfully, to get something, if not all,
+agreed to melt both questions into one, which was accepted; and
+the vote passed, that it appearing Wilkes was the author, he
+should be taken into custody by the usher. It appearing, was
+allowed to mean as far as appears. Then a committee was
+appointed to search for precedents how to proceed on his being
+withdrawn. That dirty dog Kidgel(451) had been summoned by the
+Duke of Grafton, but as they only went on the breach of
+privilege, he was not called. The new club,(452) at the
+house that was the late Lord Waldegrave's, in Albermarle-street,
+makes the ministry very uneasy; but they have worse grievances to
+apprehend!
+
+Sir Robert Rich(453) is extremely angry with my nephew, the
+Bishop of Exeter, who, like his own and wife's family, is
+tolerably warm. They were talking together at St. James's, when
+A'Court(454) came in, "There's poor A'Court," said the Bishop.
+"Poor A,Court!" replied the Marshal, "I wish all those fellows
+that oppose the King were to be turned out of the army!" "I
+hope," said the Bishop, "they will first turn all the old women
+out of it!"
+
+The Duc de Pecquigny was on the point of a duel with Lord
+Garlies,(455) at Lord Milton's(456) ball, the former handing the
+latter's partner down to supper. I wish you had this Duke again,
+lest you should have trouble with him from hence: he seems a
+genius of the wrong sort. His behaviour on the visit to Woburn
+was very wrong-headed, though their treatment of him was not more
+right. Lord Sandwich flung him down in one of their horse-plays,
+and almost put his shoulder out. He said the next day there, at
+dinner, that for the rest of his life he should fear nothing so
+much as a lettre de cachet from a French secretary of state, or a
+coup d'`epaule from an English one. After this he had a pique
+with the Duchess, with whom he had been playing at whisk. A
+shilling and sixpence were left on the table, which nobody
+claimed. He was asked if it was his, and said no. Then they
+said, let us put it to the cards: there was already a guinea.
+The Duchess, in an air of grandeur said, as there was gold for
+the groom of the chambers, the sweeper of the room might have the
+silver, and brushed it off the table. The Pecquigny took this to
+himself, though I don't believe meaned; and complained to the
+whole town of it, with large comments, at his return. It is
+silly to tell you Such silly stories, but in your situation it
+may grow necessary for you to know the truth, if you should hear
+them repeated. I am content to have you call me gossip, if I
+prove but of the least use to you.
+
+Here have I tapped the ninth page! Well! I am this moment going
+to M. de Guerchy's, to know when Monin sets out, that I may
+finish this eternal letter. If I tire you, tell me so: I am sure
+I do myself. If I speak with too much freedom to you, tell me
+so: I have done it in consequence of your questions, and mean it
+most kindly. In short, I am ready to amend any thing you
+disapprove; so don't take any thing ill, my dear lord, unless I
+continue after you have reprimanded me. The safe manner in which
+this goes, has made me, too, more explicit than you know I have
+been on any other occasion. Adieu!
+
+Wednesday-night, late.
+
+
+Well, my letter will be finished at last. M. Monin sets out on
+Friday. so does my Lord Holland: but I affect not to know it, for
+he is not just the person that you or I should choose to be the
+bearer of this. You will be diverted with a story they told me
+to-night at the French Ambassador's. When they went to supper,
+at Soho, last night, the Duke of Cumberland placed himself at the
+head of the table. One of the waiters tapped him on the
+shoulder, and said, "Sir, your Royal Highness can't sit there;
+that place is designed for the Hereditary Prince." You ought to
+have seen how every body's head has been turned with this Prince,
+to make this story credible to you. My Lady Rockingham, at
+Leicester-house, yesterday, cried great sobs for his departure.
+Yours ever, page the ninth.
+
+(431) This letter does not appear.
+
+(432) Lord Hertford had claimed certain expenses of his journey
+to Paris which had been allowed to his predecessors, but which
+were refused to him; he therefore may have expressed a suspicion
+that his brother's opposition in Parliament rendered the
+ministers at home less favourable to him; but there never was any
+difference or coldness between the brothers in their private
+relations. This appears from their private letters at this
+period.-C.
+
+(433) In April 1763, Lord Bute surprised both his friends and his
+opponents by a sudden resignation. The motive of this resolution
+is still a mystery. Some have said, that having concluded the
+peace, his patriotic views and ambition were satisfied; others
+that he resigned in disgust at the falsehood and ingratitude of
+public men; others that he was driven from his station by libels
+and unpopularity. None of these reasons seem consistent with a
+desire which Lord Bute appears to have entertained, to return to
+office with a new administration. A clamour was long kept up
+against Lord Bute's secret and irresponsible influence; but it is
+now generally admitted that no such influence existed, and that
+Lord Bute soon ceased to have any weight in public affairs.-C.
+
+(434) Mr. Walpole was so vehement in his party feelings, that all
+his characters of political enemies must be read with great
+distrust.-C.
+
+(435) Lord Sandwich was an able minister, and so important a
+member of the administration to which Mr. Walpole was now
+opposed, that we must read all that he says of this lord with
+some "grains of allowance."-C.
+
+(436) On the 19th of January, when the ministers were about to
+proceed to vote Wilkes in contempt, and expel him, a motion was
+made by Wilkes's friends to postpone the consideration of the
+affair till next day; this was lost by 239 to 102.-C.
+
+(437) He means that the opposition had adopted Pratt's view
+instead of Mr. Yorke's.-C.
+
+(438) This is not true; the real cause of his resignation is
+stated ant`e, p. 251, letter 181; he certainly disagreed from the
+Duke of Newcastle and others of his friends, who made the matter
+of privilege a party question instead of treating it as a legal
+one, as Mr. Yorke did.
+
+(439) Philip Lord Royston, afterwards second Earl of Hardwicke,
+elder brother of Mr. Charles Yorke.-E.
+
+(440) George, first Marquis of Townshend, at this time a
+major-general in the army. In the divisions on branches of the
+Wilkes question, we sometimes find General Townshend a teller on
+one side, and Mr. Townshend on the other.-C.
+
+(441) The Hereditary Prince, who came to England to marry the
+Princess Augusta, eldest sister of George III. He landed at
+Harwich on the 12th of January, and arrived the same evening at
+Somerset-house, where he was lodged. Lady Chatham, in a letter
+to Mr. Pitt, relates the following anecdotes Mrs. Boscawen tells
+me, that while the Prince was at Harwich, the people almost
+pulled down the house in which he was, in order to see him. A
+substantial Quaker insisted so strongly upon seeing him, that he
+was allowed to come into the room: he pulled off his hat to him,
+and said, 'Noble friend, give me thy hand!' which was given, and
+he kissed it; 'although I do not fight myself, I love a brave man
+that will fight: thou art a valiant Prince, and art to be married
+to a lovely Princess: love her, make her a good husband, and the
+Lord bless you both!'" See Chatham Correspondence, vol. ii. p.
+272.-E.
+
+ (442) The Prince's chief secretary.-E.
+
+(443) Granville, second Earl Gower, afterwards first Marquis:
+groom of the stole.-E.
+
+(444) William Charles Henry, Prince of Orange, who, in 1734,
+married Anne, eldest daughter of George II.-E.
+
+(445) Alicia Ashley, wife of Charles, third Earl of Tankerville,
+lady of the bedchamber to Princess Augusta. Nothing but Mr.
+Walpole's facetious ingenuity could have tortured the Prince's
+little attention to Lady Tankerville into a desire to insult the
+King.-C.
+
+(446) Mr. Wilkes had thought it prudent to retire to Paris, under
+circumstances which certainly rendered it unlikely that the
+King's ambassador should pay him any kind of civil attention.-C.
+
+(447) Again Mr. Walpole's partiality blinds him. "The Duellist"
+is surely far from being the finest of Churchill's works. Mr.
+Walpole's own feelings are strongly marked by the glee with which
+he sees hemlock administered to his old friend Lord Holland, and
+by being charmed with the abuse of Bishop Warburton.-C.
+
+(448) Mr. Walpole, by one of those happy expressions which make
+the chief charm of his writings, characterizes the stately
+formality of this noble lord. His house at Witham is close to
+the great road, a little beyond the town of Witham. Her late
+Majesty, Queen Charlotte, slept there on her way to London, in
+1761.-C.
+
+(449) Mr. Walpole probably understood his lordship to mean that a
+Serene Highness was not sufficiently important to require his
+attendance at Witham.-C.
+
+(450) Wilkes was convicted, in the Court of King's Bench, on the
+21st of January, the day before this letter was begun, of having
+written the Essay on Woman.-C.
+
+(451) Mr. Kidgel, a clergyman, had obtained from a printer a copy
+of the Essay on Woman, which he said he felt it his duty to
+denounce. His own personal character turned out to be far from
+respectable.-C.
+
+(452) The opposition club was in Albemarle-street, and the
+ministerial at the Cocoa-tree; and the papers of the day had
+several political letters addressed to and from these clubs.-C.
+
+(453) The oldest field-marshal in the army.
+
+(454) Major-general A,Court had a little before resigned, or
+rather been dismissed, for his parliamentary opposition, from the
+command of the second regiment of foot-guards.-C.
+
+(455) John, afterwards seventh Earl of galloway.
+
+(456) Joseph Damer, first Lord Milton.
+
+
+
+Letter 189 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 31, 1764. (page 277)
+
+Dear Sir,
+Several weeks ago I begged you to tell me how to convey to you a
+print of Strawberry Hill, and another of Archbishop Hutton. I
+must now repeat the same request for two more volumes of my
+Anecdotes of Painting, which are on the point of being published.
+I hope no illness prevented my hearing from you.
+
+To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+
+Dear Sir,
+I am impatient for your manuscript, but have not yet received it.
+You may depend on my keeping it to myself, and returning it
+safely.
+
+I do not know that history of my father, which you mention, by
+the name of Musgrave. If it is the critical history of his
+administration, I have it; if not, I shall be obliged to you for
+it.
+
+Your kindness to your tenants is like yourself, and most humane.
+I am glad Your prize rewards you, and wish your fortune had been
+as good as mine, who with a single ticket in this last lottery
+got five hundred pounds.
+
+I have nothing new, that is, nothing old to tell you. You care
+not about the present world, and are the only real philosopher, I
+know.
+
+I this winter met with a very large lot of English heads, chiefly
+of the reign of James I., which very nearly perfects my
+collection. There were several which I had in vain hunted for
+these ten years. I have bought too, some very scarce, but more
+modern ones out of Sir Charles Cotterell's collection. Except a
+few of Faithorne's, there are scarce any now that I much wish
+for.
+
+With my Anecdotes I packed up for you the head of Archbishop
+Hutton, and a new little print of Strawberry. If the volumes, as
+I understand by your letter, stay in town to be bound, I hope
+your bookseller will take care not to lose those trifles.
+
+
+Letter 190 To Sir David Dalrymple.(457)
+Arlington Street, Jan. 31, 1764. (page 278)
+
+I am very sorry, Sir, that your obliging corrections of my
+Anecdotes of Painting have come so late, that the first volume is
+actually reprinted. The second shall be the better for them. I
+am now publishing the third volume, and another of Engravers. I
+wish you would be so kind as to tell me how I may convey them
+speedily to you: you waited too long the last time for things
+that have little merit but novelty. These volumes are of still
+less worth than the preceding; our latter painters not
+compensating by excellence for the charms that antiquity has
+bestowed on their antecessors.
+
+I wish I had known in time what heads of Nanteuil you want.
+There has been a very valuable sale of Sir Clement Cotterell's
+prints, the impressions most beautiful, and of which Nanteuil
+made the capital part. I do not know who particularly collects
+his works now, but I have ordered my bookseller Bathoe,(458) who
+is much versed in those things, to inquire; and if I hear of any
+purchaser, Sir, I will let you know.
+
+I have not bought the Anecdotes of Polite literature,(459)
+suspecting them for a bookseller's compilation, and confirmed in
+it by never hearing them mentioned. Our booksellers here at
+London disgrace literature, by the trash they bespeak to be
+written, and at the same time prevent every thing else from being
+sold. They are little more or less than upholsters, who sell
+sets or bodies of arts and sciences for furniture; and the
+purchasers, for I am sure they are not readers, buy only in that
+view.(460) I never thought there was much merit in reading: but
+yet it is too good a thing to be put upon no better footing than
+In damask and mahogany.
+
+Whenever I can be of the least use to your studies or
+collections, you know, Sir, that you may command me freely.
+
+(457) Now first collected.
+
+(458) This very intelligent bookseller, who lived near Exeter
+'Change, in the Strand, died in 1768.-E.
+
+(459) This was a very amusing and judicious selection, in five
+small volumes, very neatly printed.-E.
+
+(460 "I once said to Dr. Johnson, 'I am sorry, Sir, you did not
+get more for your Dictionary.' His answer was, 'I am sorry too;
+but it was very well: the booksellers are generous liberal-minded
+men.' He, upon all occasions, did ample justice to their
+character in this respect. He considered them as the patrons of
+literature and, indeed, although they have eventually been
+considerable gainers by his Dictionary, it is to them that we owe
+its having been undertaken and carried out at the risk of great
+expense for they were not absolutely sure of being indemnified."
+Boswell's Johnson, vol. ii. p. 58.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 191 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 6, 1764. (page 279)
+
+You have, I hope, long before this, my dear lord, received the
+immense letter that I sent you by old Monin. It explained much,
+and announced most part of which has already happened; for you
+will observe that when I tell you any thing, very positively, it
+is on good intelligence. I have another much bigger secret for
+you, but that will be delivered to you by word of mouth. I am
+not a little impatient for the long letter you promised me. In
+the mean time thank you for the account you give me of the King's
+extreme civility to you. It is like yourself, to dwell on that,
+and to say little of M. de Chaulnes's dirty behaviour; but
+Monsieur and Madame de Guerchy have told your brother and me all
+the particulars.
+
+I was but too good a prophet when I warned you to expect new
+extravagances from the Due de Chaulnes's son. Some weeks ago he
+lost five hundred pounds to one Virette, an equivocal being, that
+you remember here. Paolucci, the Modenese minister, who is not
+in the odour of honesty, was of the party. The Duc de Pecquigny
+said to the latter, "Monsieur, ne jouez plus avec lui, si vous
+n'`etes pas de moiti`e." So far was very well. On Saturday at
+the Maccaroni Club(461) (which is composed of all the travelled
+young men, men who wear long curls and spying-glasses,) they
+played again: the Duc lost, but not Much. In the passage at the
+Opera, the Duc saw Mr. Stuart talking to Virette, and told the
+former that Virette was a coquin, a fripon, etc. etc. Virette
+retired, saying only, "Voil`a un fou." The Duc then desired Lord
+Tavistock to come and see him fight Virette, but the Marquis
+desired to be excused. After the Opera, Virette went to the
+Duc's lodgings, but found him gone to make his complaint to
+Monsieur de Guerchy, whither he followed him; and farther this
+deponent knoweth not. I pity the Count (de Guerchy,) who is one
+of the best-natured amiable men in the world, for having this
+absurd boy upon his hands!
+
+Well! now for a little politics. The Cider-bill(462) has not
+answered to the minority, though they ran the ministry hard;(463)
+but last Friday was extraordinary. George Grenville was pushed
+upon some Navy bills; I don't understand a syllable, you know of
+money and accounts; but whatever was the matter,(464) he was
+driven from entrenchment to entrenchment by Baker,(465) and
+Charles Townshend. After that affair was over, and many gone
+away, Sir W. Meredith moved for the depositions on which the
+warrant against Wilkes had been granted. The ministers
+complained of the motion being made so late In the day; called it
+a surprise; and Rigby moved to adjourn, which was carried but by
+73 to 60. Had a surprise been intended, one may imagine the
+minority would have been better provided with numbers; but it
+certainly had not been concerted: however, a majority, shrunk to
+thirteen, frightened them out of the small senses they possess.
+heaven, earth, and the treasury, were moved to recover their
+ground to-day, when the question was renewed. For about two
+hours the debate hobbled on very lamely, when on a sudden your
+brother rose, and made such a speech(466)--but I wish any body
+was to give you the account except me, whom you will think
+partial: but you will hear enough of it, to confirm any thing I
+can say. Imagine fire, rapidity, argument, knowledge, wit,
+ridicule, grave, spirit; all pouring like a torrent, but without
+clashing. Imagine the House in a tumult of continued applause
+imagine the ministers thunderstruck; lawyers abashed and almost
+blushing, for it was on their quibbles and evasions he fell most
+heavily, at the same time answering a whole session of arguments
+on the side of the court. No, it was unique; you can neither
+conceive it, nor the exclamations it occasioned. Ellis, the
+forlorn hope, Ellis presented himself in the gap, till the
+ministers could recover themselves, when on a sudden Lord George
+Sackville led up the Blues;(467) spoke with as much warmth as
+your brother had, and with great force continued the attack which
+he had begun. Did not I tell you he would take this part? I was
+made privy to it; but this is far from all you are to expect.
+Lord North in vain rumbled about his mustard-bowl, and
+endeavoured alone to outroar a whole party: him and Forrester,
+Charles Townshend took up, but less well than usual. His
+jealousy of your brother's success, which was very evident, did
+not help him to shine. There were several other speeches, and,
+upon the whole, it was a capital debate; but Plutus is so much
+more persuasive an orator than your brother or Lord George, that
+we divided but 122 against 217. Lord Strange, who had agreed to
+the question, did not dare to vote for it, and declared off; and
+George Townshend who had actually voted for it on Friday, now
+voted against it. well! upon the whole, I heartily wish this
+administration may last: both their characters and abilities are
+so contemptible, @at I am sure we can be in no danger from
+prerogative when trusted to such hands!
+
+Before I have done with Charles Townshend, I must tell you one of
+his admirable bon-mots. Miss Draycote,(468) the great fortune,
+is grown very fat: he says her tonnage is become equal to her
+poundage.
+
+There is the devil to pay in Nabob-land, but I understand Indian
+histories no better than stocks. The council rebelled against
+the governors and sent a deputation, the Lord knows why, to the
+Nabob, who cut off the said deputies' heads, and then, I think,
+was disnabob'd himself, and Clive's old friend reinstated. There
+is another rebellion in Minorca, where Johnson [has renounced his
+allegiance to viceroy Dick Lyttelton, and set up for himself.
+Sir Richard has laid the affair before the King and council;
+Charles Townshend first, and then your brother, (you know why I
+am sorry they should appear together in that cause,) have tried
+to deprecate Sir Richard's wrath: but it was then too late. The
+silly fellow has brought himself' to a precipice.
+
+I forgot to tell you that Lord George Sackville carried into the
+minority with him his own brother(469) Lord Middlesex; Lord
+Milton's brother;(470) young Beauclerc; Sir Thomas Hales; and
+Colonel Irwine.
+
+We have not heard a word of the Hereditary Prince and Princess.
+They were sent away in a tempest, and I believe the best one can
+hope is, that they are driven to Norway.(471)
+
+Good night, my dear lord; it is time to finish, for it is half an
+hour after one in the morning - I am forced to purloin such hours
+to Write to you, for I get up so late, and then have such a
+perpetual succession Of nothings to do, such auctions, politics,
+visits, dinners, suppers, books to publish or revise, etc. that I
+have not a quarter of an hour without a call upon it: but I need
+not tell you, who know my life, that I am forced to create new
+time, if I will keep up my correspondence with you. You seem to
+like I should, and I wish to give you every satisfaction in my
+power.
+
+Tuesday, February 7, four o'clock.
+
+I tremble whilst I continue my letter, having just heard such a
+dreadful story! A captain of a vessel has made oath before the
+Lord Mayor, this morning, that he saw one of the yachts sunk on
+the coast of Holland; and it is believed to be the one in which
+the Prince was. The city is in an uproar; nor need one point out
+all such an accident may produce, if true; which I most fervently
+hope it is not. My long letter will help you to comments enough,
+which will be made on this occasion. I wish you may know, at
+this moment, that our fears are ill placed. The Princess was not
+in the same yacht with her husband. Poor Fanshawe,(472) as clerk
+of the green cloth, with his wife and sister, was in one of them.
+
+Here is more of the Duc de Pecquigny's episode. An officer was
+sent yesterday to put Virette under arrest. His servant disputed
+with the officer on his orders, till his master made his escape.
+Virette sent a friend, whom he ordered to deliver his letter in
+person, and see it read, with a challenge, appointing the Duc to
+meet him at an hour after seven this morning, at Buckingham-gate,
+where he waited till ten to no purpose, though the Duc had not
+been put under arrest. Virette absconds, and has sent M. de
+Pecquigny word, that he shall abscond till he can find a proper
+opportunity of fighting him. Your discretion will naturally
+prevent your talking of this; but I thought you would like to be
+prepared, if this affair should any how happen to become your
+business, though your late discussion With the Duc de Chaulnes
+will add to your disinclination from meddling with it.
+
+I must send this to the post before I go to the Opera, and
+therefore shall not be able to tell you more of the Prince of
+Brunswick by this post.
+
+(461) The "Maccaroni" of 1764 was nearly synonymous with the term
+"dandy" at present in vogue, and even become classical by the use
+of it by Lord Byron; who, in his story of Beppo, written in 1817,
+speaks of
+
+
+----"the dynasty of Dandies, now
+Perchance succeeded by some other class
+Of imitated imitators:--how
+Irreparably soon decline, alas!
+The demagogues of fashion: all below
+Is frail; how easily the world is lost
+By love, or war, and now and then by frost!"-E.
+
+(462) A bill, passed in the last session, for an additional duty
+on cider and perry, which was violently opposed by the cider
+counties, and taken up as a general opposition question. This
+measure was considered as a great error on the part of Lord Bute,
+and the unpopularity consequent upon it is said to have
+contributed to his resignation.
+
+(463) On a motion for a committee on the Cider-bill on the 24th
+of January. Mr. James Grenville, in a letter to his sister, Lady
+Chatham, speaking of this debate says, "I should make you as old
+a woman as either Sandys or Rushout, if I were to state all the
+jargon that arose in this debate. It was plain the Court meant
+to preclude any repeal of the bill; the cider people coldly
+wished to obtain it. Sir Richard Bamfylde, at the head of them,
+spoke, not his own sentiments, as he declared, but those which
+the instructions and petitions of his constituents forced him to
+maintain. We divided 127 with us: against us, 167." Chatham
+Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 282.-E.
+
+(464) It was a proposal for converting certain outstanding
+navy-bills into annuities at four per cent.-C.
+
+(465) Sir William Baker, member for Plympton; an alderman of
+London. He married the eldest daughter of the second Jacob
+Tonson, the bookseller.-E.
+
+(466) There is no other account of this remarkable speech to be
+found; and indeed we have little notice of General Conway's
+parliamentary efforts, except Mr. Burke's general and brilliant
+description of his conduct as leader of the House of Commons in
+the Rockingham administration. As General Conway's reputation in
+the House of Commons has been in some degree forgotten, it may be
+as well to cite the passage from Mr. Burke's speech, in 1774, on
+American taxation, in support of what Mr. Walpole says of the
+General's powers in debate:--"I will likewise do justice, I ought
+to do it, to the honourable gentleman who led us in this House.
+Far from the duplicity wickedly charged on him, he acted his part
+with alacrity and resolution. We all felt inspired by the
+example he gave us, down even to myself, the weakest in that
+phalanx. I declare for one, I knew well enough (it could not be
+concealed from any body) the true state of things; but, in my
+life I never came with so much spirits into this House. It was a
+time for a man to act in. We had powerful enemies; but we had
+faithful and determined friends and a glorious cause. We had a
+great battle to fight, but we had the means of fighting; not as
+now, when our arms are tied behind us. We did fight that day,
+and conquer. I remember, Sir, with a melancholy pleasure, the
+situation of the Honourable gentleman (General Conway) who made
+the motion for the repeal; in that crisis, when the whole trading
+interest of this empire, crammed into your lobbies with a
+trembling, and anxious expectation, waited, ,almost to a winter's
+return of light, their fate from your resolution. When, at
+length, you had determined in their favour, and your doors thrown
+open, showed them the figure of their deliverer in the
+well-earned triumph of his important victory, from the whole of
+that grave multitude there arose an involuntary burst of
+gratitude and transport, They jumped upon him like children on a
+long absent father. They clung about him like captives about the
+redeemer. All England, all America, joined in his applause. Nor
+did he seem insensible to the best of all earthly regards--the
+love and admiration of his fellow-citizens. Hope elevated, and
+joy brightened his crest. I stood near him; and his face, to use
+the expression of the Scripture of the first martyr, 'his face
+was as if it had been the face of an angel.' I do not know how
+others feel; but if I had Stood in that situation, I never would
+have exchanged it for all that kings, in their profusion, could
+bestow. I did hope, that that day's danger and honour would have
+been a bond to hold us all together for ever. But alas! that,
+with other pleasing visions, is long since vanished."-C.
+
+(467) Mr. Walpole tinges his approbation of Lord George's
+politics by this allusion to Minden, where his lordship had not
+"led up the Blues."-C.
+
+(468) Miss Anna Maria Draycote, married in April, 17()3, to Earl
+Pomfret. To taste Mr. Townshend's jest, one must recollect, that
+in the finance of that day the duties of tonnage and poundage
+held a principal place.-C.
+
+(469) Governor Vansittart, contrary to the advice of his council,
+had deposed the Nabob Meer Jaffier, and transferred the
+sovereignty to his son-in-law, Cossim Ali Cawn. The latter,
+however, soon forgot his obligations to the English; and in
+consequence of some aggressions on his part, a deputation,
+consisting of Mesrs Amyatt and Hay, members of council, attended
+by half a dozen other gentlemen, was sent to the new Nabob.
+While this deputation was on its return, hostilities broke out,
+and these gentlemen were put to death as they were passing the
+city of Mor", Moreshedabad. About the same here the English
+council at Patna and their attendants were made prisoners, and
+afterwards cruelly massacred. These events necessitated the
+deposition of Cossim, and Jaffier was accordingly, after a short
+campaign, restored.-C. (468) Charles, afterwards second Duke of
+Dorset.-E.
+
+(470) John Damer, member for Dorchester. Lord Milton had married
+Lord George's youngest sister, Lady Caroline.-E.
+
+(471) The Prince and Princess landed safely at Helvoet on the 2d
+of February.-E.
+
+(472) Simon Fanshawe, Esq. member for Grampound. He had married
+a lady of his own name.
+
+
+
+Letter 192 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 1764. (page 283)
+
+My dear lord,
+You ought to be Witness to the fatigue I am suffering, before you
+can estimate the merit I have in being writing to you at this
+moment. Cast up eleven hours in the House of Commons on Monday,
+and above seventeen hours yesterday--ay, seventeen at length,-
+-and then you may guess if I am tired! nay, you must add
+seventeen hours that I may possibly be there on Friday, and then
+calculate if I am weary.(473) In short, yesterday was the
+longest day ever known in the House of Commons--why, on the
+Westminster election at the end of my father's reign,(474) I was
+at home by six. On Alexander Murray's(475) affair, I believe, by
+five--on the militia, twenty people, I think, sat till six, but
+then they were only among themselves, no heat, no noise, no
+roaring. It was half an hour after seven this morning before I
+was at home. Think of that, and then brag of your French
+parliaments!(476)
+
+What is ten times greater, Leonidas and the Spartan minority did
+not make such a stand at Thermopylae, as we did. Do you know, we
+had like to have been the majority? Xerxes(477) is frightened
+out of his senses; Sysigambis(478) has sent an express to Luton
+to forbid Phrates(479) coming to town to-morrow: Norton's(480)
+impudence has forsaken him; Bishop Warburton is at this moment
+reinstating Mr. Pitt's name in the dedication to his sermons,
+which he had expunged for Sandwich's;(481) and Sandwich himself
+is--at Paris, perhaps, by this time, for the first thing I expect
+to hear to-morrow is, that he is gone off.
+
+Now are you mortally angry with me for trifling with you, and not
+telling you at once the particulars of this almost-revolution.
+You may be angry, but I shall take my own time, and shall give
+myself what airs I please both to you, my Lord Ambassador, and to
+you, my Lord Secretary of State, who will, I suppose, open this
+letter--if you have courage enough left. In the first place, I
+assume all the impertinence of a prophet, aye, of that great
+curiosity, a prophet, who really prophesied before the event, and
+whose predictions have been accomplished. Have I, or have I not,
+announced to you the unexpected blows that would be given to the
+administration?--come, I will lay aside my dignity, and satisfy
+your impatience. There's moderation.
+
+We sat all Monday hearing evidence against Mr. Wood,(482) that
+dirty wretch Webb,(483) and the messengers, for their illegal
+proceedings against Mr. Wilkes. At midnight, Mr. Grenville
+offered us to adjourn or proceed. Mr. Pitt humbly begged not to
+eat or sleep till so great a point should be decided. On a
+division, in which though many said aye to adjourning, nobody
+would go out for fear of losing their seats, it was carried by
+379 to 31, for proceeding--and then--half the House went away.
+The ministers representing the indecency of this, and Fitzherbert
+saying that many were within call, Stanley observed, that after
+voting against adjournment, a third part had adjourned
+themselves, when, instead of being within call, they ought to
+have been within hearing: this was unanswerable, and we
+adjourned.
+
+Yesterday we fell to again. It was one in the morning before the
+evidence was closed. CarringTon, the messenger, was alone
+examined for seven hours. This old man, the cleverest of all
+ministerial terriers, was pleased with recounting his
+achievements, yet guarded and betraying nothing. However, the
+arcana imperia have been wofully laid open.
+
+I have heard Garrick, and other players, give themselves airs of
+fatigue after a long part--think of the Speaker, nay, think of
+the clerks taking most correct minutes for sixteen hours, and
+reading them over to every witness; and then let me hear of
+fatigue! Do you know, not only my Lord Temple,(484)--who you may
+swear never budged as spectator, but old Will Chetwynd,(485) now
+past eighty, and who had walked to the House, did not stir a
+single moment out of his place, from three in the afternoon till
+the division at seven in the morning. Nay, we had patriotesses,
+too, who stayed out the whole: Lady Rockingham and Lady Sondes
+the first day; both again the second day, with Miss Mary Pelham,
+Mrs. Fitzroy,(486) and the Duchess of Richmond, as patriot as any
+of us. Lady Mary Coke, Mrs. George Pitt,(487) and Lady
+Pembroke(488) came after the Opera, but I think did not stay
+above seven or eight hours at most.
+
+At one, Sir W. Meredith(489) moved a resolution of the illegality
+of the warrant, and opened it well. He was seconded by old
+Darlington's brother,(490) a convert to us. Mr. Wood, who had
+shone the preceding day by great modesty, decency, and ingenuity,
+forfeited these merits a good deal by starting up (according to a
+ministerial plan,) and very arrogantly, and repeatedly in the
+night, demanding justice and a previous acquittal, and telling
+the House he scorned to accept being merely excused; to which Mr.
+Pitt replied, that if he disdained to be excused, he would
+deserve to be censured. Mr. Charles Yorke (who, with his family,
+have come roundly to us for support against the Duke of Bedford
+on the Marriage-bill(491)) proposed to adjourn. Grenville and
+the Ministry would have agreed to adjourn the debate on the great
+question itself, but declared they would push this acquittal.
+This they announced haughtily enough--for as yet, they did not
+doubt of their strength. Lord Frederick Campbell(492) was the
+most impetuous of all, so little he foresaw how much wiser it
+would be to follow your brother. Pitt made a short speech,
+excellently argumentative, and not bombast, nor tedious. nor
+deviating from the question. He was supported by your brother,
+and Charles Townshend, and Lord George;(493) the two last of whom
+are strangely firm, now they are got under the cannon of your
+brother Charles, who, as he must be extraordinary, is now so in
+romantic nicety of honour. His father,(494) who is dying, or
+dead, at Bath, and from whom he hopes two thousand a year, has
+sent for him. He has refused to go--lest his steadiness should
+be questioned. At a quarter after four we divided. Our cry was
+so loud, that both we and the ministers thought we had carried
+it. It is not to be painted, the dismay of the latter--in good
+truth not without reason, for we were 197, they but 207. Your
+experience can tell you, that a majority of but ten is a defeat.
+Amidst a great defection from them, was even a white staff, Lord
+Charles Spencer(495)--now you know still more of what I told you
+was preparing for them!
+
+Crestfallen, the ministers then proposed simply to discharge the
+complaint; but the plumes which they had dropped, Pitt soon
+placed in his own beaver. He broke out on liberty, and, indeed,
+on whatever he pleased, uninterrupted. Rigby sat feeling the
+vice-treasurership slipping from under him. Nugent was now less
+pensive--Lord Strange,(496) though not interested, did not like
+it. Every body was too much taken up with his own concerns or
+too much daunted, to give the least disturbance to the Pindaric.
+Grenville, however, dropped a few words, which did but heighten
+the flame. Pitt, with less modesty than ever he showed,
+pronounced a panegyric, on his own administration, and from
+thence broke out on the dismission of officers. This increased
+the roar from us. Grenville replied, and very finely, very
+pathetically, very animated. he painted Wilkes and faction, and,
+with very little truth, denied the charge of menaces to officers.
+At that moment, General A'Court(497) walked up the House --think
+what an impression such an incident must make, when passions,
+hopes, and fears, were all afloat--think, too, how your brother
+and I, had we been ungenerous, could have added to these
+sensations! There was a man not so delicate. Colonel Barr`e
+rose--and this attended with a striking circumstance; Sir Edward
+Deering, one of our noisy fools, called out, "Mr. Barr`e,"(498)
+The latter seized the thought with admirable quickness, and said
+to the Speaker, who, in pointing to him, had called him Colonel,
+"I beg your pardon, Sir, you have pointed to me by a title I have
+no right to," and then made a very artful and pathetic speech on
+his own services and dismission; with nothing bad but an awkward
+attempt towards an excuse to Mr. Pitt for his former behaviour.
+Lord North, who will not lose his bellow, though he may lose his
+place, endeavoured to roar up the courage of his comrades, but it
+would not do--the House grew tired, and we again divided at seven
+for adjournment; some of our people were gone, and we remained
+but 184, they 208; however, you will allow our affairs are
+mended, when we say, but 184. We then came away, and left the
+ministers to satisfy Wood, Webb, and themselves, as well as they
+could. It was eight in the morning before I was in bed; and
+considering that this is no very short letter, Mr. Pitt bore the
+fatigue with his usual spirit(499)--and even old Onslow, the late
+Speaker, was sitting up, anxious for the event.
+
+On Friday we are to have the great question, which would prevent
+my writing; and to-morrow I dine with Guerchy, at the Duke of
+Grafton's, besides twenty other engagements. To-day I have shut
+myself up; for with writing this, and taking notes yesterday all
+day, and all night, I have not an eye left to see out of--nay,
+for once in my life, I shall go to bed at ten o'clock.
+
+I am glad to be able to contradict two or three passages in my
+last letter. The Prince and Princess of Brunswick are safely
+landed, though they were in extreme danger. The Duc de Pecquigny
+had not only been put in arrest late on the Sunday night, which I
+did not know, but has retrieved his honour. Monsieur de Guerchy
+sent him away, and at Dover Virette found him, and whispered him
+to steal from D'Allonville(500) and fight. The Duc first begged
+his pardon, owned himself in the wrong, and then fought him, and
+was wounded, though slightly, in four places in the arm; and both
+are returned to London with their honours as white as snow.
+
+Sir Jacob Downing(501) is dead, and has left every shilling to
+his wife; id est, not sixpence to my Lord Holland;(502) a mishap
+which, being followed by a minority of 197, will not make a
+pleasant week to him.
+
+now would you believe how I feel and how I wish? I wish we may
+continue the minority. The desires of some of my associates,
+perhaps, may not be satisfied, but mine are. Here is an
+opposition formidable enough to keep abler ministers than
+Messieurs the present gentlemen in awe. They may pick pockets,
+but they will pick no more locks. While we continue a minority,
+we preserve our characters, and we have some too good to part
+with. I hate to have a camp to plunder; at least, I am so Which
+I am so whig, I hate spoils but the opima spolia. I think it,
+too, much more creditable to control ministers, than to be
+ministers--and much more creditable than to become mere ministers
+ourselves. I have several other excellent reasons against our
+success, though I could combat them with as many drawn from the
+insufficience of the present folk, and the propriety of Mr. Pitt
+being minister; but I am too tired, and very likely so are you,
+my dear lord, by this time, and therefore good night!
+
+Friday noon.
+
+I had sealed my letter, and break it open again on receiving
+yours of the 13th, by the messenger. Though I am very sorry you
+had not then got mine from Monin, which would have prepared you
+for much of what has happened, I do not fear its miscarriage, as
+I think I can account for the delay. I had, for more security,
+put it into the parcel with two more volumes of my Anecdotes of
+Painting; which, I suppose, remained in M. Monin's baggage; and
+he might not have taken it when he delivered the single letters.
+If he has not yet sent you the parcel, you may ask for it, as the
+same delicacy is not necessary as for a letter.
+
+I thank Lord Beauchamp much for the paper, but should thank him
+much more for a letter from himself. I am going this minute to
+the House, where I have already been to prayers,(503) to take a
+place. It was very near full then, so critical a day it is! I
+expect we shall be beaten-but we shall not be so many times more.
+Lord Granby(504) I hear, is to move the previous question--they
+are reduced to their heavy cannon.
+
+Sunday evening, 19th.
+
+Happening to hear of a gentleman who sets out for Paris in two or
+three days, I stopped my letter, both out of prudence (pray
+admire me!) and from thinking that it was as well to send you at
+once the complete history of our Great Week. By the time you
+have read the preceding pages, you may, perhaps, expect to find a
+change in the ministry in what I am going to say. You must have
+a little patience; our parliamentary war, like the last war in
+Germany, produces very considerable battles, that are not
+decisive. Marshal Pitt has given another great blow to the
+subsidiary army, but they remained masters of the field, and both
+sides sing te Deum. I am not talking figuratively, when I assure
+you that bells, bonfires, and an illumination from the Monument,
+were prepared in the city, in case we had the majority. Lord
+Temple was so indiscreet and indecent as to have fagots ready for
+two bonfires, but was persuaded to lay aside the design, even
+before it was abortive.
+
+It is impossible to give you the detail of so long a debate as
+Friday's. You will regret it the less when I tell you it was a
+very dull one. I never knew a day of expectation answer. The
+impromptus and the unexpected are ever the most shining. We love
+to hear ourselves talk, and yet we must be formed of adamant to
+be able to talk day and night on the same question for a week
+together. If you had seen how ill we looked, you would not have
+wondered we did not speak well. A company of colliers emerging
+from damps and darkness could not have appeared more ghastly and
+dirty than we did on Wednesday morning; and we had not recovered
+much bloom on Friday. We spent two or three hours on corrections
+of, and additions to, the question of pronouncing the warrant
+illegal, till the ministry had contracted it to fit scarce any
+thing but the individual case of Wilkes, Pitt not opposing the
+amendments because Charles Yorke gave into them; for it is
+wonderful(505) what deference is paid by both sides to that
+house. The debate then began by Norton's moving to adjourn the
+consideration of the question for four months, and holding out a
+promise of a bill, which neither they mean nor, for my part,
+should I like: I would not give prerogative so much as a
+definition. You are a peer, and, therefore, perhaps, will hear
+it with patience--but think how our ears must have tingled, when
+he told us, that should we pass the resolution, and he were a
+judge, he would mind it no more than the resolution of a drunken
+porter! Had old Onslow been in the chair, I believe he would
+have knocked him down with the mace. He did hear of it during
+the debate, though not severely enough; but the town rings with
+it. Charles Yorke replied, and was much admired. Me he did not
+please; I require a little more than palliatives and sophistries.
+He excused the part he has taken by pleading that he had never
+seen the warrant, till after Wilkes was taken up--yet he then
+pronounced the No. 45 a libel, and advised the commitment of
+Wilkes to the Tower. If you advised me to knock a man down,
+would you excuse yourself by saying you had never seen the stick
+with which I gave the blow Other speeches we had without end, but
+none good, except from Lord George Sackville, a short one from
+Elliot, and one from Charles Townshend, so fine that it amazed,
+even from him. Your brother had spoken with excellent sense
+against the corrections, and began well again in the debate, but
+with so much rapidity that he confounded himself first, and then
+was seized with such a hoarseness that he could not proceed.
+Pitt and George Grenville ran a match of silence, striving which
+should reply to the other. At last, Pitt, who had three times in
+the debate retired with pain,(506) rose about three in the
+morning, but so languid, so exhausted, that, in his life, he
+never made less figure. Grenville answered him; and at five in
+the morning we divided. The Noes were so loud, as it admits a
+deeper sound than Aye, that the Speaker, who has got a bit of
+nose(507) since the opposition got numbers, gave it for us. They
+went forth; and when I heard our side counted to the amount of
+218, I did conclude we were victorious; but they returned 232.
+It is true we were beaten by fourteen, but we were increased by
+twenty-one; and no ministry could stand on so slight an
+advantage, if we could continue above two hundred.(508)
+
+We may, and probably shall, fall off: this was our strongest
+question--but our troops will stand fast: their hopes and views
+depend upon it, and their spirits are raised. But for the other
+side it will not be the same. The lookers-on will be stayers
+away, and their very subsidies will undo them. They bought two
+single votes that day with two peerages;(509) Sir R.
+Bampfylde(510) and Sir Charles Tynte(511)--and so are going to
+light up the flame of two more county elections--and that in the
+west, where surely nothing was wanting but a tinder-box!
+
+You would have almost laughed to see the spectres produced by
+both sides; one would have thought that they had sent a
+search-warrant for members of parliament into every hospital.
+Votes were brought down in flannels and blankets, till the floor
+of the House looked like the pool of Bethesda. 'Tis wonderful
+that half of us are not dead--I should not say us; Herculean I
+have not suffered the least, except that from being a Hercules of
+ten grains, I don't believe I now weigh above eight. I felt from
+nothing so much as the noise, which made me as drunk as an owl-
+-you may imagine the clamours of two parties so nearly matched,
+and so impatient to come to a decision.
+
+The Duchess of Richmond has got a fever with the attendance of
+Tuesday--but on Friday we were forced to be unpolite. The
+Amazons came down in such squadrons, that we were forced to be
+denied. However, eight or nine of the patriotesses dined in one
+of the Speaker's rooms, and stayed there till twelve--nay, worse,
+while their dear country was at stake, I am afraid they were
+playing at loo!
+
+The Townshends, you perceive by this account, are returned; their
+father not dead.(512) Lord Howe(513) and the Colonel voted with
+us; so did Lord Newnham,(514) and is likely to be turned out of
+doors for it. A warrant to take up Lord Charles Spenser was sent
+to Blenheim from Bedford-house,(515) and signed by his brother,
+and returned for him; so he went thither--not a very kind office
+in the Duke of Marlborough to Lord Charles's character. Lord
+Granby refused to make the motion, but spoke for it. Lord
+Hardwicke is relapsed; but we do not now fear any consequences
+from his death. The Yorkes, who abandoned a triumphant
+administration, are not so tender as to return and comfort them
+in their depression.
+
+The chief business now, I suppose, will lie in souterreins and
+intrigues. Lord Bute's panic will, probably, direct him to make
+application to us. Sandwich will be manufacturing lies, and
+Rigby, negotiations. Some change or other, whether partial or
+extensive, must arrive. The best that can happen for the
+ministers, is to be able to ward off the blow till the recess,
+and they have time to treat at leisure; but in just the present
+state it is impossible things should remain. The opposition is
+too strong, and their leaders too able to make no impression.
+
+Adieu! pray tell Mr. Hume that I am ashamed to be thus writing
+the history of England, when he is with you!
+
+P. S. The new baronies are contradicted, but may recover truth at
+the end of the session.(516)
+
+(473) the important debate on the question of General Warrants,
+which is the subject of the following able and interesting
+letter, has never been reported. There are, indeed, in the
+parliamentary history, a letter from Sir George Yonge, and two
+statements by Sir William Meredith and Charles Townshend, on the
+subject, but they relate chiefly to their own motives and
+reasonings, and give neither the names nor the arguments of the
+debater,-, and fall very short indeed of the vigour and vivacity
+of Mr. Walpole's animated sketch.-C.
+
+(474) On the 22d December, 1741. This was one of the debates
+that terminated Sir Robert Walpole's administration: the numbers
+on the division were 220 against 216.-C.
+
+(475) The proceedings of the 6th of February, 1751, against the
+Honourable A. Murray, for impeding the Westminster election; but
+Walpole, in his Memoires, states that the House adjourned at two
+in the morning.-C.
+
+(476) The disputes between Louis XV. and his parliaments, which
+prepared the revolution, were at this period assuming a serious
+appearance.-C.
+
+(477) The King.
+
+(478) The Princess Dowager.
+
+(479) Lord Bute. Luton was his seat in Bedfordshire.
+
+(480) Mr. Walpole was too sanguine: Sir Fletcher had not even
+lost his boldness; for in the further progress of the adjourned
+debate, we shall find that he told the House that he would regard
+their resolution of no more value (in point of law, must be
+understood) than the vociferations of so many drunken porters.-C.
+
+(481) Lord Sandwich was an agreeable companion and an able
+minister; but One whose moral character did not point him out as
+exactly the fittest patron for a volume of sermons; and he was at
+this moment so unpopular, that Mr. Walpole affects to think he
+may have been intimidated to fly.-C.
+
+(482) Robert Wood, Esq. under-secretary of state; against whom,
+for his official share in the affair of the general warrants, Mr.
+Wilkes's complaint was made.-C.
+
+(483) Philip Carteret Webb, Esq. solicitor to the treasury,
+complained on the same ground. Mr. Walpole probably applies
+these injurious terms to Mr. Webb, on account of a supposed error
+in his evidence on the trial in the Common Pleas, for which he
+was afterwards indicted for perjury, but he was fully acquitted.
+The point was of little importance --whether he had or had not a
+key in his hand.-C.
+
+(484) Lord Temple was, as every one knows, a very keen
+politician, and took in all this matter a most prominent part;
+indeed, he was the prime mover of the whole affair, and bore the
+expense of all Wilkes's law proceedings out of his own pocket.-C.
+
+(485) William Chetwynd, brother of Lord Chetwynd: at this time
+master of the mint. He was in early life a friend of Lord
+Bolingbroke, and called, from the darkness of his complexion,
+Oroonoko Chetwynd: he sat out these debates with impunity, for he
+survived to succeed his brother as Lord Chetwynd, in 1767, and
+did not die for some years after.-C.
+
+(486) Probably Anne, daughter of Admiral Sir Peter Warren;
+married, in 1758, to Colonel Charles Fitzroy, afterwards first
+Lord Southampton.-C.
+
+(487) Penelope, daughter of Sir H. Atkins, married, in 1746, to
+George Pitt, first Lord Rivers.-C.
+
+(488) Elizabeth. daughter of Charles Spenser, first Duke of
+Marlborough of the Spenser branch, married, in 1756, to Henry,
+tenth Earl of Pembroke; she was celebrated for her beauty, which
+had even, it was said, captivated George III. When General
+Conway was dismissed for the vote of this very night, Lord
+Pembroke succeeded to his regiment.-C.
+
+(489) Sir William Meredith's motion was, "That a general warrant
+for apprehending and securing the authors, printers, and
+publishers of a seditious libel, together with their papers, is
+not warranted by law." This proposition the administration did
+not venture to deny, but they attached to it an exculpatory
+amendment to the Following effect:--"although such warrant has
+been issued according to the usage of office, and has been
+frequently produced to, and never condemned by, courts of
+justice."-C.
+
+(490) Gilbert, youngest brother of henry, first Earl of
+Darlington, who was so well known in Sir Robert Walpole's and Mr.
+Pelham's time as " Harry Vane." Mr. Gilbert Vane was deputy
+treasurer of Chelsea Hospital, but on this occasion abandoned the
+ministerial side of the House, with which he had hitherto voted:
+he died in 1772.-C.
+
+(491) The Marriage act was not an original measure of Lord
+Hardwicke; but as he, on the failure of one or two previous
+attempts at a bill on that subject, was requested by the House of
+Lords to prepare one, he, and of course his sons, must have
+continued interested in its maintenance; but Mr. Walpole's
+suspicion of a bargain and sale of sentiments between there and
+the opposition is quite absurd. Even from Mr. Walpole's own
+statement, it would seem, that, on the subject of general
+warrants, mr. Charles Yorke acted with sincerity and
+moderation,-anxious to have a great legal question properly
+decided, and unwilling to prostitute its success to the purposes
+of party.-C.
+
+(492) Fourth son of John, third Duke of Argyle; afterwards keeper
+of the privy seal in Scotland, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant
+of Ireland, and finally, lord register of Scotland. As He was
+the brother-in-law of General Conway, Mr. Walpole seems to have
+expected him to have followed Conway's politics.-C.
+
+(493) Lord George Sackville.
+
+(494) Charles, third Lord Townshend, a peer, whose reputation is
+lost between that of his father and his sons.-C.
+
+(495) Second son of the Duke of Marlborough; his white staff was
+that of comptroller of the household. He was, it seems, in Mr.
+Walpole's sense of the word, wiser than Lord Frederick Campbell;
+but we shall see presently, that this wisdom grew ashamed of
+itself in a day or two, and in 1765, when the party which he had
+this night assisted came into power, he was turned out.-C.
+
+(496) James, eldest son of the Earl of Derby, born in 1717; he
+died in 1771, before his father. I know not why Walpole says he
+was not interested; he was a very respectable man, but he was
+also chancellor of the duchy, and might naturally have felt as
+much interested as the other placemen-C.
+
+(497) Lately dismissed. See ant`e, p. 276, letter 188.-E.
+
+(498) Colonel Barr`e had been dismissed from the office of
+adjutant-general. See ant`e, p. 258, letter 184.-E.
+
+(499) The Duke of Newcastle in a letter to Mr. Pitt of the 15th,
+says, "Mr. West and honest George Onslow came to my bedside this
+morning, to give me an account of the glorious day we had
+yesterday, and of the great obligations which every true lover of
+the liberties of his country and our present constitution owe to
+you, for the superior ability, firmness, and resolution which you
+showed during the longest attention that ever was known. God
+forbid that your health should suffer by your zeal for your
+country." Chatham Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 287.-E.
+
+(500) Probably the gentleman in whose charge M. de Guerchy had
+sent away the giddy Duke.-C.
+
+(501) Sir Jacob Gerrard Downing, Bart., member for Dunwich: he
+died the 6th of February, and left his estate, as Mr. Walpole
+says, to his wife; but only for her life, and afterwards to build
+and endow Downing College at Cambridge.(502) The grounds of any
+expectation which Lord Holland may have entertained from Sir
+Jacob Downing have not reached us; but it is right to say, that
+Mr. Walpole had quarrelled with Lord Holland, and was glad on any
+occasion, just or otherwise, to sneer at him.-C.
+
+(503) It may be necessary to remark, that any member who attends
+at the daily prayers of the House has a right, for that evening,
+to the place he occupies at prayers. On nights of great
+interest, when the House is expected to be crowded, there is
+consequently a considerable attendance at prayers.-C.
+
+(504) Eldest son of the third Duke of Rutland, well known for his
+gallant conduct at Minden, and still remembered for his
+popularity with the army and the public. He was at this time
+commander-in-chief and master-general of the ordnance. He died
+before his father, in 1770.-C.
+
+(505) Wonderful to Mr. Walpole only, who had a private pique
+against the Yorkes; no one else could wonder that deference
+should be paid to long services, high stations, great abilities,
+and unimpeached integrity.-C.
+
+(506) Mr. Pitt's frequent fits of the gout are well known: he was
+even suspected of sometimes acting a fit of the gout in the House
+of Commons. (A reference to the Chatham Correspondence will, it
+is believed, remove the illiberal suspicion, that Mr. Pitt, on
+this, or any other occasion, was in the practice of "acting a fit
+of the gout." On the morning after the debate, the Duke of
+Newcastle thus wrote to Mr. Pitt "I shall not be easy till I hear
+you have not increased your pain and disorder, by your attendance
+and the great service you did yesterday to the public. I could
+not omit thanking you and congratulating you upon your great and
+glorious minority, before I went to Claremont. Such a minority,
+with such a leader, composed of gentlemen of the Greatest and
+most independent fortunes in the kingdom, against a majority of
+fourteen only, influenced by power and force, and fetched from
+all corners of the kingdom, must have its weight, and produce the
+most happy consequences to the public." Chatham Correspondence,
+vol. ii. p. 288.-E.]
+
+(507) Sir John Cust's nose was rather short, as his picture by
+Reynolds, as well as by Walpole, testify.-C.
+
+(508) In reference to this defeat of the ministry, Gray, in a
+letter to Dr. Wharton, says, "Their crests are much fallen and
+countenances lengthened by the transactions of last week; for the
+ministry, on Thursday last (after sitting till near eight in the
+morning), carried a small point by a majority of only forty, and
+on another previous division by one of ten only; and on Friday
+last, at five in the morning, there were 220 to 232; and by this
+the court only obtained to adjourn the debate for four months,
+and not to get a declaration in favour of their measures. If
+they hold their ground many weeks after this, I shall wonder; but
+the new reign has already produced many wonders." Works, vol. iv.
+p. 30.-E.
+
+(509) Not correct. See afterwards.-E.
+
+(510) sir Richard Warwick Bampfylde, fourth baronet; member for
+Devonshire.-E.
+
+(511) Sir Charles Kemeys Tynte, fifth baronet; member for
+Somersetshire.-E.
+
+(512) He died on the 13th of the ensuing month.-E.
+
+(513) Richard, fourth Viscount, and first Earl Howe, the hero of
+the 1st of June; and his brother, Colonel, afterwards General Sir
+William, who succeeded him as fifth Viscount Howe.-C.
+
+(514) George Simon, Viscount Newnham, afterwards second Earl of
+Harcourt, remarkable for a somewhat exaggerated imitation of
+French fashions. His father, the first Earl, was at this time
+chamberlain to the Queen.-C.
+
+(515) See ant`e, p. 286. The meaning of this passage is, that
+the Duke of Bedford (who was president of the council) wrote a
+letter, which he sent to Blenheim for the Duke of Marlborough to
+sign, desiring his brother, Lord Charles, to abstain from again
+voting against the government. The Duke of Marlborough (who was
+privy seal) signed, as Walpole intimates, the letter; and Lord
+Charles, instead of attending the House, and voting, as he had
+done on the former night, against ministers, went down to
+Blenheim.-C.
+
+(516) They never took place, and probably never were in
+contemplation.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 193 To Sir David Dalrymple.(517)
+Arlington Street, Feb. 23, 1764. (page 292)
+
+Dear Sir,
+I am much in your debt, but have had but too much excuse for
+being so. Men who go to bed at six and seven in the morning, and
+who rise but to return to the same fatigue, have little leisure
+for other most necessary duties. The severe attendance we have
+had lately in the House of Commons cannot be unknown to you, and
+will already, I trust, have pleaded my pardon.
+
+Mr. Bathoe has got the two volumes for you, and will send them by
+the conveyance you prescribe. You will find in them much, I
+fear, that will want your indulgence; and not only dryness,
+trifles, and, I conclude, many mistakes, but perhaps opinions
+different from your own. I can only plead my natural and
+constant frankness, which always speaks indifferently, as it
+thinks, on all sides and subjects. I am bigoted to none: Charles
+or Cromwell, Whigs or Tories, are all alike to me, but in what I
+think they deserve, applause or censure; and therefore, if' I
+sometimes commend, sometimes blame them, it is not for being
+inconsistent, but from considering them in the single light in
+which I then speak of them: at the same time meaning to give only
+my private opinion, and not at all expecting to have it adopted
+by any other man. Thus much, perhaps, it was necessary for @ne
+to say, and I will trouble you no further about myself.
+
+Single portraits by Vandyck I shall avoid particularizing any
+farther, and also separate pieces by other masters, for a reason
+I may trust you with. Many persons possess pictures which they
+believe or call originals, without their being so, and have
+wished to have them inserted in my lists. This I certainly do
+not care to do, nor, on the other hand, to assume the
+impertinence of deciding from my own judgment. I shall,
+therefore, stop where I have stopped. The portraits which you
+mention, of the Earl of Warwick, Sir, is very famous and
+indubitable; but I believe you will assent to my prudence, which
+does not trouble me too often. I have heard as much fame of the
+Earl of Denbigh.
+
+You will see in my next edition, that I have been so lucky as to
+find and purchase both the drawings that were at
+Buckingham-house, of the Triumphs of Riches and Poverty. They
+have raised even my ideas of Holbein. Could I afford it, and we
+had engravers equal to the task, the public should be acquainted
+with their merit; but I am disgusted with paying great sums for
+wretched performances. I am ashamed of the prints in my books,
+which were extravagantly paid for, and are wretchedly executed.
+
+Your zeal for reviving the publication of Illustrious Heads
+accords, Sir, extremely with my own sentiments; but I own I
+despair of that, and every work. Our artists get so much money
+by hasty, slovenly performances, that they will undertake nothing
+that requires labour and time. I have never been able to
+persuade any one of them to engrave the beauties at Windsor,
+which are daily perishing for want of fires in that palace. Most
+of them entered into a plan I had undertaken, of an edition of
+Grammont with portraits. I had three executed; but after the
+first, which was well done, the others were so wretchedly
+performed, though even the best was much too dear, that I was
+forced to drop the design. Walker, who has done much the best
+heads in my new volumes, told me, when I pressed him to consider
+his reputation, that , "he had got fame enough!" What hopes,
+Sir, can one entertain after so shameful an answer? I have had
+numerous schemes, but never could bring any to bear, but what
+depended solely on myself; and how little is it that a private
+man, with a moderate fortune, and who has many other avocations,
+can accomplish alone? I flattered myself that this reign would
+have given new life and views to the artists and the curious. I
+am disappointed: Politics on one hand, and want of taste in those
+about his Majesty on the other, have prevented my expectations
+from being answered.
+
+The letters you tell me of, Sir, are indeed curious, both those
+of Atterbury and the rest; but I cannot flatter myself that I
+shall be able to contribute to publication. My press, from the
+narrowness of its extent, and having but one man and a boy, goes
+very slow; nor have I room or fortune to carry it farther. What
+I have already in hand, or promised, will take me up a long time.
+The London Booksellers play me all manner of tricks. If I do not
+allow them ridiculous profit,(518) they will do nothing to
+promote the sale; and when I do, they buy up the impression, and
+sell it for an advanced price before my face. This is the case
+of my two first volumes of Anecdotes, for which people have been
+made to pay half a guinea, and more than the advertised price.
+In truth, the plague I have had in every shape with my own
+printers, engravers, the booksellers, besides my own trouble,
+have almost discouraged me from what I took up at first as an
+amusement, but which has produced very little of it.
+
+I am sorry, upon the whole, Sir, to be forced to confess to you,
+that I have met with so many discouragements in virt`u and
+literature. If an independent gentleman, though a private one,
+finds such obstacles, what must an ingenious man do, who is
+obliged to couple views of profit with zeal for the public? Or,
+do our artists and booksellers, cheat me the more because I am a
+gentleman? Whatever is the cause, I am almost as sick of the
+profession of editor, as of author. If I touch upon either more,
+it will be more idly, though chiefly because I never can be quite
+idle.
+
+(517) Now first collected.
+
+(518) The following just and candid vindication of the London
+booksellers from the charge of rapacity on the score of
+"ridiculous profit," is contained in a letter written by Dr.
+Johnson, in March, 1776, to the Rev. Dr. Wetherell:--"It is,
+perhaps, not considered through how many hands a book often
+passes, before it comes into those of the reader; or what part of
+the profit each hand must retain, as a motive for transmitting it
+to the next, We will call our primary agent in London, Mr.
+Cadell, who receives our books from us, gives them room in his
+warehouse, and issues them on demand; by him they are sold to Mr.
+Dilly, a wholesale bookseller, who sends them into the country;
+and the last seller is the country bookseller. Here are three
+profits to be paid between the printer and the reader, or, in the
+style of commerce, between the manufacturer and the consumer; and
+if any of these profits is too penuriously distributed, the
+process of commerce is interrupted."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 194 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 24, 1764. (page 294)
+
+As I had an opportunity, on Tuesday last, of sending you a letter
+of eleven pages, by a very safe conveyance, I shall say but a few
+words to-day; indeed, I have left nothing to say, but to thank
+you for the answer I received from you this morning to mine by
+Monsieur Monin. I am very happy that you take so kindly the
+freedom I used: the circumstances made me think it necessary; and
+I flatter myself, that you are persuaded I was not to blame in
+speaking so openly, when two persons so dear to me were
+concerned.(519) Your 'Indulgence will not lead me to abuse it.
+What you say on the caution I mentioned, convinces me that I was
+right, by finding your judgment correspond with my own-but enough
+of that.
+
+My long letter, which, perhaps, you will not receive till after
+this (you will receive it from a lady), will give you a full
+detail of the last extraordinary week. Since that, there has
+been an accidental suspension of arms. Not only Mr. Pitt is laid
+up with the gout, but the Speaker has it too. We have been
+adjourned till to-day, and as he is not recovered, have again
+adjourned till next Wednesday. The events of the week have been,
+a complaint made by Lord Lyttelton in your House, of a book
+called "Droit le Roy;"(520) a tract written in the highest strain
+of prerogative, and drawn from all the old obsolete law-books on
+that question.(521) The ministers met this complaint with much
+affected indignation, and even on the complaint being
+communicated to us, took it up themselves; and both Houses have
+ordered the book to be burned by the hangman. To comfort
+themselves for this forced zeal for liberty, the North Briton,
+and the Essay on Woman have both been condemned(522) by Juries in
+the King's Bench; but that triumph has been more than balanced
+again, by the city giving their freedom to Lord Chief-Justice
+Pratt,(523) ordering his picture to be placed in the King's
+Bench, thanking their members for their behaviour in Parliament
+on the warrant, and giving orders for instructions to be drawn
+for their future conduct.
+
+Lord Granby is made lord lieutenant of Derbyshire; but the vigour
+of this affront was wofully weakened by excuses to the Duke of
+Devonshire, and by its being known that the measure was
+determined two months ago.
+
+All this sounds very hostile; yet, don't be surprised if you hear
+of some sudden treaty. Don't you know a little busy squadron
+that had the chief hand in the negotiation(524) last autumn?
+Well, I have reason to think that Phraates(525 is negotiating
+with Leonidas(526) by the same intervention. All the world sees
+that the present ministers are between two fires. Would it be
+extraordinary if the artillery of' both should be discharged on
+them at once? But this is not proper for the post: I grow
+prudent the less prudence is necessary.
+
+We are in pain for the Duchess of Richmond, who, instead of the
+jaundice, has relapsed into a fever. She has blooded twice last
+night, and vet had a very bad night. I called at the door at
+three o'clock, when they thought the fever rather diminished, but
+spoke of her as very ill. I have not seen your brother or Lady
+Aylesbury to-day, but found they had been very much alarmed
+yesterday evening.(527) Lord Suffolk,(528) they say, is going to
+be married to Miss Trevor Hampden.
+
+Your brother has told me, that among Lady Hertford's things
+seized at Dover, was a packet for me from you. Mr. Bowman has
+undertaken to make strict inquiry for it. Adieu, my dear lord.
+
+P. S. We had, last Monday, the prettiest ball that ever was seen,
+at Mrs. Ann Pitt's,(529) in the compass of a silver penny. There
+were one hundred and four persons, of which number fifty-five
+supped. The supper-room was disposed with tables and benches
+back to back in the manner of an alehouse. The idea sounds ill;
+but the fairies had so improved upon it, had so be-garlanded, so
+sweetmeated, and so desserted it, that it looked like a vision.
+I told her she Could only have fed and stowed so much company by
+a miracle, and that, when we were gone, she would take up twelve
+basketsfull of people. The Duchess of Bedford asked me before
+Madame de Guerchy, if I would not give them a ball at Strawberry?
+Not for the universe! What! turn a ball, and dust, and dirt, and
+a million of candles, into my charming new gallery! I said, I
+could not flatter myself that people would give themselves the
+trouble of going eleven miles for a ball--(though I believe they
+would go fifty)--"Well, then," says she, "it shall be a dinner."-
+-"With all my heart, I have no objection; but no ball shall set
+its foot within my doors."
+
+(519) It related, as we have seen, to General Conway's vote in
+opposition to the government.-C.
+
+(520) "Droit le Roy, or the Rights and Prerogatives of the
+Imperial Crown of Great Britain." In the examination of Griffin,
+the printer, before the Peers, he stated that Timothy Becknock
+afterwards hanged in Ireland as an accomplice of George Robert
+Fitzgerald, had sent the pamphlet to the press, and was, Griffin
+believed, the author of it.-C.
+
+(521) Gray writes to Dr. Wharton, on the 21st of February:--"The
+House of Lords, I hear, will soon take in hand a book lately
+published, by some scoundrel lawyer, on the prerogative; in which
+is scraped together all the flattery and blasphemy of our old
+law-books in honour of kings. I presume it is understood, that
+the court will support the cause of this impudent scribbler."
+Works, vol. iv. p. 30.-E.
+
+(522) Mr. Wilkes was tried on the 21st of February, for
+republishing the North Briton, No. 45, and for printing the Essay
+on Woman, and found guilty of both.-E.
+
+(523) The preamble of these resolutions is worthy of
+observation:--"Whereas the independency and uprightness of judges
+is essential to the impartial administration of justice, etc.
+this court, in manifestation of their just sense of the
+inflexible firmness and integrity of the Right Honourable Sir C.
+Pratt, lord chief justice, etc. gives him the freedom of the
+city, and orders his picture to be placed in Guildhall;" as if
+impartiality could only be assailed from one side, and as if gold
+boxes and pictures, and addresses from the corporation of London,
+were not as likely to have influence on the human mind as the
+favours from the crown. Their applause was either worth nothing,
+or it was an attempt on the impartiality of the judge.-C.
+
+(524) The negotiation in August, 1763, already alluded to, for
+Mr. Pitt's coming into power. There is some reason to suppose
+that Mr. Calcraft was employed in the first steps of this
+negotiation, and this may be what Mr. Walpole here refers to.-C.
+
+(525) Lord Bute.
+
+(526) Mr. Pitt.
+
+(527) The Duchess was the sister of Lady Aylesbury's first
+husband.-E.
+
+(528) Henry, twelfth Earl of Suffolk, married, May 1764, Miss
+Trevor, who had been on the point of marriage with Mr. Child of
+Osterley, where he suddenly died in September, 1763. See ant`e,
+p. 237, letter 175.-E.
+
+(529) Sister of the great Lord Chatham, whom she resembled in
+some qualities of her mind. See ant`e, p. 220, letter 157. Mr.
+Walpole, when some foreigner, who could not see Pitt himself, had
+asked him if he was like his sister, answered, in his usual happy
+style of giving a portrait at a touch, "Ils se ressemblent comme
+deux gouttes de feu!" She was privy purse to the Princess
+Dowager.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 195 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, March 3, 1764. (page 296)
+
+Dear Sir,
+Just as I was going to the Opera, I received your manuscript. I
+would not defer telling you so, that you may know it is safe.
+But I have additional reason to write to you immediately; for on
+opening the book, the first thing I saw was a new obligation to
+You, the charming Faithorne of Sir Orlando Bridgman, which
+according to your constantly obliging manner you have sent me,
+and I almost fear you think I begged it; but I can disculpate
+myself, for I had discovered that it belongs to Dugdale's
+Origines -Judiciales, and had ordered my bookseller to try to get
+me that book, which when I accomplish, you shall command your own
+print again; for it is too fine an impression to rob you of.
+
+I have been so entertained with your book, that I have stayed at
+home on purpose, and gone through three parts of it. It makes me
+wish earnestly some time or other to go through all your
+collections, for I have already found twenty things of great
+moment to me. One Is particularly satisfactory to me; it is in
+Mr. Baker's MSS. at Cambridge; the title of Eglesham's book
+against the Duke of Bucks,(530) mentioned by me in the account of
+Gerbier, from Vertue, who fished out every thing, and always
+proves in the right. This piece I must get transcribed by Mr.
+Gray's assistance. I fear I shall detain your manuscript
+prisoner a little, for the notices I have found, but I will take
+infinite care of it, as it deserves. I have got among my new old
+prints a most curious one of one Toole. It seems to be a
+burlesque. He lived in temp. Jac. I. and appears to have been an
+adventurer, like Sir Ant. Sherley:(531) can you tell me any thing
+of him?
+
+I must repeat how infinitely I think myself obliged to you both
+for the print and the use of your manuscript, which is of the
+greatest use and entertainment to me; but you frighten me about
+Mr. Baker's MSS. from the neglect of them. I should lose all
+patience if yours were to be treated so. Bind them in iron, and
+leave them in a chest of cedar. They are, I am sure, most
+valuable, from what I have found already.
+
+(530) This libellous book, written by a Scotch physician, and
+which is reprinted in the second volume of the Harleian
+Miscellany, and in the fifth volume of the Somers' Collection of
+Tracts, was considered by Sir Henry Wotton "as one of the alleged
+incentives which hurried Felton to become an assassin."-E.
+
+(531) Sherley's various embassies will be found in the
+collections of Hakluyt and Purchas. An article upon his travels,
+which were published in 1601, occurs likewise in the second
+volume of the Retrospective Review. The travels of the three
+brothers, Sir Thomas, Sir Anthony, and Master Robert Sherley,
+were published from the original manuscripts in 1825.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 196 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, March 11, 1764. (page 297)
+
+My dear lord,
+the last was so busy a week with me, that I had not a minute's
+time to tell you of Lord Hardwicke's(532) death. I had so many
+auctions, dinners, loo-parties, so many sick acquaintance, with
+the addition of a long day in the House of Commons, (which, by
+the way, I quitted for a sale of books,) and a ball, that I left
+the common newspapers to inform you of an event, which two months
+ago would have been of much consequence. The Yorkes are fixed,
+and the contest(533) at Cambridge will but make them strike
+deeper root in opposition. I have not heard how their father has
+portioned out his immense treasures. The election at Cambridge
+is to be on Tuesday, 24th; Charles Townshend is gone thither, and
+I suppose, by this time, has ranted, and romanced, and turned
+every one of their ideas topsyturvy.
+
+Our long day was Friday, the opening of the budget. mr.
+Grenville spoke for two hours and forty minutes; much of it well,
+but too long, too many repetitions, and too evident marks of
+being galled by reports, which he answered with more art than
+sincerity. There were a few more speeches, till nine o'clock,
+but no division. Our armistice, you see, continues. Lord Bute
+is, I believe, negotiating with both sides; I know he is with the
+opposition, and has a prospect of making very good terms for
+himself, for patriots seldom have the gift of perseverance. It
+is wonderful how soon their virtue thaws!
+
+Last Thursday, the Duchess of Queensbury(534) gave a ball, opened
+it herself with a minuet, and danced two country dances; as she
+had enjoined every body to be with her by six, to sup at twelve,
+and go away directly. Of the Campbell-sisters, all were left out
+but, Lady Strafford,(535) Lady Rockingham and Lady Sondes, who,
+having had colds, deferred sending answers, received notice that
+their places were filled up, and that they must not come; but
+were pardoned on submission. A card was sent to invite Lord and
+Lady Cardigan, and Lord Beaulieu instead of Lord Montagu.(536)
+This, her grace protested, was by accident. Lady Cardigan was
+very angry, and yet went. Except these flights, the only
+extraordinary thing the Duchess did, was to do nothing
+extraordinary, for I do not call it very mad that some pique
+happening between her and the Duchess of Bedford, the latter had
+this distich sent to her--
+
+Come with a whistle, and come with a call,
+Come with a good will, or come not at all.
+
+I do not know whether what I am going to tell you did not border
+a little upon Moorfields.(537) The gallery where they danced was
+very cold. Lord Lorn,(538) George Selwyn, and I, retired into a
+little room, and sat (Comfortably by the fire. The Duchess
+looked in, said nothing, and sent a smith to take the hinges of
+the door off We understood the hint, and left the room, and so
+did the smith the door. This was pretty legible.
+
+My niece Waldegrave talks of accompanying me to Paris, but ten or
+twelve weeks may make great alteration in a handsome young
+widow's plan: I even think I see Some(539) who will--not forbid
+banns, but propose them. Indeed, I am almost afraid of coming to
+you myself. The air of Paris works such miracles, that it is not
+safe to trust oneself there. I hear of nothing but my Lady
+Hertford's rakery, and Mr. Wilkes's religious deportment, and
+constant attendance at your chapel. Lady Anne,(540) I conclude,
+chatters as fast as my Lady Essex(541) and her four daughters.
+
+Princess Amelia told me t'other night, and bade me tell you, that
+she has seen Lady Massarene(542) at Bath, who is warm in praise
+of you, and said that you had spent two thousand pounds out of
+friendship, to support her son in an election. She told the
+Princess too, that she had found a rent-roll of your estate in a
+farmhouse, and that it is fourteen thousand a-year. This I was
+ordered, I know not why, to tell you. The Duchess of Bedford has
+not been asked to the loo-parties at Cavendish-house(543) this
+winter, and only once to whisk there, and that was one Friday
+when she is at home herself. We have nothing at the Princess's
+but silver-loo, and her Bath and Tunbridge acquaintance. The
+trade at our gold-loo is as contraband as ever. I cannot help
+saying, that the Duchess of Bedford would mend our silver-loo,
+and that I wish every body played like her at the gold.
+
+Arlington Street, Tuesday.
+
+You thank me, my dear lord, for my gazettes (in your letter of
+the 8th) more than they deserve. There is no trouble in sending
+you news; as you excuse the careless manner in which I write any
+thing I hear. Don't think yourself obliged to be punctual in
+answering me: it would be paying too dear for such idle and
+trifling despatches. Your picture of the attention paid to
+Madame Pompadour's illness, and of the ridicule attached to the
+mission of that homage, is very striking. It would be still more
+so by comparison. Think if the Duke of Cumberland was to set up
+with my Lord Bute!
+
+The East India Company, yesterday, elected Lord Clive--Great
+Mogul; that is, they have made him governor-general of Bengal,
+and restored his Jaghire.(544) I dare say he will put it out of
+their power ever to take it away again. We have had a deluge of
+disputes and pamphlets on the late events in that distant
+province of our empire, the Indies. The novelty of the manners
+divert me: our governors there, I think, have learned more of
+their treachery and injustice, than they have taught them of our
+discipline.
+
+Monsieur Helvetius(545 arrived yesterday. I will take care to
+inform the Princess, that you could not do otherwise than you did
+about her trees. My compliments to all your hotel.
+
+(532) The event took place on the 6th of March.-E.
+
+(533) For High steward of the university, between Lord Sandwich
+and the new Lord Hardwicke. Gray, in a letter of the 21st of
+February, written from Cambridge, says, "This silly dirty place
+has had all its thoughts taken up with choosing a new high
+steward; and had not Lord Hardwicke surprisingly, and to the
+shame of the faculty, recovered by a quack medicine, I believe in
+my conscience the noble Earl of Sandwich had been chosen, though,
+(let me do them the justice to say) not without a considerable
+opposition." Works, vol. iv. p. 29.-E.
+
+(534) Catharine Hyde, the granddaughter of the great Lord
+Clarendon; herself remarkable for some oddities of character,
+dress, and manners, to which the world became less indulgent as
+she ceased to be young and handsome.-C.
+
+(535) the sisters omitted were, Lady Dalkeith, Lady Elizabeth
+Mackenzie, and Lady Mary Coke.-C.
+
+(536) John Duke of Montagu left two daughters; the eldest,
+Isabella, married first the Duke of Manchester, and, secondly,
+Mr. Hussey, an Irish gentleman, created in consequence of this
+union, Lord Beaulieu. Mary, the younger sister, married Lord
+Cardigan, who was, in 1776, created Duke of Montagu: their eldest
+son having been in 1762, created Lord Montagu. The marriage of
+the elder sister with Mr. Hussey was considered, by her family
+and the world, as a m`esalliance; and, therefore, the mistake of
+lord Beaulieu for Lord Montagu was likely to give offence.-C.
+
+(537) It is now almost necessary to remind the reader, that old
+Bedlam stood in Moorfields.-C.
+
+(538) Afterwards fifth Duke of Argyle.-E.
+
+(539) He means, as subsequently appears, the Duke of Portland.-C.
+
+(540) Lord Hertford's eldest daughter, afterwards wife of Mr.
+Stewart, subsequently created Earl and Marquis of Londonderry.-E.
+
+(541) Elizabeth Russell, daughter of the second Duke of Bedford.
+She had four daughters; but the oldest died young.-E.
+
+(542) Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Eyre, Esq. of Derbyshire,
+second wife of the first, and mother of the second, Earl of
+Massarene; the latter being at this time a minor. The election
+was probably for the county of Antrim, in which both Lord
+Massarene and Lord Hertford had considerable property.-C.
+
+(543) Princess Amelia's, the corner of Harley Street; since the
+residence of Mr. Hope, and of mr. Watson Taylor.-C.
+
+(544) A rent-charge which had been granted him by the late Nabob,
+and which, on the seizure of the territory on which it was
+charged by the East India Company, Lord Clive insisted that the
+Company should continue to pay. It was about twenty-five
+thousand pounds per annum.-C.
+
+(545) A French philosopher, the son of a Dutch Physician brought
+into France by Louis XIV. He was the author of a dull book
+mis-named "De l'Esprit." We cannot resist repeating a joke made
+about this period on the occasion of a requisition made by the
+French ministry to the government of Geneva, that it should seize
+copies of this book "De l'Esprit," and Voltaire's "Pucelle
+d'Orl`eans," which were supposed to be collected there in order
+to be smuggled into France. The worthy magistrates were said to
+have reported that, after the most diligent search, they could
+find in their whole town no trace "de l'Esprit, et pas une
+Pucelle."-C. [The following is Gibbon's character of Helvetius,
+in a letter of the 12th of February, 1763:--"Amongst my
+acquaintance I cannot help mentioning M. Helvetius, the author of
+the famous book 'De l'Esprit.' I met him at dinner at Madame
+Geoffrin's, where he took great notice of me, made me a visit
+next day, has ever since treated me, not in a polite but a
+friendly manner. Besides being a sensible man, an agreeable
+companion, and the worthiest creature in the world, he has a very
+pretty wife, an hundred thousand livres a-year, and one of the
+best tables in Paris." He died in 1771, at the age of
+fifty-six.-E.]
+
+
+
+Letter 197 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Sunday, March 18, 1764. (page 300)
+
+You will feel, my dear lord, for the loss I have had, and for the
+much greater affliction of poor Lady Malpas. My nephew(546) went
+to his regiment in Ireland before Christmas, and returned but
+last Monday. He had, I suppose, heated himself in that
+bacchanalian country, and was taken ill the very day he set out,
+yet he came on, but grew much worse the night of his arrival; it
+turned to an inflammation in his bowels, and he died last Friday.
+You may imagine the distress where there was so much domestic
+felicity, and where the deprivation is augmented by the very
+slender circumstances in which he could but leave his family; as
+his father--such an improvident father--is living! Lord Malpas
+himself was very amiable, and I had always loved him--but this is
+the cruel tax one pays for living, to see one's friends taken
+away before one! It has been a week of mortality. The night I
+wrote to you last, and had sent away my letter, came an account
+of my Lord Townshend's death. He had been ill treated by a
+surgeon in the country, then was carried improperly to the Bath,
+and then again to Rainham, tho Hawkins, and other surgeons and
+physicians represented his danger to him. But the woman he kept,
+probably to prevent his seeing his family, persisted in these
+extravagant journeys, and he died in exquisite torment the day
+after his arrival in Norfolk. He mentions none of his children
+in his will, but the present lord; to whom he gives 300 pounds
+a-year that he had bought, adjoining to his estate. But there is
+said, or supposed to be, 50,000 pounds in the funds in his
+mistress's name, who was his housemaid. I do not aver this, for
+truth is not the staple commodity of that family. Charles is
+much disappointed and discontented--not so my lady, who has 2000
+pounds a-year already, another 1000 pounds in jointure, and 1500
+pounds her own estate in Hertfordshire.(547) We conclude, that
+the Duke of Argyle will abandon Mrs. Villiers(548) for this
+richer widow; who will only be inconsolable, as she is too
+cunning, I believe, to let any body console her. Lord
+Macclesfield(549) is dead too; a great windfall for Mr.
+Grenville, who gets a teller's place for his son.
+
+There is no public news: there was a longish day on Friday in our
+House, on a demand for money for the new bridge from the city.
+It was refused, and into the accompt of contempt, Dr. Hay(550)
+threw a good deal of abuse on the common council--a nest of
+hornets, that I do not see the prudence of attacking.
+
+I leave to your brother to tell you the particulars of an
+impertinent paragraph in the papers on you and your embassy; but
+I must tell you how instantly, warmly, and zealously, he resented
+it. He went directly to the Duke of Somerset, to beg of him to
+complain of it to the Lords. His grace's bashfulness made him
+choose rather to second the complaint, but he desired Lord
+Marchmont to make it, who liked the office, and the printers are
+to attend your House to-morrow.(551)
+
+I went a little too fast in my history of Lord Clive, and yet I
+had it from Mr. Grenville himself. The Jaghire is to be decided
+by law, that is in the year 1000. Nor is it certain that his
+Omrahship goes; that will depend on his obtaining a board of
+directors to his mind, at the approaching election.(552) I
+forgot, too, to answer your question about Luther;(553) and now I
+remember it, I cannot answer it. Some said his wife had been
+gallant. Some, that he had been too gallant, and that she
+suffered for it. Others laid it to his expenses at his election;
+others again, to political squabbles on that subject between him
+and his wife--but in short, as he sprung into the world by his
+election, so he withered when it was over, and has not been
+thought on since.
+
+George Selwyn has had a frightful accident, that ended in a great
+escape. He was at dinner at Lord Coventry's, and just as he was
+drinking a glass of wine, he was seized with a fit of coughing,
+the liquor went wrong, and suffocated him: he got up for some
+water at the sideboard, but being strangled, and losing his
+senses, he fell against the corner of the marble table with such
+violence, that they thought he had killed himself by a fracture
+of his skull. He lay senseless for some time, and was recovered
+with difficulty. He was immediately blooded, and had the chief
+wound, which is just over the eye, sewed up--but you never saw so
+battered a figure. All round his eye is as black as jet, and
+besides the scar on his forehead, he has cut his nose at top and
+bottom. He is well off with his life, and we with his wit.
+
+P. S. Lord Macclesfield has left his wife(554) threescore
+thousand pounds.
+
+(546) George Viscount Malpas member for Corfe-Castle, and colonel
+of the 65th regiment of foot, the son of George, third Earl of
+Cholmondeley, and of Mary, only legitimate daughter of Sir Robert
+Walpole. Lord Malpas had married, in 1747, Hester daughter and
+heiress of Sir Francis Edwards, Bart. and by her was father of
+the fourth Earl.
+
+(547) She was daughter and heiress of J. Harrison, Esq. of Balls,
+in Herts.-E.
+
+(548) Probably Mary Fowke, widow of Mr. Henry Villiers, nephew of
+the first Earl of Jersey.-C.
+
+(549) George, second Earl of Macclesfield, one of the tellers of
+the exchequer, and president of the Royal Society.-E.
+
+(550) George Hay, LL. D. member for Sandwich, and one of the
+lords of the admiralty.-E.
+
+(551) We find in the Journals, that the printers of two papers in
+which the libellous paragraph appeared, were, after examination
+at the bar, committed to Newgate. The libel itself is not
+recorded. The proceedings in the House of Lords were notified to
+Lord Hertford by the secretary of state, and the following is a
+copy of his reply to this communication:--"Paris, March 27th,
+1764. I am informed by my friend, of the insult that has been
+offered to my character in two public papers, and of the zeal
+shown by administration in seconding the resentment of the House
+of Peers in my favour. Perhaps my own inclination might have led
+me to despise such indignities; but if others, and particularly
+my friends, take the matter more warmly, I am not insensible to
+their attention, and receive with gratitude such pledges of their
+regard. I had indeed flattered myself, that my course of life
+had hitherto created me no enemy; but as I find that this
+felicity is too great for any man, I am pleased, at least, to
+find that he is a very low one: and I am so far obliged to him
+for discovering to me the share I have in the friendship of so
+many great persons, and for procuring me a testimony of esteem
+from so honourable an assembly as that of the Peers of
+England."-C.
+
+(552) Lord Clive made it a condition of his going to India, that
+Mr. Sullivan should be deprived of the lead he had in the
+direction at home.-C. [Soon after the election of the directors,
+the court took the subject of the settlement of Lord Clive's
+Jaghire into consideration; and a proposition, made by himself,
+was, on the ]6th of May, agreed to, confirming his right for ten
+years, if he lived so long, and provided the company continued,
+during that period, in possession of the lands from which the
+revenue was Paid.-E.]
+
+(553) John Luther, Esq. of Myless, near Ongar, in Essex, who, on
+the death of Mr. Harvey, of Chigwell, stood on the popular
+interest ,for that county against Mr. Conyers, and succeeded.-C.
+
+(554) Lord Macclesfield's second wife, whom he married in 1757,
+was a Miss Dorothy Nesbit.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 198 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Tuesday night, March 27, 1764. (page 302)
+
+Your brother has just told me, my dear lord, at the Opera, that
+Colonel Keith, a friend of his, sets out for Paris on Thursday.
+I take that opportunity of saying a few things to you, which
+would be less proper than by the common post; and if I have not
+time to write to Lord Beauchamp too, I will defer my answer to
+him till Friday, as the post-office will be more welcome to read
+that.
+
+Lord Bute is come to town, has been long with the King alone, and
+goes publicly to court and the House of Lords, where the Barony
+of Bottetourt((555) has engrossed them some days, and of which
+the town thinks much, and I not at all, so I can tell you nothing
+about it. The first two days, I hear, Lord Bute was little
+noticed; but to-day much court was paid to him, even by the Duke
+of Bedford. Why this difference, I don't know: that matters are
+somehow adjusted between the favourite not minister, and the
+ministers not favourites, I have no doubt. Pitt certainly has
+been treating with him, and so threw away the great and
+unexpected progress which the opposition had made. They, good
+people, are either not angry with him for this, or have not found
+it out. The Sandwiches and rigbys, who feel another half year
+coming into their pockets, are not so blind. For my own part, I
+rejoice that the opposition are only fools, and by thus missing
+their treaty, will not appear knaves. In the mean time, I have
+no doubt but the return of Lord Bute must produce confusion at
+court. He and Grenville are both too fond of being ministers,
+not to be jealous of one another. If what is said to be designed
+proves true, that the King will go to Hanover, and take the Queen
+with him, I shall expect that clamour (which you see depends on
+very few men,(556) for it has subsided during these private
+negotiations) will rise higher than ever. The Queen's absence
+must be designed to leave the regency in the hands of another
+lady:(557) connect that with Lord Bute's return, and judge what
+will be the consequence! These are the present politics, at
+least mine, who trouble myself little about them, and know less.
+I have not been at the House this month; the great points which
+interested me are over, and the very stand has shut the door. I
+might like some folks out, but there are so few that I desire to
+see in, that indifference is my present most predominating
+principle. The busier world are attentive to the election at
+Cambridge, which comes on next Friday; and I think, now, Lord
+Sandwich's friends have little hopes. Had I a vote, it would not
+be given for the new Lord Hardwicke.
+
+But we have a more extraordinary affair to engage us, and of
+which you particularly will hear much more,-indeed, I fear must
+be involved in. D'Eon has published (but to be sure you have
+already heard so) a most scandalous quarto, abusing Monsieur de
+Guerchy outrageously, and most offensive to Messieurs de Praslin
+and Nivernois.(558) In truth, I think he will have made all
+three irreconcilable enemies. The Duc de Praslin must be
+outraged as to the Duke's carelessness and partiality to D'Eon,
+and will certainly grow to hate Guerchy, concluding the latter
+can never forgive him. D'Eon, even by his own account, is as
+culpable as possible, mad with pride, insolent, abusive,
+ungrateful, and dishonest, in short, a complication of
+abominations, yet originally ill used by his court, afterwards
+too well; above all, he has great malice, and great parts to put
+the malice in play. Though there are even many bad puns in his
+book, a very uncommon fault in a French book, yet there is much
+wit too.(559) Monsieur de Guerchy is extremely hurt, though with
+the least reason of the three; for his character for bravery and
+good-nature is so established, that here, at least, he will not
+suffer. I could write pages to you upon this Subject, for I am
+full of it--but I will send you the book. The council have met
+to-day to consider what to do upon it. Most people think it
+difficult for them to do any thing. Lord Mansfield thinks they
+can--but I fear he has a little alacrity on the severe side in
+such cases. Yet I should be glad the law would allow severity in
+the present case. I should be glad of it, as I was in your case
+last week; and considering the present constitution of things,
+would put the severity of the law in execution. You will wonder
+at this sentence out of my mouth,(560) but not when you have
+heard my reason. The liberty of the press has been so much
+abused, that almost all men, especially such as have weight, I
+mean, grave hypocrites and men of arbitrary principles, are ready
+to demand a restraint. I would therefore show, that the law, as
+it already stands, is efficacious enough to repress enormities.
+I hope so, particularly in Monsieur de Guerchy's case, or I do
+not see how a foreign minister can come hither; if, while their
+persons are called sacred, their characters are at the mercy of
+every servant that can pick a lock and pay for printing a letter.
+It is an odd coincidence of accidents that has produced abuse on
+you and your tally in the same week--but yours was a flea-bite.
+
+Thank you, my dear lord, for your anecdotes relative to Madame
+Pompadour, her illness, and the pretenders to her succession. I
+hope she may live till I see her; she is one of the greatest
+curiosities of the age, and I am a pretty universal virtuoso.
+The match Of My niece with the Duke of Portland(561) was, I own,
+what I hinted at, and what I then believed likely to happen. It
+is now quite off, and with very extraordinary circumstances; but
+if I tell it you at all, it Must not be in a letter, especially
+when D'Eons steal letters and print them. It is a secret, and so
+little to the lover's advantage, that I, who have a great regard
+for his family, shall not be the first to divulge it.
+
+We had last night, a magnificent ball at Lady Cardigan's;(562)
+three sumptuous suppers in three rooms. The house, you know, is
+crammed with fine things, pictures, china, japan, vases, and
+every species of curiosities. These are much increased even
+since I was in favour there, particularly by Lord Montagu's
+importations. I was curious to see how many quarrels my lady
+must have gulped before she could fill her house--truly, not
+many, (though some,) for there were very few of her own
+acquaintance, chiefly recruits of her son and daughter. There
+was not the soup`con of a Bedford, though the town has married
+Lord Tavistock and Lady Betty(563)--but he is coming to you to
+France. The Duchess of Bedford told me how hard it was, that I,
+who had personally offended my Lady Cardigan, should be invited,
+and that she, who had done nothing, and yet had tried to be
+reconciled, should not be asked. "Oh, Madam," said I, "be easy as
+to that point, for though she has invited me, she will scarce
+speak to me but I let all such quarrels come and go as they
+please: if people, so indifferent to me, quarrel with me, it is
+no reason why I should quarrel with them, and they have my full
+leave to be reconciled when they please."
+
+I must trouble you once more to know to what merchant you
+consigned the Princess's trees, and Lady Hervey's biblioth`eque--
+I mean for the latter. I did not see the Princess last week, as
+the loss of my nephew kept me from public places. Of all public
+places, guess the most unlikely one for the most unlikely person
+to have been at. I had sent to know how Lady Macclesfield did:
+Louis(564) brought me word that he could hardly get into St.
+James's-square, there was so great a crowd to see my lord lie in
+state. At night I met my Lady Milton(565) at the Duchess of
+Argyle's, and said in joke, "Soh, to be sure, you have been to
+see my Lord Macclesfield lie in state!" thinking it impossible--
+she burst out into a fit of laughter, and owned she had. She and
+my Lady Temple had dined at Lady Betty's,(566) put on hats and
+cloaks, and literally waited on the steps of the house in the
+thick of the mob, while one posse was admitted and let out again
+for a second to enter, before they got in.
+
+You will as little guess what a present I have had from Holland--
+only a treatise of mathematical metaphysics from an author I
+never heard of, with great encomiums on my taste and knowledge.
+To be sure, I am warranted to insert this certificate among the
+testimonia authorum, before my next edition of the Painters.
+Now, I assure you, I am much more just--I have sent the gentleman
+word what a perfect ignoramus I am, and did not treat my vanity
+with a moment's respite. Your brother has laughed at me, or
+rather at the poor man who has so mistaken me, as much as ever I
+did at his absence and flinging down every thing at breakfast.
+Tom, your brother's man, told him to-day, that Mister
+Helvoetsluys had been to wait on him--now you are guessing,--did
+you find out this was Helvetius?
+
+It is piteous late, and I must go to bed, only telling you a
+bon-mot of Lady Bell Finch.(567) Lord Bath owed her half a
+crown; he sent it next day, with a wish that he could give her a
+crown. She replied, that though he could not give her a crown,
+he could give her a coronet, and she was very ready to accept
+it.(568) I congratulate you on your new house; and am your very
+sleepy humble servant.
+
+(555) The ancient Barony of Bottetourt had been considered as
+extinct ever since the reign of Edward III. and was now claimed
+by Mr. Norborne Berkeley, member for Gloucestershire, and a groom
+of the bedchamber; the revival of a claim so long forgotten
+created considerable interest.-C.
+
+(556) This is an important observation: it affords a clue to the
+causes of the unpopularity of the early years of George III.-C.
+
+(557) The Princess Dowager.
+
+(558) M. de Praslin was secretary for foreign affairs, and M. de
+Nivernois had been lately ambassador in England.-C.
+
+(559) At this distance of time, D,Eon's book seems to us the mere
+ravings of insane vanity; the puns poor, and the wit rare and
+forced.-C.
+
+(560) It certainly does not appear quite consistent, that Mr.
+Walpole, who so much disapproves of an attack on his friends,
+Lord Hertford and M. de Guerchy, should have been delighted, but
+a few pages since, with the hemlock administered to Lord Holland,
+and the scurrility against Bishop Warburton.-C.
+
+(561) See ant`e, p. 298), letter 196.
+
+(562) See ant`e, p. 298, letter 196.
+
+(563) Lady Cardigan's eldest daughter, married, in 1767, to the
+third Duke of Buccleuzh. This amiable and venerable lady is
+still living.-C. [She died in 1827.]
+
+(564) His valet.
+
+(565) Lady Caroline Sackville, wife of Joseph Damer, Lord Milton,
+of Ireland.-C.
+
+(566) Lady Betty Germain.-C.
+
+(567) Lady Isabella Finch, daughter of Daniel, sixth Earl of
+Winchelsea. She was lady of the bedchamber to Princess Amelia,
+and died unmarried in 1771.-C.
+
+(568) It seems that Lord Bath's coronet, and perhaps still more
+his great wealth, for which, after his son's death, he had no
+direct heir, subjected his lordship to views of the nature
+alluded to in Lady Bell's bon-mot. In the Suffolk Letters,
+lately published, is a proposition to this effect from Mrs. Anne
+Pitt, made with all appearance of seriousness.-C. (The following
+is the passage alluded to. It is contained in a letter from Mrs.
+Anne Pitt to Lady Suffolk, dated November 10, 1753:--"I hear my
+Lord Bath is here very lively, but I have not seen him, which I
+am very sorry for, because I want to offer myself to him. I am
+quite in earnest, and have set my heart upon it; so I beg
+seriously you will carry it in your mind, and think if you could
+find any way to help me. Do not you think Lady Betty Germain and
+Lord and Lady Vere would be ready to help me, if they knew how
+willing I am? But I leave all this to your discretion, and repeat
+seriously, that I am quite in earnest. he can want nothing but a
+companion that would like his company; and in my situation I
+should not desire to make the bargain without that circumstance.
+And though all I have been saying Puts me in mind of some
+advertisements I have seen in the newspapers from gentlewoman in
+distress, I will not take that method; but I want to recollect
+whether you did not tell me, as I think you did many years ago,
+that he once spoke so well of me, that he got anger for it at
+home, where I never was a favourite. I perceive that by thinking
+aloud, as I am apt to do with you, this letter is grown very
+improper for the post, so I design to send it with a tea-box my
+sister left and does not want, directed to your house."-E.]
+
+
+
+Letter 199 To Charles Churchill, Esq.(569)
+Arlington Street, March 27, 1764. (page 306)
+
+Dear sir,
+I had just sent away a half-scolding letter to my sister, for not
+telling me of Robert's(570) arrival, and to acquaint you both
+with the loss of poor Lord Malpas, when I received your very
+entertaining letter of the 19th. I had not then got the draught
+of the Conqueror's kitchen, and the tiles you were so good as to
+send me; and grew horribly afraid lest old Dr. Ducarel, who is an
+ostrich of an antiquary, and can digest superannuated brickbats,
+should have gobbled them up. At my return from Strawberry Hill
+yesterday, I found the whole cargo safe, and am really much
+obliged to you. I weep over the ruined kitchen,. but enjoy the
+tiles. They are exactly like a few which I obtained from the
+cathedral of Gloucester, when it was new paved; they are inlaid
+in the floor of my china-room. I would have got enough to pave
+it entirely; but the canons, who were flinging them away, had so
+much devotion left, that they enjoined me not to pave a pagoda
+with them, nor put them to any profane use. As scruples Increase
+in a ratio to their decrease, I did not know but a china-room
+might casuistically be interpreted a pagoda, and sued for no
+more. My cloister is finished and consecrated but as I intend to
+convert the old blue and white hall next to the china-room into a
+Gothic columbarium, I should seriously be glad to finish the
+floor with Norman tiles. However, as I shall certainly make you
+a visit in about two months, I will wait till then, and bring the
+dimensions with me.
+
+Depend upon it, I will pay some of your debts to M. de
+Lislebonne; that is, I will make as great entertainments for him
+as any one can, who almost always dines alone in his
+dressing-room; I will show him every thing all the morning, as
+much as any one can, who lies abed till noon, and never gets
+dressed till two o'clock; and I will endeavour to amuse him with
+variety of diversions every evening as much as any one can, who
+does nothing but play at loo till midnight, or sit behind Lady
+Mary Coke in a corner of a box at the Opera. Seriously, though.
+I will try to show him that I think distinctions paid to you and
+my sister favours to me, and will make a point of adding the few
+civilities which his name, rank, and alliance with the Guerchys
+can leave necessary. M. de Guerchy is adored here, and will find
+so, particularly at this Juncture, when he has been most cruelly
+and publicly insulted by a mad, but villanous fellow, one D'Eon,
+left here by the Duc de Nivernois, who in effect is still worse
+treated. This creature, who had been made minister
+plenipotentiary, which turned his brain, as you have already
+heard, had stolen Nivernois's private letters, and has published
+them, and a thousand scandals on M. de Guerchy, in a very thick
+quarto. The affair is much too long for a letter, makes a great
+noise, and gives great offence. The council have met to-day to
+consider how to avenge Guerchy and punish D'Eon. I hope a legal
+remedy is in their power.
+
+I will say little on the subject of Robert; you know my opinion
+of his capacity, and I dare say think as I do. He is worth
+taking pains with. I heartily wish those pains may have success.
+The cure performed by James's powder charms me more than
+surprises me. I have long thought it could cure every thing but
+physicians.
+
+Politics are all becalmed. Lord Bute's reappearance on the
+scene, though his name is in no play-bill, may chance to revive
+the hurly-burly.
+
+My Lord Townshend has not named Charles in his will, who is as
+much disappointed as he has often disappointed others. We had
+last night a magnificent ball at my Lady Cardigan's.
+
+Those fiddles play'd that never play'd before,
+And we have danced, where we shall dance no more.
+
+He, that is, the totum pro parte,--you do not suspect me, I hope,
+of any youthfullities--d'autant moins of dancing; that I have
+rumours of gout flying about me, and would fain coax them into my
+foot. I have almost tried to make them drunk, and inveigle them
+thither in their cups; but as they are not at all familiar chez
+moi, they formalize at wine, as much as a middle-aged woman who
+is beginning to just drink in private.
+
+Adieu, my dear Sir! my best love to all of' you. As Horace Is
+evidently descended from the Conqueror, I will desire him to
+pluck up the pavement by the roots, when I want to transport it
+hither.
+
+(569) Now first collected. The above letter was privately
+printed, in 1833, by the Rev. Robert Walpole, with the following
+introduction:--"The incomparable letters of Horace Walpole, as
+they have been justly styled by Lord Byron, have long placed the
+writer in the highest rank of those who have distinguished
+themselves in this line of composition. The playful wit and
+humour with which they abound; the liveliness of his
+descriptions; the animation of his style; the shrewd and acute
+observations on the different topics which form the subjects of
+those letters, are not surpassed by any thing to be found in the
+most perfect models of epistolary writing, either in England or
+France. His correspondence extends over a period of more than
+fifty years, and no subject of general interest seems to have
+escaped his attention and curiosity. He not Only gives a
+faithful portraiture of the manners of the times, particularly of
+the highest circles of society in which he lived; but he presents
+us with many striking sketches of various events and occurrences,
+illustrating the political history of this country during the
+latter part of the last century. If any proof were required of
+the truth of this statement, in addition to what may be afforded
+by an attentive examination of Mr. Walpole's Correspondence
+already published, it may be found in the three volumes of
+Letters addressed to Sir Horace Mann, and recently given to the
+world under the superintendence of Lord Dover. The letter (now
+printed for the first time with the consent of the possessor of
+the original) was addressed to Charles Churchill, Esq., who
+married Lady Mary, daughter of Sir Robert, and sister of Mr.
+Walpole; and was written at the time when he was engaged in
+completing the interior decorations of his villa, Strawberry
+Hill."
+
+(570) Robert and Horace, both mentioned in this letter, were sons
+of Mr. Churchill.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 200 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, April 5, 1764. (page 308)
+
+Your idea, my dear lord, of the abusive paragraph on you being
+conceived at Paris,(571) and transmitted hither, tallies exactly
+with mine. I guessed that a satire on your whole establishment
+must come from thence: I said so immediately to two or three
+persons; but I did not tell you I thought so, because I did not
+choose to fill you with suggestions for which I had no ground,
+but in my own reasoning. Your arguments convince me I was in the
+right. Yet, were you master of proofs, the wisest thing you can
+do, is to act as if you had no suspicion; that is, to act as you
+have done, civilly, but coolly. There are men whom one would, I
+think, no more acknowledge for enemies than friends. One's
+resentment distinguishes them, and the only Gratitude they can
+pay for that distinction is, to double the abuse. Wilkes's mind,
+you see, is sufficiently volatile, when he can already forget
+Lord Sandwich and the Scotch, and can employ himself on you. He
+will soon flit to other prey, when you disregard him. It is my
+way: I never publish a sheet, but buzz! out fly a swarm of
+hornets, insects that never settle upon you, if you don't strike
+at them and whose venom is diverted to the next object that
+presents itself.
+
+We have divine weather. The Bishop of Carlisle has been with me
+two days at Strawberry, where we saw the eclipse(572) to
+perfection: -not that there was much sight in it. The air was
+very chill at the time, and the light singular; but there was not
+a blackbird that left off singing for it. In the evening the
+Duke of Devonshire came with the Straffords from t'other end of
+Twickenham, and drank tea with us. They had none of them seen the
+gallery since it was finished; even the chapel was new to the
+Duke, and he was so struck with it that he desired to offer at
+the shrine an incense-pot of silver philigrain.(573)
+
+The election at Cambridge has ended, for the present in strange
+confusion.(574) The proctors, who were of different sides,
+assumed each a majority; the votes, however, appear to have been
+equal. The learned in university decision say, an equality is a
+negative: if so Lord Hardwicke is excluded. Yet the novelty of
+the case, it not having been very customary to solicit such a
+trifling honour, and the antiquated forms of proceeding retained
+in colleges, leave the matter wide open for further contention,
+an advantage Lord Sandwich cherishes as much as success. The
+grave are highly scandalized:--popularity was still warmer. The
+under-graduates, who, having no votes had consequently been left
+to their real opinions, were very near expressing their opinions
+against Lord Sandwich's friends in the most Outrageous manner:
+hissed they were; and after the election, the juniors burst into
+the Senate-house, elected a fictitious Lord Hardwicke, and
+chaired him. The indecent arts and applications which had been
+used by the Twitcherites (as they are called, from Lord
+Sandwich's nickname, Jemmy Twitcher,) had provoked this rage. I
+will give you but one instance:-A voter, who was blooded on
+purpose that morning, was brought out of a madhouse with his
+keeper. This is the great and wise nation, which the philosopher
+Helvetius is come to study! When he says of us C'est un furieux
+pais! he does not know that the literal translation is the true
+description of us.
+
+I don't know whether I did not tell you some lies in my last;
+very likely: I tell you what I hear, and do not answer for truth
+but when I tell you what I know. How should I know any thing? I
+am in no confidence; I think of both sides alike; I care for
+neither; I ask few questions. The King's journey to Hanover is
+contradicted. The return of Lord Bute is still a mystery. The
+zealous say, he declares for the administration; but some of the
+latter do not trust too much to that security; and, perhaps, they
+are in the right: I know what I think and why I think it; yet
+some, who do not go on ill grounds, have a middle opinion, that
+is not very reconcilable to mine. You will not wonder that there
+is a mystery, doubt, or irresolotion. The scene will be opened
+further before I get to Paris.
+
+Lord Lyttelton and Lord Temple have dined with each other, and
+the reconciliation of the former with Mr. Pitt is concluded. It
+is well that enmities are as frail as friendships.
+
+The Archbishops and Bishops, who -are so eager against Dr.
+Pearse's divorce from his see, not as illegal, but improper, and
+of bad example, have determined the King, who left it to them,
+not to consent to it, though the Bishop himself still insists on
+it. As this decision disappoints Bishop Newton, Lord Bath has
+obtained a consolatory promise for him of the mitre of London, to
+the great discomfort of Terrick and Warburton. You see Lord
+Bath(575 does not hobble up the back-stairs for nothing. Oh, he
+is an excellent courtier! The Prince of Wales shoots him with
+plaything arrows, he falls down dead; and the child kisses him to
+life again. Melancholy ambition I heard him, t'other night,
+propose himself to Lady Townshend as a rich widow. Such spirits
+at fourscore are pleasing; but when one has lost all one's
+children, to be flattering those of Kings!
+
+The Bishop of Carlisle told me, that t'other day in the House of
+Lords, Warburton said to another of the bench, "I was invited by
+my Lord Mansfield to dine with that Helvetius, but he is a
+professed patron of atheism, a rascal, and a scoundrel, and I
+would not countenance him; besides, I should have worked him, and
+that Lord Mansfield would not have liked." No, in good truth:
+who can like such vulgarism! His French, too, I suppose, is
+equal to his wit and his piety.
+
+I dined, on Tuesday, with the imperial minister; we were
+two-and-twenty, collected from the four corners of the earth.
+Since it is become the fashion to banquet whole kingdoms by
+turns, I should pray, if I was minister to be sent to Lucca.
+Have you received D'Eon's very curious book, which I sent by
+Colonel Keith? I do not find that the administration can
+discover any method of attacking him. Monsieur de Guerchy very
+properly determines to take no notice Of it.
+In the mean time, the wit of it gains ground, and palliates the
+abomination, though it ought not.
+
+Princess Amelia asked me again about her trees. I gave her your
+message. She does not blame you, but Madame de Boufflers, for
+sending them so large. Mr. Legge is in a very bad way; but not
+without hopes: his last night was better. Adieu! my dear lords
+and ladies!
+
+(571) See ant`e, p. 301, letter 197. Lord Hertford suspected
+this paragraph to have been written by Mr. Wilkes; which
+certainly would have been ungrateful, as Lord Hertford showed Mr.
+Wilkes more attention than most people thought proper to be shown
+by the King's ambassador to a person in Mr. Wilkes's
+circumstances.-C.
+
+(572) A considerable eclipse of the sun, which took place on the
+1st of April. It was annular at Boulogne, in France, and of
+course nearly so at Paris and London.-C.
+
+(573) Commonly called fillagree.-C.
+
+(574) The contest was between Lords Hardwicke and Sandwich; but
+according to University forms, the poll was taken on the first
+name; there appeared among the Blackhoods for Lord Hardwicke,
+placet 103; non-placet 101: among the Whitehoods, the proctors'
+accounts differed; one made placet 108, non-placet 107; the other
+made placet 107, non-placet 101: on this a scrutiny was demanded,
+and refused, and a great confusion ensuing, the Vice-Chancellor
+adjourned the senate sine die.-E.
+
+(575) The once idolized patriot, William Pulteney. It must be
+borne in mind, that Mr. Walpole cherished a filial aversion to
+his father's great antagonist.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 201 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, April 12, 1764. (page 310)
+
+Make yourself perfectly easy, my dear lord, about newspapers and
+their tattle; they are not worth a moment's regard. In times of
+party it is impossible to avoid abuse. If attached to one side,
+one is pelted by the other; if to neither, by both. One can
+place oneself above deserving invectives; and then it signifies
+little whether they are escaped or not. But when one is
+conscious that they are unmerited, it is noblest to scorn them-
+-perhaps, I even think, that such a situation is not ineligible.
+Character is the most precious of all blessings; but, pray allow
+that it is too sacred to be hurt by any thing but itself: does it
+depend on others, or on its own existence? That character must
+be fictitious, and formed for man, which man can take away. Your
+reputation does not depend on Mr. Wilkes,(576) like his own. It
+is delightful to deserve popularity, and to despise it.
+
+You will have heard of the sad misfortune that has happened to
+Lord Ilchester by his daughter's marriage(577) with O'Brien the
+actor. But, perhaps, you do not know the circumstances, and how
+much his grief must be aggravated by reflection on his own
+credulity and negligence. The affair has been in train for
+eighteen months. The swain had learned to counterfeit Lady Sarah
+Bunbury's(578) hand so well that in the country Lord Ilchester
+has himself delivered several of O'Brien's letters to Lady Susan;
+but it was not till about a week before the catastrophe that the
+family was apprised of the intrigue. Lord Cathcart went to Miss
+Reade's, the paintress; she said softly to him, "My lord, there
+is a couple in the next room that I am sure ought not to be
+together; I wish your lordship would look in." He did, shut the
+door again, and went directly and informed Lord Ilchester. Lady
+Susan was examined, flung herself at her father's feet, confessed
+all, vowed to break off but--what a but!--desired to see the
+loved object, and take a last leave. You will be amazed-even
+this was granted. The parting scene happened the beginning of
+the week. On Friday she came of age, and on Saturday morning--
+instead of being under lock and key in the country--walked down
+stairs, took her footman, said she was going to breakfast with
+Lady Sarah, but would call at Miss Reade's; in the street,
+pretended to recollect a particular cap in which she was to be
+drawn, sent the footman back for it, whipped into a hackney
+chair, was married at Covent-garden church, and set out for Mr.
+O'Brien's villa at Dunstable. My Lady--my Lady Hertford! what
+say you to permitting young ladies to act plays, and go to
+painters by themselves?
+
+Poor Lord Ilchester is almost distracted; indeed, it is the
+completion of disgrace,(579)--even a footman were preferable; the
+publicity of the hero's profession perpetuates the Unification.
+Il ne sera pas milord, tout comme un autre. I could not have
+believed that Lady Susan would have stooped so low. She may,
+however, still keep good company, and say, "nos numeri sumus"--
+Lady Mary Duncan,(580) Lady Caroline Adair,(581) Lady Betty
+Gallini(582)--the shopkeepers of next age will be mighty well
+born. If our genealogies had been so confused four hundred years
+ago, Norborne Berkeley would have had still more difficulty with
+his obsolete Barony of Bottelourt, which the House of Lords at
+last has granted him. I have never attended the hearings, though
+it has been much the fashion, but nobody cares less than I about
+what they don't care for. I have been as indifferent about other
+points, of which all the world is talking, as the restriction of
+franking, and the great cause of Hamilton and Douglas. I am
+almost as tired of what is still more in vogue, our East India
+affairs. Mir Jaffeir(583) and Cossim Aly Cawn, and their
+deputies Clive and Sullivan, or rather their principals, employ
+the public attention, instead of Mogul Pitt and Nabob Bute; the
+former of whom remains shut Up in Asiatic dignity at Hayes, while
+the other is again mounting his elephant and levying troops.
+What Lord Tavistock meaned of his invisible Haughtiness'S(584)
+invective on Mr. Neville, I do not know. He has not been in the
+House of Commons since the war of privilege. It must have been
+something he dropped in private.
+
+I was diverted just now with some old rhymes that Mr. Wilkes
+would have been glad to have North-Britonized for our little
+bishop of Osnaburgh.(585)
+
+Eligimus puerum, puerorum testa colentes,
+Non nostrum morem, sed Regis jussa sequentes.
+
+They were literally composed on the election of a juvenile
+bishop.
+
+Young Dundas marries Lady Charlotte Fitzwilliam;(586) Sir
+Lawrence(587) settles four thousand per annum in present, and six
+more in future--compare these riches got in two years and a half,
+with D'Eon's account of French economy! Lord Garlies remarries
+himself with the Duchess of Manchester's(588) next sister, Miss
+Dashwood. The youngest is to have Mr. Knightly--a-propos to
+D'Eon, the foreign ministers had a meeting yesterday morning, at
+the imperial minister's, and Monsieur de Guerchy went from thence
+to the King, but on what result I do not know, nor can I find
+that the lawyers agree that any thing can be done against him.
+There has been a plan of some changes among the Dii Minores, your
+Lord Norths, and Carysforts, and Ellises, and Frederick
+Campbellsl(589) and such like; but the supposition that Lord
+Holland would be willing to accommodate the present ministers
+with the paymaster's place, being the axle on which this project
+turned, and his lordship not being in the accommodating humour,
+there are half a dozen abortions of new lords of the treasury and
+admiralty--excuse me if I do not send you this list of embryos;(5
+I do not load my head with such fry. I am little more au fait of
+the confusion that happened yesterday at the East India House; I
+only know it was exactly like the jumble at Cambridge.
+Sullivan's list was chosen, all but himself-his own election
+turns on one disputed vote.(590) Every thing is intricate--a
+presumption that we have few heads very clear. Good night, for I
+am tired; since dinner I have been at an auction of prints, at
+the Antiquarian Society in Chancery-lane, at Lady Dalkeith's(591)
+in Grosvenor-square, and at loo at my niece's in Pall Mall; I
+left them going to supper, that I might come home and finish this
+letter; it is half @n hour after twelve, and now I am going to
+supper myself. I suppose all this sounds very sober to you!
+
+(576) See ant`e, p. 301, letter 197.-E.
+
+(577) Lady Susan Fox, born in 1743, eldest daughter of the first
+Lord Ilchester.-E.
+
+(578) Daughter of the Duke of Richmond, wife of Sir T. C.
+Bunbury, and afterwards of Colonel Napier.-C.
+
+(579) It must be observed how little consistent this
+aristocratical indignation is with the Roman sentiments expressed
+in page 262, letter 185, and signed so emphatically Horatius.-C.
+
+(580) Daughter of the seventh Earl of Thanet, married, in
+September 1763, to Doctor Duncan, M.D., soon after created a
+baronet.-E.
+
+(581) Daughter of the second Earl of Albemarle, married, in 1759,
+to Mr. Adair, a surgeon.-C.
+
+(582) Daughter of the third Earl of Abingdon, married to Sir John
+Gallini. She died in 1804, at the age of eighty.-E.
+
+(583) See ante, p. 281, letter 191.
+
+(584) Mr. Pitt.
+
+(585) Frederick, Duke of York, born in August 1763, elected
+Bishop of Osnaburgh, 27th of February, 1764.-E.
+
+(586) Second daughter of the third Earl Fitzwilliam, born in
+1746.-E.
+
+(587) Sir Lawrence Dundas, father of the first Lord Dundas, is
+said to have made his fortune in the commissariat, during the
+Scotch rebellion of 1745.-C.
+
+(588) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Dashwood, Bart. and wife
+of the fourth Duke of Manchester.-E.
+
+(589) Second son of the fourth Duke of Argyle. He was
+successively keeper of the privy seal in Scotland, secretary to
+the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and lord register of' Scotland,
+in which office he died.-C.
+
+(590) "On the 25th of April, a very warm contest took place. Mr.
+Sullivan brought forward one list of twenty-five directors, and
+Mr. Rous, who was supported by Lord Clive, produced another.
+Notwithstanding his friend Lord Bute was no longer minister, Mr.
+Sullivan succeeded in bringing in half his numbers; but the
+attack of Lord Clive had so shaken the power of this lately
+popular director, that his own election was only carried by one
+vote." Malcolm's Memoirs of Lord Clive, vol. ii. p. 235.-E.
+
+(591) The eldest daughter of John Duke of Argyle and Greenwich,
+the widow of Francis Earl of Dalkeith, son of the second Duke of
+Buccleugh, and wife of Mr. Charles Townshend. She was, in 1767,
+created Baroness Greenwich, with remainder to her sons by Mr.
+Townshend. She, however, died leaving none.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 202 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, April 12, 1764. (page 313)
+
+I shall send your MS. volume this week to Mr. Cartwright, and
+with a thousand thanks. I ought to beg your pardon for having
+detained it so long. The truth is, I had not time till last week
+to copy two or three little things at most. Do not let this
+delay discourage you from lending me more. If I have them in
+summer I shall keep them much less time than in winter. I do not
+send my print with it as you ordered me, because I find it is too
+large to lie within the volume; and doubling a mezzotinto, you
+know, spoils it. You shall have one more, if you please,
+whenever I see you.
+
+I have lately made a few curious additions to my collections of
+various sorts, and shall hope to show them to you at Strawberry
+Hill. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 203 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, April 19, 1764. (page 313)
+
+I am just come from the Duchess of Argyll's,(592) where I dined.
+General Warburton was there, and said it was the report at the
+House of Lords, that you are turned out--he imagined, of your
+regiment--but that I suppose is a mistake for the
+bedchamber.(593) I shall hear more to-night, and Lady Strafford,
+who brings you this, will tell you; though to be sure You will
+know earlier by the post to-morrow. My only reason for writing
+is, to repeat to you, that whatever you do, I shall act with
+you.(594) I resent any thing done to you as to myself. My
+fortunes shall never be separated from yours--except that some
+time or other I hope yours will be great, and I am content with
+mine.
+
+The Manns go on with the business.(595) The letter you received
+was from Mr. Edward Mann, not from Gal.'s widow. Adieu! I was
+going to say, my disgraced friend--How delightful to have a
+character so unspotted, that the word disgrace recoils on those
+who displace you! Yours unalterably.
+
+(592) Widow of John Campbell, Duke of Argyle. She was sister to
+General Warburton, and had been maid of Honour to Queen Anne.-E.
+
+(593) Mr. Conway was dismissed from all his employments, civil
+and military, for having Opposed the ministry in the House of
+Commons, on the question of the legality of warrants, at the time
+of the prosecution of Mr. Wilkes for the publication of the North
+Briton.-C.
+
+(594) Mr. Walpole was then in the House of Commons, member for
+King's Lynn in Norfolk.
+
+(595) Of army-clothiers.
+
+
+
+Letter 204 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, April 20, 1764. (page 314)
+
+There has been a strong report about town for these two days that
+your brother is dismissed, not only from the bedchamber, but from
+his regiment, and that the latter is given to Lord Pembroke. I
+do not believe it. Your brother went to Park-place but yesterday
+morning at ten: he certainly knew nothing of it the night before
+when we parted, after one, at Grafton-house: nor would he have
+passed my door yesterday without stopping to tell me Of it: no
+letter has been sent to his house since, nor were any orders
+arrived at the War office at half an hour after three yesterday;
+nay, though I can give the ministry credit for much folly, and
+some of them credit for even violence and folly, I do not believe
+they are so rash as this would amount to. For the bedchamber,
+you know, your brother never liked it, and would be glad to get
+rid of it. I should be sorry for his sake, and for yours too, if
+it went farther;--gentle and indifferent as his nature is, his
+resentment, if his profession were touched, would be as serious
+as such spirit and such abilities could make it. I would not be
+the man that advised provoking him; and one man(596) has put
+himself wofully in his power! In my own opinion, this is one of
+the lies of which the time is so fruitful; I would not even swear
+that it has not the same parent with the legend I sent you last
+week, relating to an intended disposition in consequence of Lord
+Holland's resignation. The court confidently deny the whole
+plan, and ascribe it to the fertility of Charles Townshend's
+brain. However, as they have their Charles Townshends too, I do
+not totally disbelieve it.
+
+The Parliament rose yesterday,-no new peers, not even Irish: Lord
+Northumberland's list is sent back ungranted.(597) The Duke of
+MecklenbUrgh(598) and Lord Halifax are to have the garters.
+Bridgman(599) is turned out of the green cloth, which is given to
+Dick Vernon; and his place of surveyor of the gardens, which
+young Dickinson held for him, is bestowed on Cadogan.(600)
+Dyson(601) is made a lord of trade. These are all the changes I
+have heard--not of a complexion that indicates the removal of
+your brother.
+
+The foreign ministers agreed, as to be sure you have been told,
+to make Monsieur de Guerchy's cause commune; and the
+Attorney-general has filed an information against D'Eon: the poor
+lunatic was at the Opera on Saturday, looking like Bedlam. He
+goes armed, and threatens, what I dare say he would perform, to
+kill or be killed, if any attempt is made to seize him.
+
+The East Indian affairs have taken a new turn. Sullivan had
+twelve votes to ten: Lord Clive bribed off one. When they came
+to the election of chairman, Sullivan desired to be placed in the
+chair, without the disgrace of a ballot; but it was denied. On
+the scrutiny, the votes appeared eleven and eleven. Sullivan
+understood the blow, and with three others left the room. Rous,
+his great enemy, was placed in the chair; since that, I think
+matters are a little compromised, and Sullivan does not abdicate
+the direction; but Lord Clive, it is supposed, will go to Bengal
+in the stead of Colonel Barr`e, as Sullivan and Lord Shelburne
+had intended.
+
+Mr. Pitt is worse than ever with the gout. Legge's case is
+thought very dangerous:--thus stand our politics, and probably
+will not fluctuate much for some months. At least-I expect to
+have little more to tell you before I see you at Paris, except
+balls, weddings, and follies, of which, thank the moon! we never
+have a dearth: for one of the latter class, we are obliged to the
+Archbishop,(602) who, in remembrance, I suppose, of his original
+profession of midwifery, has ordered some decent alterations to
+be made in King Henry's figure in the Tower. Poor Lady Susan
+O'Brien is in the most deplorable situation, for her Adonis is a
+Roman Catholic, and cannot be provided for out of his calling.
+Sir Francis Delaval, being touched with her calamity, has made
+her a present--of what do you think?--of a rich gold stuff! The
+delightful charity! O'Brien comforts himself, and says it will
+make a shining passage in his little history.
+
+I will tell you but one more folly, and hasten to my signature.
+Lady Beaulieu was complaining of being waked by a noise in the
+night: my lord(603 replied, "Oh, for my Part, there is no
+disturbing be; If they don't wake me before I go to sleep, there
+is no waking me afterwards."
+
+Lady Hervey's table is at last arrived, and the Princess's trees,
+which I sent her last night; but she wants nothing, for Lady
+Barrymore(604) is arrived.
+
+I smiled when I read your account of Lord Tavistock's expedition.
+Do you remember that I made seven days from Calais to Paris, by
+laying out my journeys at the rate of travelling in England,
+thirty miles a-day; and did not find but that I could have gone
+in a third of the time! I shall not be such a snail the next
+time. It is said that on Lord Tavistock's return, he is to
+decide whom he will marry. Is it true that the Choiseuls totter,
+and that the Broglios are to succeed; or is there a Charles
+Townshend at Versailles? Adieu! my dear lord.
+
+(596) No doubt Mr. George Grenville is here meant. See ant`e, p.
+257, letter 184.-E.
+
+(597) This list was, Sir Ralph Gore, Sir Richard King, and Mr.
+Stephen MOOTE, all created peers in this summer by the respective
+titles of Bellisle, Kingston, and Kilworth.-C.
+
+(598) Adolphus Frederick III. Duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, the
+Queen's brother. He died in 1794.-C.
+
+(599) Mr. George Bridgman, brother of the first Lord Bradford.
+He had been many years surveyor of the royal gardens, and was
+celebrated for his taste in ornamental gardening. He died at
+Lisbon, in 1767.-C.
+
+(600) Probably Charles Sloane Cadagan, son of the second Lord
+Cadogan, who was treasurer to Edward Duke of York.-C.
+
+(601) Jeremiah Dyson, Esq. afterwards a privy-counsellor.-E.
+
+(602) See ant`e, p. 262, letter 185.
+
+(603) Mr. Hussey was an Irishman. See ant`e, p. 251.-E.
+
+(604) Margaret Davis, sister and Heiress of Edward, the last
+Viscount Mountcashel of that family, and widow of James Earl of
+Barrymore.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 205 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Saturday night, eight o'clock, April 21, 1764.
+(page 316)
+
+I write to you with a very bad headache; I have Passed a night,
+for which George Grenville and the Duke of bedford shall pass
+many an uneasy one! Notwithstanding that I heard from every body
+I met, that your regiment, as well as bedchamber, were taken
+away, I would not believe it, till last night the Duchess of
+Grafton told me, that the night before the Duchess of Bedford
+said to her, "Are not you sorry for Poor Mr. Conway? He has lost
+every thing." When the Witch of Endor pities, one knows she has
+raised the devil.
+
+I am come hither alone to put my thoughts into some order, and to
+avoid showing the first sallies of my resentment, which I know
+you would disapprove; nor does it become your friend to rail. My
+anger shall be a little more manly, and the plan of my revenge a
+little deeper laid than in peevish bon-mots. You shall judge of
+my indignation by its duration.
+
+In the mean time, let me beg you, in the most earnest and most
+sincere of all professions, to suffer me to make your loss as
+light as it is in my power to make it: I have six thousand pounds
+in the funds; accept all, or what part you want. Do not imagine
+I will be put off with a refusal. The retrenchment of my
+expenses, which I shall from this hour commence, will convince
+you that I mean to replace Your fortune as far as I can. When I
+thought you did not want it, I had made another disposition. You
+have ever been the dearest person to me in the world. You have
+shown that you deserve to be so. You suffer for your spotless
+integrity. Can I hesitate a moment to show that there is at
+least one man who knows how to value you? The new will, which I
+am going to make, will be a testimonial of my own sense of
+virtue.
+
+One circumstance has heightened my resentment. If it was not an
+accident, it deserves to heighten it. The very day on which your
+dismission was notified, I received an order from the treasury
+for the payment of what money was due to me there. Is it
+possible that they could mean to make any distinction between us?
+Have I separated myself from you? Is there that spot on earth
+where I can be suspected of having paid court? Have I even left
+my name at a minister's door since you took your part? If they
+have dared to hint this, the pen that is now writing to you will
+bitterly undeceive them.
+
+I am impatient to see the letters you have received, and the
+answers you have sent. Do you come to town? If you do not, I
+will come to you to-morrow se'nnight, that is, the 29th. I give
+no advice on any thing, because you are cooler than I am--not so
+cool, I hope, as to be insensible to this outrage, this villany,
+this injustice You owe it to your country to labour the
+extermination of such ministers!
+
+I am so bad a hypocrite, that I am afraid of showing how deeply I
+feel this. Yet last night I received the account from the
+Duchess of Grafton with more temper than you believe me 'capable
+of: but the agitation of the night disordered me so much, that
+Lord John Cavendish, who was with me two hours this morning, does
+not, I believe, take me for a hero. As there are some who I know
+would enjoy my mortification, and who probably desired I should
+feel my share of it, I wish to command myself-but that struggle
+shall be added to their bill. I saw nobody else before I came
+away but Legge, who sent for me and wrote the enclosed for you.
+He would have said more both to you and Lady Ailesbury, but I
+would not let him, as he is so ill: however, he thinks himself
+that he shall live. I hope be will! I would not lose a shadow
+that can haunt these ministers.
+
+I feel for Lady Ailesbury, because I know she feels just as I do-
+-and it is not a pleasant sensation. I will say no more, though
+I could write volumes. Adieu! Yours, as I ever have been and
+ever will be.
+
+
+
+Letter 206 The Hon. H. S. Conway To The Earl Of Hertford.(605)
+Park Place, April 23, 1764. (page 317)
+
+Dear Brother,
+You will, I think, be much surprised at the extraordinary news I
+received yesterday, of my total dismission from his Majesty's
+service, both as groom of the bedchamber and colonel of a
+regiment. What makes it much stronger is, that I do not hear
+that any of the many officers who voted with me on the same
+questions in the minority, are turned out. It seems almost
+impossible to conceive it should be so, and yet, so I suspect it
+is; and if it be, it seems to me upon the coolest reflection I am
+able to give it, the harshest and most unjust treatment ever
+offered to any man on the like occasion. I never gave a single
+vote(606) against the ministry , but in the questions on the
+great constitutional point of the warrants. People are apt to
+dignify with Such titles any question that serves their factious
+purpose to maintain; but what proved this to be really so, was
+the great number of persons who voted as I did, having no
+connexion with the opposition, but determined friends of the
+ministry in all their conduct, and in the government's service;
+such as Lord Howe and his brother, and several more. As to the
+rest, I never gave another vote against the ministry. I refused
+being of the opposition club, or to attend any one meeting of the
+kind, from a principle of not entering into a scheme of
+opposition, but being free to follow my own sentiments upon any
+question that should arise. On the Cider-act I even voted for
+the court, in the only vote I gave on that subject; and in
+another case, relative to the supposed assassination of Wilkes, I
+even took a part warmly in preventing that silly thing from being
+an object of clamour. So that, undoubtedly, my overt acts have
+been only voting as any man might from judgment, only in a very
+extraordinary and serious question of privilege and personal
+liberty; the avowing my friendship and obligation to some few now
+in opposition, and my neglecting to pay court to those in the
+administration; that seemed to me, both an honest and an
+honourable part in my situation, which was something delicate.
+My poor judgment, at least, could point out no better for me to
+take, and I enter into so much detail upon this old story, that
+you may not think I have done any thing lightly or passionately
+which might give just ground for this extraordinary usage; and I
+must add to the account, that neither in nor out of the House can
+I, I think, be charged with a single act or expression of offence
+to any one of his Majesty's ministers. This was, at least, a
+moderate part; and after this, what the ministry should find in
+their judgment, their justice, or their prudence, from my
+situation, my conduct, or my character, to single me out and
+stigmatize me as the proper object of disgrace, or how the merit
+of so many of my friends who are acting in their support, and
+whom they might think it possible would feel hurt, did not, in
+their prudential light, tend to soften the rigour of their
+aversion towards me, does, I confess, puzzle me. I don't exactly
+know from what particular quarter the blow comes; but I must
+think Lord Bute has, at least, a share in it, as, since his
+return, the countenance of the King, who used to speak to me
+after all my votes, is visibly altered, and of late he has not
+spoke to me at all.
+
+So much for my political history: I wish it was as easy to my
+fortune as it is to my mind in most other respects; but that,
+too, I' must make as easy as I can: it comes unluckily at the end
+of two German campaigns, which I felt the expense of with a much
+larger income, and have not yet recovered;(607) as, far from
+having a reward, it was with great difficulty I got the
+reimbursement of the extraordinary money my last command through
+Holland cost me, though the States-General, had, by a public act,
+represented my conduct so advantageously, to our court; so that
+on the whole I think no man was ever more contemptuously used,
+who was not a wretch lost in character and reputation. It
+requires all the philosophy one can Master, not to show the
+strongest resentment. I think I have as much as my neighbours,
+and I shall endeavour to use it; yet not so as to betray quite an
+unmanly insensibility to such extraordinary provocation. Horace
+Walpole has, on this occasion, shown that warmth of friendship
+that you know him capable of, so strongly that I want words to
+express my sense of it. I have not yet had time to see or hear
+from any of the rest of my friends who are in the way of this
+bustle; many of them have, I believe, taken their part, for
+different reasons, another way, and I am sure I shall never say a
+word to make them abandon what they think their own interest for
+my petty cause. Nor am I anxious enough in the object of my own
+fortune to wish for their taking any step that may endanger
+theirs in any degree. With retrenchments and economy I may be
+able to go on, and this great political wheel, that is always in
+motion, may one day or other turn me up, that am but the fly upon
+it.(608)
+
+I shall go to town for ,i few days soon, and probably to court, I
+suppose to be frowned upon, for I am not treated with the same
+civility as others who are in determined opposition. Give my
+best love and compliments to all with you, and believe me, dear
+brother, ever most affectionately yours, H. S. C.
+
+(605) As two of Mr. Walpole's letters, relative to General
+Conway's dismissal, are wanting, the Editor is glad to be able to
+supply their place by two letters on the subject from the General
+himself; and as his dismissal was, both in its principle and
+consequences, a very important political event, as well as a
+principal topic in Mr. Walpole's succeeding letters, it is
+thought that General Conway's own view of it cannot fail to be
+acceptable.
+
+(606) General Conway and Mr. Walpole seem to have taken the
+argument on too low a scale. Their anxiety seems to have been,
+to show that the General was not in decided opposition; thereby
+appearing to admit, that if he had been so, the dismissal would
+have been justifiable. It is however clear from Mr. Walpole's
+own accounts, that Conway was considered as not only in
+opposition, but as one of the most distinguished leaders of the
+party, --and so the public thought: witness the following extract
+from "a letter" from Albemarle-street to the Cocoa-tree,
+published about this period:--"Amongst the foremost stands a
+gallant general, pointed out for supreme command by the unanimous
+voice of his grateful country: England has a Conway, the powers
+of whose eloquence, Inspired by his zeal for liberty, animated by
+the fire of true genius, and furnished with a sound knowledge of
+the constitution, at once entertain, ravish, convince, conquer:--
+such noble examples are the riches of the present age, the
+treasures of posterity."-C.
+
+(607) On this occasion, Lord Hertford, the Duke of Devonshire,
+and Mr. Horace Walpole (each without the knowledge of the others)
+pressed General Conway to accept from them an income equivalent
+to what he had lost.-C.
+
+(608) Within little more than a year Mr. Conway was secretary of
+state, and leader of the House of Commons.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 207 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, April 24, 1764. (page 320)
+
+I rejoice that you feel your loss so little. That you act with
+dignity and propriety does not surprise me. To have you behave
+in character, and with character, is my first of all wishes; for
+then it will not be in the power of man to make you unhappy. Ask
+yourself--is there a man in England with whom you would change
+character? Is there a man in England who would not change with
+you? Then think how little they have taken away!
+
+For me, I shall certainly conduct myself as you prescribe. Your
+friend shall say and do nothing unworthy of your friend. You
+govern me in every thing but one: I mean, the disposition I have
+told you I shall make. Nothing can alter that but a great change
+in your fortune. In another point, you partly misunderstood me.
+That I shall explain hereafter.
+
+I shall certainly meet you here on Sunday, and very cheerfully.
+We may laugh at a world in which nothing of us will remain long
+but our characters. Yours eternally.
+
+
+
+Letter 208 The Hon. H. S. Conway To The Earl Of Hertford.
+London, May 1, 1764. (page 320)
+
+I wrote a letter some days ago from the country, which. I am
+sorry to find, does not set out till to-,day, having been given
+to M. des Ardrets by Horace Walpole, as it was one I did not
+choose to send by the post just at this time, though God knows
+there was less in it, I think, than almost any but myself would
+have said on such an occasion. I am sorry it did not go, as it
+must seem very strange to you to hear on that subject from any
+body before me: had it been possible, at the same time, I should
+have wished not to write to you upon it at all. It is a
+satisfaction, in most situations, certainly, to communicate even
+one's griefs to those friends to whom one can do it in
+confidence, but it is a pain where one thinks it must give them
+any; and I assure you, I feel this sincerely from the share I
+know your goodness will take in this, upon my account; as well as
+that which, in some respects, it may give you on your own: as
+'the particular distinction with which I am honoured beyond so
+many of my brother officers who have so much more directly,
+declaredly, and long been in real opposition to the ministry, has
+great unkindness in it to all those friends of mine who have been
+acting in their support. However, I would not, on any account,
+that you or any of them should, for my sake, be drove a single
+step beyond what is for their actual interest and inclination.
+Nay, I Would not have the latter operate by itself, as I know,
+from their goodness how bad a guide that might be. I do not
+exactly know the grounds upon which the ministry made choice of
+me as the object of their vengeance for a crime so general, The
+only one I have heard, has certainly no weight; it was, that if I
+was turned out of the bedchamber, and not my regiment, it would
+be a sanction given for military men to oppose--that distinction
+had before been destroyed by the dismission of three military
+men; nor did my remaining in the army afterwards any more
+establish it, than any other man's; it was a paltry excuse for a
+thing they had a mind to do: the real motives or authors I cannot
+yet quite ascertain. I hope, though they turned me out, they
+cannot disgrace me, as I presume they wish; at least, so (my
+friends flatter me) the language of the world goes, and I have at
+least the satisfaction of being really ignorant myself, by what
+part of the civil or military behaviour I could deserve so very
+unkind a treatment. I am sure it was not for want of any
+respect, duty, or attachment to his Majesty. I shall at present
+say no more on the subject.
+
+I have heard from two or three different quarters, of a
+disagreeable accident you have had in your chaise, and calling by
+chance at the Duke of Grafton's this morning, he read me a
+postscript in a letter of yours, wherein you describe it as a
+thing of no consequence. I was rejoiced to hear @it, and should
+have been obliged for a line from any of your family to tell me
+so; for one often hears those things so disagreeably represented,
+that it is pleasant to know the truth.
+
+You are delightful in writing me a long letter the other day, and
+never mentioning M. de Pompadour's death; so that I flatly
+contradicted it at first, to those that told me of it. I am
+obliged to you for your intention of showing civility to my
+friend Colonel Keith; I think you will like him.
+
+I hear in town, that we have some little disputes stirring up
+with our new friends on your side the water, about the limits of
+their fishery on Newfoundland, and a fort building On St. Pierre:
+but I speak from no authority.
+
+We are all sorry here at a surmise, that M. de Guerchy does not
+intend to return among us, being too much hurt at the behaviour
+of his friends of the ministry in those letters so infamously
+published by D'Eon. I hope it is only report. Adieu! dear
+brother: give my love and compliments to all your family, as also
+Lady Aylesbury's; and believe me ever sincerely and
+affectionately yours, H. S. C.
+
+I am here only for a few days, having, as you will imagine, not
+many temptations to keep me from the country at this time.
+
+I hope, by this time, your pheasants, etc., are safe at the end
+of their journey,.
+
+
+
+Letter 209 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, May 10, 1764. (page 322)
+
+I hope I have done well for you, and that you will be content
+with the execution of your commission. I have bought you two
+pictures. No. 14, which is by no means a good picture, but it
+went so cheap and looked so old-fashionably, that I ventured to
+give eighteen shillings for it. The other is very pretty, no,
+17; two sweet children, undoubtedly by Sir Peter Lely. This
+costs you four pounds ten shillings; what shall I do with them--
+how convey them to you? The picture of Lord Romney, which you
+are so fond of, was not in this sale, but I suppose remains with
+Lady Sidney. I bought for myself much the best picture in the
+auction, a fine Vandyke of the famous Lady Carlisle and her
+sister Leicester in one piece: it cost me nine-and-twenty
+guineas.
+
+In general the pictures did not go high, which I was glad of;
+that the vulture, who sells them, may not be more enriched than
+could be helped. There was a whole-length of Sir Henry Sidney,
+which I should have liked, but it went for fifteen guineas. Thus
+ends half the glory of Penshurst! Not one of the miniatures was
+sold.
+
+I go to Strawberry to-morrow for a week. When do you come to
+Frogmore? I wish to know, because I shall go soon to Park-place,
+and would not miss the visit you have promised me. Adieu! Yours
+ever, H.W.
+
+
+
+Letter 210 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, May 27, 1764. Very late. (page 322)
+
+My dear lord,
+I am just come home, and find a letter from you, which gives me
+too much pain(609) to let me resist answering it directly though
+past one in the morning, as I go out of town early to-morrow.
+
+I must begin with telling You, let me feel what I will from it,
+how much I admire it. It is equal to the difficulty of your
+situation, and expressed with all the feeling which must possess
+you. I will show it your brother, as there is nothing I would
+not and will not, do to preserve the harmony and friendship which
+has so much distinguished your whole lives.
+
+You have guessed, give me leave to say, at my wishes, rather than
+answered to any thing I have really expressed. The truth was, I
+had no right to deliver any opinion on so important a step as you
+have taken, without being asked. Had you consulted me, which
+certainly was not proper for you to do, it would have been with
+the utmost reluctance that I should have brought myself to utter
+my sentiments, and only then, if I had been persuaded that
+friendship exacted it from me; for it would have been a great
+deal for me to have taken upon myself: it would have been a step,
+either way, liable to subject me to reproach from you in your own
+mind, though you would have been too generous to have blamed me
+in any other way. Now, my dear lord, do me the justice to say,
+that the part I have acted was the most proper and most
+honourable one I could take. Did I, have I dropped a syllable,
+endeavouring to bias your judgment one way or the other? My
+constant language has been, that I could not think, when a
+younger brother had taken a part disagreeable to his elder, and
+totally opposite, even without consulting him, that the elder,
+was under any obligation to relinquish his own opinion, and adopt
+the younger's. In my heart I undoubtedly wished, that even in
+party your union should not be dissolved; for that Union would be
+the strength of both.
+
+This is the summary of a text on which I have infinitely more to
+say; but the post is so far from being a proper conveyance, that
+I think the most private letter transmitted in the most secure
+manner is scarcely to be trusted. Should I resolve, if you
+require it, to be more explicit, (and I certainly shall not think
+of saying a word more, unless I know that it is strongly your
+desire I should,) it must only be upon the most positive
+assurance on your honour (and on their honour as strictly given
+too) that not a syllable of what I shall say shall be
+communicated to any person living. I except nobody, except my
+Lady and Lord Beauchamp. What I should say now is now Of no
+consequence, but for your information. It can tend to nothing
+else. It therefore does not signify, whether said now, or at any
+distant time hereafter, or when we meet. If, as perhaps you may
+at first suppose, it had the least view towards making you quit
+your embassy, you should not know it at all; for I think that
+would be the idlest and most unwise step you could take; and
+believe me, my affection for your brother will never make me
+sacrifice your honour to his interest . I have loved you both
+unalterably, and without the smallest cloud between us, from
+children. It is true, as you observe, that party, with many
+other mischiefs, produces dissensions in families. I can by no
+means agree with you, that all party is founded in interest--
+surely, you cannot think that your brother's conduct was not the
+result of the most unshaken honour and conscience, and as surely
+the result of no interested motive? You are not less mistaken,
+if you believe that the present state of party in this country is
+not of a most serious nature, and not a mere contention for power
+and employments.(610) That topic, however, I shall pass over;
+the discussion, perhaps, would end where it began. As you know I
+never tried to bring you to my opinion before, I am very unlikely
+to aim at it now. Let this and the rest of this subject sleep
+for the present. I trust I have convinced you that my behaviour
+has been both honourable and respectful towards you: and that,
+though I think with your brother and am naturally very warm, I
+have acted in the most dispassionate manner, and had recourse to
+nothing but silence, when I was not so happy as to meet you in
+opinion.
+
+This subject has kept me so long, and it is so very late, that
+you will forgive me if I only skim over the gazette part of my
+letter--my next shall be more in my old gossiping style.
+
+Dr. Terrick and Dr. Lambe are made Bishops of London and
+Peterborough, without the nomination or approbation of the
+ministers. The Duke of Bedford declared this warmly, for you
+know his own administration(611) always allow him to declare his
+genuine opinion, that they may have the credit of making him
+alter it. He was still more surprised at the Chancellor's being
+made an earl(612) without his knowledge, after he had gone out of
+town, blaming the Chancellor's coldness on D'Eon's affair, which
+is now dropped. Three marquisates going to be given to Lords
+Cardigan, Northumberland, and Townshend, may not please his grace
+more, though they may his minister,(613) who may be glad his
+master is angry, as it may produce a good quieting draught for
+himself.
+
+The Northumberlands are returned; Hamilton is dismissed,(614) and
+the Earl of Drogheda(615) made secretary in his room.
+
+Michell(616) is recalled by desire of this court, who requested
+to have it done without giving their reasons, as Sir Charles
+Williams(617) had been sent from Berlin in the same manner.
+
+Colonel Johnson is also recalled from Minorca. He had been very
+wrongheaded with his governors Sir Richard;(618) that wound was
+closed, when the judicious deputy chose to turn out a
+brother-in-law of Lord Bute. Lady Falkener's daughter is to be
+married to a young rich Mr. Crewe,(619) a maccarone, and of our
+loo. Mr. Skreene has married Miss Sumner, and her brother gives
+her 10,000 pounds. Good night! The watchman cries three!
+
+(609) It seems that Mr. Walpole, in one of the letters not found,
+had expressed a desire that Lord Hertford should resent, in some
+decided manner, the dismissal of his brother: but he, in the
+course of this letter, recollects that as the younger brother had
+acted not only without concert with Lord Hertford, but in direct
+opposition to his opinion and advice, there was no kind of reason
+why his lordship should take any extreme steps.-C.
+
+(610) Yet, in frequent preceding passages, Mr. Walpole represents
+the conflicts of parties as only a contention for power and
+place.-C.
+
+(611) He means the Duke's political friends, Mr. Rigby, etc.-C.
+
+(612) The Earl of Northington.
+
+(613) Mr. Rigby.
+
+(614) See ant`e, p. 256, Letter 182.
+
+(615) Charles, Earl and first Marquis of Drogheda, Who married
+Lord Hertford's sister; he died in 1823, at a great age.-E.
+
+(616) Minister from the court of Prussia to London.-E.
+
+(617) Sir C. H. Williams had been minister, both at Berlin and
+St. Petersburgh.-E.
+
+(618) Sir Richard Lyttelton.-E.
+
+(618) John Crewe, Esq. married, 17th May, 1764, to Miss Fawkener,
+the daughter of sir Everard Fawkener, who died in 1758, one of
+the postmasters-general.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 211 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Arlington Street, June 5, 1764. (page 325)
+
+You will wonder that I have been so long without giving you any
+signs of life; yet, though not writing to you, I have been
+employed about you, as I have ever since the 21st of April; a day
+your enemies shall have some cause to remember. I had writ nine
+or ten sheets of an answer to the "Address to the Public," when I
+received the enclosed mandate.(620) You will see my masters
+order me, as a subaltern of the exchequer, to drop you and defend
+them--but you will see too, that, instead of obeying, I have
+given warning. I would not communicate any part of this
+transaction to you, till it was out of my hands, because I knew
+your affection for me would not approve of in going so far--but
+it was necessary. My honour required that I should declare my
+adherence to you in the most authentic manner. I found that some
+persons had dared to doubt whether I would risk every thing for
+you. You see by these letters that Mr. Grenville himself had
+presumed so. Even a change in the administration, however
+unlikely, might happen before I had any opportunity of declaring
+myself; and then those who should choose to put the worst
+construction, either on my actions or my silence, might say what
+they pleased. I was waiting for some opportunity: they have put
+it into my hands, and I took care not to let It slip. Indeed
+they have put more into my hands, which I have not let slip
+neither. Could I expect they would give me so absurd an account
+of Mr. Grenville's conduct, and give it to me in writing? They
+can only add to this obligation that of provocation to print my
+letter, which, however strong in facts, I have taken care to make
+very decent in terms, because it imports us to have the candid
+(that is,. I fear, the mercenary) on our side;--no, that we must
+not expect, but at least disarmed.
+
+Lord Tavistock has flung his handkerchief to Lady Elizabeth
+Keppel. They all go to Woburn on Thursday, and the ceremony is
+to be performed as soon as her brother, the bishop, can arrive
+from Exeter. I am heartily glad the Duchess of Bedford does not
+set her heart on marrying me to any body; I am sure she would
+bring it about. She has some small intention Of coupling my
+niece and Dick Vernon, but I have forbidden the banns.
+
+The birthday, I hear, was lamentably empty. We had a loo last
+night in the great chamber at Lady Bel Finch's: the Duke,
+Princess Emily, and the Duchess of Bedford were there. The
+Princess entertained her grace with the joy the Duke of Bedford
+will have in being a grandfather; in which reflection, I believe,
+the grandmotherhood was not forgotten. Adieu!
+
+(620) The paper here alluded to does not appear.
+
+
+
+Letter 212To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, June 8, 1764. (page 326)
+
+To be sure, you have heard the event of' this last week? Lord
+Tavistock has flung his handkerchief, and except a few jealous
+sultanas, and some sultanas valides who had marketable daughters,
+every body is pleased that the lot is fallen on Lady Elizabeth
+Keppel.(621)
+
+The house of Bedford came to town last Friday. I supped with
+them that night at the Spanish Ambassador's, who has made Powis-
+house magnificent. Lady Elizabeth was not there nor mentioned.
+On the contrary, by the Duchess's conversation, which turned on
+Lady Betty Montagu,(622) there were suspicions in her favour.
+The next morning Lady Elizabeth received a note from the Duchess
+of Marlborough,(623) insisting on seeing her that evening. When
+she arrived at Marlborough-house, she found nobody but the
+Duchess and Lord Tavistock. The Duchess cried, "Lord! they have
+left the window open in the next room!"--went to shut it, and
+shut the lovers in too, where they remained for three hours. The
+same night all the town was at the Duchess of Richmond's. Lady
+Albemarle(624) was at tredille; the Duke of Bedford came up to
+the table, and told her he must speak to her as soon as the pool
+was over. You may guess whether she knew a card more that she
+played. When she had finished, the Duke told her he should wait
+on her the next morning, to make the demand in form. She told it
+directly to me and my niece Waldegrave, who was in such transport
+for her friend, that she promised the Duke of Bedford to kiss
+him, and hurried home directly to write to her sisters.(625) The
+Duke asked no questions about fortune, but has since slipped a
+bit of paper into Lady Elizabeth's hand, telling her, he hoped
+his son would live, but if he did not, there was something for
+her; it was a jointure of three thousand pounds a-year, and six
+hundred pounds pin-money. I dined with her the next day, at
+Monsieur de Guerchy's, and as I hindered the company from wishing
+her joy, and yet joked with her myself, Madame de Guerchy said,
+she perceived I would let nobody else tease her, that I might
+have all the teasing to myself She has behaved in the prettiest
+manner, in the world, and would not appear at a vast assembly at
+Northumberland-house on Tuesday, nor at a great haymaking at Mrs.
+Pitt's on Wednesday. Yesterday they all went to Woburn, and
+tomorrow the ceremony is to be performed; for the Duke has not a
+moment's patience till she is breeding.
+
+You would have been diverted at Northumberland-house; Besides the
+sumptuous liveries, the illuminations in the garden, the pages,
+the two chaplains in waiting in their gowns and scarves, `a
+l'Irlandaise,(626) and Dr. Hill and his wife, there was a most
+delightful Countess, who has Just imported herself from
+Mecklenburgh. She is an absolute princess of Monomotapa; but I
+fancy you have seen her. for her hideousness and frantic
+accoutrements are so extraordinary, that they tell us she was
+hissed in the Tuileries. She crossed the drawing-room on the
+birthday to speak to the Queen en amie, after standing with her
+back to Princess Amelia. The queen was so ashamed of her, that
+she said cleverly, "This is not the dress at Strelitz; but this
+woman always dressed herself as capriciously there, as your
+Duchess of Queensberry does here."
+
+The haymaking at Wandsworth-hill(627) did not succeed from the
+excessive cold of the night; I proposed to bring one of the cocks
+into the great room, and make a bonfire. All the beauties were
+disappointed, and all the macaronies afraid of getting the
+toothache.
+
+The Guerchys are gone to Goodwood, and were to have been carried
+to Portsmouth, but Lord Egmont(628) refused to let the ambassador
+see the place. The Duke of Richmond was in a rage, and I do not
+know how it has ended, for the Duke of Bedford defends the
+refusal, and says, they certainly would not let you see Brest.
+The Comte d'Ayen is going a longer tour. he is liked here. The
+three great ambassadors danced at court--the Prince of Masserano
+they say well; he is extremely in fashion, and is a sensible very
+good-humoured man, though his appearance is so deceitful. They
+have given me the honour of a bon-mot, which, I assure you, does
+not belong to me, that I never saw a man so full of orders and
+disorders. He and his suite, and the Guerchys and theirs, are to
+dine here next week. Poor little Strawberry never thought of
+such f`etes. I did invite them to breakfast, but they confounded
+it, and understood that they were asked to dinner, so I must do
+as well as I can. Both the ambassadors are in love with my
+niece;(629) therefore, I trust they will not have unsentimental
+stomachs.
+
+Shall I trouble you with a little commission? It is to send me a
+book that I cannot get here, nor am I quite sure of the exact
+title, but it is called "Origine des Moeurs,"(630) or something
+to that import. It is in three volumes, and has not been written
+above two or three years. Adieu, my dear lord, from my fireside.
+
+P. S. Do you know that Madame de Yertzin, The Mecklenburgh
+Countess, has had the honour of giving the King of Prussia a box
+of the ear?--I am sure he deserved it, if he could take liberties
+with such a chimpanzee. Colonel Elliot died on Thursday.
+
+(621) the Daughter of the second Earl of Albemarle; she was born
+in 1739.-E.
+
+(622) See ant`e, p. 304, letter 198.
+
+(623) Caroline Russel, sister of the Duke of Bedford.-E.
+
+(624) Anne, daughter of Charles, first Duke of Richmond.-E.
+
+(625) Lady Dysart and Mrs. Keppel; the latter was married to Lady
+Elizabeth's brother.-E.
+
+(626) Lord Northumberland was still lord-lieutenant of
+Ireland.-E.
+
+(627) Mrs. Pitt's villa.
+
+(628) First lord of the admiralty.
+
+(629) Lady Waldegrave.
+
+(630) In a subsequent letter, he calls this work "Essais les
+Moeurs." I find a work of the latter title published in 1756
+anonymously, and under the date of Bruxelles. It was written by
+a M. Soret, but it seems to have been in only one volume. Can
+Mr. Walpole have meant Duclos's celebrated "Considerations sur
+les Moeurs," published anonymously in 1750, but subsequently
+under his name?--C.
+
+
+
+Letter 213 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, June 18, 1764. (page 328)
+
+I trust that you have thought I was dead, it is so long since you
+heard of me. In truth I had nothing to talk of but cold and hot
+weather, of rain and want Of rain, subjects that have been our
+summer conversation for these twenty years. I am pleased that
+you was content with your pictures, and shall be glad if you have
+ancestors out of them. You may tell your uncle Algernon that I
+go to-morrow, where he would not be ashamed to see me; as there
+are not many such spots at present, you and he will guess it is
+to Park-place.
+
+Strawberry, whose glories perhaps verge towards their setting-,
+have been more sumptuous to-day than ordinary, and banquetted
+their representative majesties of France and Spain. I had
+Monsieur and Madame de Guerchy, Mademoiselle de Nangis their
+daughter, two other French gentlemen, the Prince of Masserano,
+his brother and secretary, Lord March, George Selwyn, Mrs. ADD
+Pitt, and my niece Waldegrave. The refectory never was so
+crowded; nor have any foreigners been here before that
+comprehended Strawberry. Indeed, every thing succeeded to a
+hair. A violent shower in the morning laid the dust, brightened
+the green, refreshed the roses, pinks, orange-flowers, and the
+blossoms with which the acacias are covered. A rich storm of
+thunder and lightning gave a dignity of colouring to the heavens;
+and the sun appeared enough to illuminate the landscape, without
+basking himself over it at his length. During dinner there were
+French horns and clarionets in the cloister, and after coffee I
+treated them with an English, and to them a very new collation, a
+syllabub milked Under the cows that were brought to the brow of
+the terrace. Thence they went to the printing-house, and saw a
+new fashionable French song printed. They drank tea in the
+gallery, and at eight went away to Vauxhall.
+
+They really seemed quite pleased with the place and the day; but
+I must tell you, the treasury of the abbey will feel it, for
+without magnificence, all was handsomely done. I must keep
+maigre; at least till the interdict is taken off from my convent.
+I have kings and queens, I hear, in my neighbourhood, but this is
+no royal foundation. Adieu; your poor beadsman, The Abbot Of
+Strawberry.
+
+P. S. Mr. T***'s servile poem is rewarded with one hundred and
+sixty pounds a ),ear in the post-office.
+
+
+
+Letter 214 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 16, 1764. (page 329)
+
+mr. chute says you are peremptory that you will not cast a look
+southwards. Do you know that in that case you will not set eyes
+on me the Lord knows when? My mind is pretty much fixed on going
+to Paris the beginning of September. I think I shall go, if it
+is only to scold my Lord and Lady Hertford for sending me their
+cousins, the Duke and Duchess of Berwick, who say they are come
+to see their relations. By their appearance, you would imagine
+they were come to beg money of their family. He has just the
+sort of capacity which you would expect in a Stuart engrafted on
+a Spaniard. He asked me which way he was to come to Twickenham?
+I told him through Kensington, to which I supposed his geography
+might reach. He replied, "Oh! du cot`e de la mer." She, who is
+sister of the Duke of Alva, is a decent kind of a body: but they
+talk wicked French. I gave them a dinner here t'other day, with
+the Marquis of Jamaica, their only child, and a fat tutor, and
+the few Fitzroys I could amass at this season. They were very
+civil, and seemed much pleased. To-day they arc gone to Blenheim
+by invitation. I want to send you something from the Strawberry
+press; tell me how I shall convey it; it is nothing less than the
+most curious book that ever set its foot into the world. I
+expect to hear you scream hither: if you don't I shall be
+disappointed, for I have kept it as a most profound secret from
+you, till I was ready to surprise you with it: I knew your
+impatience, and would not let you have it piecemeal. It is the
+Life of the great philosopher, Lord Herbert, written by
+himself.(631) Now are you disappointed? Well, read it--not the
+first forty pages, of which you will be sick--I will not
+anticipate it, but I will tell you the history. I found it a
+year ago at Lady Hertford's, to whom Lady Powis had lent it. I
+took it up, and soon threw it down again, as the dullest thing I
+ever saw. She persuaded me to take it home. My Lady Waldegrave
+was here in all her grief; Gray and I read it to amuse her. We
+could not get on for laughing, and screaming. I begged to have
+it to print: Lord Powis, sensible of the extravagance, refused--I
+persisted--he persisted. I told my Lady Hertford, it was no
+matter, I would print it, I was determined. I sat down and wrote
+a flattering dedication to Lord Powis, which I knew he would
+swallow: he did, and gave up his ancestor. But this was not
+enough; I was resolved the world should not think I admired it
+seriously, though there are really fine passages in it, and good
+sense too: I drew up an equivocal preface, in which you will
+discover my opinion, and sent it with the dedication. The Earl
+gulped down the one under the palliative of the other, and here
+you will have all. Pray take notice Of the pedigree, of which I
+am exceedingly proud; observe how I have clearly arranged so
+involved a descent: one may boast at one's heraldry. I shall
+send you too Lady Temple's poems.(632) Pray keep both under lock
+and key, for there are but two hundred copies of Lord Herbert,
+and but one hundred of the poems suffered to be printed.
+
+I am almost crying to find the glorious morsel of summer, that we
+have had, turned into just such a watery season as the last.
+Even my excess of verdure, which used to comfort me for every
+thing, does not satisfy me now, as I live entirely alone. I am
+heartily tired of my large neighbourhood, who do not furnish me
+two or three rational beings at most, and the best of them have
+no vivacity. London, Whither I go at least once a fortnight for
+a night, is a perfect desert. As the court is gone into a
+convent at Richmond, the town is more abandoned than ever. I
+cannot, as you do, bring myself to be content without variety,
+without events; my mind is always wanting new food; summer does
+not suit me; but I will grow old some time or other. Adieu!
+
+(631) Printed in quarto, This was the first edition of this
+celebrated piece of autobiography. It was reprinted at Edinburgh
+in 1807, with a prefatory notice, understood to be by Sir Walter
+Scott; and a third edition, which also contained his letters
+written during his residence at the French court, was published
+in 1826.-E.
+
+(632) Poems by Anna Chambers, Countess Temple.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 215 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, July 16, 1764. (page 330)
+
+Dear Sir,
+You must think me a brute to have been so long without taking any
+notice of your obliging offer of coming hither. The truth is, I
+have not been at all settled here for three days together: nay,
+nor do I know when I shall be. I go tomorrow into Sussex; in
+August into Yorkshire, and in September into France. If, in any
+interval of these jaunts, I Can be sure of remaining here a week,
+which I literally have not been this whole summer, I will
+certainly let you know, and will claim your promise.
+
+Another reason for my writing now is, I want to know how I may
+send you Lord Herbert's Life, which I have just printed. Did I
+remember the favour you did me of asking for my own print? if I
+did not, it shall accompany this book.
+
+
+
+Letter 216 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.
+Arlington Street, July 21, 1764. (page 330)
+
+Sir,
+You will have heard of the severe attendance which we have had
+for this last week in the House of Commons. It will, I trust,
+have excused me to you for not having answered sooner your very
+kind letter. My books, I fear, have no merit over Mr. Harte's
+Gustavus, but by being much shorter. I read his work, and was
+sorry so much curious matter should be so ill and so tediously,
+put together. His anecdotes are much more interesting than mine;
+luckily I was aware that mine were very trifling, and did not
+dwell upon them. To answer the demand, I am printing them with
+additions, but must wait a little for assistance and corrections
+to the two latter, as I have had for the former.
+
+You are exceedingly obliging, Sir, to offer me one of your
+Fergussons. I thank you for it, as I ought; but, in truth, I
+have more pictures than room to place them; both my houses are
+full, and I have even been thinking of getting rid of some I
+have. That this is no declension of your civility, Sir, you will
+see, when I gladly accept either of your medals of King Charles.
+I shall be proud to keep it as a mark of your friendship; but
+then I will undoubtedly rob you of but one.
+
+I condole with you, Sir, for the loss of your friend and
+relation, as I heartily take my share in whatever concerns you.
+The great and unmerited kindness I have received from you will
+ever make me your most obliged, etc.
+
+
+
+Letter 217To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, July 21, 1764. (page 331)
+
+Dear Sir,
+I must never send you trifles; for you always make me real
+presents in return. The beauty of the coin surprises me. Mr.
+White must be rich, when such are his duplicates. I am
+acquainted with him, and have often intended to visit his
+collection; but it is one of those things one never does, because
+one always may. I give you a thousand thanks in return, and what
+are not worth more, my own print, Lord Herbert's Life, (this is
+curious, though it cost me little,) and some orange flowers. I
+wish you had mentioned the latter sooner: I have had an amazing
+profusion this year, and given them away to the right and left by
+handfuls. These are all I could collect to-day, as I was coming
+to town; but you shall have more if you want them.
+
+I consign these things as you ordered - I wish the print may
+arrive without being rumpled: it is difficult to convey
+mezzotintos; but if this is spoiled you shall have another.
+
+If I make any stay in France, which I do not think I shall, above
+six weeks at most, you shall certainly hear from me but I am a
+bad commissioner for searching you out a hermitage. It is too
+much against my interest- and I had much rather find you one in
+the neighbourhood of Strawberry. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 218 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, August 3, 1764. (page 332)
+
+As my letters are seldom proper for the post now, I begin them at
+any time, and am forced to trust to chance for a conveyance.
+This difficulty renders my news very stale: but what can I do?
+There does not happen enough at this season of' the year to fill
+a mere gazette. I should be more sorry to have you think me
+silent too long. You must be so good as to recollect, when there
+is a large interval between my letters, that I have certainly one
+ready in my writing-box, and only wait for a messenger. I hope
+to send this by Lord Coventry. For the next three weeks, indeed,
+I shall not be able to write, as I go in a few days with your
+brother to Chatsworth and Wentworth Castle.
+
+I am under more distress about my visit to you--but I will tell
+you the truth. As I think the Parliament Will not meet before
+Christmas, though they now talk of it for November, I would quit
+our Politics for a few weeks; but the expense frightens me, which
+did not use to be one of my fears. I cannot but expect, knowing
+the enemies I have, that the treasury may distress me.(633) I
+had laid by a little sum which I intended to bawble away at
+Paris; but I may have very serious occasion for it. The recent
+example of Lord Holderness,(634) Who has had every rag seized at
+the Custom-house, alarms my present prudence. I cannot afford to
+buy even clothes, which I may lose in six weeks. These
+considerations dispose me to wait till I see a little farther
+into this chaos. You know enough of the present actors in the
+political drama to believe that the present system is not a
+permanent one, nor likely to roll on till Christmas without some
+change. The first moment that I can quit party with honour, I
+shall seize. It neither suits my inclination nor the years I
+have lived in the world; for though I am not old, I have been in
+the world so long, and seen so much of those who figure in it,
+that I am heartily sick of its commerce. My attachment to your
+brother, and the apprehension that fear of my own interest would
+be thought the cause if I took no part for him, determined me to
+risk every thing rather than abandon him. I have done it, and
+cannot repent, whatever distresses may follow. One's good name
+is of more consequence than all the rest, my dear lord. Do not
+think I say this with the least disrespect to you; it is only to
+convince you that I did not recommend any thing to you that I
+would avoid myself; nor engaged myself, nor wished to engage you,
+in party from pique, resentment, caprice, or choice. I am dipped
+in it much against my inclination. I can suffer by it infinitely
+more than you could. But there are moments when one must take
+one's part like a man. This I speak solely with regard to
+myself. I allow fairly and honestly that you was not
+circumstanced as I was. You had not voted with your brother as I
+did; the world knew your inclinations were different. All this
+certainly composed serious reasons for you not to follow him, if
+you did not choose it. My motives for thinking you had better
+have espoused his cause were for your own sake - I detailed those
+motives to you in my last long letter; that opinion is as strong
+within me as ever.
+
+The affront to you, the malice that aimed that affront, the
+importance that it gives one, upon the long-run to act steadily
+and uniformly with one's friends, the enemies you make in the
+opposition, composed of so many great families, and of your own
+principal allies,(635) and the little merit you gain with the
+ministry by the contrary conduct,--all these were, to me,
+unanswerable reasons, and remain so, for what I advised; yet, as
+I told you before, I think the season is passed, and that you
+must wait for an opportunity of disengaging yourself with credit.
+I am persuaded that occasion will be given you, from one or other
+of the causes I mentioned in my last; and if the fairest is, I
+entreat you by the good wishes which I am sure you know from my
+soul I bear you, to seize it. Excuse me: I know I go too far,
+but my heart is set on your making a great figure, and your
+letters are so kind, that they encourage me to speak with a
+friendship which I am sensible is not discreet:--but you know you
+and your brother have ever been the objects of my warmest
+affection and however partial you may think me to him, I must
+labour to have the world think as highly of you, and to unite you
+firmly for your lives. If this was not my motive, you must be
+sure I should not be earnest. It is not one vote in the House of
+Lords that imports us. Party is grown so Serious,(636) and will,
+I doubt, become every day more so, that one must make one's
+option; and it will go to my soul to see you embarked against all
+your friends, against the Whig principles you have ever
+professed, and with men, amongst whom you have not one
+well-wisher, and with whom you will not even be able to remain
+upon tolerable terms, unless you take a vigorous part against all
+you love and esteem.
+
+In warm times lukewarmness is a crime with those on whose side
+you are ranged. Your good sense and experience will judge
+whether what I say is not strictly the case. It is not your
+brother or I that have occasioned these circumstances. Lord Bute
+has thrown this country into a confusion which will not easily be
+dissipated without serious hours. Changes may, and, as I said in
+the beginning of my letter, will probably happen but the seeds
+that have been sown will not be rooted up by one or two
+revolutions in the cabinet. It had taken an hundred and fifty
+years(637) to quiet the animosities of Whig and Tory; that
+contest is again set on foot, and though a struggle for places
+may be now, as has often been, the secret purpose of principals,
+the court and the nation are engaging on much deeper springs of
+action. I wish I could elucidate this truth, as I have the rest,
+but that is not fit for paper, nor to be comprised within the
+compass of a letter;--I have said enough to furnish you with
+ample reflections. I submit all to your own judgment:--I have
+even acted rightly by YOU, in laying before you what it was not
+easy for you, my dear lord, to see or know at a distance. I
+trust all to your indulgence, and your acquaintance with my
+character, which surely is not artful or mysterious, and which,
+to you, has ever been, as it ever shall be, most cordial and
+well-intentioned. I come to my gazette.
+
+There is nothing new, but the resignation of Lord Carnarvon,(638)
+who has thrown up the bedchamber, and they say, the lieutenancy
+of Hampshire on Stanley being made governor of the Isle of Wight.
+
+I have been much distressed this morning. The royal family
+reside chiefly at Richmond, whither scarce necessary servants
+attend them, and no mortal else but Lord Bute. The King and
+Queen have taken to going about to see places; they have been at
+Oatlands and Wanstead. A quarter before ten to-day, I heard the
+bell at the gate ring,--that is, I was not up, for my hours are
+not reformed, either at night or in the morning,--I inquired who
+it was? the Prince of Mecklenburgh and De Witz had called to
+know if they could see the house; my two Swiss, Favre and Louis,
+told them I was in bed, but if they would call again in an hour,
+they might see it. I shuddered at this report,--and would it
+were the worst part! The Queen herself was behind, in a coach: I
+am shocked to death, and know not what to do! It is ten times
+worse just now than ever at any other time: it will certainly be
+said, that I refused to let the Queen see my house. See what it
+is to have republican servants! When I made a tempest about it,
+Favre said, with the utmost sang froid, "Why could not he tell me
+he was the Prince of Mecklenburgh?" I shall go this evening and
+consult my oracle, Lady Suffolk. If she approves it, I will
+write to De Witz, and pretend I know nothing of any body but the
+Prince, and beg a thousand pardons, and assure him how proud I
+should be to have his master visit my castle at Thundertentronk.
+
+August 4th.
+
+I have dined to-day at Claremont, where I little thought I should
+dine,(639) but whither our affairs have pretty naturally
+conducted me. It turned out a very melancholy day. Before I got
+into the house, I heard that letters were just arrived there,
+with accounts of the Duke of Devonshire having had two more fits.
+When I came to see Lord John's(640) and Lord Frederick's letters,
+I found these two fits had been but one, and that very slight,
+much less than the former, and certainly nervous by all the
+symptoms, as Sir Edward Wilmot, who has been at Chatsworth,
+pronounces it. The Duke perceived it coming, and directed what
+to have done, and it was over in four minutes. The next event
+was much more real. I had been half round the garden with the
+Duke in his one-horse chair; we were passing to the other side of
+the house, when George Onslow met us, arrived on purpose to
+advertise the Duke of the sudden death of the Duchess of
+Leeds,(641) who expired yesterday at dinner in a moment: he
+called it apoplectic; but as the Bishop of Oxford,(642) who is at
+Claremont, concluded, it was the gout flown up into the head.
+The Duke received the news as men do at seventy-one: but the
+terrible part was to break it to the Duchess, who is ill. George
+Onslow would have taken me away to dinner with him, but the Duke
+thought that would alarm the Duchess too abruptly, and she is not
+to know it yet: with her very low spirits it is likely to make a
+deep impression. It is a heavy stroke too for her father, poor
+old Lord Godolphin, who is eighty-six. For the Duke, his
+spirits, under so many mortifications and calamities, are
+surprising: the only effect they and his years seem to have made
+on him is to have abated his ridicules.(643) Our first meeting
+to be sure was awkward, yet I never saw a man conduct any thing
+with more sense than he did. There were no notices of what is
+passed; nothing fulsome, no ceremony, civility enough, confidence
+enough, and the greatest ease. You would only have thought that
+I had been long abroad, and was treated like an old friend's son
+with whom he might make free. In truth, I never saw more
+rational behaviour: I expected a great deal of flattery, but we
+had nothing but business while we were alone, and common
+conversation while the Bishop and the Chaplain were present. The
+Duke mentioned to me his having heard Lord Holland's inclination
+to your embassy. He spoke very obligingly of you, and said that,
+next to his own children, he believed there was nobody the late
+Lord Hardwicke loved so much as you. I cannot say that the Duke
+spoke very affectionately of Sir Joseph Yorke. who has never
+written a single line to him since he was out. I told him that
+did not surprise me, for Sir Joseph has treated your brother in
+the same manner, though the latter has written two letters to him
+since his dismission.
+
+Arlington Street, Tuesday night, 10 o'clock.
+
+I am here alone in the most desolate of all towns. I came to-day
+to visit my sovereign Duchess(644) in her lying-in, and have been
+there till this moment, not a sole else but Lady Jane Scott.(645)
+Lady Waldegrave came from Tunbridge yesterday en passant, and
+reported a new woful history of a fracas there--don't my Lady
+Hertford's ears tingle? but she will not be surprised. A
+footman--a very homely footman--to a Mrs. Craster, had been most
+extremely impertinent to Lord Clanbrazil, Frederick Vane, and a
+son of Lady Anne Pope; they threatened to have him turned away--
+he replied, if he was, he knew where he should be protected.
+Tunbridge is a quiet private place, where one does not imagine
+that every thing one does in one's private family will be known:-
+-yet so it happened that the morning after the fellow's
+dismission, it was reported that he was hired by another lady,
+the Lord knows who. At night, that lady was playing at loo in
+the rooms. Lord Clanbrazil told her of the report, and hoped she
+would contradict it: she grew as angry as a fine lady could grow,
+told him it was no business of his, and--and I am afraid, still
+more. Vane whispered her--One should have thought that name
+would have some weight--oh! worse and worse! the poor English
+language was ransacked for terms that came up to her resentment:-
+-the party broke up, and, I suppose, nobody went home to write an
+account of what happened to their acquaintance.
+
+O'Brien and Lady Susan are to be transported to the Ohio, and
+have a grant of forty thousand acres. The Duchess of Grafton
+says sixty thousand were bestowed; but a friend of yours, and a
+relation of Lady Susan, nibbled away twenty thousand for a Mr.
+Upton.
+
+By a letter from your brother to-day, I find our northern journey
+is laid aside; the Duke of Devonshire is coming to town; the
+physicians want him to go to Spa. This derangement makes me turn
+my eyes eagerly towards Paris; though I shall be ashamed to come
+thither after the wise reasons I have given you against it in the
+beginning of this letter; nous verrons--the temptation is strong,
+but patriots must resist temptations; it is not the etiquette to
+yield to them till a change happens.
+
+I enclose a letter, which your brother has sent me to convey to
+you, and two pamphlets.(646) The former is said to be written by
+Shebbeare, under George Grenville's direction: the latter, which
+makes rather more noise, is certainly composed by somebody who
+does not hate your brother--I even fancy you will guess the same
+person for the author that every body else does. I shall be able
+to send you soon another pamphlet, written by Charles Townshend,
+on the subject of the warrants:-you see, at least, we do not
+ransack Newgate and the pillory(647) for writers. We leave those
+to the administration.
+
+I wish you would be so kind as to tell me, what is become of my
+sister and Mr. Churchill. I received a letter from Lady Mary
+to-day, telling me she was that instant setting out from Paris,
+but does not say whither.
+
+The first storm that is likely to burst in politics, seems to be
+threatened from the Bedford quarter. The Duke and Duchess have
+been in town but for two days the whole summer, and are now going
+to Trentham, whither Lord Gower, qui se donnoit pour favori, is
+retired for three months. This is very unlike the declaration in
+spring, that the Duke must reside at Streatham,(648) because the
+King could not spare him for a day.
+
+The memorial(649) left by Guerchy at his departure, and the late
+arr`ets in France on our American histories, make much noise, and
+seem to say that I have not been a false prophet! If our
+ministers can stand so many difficulties from abroad, and so much
+odium at home, they are abler men than I take them for. Adieu,
+the whole H`otel de Lassay!(650) I verily think I shall see it
+soon.
+
+(633) He had the lucrative office of usher of the exchequer, and
+a couple of other less considerable sinecures.-C.
+
+(634) Robert, last Earl of Holderness, grandson of the great Duke
+Schomberg; he had been secretary of state at the accession.-C.
+
+(635) Lady Hertford was daughter of the late, and cousin of the
+existing Duke of Grafton, who was one of the leaders of the
+opposition.-C.
+
+(636) The state of the public mind at this time is thus described
+by Gray:--"Grumble, indeed, every one does; but, since Wilkes's
+affair, they fall off their metal, and seem to shrink under the
+brazen hand of Norton and his colleagues. I hear there will be
+no Parliament till after Christmas. If the French should be so
+unwise as to suffer the Spanish court to go on in their present
+measures (for they refuse to pay the ransom of Manilla, and have
+driven away our logwood cutters already,) down go their friends
+in the ministry, and all the schemes of right divine and
+prerogative; and this is perhaps the best chance we have. Are
+you not struck with the great similarity there is between the
+first years of Charles the First and the present times? Who
+would have thought it possible five years ago?" Works, vol. iv.
+p. 34.-E.
+
+(637) It is not easy to say what hundred and fifty years he
+alludes to; the contests of Whig and Tory were never so violent
+as in the last years of Queen Anne, just fifty years before this
+time.-C.
+
+(638) The Marquis of Carnarvon, eldest son of the second Duke of
+Chandos.-E.
+
+
+(639) See ant`e, p. 258, letter 184.
+
+(640) Lord John and Lord Frederick Cavendish, his grace's
+brothers.-E.
+
+(641) Lady Mary, daughter of the second Lord Godolphin,
+granddaughter of the great Duke of Marlborough, and sister of the
+Duchess of Newcastle.-E.
+
+(642) Dr. John Hume.-E.
+
+(643) The reader will not fail to observe the sudden effect of
+Mr. Walpole's conversion to the Duke of Newcastle's politics, how
+it abates all ridicules and sweetens all acerbities. As no
+writer has contributed so much as Mr. Walpole to depreciate the
+character of the Duke of Newcastle, this kind of palinode is not
+unimportant. See ant`e, p. 258, letter 184.-C.
+
+(644) The Duchess of Grafton lay-in, on the 17th July 1764, of
+her youngest son, Lord Charles.-E.
+
+(645) Eldest daughter of Francis, second Duke of Buccleugh, born
+1723, died in 1777, unmarried.-E.
+
+(646) They were called "An Address to the Public on the late
+dismission of a General Officer," and "A Counter Address." The
+latter was written by Mr. Walpole himself.-C.
+
+(647) Dr. Shebbeare had been convicted of a libel, and, I
+believe, punished in the pillory-C. [By the indulgence of the
+under-sheriff of Midllesex, the Doctor was allowed to stand on,
+and not in, the pillory; for which indulgence he was prosecuted.)
+
+(648) A villa of the Duke's at Streatham, derived from Mr.
+Howland, his maternal grandfather, from whom Howland-street is
+named.-C.
+
+(649) The points in dispute between France and England at this
+period arose out of the non-performance of certain articles of
+the treaty-the payment of the Canada bills, and the expense of
+the prisoners of war, and certain claims for compensation for
+effects taken at Bellisle.-C.
+
+(650) The house which Lord Hertford hired in Paris.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 219 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Aug. 16, 1764. (page 337)
+
+I am not gone north, so pray write to me. I am not going south,
+so pray come to me. The Duke of Devonshire's journey to Spa has
+prevented the first, and twenty reasons the second; whenever
+therefore you are disposed to make a visit to Strawberry, it will
+rejoice to receive you in its old ruffs and fardingales, and
+without rouge, blonde, and run silks.
+
+You have not said a word to me, ingrate as you are, about Lord
+Herbert; does not he deserve one line? Tell me when I shall see
+you, that I may make no appointments to interfere with it. Mr.
+Conway, Lady Ailesbury, and Lady Lyttelton, have been at
+Strawberry with me for four or five days, so I am come to town to
+have my house washed, for you know I am a very Hollander in point
+of cleanliness.
+
+This town is a deplorable solitude; one meets nothing but Mrs.
+Holman, like the pelican in the wilderness. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 220 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 27, 1764. (page 338)
+
+I hope you received safe a parcel and a very long letter that I
+sent you, above a fortnight ago, by Mr. Strange the engraver.
+Scarce any thing has happened since worth repeating, but what you
+know already, the death of poor Legge, and the seizure of Turk
+Island:(651) the latter event very consonant to all ideas. It
+makes much noise here especially in the city, where the ministry
+grow every day more and more unpopular. Indeed, I think there is
+not much probability of their standing their ground, even till
+Christmas. Several defections are already known, and others are
+ripe which they do not apprehend.
+
+Doctor Hunter, I conclude, has sent you Charles Townshend's
+pamphlet: it is well written, but does not sell much, as a notion
+prevails that it has been much altered and softened.
+
+The Duke of Devonshire is gone to Spa; he was stopped for a week
+by a rash, which those who wished it so, called a miliary fever,
+but was so far from it that if he does not find immediate benefit
+from Spa, he is to go to Aix-la-Chapelle, in hopes that the warm
+baths will supple his skin, and promote another eruption.
+
+I have been this evening to Sion, which is becoming another Mount
+Palatine. Adam has displayed great taste, and the Earl matches
+it with magnificence. The gallery is converting into a museum in
+the style of a columbarium, according to an idea that I proposed
+to my Lord Northumberland. Mr. Boulby(652) and Lady Mary are
+there, and the Primate,(653) who looks old and broken enough to
+aspire to the papacy. Lord Holland, I hear, advises what Lord
+Bute much wishes, the removal of George Grenville, to make room
+for Lord Northumberland at the head of the treasury. The Duchess
+of Grafton is gone to her father. I wish you may hear no more of
+this journey! If you should, this time, the Complaints will come
+from her side.
+
+You have got the Sposo(654) Coventry with you, have not you? And
+you are going to have the Duke of York. You will not want such a
+nobody as me. When I have a good opportunity, I will tell you
+some very sensible advice that has been given me on that head,
+which I am sure you will approve.
+
+It is well for me I am not a Russian. I should certainly be
+knouted. The murder of the young Czar Ivan has sluiced again all
+my abhorrence of the czarina. What a devil in a diadem! I
+wonder they can spare such a principal performer from hell!
+
+September 9th.
+
+I had left this letter unfinished, from want of common materials,
+if I should send it by the post; and from want of private
+conveyance, if I said more than was fit for the post. being Just
+returned from Park-place, where I have been for three days, I not
+only find your extremely kind letter of August 21st, but a card
+from Madame de Chabot, who tells me she sets out for Paris in a
+day or two. and offers to carry a letter to you, which gives me
+the opportunity I wished for.
+
+I must begin with what you conclude-your most friendly
+offer,(655) if I should be distressed by the treasury. I can
+never thank you enough for this, nor the tender manner in which
+you clothe it: though, believe me, my dear lord, I could never
+blush to be obliged to you. In truth, though I do not doubt
+their disposition to hurt me, I have had prudence enough to make
+it much longer than their reign Can last, before it could be in
+their power to make me feel want. With all my extravagance, I am
+much beforehand, and having perfected and paid for what I wished
+to do here, my common expenses are trifling, and nobody can live
+more frugally than I, when I have a mind to it. What I said of
+fearing temptations at Paris, was barely serious: I thought it
+imprudent, just now, to throw away my money; but that
+consideration, singly, would not keep me here. I am eager to be
+with you, and my chief reason for delaying is, that I wish to
+make a longer stay than I could just now. The advice I hinted
+at, in the former part of this letter, was Lady Suffolk's, and I
+am sure you will think it very sensible. She told me, should I
+now go to Paris, all the world would say I went to try to
+persuade you to resign; that even the report would be impertinent
+to you, to whom she knew and saw I wished so well; and that when
+I should return, it would be said I had failed in MY errand.
+Added to this, which was surely very prudent and friendly advice,
+I will own to you fairly, that I think I shall soon have it in my
+power to come to you on the foot I wish,--I mean, having done
+with politics, which I have told you all along, and with great
+truth, are as much my abhorrence as yours. I think this
+administration cannot last till Christmas, and I believe they
+themselves think so. I am cautious when I say this, because I
+promise you faithfully, the last thing I will do shall be to give
+you any false lights knowingly. I am clear, I repeat it, against
+your resigning now; and there is no meaning in all I have taken
+the liberty to say to you, and which you receive with so much
+goodness and sense, but to put you on your guard in such ticklish
+times, and to pave imperceptibly to the world the way to your
+reunion with your friends. In your brother, I am persuaded, you
+will never find any alteration; and whenever you find an
+opportunity proper, his credit with particular persons will
+remove any coldness that may have happened. I admire the force
+and reasoning with which you have stated your own situation; and
+I think there are but two points in which we differ at all. I do
+not see how your brother could avoid the part he chose. It was
+the administration that made it--no inclination of his. The
+other is a trifle; it regards Elliot, nor is it my opinion alone
+that he is at Paris on business: every body believes it, and
+considering his abilities, and the present difficulties of Lord
+Bute, Elliot's absence would be very extraordinary, if merely
+occasioned by idleness or amusement, or even to place his
+children, when it lasts so long.
+
+The affair of Turk Island, and the late promotion of Colonel
+Fletcher(656) over thirty-seven older officers, are the chief
+causes, added to the Canada bills, Logwood, and the Manilla
+affairs, Which have ripened our heats to such a height. Lord
+Mansfield's violence against the press has contributed much--but
+the great distress of all to the ministers, is the behaviour of
+the Duke of Bedford, who has twice or thrice peremptorily refused
+to attend council. He has been at Trentham, and crossed the
+country back to Woburn, without coming to town.(657) Lord Gower
+has been in town but one day. Many causes are assigned for all
+this; the refusal of making Lord Waldegrave of the bedchamber;
+Lord Tavistocl('s inclination to the minority; and above all, a
+reversion, which it is believed Lord Bute has been so weak as to
+obtain, of Ampthill, a royal grant, in which the Duke has but
+sixteen years to come. You know enough of that court, to know
+that, in the article of Bedfordshire, no influence has any weight
+with his grace. At present, indeed, I believe little is tried.
+The Duchess and Lady Bute are as hostile as possible. Rigby's
+journey convinces me of what I have long suspected, that his
+reign is at an end. I have even heard, though I am far from
+trusting to the quarter from which I had my intelligence, that
+the Duke has been making overtures to Mr. Pitt,(658) which have
+not been received unfavourably; I shall know more of this soon,
+as I am to go to Stowe in three or four days. Mr. Pitt is
+exceedingly well-disposed to your brother, talks highly of him,
+and of the injustice done to him, and they are to meet on the
+first convenient opportunity. Thus much for politics, which,
+however, I cannot quit, without again telling you how sensible I
+am of all your goodness and friendly offers.
+
+The Court, independent of politics, makes a strange figure. The
+recluse life led here at Richmond, which is carried to such an
+excess of privacy and economy, that the Queen's friseur waits on
+them at dinner, and that four pounds only of beef are allowed for
+their soup, disgusts all sorts of people. The drawing-rooms are
+abandoned: Lady Buckingham(659) was the only woman there on
+Sunday se'nnight. The Duke of York was commanded home. They
+stopped his remittances,(660) and then were alarmed on finding he
+still was somehow or other supplied with money. The two next
+Princes(661) are at the Pavilions at Hampton Court, in very
+private circumstances indeed; no household is to be established
+for Prince William, who accedes nearer to the malcontents every
+day. In short, one hears of nothing but dissatisfaction, which
+in the city rises almost to treason.
+
+Mrs. Cornwallis(662) has found that her husband has been
+dismissed from the bedchamber this twelvemonth with no notice:
+his appointments were even paid; but on this discovery they are
+stopped.
+
+You ask about what I had mentioned in the beginning of my letter,
+the dissensions in the house of Grafton. The world says they are
+actually parted: I do not believe that; but I will tell you
+exactly all I know. His grace, it seems, for many months has
+kept one Nancy Parsons,(663) one of the commonest creatures in
+London, one much liked, but out of date. He is certainly grown
+immoderately attached to her, so much, that it has put an end to
+all his decorum. She was publicly with him at Ascot races, and
+is now in the forest;(664) I do not know if actually in the
+house. At first, I concluded this was merely stratagem to pique
+the Duchess; but it certainly goes further. Before the Duchess
+laid in, she had a little house on Richmond-Hill, whither the
+Duke sometimes, though seldom, came to dine. During her month of
+confinement, he was scarcely in town at all, nor did he even come
+up to see the Duke of Devonshire. The Duchess is certainly gone
+to her father. She affected to talk of the Duke familiarly, and
+said she would call in the forest as she went to Lord
+Ravensworth's. I suspect she is gone thither to recriminate and
+complain. She did not talk of returning till October. It was
+said the Duke was going to France, but I hear no more of it.
+Thus the affair stands, as far as I or your brother, or the
+Cavendishes, know; nor have we heard one word from either Duke or
+Duchess of any rupture. I hope she will not be so weak as to
+part, and that her father and mother will prevent it. It is not
+unlucky that she has seen none of the Bedfords lately, who would
+be glad to blow the coals. Lady Waldegrave was with her one day,
+but I believe not alone.
+
+There was nobody at Park-place but Lord and Lady William
+Campbell.(665) Old Sir John Barnard(666) is dead; for other
+news, I have none. I beg you will always say a great deal for me
+to my lady. As I trouble you with such long letters, it would be
+unreasonable to overwhelm her too. You know my attachment to
+every thing that is yours. My warmest wish is to see an end of
+the present unhappy posture of public affairs, which operate so
+shockingly even on our private. If I can once get quit of them,
+it will be no easy matter to involve me in them again, however
+difficult it may be, as you have found, to escape them. Nobody
+is more criminal in my eyes than George Grenville, who had it in
+his power to prevent what has happened to your brother. Nothing
+could be more repugnant to all the principles he has ever most
+avowedly and publicly professed--but he has opened my eyes--such
+a mixture of vanity and meanness, of falsehood(667) and
+hypocrisy, is not common even in this country! It is a
+ridiculous embarras after all the rest, and yet you may conceive
+the distress I am under about Lady Blandford,(668) and the
+negotiations I am forced to employ to avoid meeting him there,
+which I am determined not to do.
+
+I shall be able, when I see you, to divert you with some
+excellent stories of a principal figure on our side; but they are
+too long and too many for a letter, especially of a letter so
+prolix as this. Adieu, my dear lord!
+
+(651) A small island, also called Tortuga, near St. Domingo, of
+which a French squadron had dispossessed some English settlers.
+This proceeding was, however, immediately disavowed by the
+French, and orders were immediately despatched for restitution
+and compensation to the sufferers. We can easily gather from Mr.
+Walpole's own expressions why this affair was raised into such
+momentary importance.-C.
+
+(652) Thomas Bouldby, Esq. and his lady, sister of the first Duke
+of Montagu, of the second creation.-E.
+
+(653) Dr. George Stone.
+
+(654) see ant`e, p. 332, letter 218.
+
+(655) This affair is creditable to all the parties. When General
+Conway was turned out, Mr Walpole placed all his fortune at his
+disposal, in a very generous letter (p. 316, letter 205). This
+induced Mr. Walpole to think of economy, and to state in a former
+letter (p. 332, letter 218) some apprehension as to his
+circumstances; in reply to which, Lord Hertford, who had already
+made a similar proposition to General Conway, now offers to place
+Mr. Walpole above the pecuniary difficulties which he
+apprehended.-C.
+
+(656) Colonel Fletcher of the 35th foot.-E.
+
+(657) Not very surprising, however, as London would have been
+about eighty miles round.-C.
+
+(658) The following is a passage from a letter written by Mr.
+Pitt to the Duke of Newcastle, in October, in reply to one of
+these overtures:--"As for my single self, I purpose to continue
+acting through life upon the best convictions I am able to form,
+and Under the obligation of principles, not by the force of any
+particular bargains. I presume not to judge for those who think
+they see daylight to serve their country by such means: but shall
+continue myself, as often as I think it worth the while to go to
+the House of Commons, to go there free from stipulation-, about
+every question under consideration, as well as to come out of the
+House as free as I entered it. Having seen the close of last
+session, and the system of that great war, in which my share of
+the ministry was so largely arraigned, given up by silence in a
+full House, I have little thoughts of beginning the world again
+upon a new centre of union. Your grace will not, I trust, wonder
+if, after so recent and so strange a phenomenon in politics, I
+have no disposition to quit the free condition of a man standing
+single, and daring to appeal to his country at large, upon the
+soundness of his principles and the rectitude of his conduct."
+See Chatham Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 296.-E.
+
+(659) Mary Anne Drury, wife Of John, second Earl of
+Buckinghamshire.-E.
+
+(660) Mr. Walpole gives an unfair turn to this circumstance. The
+stopping the Duke of York's remittances, and ordering him home,
+was a measure of prudence, not to say of necessity, for that
+young Prince's extravagance abroad had made a public clamour; so
+much so, that a popular preacher delivered, about this time, a
+sermon on the following text:--"The younger son gathered all
+together, and took his journey into a far country, and there
+wasted his substance with riotous living." St. Luke, xv. 13. The
+letters and even the publications of the day allude to this
+extravagance, and surely it was the duty of his brother and
+sovereign to repress an indiscretion which occasioned such
+observations.-C.
+
+(661) William, created, in November, 1764, Duke of Gloucester;
+and Henry created, in 1766, Duke of cumberland. The injustice of
+mr. Walpole's insinuations will be evident, when it is
+remembered that, at the date of this letter, the eldest of these
+Princes was but twenty, and the other eighteen years of age, and
+that they were both created Dukes, and had households established
+for them as soon as they respectively came of age-C.
+
+(662) Mary, daughter of Charles, second Viscount Townshend, wife
+of Edward, sixth son of the third Lord Cornwallis. I suspect
+that here again Mr. Walpole's accusation is not correct. General
+Cornwallis had been groom of the bedchamber to George II., and
+was continued in the same office by the successor, till he was
+appointed Governor of Gibraltar, when Mr. Henry Seymour was
+appointed in his room.-C.
+
+(663) This scandal has been immortalized by Junius.-C.
+
+(664) At Wakefield Lodge, in Whittlebury Forest,
+Northamptonshire.-E.
+
+(665) Lord William, brother of General Conway's lady, and third
+brother of the fifth Duke of Argyle; his wife was Sarah, daughter
+of W. Teard, Esq. of Charleston.-E.
+
+(666) Father of the city, which he had represented in six
+parliaments. He had been a very leading member of the House of
+Commons, and was much deferred to on all matters of commerce.-C.
+
+(667) See ant`e, p. 272, letter 188.
+
+(668) Maria Catherine de Jonge, a Dutch Lady, widow of William
+Godolphin, Marquis of Blandford, and sister of Isabella Countess
+of Denbigh; they were near neighbours and intimate acquaintances
+of Mr. Walpole's.@.
+
+
+
+Letter 221 To The Right Hon. William Pitt.(669)
+Arlington Street, Aug. 29, 1764. (page 343)
+
+Sir,
+As you have always permitted me to offer you the trifles printed
+at my press, I am glad to have one to send you of a little more
+consequence than some in which I have had myself too great a
+share. The singularity of the work I now trouble you with is
+greater merit than its rarity; though there are but two hundred
+copies, of which only half are mine.(670) If it amuses an hour
+or two of your idle time, I am overpaid. My greatest ambition is
+to pay that respect which every Englishman owes to your character
+and services; and therefore you must not wonder if an
+inconsiderable man seizes every opportunity, however awkwardly,
+of assuring you, Sir, that he is Your most devoted, etc.
+
+(669) Now first collected.
+
+(670) The Life of Lord Herbert of Cherbury. See ant`e, p. 329,
+letter 214.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 222 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 29, 1764. (page 343)
+
+Dear sir,
+Among the multitude of my papers I have mislaid, though not lost,
+the account you was so good as to give me of your ancestor Toer,
+as a painter. I have been hunting for it to insert it in the new
+edition of my Anecdotes. It is not very reasonable to save
+myself trouble at the expense of yours; but perhaps you can much
+sooner turn to your notes, than I find your letter. Will you be
+so good as to send me soon all the particulars you recollect of
+him. I have a print of Sir Lionel Jenkins from his painting.
+
+I did not send you any more orange flowers, as you desired; for
+the continued rains rotted all the latter blow: but I had made a
+vast potpourri, from whence you shall have as much as you please,
+when I have the pleasure of seeing you here, which I should be
+glad might be in the beginning of October, if it suits your
+convenience. At the same time you shall have a print of Lord
+Herbert, which I think I did not send you.
+
+P. S. I trust you will bring me a volume or two of your MSS. of
+which I am most thirsty.
+
+
+
+Letter 223 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+September 1, 1764. (page 344)
+
+I send you the reply to the Counter-address;(671) it is the
+lowest of all Grub-street, and I hear is treated so. They have
+nothing better to say, than that I am in love with you, have been
+so these twenty years, and am no giant. I am a very constant old
+swain: they might have made the years above thirty; it is so long
+I have the same unalterable friendship for you, independent of
+being near relations and bred up together. For arguments, so far
+from any new ones, the man gives up or denies most of the former.
+I own I am rejoiced not only to see how little they can defend
+themselves, but to know the extent of their malice and revenge.
+They must be sorely hurt, to be reduced to such scurrility. Yet
+there is one paragraph, however, which I think is of George
+Grenville's own inditing. It says, "I flattered, solicited, and
+then basely deserted him." I no more expected to hear myself
+accused of flattery, than of being in love with you; but I shall
+not laugh at the former as I do at the latter. Nothing but his
+own consummate vanity could suppose I had ever stooped to flatter
+him! or that any man was connected with him, but who was low
+enough to be paid for it. Where has he one such attachment?
+
+
+You have your share too. The miscarriage at Rochfort now
+directly laid at your door! repeated insinuations against your
+courage. But I trust you will mind them no more than I do,
+excepting the flattery, which I shall not forget, I promise them.
+
+I came to town yesterday on some business, and found a case.
+When I opened it, what was there but my Lady Ailesbury's most
+beautiful of all pictures!(672) Don't imagine I can think it
+intended for me: or that, if it could be so, I would hear of such
+a thing. It is far above what can be parted with, or accepted.
+I am serious--there is no letting such a picture, when one has
+accomplished it, go from where one can see it every day. I
+should take the thought equally kind and friendly, but she must
+let me bring it back, if I am not to do any thing else with it,
+and it came by mistake. I am not so selfish as to deprive her of
+what she must have such pleasure in seeing. I shall have more
+satisfaction in seeing it at Park-place; where, in spite of the
+worst kind of malice, I shall persist in saying my heart is
+fixed. They may ruin me, but no calumny shall make me desert
+you. Indeed your case would be completely cruel, if it was more
+honourable for your relations and friends to abandon you than to
+stick to you. My option is made, and I scorn their abuse as much
+as I despise their power.
+
+I think of coming to you on Thursday next for a day or two,
+unless your house is full, or you hear from me to the contrary.
+Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(671) A pamphlet written by Mr. Walpole, in answer to another,
+called ,An Address to the Public on the late Dismissal of a
+General Officer."
+
+(672) A landscape executed in worsteds by Lady Ailesbury. It is
+now at Strawberry Hill.
+
+
+
+Letter 224 To The Rev. Dr. Birch.
+September 3, 1764. (page 345)
+
+Sir,
+I am extremely obliged to you for the favour of your letter, and
+the enclosed curious one of Sir William Herbert. It would have
+made a very valuable addition to Lord Herbert's Life, which is
+now too late; as I have no hope that Lord Powis will permit any
+more to be printed. There were indeed so very few, and but half
+of those for my share, that I have not it in my power to offer
+you a copy, having disposed of my part. It is really a pity that
+so singular a curiosity should not be public; but I must not
+complain, as Lord Powis has been so good as to indulge my request
+thus far. I am, Sir, Your much obliged humble servant, H. W.
+
+
+
+Letter 225 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 5, 1764. (page 345)
+
+My dear lord,
+Though I wrote to you but a few days ago, I must trouble you with
+another line now. Dr. Blanchard, a Cambridge divine, and who has
+a good paternal estate in Yorkshire, is on his travels, which he
+performs as a gentleman; and, therefore, wishes not to have his
+profession noticed. He is very desirous of paying his respects
+to you, and of being countenanced by you while he stays at Paris.
+It will much oblige a particular friend of mine, and consequently
+me, if you will favour him with your attention. Every body
+experiences your goodness, but in the present case I wish to
+attribute it a little to my request.
+
+I asked you about two books, ascribed to Madame de Boufflers. if
+they are hers, I should be glad to know where she found, that
+Oliver Cromwell took orders and went over to Holland to fight the
+Dutch. As she has been on the spot where he reigned (which is
+generally very strong evidence), her countrymen will believe her
+in spite of our teeth; and Voltaire, who loves all anecdotes that
+never happened, because they prove the manners of the times, will
+hurry it into the first history he publishes. I, therefore,
+enter my caveat against it; not as interested for Oliver's
+character, but to save the world from one more fable. I know
+Madame de Boufflers will attribute this scruple to my partiality
+to Cromwell (and, to be sure, if we must be ridden, there is some
+satisfaction when the man knows how to ride). I remember one
+night at the Duke of Grafton's, a bust of Cromwell was produced:
+Madame de Boufflers, without uttering a syllable, gave me the
+most speaking look imaginable, as much as to Say, Is it possible
+you can admire this man! Apropos: I am sorry to say the reports
+do not cease about the separation,(673) and yet I have heard
+nothing that confirms it.
+
+I once begged you to send me a book in three volumes, called
+"Essais sur les Moeurs;" forgive me if I put you in mind of it,
+and request you to send me that, or any other new book. I am
+wofully in want of reading, and sick to death of all our
+political stuff; which, as the Parliament is happily at the
+distance of three months, I would fain forget till I cannot help
+hearing of it. I am reduced to Guicciardin, and though the
+evenings are so long, I cannot get through one of his periods
+between dinner and supper. They tell me Mr. Hume has had sight
+of King James's journal:(674) I Wish I could see all the trifling
+passages that he will not deign to admit into history. I do not
+love great folks till they have pulled off their buskins and put
+on their slippers, because I do not care sixpence for what they
+would be thought, but for what they are.
+
+Mr. Elliot brings us woful accounts of the French ladies, of the
+decency of their conversation, and the nastiness of their
+behaviour.
+
+Nobody is dead, married, or gone mad, since my last. Adieu!
+
+P. S. I enclose an epitaph on Lord Waldegrave, written by my
+brother,(675) which I think you will like, both for the
+composition and the strict truth of it.
+
+Arlington Street, Friday evening.
+
+I was getting into my postchaise this morning with this letter in
+my pocket, and Coming to town for a day or two, when I heard the
+Duke of Cumberland was dead: I find it is not so. he had two
+fits yesterday at Newmarket, whither he would go. The Princess
+Amelia, who had observed great alteration in his speech,
+entreated him against it. He has had too some touches of the
+gout, but they were gone off, or might have prevented this
+attack. I hear since the fits yesterday, which are said to have
+been but slight, that his leg is broken out, and they hope will
+save him. Still, I think, one cannot but expect the worst.
+
+The letters yesterday, from Spa, give a melancholy account of the
+poor Duke of Devonshire as he cannot drink the waters they think
+of removing him; I suppose, to the baths at Aix-la-Chapelle; but
+I look on his case as a lost one. There's a chapter for
+moralizing! but five-and-forty, with forty thousand pounds
+a-year and happiness wherever he turned him! My reflection is,
+that it is folly to be unhappy at any thing, when felicity itself
+is such a phantom.
+
+(673) Of the Duke and Duchess of Grafton.-E.
+
+(674) Since published, under the generous patronage of George the
+Third, by Dr. Clarke, his Majesty's librarian. The work is,
+however, not what Mr. Walpole contemplated: it is not a journal
+of private feelings, interests, and actions, but a relation
+rather of public affairs; and though the notes of James II. were
+undoubtedly the foundation of the work, it was, in truth, written
+by another hand, and that too a hand the least likely to have
+given us the kind of memoirs which Mr. Walpole justly thinks
+would have been so valuable. When an eminent person writes his
+own memoirs, we have, at least, the motives which he thinks it
+creditable to assign to his conduct--he has, generally the
+candour of vanity, and even when he has not that candour, he is
+sometimes blinded into discovering truth unawares; but nothing
+can be more futile and fastidious than the meagre notes of the
+original actor, fresh woven and discoloured by the hands of an
+obsequious servant, who conceals all the facts he cannot explain,
+and all the motives he cannot justify. Such memoirs resemble the
+real life as the skeleton does the living man.-C.
+
+(675) Sir Edward Walpole, K.B., second son of Sir Robert, and the
+father of Ladies Dysart and Waldegrave, and Mrs. Keppel.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 226 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 5, 1764. (page 347)
+
+It is over with us!--if I did not know your firmness, I would
+have prepared you by degrees; but you are a man, and can hear the
+worst at once. The Duke of Cumberland is dead. I have heard it
+but this instant. The Duke of Newcastle was come to breakfast
+with me, and pulled out a letter from Lord Frederick, with a
+hopeless account of the poor Duke of Devonshire. Ere I could
+read it, Colonel Schutz called at the door and told my servant
+this fatal news! I know no more--it must be at Newmarket, and
+very sudden; for the Duke of Newcastle had a letter from Hodgson,
+dated on Monday, which said the Duke was perfectly well, and his
+gout gone:--Yes, to be sure, into his head. Princess Amelia had
+endeavoured to prevent his going to Newmarket, having perceived
+great alteration in his speech, as the Duke of Newcastle had.
+Well! it will not be. Every thing fights against this country!
+Mr. Pitt must save it himself--or, what I do not know whether he
+will not like as well, share in overturning its liberty--if they
+will admit him; -which I question now if they will be fools
+enough to do.
+
+You see I write in despair. I am for the whole, but perfectly
+tranquil. We have acted with honour, and have nothing to
+reproach ourselves with. We cannot combat fate. We shall be
+left almost alone; but I think you will no more go with the
+torrent than I will. Could I have foreseen this tide of ill
+fortune, I would have done just as I have done; and my conduct
+shall show I am satisfied I have done right. For the rest, come
+what come may, I am perfectly prepared and while there is a free
+spot of earth upon the globe, that shall be my country. I am
+sorry it will not be this, but to-morrow I shall be able to laugh
+as usual. What signifies what happens when one is
+seven-and-forty, as I am to-day!
+
+"They tell me 'tis my birthday"--but I will not go on with
+Antony, and say
+
+----"and I'll keep it
+With double pomp of sadness."
+
+No. when they can smile, who ruin a great country'. sure those
+who would have saved it may indulge themselves in that
+cheerfulness which conscious integrity bestows. I think I shall
+come to you next week; and since we have no longer any plan of
+operations to settle, we will look over the map of Europe, and
+fix upon a pleasant corner for our exile--for take notice, I do
+not design to fall upon my dagger, in hopes that some Mr. Addison
+a thousand years hence may write a dull tragedy about me. I will
+write my own story a little more cheerfully than he would; but I
+fear now I must not print it at my own press. Adieu! You was a
+philosopher before you had any occasion to be so: pray continue
+so; you have ample occasion! Yours ever, H. W.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 227 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 13, 1764. (page 348)
+
+Lord John Cavendish has been so kind as to send me word of the
+Duke of Devonshire's(676) legacy to you.(677) You cannot doubt
+of the great joy this gives me; and yet it serves to aggravate
+the loss of so worthy a man! And when I feel it thus, I am
+sensible how much more it will add to your concern, instead of
+diminishing it. Yet do not wholly reflect on your misfortune.
+You might despise the acquisition of five thousand pounds simply;
+but when that sum is a public testimonial to your virtue, and
+bequeathed by a man so virtuous, it is a million. Measure it
+with the riches of those who have basely injured you, and it is
+still more! Why, it is glory, it is conscious innocence, it is
+satisfaction--it is affluence without guilt--Oh! the comfortable
+sound! It is a good name in the history of these corrupt days.
+There it will exist, when the wealth of your and their country's
+enemies will be wasted, or will be an indelible blemish on their
+descendants.
+
+My heart is full, and yet I will say no more. My best loves to
+all your opulent family. Who says virtue is not rewarded in this
+world? It is rewarded by virtue, and it is persecuted by the
+bad. Can greater honour be paid to it?
+
+(676) William, fourth Duke of Devonshire. During his
+administration in Ireland, Mr. Conway had been secretary of state
+there. He died at Spa on the 2d of October.-E.
+
+(677) The legacy was contained in the following codicil, written
+in the Duke's own hand. "I give to General Conway five thousand
+pounds as a testimony of my friendship to him, and of my sense of
+his Honourable conduct and friendship for me."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 228 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 29, 1764. (page 348)
+
+I am glad you mentioned it: I would not have had you appear
+without your close mourning for the Duke of Devonshire upon any
+account. I was once going to tell you of it, knowing your
+inaccuracy in such matters; but thought it still impossible you
+should be ignorant how necessary it is. Lord Strafford, who has
+a legacy of only two hundred pounds, wrote to consult Lady
+Suffolk. She told him, for such a sum, which only implies a
+ring,, it was sometimes not done but yet advised him to mourn.
+In your case it is indispensable; nor can you see any of his
+family without it. Besides it is much better on such an occasion
+to over, than under do. I answer this paragraph first, because I
+am so earnest not to have you blamed.
+
+Besides wishing to see you all, I have wanted exceedingly to come
+to you, having much to say to you; but I am confined here, that
+is, Mr. Chute is: he was seized with the gout last Wednesday
+se'nnight, the day he came hither to meet George Montagu, and
+this is the first day he has been out of his bedchamber. I must
+therefore put off our meeting till Saturday, when you shall
+certainly find me in town.
+
+We have a report here, but the authority bitter bad, that Lord
+March is going to be married to Lady Conway. I don't believe it
+the less for our knowing nothing of it; for unless their daughter
+were breeding, and it were to save her character, neither your
+brother nor Lady Hertford would disclose a tittle about it. Yet
+in charity they should advertise it, that parents and relations,
+if it is so, may lock up all knives, ropes, laudanum, and rivers,
+lest it should occasion a violent mortality among his fair
+admirers.
+
+I am charmed with an answer I have just read in the papers of a
+man in Bedlam, who was ill-used by -,in apprentice because he
+Would not tell him why he was confined there. The unhappy
+creature said at last, "Because God has deprived me of a blessing
+which you never enjoyed." There never was any thing finer or more
+moving! Your sensibility will not be quite so much affected by a
+story I heard t'other day of Sir Fletcher Norton. He has a
+mother--yes, a mother: perhaps you thought that, like that tender
+urchin Love,
+
+----duris in cotibus illum
+Ismarus, aut Rhodope, aut extremi Garamantes,
+Nec nostri generis puerum nec sanguinis edunt.
+
+Well, Mrs. Rhodope lives in a mighty shabby hovel at Preston,
+which the dutiful and affectionate Sir Fletcher began to think
+not suitable to the dignity of one who has the honour of being
+his parent. He cheapened a better, in which were two pictures
+which the proprietor valued at threescore pounds. The
+attorney(678) insisted on having them for nothing, as fixtures-
+-the landlord refused, the bargain was broken off, and the
+dowager Madam Norton remains in her original hut. I could tell
+you another story which you would not dislike; but as it might
+hurt the person concerned, if it was known, I shall not send it
+by the post; but will tell you when I see you. Adieu!
+
+(678) Sir Fletcher Norton, afterwards Lord Grantley, had been
+appointed attorney-general in the preceding December.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 229 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, Nov. 1, 1764. (page 350)
+
+I am not only pleased, my dear lord, to have been the first to
+announce your brother's legacy to you, but I am glad whenever my
+news reach you without being quite stale. I see but few persons
+here. I begin my letters without knowing when I shall be able to
+fill them, and then am to winnow a little what I hear, that I may
+not send you absolute secondhand fables: for though I cannot
+warrant all I tell you, I hate to send you every improbable tale
+that is vented. You like, as one always does in absence, to hear
+the common occurrences of your own country; and you see I am very
+glad to be your gazetteer, provided you do not rank my letters
+upon any higher foot. I should be ashamed of such gossiping, if
+I did not consider it as chatting with you en famille, as we used
+to do at supper in Grosvenor-street.
+
+The Duke of Devonshire has made splendid provision for his
+younger children; to Lady Dorothy,(679) 30,000 pounds; Lord
+Richard and Lord George will have about 4,000 pounds a-year
+apiece: for, besides landed estates, he has left them his whole
+personal estate without exception, only obliging the present Duke
+to redeem Devonshire-house, and the entire collection in it, for
+20,000 pounds: he gives 500 pounds to each of his brothers, and
+200 pounds to Lord Strafford, with some other inconsiderable
+legacies. Lord Frederick carried the garter, and was treated by
+the King with very gracious speeches of concern.
+
+The Duke of Cumberland is quite recovered, after an incision of
+many inches in his knee. Ranby(680) did not dare to propose that
+a hero should be tied, but was frightened out of his senses when
+the hero would hold the candle himself, which none of his
+generals could bear to do: in the middle of the operation, the
+Duke said, "Hold!" Ranby said, "For God's sake, Sir, let me
+proceed now--it will be worse to renew it." The Duke repeated, "I
+say hold!" and then calmly bade them give Ranby a clean waistcoat
+and cap; for, said he, the poor man has sweated through these.
+It was true; but the Duke did not utter a groan.
+
+Have you heard that Lady Susan O'Brien's is not the last romance
+of the sort? Lord Rockingham's youngest sister, Lady
+Harriot,(681) has stooped even lower than a theatric swain, and
+married her footman; but still it is you Irish(682) that commit
+all the havoc. Lady Harriot, however, has mixed a wonderful
+degree of prudence with her potion, and considering how plain she
+is, has not, I think, sweetened the draught too much for her
+lover: she settles a single hundred pound a-year upon him for his
+life; entails her whole fortune on their children, if they have
+any; and, if not, on her own family; nay, in the height of the
+novel, provides for a separation, and insures the same pin-money
+to Damon, in case they part. This deed she has vested out of her
+power, by sending it to Lord Mansfield,(683) whom she makes her
+trustee; it is drawn up in her own hand, and Lord Mansfield says
+is as binding as any lawyer could make it. Did one ever hear of
+more reflection in a delirium! Well, but hear more: she has
+given away all her clothes, nay, and her ladyship, and says,
+linen gowns are properest for a footman's wife, and is gone to
+his family in Ireland, plain Mrs. Henrietta Surgeon. I think it
+is not clear that she is mad, but I have no doubt but Lady
+Bel(684) will be so who could not digest Dr. Duncan, nor even Mr.
+Milbank.
+
+My last told you of my sister's promotion.(685) I hear she is to
+be succeeded at Kensington by Miss Floyd, who lives with Lady
+Bolingbroke; but I beg you not to report this till you see it in
+a Gazette of better authority than mine, who have it only from
+fame and Mrs. A. Pitt.
+
+I have not seen M. de Guerchy yet, having been in town but one
+night since his return. You are very kind in accepting, on your
+own account, his obliging expressions about me: I know no
+foundation on which I should like better to receive them,: the
+truth is he has distinguished me extremely, and when a person in
+his situation shows much attention to a person so very
+insignificant as I am, one is apt to believe it exceeds common
+compliment: at least, I attribute it to the esteem which he could
+not but see I conceived for him. His civility is so natural, and
+his good nature so strongly marked, that I connected much more
+with him than I am apt to do with new acquaintances. I pitied
+the various disgusts he received, and I believe he saw I did. If
+I felt for him, you may judge how much I am concerned that you
+have your share. I foresaw it was unavoidable, from the swarms
+of your countrymen that flock to Paris, and generally the worst
+part; boys and governors are woful exports. I saw a great deal
+of it when I lived with poor Sir Horace Mann at Florence-but you
+have the whole market. We are a wonderful people-I would not be
+our King,(686) our minister, or our ambassador, for the Indies.
+One comfort, however, I can truly give you; I have heard their
+complaints, if they have any, from nobody but yourself. Jesus!
+if they are not content now, I wish they knew how the English
+were received at Paris twenty years ago--why, you and I know they
+were not received at all. Ay, and when the fashion of admiring
+English is past, it will be just so again; and very reasonably-
+-who would open their house to every staring booby from another
+country?
+
+Arlington Street, Nov. 3.
+
+I came to town to-day to meet your brother, who is going to
+Euston and Thetford,(687) and hope he will bring back a good
+account of the domestic history,(688) of which we can learn
+nothing authentic. Fitzroy(689) knows nothing. The town says
+the Duchess is going thither.
+
+We have been this evening with Duchess Hamilton,(690) who is
+arrived from Scotland, visibly promising another Lord Campbell.
+I shall take this opportunity of seeing M. de Guerchy, and that
+opportunity, of sending this letter, and one from your brother.
+Our politics are all at a stand. The Duke of Devonshire's death,
+I concluded, would make the ministry all powerful, all
+triumphant, and all insolent. It does not appear to have done
+so. They are, I believe, extremely ill among themselves, and not
+better in their affairs foreign or domestic. The cider counties
+have instructed their members to join the minority. The house of
+Yorke seems to have laid aside their coldness and irresolution,
+and to look towards opposition. The unpopularity of the court is
+very great indeed--still I shall not be surprised if they
+maintain their ground a little longer.
+
+There is nothing new in the way of publication: the town itself'
+is still a desert. I have twice passed by Arthur's(691) to-day,
+and not seen a chariot.
+
+Hogarth is dead, and Mrs. Spence, who lived with the Duchess of
+Newcastle.(692) She had saved 20,000 pounds which she leaves to
+her sister for life, and after her, to Tommy Pelham. Ned
+Finch(693) has got an estate from an old Mrs. Hatton of 1500
+pounds a year, and takes her name.
+
+Adieu! my lord and lady, and your whole et cetera.
+
+(679) Lady Dorothy married, in 1766, the Duke of Portland.-E.
+
+(680) A celebrated surgeon of the day. He was serjeant-surgeon
+to the King, and F. R. S.-E.
+
+(681) Lady Henrietta Alicia Wentworth, born in 1737; married Mr.
+William Surgeon.-E.
+
+(682) Lord Hertford was an Irish peer; he had besides so large a
+fortune there, and paid so much attention to the interests of
+that country,, that Mr. Walpole calls him Irish.-C.
+
+(683) Lord Mansfield had married Lady Harriot's aunt.-E.
+
+(684) Lady Isibella Finch, lady of the bedchamber to Princess
+Amelia, was Lady Harriot's aunt. The Mr. Milbank here mentioned
+had married Lady Mary Wentworth, the elder sister of Lady
+Harriot.-C.
+
+(685) From being housekeeper at Kensington Palace, to the same
+office at Windsor Castle; but Mr. Walpole is mistaken as to the
+name of her successor: it was Miss Roche loyd.-C.
+
+(686) It is due to the character of the King and the ministers,
+whom Mr. Walpole so often and so wantonly depreciates, to solicit
+the reader's attention to such passages as this, in which he
+imputes to others, and therefore implies in himself, an unfair
+disposition to criticise and censure.-C.
+
+(687) He was member for Thetford.-E.
+
+(688) Of the Grafton family.-E.
+
+(689) Colonel Charles Fitzroy. See ant`e, p. 261, Letter 185.-E.
+
+(690) Elizabeth Gunning, widow of James, sixth Duke of Hamilton,
+and wife, in 1759, of John, fifth Duke of Argyle.-E.
+
+(691) The fashionable club in St. James's Street.-E.
+
+(692) The Duke of Newcastle, in a letter to Mr. Pitt of the 19th
+of October, says, "The many great losses, both public and
+private, which we have had this summer, have very greatly
+affected the Duchess; and the last of all, of her old friend and
+companion of above forty-five years, poor Mrs. Spence, has added
+much to the melancholy situation in which she was before."
+Chatham Correspondence, vol, ii. p. 295.-E.
+
+(693) Edward, fifth son of the sixth Earl of Winchelsea. Mrs.
+Hatton was his maternal aunt, sister of the last Viscount
+Hatton.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 230 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Nov. 8, 1764. (page 352)
+
+I am much disappointed, I own, dear Sir, at not seeing you: more
+so, as I fear it will be long before I shall, for I think of
+going to paris early in February. I ought indeed to go directly,
+as the winter does not agree with me here. Without being
+positively ill, I am positively not well: about this time of
+year, I have little fevers every night, and pains in my breast
+and stomach, which bid me repair to a more flannel climate.
+These little complaints are already begun, and as soon as affairs
+will permit me, I mean to transport them southward.
+
+I am sorry it is out of my power to make the addition you wish to
+Mr. Tuer's article: many of the following sheets are printed off,
+and there is no inserting any thing now, without shoving the
+whole text forward, which you see is impossible. You promised to
+bring me a portrait of him: as I shall have four or five new
+plates, I can get his head into one of them: will you send it as
+soon as you can possibly to my house in Arlington-street; I will
+take great care of it-, and return it to you safe.
+
+
+
+Letter 231 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, Nov. 9, 1764. (page 353)
+
+I don't know whether this letter will not reach you, my dear
+lord, before one that I sent to you last week by a private hand,
+along with one from your brother. I write this by my Lord
+Chamberlain's order--you may interpret it as you please, either
+as by some new connexion of the Bedford squadron with the
+opposition, or as a commission to you, my lord ambassador. As
+yet, I believe you had better take it upon the latter foundation,
+though the Duke of Bedford has crossed the country from Bath to
+Woburn, without coming to town. Be that as it may, here is the
+negotiation intrusted to you. You are desired by my Lord Gower
+to apply to the gentilhomme de la chambre for leave for
+Doberval(694) the dancer, who was here last year, to return and
+dance at our Opera forthwith. If the court of France -will
+comply with this request, we will send them a discharge in full,
+for the Canada bills and the ransom of their prisoners, and we
+will permit Monsieur D'Estain to command in the West Indies,
+whether we will or not. The city of London must not know a word
+of this treaty, for they hate any mortal should be diverted but
+themselves, especially by any thing relative to harmony. It is,
+I own, betraying my country and my patriotism to be concerned in
+a job of this kind. I am sensible that there is not a weaver in
+Spitalfields but can dance better than the first performer in the
+French Opera; and yet, how could I refuse this commission? Mrs.
+George Pitt delivered it to me just now, at Lord Holderness's at
+Sion, and as my virtue has not yet been able to root out all my
+good-breeding--though I trust it will in time--I could not help
+promising that I would write to you--nay, and engaged that you
+would undertake it. When I venture, sure you may, who are out of
+the reach of a mob!
+
+I believe this letter will go by Monsieur Beaumont. He
+breakfasted here t'other morning, and pleased me exceedingly: he
+has great spirit and good-humour. It is incredible what pains he
+has taken to see. He has seen Oxford, Bath, Blenheim, Stowe,
+Jews, Quakers, Mr. Pitt, the Royal Society, the Robinhood, Lord
+Chief-Justice Pratt, the Arts-and-Sciences, has dined at
+Wildman's, and, I think, with my Lord Mayor, or is to do.
+Monsieur de Guerchy is full of your praises; I am to go to
+Park-place with him next week, to make your brother a visit.
+
+You know how I hate telling you false news: all I can do, is to
+retract as fast as I can. I fear I was too hasty in an article I
+sent you in my last, though I then mentioned it only as a report.
+I doubt, what we wish in a private family(695) will not be
+exactly the event.
+
+The Duke of Cumberland has had a dangerous sore-throat, but is
+recovered. In one of the bitterest days that could be felt, he
+would go upon the course at Newmarket with the windows of his
+landau down. Newmarket-heath, at no time of the year, is placed
+under the torrid zone. I can conceive a hero welcoming death, or
+at least despising it; but if I was covered with more laurels
+than a boar's head at Christmas, I should hate pain, and Ranby,
+and an operation. His nephew of York has been at Blenheim, where
+they gave him a ball, but did not put themselves to much expense
+in dancers; the figurantes were the maid-servants. You will not
+doubt my authority, when I tell you my Lady Bute was my
+intelligence. I heard to-day, at Sion, of some bitter verses
+made at Bath, on both their graces of Bedford. I have not seen
+them, nor, if I had them, would I send them to you before they
+are in print, which I conclude they will be, for I am sorry to
+say, scandalous abuse is not the commodity which either side is
+sparing of. You can conceive nothing beyond the epigrams which
+have been in the papers, on a pair of doves and a parrot that
+Lord Bute has sent to the Princess.(696)
+
+I hear-but this is another of my paragraphs that I am far from
+giving you for sterling--that Lord Sandwich is to have the Duke
+of Devonshire's garter; Lord Northumberland stands against Lord
+Morton,(697) for president of the Royal Society, in the room of
+Lord Macclesfield. As this latter article will have no bad
+consequences if it should prove true, you may believe it. Earl
+Poulet is dead, and Soame, who married Mrs. Naylor's sister.
+
+You will wonder more at what I am going to tell you in the last
+place: I am preparing, in earnest, to make you a visit-not next
+week, but seriously in February. After postponing it for seven
+idle months, you will stare at my thinking of it just after the
+meeting Of the Parliament. Why, that is just one of my principal
+reasons. I will stay and see the opening and one or two
+divisions; the minority will be able to be the majority, or they
+will not: if they can, they will not want me, who want nothing of
+them: if they cannot, I am sure I can do them no good, and shall
+take my leave of them;--I mean always, to be sure, if things do
+not turn on a few votes: they shall not call me a deserter. In
+every other case, I am so sick of politics, which I have long
+detested, that I must bid adieu to them. I have acted the part
+by your brother that I thought right. He approves what I have
+done, and what I mean to do; so do the few I esteem, for I have
+notified my intention; and for the rest of the world, they may
+think what they please. In truth, I have a better reason, which
+would prescribe my setting out directly, if it was consistent
+with my honour. I have a return of those nightly fevers and
+pains in my breast, which have come for the three last years -,it
+this season: change of air and a better climate are certainly
+necessary to me in winter. I shall thus indulge my inclinations
+every way. I long to see you and my Lady Hertford, and am
+wofully sick of the follies and distractions of this country, to
+which I see no end, come what changes will! Now, do you wonder
+any longer at my resolution? In the mean time adieu for the
+present!
+
+(694) D'Auberval was not only a celebrated dancer, but a composer
+of ballets.@.
+
+(695) The reconciliation of the Duke and Duchess of Grafton.-E.
+
+(696) The Princess Dowager of Wales.
+
+(697) Lord Morton was elected.
+
+
+
+Letter 232 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+November 10, 1764. (page 355)
+
+Soh! madam, you expect to be thanked, because you have done a
+very obliging thing.(698) But I won't thank you, and I won't be
+obliged. It is very hard one can't come into your house and
+commend any thing, but you must recollect it and send it after
+one! I will never dine in your house again; and, when I do, I
+will like nothing; and when I do, I will commend nothing; and
+when I do, you shan't remember it. You are very grateful indeed
+to Providence that give you so good a memory, to stuff it with
+nothing but bills of fare of what every body likes to eat and
+drink! I wonder you are not ashamed! Do you think there is no
+such thing as gluttony of the memory?--You a Christian! A pretty
+account you will be able to give of yourself!-Your fine folks in
+France may call this friendship and attention, perhaps--but sure,
+if I was to go to the devil, it should be for thinking of nothing
+but myself, not of others, from morning to night. I would send
+back your temptations; but, as I will not be obliged to you for
+them, verily I shall retain them to punish you; ingratitude being
+a proper chastisement for sinful friendliness. Thine in the
+spirit, Pilchard Whitfield.
+
+(698) Lady Hervey, it is supposed, had sent Mr. Walpole some
+potted pilchards.
+
+
+
+Letter 233 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, Nov. 25, 1764. (page 356)
+
+Could you be so kind, my dear lord, as to recollect Dr.
+Blanchard, after so long an interval. It will make me still more
+cautious of giving recommendations to you, instead of drawing
+upon the credit you give me. I saw Mr. Stanley last night at the
+Opera, who made his court extremely to me by what he said of you.
+It was our first opera, and I went to town to hear Manzoli,(699)
+who did not quite answer my expectation, though a very fine
+singer, but his voice has been younger, and wants the touching
+tones of Elisi.(700) However, the audience was not so nice, but
+applauded him immoderately, and encored three of his songs. The
+first woman was advertised for a perfect beauty, with no voice;
+but her beauty and voice are by no means so unequally balanced:
+she has a pretty little small pipe, and only a pretty little
+small person, and share of beauty, and does not act ill. There
+is Tenducci, a moderate tenor, and all the rest intolerable. If
+you don't make haste and send us Doberval, I don't know what we
+shall do. The dances were not only hissed, as truly they
+deserved to be, but the gallery, `a la Drury-lane, cried out, ,
+Off! off!" The boxes were empty, for so is the town, to a degree.
+The person,(701) who ordered me to write to you for Dobeval, was
+reduced to languish in the Duchess of Hamilton's box. My
+Duchess(702) does not appear yet--I fear.
+
+Shall I tell you any thing about D'Eon? it is sending coals to
+Paris: you must know his story better than me; so in two words
+Vergy, his antagonist, is become his convert:(703) has wrote for
+him and sworn for him,--nay, has made an affidavit before Judge
+Wilmot, that Monsieur de Guerchy had hired him to stab or poison
+D'Eon. Did you ever see a man who had less of an assassin than
+your pendant, as Nivernois calls it! In short, the story is as
+clumsy, as abominable. The King's Bench cited D'Eon to receive
+his sentence: he absconds: that court issued a warrant to search
+for him and a house in Scotland-yard, where he lodged, was broken
+open, but in vain. If there is any thing more, you know it
+yourself. This law transaction is buried in another. The Master
+of the Rolls, Sir Thomas Clarke, is dead, and Norton succeeds.
+Who do you think succeeds him? his predecessor.(704) The house
+of York is returned to the house of Lancaster: they could not
+keep their white roses pure. I have not a little suspicion that
+disappointment has contributed to this faux-pas. Sir Thomas made
+a new will the day before he died, and gave his vast fortune, not
+to Mr. Yorke, as was expected, but to Lord Macclesfield, to whom,
+it is come out, he was natural brother. Norton, besides the
+Rolls, which are for lite, and near 3,000 pounds a-year, has a
+pension of 1,200 pounds. Mrs. Anne Pitt, too, has got a third
+pension: so you see we are not quite such beggars as you
+imagined!
+
+Prince William, you know, is Duke of Gloucester, with the same
+appanage as the Duke of York. Legrand(705) is his Cadogan;
+Clinton(706) and Ligonier(707) his grooms.
+
+Colonel Crawford is dead at Minorca, and Colonel Burton has his
+regiment; the Primate (Stone) is better, but I suppose, from his
+distemper, which is a dropsy in his breast, irrecoverable. Your
+Irish queen(708) exceeds the English Queen, and follows her with
+seven footmen before her chair--well! what trumperies I tell you!
+but I cannot help it--Wilkes is outlawed, D'Eon run away, and
+Churchill dead--till some new genius arises, you must take up
+with the operas, and pensions, and seven footmen. But patience!
+your country is seldom sterile long.
+
+George Selwyn has written hither his lamentations about that
+Cossack Princess. I am glad of it, for I did but hint it to my
+Lady Rervey, (though I give you my word, without quoting you,
+which I never do upon the most trifling occurrences,) and I was
+cut very short, and told it was impossible. A la bonne heure!
+Pray, who is Lord March(709) going to marry? We hear so, but
+nobody named. I had not heard of your losses at whisk; but if I
+had, should not have been terrified: you know whisk gives no
+fatal ideas to any body that has been at Arthur's and seen
+hazard, Quinze, and Trente-et-Quarante. I beg you will prevail
+on the King of France to let Monsieur de Richelieu give as many
+balls and f`etes as he pleases, if it is only for my diversion.
+This journey to Paris is the last colt's tooth I intend ever to
+cut, and I insist upon being prodigiously entertained, like a
+Sposa Monacha, whom they cram with this world for a twelvemonth,
+before she bids adieu to it for ever. I think, when I shut
+myself up in my convent here, it will not be with the same
+regret. I have for some time been glutted with the world, and
+regret the friends that drop away every day; those, at least,
+with whom I came into the world, already begin to make it appear
+a great void. Lord Edgecumbe, Lord Waldegrave, and the Duke of
+Devonshire leave a very perceptible chasm. At the Opera last
+night, I felt almost ashamed to be there. Except Lady Townshend,
+Lady Schaub, Lady Albemarle, and Lady Northumberland, I scarce
+saw a creature whose debut there I could not remember: nay, the
+greater part were maccaronies. You see I am not likely, like my
+brother Cholmondeley (who, by the way, was there too), to totter
+into a solitaire at threescore. The Duke de Richelieu(710) is
+one of the persons I am curious to see--oh! am I to find Madame
+de Boufflers, Princess of Conti? Your brother and Lady Aylesbury
+are to be in town the day after to-morrow to hear Manzoli, and on
+their way to Mrs. Cornwallis, who is acting l'agonisante; but
+that would be treason to Lady Ailesbury. I was at Park-place
+last week: the bridge is finished, and a noble object.
+
+I shall come to you as soon as ever I have my cong`e, which I
+trust will be early in February. I will let you know the moment
+I can fix my time, because I shall beg you to order a small
+lodging to be taken for me at no great distance from your palace,
+and only for a short time, because, if I should like France
+enough to stay some months I can afterwards accommodate myself to
+my mind. I should like to be so near you that I could see you
+whenever it would not be inconvenient to you, and without being
+obliged to that intercourse with my countrymen, which I by no
+means design to cultivate. If I leave the best company here, it
+shall not be for the worst. I am getting out of the world, not
+coming into it, and shall therefore be most indifferent about
+their acquaintance, or what they think of my avoiding it. I come
+to see you and my Lady Hertford, to escape from politics, and to
+amuse myself with seeing, which I intend to do with all my eyes.
+I abhor show, am not passionately fond of literati, don't want to
+know people for a few months, and really think of nothing but
+some comfortable hours with you, and indulging my curiosity.
+Excuse almost a page about myself, but it was to tell you how
+little trouble I hope to give you.
+
+(699) "Manzoli's voice was the most powerful and voluminous
+soprano that had been heard on our stage since the time of
+Farinelli; and his manner of singing was grand and full of taste
+and dignity. The lovers of music in London were more unanimous
+in approving his voice and talents, than those of any other
+singer within my memory." Burney.--E.
+
+(700) Elisi, though a great singer, was a still greater actor:
+his figure was large and majestic, and he had a great compass of
+voice." Ibid.-E.
+
+(701) Probably Mrs. George Pitt.-C.
+
+(702) Of Grafton.
+
+(703) This is altogether a very mysterious affair: M. de Vergy
+was the cause of D'Eon's violent behaviour at Lord Halifax's (see
+ant`e, p. 254, letter 181,); he afterwards took D'Eon's part, and
+had the effrontery and the infamy to say, that he was suborned by
+the French ministry to quarrel with and ruin D'Eon.-C.
+
+(704) Mr. Charles Yorke; but we shall see, in the next letter,
+that the fact on which all this imputation was built was
+false.-C.
+
+(705) Edward Legrand, Esq., treasurer to the Duke of Gloucester;
+as the Hon. C. S. Cadogan was to the Duke of York.-E.
+
+(706) Colonel Henry Clinton, afterwards commander-in-chief in
+America, and K. B.-E.
+
+(707) Colonel Edward Ligonier, aide-de-camp to the King.-E.
+
+(708) The Countess of Northumberland.-E.
+
+(709) James, third Earl of March, a lord of the bedchamber, who
+subsequently, in 1778, succeeded to the dukedom of queensberry,
+and was the last of that title.-E.
+
+(710) The celebrated Mareschal Duc de Richelieu: he was born in
+1696, and died in 1788. The whole of his long life was full of
+adventures so extraordinary as to justify Mr. Walpole's
+curiosity. The most remarkable, however, of all, had not at this
+period occurred. In the year 1780, and at the age of
+eighty-four, he married his third wife, and was severely
+afflicted that a miscarriage of the Duchess destroyed his hopes
+of another Cardinal de Richelieu; for to that eminence he
+destined the child of his age. His biographer adds, that the
+Duchess was an affectionate and attentive wife, notwithstanding
+that her octogenarian husband tried her patience by reiterated
+infidelities.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 234 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 3, 1764. (page 358)
+
+I love to contradict myself as fast as I can when I have told you
+a lie, lest you should take me for a chambermaid, or Charles
+Townshend. But how can I help it? Is this a consistent age?
+How should I know people's minds, if they don't know them
+themselves? In short, Charles Yorke is not attorney-general, nor
+Norton master of the rolls. A qualm came across the first, and
+my Lord lorn across the second, who would not have Norton in his
+court. I cannot imagine why; it is so gentle, amiable, honest a
+being! But I think the Chancellor says, Norton does not
+understand equity, so he remains prosecutor-general. Yorke would
+have taken the rolls, if they would have made it much more
+considerable; but as they would not, he has recollected that it
+will be clever for one Yorke to have the air of being
+disinterested, so he only disgraces himself,(711) and takes a
+patent of precedence over the Solicitor-General:--but do not
+depend upon this--he was to have kissed hands on Friday, but has
+put it off till Wednesday next--between this and that, his Virtue
+may have another fit. The court ridicule him even more than the
+opposition. What diverts me most, is, that the pious and dutiful
+house of Yorke, who cried and roared over their father's memory,
+now throw all the blame on him, and say, he forced them into
+opposition--amorent nummi expellas furc`a, licet usque
+recurret.(712) Sewell(713) is master of the rolls.
+
+Well! I may grow a little more explicit to you; besides, this
+letter goes to you by a private hand. I gave you little hints,
+to prepare you for the separation of the house of Grafton. It is
+so, and I am heartily sorry for it. Your brother is chosen by
+the Duke, and General Ellison by the Duchess, to adjust the
+terms, which are not yet settled. The Duke takes all on himself,
+and assigns no reason but disagreement of tempers. He leaves
+Lady Georgina' with her mother, who, he says, is the properest
+person to educate her, and Lord Charles, till he is old enough to
+be taken from the women. This behaviour is noble and generous--
+still I wish they could have agreed!
+
+This is not the only parting that makes a noise. His grace of
+Kingston(714) has taken a pretty milliner from Cranborn-alley,
+and carried her to Thoresby. Miss Chudleigh, at the Princess's
+birthday on Friday, beat her side till she could not help having
+a real pain in it, that people might inquire what was the matter;
+on which she notified a pleurisy, and that she is going to the
+baths of Carlsbad, in Bohemia. I hope she will not meet with the
+Bulgares that demolished the Castle of Thundertentronck.(715
+y) My Lady Harrington's robbery is at last come to light, and
+was committed by the porter,(716) who is in Newgate.
+
+Lady Northumberland (who, by the way, has added an eighth footman
+since I wrote to you last) told Me this Morning that the Queen is
+very impatient to receive an answer from Lady Hertford, about
+Prince George's letters coming through your hands, as she desired
+they might.
+
+A correspondence between Legge and Lord Bute about the Hampshire
+election is published to-day, by the express desire of the
+former, When he was dying.(717) He showed the letters to me in
+the spring, and I then did not-think them so strong or important
+as he did. I am very clear it does no honour to his memory to
+have them printed now. It implies want of resolution to publish
+them in his lifetime, and that he died with more resentment than
+I think one should care to own. I would Send them to you, but I
+know Dr. Hunter takes care of such things. I hope he will send
+you, too, the finest piece that I think has been written for
+liberty since Lord Somers. It is called an Inquiry into the late
+Doctrine on Libels, and is said to be written by one
+Dunning,(718) a lawyer lately started up, who makes a great
+noise. He is a sharp thorn in the sides of Lord Mansfield and
+Norton, and, in truth, this book is no plaster to their pain. It
+is bitter, has much unaffected wit, and is the Only tract that
+ever made me understand law.(719) If Dr. Hunter does not send
+you these things, I suppose he will convey them himself, as I
+hear there will be a fourteenth occasion for him. Charles
+Fitzroy says, Lord Halifax told Mrs. Crosby that you are to go to
+Ireland. I said he l(nows you are not the most communicative
+person in the world, and that you had not mentioned it--nor do I
+now, by way of asking impertinent questions; but I thought you
+would like to know what was said.
+
+I return to Strawberry Hill to-morrow, but must return on
+Thursday, as there is to be something at the Duke of York's that
+evening, for which I have received a card. He and his brother
+are most exceedingly civil and good-humoured--but I assure you
+every place is like one of Shakspeare's plays:--Flourish, enter
+the Duke of York, Gloucester, and attendants. Lady Irwin(720)
+died yesterday.
+
+Past eleven.
+
+I have just come from a little impromptu ball at Mrs. Ann Pitt's.
+I told you she had a new pension, but did I tell you it was five
+hundred pounds a year? It was entertaining to see the Duchess of
+Bedford and Lady Bute with their respective forces, drawn up on
+different sides of the room; the latter's were most numerous. My
+Lord Gower seemed very willing to promote a parley between the
+two armies. It would have made you shrug up your shoulders at
+dirty humanity, to see the two Miss Pelhams sit neglected,
+without being asked to dance. You may imagine this could not
+escape me, who have passed through the several grradations in
+which Lady Jane Stuart and Miss Pelham are and have been; but I
+fear poor Miss Pelham feels hers a little more than ever I
+did.(721) The Duke of York's is to be a dinner and a ball for
+Princess Amelia.
+
+Lady Mary Bowlby(722) gave me a commission, a genealogical one,
+from my Lady Hertford, which I will execute to the best of my
+power. I am glad my part is not to prove eighteen generations Of
+nobility for the Bruces. I fear they have made some
+mes-alliances since the days of King Robert-at least, the present
+Scotch nobility are not less apt to go into Lombard-street than
+the English.
+
+My Lady Suffolk was at the ball; I asked the Prince of Masserano
+whom he thought the oldest woman in the room, as I concluded he
+would not guess she was. He did not know my reason for asking,
+and would not tell me. At last, he said very cleverly, his own
+wife.
+
+Mr. Sarjent has sent me this evening from Les Consid`erations sur
+les Moeurs," and "Le Testament Politique,"(723) for which I give
+you, my dear lord, a thousand thanks. Good night!
+
+P.S. Manzoli(724) has come a little too late, or I think he would
+have as many diamond watches and snuff-boxes as Farinelli.
+
+(711) We can venture to state, that there never was any idea of
+Mr. Yorke's accepting the rolls; and it is believed that they
+never were offered to him; certainly, be himself never thought of
+taking that office. The patent of precedence which he did
+accept, was an arrangement, which, though convenient for the
+conduct of the business in court, could give no addition of
+either rank or profit to a person in Mr. Yorke's circumstances.
+The facts were as follow: when Mr. Yorke, in 1756, was made
+solicitor-general, he was not a King's counsel; he succeeded to
+be attorney-general, but on his resignation in October 1763, he
+lost the precedence which his offices had given him, and he
+returned to the outer bar and a stuff gown. It was a novel and
+anomalous sight to see a man who had led the Chancery bar so
+long, and filled the greatest office of the law, retire to
+comparatively, so humble a rank in the court in which he might be
+every day expected to preside; and accordingly, on his first
+appearance after his resignation, the Chancellor, with the
+concurrence (indeed, it has been said on the suggestion) of the
+bar, called to Mr. Yorke, out of his turn, next after the King's
+counsel: this irregular pre-audience had lasted above a year,
+when it was thought more proper and more convenient for the
+business of the court to give Mr. Yorke that formal patent of
+precedence, the value and circumstances of which Mr Walpole so
+much misunderstands. We have heard from old lawyers, that Mr.
+Yorke's business at this period was more extensive and less
+lucrative than any other man ever possessed in Chancery, and we
+find no less than four other barristers had at this time patents
+of precedence.-C.
+
+(712) The reader is requested to look back to p. 272, letter 188,
+where he will find Mr. Walpole himself stating--long before Lord
+Hardwickc's death, and even before his illness--that "the old
+Chancellor was violent against the court, and that Mr. Charles
+Yorke had resigned, contrary to his own; and Lord Royston's
+inclination." The fact was in no way true; for it is well known
+that there never was the slightest difference of opinion between
+the old Lord Hardwicke and his son Charles upon their political
+conduct.-C.
+
+(713) Sir Thomas Sewell, Knight.-E.
+
+(714) Evelyn, last Duke of Kingston: he soon after married Miss
+Chudleigh, who was supposed to have been already married to Mr.
+Augustus Hervey, afterwards Earl of Bristol.-C.
+
+(715) An allusion to a loose incident in Voltaire's Candide.
+
+(716) See ant`e, p. 260, letter 184.
+
+(717) Mr. Legge had, in 1759, while chancellor of the exchequer
+to George II. been requested by Lord Bute, in the name of the
+Prince of Wales, to pledge himself to support a Mr. Stuart at the
+next election for Hampshire: this Mr. Legge, for very sufficient
+reasons, refused to do; and for this refusal (as he thought, and
+wished to persuade the public) he was turned out of office at the
+accession of the young King.-C.
+
+(718) Mr. Dunning soon rose into great practice and eminence; in
+1767 he was made solicitor-general, which office he held till
+1770. He then made a considerable figure in the opposition, till
+the accession to the ministry, in 1782, of his friend Lord
+Shelburne, when he was created Lord Ashburton; he died next
+year.-C.
+
+(719) Mr. Dunning's pamphlet was intituled "Inquiry into the
+Doctrine lately propagated concerning Juries, Libels, etc. upon
+the principles of the Law and the Constitution." Gray, in a
+letter to Walpole of the 30th, thus characterizes it:--"Your
+canonical book I have been reading with great satisfaction. He
+speaketh as one having authority. If Englishmen have any
+feeling, methinks they must feel now; and if the ministry have
+any feeling (Whom nobody will suspect of insensibility) they must
+cut off the author's ears; for if is in all the forms a most
+wicked libel. Is the old man and the lawyer put on, or is it
+real? or has some real lawyer furnished a good part of the
+materials, and another person employed them? This I guess."
+Works, vol. iv. p. 40.-E.
+
+(720) Anne Howard, daughter of the third Earl of Carlisle, and
+widow of the third Viscount Irwin. She was lady of the
+bedchamber to the Princess Dowager. Mr. Park has introduced her
+into his edition of the Noble Authors.-C.
+
+(721) Mr. Walpole means that he was courted during his father's
+power, and neglected after his fall, as the daughters of a
+succeeding prime minister, Mr. Henry Pelham, now were; but as
+Lady Jane Stuart was but two-and-twenty years old, and Miss
+Pelham was thirty-six, we may account for the preference given to
+her ladyship at a ball, without any reference to the meanness and
+political time-serving of mankind. Both the Misses Pelham died
+unmarried.-C.
+
+(722) Sister of the Duke of Montagu.
+
+(723) A French forgery called "Le Testament Politique du
+Chevalier Robert Walpole," of which Mr. Walpole drew up an
+exposure, which is to be found in the second volume of his
+works.-C.
+
+(724) The enthusiasm, however, ran pretty high, as we learn from
+the following passage, in one of the periodical papers of the
+day:--"Signor Manzoli, the Italian singer at the Haymarket, got
+no less, after paying all charges of every kind, by his benefit
+last week (March, 1765), than 1000 guineas. This added to a sum
+of 1,500 which he has already saved, and the remaining profits of
+the season, is surely an undoubted proof of British generosity.
+One particular lady complimented the singer with a 200 pound bill
+for a ticket on that occasion."-C.''
+
+
+
+Letter 235 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 16, 1764. (page 362)
+
+As I have not read in the paper that you died lately at
+Greatworth, in Northamptonshire, nor have met with any Montagu or
+Trevor in mourning, I conclude you are living: I send this,
+however, to inquire, and if you should happen to be departed,
+hope your executor will be so kind as to burn it. Though you do
+not seem to have the same curiosity about my existence, you may
+gather from my handwriting that I am still in being; which being
+perhaps full as much as you want to know of me, I will trouble
+you with no farther particulars about myself--nay, nor about any
+body else; your curiosity seeming to be pretty much the same
+about all the world. News there are certainly none; nobody is
+even dead, as the Bishop of Carlisle told me to-day, which I
+repeat to you in general, though I apprehend in his own mind he
+meant no possessor of a better bishopric.
+
+If you like to know the state of the town, here it is. In the
+first place, it is very empty; in the next, there are more
+diversions than the week will hold. A charming Italian opera,
+with no dances and no company, at least on Tuesdays; to supply
+which defect, the subscribers are to have a ball and supper--a
+plan that in my humble opinion will fill the Tuesdays and empty
+the Saturdays. At both playhouses are woful English operas;
+which, however, fill better than the Italian, patriotism being
+entirely confined to our ears: how long the sages of the law may
+leave us those I cannot say. Mrs Cornelis, apprehending the
+future assembly at Almack's, has enlarged her vast room, and hung
+it with blue satin, and another with yellow satin; but Almack's
+room, which is to be ninety feet long, proposes to swallow up
+both hers, as easy as Moses's rod gobbled down those Of the
+magicians. Well, but there are more joys; a dinner and assembly
+every Tuesday at the Austrian minister's; ditto on Thursdays at
+the Spaniard's; ditto on Wednesdays and Sundays at the French
+ambassador's; besides Madame de Welderen's on Wednesdays, Lady
+Harrington's Sundays, and occasional private mobs at my lady
+Northumberland's. Then for the mornings, there are lev`ees and
+drawing-rooms without end. Not to mention the maccaroni-club,
+which has quite absorbed Arthur's; for you know old fools will
+hobble after young ones. Of all these pleasures, I prescribe
+myself a very small pittance,--my dark corner in my own box at
+the Opera, and now and then an ambassador, to keep my French
+going till my journey to Paris. Politics are gone to sleep, like
+a paroli at pharaoh, though there is the finest tract lately
+published that ever was written, called an Inquiry into the
+Doctrine of Libels. It would warm your old Algernon blood; but
+for what any body cares, might as well have been written about
+the wars of York and Lancaster. The thing most in fashion is my
+edition of Lord Herbert's Life; people are mad after it, I
+believe because only two hundred were printed; and, by the
+numbers that admire it, I am convinced that if I had kept his
+lordship's counsel, very few would have found out the absurdity
+of it. The caution with which I hinted at its extravagance, has
+passed with several for approbation, and drawn on theirs. This
+is nothing new to me; it is when one laughs out at their idols
+that one angers people. I do not wonder now that Sir Philip
+Sydney was the darling hero, when Lord Herbert, who followed him
+so close and trod in his steps, is at this time of day within an
+ace of rivalling him. I wish I had let him; it was contradicting
+one of my own maxims, which I hold to be very just; that it is
+idle to endeavour to cure the world of any folly, unless We Could
+cure it of being foolish.
+
+Tell me whether I am likely to see you before I go to Paris,
+which will be early in February. I hate you for being so
+indifferent about me. I live in the world, and yet love nothing,
+care a straw for nothing, but two or three old friends, that I
+have loved these thirty years. You have buried yourself with
+half a dozen parsons and isquires, and Yet never cast a thought
+upon those you have always lived with. You come to town for two
+Months, grow tired in six weeks, hurry away, and then one hears
+no more of you till next winter. I don't want you to like the
+world, I like it no more than you; but I stay awhile in it,
+because while one sees it one laughs at it, but when one gives it
+up one grows angry with it; and I hold it to be much wiser to
+laugh than to be out of humour. You cannot imagine how much ill
+blood this perseverance has cured me of; I used to say to myself,
+"Lord! this person is so bad, that person is so bad, I hate
+them." I have now found out that they are all pretty much alike,
+and I hate nobody. Having never found you out, but for integrity
+and sincerity, I am much disposed to persist in a friendship with
+you; but if I am to be at all the pains of keeping it up, I shall
+imitate my neighbours (I don't mean those at next door, but in
+the Scripture sense of my neighbour, any body,) and say "That is
+a very good man, but I don't care a farthing for him." Till I
+have taken my final resolution on that head, I am yours most
+cordially.
+
+
+
+Letter 236 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Christmas-eve, 1764. (page 364)
+
+You are grown so good, and I delight so much in your letters when
+you please to write them, that though it is past midnight, and I
+am to go out of town tomorrow morning, I must thank you.
+
+I shall put your letter to Rheims into the foreign post with a
+proper penny, and it will go much safer and quicker than if I
+sent it to Lord Hertford, for his letters lie very often till
+enough are assembled to compose a jolly caravan. I love your
+good brother John, as I always do, for keeping your birthday; I,
+who hate ceremonious customs, approve of what I know comes so
+much from the heart as all he and you do and say. The General
+surely need not ask leave to enclose letters to me.
+
+There is neither news, nor any body to make it, but the clergy,
+who are all gaping after or about the Irish mitre,(725) which
+your old antagonist has quitted. Keene has refused it; Newton
+hesitates, and they think will not accept it; Ewer pants for it,
+and many of the bench I believe do every thing but pray for it.
+Goody Carlisle hopes for Worcester if it should be vacated, but I
+believe would not dislike to be her Grace.
+
+This comes with your muff, my Anecdotes of Painting, the fine
+pamphlet on libels, and the Castle of Otranto, which came out
+to-day. All this will make some food for your fireside. Since
+you will not come and see me before I go, I hope not to be gone
+before you come, though I am not quite in charity with you about
+it. Oh! I had forgot; don't lend your Lord Herbert, it will grow
+as dirty as the street; and as there are so few, and They have
+been so lent about, and so dirtied, the few clean copies will be
+very valuable. What signifies whether they read it or not?
+there will be a new bishop, or a new separation, or a new
+something or other, that will do just as well, before you can
+convey your copy to them; and seriously, if you lose it, I have
+not another to give you; and I would fain have you keep my
+editions together, as you had the complete set. As I want to
+make you an economist of my books, I will inform you that this
+second' set of Anecdotes sells for three guineas. Adieu!
+
+P. S. I send you a decent smallish muff, that you may put in your
+pocket, and it costs but fourteen shillings.
+
+(7250 Dr. John Stone, Archbishop of Armagh and primate of all
+Ireland, died on the 19th of December 1764.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 237 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 10, 1765. (page 364)
+
+I should prove a miserable prophet or almanac maker, for my
+predictions are seldom verified. I thought the present session
+likely to be a very supine one, but unless the evening varies
+extremely from the morning, it will be a tempestuous day--and yet
+it was a very southerly and calm wind that began the hurricane.
+The King's Speech was so tame, that, as George Montagu said of
+the earthquake, you might have stroked it.(726) Beckford (whom I
+certainly did not mean by the gentle gale) touched on
+Draper'S(727) Letter about the Manilla money. George Grenville
+took up the defence of the Spaniards, though he said he only
+stated their arguments. This roused your brother, who told
+Grenville he had adopted the reasoning of Spain; and showed the
+fallacy of their pretensions. He exhorted every body to support
+the King's government, "which I," said he, "ill-used as I have
+been, wish and mean to support-not that of ministers, when I see
+the laws and independence of Parliament struck at in the most
+profligate manner." You may guess how deeply this wounded.
+Grenville took it to himself, and asserted that his own life and
+character were as pure, uniform, and little profligate as your
+brother's. The silence of the House did not seem to ratify this
+declaration. Your brother replied with infinite spirit, that he
+certainly could not have meant Mr. Grenville, for he did not take
+him for the minister-(I do not believe this was the least
+mortifying part)--that he spoke of public acts that were in every
+body's mouth, as the warrants, and the disgrace thrown on the
+army by dismissions for parliamentary reasons; that for himself
+he was an open enemy, and detested men who smiled in his face and
+stabbed him I do not believe he meant this personally, but
+unfortunately the whole House applied it to Mr. Grenville's
+grimace); that for his own disgrace, he did not know where to
+impute it, for every minister had disavowed it. It was to the
+warrants, he said, he owed what had happened; he had fallen for
+voting against them, but had he had ten regiments, he would have
+parted with them all to obey his conscience; that he now could
+fall no lower, and would speak as he did then, and would not be
+hindered nor intimidated from speaking the language of
+Parliament. Grenville answered, that he had never avowed nor
+disavowed the measure of dismissing Mr. Conway--(he disavowed it
+to Mr. Harris,)(728) that he himself had been turned out for
+voting against German connexions; that he had never approved
+inquiring into the King's prerogative on that head-(I can name a
+person who can repeat volumes of what he has said on the
+subject,) and that the King had as much right to dismiss military
+as civil officers, and then drew a ridiculous parallel betwixt
+the two, in which he seemed to give himself the rank of a civil
+lieutenant-general. This warmth was stopped by Augustus Hervey,
+who spoke to order, and called for the question; but young T.
+Townshend confirmed, that the term profligacy was applied by all
+mankind to the conduct on the warrants. It was not the most
+agreeable circumstance to Grenville, that Lord Granby closed the
+debate, by declaring how much he disapproved the dismission of
+officers for civil reasons, and the more, as he was persuaded it
+would not prevent officers from acting according to their
+consciences; and he spoke of your brother with many encomiums.
+Sir W. Meredith then notified his intention of taking up the
+affair of the warrants on Monday se'nnight. Mr. Pitt was not
+there, nor Lord Temple in the House of Lords; but the latter is
+ill. I should have told you that Lord Warkworth(729) and Thomas
+Pitt(730) moved our addresses; as Lord Townshend and Lord
+Botetourt did those of the Lords. Lord Townshend said, though it
+was grown unpopular to praise the King, yet he should, and he was
+violent against libels; forgetting that the most ill-natured
+branch of them, caricatures, his own invention, are left off.
+Nobody thought it worth while to answer him, at which he was much
+offended.
+
+So much for the opening of Parliament, which does not promise
+serenity. Your brother is likely to make a very great figure:
+they have given him the warmth he wanted, and may thank
+Themselves for it. Had Mr. Grenville taken my advice, @e had
+avoided an opponent that he will find a tough one, and must
+already repent having drawn upon him.
+
+With regard to yourself, my dear lord, you may be sure I did not
+intend to ask you any impertinent question. You requested me to
+tell you whatever I heard said about you; you was talked of for
+Ireland, and are still; and Lord Holland within this week told
+me, that you had solicited it warmly. Don't think yourself under
+any obligation to reply to me on these occasions. It is to
+comply with your desires that I repeat any thing I hear of you,
+not to make use of them to draw any explanation from you, to
+which I have no title; nor have I, you know, any troublesome
+curiosity. I mentioned Ireland with the same indifference that I
+tell you that the town here has bestowed Lady Anne,(731) first on
+Lord March, and now on Stephen Fox(732)--tattle not worth your
+answering.
+
+You have lost another of your Lords Justices, Lord Shannon, of
+whose death an account came yesterday.
+
+Lady Harrington's porter was executed yesterday, and went to
+Tyburn with a white cockade in his hat, as an emblem of his
+innocence.
+
+All the rest Of My news I exhausted in my letter to Lady Hertford
+three days ago. The King's Speech, as I told her it was to do,
+announced the contract between Princess Caroline(733) and the
+Prince Royal of Denmark. I don't think the tone the session has
+taken will expedite my visit to you; however, I shall be able to
+judge when a few of the great questions are over. The American
+affairs are expected to occasion much discussion; but as I
+understand them no more than Hebrew, they will throw no
+impediment in my way. Adieu! my dear lord; you will probably
+hear no more politics these ten days. Yours ever, Horace
+Walpole.
+
+Friday.
+
+The debate on the warrants is put off to the Tuesday; therefore,
+as it will probably be so long a day, I shall not be able to give
+you an account of it till this day fortnight.
+
+(726) Gray, in a letter to Dr. Wharton, written in July 1764, in
+giving an account of an illness, says, "Towards the end of my
+confinement, during which I lived on nothing, came, the gout in
+one foot, but so tame you might have stroked it." To this
+passage, the learned editor of the last edition of his works has
+sub-joined this note:--"I have mentioned several coincidences of
+thought and expression of this kind in the letters of Gray and
+Walpole, which I conceived to be a kind of common property; the
+reader, indeed, will recognise much of that species of humour
+which distinguishes Gray's correspondence in the letters of
+Walpole, inferior, I think, in its comic force; sometimes
+deviating too far from propriety in search of subjects for the
+display of its talent, and not altogether free from affectation."
+Vol. iv. p. 33.-E.
+
+(727) Sir William Draper, K.B. best known by his controversy with
+Junius. The letter here alluded to was entitled, "An Answer to
+the Spanish Arguments for Refusing the Payment of the Ransom
+Bills."-E.
+
+(728) General Conway's brother-in-law.-E.
+
+(729) Afterwards Duke of Northumberland-E.
+
+(730) Afterwards Lord Camelford.-E.
+
+(731) ant`e, p. 299, letter 196.
+
+(732) Second son of the first Earl of Ilchester-E.
+
+(733) The unhappy Queen of Denmark, who was afterwards divorced
+and exiled.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 238 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Sunday, Jan. 20, 1765. (page 367)
+
+Do you forgive me, if I write to you two or three days sooner
+than I said I would. Our important day on the warrants is put
+off for a week, in compliment to Mr. Pitt's gout--can it resist
+such attention I shall expect in it a prodigious quantity of
+black ribands. You have heard, to be sure, of the great fortune
+that is bequeathed to him by a Sir William Pynsent, an old man of
+near ninety, who quitted the world on the peace of Utrecht; and,
+luckily for Mr. Pitt, lived to be as angry with its pendant, the
+treaty of Paris. I did not send you the first report, which
+mounted it to an enormous sum: I think the medium account is two
+thousand pounds a-year, and thirty thousand pounds in money.
+This Sir William Pynsent, whose fame, like an aloe, did not blow
+till near an hundred, was a singularity. The scandalous
+chronicle of Somersetshire talks terribly of his morals(734)
+*****. Lady North was nearly related to Lady Pynsent, which
+encouraged Lord North to flatter himself that Sir William's
+extreme propensity to him would recommend even his wife's
+parentage for heirs; but the uncomeliness of Lady North, and a
+vote my lord gave against the Cider-bill, offended the old
+gentleman so much, that he burnt his would-be heir in effigy.
+How will all these strange histories sound at Paris!
+
+This post, I suppose, will rain letters to my Lady Hertford. on
+her death and revival. I was dreadfully alarmed at it for a
+moment; my servant was so absurd as to wake me, and bid me not be
+frightened--an excellent precaution! Of all moments, that between
+sleeping and waking is the most subject to terror. I started up,
+and my first thought was to send for Dr. Hunter; but, in two
+minutes, I recollected that it was impossible to be true, as your
+porter had the very day before been with me to tell me a courier
+was arrived from you, was to return that evening. Your poor son
+Henry, whom you will doat upon for it, was not tranquillized so
+soon. He instantly sent away a courier to your brother, who
+arrived in the middle of the night. Lady Milton,(735) Lady
+George SackVille,(736) and I, agreed this evening to tell my Lady
+Hertford, that we ought to have believed the news, and to have
+imputed it to the gaming rakehelly life my lady leads at Paris,
+which scandalizes all us prudes, her old friends. In truth, I
+have not much right to rail at any body to.- living in a
+hurricane. I found myself with a violent cold on Wednesday, and
+till then had not once reflected on all the hot and cold climates
+I have passed through the day before: I had been at the Duke of
+Cumberland's levee; then at the Princess Amelia's drawing-room;
+from thence to a crowded House of Commons; to dinner at your
+brother's; to the Opera; to Madame Seillern's; to Arthur's; and
+to supper at Mrs. George Pitt's;--it is scandalous; but, who does
+less? The Duke looked much better than I expected; is gone to
+Windsor, and mends daily.
+
+It was Lady Harcourt's(737) death that occasioned the confusion,
+and our dismay. She died at a Colonel Oughton's; such a small
+house, that Lord Harcourt has been forced to take their family
+into his own house. Poor Lady Digby(738) is dead too, of a
+fever, and was with child. They were extremely happy, and -her
+own family adored her. My sister has begged me to ask a favour,
+that will put you to a little trouble, though only for a moment.
+It is, if you will be so good to order one of your servants when
+you have done with the English newspapers, to put them in a
+cover, and send them to Mr. Churchill, au Chateau de Nubecourt,
+pr`es de Clermont, en Argone; they cannot get a gazette that does
+not cost them six livres.
+
+Monday evening.
+
+We have had a sort of a day in the House of Commons. The
+proposition for accepting the six hundred and seventy thousand
+pounds for the French prisoners passed easily. Then came the
+Navy: Dowdeswell, in a long and very sensible speech, proposed to
+reduce the number of sailors to ten thousand. He was answered
+by--Charles Townshend--oh! yes!--are you surprised? Nobody here
+was: no, not even at his assertion, that he had always applauded
+the peace, though the whole House and the whole town knew that,
+on the Preliminaries, he came down prepared to speak against
+them; but that on Mr. Pitt's retiring, he plucked up courage, and
+spoke for them. Well, you want to know what place he is to have-
+-so does he too. I don't want to know what place, but that he
+has some one; for I am sure he will always do most hurt to the
+side on which he professes to be; consequently, I wish him with
+the administration, and I wish so well to both sides, that I
+would have him more decried, if that be possible, than he is.
+Colonel Barr`e spoke against Dowdeswell's proposal, though not
+setting himself up at auction, like Charles, nor friendly to the
+ministry, but temperately and sensibly. There was no division.
+You know my opinion of Charles Townshend is neither new nor
+singular. When Charles Yorke left us,(739) I hoped for this
+event, and my wish then slid into this couplet:
+
+ To The Administration.
+
+One Charles, who ne'er was ours, you've got-'tis true:
+To make the grace complete, take t'other too.
+
+The favours I ask of them, are not difficult to grant. Adieu! my
+dear lord. Yours ever, H. W.
+
+Tuesday, 4 o'clock.
+
+I had sealed my letter and given it to my sister, who sets out
+to-morrow, and will put it into the post at Calais; but having
+received yours by the courier from Spain, I must add a few words.
+You may be sure I shall not mention a tittle of what you say to
+me. Indeed, if you think it necessary to explain to me, I shall
+be more cautious Of telling you what I hear. If I had any
+curiosity, I should have nothing to do but to pretend I had heard
+some report, and so draw from you what you might not have a mind
+to mention: I do tell you when I hear any, for your information,
+but insist on your not replying. The vice-admiral of America is
+a mere feather; but there is more substance in the notion of the
+Viceroy's quitting Ireland. Lord Bute and George Grenville are
+so ill together, that decency is scarce observed between their
+adherents: and the moment the former has an opportunity or
+resolution enough, he will remove the latter, and place his
+son-in-law(740) in the treasury. This goes so far, that Charles
+Townshend, who is openly dedicated to Grenville, may possibly
+find himself disappointed, and get no place at last. However, I
+rejoice that we have got rid of him. It will tear up all
+connexion between him and your brother, root and branch: a
+circumstance you will not be more sorry for than I am. In the
+mean time, the opposition is so staunch that, I think, after the
+three questions on Warrants, DismisSion of officers, and the
+Manilla-money, I shall be at liberty to come to you, when I shall
+have a great deal to tell you. If Charles Townshend gets a
+place, Lord George Sackville expects another, by the same
+channel, interest, and connexion; but if Charles may be
+disappointed himself, what may a man be who trusts to him?
+Adieu!
+
+(734) The original contains an imputation against Sir W. Pynsent,
+which, if true, would induce us to suspect him of a disordered
+mind.-C.
+
+(735) Lady Caroline Sackville, daughter of the Duke of Dorset,
+married, in 1742, to the first Lord Milton.-E.
+
+(736) Diana, second daughter of J. Sambrook, Esq.-E.
+
+(737) Rebecca, daughter of Charles Le Bas, Esq., wife of the
+first Earl of Harcourt.-E.
+
+(738) Elizabeth Fielding, niece to the fourth Earl of Denbigh,
+and wife of Henry, first Lord Digby.-E.
+
+(739) It is remarkable enough, that the epigram which Mr. Walpole
+thus introduces, admits that Charles Yorke had never joined them,
+and therefore could not be said to have left them.-C.
+
+(740) There is some obscurity here: Lord Warkworth (afterwards
+Duke of Northumberland), who had lately married Lord Bute's third
+daughter, was, at this period, a very young man, little known but
+for his attachment to his profession--the army, and the idea of
+his being placed at the head of the treasury must have been
+absurd. His father, Lord Northumberland, indeed, had been spoken
+of for that office: and, perhaps, Mr. Walpole, in his
+epigrammatic way, has taken this mode of explaining the motive
+which might have induced Lord Bute to advance his son-in-law's
+father.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 239 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Jan. 27, 1765. (page 370)
+
+The brother of your brother's neighbour, Mr. Freeman, who is
+going to Paris, and I believe will not be sorry to be introduced
+to you, gives me an opportunity which I cannot resist, of sending
+you a private line or two, though I wrote you a long letter,
+which my sister was to put into the post at Calais two or three
+days ago.
+
+We had a very remarkable day on Wednesday in the House of
+Commons--very glorious for us, and very mortifying to the
+administration, especially to the principal performer, who was
+severely galled by our troops, and abandoned by his own. The
+business of the day was the Army, and, as nothing was expected,
+the House was not full. The very circumstance of nothing being
+expected, had encouraged Charles Townshend to soften a little
+what had passed on Monday; he grew profuse of' his whispers and
+promises to us, and offered your brother to move the question on
+the Dismission of officers: the debate began; Beckford fell foul
+on the dismissions, and dropped some words on America. Charles,
+who had placed himself again under the wing of Grenville, replied
+on American affairs; but totally forgot your brother. Beckford,
+in his boisterous Indian style, told Charles, that on a single
+idea he had poured forth a diarrhoea of words. He could not
+stand it, and in two minutes fairly stole out of the House. This
+battery being dismounted, the whole attack fell on Grenville, and
+would have put you in mind of former days. You never heard any
+minister worse treated than he was for two hours together, by
+Tommy Townshend, Sir George Saville, and George Onslow--and what
+was worse, no soul stepped forth in his defence, but Rigby and
+Lord Strange, the latter of whom was almost as much abashed as
+Charles Townshend; conscience flew in his black face, and almost
+turned it red. T. Townshend was still more bitter on Lord
+Sandwich, whom he called a profligate fellow--hoped he was
+present,(741) and added, if he is not, I am ready to call him so
+to his face in any private company: even Rigby, his accomplice,
+said not a word in behalf of his brother culprit. You will
+wonder how all this ended--what would be the most ridiculous
+conclusion to such a scene'! as you cannot imagine, I will tell
+you. Lord Harry Paulet(742) telling Grenville, that if Lord
+Cobham was to rise from the dead, he would, if he could be
+ashamed of any thing, be ashamed of him; by the way, every body
+believes he meant the apostrophe stronger than he expressed it:
+Grenville rose in a rage, like a basket-woman, and told Lord
+harry that if he chose to use such language, he knew where to
+find him. Did you ever hear of a prime minister, even soi-disant
+tel, challenging an opponent, when he could not answer him? Poor
+Lord Harry, too, was an unfortunate subject to exercise his
+valour upon! The House interposed; Lord Harry declared he should
+have expected Grenville to breakfast with him next morning;
+Grenville explained off and on two or three times, the Scotch
+laughed, the opposition roared, and the treasury-bench sat as
+mute as fishes. Thus ended that wise Hudibrastic encounter.
+Grenville however, attended by every bad omen, provoked your
+brother, who had not intended to speak, by saying that some
+people had a good opinion of the dismissed officers, others had
+not. Your brother rose, and surpassed himself: he was very warm,
+though less so than on the first day; very decent in terms, but
+most severe in effect; he more than hinted at the threats that
+had been used to him--said he would not reveal what was improper;
+yet left no mortal in the dark on that head. He called on the
+officers to assert their own freedom and independence. In short,
+made such a speech as silenced all his adversaries, but has
+filled the whole town with his praises: I believe, as soon as his
+speech reaches Hayes, it will contribute extremely to expel the
+gout, and bring Mr. Pitt to town, lest his presence should be no
+longer missed. Princess Amelia told Me the next night, that if
+she had heard nothing of Mr. Conway's speech, she should have
+known how well he had done by my spirits. I was not sorry she
+made this reflection, as I knew she would repeat it to Lady
+(Betty) Waldegrave; and as I was willing that the Duchess of
+Bedford, who, when your brother was dismissed, asked the Duchess
+of Grafton if she was not sorry for poor Mr. Conway, who has lost
+every thing, should recollect that it is they who have cause to
+lament that dismission, not we.
+
+There was a paragraph in Rigby's speech, and taken up, and
+adopted by Goody Grenville, which makes much noise, and, I
+suppose, has not given less offence; they talked of "arbitrary
+Stuart principles," which are supposed to have been aimed at the
+Stuart favourite: that breach is wider than ever: not one of Lord
+Bute's adherents have opened their lips this session. I conclude
+a few of them will be ordered to speak on Friday; but unless we
+go on too triumphantly and reconcile them, I think this session
+will terminate Mr. Grenville's reign, and that of the Bedfords
+too, unless they make great submissions.
+
+Do you know that Sir W. Pynsent had your brother in his eye! He
+said to his lawyer, "I know Mr. Pitt is much younger than I but
+he has very bad health: as you will hear it before me, if he dies
+first, draw up another will with mr. Conway's name instead of Mr.
+Pitt's, and bring it down to me directly." I beg Britannia's
+pardon, but I fear I could have supported the loss on these
+grounds.
+
+A very unhappy affair happened last night at the Star and Garter;
+Lord Byron(743) killed a Mr. Chaworth there in a duel. I know
+none of the particulars, and never believe the first reports.
+
+My Lady Townshend was arrested two days ago in the street, at the
+suit of a house painter, who, having brought her a bill double
+the estimate he had given in, she would not pay it. As this is a
+breach of Privilege, I should think the man would hear of it.
+
+There is no date set for our intended motion on the Dismission of
+officers; but, I believe, Lord John Cavendish and Fitzroy will be
+the movers and seconders. Charles Townshend, we conclude, Will
+be very ill that day; if one could pity the poor toad, one
+should: there is jealousy of your brother,--fear of your
+brother,--fear of Mr. Pitt,--influence of his own brother,--
+connexions entered into both with Lord Bute and Mr. Grenville,
+and a trimming plan concerted with Lord George Sackville and
+Charles Yorke, all tearing him or impelling him a thousand ways,
+with the addition of his own vanity and irresolution, and the
+contempt of every body else. I dined with him yesterday at Mr.
+Mackinsy's, where his whole discourse was in ridicule of George
+Grenville.
+
+The enclosed novel(744) is much in vogue; the author is not
+known, but if you should not happen to like it, I could give you
+a reason why you need not say so. There is nothing else now, but
+a play called the Matonic Wife, written by an Irish Mrs.
+Griffiths, Which in charity to her was suffered to run three
+nights.(745)
+
+Since I wrote my letter, the following, is the account nearest
+the truth that I can learn of the fatal duel last night: a club
+of Nottinghamshire gentlemen had dined at the Star and Garter,
+and there had been a dispute between the combatants, whether Lord
+Byron, who took no care of his game, or Mr. Chaworth, who was
+active in the association, had most game on their manor. The
+company, however, had apprehended no consequences, and parted at
+eight o'clock; but Lord Byron stepping into an empty chamber, and
+sending the drawer for Mr. Chaworth, or calling him hither
+himself, took the candle from the waiter, and bidding Mr.
+Chaworth defend himself, drew his sword. Mr. Chaworth, who was
+an excellent fencer, ran Lord Byron through the sleeve of his
+coat, and then received a wound fourteen inches deep into his
+body. He was carried to his house in Berkeley-street,--made his
+will with the greatest composure, and dictated a paper, which
+they say, allows it was a fair duel, and died at nine this
+morning. Lord Byron is not gone off, but says he will take his
+trial, which, if the Coroner brings in a verdict of manslaughter,
+may, according to precedent, be in the House of Lords, and
+without the ceremonial of Westminster Hall. George Selwyn is
+much missed on this occasion, but we conclude it will bring him
+over.(746) I feel for both families, though I know none of
+either, but poor Lady Carlisle,(747) Whom I am sure you will
+pity.
+
+Our last three Saturdays at the Opera have been prodigious. and a
+new opera by Bach(748) last night, was so crowded, that there
+were ladies standing behind the scenes during the whole
+performance. Adieu! my dear lord: as this goes by a private
+hand, you may possibly receive its successor before it.
+
+(741) It seems, from a subsequent letter, that Lord Sandwich was
+present. See post, p. 375, letter 240.
+
+(742) Lord Henry Paulet, member for Hampshire, vice-admiral of
+the White, brother of the Duke of Bolton; to which dignity he
+himself succeeded on the 5th July, 1764.-E.
+
+(743) William, fifth Lord Byron, born in 1722, died in 1798. The
+Star and Garter was a tavern in Pall Mall.-C.
+
+(744) His own Castle of Otranto.-E.
+
+(745) It came out at Drury-lane, and was acted six nights. The
+hint of it was taken from Marmontel's "Heureux Divorce."
+
+(746) Mr. Selwyn's morbid curiosity after trials and executions
+is well known.-C.
+
+(747) Isabella, only sister of Lord Byron, wife of the fourth
+Earl of Carlisle.-E.
+
+(748) Adriano in Siria." The expectations of the public the first
+night this drama was performed occasioned such a crowd at the
+King's theatre as has seldom been seen there before; but whether
+from heat or inconvenience, the unreasonableness of expectation,
+the composer being Out Of fancy, or too anxious to please, Dr.
+Burney says the opera failed, and that every one came out of the
+theatre disappointed.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 240 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 12, 1765. (page 373)
+
+A great many letters pass between us, my dear lord, but I think
+they are almost all of my writing. I have not heard from you
+this age. I sent you two packets together by Mr. Freeman, with
+an account of our chief debates. Since the long day, I have been
+much out of order with a cold and cough, that turned to a fever:
+I am now taking James's powder, not without apprehensions of the
+gout, which it gave me two or three years ago.
+
+There has been nothing of note in Parliament but one slight day
+on the American taxes,(749) which Charles Townshend supporting,
+received a pretty heavy thump from Barr`e, who is the present
+Pitt, and the dread of all the vociferous Norths and Rigbys, on
+whose lungs depended so much of Mr. Grenville's power. Do you
+never hear them to Paris?
+
+The operations of the opposition are suspended in compliment to
+Mr. Pitt, who has declared himself so warmly for the question on
+the Dismission of officers, that that motion waits for his
+recovery. A call of the house is appointed for next Wednesday,
+but as he has had a relapse, the motion will probably be
+deferred. I should be very glad if it was to be dropped entirely
+for this session, but the young men are warm and not easily
+bridled.
+
+If it was not too long to transcribe, I would send you an
+entertaining petition(750) of the periwig-makers to the King, in
+which they complain that men will wear their own hair. Should
+one almost wonder if carpenters were to remonstrate, that since
+the peace their trade decays, and that there is no demand for
+wooden legs Apropos, my Lady Hertford's friend, Lady Harriot
+Vernon,(751) has quarrelled with me for smiling at the enormous
+head-gear of her daughter, Lady Grosvenor. She came one night to
+Northumberland-house with such a display of friz, that it
+literally spread beyond her shoulders. I happened to say it
+looked as if her parents had stinted her in hair before marriage,
+and that she was determined to indulge her fancy now. This,
+among ten thousand things said by all the world, was reported to
+Lady Harriot, and has occasioned my disgrace. As she never found
+fault with any body herself, I excuse her! You will be less
+surprised to hear that the Duchess of Queensberry has not yet
+done dressing herself marvellously: she was at court on Sunday in
+a gown and petticoat of red flannel. The same day the Guerchys
+made a dinner for her, and invited Lord and Lady Hyde,(752) the
+Forbes's and her other particular friends: in the morning she
+sent word she was to go out of town, but as soon as dinner was
+over, arrived at Madame de Guerchy's, and said she had been at
+court.
+
+Poor Madame de Seillern, the imperial ambassadress, has lost her
+only daughter and favourite child, a young widow of twenty-two,
+whom she was expecting from Vienna. The news Came this day
+se'nnight; and the ambassador, who is as brutal as she is gentle
+and amiable, has insisted on her having company at dinner to-day,
+and her assembly as usual. The town says that Lord and Lady
+Abergavenny(753) are parted, and that he has not been much milder
+than Monsieur de Seillern on the chapter of a mistress he has
+taken. I don't know the truth of this; but his lordship's heart,
+I believe, is more inflammable than tender.
+
+Lady Sophia Thomas,(754) has begged me to trouble you with a
+small commission. It is to send me for her twelve little bottles
+of "le Baume de Vie, compos`e par le Sieur Lievre, apoticaire
+distillateur du Roi." If George Selwyn or Lord March are not set
+out, they would bring it with pleasure, especially as she lives
+at the Duke of Queensberry's.
+
+We have not a new book, play, intrigue, marriage, elopement, or
+quarrel; in short, we are very dull. For politics, unless the
+ministers wantonly thrust their hands into some fire, I think
+there will not even be a smoke. I am glad of it, for my heart is
+set on my journey to Paris, and I hate every thing that stops me.
+Lord Byron's foolish trial is likely to protract the session a
+little; but unless there is any particular business, I shall not
+stay for a puppet-show. Indeed, I can defend my staying here by
+nothing but my ties to your brother. My health, I am sure, would
+be better in another climate in winter. Long days in the House
+kill me, and weary me into the bargain. The individuals of each
+party are alike indifferent to me; nor can I at this time of day
+grow to love men whom I have laughed at all my lifetime--no, I
+cannot alter;--Charles Yorke or Charles Townshend are alike to
+me, whether ministers or patriots. Men do not change in my eyes,
+because they quit a black livery for a white one. When one has
+seen the whole scene shifted round and round so often, one only
+smiles, whoever is the present Polonius or the grave digger,
+whether they jeer the Prince, or flatter his frenzy.
+
+Thursday night, 14th.
+
+The new assembly-room at Almack's was opened the night before
+last, and they say is very magnificent, but it was empty; half
+the town is ill With colds, and many were afraid to go, as the
+house is scarcely built yet. Almack advertised that it was built
+with hot brick and boiling water--think what a rage there must be
+for public places, If this notice, instead of terrifying, could
+draw any body thither. They tell me the ceilings were dropping
+with wet--but can you believe me, when I assure you the Duke of
+Cumberland was there?--Nay, had had a levee in the morning, and
+went to the Opera before the assembly! There is a vast flight of
+steps, and he was forced to rest two or three times. If he dies
+of it--and how should he not?--it will sound very silly when
+Hercules or Theseus ask him what he died of, to reply, "I caught
+my death on a damp staircase at a new club-room."
+
+Williams, the reprinter of the North Briton, stood in the pillory
+to-day in Palace-yard. He went in a hackney-coach, the number of
+which was 45. The mob erected a gallows opposite to him, on
+which they hung a boot(755) with a bonnet of straw. Then a
+collection was made for Williams, which amounted to near 200
+pounds.(756) In short, every event informs the administration
+how thoroughly they are detested, and that they have not a friend
+whom they do not buy. Who can wonder, when every man of virtue
+is proscribed, and they have neither parts nor characters to
+impose even upon the mob! think to what a government is sunk,
+when a Secretary of State is called in Parliament to his face
+"the most profligate sad dog in the kingdom,"(757) and not a man
+can open his lips in his defence. Sure power must have some
+strange unknown charm, when it can compensate for such contempt!
+I see many who triumph in these bitter pills which the ministry
+are so often forced to swallow; I own I do not; it is more
+mortifying to me to reflect how great and respectable we were
+three years ago, than satisfactory to see those insulted who have
+brought such shame upon us. 'Tis moor amends to national honour
+to know, that if a printer is set in the pillory, his country
+wishes it was my Lord This, or Mr. That. They will be gathered
+to the Oxfords, and Bolingbrokes, and ignominious(758) of former
+days; but the wound they have inflicted is perhaps indelible.
+That goes to my heart, who had felt all the Roman pride of being
+one of the first nations upon earth!--Good night!--I will go to
+bed, and dream of Kings drawn in triumph; and then I will go to
+paris, and dream I am proconsul there; pray, take care not to let
+me be wakened with an account of an invasion having taken place
+from Dunkirk!(759) Yours ever, H. W.
+
+(749) The resolutions which were the foundation of the famous
+Stamp-act.-E.
+
+(750) The substance of this petition, and the grave answer which
+the King was advised to give to such a ludicrous appeal, are
+preserved in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1765, p. 95; where also
+we learn that Mr. Walpole's idea of the Carpenters' petition was
+put in practice, and his Majesty was humbly entreated to wear a
+wooden leg himself, and to enjoin all his servants to do the
+same. It may, therefore, be presumed that this jeu d'esprit was
+from the pen of Mr. Walpole.-C.
+
+(751) Lady Hirriot Wentworth, sister of the last Lord Strafford,
+wife of Henry Vernon, Esq., and mother of Lady Grosvenor, whose
+intrigue with the Duke of Cumberland made so much noise.-C.
+
+(752) Thomas Villers, second son of Lord Jersey, first Lord Hyde
+of his family: his lady was Charlotte, daughter of Lady Jane
+Hyde, wife of William Earl of Essex, daughter of Henry, second
+Earl of clarendon, and sister of the Duchess of Queensberry.-C.
+
+(753) George, fifteenth Lord Abergavenny; and his lady, Henrieta
+Pelham, sister of the first Earl of Chichester: she died in
+1768.-E.
+
+(754) Lady Sophia Keppel, daughter of the first Earl of
+Albemarle, and wife of Colonel Thomas.-E.
+
+(755) A Jack-boot, in allusion to the Christian name and title of
+Lord Bute.-C.
+
+(756) In a blue purse trimmed with orange, the colour of the
+revolution, in opposition to the Stuart.-C.
+
+(757) ant`e, p. 370, letter 239.
+
+(758) We might be surprised at finding a person of Mr. Walpole's
+taste and judgment, describing Harley and St. John as
+ignominious, if we did not recollect, that during their
+administration his father had been sent to the Tower, and
+expelled the House of commons for alleged official corruptions.
+It were to be wished that Mr. Walpole's personal prejudices could
+always be traced to so amiable a source.-C.
+
+(759) The demolition of Dunkirk was one of the articles of the
+late treaty of peace, on which discussions were still
+depending.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 241 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 19, 1765. (page 376)
+
+Your health and spirits and youth delight me; yet I think you
+make but a bad use of them, when you destine them to a triste
+house in a country solitude. If you were condemned to
+retirement, It would be fortunate to have spirits to support it;
+but great vivacity is not a cause for making it one's option.
+
+Why waste your sweetness on the desert air! at least, why bestow
+so little of your cheerfulness on your friends? I do not wish
+you to parade your rubicundity and gray hairs through the mobs
+and assemblies of London; I should think you bestowed them as ill
+as on Greatworth; but you might find a few rational creatures
+here, who are heartily tired of what are called our pleasures,
+and who would be glad to have you in their chimney-corner. There
+you might have found me any time this fortnight; I have been
+dying of the worst and longest cold I ever had in my days, and
+have been blooded, and taken James's powder to no purpose. I
+look almost like the skeleton that Frederick found in the
+oratory;(760) my only comfort was, that I should have owed my
+death to the long day in the House of Commons, and have perished
+with Our liberties; but I think I am getting the better of my
+martyrdom, and shall live to See you; nay, I shall not be gone to
+Paris. As I design that journey for the term of my figuring in
+the world, I would fain wind up my politics too, and quit all
+public ties together. As I am not old yet, and have an excellent
+though delicate constitution, I may promise myself some agreeable
+years, if I could detach myself from all connexions, but with a
+very few persons that I value. Oh, with what joy I could bid
+adieu to loving and hating; to crowds, public places, great
+dinners, visits; and above all, to the House of Commons; but pray
+mind when I retire, it shall only be to London and Strawberry
+Hill--in London one can live as one will, and at Strawberry I
+will live as I will. Apropos, my good old tenant Franklin is
+dead, and I am in possession of his cottage, which will be a
+delightfully additional plaything at Strawberry. I shall be
+violently tempted to stick in a few cypresses and lilacs there
+before I go to Paris. I don't know a jot of news: I have been a
+perfect hermit this fortnight, and buried in Runic poetry and
+Danish wars. In short, I have been deep in a late history of
+Denmark, written by one Mallet, a Frenchman,(761) a sensible man,
+but I cannot say he has the art of making a very tiresome subject
+agreeable. There are six volumes, and I am stuck fast in the
+fourth.
+
+Lord Byron's trial I hear is to be in May. If you are curious
+about it, I can secure you a ticket for Lord Lincoln's gallery.
+The Antiquarian Society have got Goody Carlisle(762) for their
+president, and I suppose she will sit upon a Saxon chalkstone
+till the return of King Arthur. Adieu!
+
+(760) An allusion to the scene in the last chapter of his Castle
+of Otranto.- E.
+
+(761) Paul Henry Mallet was born at Geneva in 1731, and was for
+some time professor of history in his native city. He afterwards
+became professor royal of the belles lettres at Copenhagen. The
+introduction to his History of Denmark was afterwards translated
+by Dr. Percy, under the title of Northern Antiquities, including
+the Edda.-E.
+
+(762) Dr. Charles Lyttelton, Bishop of Carlisle. See ant`e, p.
+207, letter 149. On his death, in 1768, he made a very valuable
+bequest of manuscripts and printed books to the Society.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 242 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Feb. 28, 1765. (page 377)
+
+Dear sir,
+As you do not deal with newspapers, nor trouble Yourselves with
+occurrences of modern times, you may perhaps conclude from what I
+have told you, and from my silence, that I am in France. This
+will tell you that I am not; though I have been long thinking of
+it, and still intend it, though not exactly yet. My silence I
+must lay on this uncertainty, and from having been much out of
+order above a month with a very bad cold and cough, for which I
+am come hither to try change of air. Your brother Apthorpe, who
+was so good as to call upon me about a fortnight ago in town,
+found me too hoarse to speak to him. We both asked one another
+the same question--news of you?
+
+I have lately had an accession to my territory here, by the death
+of good old Franklin, to whom I had given for his life the lease
+of the cottage and garden cross the road. Besides a little
+pleasure in planting, and in crowding it with flowers, I intend
+to make, what I am sure you are antiquarian enough to approve, a
+bower, though your friends the abbots did not indulge in such
+retreats, at least not under that appellation: but though we love
+the same ages, you must excuse worldly me for preferring the
+romantic scenes of antiquity. If you will tell me how to send
+it, and are partial enough to me to read a profane work in the
+style of former centuries, I shall convey to you a little
+story-book, which I published some time ago, though not boldly
+with my own name: but it has succeeded so well, that I do not any
+longer entirely keep the secret. Does the title, The Castle of
+Otranto(763) tempt you? I shall be glad to hear you are well and
+happy.
+
+(763) In the first edition of this work, of which but very few
+copies were printed, the title ran thus:--"The Castle of Otranto,
+a Story, translated by William Marshal, Gent., from the original
+Italian of onuphrio Muralto, Canon of the church of St. Nicholas
+at Otranto. London: printed for Thomas Lownds, in Fleet Street,
+1765."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 243 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, March 9, 1765. (page 378)
+
+Dear sir,
+I had time to write but a short note with the Castle of Otranto,
+as your messenger called on me at four o'clock, as I was going to
+go abroad. Your partiality to me and Strawberry have, I hope,
+inclined you to excuse the wildness of the story. You will even
+have found some traits to put you in mind of this
+place.(764)--When you read of the Picture quitting its
+panel,(765) did not you recollect the portrait of Lord Falkland,
+all in white, in my gallery? Shall I even confess to you, what
+was the origin of this romance! I waked one morning, in the
+beginning of last June, from a dream, of which, all I could
+recover was, that I had thought myself in an ancient castle, (a
+very natural dream for a head filled like mine with Gothic
+story,) and that on the uppermost bannister of a great staircase
+I saw a gigantic hand in armour. In the evening I sat down, and
+began to write, without knowing in the least what I intended to
+say or relate. The work grew on my hands, and I grew fond of
+it--add, that. I was very glad to think of any thing, rather
+than politics. In short, I was so engrossed with my tale, which
+I completed in less than two months, that one evening, I wrote
+from the time I had drunk my tea, about six o'clock, till after
+one in the morning when my hand and fingers were so weary, that
+I- could not hold my pen to finish the sentence, but left Matilda
+and Isabella talking, in the middle of a paragraph. You will
+laugh at my earnestness; but if I have amused you by retracing
+with any fidelity the manners of ancient days, I am content, and
+give you leave to think me as idle as you please.
+
+You are, as you have long been to me, exceedingly kind, and I
+should, with great satisfaction, embrace your offer of visiting
+the solitude of Bleckely, though my cold is in a manner gone, and
+my cough quite, if I was at liberty: but as I am preparing for my
+French journey, and have forty businesses upon my hands, and can
+only now and then purloin a day, or half a day, to come hither.
+You know I am not cordially disposed to your French journey,
+which is much more serious, as it is to be much more lasting.
+However, though I may suffer by your absence, I would not
+dissuade what may suit your inclination and circumstances. One
+thing, however, has struck me, which I must mention, though it
+would depend on a circumstance, that would give me the most real
+concern. It was suggested to me by that real fondness I have for
+your MSS. for your kindness about which I feel the utmost
+gratitude. You would not, I think, leave them behind you: and
+are you aware of the danger you would run, If, you settled
+entirely in France? Do You know that the King of France is heir
+to all strangers who die in his dominions, by what they call the
+Droit d'Aubaine. Sometimes by great interest and favour, persons
+have obtained a remission of this right in their lifetime: and
+yet that, even that, has not secured their effects from being
+embezzled. Old Lady Sandwich(766) had obtained this remission,
+and yet, though she left every thing to the present lord, her
+grandson, a man for whose rank one should have thought they would
+have had regard, the King's officers forced themselves into her
+house, after her death, and plundered. You see, if you go, I
+shall expect to have your MSS. deposited with me. Seriously, you
+must leave them in safe custody behind you.
+
+Lord Essex's trial is printed with the State Trials. In return
+for your obliging offer, I can acquaint you with a delightful
+publication of this winter, a Collection of Old Ballads and
+Poetry, in three volumes, many from Pepys's Collection at
+Cambridge.(767) There were three such published between thirty
+and forty years ago, but very carelessly, and wanting many in
+this set: indeed, there were others, a looser sort,(768) which
+the present editor, who is a clergyman, thought it decent to
+omit.
+
+When you go into Cheshire, and upon your ramble, may I trouble
+you with a commission? but about which you must promise me not to
+go a Step Out of your way. Mr. Bateman has got a cloister at Old
+Windsor, furnished with ancient wooden chairs, most of them
+triangular, but all of various patterns, and carved and turned in
+the most uncouth and whimsical forms. He picked them up one by
+one, for two, three, five, or six shillings apiece from different
+farmhouses in Herefordshire. I have long envied and coveted
+them. There may be such in poor cottages, in so neighbouring a
+county as Cheshire. I should not grudge any expense for purchase
+or carriage; and should be glad even of a couple such for my
+cloister here. When you are copying inscriptions in a churchyard
+in any village, think of me, and step into the first cottage you
+see--but don't take further trouble than that.
+
+I long to know what your bundle of manuscripts from Cheshire
+contains.
+
+My bower is determined, but not at all what it is to be. Though
+I write romances, I cannot tell how to build all that belongs to
+them. Madame Danois, in the Fairy Tales, used to tapestry them
+with jonquils; but as that furniture will not last above a
+fortnight in the year, I shall prefer something more huckaback.
+I have decided that the outside shall be of treillage, which,
+however, I shall not commence, till I have again seen some of old
+Louis's old-fashioned Galanteries at Versailles. Rosamond's
+bower, you, and I, and Tom Hearne know, was a labyrinth:(769) but
+as my territory will admit of a very short clew, I lay aside all
+thoughts of a mazy habitation: though a bower is very different
+from an arbour, and must have more chambers than one. In short,
+I both know, and don't know, what it should be. I am almost
+afraid I must go and read Spenser, and wade through his
+allegories, and drawling stanzas, to get at a picture. But, good
+night! you see how one gossips, when one is alone, and at quiet
+on one's own dunghill!--Well! it may be trifling; yet it is such
+trifling as Ambition never is happy enough to know! Ambition
+orders palaces, but it is Content that chats for a page or two
+over a bower. Yours ever.
+
+
+(764) "As, in his model of a Gothic modern mansion, Mr. Walpole
+had studiously endeavoured to fit to the purpose of modern
+convenience or luxury the rich, varied, and complicated tracery
+and carving of the ancient cathedral, so, in the Castle of
+Otranto, it was his object to unite the marvellous turn of
+incident and imposing tone of chivalry exhibited in the ancient
+romance, with that accurate display of human character and
+contrast of feelings and passions, which is, or ought to be,
+delineated in the modern novel." Sir Walter Scott; Prose Works,
+vol. iii. p. 307.-E.
+
+(765) The forms of the grim knight and pictured saint
+Look living in the moon; and as you turn
+Backward and forward, to the echoes faint
+Of your own footsteps--voices from the urn
+Appear to wake, and shadows wild and quaint
+Start from the frames which fence their aspects stern,
+As if to ask how you can dare to keep
+A vigil there, where all but death should sleep."
+Don Juan, c. xvi. st. 18.-E.
+
+(766) Elizabeth, second daughter of John Wilmot Earl of
+Rochester, and sister and co-heiress of Charles third Earl, and
+widow of Edward Montagu third Earl of Sandwich, who died 20th of
+October, 1729.-E.
+
+(767) Edited by the Rev. Thomas Percy, fellow of St. John's
+College, Oxford, and afterwards Bishop of Dromore. "The reviver
+of minstrel poetry in Scotland was the venerable Bishop of
+Dromore, who, in 1765, published his elegant collection of heroic
+ballads, songs, and pieces of early poetry under the title of
+'Reliques Of Ancient English Poetry.' The plan of the work was
+adjusted in concert with Mr. Shenstone, but we own we cannot
+regret that the execution of it devolved upon Dr. Percy alone; of
+whose labours, as an editor, it might be said, 'Nihil quod
+tetigit non ornavit.'" Sir W. Scott. Prose Works, vol. xvii. P.
+120.-E.
+
+(768) The work was entitled "A Collection of Old Ballads,
+corrected from the best and most ancient copies extant, with
+Introductions, historical, critical, or humorous." Sir Walter
+Scott observes, that the editor was an enthusiast in the cause of
+old poetry, and selected his matter without much regard to
+decency, as will appear from the following singular preface to
+one or two indelicate pieces of humour:--"One of the greatest
+complaints made by the ladies against the first volume of our
+collection, and, indeed, the only one which has reached my ears,
+is the want of merry songs. I believe I may give a pretty good
+guess at what they call mirth in such pieces as These, and shall
+endeavour to satisfy them." Prose Works, vol. xvii. p. 122.-E.
+
+(769) The Bower of Rosamond is said, or rather fabled, to have
+been a retreat built at Woodstock by Henry II. for the safe
+residence of his mistress, Rosamond Clifford; the approaches of
+which were so intricate, that it could not be entered without the
+guidance of a thread, which the King always kept in his own
+possession. His Queen, Eleanor, having, however, gained
+possession of the thread, obtained access to, and speedily
+destroyed her fair rival.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 244 To Monsieur Elie De Beaumont.(770)
+Strawberry Hill, March 18, 1765. (page 381)
+
+Sir,
+When I had the honour of seeing you here, I believe I told you
+that I had written a novel, in which I was flattered to find that
+I had touched an effusion of the heart in a manner similar to a
+passage in the charming letters of the Marquis de Roselle.(771) I
+have since that time published my little story, but was so
+diffident of its merit, that I gave it as a translation from the
+Italian. Still I should not have ventured to offer it to so
+great a mistress of the passions as Madame de Beaumont, if the
+approbation of London, that is, of a country to which she and
+you, Sir, are so good as to be partial, had not encouraged me to
+send it to you. After I have talked of the passions, and the
+natural effusion-, of the heart, how will you be surprised to
+find a narrative of the most improbable and absurd adventures!
+How will you be amazed to hear that a country of whose good sense
+you have an opinion should have applauded so wild a tale! But
+you must remember, Sir, that whatever good sense we have, we are
+not yet in any light chained down to precepts and inviolable
+laws. All that Aristotle or his superior commentators, your
+authors, have taught us, has not yet subdued us to regularity: we
+still prefer the extravagant beauties of Shakspeare and Milton to
+the cold and well-disciplined merit of Addison, and even to the
+sober and correct march of Pope. Nay, it was but t'other day
+that we were transported to hear Churchill rave in numbers less
+chastised than Dryden's, but still in numbers like Dryden's.(772)
+You will not, I hope, think I apply these mighty names to my own
+case with any vanity, when it is only their enormities that I
+quote, and that in defence, not of myself' but of my countrymen,
+who have good-humour enough to approve the visionary scenes and
+actors in the Castle of Otranto.
+
+To tell you the truth, it was not so much my intention to recall
+the exploded marvels of ancient romance, as to blend the
+wonderful of old stories with the natural of modern novels. The
+world is apt to wear out any plan whatever; and if the Marquis de
+Roselle had not appeared, I should have been inclined to say,
+that that species had been exhausted. Madame de Beaumont must
+forgive me if I add, that Richardson had, to me at least, made
+that kind of writing insupportable. I thought the nodus was
+become dignus vindice, and that a god, at least a ghost, was
+absolutely necessary to frighten us out of too much senses. When
+I had so wicked a design, no wonder if the execution was
+answerable. If I make you laugh, for I cannot flatter myself
+that I shall make you cry, I shall be content; at least I shall
+be satisfied, till I have the pleasure of seeing you, with
+putting you in mind of, Sir, your, etc.
+
+P. S. The passage I alluded to in the beginning of my letter is
+where Matilda owns her passion to Hippolita. I mention it, as I
+fear so unequal a similitude would not strike Madame de Beaumont.
+
+(770) M. Elie de Beaumont was
+admitted an advocate at the French bar in 1762. The weakness of
+his voice militated against his success as a pleader, but the
+beauty and eloquence with which he drew up his M`emoires, and
+especially the one in favour of the unfortunate Calas family,
+gained him great reputation. He was born in 1732, and died in
+1786.-E.
+
+(771) A French epistolary novel written by Madame Elie de
+Beaumont. She also wrote the third part of "Anecdotes de la Cour
+et du R`egne de Edouard II." She was born at Caen in 1729, and
+died in 1783.-E.
+
+(772) "Churchill," observes Mr. Campbell, in his Specimens of the
+British Poets, " may be ranked as a satirist immediately after
+Pope and Dryden, with perhaps a greater share of humour than
+either. He has the bitterness of Pope, with less wit to atone
+for it; but no mean share of the free manner and energetic
+plainness of Dryden," Vol. vi. P. 5.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 245 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, March 28, 1765. (page 382)
+
+Three weeks are a great while, my dear lord, for me to have been
+without writing to you; but besides that I have passed many days
+at Strawberry, to cure my cold (which it has done), there has
+nothing happened worth sending across the sea. Politics have
+dozed, and common events been fast asleep. Of Guerchy's
+affair,(773) you probably know more than I do; it is now
+forgotten. I told him I had absolute proof of his innocence, for
+I was sure, that if he had offered money for assassination, the
+men who swear against him would have taken it.
+
+The King has been very seriously ill,; and in great danger. I
+would not alarm you, as there were hopes when he was at the
+worst. I doubt he is not free yet from his complaint, as the
+humour fallen on his breast still oppresses him. They talk of
+his having a levee next week, but he has not appeared in public,
+and the bills are passed by commission; but he rides out. The
+Royal Family have suffered like us mortals; the Duke of
+Gloucester has had a fever, but I believe his chief complaint is
+of a youthful kind. Prince Frederick is thought to be in a deep
+consumption; and for the Duke of Cumberland, next post will
+probably certify you of his death, as he is relapsed, and there
+are no hopes Of him. He fell into his lethargy again, and when
+they waked him, he said he did not know whether he could call
+himself obliged to them.
+
+I dined two days ago at Monsieur de Guerchy's, with the Comte de
+Caraman,(774) who brought me your letter. He seems a very
+agreeable Man, and you may be sure, for Your sake, and Madame de
+Mirepoix's, no civilities in my power shall be wanting. I have
+not yet seen Schouvaloff,(775) about whom one has more
+curiosity--it is an opportunity of gratifying that passion which
+one can so seldom do in Personages of his historic nature,
+especially remote foreigners. I wish M. de Caraman had brought
+the "Siege of Calais,"(776) which he tells me is printed, though
+your account has a little abated my impatience. They tell us the
+French comedians are to act at Calais this summer--is it possible
+they can be so absurd, or think us so absurd as to go thither, if
+we would not go further? I remember, at Rheims, they believed
+that English ladies went to Calais to drink champagne!--is this
+the suite of that belief? I was mightily pleased with the Duc de
+Choiseul's answer to the Clairon;(777) but when I hear of the
+French admiration of Garrick, it takes off something of my wonder
+at the prodigious admiration of him at home. I never could
+conceive the marvellous merit of repeating the words of other's
+in one's own language with propriety, however well delivered.
+Shakspeare is not more admired for writing his plays, than
+Garrick for acting them. I think him a very good and very
+various player--but several have pleased me more, though I allow
+not in so many parts. Quin in Falstaff, was as excellent as
+Garrick in Lear. Old Johnson far more natural in every thing he
+attempted. Mrs. Porter and your Dumesnil surpassed him in
+passionate tragedy; Cibber and O'Brien were what Garrick could
+never reach, coxcombs, and men of fashion.(778) Mrs. Clive is at
+least as perfect in low comedy--and Yet to me, Ranger was the
+part that suited Garrick the best of all he ever performed. He
+was a poor Lothario, a ridiculous Othello, inferior to Quin(779)
+in Sir John Brute and Macbeth, and to Cibber in Bayes, and a
+woful Lord Hastings and Lord Townley. Indeed, his Bayes was
+original, but not the true part: Cibber was the burlesque of a
+great poet, as the part was designed, but Garrick made it a
+Garretteer. The town did not like him in Hotspur, and yet I don't
+know whether he did not succeed in it beyond all the rest. Sir
+Charles Williams and Lord Holland thought so too, and they were
+no bad judges. I am impatient to see the Clairon, and certainly
+will, as I have promised, though I have not fixed my day. But do
+you know you alarm me! There was a time when I was a match for
+Madame de Mirepoix at pharaoh, to any hour of the night, and
+believe did play, with her five nights in a week till three and
+four in the morning--but till eleven o'clock to-morrow morning-
+-Oh! that is a little too much even at loo. Besides, I shall not
+go to Paris for pharaoh--if I play all night, how shall I see
+every thing all day?
+
+Lady Sophia Thomas has received the Baume de vie, for she gives
+you a thousand thanks, and I ten thousand.
+
+We are extremely amused with the wonderful histories of your
+hyena(780) in the Gevaudan: but our fox-hunters despise you: it
+is exactly the enchanted monster of old romances. If I had known
+its history a few months ago, I believe it would have appeared in
+the Castle of Otranto,--the success of which has, at last,
+brought me to own it, though the wildness of it made me terribly
+afraid: but it was comfortable to have it please so much, before
+any mortal suspected the author: indeed, it met with too much
+honour far, for at first it was universally believed to be Mr.
+Gray's. As all the first impression is sold, I am hurrying out
+another, with a new preface, which I will send you.
+
+There is not so much delicacy of wit as in M. de Choiseul's
+speech to the Clairon, but I think the story I am going to tell
+you in return, will divert you as much: there was a vast assembly
+at Marlborough-house, and a throng in the doorway. My Lady
+Talbot said, "Bless me! I think this is like the Straits of
+Thermopylae!" My Lady Northumberland replied, "I don't know what
+Street that is, but I wish I could get my - through." I hope you
+admire the contrast. Adieu! my dear lord! Yours ever.
+
+(773) This alludes, it is presumed, to a bill of indictment which
+was found in the beginning of March, at the sessions at Hick's
+Hall, against the Count de Guerchy, for the absurd charge of a
+conspiracy to murder D'Eon.-C.
+
+(774) Probably fran`cois Joseph, Count de Caraman, who married a
+Princess de Chimay, heiress of the house of Benin, niece of
+Madame de Mirepoix.-C.
+
+(775) He had been favourite to the Empress Catherine; and, as Mr.
+Walpole elsewhere says, "a favourite without an enemy."-C.
+
+(776) A tragedy by M. du Belloy, which, with little other merit
+than its anti-Anglicism, (which, in all times, has passed in
+France for patriotism,) "faisait fureur" at this time.-C.
+
+(777) Mademoiselle Clairon was at this moment in such vogue on
+the French stage, that her admirers struck a medal in honour of
+her, and wore it as a kind of order. A critic of the name of
+Fr`eron, however, did not partake these sentiments, and drew, in
+his journal, an injurious character of Mademoiselle Clairon.
+This insult so outraged the tragedy queen, that she and her
+admirers moved heaven and earth to have Fr`ron sent to the
+Bastile, and, failing in her solicitation to the inferior
+departments, she at last had recourse to the prime-minister, the
+Duke of Choiseul, himself. His answer, which Lord Hertford, no
+doubt, had communicated to Mr. Walpole, was admired for its
+polite persiflage of her theatric Majesty. "I am," said the Duke,
+"like yourself, a public performer, with this difference in your
+favour, that you choose the parts you please, and are sure to be
+crowned with the applause of the public (for I reckon as nothing
+the bad taste of one or two wretched individuals who have the
+misfortune of not admiring you). I, on the other hand, am
+obliged to act the parts imposed on me by necessity. I am sure to
+please nobody; I am satirized, criticised, libelled, hissed,--yet
+I continue to do my best. Let us both, then, sacrifice our
+little resentments and enmities to the public service, and serve
+our country each in our own station. Besides," he added, "the
+Queen has condescended to forgive Fr`eron, and you may,
+therefore, without compromising your dignity, imitate her
+Majesty's clemency." M`emoires de Bachaumont, t. i. p. 61. Such
+were the miserable intrigues and squabbles, and such the examples
+of ministerial pleasantry and prudence which occupied and amused
+the Parisian public!--this; is but a straw to show which way the
+wind blew; but such instances moderate our surprise and our
+sorrow at the storm which followed.-C.
+
+(778) There was some little personal pique in Mr. Walpole's
+opinion of Garrick; yet it would be difficult to imagine a more
+forcible eulogium on that great actor than is here inadvertently
+pronounced, when, in order to find an equivalent for him, Mr.
+Walpole is obliged to bring together old Johnson and Colley
+Cibber, Quin and Clive, Porter and Dumesnil--two nations, two
+generations, and both sexes.-C.
+
+(779) "In Brute he shone unequalled; all agree
+Garrick's not half so great a brute as he." Rosciad.-E.
+
+(780) A wolf of enormous size, and, in some respects, irregular
+conformation, which for a long time ravaged the Gevaudan; it was,
+soon after the date of this letter, killed, and Mr. Walpole saw
+it in Paris.-C.
+
+
+
+ Letter 246 To George Montagu, Esq.
+
+Arlington Street, April 5, 1765. (page 384)
+
+I sent you two letters t'other day from your kin, and might as
+well have written then as now, for I have nothing to tell you.
+Mr. Chute has quitted his bed to-day the first time for above
+five weeks, but is still swathed like a mummy. He was near
+relapsing; for old Mildmay, whose lungs, and memory, and tongue,
+will never wear out, talked to him t'other night from eight till
+half an hour after ten, on the Poor-bill; but he has been more
+comfortable with Lord Dacre and me this evening.
+
+I have read the Siege of Calais, and dislike it extremely, though
+there are fine lines, but the conduct is woful. The outrageous
+applause it has received ,it Paris was certainly Political, and
+intended to stir up their spirit and animosity against us, their
+good, merciful, and forgiving allies. they will have no occasion
+for this ardour; they may smite one cheek, and we shall turn
+t'other.
+
+Though I have little to say, it is worth while to write, only to
+tell you two bon-mots of Quin, to that turncoat hypocrite
+infidel, Bishop Warburton. That saucy priest was haranguing at
+Bath in behalf of prerogative: Quin said, "Pray, my lord, spare
+me, you are not acquainted with my principles, I am a republican;
+and perhaps I even think that the execution of Charles the First
+might be justified." "AY!" said Warburton, "by what law?" Quin
+replied, "By all the laws he had left them." The Bishop(781)
+would have got off upon judgments, and bade the player remember,
+that all the regicides came to violent ends; a lie, but no
+matter. "I would not advise your lordship," said Quin, "to make
+use of that inference; for, if I am not mistaken, that was the
+case of the twelve apostles." There was great wit ad hominem in
+the latter reply, but I think the former equal to any thing I
+ever heard. It is the sum of the whole controversy couched in
+eight monosyllables, and comprehends at once the King's guilt and
+the justice of punishing it. The more one examines it, the finer
+it proves. One can say nothing after it: so good night! Yours
+ever.
+
+(781) Gray, in a letter of the 29th, relates the following
+anecdote:--"Now I am talking of bishops, I must tell you that,
+not long ago, Bishop Warburton, in a sermon at court, asserted
+that all preferments were bestowed on the most illiterate and
+worthless objects; and, in speaking, turned himself about and
+stared at the Bishop of London: he added, that if any one arose
+distinguished for merit and learning, there was a combination of
+dunces to keep him down. I need not tell you that he expected
+the bishopric of London when Terrick got it: so ends my
+ecclesiastical history." Works, vol. iv. p. 40.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 247 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Strawberry Hill, Easter Sunday, April 7, 1765. (page 385)
+
+Your first wish -will be to know how the King does: he came to
+Richmond last Monday for a week; but appeared suddenly and
+unexpected at his lev`ee at St. James's last Wednesday; this was
+managed to prevent a crowd. Next day he was at the drawing-room,
+and at chapel on Good Friday. They say, he looks pale; but it is
+the fashion to call him very well:--I wish it may be true.(782)
+The Duke of Cumberland is actually set out for Newmarket to-day:
+he too is called much better; but it is often as true of the
+health of princes as of their prisons, that there is little
+distance between each and their graves.(783) There has been a
+fire at Gunnersbury, which burned four rooms: her servants
+announced it to Princess Amalie with that wise precaution of "
+Madam, don't be frightened!"--accordingly, she was terrified.
+When they told her the truth, she said, "I am very glad; I had
+concluded my brother was dead."--So much for royalties!
+
+Lord March and George Selwyn are arrived, after being wind-bound
+for nine days, at Calais. George is so charmed with my Lady
+Hertford, that I believe it was she detained him at Paris, not
+Lord March. I am full as much transported with Schouvaloff--I
+never saw so amiable a man! so much good breeding, humility, and
+modesty, with sense and dignity! an air of melancholy, without
+any thing abject. Monsieur de Caraman is agreeable too, informed
+and intelligent; he supped at your brother's t'other night, after
+being at Mrs. Anne Pitt's. As the first curiosity of foreigners
+is to see Mr. Pitt, and as that curiosity is one of the most
+difficult points in the world to satisfy, he asked me if Mr. Pitt
+was like his sister? I told him, "Qu'ils se ressembloient comme
+deux gouttes de feu."
+
+The Parliament is adjourned till after the holidays, and the
+trial.(784) There have been two very long days in our own House,
+on a complaint from Newfoundland merchants on French
+encroachments. The ministry made a woful piece of work of it the
+first day, and we the second. Your brother, Sir George Savile,
+and Barr`e shone; but on the second night, they popped a sudden
+division upon us about nothing; some went out, and some stayed
+in; they were 161, we but 44, and then they flung pillows upon
+the question, and stifled it,--and so the French have not
+encroached.
+
+There has been more serious work in the Lords, upon much less
+important matter; a bill for regulating the poor,--(don't ask me
+how, for you know I am a perfect goose about details of
+business,) formed by one Gilbert,(785) a member, and steward to
+the Duke of Bridgewater, or Lord Gower, or both,--had passed
+pacifically through the Commons, but Lord Egmont set fire to it
+in the Lords. On the second reading, he opposed it again, and
+made a most admired speech; however it passed on. But again,
+last Tuesday, when it was to be in the committee, such forces
+were mustered against the bill, that behold all the world
+regarded it as a pitched battle between Lord Bute and Lord
+Holland on One side, and the Bedfords and Grenville on the other.
+You may guess if it grew a day of expectation. When it arrived,
+Lord Bute was not present, Lord Northumberland voted for the
+bill, and Lord Holland went away. Still politicians do not give
+up the mystery. Lord Denbigh and Lord Pomfret, especially the
+latter, were the most personal against his Grace of Bedford. He
+and his friends, they say, (for I was not there, as you will find
+presently,) kept their temper well. At ten at night the House
+divided, and, to be sure, the minority was dignified; it
+consisted of the Dukes of York and Gloucester, the Chancellor,
+Chief Justice, Lord President, Privy Seal, Lord Chamberlain,
+Chamberlain to the Queen, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and a
+Secretary of State. Lord Halifax, the other Secretary, was ill.
+The numbers were 44 to 58. Lord Pomfret then moved to put off
+the bill for four months; but the cabinet rallied, and rejected
+the motion by a majority of one. So it is to come on again after
+the holidays. The Duke of Newcastle, Lord Temple, and the
+opposition, had once more the pleasure, which, I believe, they
+don't dislike, of being in a majority.
+
+Now, for my disaster; you will laugh at it, though it was woful
+to me. I was to dine at Northumberland-house, and went a little
+after four: there I found the Countess, Lady Betty Mekinsy, Lady
+Strafford; my Lady Finlater,(787) who was never out of Scotland
+before; a tall lad of fifteen, her son; Lord Drogheda, and Mr.
+Worseley.(788) At five,(789) arrived Mr. Mitchell,(790) who said
+the Lords had begun to read the Poor-bill, which would take at
+least two hours, and perhaps would debate it afterwards. We
+concluded dinner would be called for, it not being Very
+precedented for ladies to wait for gentlemen:--no such thing.
+Six o'clock came,--seven o'clock came,--our coaches came,--well!
+we sent them away, and excuses were we were engaged. Still the
+Countess's heart did not relent, nor uttered a syllable of
+apology. We wore out the wind and the weather, the opera and the
+play, Mrs. Cornelys's and Almack's, and every topic that would do
+in a formal circle. We hinted, represented--in vain. The clock
+struck eight: my lady, at last, said, she would go and order
+dinner; but it was a good half hour before it appeared. We then
+sat down to a table for fourteen covers; but instead of
+substantials, there was nothing but a profusion of plates striped
+red, green, and yellow, gilt plate, blacks and uniforms! My Lady
+Finlater, who had never seen these embroidered dinners, nor dined
+after three, was famished. The first course stayed as long as
+possible, in hopes of the lords: so did the second. The dessert
+at last arrived, and the middle dish was actually set on when
+Lord Finlater and Mr. Mackay(791) arrived!--would you believe
+it?--the dessert was remanded, and the whole first course brought
+back again!--Stay, I have not done:--just as this second first
+course had done its duty, Lord Northumberland, Lord Strafford,
+and Mekinsy came in, and the whole began a third time! Then the
+second course, and the dessert! I thought we should have dropped
+from our chairs with fatigue and fumes! When the clock struck
+eleven, we were asked to return to the drawing-room, and drink
+tea and coffee, but I said I was engaged to supper, and came home
+to bed. My dear lord, think of four hours and a half in a circle
+of mixed company, and three great dinners, one after another,
+without interruption;--no, it exceeded our day at Lord Archer's!
+Mrs. Armiger,(792) and Mrs. Southwell,(793) Lady Gower's(794)
+niece, are dead, and old Dr. Young, the poet.(795) Good night!
+
+(782) "In April 1765," says the Quarterly Review for June 1840,
+"his Majesty had a serious illness: its particular character was
+then unknown, but we have the best authority for believing that
+it was of the nature of those which thrice after afflicted his
+Majesty, and finally incapacitated him for the duties of
+government."-E.
+
+(783) The French express this thought very dramatically;
+"Monseigneur est malade--Monscigneur est mieux--Monseigneur est
+mort!"-C.
+
+(784) See ant`e, p. 296, letter 194.-E.
+
+(785) Of Lord Byron.
+
+(786) Thomas Gilbert, Esq. At this time member for
+Newcastle-under-Line, and comptroller of the King's wardrobe.-E.
+
+(787) Lady Mary Murray, daughter of John first Duke of Athol, and
+wife of James sixth Earl of Finlater: her son, afterwards seventh
+Earl, was born in 1750.-E.
+
+(788) Probably Thomas Worseley, Esq. member for Oxford, and
+surveyor-general of the board of works.-C.
+
+(789) This was probably the hour of extreme fashion at this
+time.-C.
+
+(790) Afterwards Sir Andrew Mitchell, K. B. He was at this time
+our minister at Berlin, and also member for the burghs of Elgin,
+etc.-E.
+
+(791) Probably J. Ross Mackie, member for Kirkcudbright,
+treasurer of the ordnance.-C.
+
+(792) The lady of Major-General Robert Armiger, who had been
+aide-de-camp to George II.-E.
+
+(793) Catherine, heiress of Edward Watson, Viscount Sondes, by
+Lady Catherine Tufton, coheiress of the sixth Earl of Thanet, the
+son of Lady margaret Sackville, the heiress of the De Cliffords:
+she was the mother of Edward Southwell, Esq., member for
+Gloucestershire, who, on the death of the great-aunt, Margaret
+Tufton, Baroness de Clifford, was confirmed in that barony.-C.
+
+(794) Mary, another daughter and coheiress of the sixth Earl
+Thanet, widow of Anthony Grey, Earl of harold, and third wife of
+John first Earl Gower.-C.
+
+(795) Dr. Young died on the 5th of April, in his eighty-fourth
+year.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 248 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, April 18, 1765. (page 388)
+
+Lady Holland carries this, which enables me to write a little
+more explicitly than I have been able to do lately. The King has
+been in the utmost danger; the humour in his face having fallen
+upon his breast. He now appears constantly; yet, I fear, his
+life is very precarious, and that there is even apprehension of a
+consumption. After many difficulties from different quarters, a
+Regency-bill is determined; the King named it first to the
+ministers, who said, they intended to mention it to him as soon
+as he was well; yet they are not thought to be fond of it. The
+King is to come to the House on Tuesday, and recommend the
+provision to the Parliament.(796) Yet, if what is whispered
+proves true, that the nomination of the Regent is to be reserved
+to the King's will, it is likely to cause great uneasiness. If
+the ministers propose such a clause, it is strong evidence of
+their own instability, and, I should think, would not save them,
+at least, some of them. The world expects changes Soon, though
+not a thorough alteration; yet, if any takes place shortly, I
+should think It would be a material One than not. The enmity
+between Lord Bute and Mr. Grenville is not denied on either side.
+There is a notion, and I am inclined to think not ill founded,
+that the former and Mr. Pitt are treating. It is certain that
+the last has expressed wishes that the opposition may lie still
+for the remainder of the session. This, at least, puts an end to
+the question on your brother,(797) of which I am glad for the
+present. The common town-talk is, that Lord Northumberland does
+not care to return to Ireland,--that you are to succeed him
+there, Lord Rochford you, and that Sandwich is to go to Spain.
+My belief is, that there will be no change, except, perhaps, a
+single one for Lord Northumberland, unless there are capital
+removals indeed.
+
+The Chancellor, Grenville, the Bedfords, and the two Secretaries
+are one body; at least, they pass for such: yet it is very
+lately, if one of them has dropped his prudent management with
+Lord Bute. There seems an unwillingness to discard the Bedfords,
+though their graces themselves keep little terms of civility to
+Lord Bute, none to the Princess (Dowager). Lord Gower is a
+better courtier, and Rigby would do any thing to save his place.
+
+This is the present state, which every day may alter: even
+to-morrow is a day of expectation, as the last struggle of the
+Poor-bill. If the Bedfords carry it, either by force or
+sufferance, (though Lord Bute has constantly denied being the
+author of the opposition to it,) I shall less expect any great
+change soon. In those less important, I shall not wonder to find
+the Duke of Richmond come upon the scene, perhaps for Ireland,
+though he is not talked of.
+
+Your brother is out of town, not troubling himself, though the
+time seems so critical. I am not so philosophic; as I almost
+wish for any thing that may put an end to my being concerned in
+the m`el`ee--for any end to a most gloomy prospect for the
+country: alas! I see it not.
+
+Lord Byron's trial lasted two days, and he was acquitted totally
+by four lords, Beaulieu, Falmouth, Despenser,(798) and
+Orford,(799) and found guilty of manslaughter by one hundred and
+twenty. The Dukes of York and Gloucester were present in their
+places. The prisoner behaved with great decorum, and seemed
+thoroughly shocked and mortified. Indeed, the bitterness of the
+world against him has been great, and the stories they have
+revived or invented to load him, very grievous. The Chancellor
+has behaved with his usual, or, rather greater vulgarness and
+blunders. Lord Pomfret(800) kept away decently, from the
+similitude of his own story.
+
+I have been to wait on Messrs. Choiseul(801) and De
+Lauragais,(802) as you desired, but have not seen then yet. The
+former is lodged with my Lord Pembroke, and the Guerchys are in
+terrible apprehensions of his exhibiting some scene.
+
+The Duke of Cumberland bore the journey to Newmarket extremely
+well, but has been lethargic Since,; yet they have found out that
+Daffy's Elixir agrees with, and does him good. Prince Frederick
+is very bad. There is no private news at all. As I shall not
+deliver this till the day after to-morrow, I shall be able to
+give you an account of the fate of the Poor-bill.
+
+The medals that came for me from Geneva, I forgot to mention to
+you, and to beg you to be troubled with them till I see you. I
+had desired Lord Stanhope(803) to send them; and will beg you
+too, if any bill is sent, to pay it for me, and I will repay it.
+you. I say nothing of my journey, which the unsettled state of
+my affairs makes it impossible for me to fix. I long for every
+reason upon earth to be with you.
+
+April 20th, Saturday.
+
+The Poor-bill is put off till Monday; is then to be amended, and
+then dropped: a confession of weakness, in a set of people not
+famous for being moderate! I was assured, last night, that
+Ireland had been twice offered to you, and that it hung on their
+insisting upon giving you a secretary, either Wood or Bunbury. I
+replied very truly that I knew nothing of it, that you had never
+mentioned it to me and I believed not even to your brother. The
+answer was, Oh! his particular friends are always the last that
+know any thing about him. Princess Amalie loves this topic, and
+is for ever teasing us about your mystery. I defend myself by
+pleading that I have desired you never to tell me any thing till
+it was in the gazette.
+
+They say there is to be a new alliance in the house of Montagu:
+that Lord Hinchinbrook(804) is to marry the sole remaining
+daughter of Lord Halifax; that her fortune is to be divided into
+three shares, of which each father is to take one, and the third
+is to be the provision for the victims. I don't think this the
+most unlikely part of the story. Adieu! my dear lord.
+
+(796) In a letter to his son, of the 22d of April, Chesterfield
+says:--"Apropos of a minority: the King is to come to the House
+tomorrow, to recommend a bill to settle a regency, in case of his
+demise while his successor is a minor. Upon his late illness,
+which was no trifling one, the whole nation cried out aloud for
+such a bill, for reasons which will readily occur to you, who
+know situations, persons, and characters here. I do not know the
+provisions of this intended bill; but I wish it may b(@ copied
+exactly from that which was passed in the late King's reign, when
+the present King was a minor. I am sure there cannot be a
+better."-E.
+
+(797) As to his dismissal.-C.
+
+(798) Sir Francis Dashwood, lately confirmed in this barony, as
+the heir of the Fanes by his mother. He had been chancellor of
+the exchequer in Lord Bute's administration.-E.
+
+(799) George, third Earl of Orford, Mr. Walpole's nephew; on
+whose death, in 1791, he succeeded to the title.-E.
+
+(800) George, second Earl of Pomfret, while Lord Lempster, had
+the misfortune to kill Captain Grey, of the Guards, in a duel: he
+was tried at the Old Bailey in April 1752, and found guilty of
+manslaughter only. See vol. ii. p. 124, letter 54.-E.
+
+(801) The son, it is supposed, of the Duc de Praslin.-C.
+
+(802) Louis L`eon de Brancas, the eldest son of the Duc de
+Villars Brancas: he was, during his father's life, known as the
+Comte, and afterwards Duc, de Lauragais, and was a very singular
+and eccentric person. He was a great Anglomane, and was the
+first introducer into France of horseraces `a l'Anglaise; it was
+to him that Louis XV.--not pleased at his insolent Anglomanie--
+made so excellent a retort. The King had asked him after one of
+his journeys, what he had learned in England? Lauragais
+answered, with a kind of republican dignity, "A panser"
+(penser).--"Les chavaux?" inquired the King. On the other hand,
+he was one of the first promoters of the practice of inoculation.
+stories about him, both in England and France, are endless: "He
+was," says M. de Segur, who knew him well, "one of the most
+singular men of the long period in which he lived; he united in
+his person a combination of great qualities and great faults, the
+smallest portion of which would have marked any other man with a
+striking originality." He died in 1823, at the age of
+ninety-one--his youthful name and follies forgotten in the
+respectable old age of the Duc de Brancas.-C.
+
+(803) Philip, second Earl Stanhope; for a character of whom, by
+his great-grandson, Lord Mahon, see vol. i. p. 308, letter 96,
+note 771.-E.
+
+(804) Afterwards fifth Earl of sandwich. The match with lady
+Eliza Savile took place on the 1st of march 1766.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 249 To Sir David Dalrymple.(805)
+Strawberry Hill, April 21, 1765. (page 391)
+
+Sir,
+Except the mass of Conway papers, on which I have not yet had
+time to enter seriously, I am sorry I have nothing at present
+that would answer your purpose. Lately, indeed, I have had
+little leisure, to attend to literary pursuits. I have been much
+out of order with a violent cold and cough for great part of the
+winter; and the distractions of this country, which reach even
+those who mean the least to profit by their country, have not
+left even me, who hate politics, without some share in them. Yet
+as what one does not love, cannot engross one entirely, I have
+amused myself a little with writing. Our friend Lord Finlater
+will perhaps show you the fruit of that trifling, though I had
+not the confidence to trouble you with such a strange thing as a
+miraculous story, of which I fear the greatest merit is the
+novelty.
+
+I have lately perused with much pleasure a collection of old
+ballads, to which I see, Sir, you have contributed with your
+usual benevolence. Continue this kindness to the public, and
+smile as I do, when the pains you take for them are misunderstood
+or perverted. Authors must content themselves with hoping that
+two or three Intelligent persons in an age will understand the
+merit of their writings, and those authors are bound in good
+breeding to Suppose that the public in general is enlightened.
+They who arc in the secret know how few of that public they have
+any reason to wish should read their works. I beg pardon of my
+masters the public, and am confident, Sir, YOU Will not betray
+me; but let me beg you not to defraud the few that deserve your
+information, in compliment to those who are not capable of
+receiving it. Do as I do about my small house here. Every body
+that comes to see it or me, are so good as to wonder that I don't
+make this or that alteration. I never haggle with them; but
+always say I intend it. They are satisfied with the attention
+and themselves, and I remain with the enjoyment of my house as I
+like it. Adieu! dear Sir.
+
+(805) Now first collected.
+
+
+
+Letter 250 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, May 5, 1765. (page 391)
+
+The plot thickens; at least, it does not clear up. I don't know
+how to tell you in the compass of a letter, what is matter for a
+history, and it is the more difficult, as we are but just in the
+middle.
+
+During the recess, the King acquainted the ministry that he would
+have a Bill of Regency, and told them the particulars of his
+intention. The town gives Lord Holland the honour of the
+measure;(806) certain it is, the ministry, who are not the court,
+did not taste some of the items: such as the Regent to be in
+petto, the Princes(807) to be omitted, and four secret
+nominations to which the Princes might be applied. However,
+thinking it was better to lose their share of future power than
+their present places, the ministers gave a gulp and swallowed the
+whole potion; still it lay so heavy at their stomachs, that they
+brought up part of it again, and obtained the Queen's name to be
+placed, as one that might be regent. Mankind laughed, and
+proclaimed their Wisdoms bit. Upon this, their Wisdoms beat up
+for opponents, and set fire to the old stubble(808) of the
+Princess and Lord Bute. Every body took the alarm; and such
+uneasiness was raised, that after the King had notified the bill
+to both Houses, a new message was sent, and instead of four
+secret nominations, the five Princes were named, with power to
+the crown of supplying their places if they died off.
+
+Last Tuesday the bill was read a second time in the Lords. Lord
+Lyttelton opposed an unknown Regent, Lord Temple the whole bill,
+seconded by Lord Shelburne. The first
+division came on the commitment of the whole bill. The Duke of
+Newcastle and almost all The opposition were with the majority,
+for his grace could not decently oppose so great a likeness of
+his own child, the former bill, and so they were one hundred and
+twenty. Lord Temple, Lord Shelburne, the Duke of Grafton, and
+six more, composed the minority; the Slenderness of which so
+enraged Lord Temple, though he had declared himself of no party,
+and connected with no party, that he and the Duke of Bolton came
+no more to the House. Next day Lord Lyttelton moved an address
+to the King, to name the person he would recommend for Regent.
+In the midst of this debate, the Duke of Richmond started two
+questions; whether the Queen was naturalized, and if not, whether
+capable of being Regent: and he added a third much more puzzling;
+who are the Royal Family? Lord Denbigh answered
+flippantly, all who are prayed for: the Duke of Bedford, more
+significantly, those, only who are in the order of
+succession--a direct exclusion of the Princess; for the Queen is
+named in the bill. The Duke of Richmond moved to consult the
+judges; Lord Mansfield fought this off, declared he had his
+opinion, but would not tell it--and stayed away next day! They
+then proceeded on Lord Lyttelton's motion, which was rejected by
+eighty-nine to thirty-one; after which, the Duke of Newcastle
+came no more; and Grafton, Rockingham, and many others, went to
+Newmarket: for that rage is so strong, that I cease to wonder at
+the gentleman who was going out to hunt as the battle of Edgehill
+began.
+
+The third day was a scene of folly and confusion, for when Lord
+Mansfield is absent,
+
+"Lost is the nation's sense, nor can be found."
+
+The Duke of Richmond moved an amendment, that the persons capable
+of the Regency should be the
+Queen, the Princess Dowager, and all the
+descendants of the late King usually resident in England. Lord
+Halifax endeavoured to jockey this, by a previous amendment of
+now for usually. The Duke persisted with great firmness and
+cleverness; Lord Halifax, with as much peevishness and absurdity;
+in truth, he made a woful figure. The Duke of Bedford supported
+t'other Duke against the Secretary, but would not yield to name
+the Princess, though the Chancellor declared her of the Royal
+Family.(809) This droll personage is exactly what Woodward would
+be, if there was such a farce as Trappolin Chancellor. You will
+want a key to all this, but who has a key to chaos? After
+puzzling on for two hours how to adjust these motions, while the
+spectators stood laughing around, Lord Folkestone rose, and said,
+why not say now and usually? They adopted this amendment at once,
+and then rejected the Duke of Richmond's motion, but ordered the
+judges to attend next day on the questions of naturalization.
+
+Now comes the marvellous transaction, and I defy Mr. Hume, an
+historian as he is, to parallel it. The judges had decided for
+the Queen's capability, when Lord Halifax rose, by the King's
+permission, desired to have the bill recommitted, and then moved
+the Duke of Richmond's own words, with the single omission of the
+Princess Dowager's name, and thus she alone is rendered incapable
+of the Regency--and stigmatized by act of parliament! The
+astonishment of the world is not to be described. Lord Bute's
+friends are thunderstruck. The Duke of Bedford almost danced
+about the House for joy. Comments there are, various; and some
+palliate it, by saying it was done at the Princess's desire; but
+the most inquisitive say, the King was taken by surprise, that
+Lord Halifax proposed the amendment to him, and hurried with it
+to the House of Lords, before it could be recalled; and they even
+surmise that he did not observe to the King the omission of his
+mother's name. Be that as it may, open war seems to be declared
+between the court and the administration, and men are gazing to
+see which side will be victorious.
+
+To-morrow the bill comes to us, and Mr. Pitt, too, violent
+against the whole bill, unless this wonderful event has altered
+his tone.- For my part I shall not be surprised, if he affects to
+be in astonishment at missing "a great and most respectable
+man!"(810) This is the sum total--but what a sum total! It is
+the worst of North Britons published by act of parliament!
+
+I took the liberty, in my last, of telling you what I heard about
+your going to Ireland. It was from one you know very well, and
+one I thought well informed, or I should not have mentioned it.
+Positive as the information was, I find nothing to confirm it.
+On the contrary, Lord Harcourt(811) seems the most probable, if
+any thing is probable at this strange juncture. You will scarce
+believe me when I tell you, what I know is true, that the
+Bedfords pressed strongly for Lord Weymouth--Yes, for Lord
+Weymouth. Is any thing extraordinary in them?
+
+Will it be presuming, too much upon your friendship and
+indulgence, if I hint another point to you, which, I own, seems
+to me right to mention to you? You know how eagerly the ministry
+have laboured to deprive Mr. Thomas Walpole of the French
+commerce of tobacco. His correspondent sends him word, that you
+was so persuaded it was taken away, that you had recommended
+another person. You know enough, my dear lord, of the little
+connexion I have With that part of my family,(812) though we do
+visit again; and therefore will, I hope, be convinced, that it is
+for your sake I principally mention it. If Mr. Walpole loses
+this vast branch of trade, he and sir Joshua Vanneck must shut up
+shop. Judge the noise that would make in the city! Mr.
+Walpole's(813) alliance with the Cavendishes (for I will say
+nothing of our family) would interest them deeply in his cause,
+and I think you would be sorry to have them think you
+instrumental to his ruin. Your brother knows of my writing to
+you and giving this information, and we are both solicitous that
+your name should not appear in this transaction. This letter
+goes to you by a private hand, or I would not have spoken so
+plainly throughout. Whenever you please to recall your positive
+order, that I should always tell you whatever I hear that relates
+to you, I shall willingly forbear, for I am sensible this is not
+the most agreeable province of friendship; yet, as it is
+certainly due whenever demanded, I
+don't consider myself, but sacrifice the more agreeable task of
+pleasing you to that of serving you, that I may show myself Yours
+most sincerely, H. W.
+
+(806) It was certainly the result of his Majesty's own good
+sense, directed to the subject by his late serious indisposition;
+but the details, and the mismanagement of these details, were, no
+doubt, the acts of the ministers.-C.
+
+(807) The King,'s uncle and brothers.-E.
+
+(808) These hints as to the modes by which the extraordinary
+prejudices and clamours which disturbed the first years of the
+reign of George III. were excited and maintained at the pleasure
+of a faction, are very valuable: and the spirit of the times was
+in nothing more evident than in the intrigues and violence which
+marked the progress of so simple and necessary a measure as the
+Regency-bill.-C.
+
+(809) This opinion of the Chancellor's appears to have been
+considered by Mr. Walpole as very absurd, and he seems inclined
+to come to the same conclusion which Sterne has treated with such
+admirable ridicule in the case of the Duchess of Suffolk, viz.
+that "the mother was not of kin to her own child." See Tristram
+Shandy, part 4. Nothing in the debate of Didius and Triptolemus
+at the visitation dinner, is more absurd than this grave
+discussion in the House of Lords, whether the King's mother is
+one of the Royal Family.-C.
+
+(810) This was Mr. Pitt's expression on not finding Lord Anson's
+name in the list of the ministry formed in 1757. Mr. Walpole,
+disliked Lord Anson, and on more than one occasion amuses himself
+with allusions to this phrase.-C.
+
+(811) Simon, first Earl of Harcourt: he was, in 1768, ambassador
+to Paris, and in 1769, lord-lieutenant of Ireland.-C.
+
+(812) This coolness between Mr. Walpole and his uncle should be
+remembered, when we read that portion of the Memoires which
+relates to Lord Walpole.-C.
+
+(813) Mr. Thomas Walpole's elder brother (second Lord Walpole,
+and first Lord Orford of his branch) married the youngest
+daughter of the third Duke of Devonshire.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 251 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Sunday, May 12, 1765. (page 395)
+
+The clouds and mists that I raise by my last letter will not be
+dispersed by this; nor will the Bill of Regency, as long as it
+has a day's breath left (and it has but one to come) cease, I
+suppose, to produce extraordinary events. For agreeable events,
+it has not produced one to any Set Or side, except in gratifying
+malice; every other passion has received, or probably will
+receive, a box on the ear.
+
+In my last I left the Princess Dowager in the mire. The next
+incident was of a negative kind. Mr. Pitt, who, if he had been
+wise, would have come to help her out, chose to wait to see if
+she was to be left there, and gave himself a terrible fit of the
+gout. As nobody was ready to read his part to the audience,
+(though I assure you we do not want a genius or two who think
+themselves born to dictate,) the first day in our House did not
+last two minutes. The next, which was Tuesday, we rallied our
+understandings (mine, indeed, did not go beyond being quiet, when
+the administration had done for us what we could not do for
+ourselves), and combated the bill till nine at night. Barr`e,
+who will very soon be our first orator, especially as some(814)
+are a little afraid to dispute with him, attacked it admirably,
+and your brother ridiculed the House of Lords delightfully, who,
+he said, had deliberated without concluding, and concluded
+without deliberating. However, we broke up without a division.
+
+Can you devise what happened next? A buzz spread itself, that the
+Tories would move to reinstate the Princess. You will perhaps be
+so absurd as to think with me, that when the
+administration had excluded her, it was our business to pay her a
+compliment. Alas! that was my opinion, but I was soon given to
+understand that
+patriots must be men of virtue, must be pharisees, and not
+countenance naughty women; and that when the Duchess of Bedford
+had thrown the first stone, we had nothing to do but continue
+pelting. Unluckily I was not convinced; I could neither see the
+morality nor prudence of branding the King's mother upon no other
+authority than public fame: yet, willing to get something when I
+could not get all, I endeavoured to obtain that we should stay
+away. Even this was warmly contested with me, and, though I
+persuaded several, particularly the two oldest Cavendishes,(815)
+the Townshends,(816) and your nephew Fitzroy,(817) whom I trust
+you will thank me for saving, I could not convince Lord John,
+[Cavendish,] who, I am sorry to say, is the most obstinate,
+conceited young man I ever saw; George Onslow, and that old
+simpleton the Duke of Newcastle, who had the impudence to talk to
+me of character, and that we should be ruined with the public if
+we did not divide against the Princess. You will be impatient,
+and wonder I do not name your brother. You know how much he
+respects virtue and honour, even in their names; Lord John, who,
+I really believe, respects them too, has got cunning enough to
+see their empire over your
+brother, and had fascinated him to agree to this outrageous,
+provoking, and most unjustifiable of all acts. Still Mr. Conway
+was so good as to yield to my earnest and vehement entreaties,
+and it was at last agreed to propose the name of the Queen; when
+we did not carry it, as we did not expect to do, to retire before
+the question came on the Princess. But even this measure was not
+strictly observed. We divided 67 for the nomination of the
+Queen, against 157. Then Morton(818) moved to reinstate the
+Princess. Martin, her treasurer, made a most indiscreet and
+offensive speech in her behalf; said she had been stigmatized by
+the House of Lords, and had lived long enough in this country to
+know the hearts and falsehood of those who had professed the most
+to her. Grenville vows publicly he will never forgive this, and
+was not more discreet, declaring, though he agreed to the
+restoration of her name, that he thought the omission would have
+been universally acceptable. George Onslow and all the
+Cavendishes, gained over by Lord John, and the most attached of
+the Newcastle band, opposed the motion; but your brother, Sir
+William Meredith, and I, and others, came away, which reduced the
+numbers so much that there was no division;(819) but now to
+unfold all this black scene;(820) it comes out as I had guessed,
+and very plainly told them, that the Bedfords had stirred up our
+fools to do what they did not dare to do themselves. Old
+Newcastle had even told me, that unless we opposed the Princess,
+the Duke of Bedford would not. It was
+sedulously given out. that Forrester,(821) the latter duke's
+lawyer, would speak against her; and after the question had
+passed, he told our people that we had given up the game when it
+was in our hands, for there had been many more noes than ayes.
+It was Very true, many did not wish well enough to the Princess
+to roar for her; and many will say no when the question is put,
+who will vote ay if it comes to a division. and of' this I do not
+doubt but the Bedfords had taken care--well! duped by these gross
+arts, the Cavendishes and Pelhams determined to divide the next
+day on the report. I did not learn this mad resolution till four
+o'clock, when it was too late, and your brother in the House, and
+the report actually made; so I turned back and came away,
+learning
+afterwards to my great mortification, that he had voted with
+them. If any thing could comfort me, it would be, that even so
+early as last night, and only this happened on Friday night, it
+was generally allowed how much I had been in the right, and
+foretold exactly all that had happened. They had vaunted to me
+how strong they should be. I had replied, "When you were but 76
+on the most inoffensive question, do you think you will be half
+that number on the most personal and indecent that can be
+devised?" Accordingly, they were but 37 to 167; and to show how
+much the Bedfords were at the bottom of all, Rigby, they
+Forrester, and Lord Charles Spencer, went up into the Speaker's
+chamber, and would not vote for the Princess! At first I was not
+quite so well treated. Sir William Meredith, who, by the way,
+voted in the second question against his opinion, told me Onslow
+had said that he, Sir William, your
+brother, and Lord Townshend, had stayed away from conscience, but
+all the others from interest. I replied, "Then I am included in
+the latter predicament.(822) but you may tell Mr. Onslow that he
+will take a place before I shall, and that I had rather be
+suspected of being
+mercenary, than stand up in my place and call God to witness that
+I meant nothing personal, when I was doing the most personal
+thing in the world." I beg your pardon, my dear lord, for
+talking so much about myself, but the detail was necessary and
+important to you; who I wish should see that I can act with a
+little common sense, and will not be governed by all the frenzy
+of party.
+
+The rest of the bill was contested inch by inch, and by division
+on division, till eleven at night, after our wise leaders had
+whittled down the minority to twenty-four.(823) Charles
+Townshend, they say, surpassed all he had ever done, in a wrangle
+with Onslow, and was so lucky as to have Barr`e absent, who has
+long lain in wait for him. When they told me how well Charles
+had spoken on himself, I replied, "That is conformable to what I
+always thought of his parts, that he speaks best on what he
+understands the least."
+
+We have done with the bill, and to-morrow our correction goes to
+the Lords. It will be a day of wonderful expectation.. to see in
+what manner they will swallow their vomit. The Duke of Bedford,
+it is conjectured, will stay away:--but what will that
+scape-goose, Lord Halifax, do, who is already convicted of having
+told the King a most notorious lie, that if the Princess was not
+given up by the Lords, she would be
+unanimously excluded by the Commons! The Duke of Bedford, who
+had broke the ground, is little less blamable; but Sandwich, who
+was present, has, with his usual address, contrived not to be
+talked of, since the first hour.
+
+When the bill shall be passed, the eyes of mankind will turn to
+see what will be the consequence. The Princess, and Lord Bute,
+and the Scotch, do not affect to conceal their indignation. If
+Lord Halifax is even reprieved, the King is more
+enslaved to a cabal than ever his grandfather was: yet how
+replace them! Newcastle and the most desirable of the
+opposition have rendered themselves more obnoxious than ever, and
+even seem, or must seem to Lord Bute, in league with those he
+wishes to remove. The want of a proper person for chancellor of
+the exchequer is another difficulty, though I think easily
+removable by clapping a tied wig on Ellis, Barrington, or any
+other block, and calling it George
+Grenville. One remedy is obvious, and at which, after such
+insults and provocations, were I Lord Bute, I should not stick; I
+would deliver myself up, bound hand and foot, to Mr. Pitt, rather
+than not punish such traitors and wretches, who murmur, submit,
+affront, and swallow in the most
+ignominious manner,--"Oh! il faudra qu'il y vienne,"--as L`eonor
+says in the Marquis de Roselle,--"il y viendra." For myself, I
+have another little comfort, which is seeing that when the
+ministry encourage the Opposition, they do but
+lessen our numbers.
+
+You may be easy about this letter, for Monsieur de Guerchy sends
+it for me by a private hand, as I did the last. I wish, by some
+Such conveyance, you would tell me a little of your mind on all
+this embroil, and whether you approve or disapprove my conduct.
+After the liberties you have permitted me to take with you, my
+dear lord, and without them, as you know my openness, and how
+much I am accustomed to hear of my faults, I think you cannot
+hesitate. Indeed, I must, I have done, or tried to do, just what
+you would have wished. Could I, who have at least some
+experience and knowledge of the world, have directed, our party
+had not been in the contemptible and ridiculous
+situation it is. Had I had more weight, things still more
+agreeable to you had happened. Now, I could almost despair; but
+I have still perseverance, and some resources left. Whenever I
+can get to you, I will unfold a great deal; but in this critical
+situation, I cannot trust what I can leave to no management but
+my own.
+
+Your brother would have writ, if I had not: he is gone to
+Park-place to-day, with his usual phlegm, but returns tomorrow.
+What would I give you were here yourself; perhaps you do not
+thank me for the wish.
+
+Do not wonder if, except thanking you for D'Alembert's book,(824)
+I say not a word of any thing but politics. I have not had a
+single other thought these three weeks. Though in all the bloom
+of my passion, lilac-tide, I have not been at Strawberry this
+fortnight. I saw things arrive at the point(825) I wished, and
+to which I had singularly contributed to bring them, as you shall
+know hereafter, and then I saw all my Work kicked down by two or
+three frantic boys, and I see what I most dread, likely to
+happen, unless I can prevent it,--but I have said enough for you
+to understand me. I think we agree. However, this is for no ear
+or breast but your own. Remember Monsieur de Nivernois,(826) and
+take care of the letters you receive. Adieu!
+
+(814) It seems from the next letter, that this alludes to Charles
+Townshend.-C.
+
+(815) Lord George and Lord Frederick.-E.
+
+(816) Probably Messrs. Thomas Townshend, senior and junior, and
+Charles Townshend, a cousin of the great Charles Townshend's, who
+sat with Sir Edward Walpole for North Yarmouth.-C.
+
+(817) Colonel Charles Fitzroy, afterwards Lord Southampton.-E.
+
+(818) John Morton, Esq. member for Abingdon, and chief-justice of
+Chester.-E.
+
+(819) The following is Lord Temple's account of this debate, in a
+letter of the 10th, to his sister, Lady Chatham: "Inability and
+meanness are the characteristics of this whole proceeding,. I
+shall pass over the very uninteresting parts of this matter, and
+relate only the phenomenon of Morton's motion yesterday, seconded
+by Kynaston, without a speech, and thirded by the illustrious Sam
+Martin. The speech of the first was dull, and of the latter very
+injudicious; saying that the House of Lords had passed a stigma
+on the Princess of Wales; disclaiming all knowledge of her
+wishes, but concluding, with a strong affirmative. George Onslow
+opposed the motion, with very bad reasons; Lord Palmerston, with
+much better. George Grenville seemed to convey, that the
+alteration made in the Lords was not without the King's
+knowledge; but that, to be sure, in his opinion, such a testimony
+of zeal and affection which now manifested itself in the House of
+Commons in favour of his royal mother, could not but prove
+agreeable to his Majesty, and that therefore he should concur in
+it. The Cocoa-tree have thus her Royal Highness to be regent; it
+is well they have not given us a king, if they have not; for many
+think Lord Bute is king. No division: many noes." Chatham
+Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 309.-E.
+
+(820) It was, indeed, a black and scandalous intrigue, by which
+the character of the Sovereign's mother, and the peace and
+comfort of the Royal Family, were thus made the counters with
+which contending factions played their game; and if we may
+believe Mr. Walpole himself, the motives which actuated those who
+attacked, and those who seemed to defend the Princess
+Dowager, were equally selfish and unworthy.-C.
+
+(821) Probably Brook Forrester, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn, member for
+Great Wenlock, a barrister-at-law. See ante, p. 281, letter
+191.-C.
+
+(822) It certainly does seem, from the foregoing account of his
+own motives, that conscience had little to do with Mr. Walpole's
+conduct on this affair: as to his pledge, that Mr. Onslow would
+take a place before him, we must observe that it is not quite so
+generous as it may seem; for Mr. Walpole was already, by the
+provident care of his father, supplied with three sinecure
+places, and two rent-charges on two others, producing him
+altogether about 6300 pounds per annum. See Quarterly Review,
+Vol. xxvii. P. 198.-C.
+
+(823) On the question for the third reading of the bill, the
+numbers were 150 and 24.-E.
+
+(824) De la Destruction des
+J`esuites."-E.
+
+(825 This seems to imply that Mr. Walpole thought, that if the
+Opposition had taken up the cause of the Princess Dowager when
+she had been abandoned by the ministers, the latter might have
+been removed, and the former brought into power.-C.
+
+(826) He alludes to the infidelity of D'Eon to the Duke of
+Nivernois. See ant`e, p. 253, letter 181.-C.
+
+
+
+Letter 252 To The Earl Of Hertford.
+Arlington Street, Monday evening, May 20, 1765. (page 399)
+
+I scarce know where to begin, and I am sure not where I shall
+end. I had comforted myself with getting over all my
+difficulties: my friends opened their eyes, and were ready, nay,
+some of them eager, to list under Mr. Pitt; for I must tell you,
+that by a fatal precipitation,(827) the King,--when his ministers
+went to him last Thursday, 16th, to receive his commands for his
+speech at the end of the sessions which was to have been the day
+after to-morrow, the 22d,--forbid the Parliament to be prorogued,
+which he said he would only have adjourned: they were
+thunderstruck, and asked if he intended to make any change in his
+administration? he replied, certainly; he could not bear it as
+it was. His uncle(828) was sent for, was ordered to form a new
+administration, and treat with Mr. Pitt. This negotiation
+proceeded for four days, and got wind in two. The town, more
+accommodating than Mr. Pitt, settled the whole list of
+employments. The facilities, however, were so few. that
+yesterday the hero of Culloden went down in person to the
+Conqueror of
+America, at Hayes, and though tendering almost carte blanche,--
+blanchissime for the constitution, and little short of it for the
+whole red-book of places,--brought back nothing but a flat
+refusal. Words cannot paint the confusion into which every thing
+is thrown. The four ministers, I mean the Duke of Bedford,
+Grenville, and the two Secretaries, acquainted their master
+yesterday, that they adhere to one another, and shall all resign
+to-morrow, and, perhaps, must be recalled on Wednesday,--must
+have a carte noire, not blanche, and will certainly not expect
+any stipulations to be offered for the constitution, by no means
+the object of their care!
+
+You are not likely to tell in Gath, nor publish in Ascalon, the
+alternative of humiliation to which the crown is reduced. But
+alas! this is far from being the lightest evil to which we are at
+the eve of being exposed. I mentioned the mob of weavers which
+had besieged the Parliament, and attacked the Duke of Bedford,
+and I thought no more of it; but on Friday, a well
+disciplined, and, I fear too well conducted a
+multitude, repaired again to Westminster with red and black
+flags; the House of Lords, where not thirty were present, acted
+with no spirit;--examined Justice Fielding, and the magistrates,
+and adjourned till to-day. At seven that evening, a prodigious
+multitude assaulted Bedford-house, and began to pull down the
+walls, and another party surrounded the garden, where there were
+but fifty men on guard, and had forced their way, if another
+party of Guards that had been sent for had arrived five minutes
+later. At last, after reading the
+proclamation, the gates of the court were thrown open, and sixty
+foot-soldiers marched out; the mob fled, but, being met by a
+party of horse, were much cut and
+trampled, but no lives lost. Lady Tavistock, and every thing
+valuable in the house, have been sent out of town. On Saturday,
+all was pretty quiet; the Duchess
+was blooded, and every body went to visit them. I hesitated,
+being afraid of an air of triumph: -however, lest it should be
+construed the other way, I went last night at eight o'clock; in
+the square I found a great multitude, not of weavers, but
+seemingly of Sunday-passengers. At the gate, guarded by
+grenadiers, I found so large a throng, that I had not only
+difficulty to make my way, though in my chariot, but was hissed
+and pelted; and in two minutes after, the glass of Lady
+Grosvenor's coach was broken, as those of Lady Cork's chair were
+entirely demolished afterwards. I found Bedford-house a perfect
+garrison, sustaining a siege, the court full of horse-guards,
+constables, and gentlemen. I told the Duke that however I might
+happen to differ with him in politics, this was a common cause,
+and that every body must feel equal indignation at it. In the
+mean time the mob grew so riotous, that they were forced to make
+both horse and foot parade the square before the tumult was
+dispersed.
+
+To-morrow we expect much worse. The weavers have declared they
+will come down to the House of Lords for redress, which they say
+they have been promised. A body of five hundred sailors were on
+the road from Portsmouth to join them, but luckily the admiralty
+had notice of their intention, and stopped them.(829) A large
+body of weavers are on the road from Norwich, and it is said have
+been joined by numbers in Essex; guards are posted to prevent, if
+possible, their
+approaching the city. Another troop of manufacturers are coming
+from Manchester; and what is worst of' all, there is such a
+general spirit of mutiny and dissatisfaction in the lower people,
+that I think we are in danger of a rebellion in the heart of the
+capital in a week. In the mean time, there is neither
+administration nor government. The King is out of town, and this
+is the crisis in which Mr. Pitt, who could stop every evil,
+chooses to be more unreasonable than ever.(830)
+
+Mr. Craufurd, whom you have seen at the Duchess of Grafton's,
+carries this, or I should not venture being so explicit.
+Wherever the storm may break out at first, I think Lord Bute
+cannot escape his share of it. The Bedfords may triumph over
+him, the Princess, and still higher, if they are fortunate enough
+to avoid the present ugly appearances; and yet how the load of
+odium will be increased, if they return to power! One can name
+many in whose situation one would not be,-not one who is not
+situated unpleasantly.
+
+Adieu my dear lord; you shall hear as often as I can find a
+conveyance but these are not topics for the post! Poor Mrs.
+Fitzroy has lost her eldest girl. I forgot to tell you that the
+young Duke of Devonshire goes to court to-morrow. Yours ever.
+
+Wednesday evening.
+
+I am forced to send you journals rather than letters. Mr.
+Craufurd, who was to carry this, has put off his journey till
+Saturday, and I choose rather to defer my despatch than trust it
+to Guerchy's courier, though he offered me that conveyance
+yesterday, but it is too serious to venture to their inspection.
+
+Such precautions have been taken, and so many troops brought into
+town, that there has been no rising, though the sheriffs of
+London acquainted the Lords on Monday that a very
+formidable one was preparing for five o'clock the next morning.
+There was another tumult, indeed, at three o'clock yesterday, at
+Bedford-house, but it was dispersed by reading the Riot-act. In
+the mean time, the revolution has turned round again. The
+ministers desired the King to commission Lord Granby, the Duke of
+Richmond, and Lord Waldegrave, to suppress the riots, which, in
+truth, was little short of asking for the power of the sword
+against himself. On this, his Majesty determined to name the
+Duke of Cumberland captain-general but the tranquillity of the
+rioters happily gave H. R. H. occasion to persuade the King to
+suspend that resolution. Thank God! From eleven o'clock
+yesterday, when I heard it, till nine at night, when I learned
+that the resolution had dropped, I think I never passed such
+anxious hours! nay, I heard it was done, and looked upon the
+civil war as commenced. During these events, the Duke was
+endeavouring to form a ministry, but, luckily, nobody would
+undertake it when Mr. Pitt had refused so the King is reduced to
+the mortification, and it is extreme, of taking his old ministers
+again. They are insolent enough, you may believe. Grenville has
+treated his master in the most impertinent manner, and they are
+now actually digesting the terms that they mean to impose on
+their captive, and Lord Bute is the chief object of their rage;
+though I think Lord Holland will not escape, nor Lord
+Northumberland, whom they treat as an encourager of the rioters.
+Both he and my lady went on Monday night to Bedford-house, and
+were received with every mark of insult.(831) The Duke turned
+his back on the Earl, without speaking to him, and he was kept
+standing an hour exposed to all their railery. Still I have a
+more extraordinary event to tell you than all I have related.
+Lord Temple and George Grenville were reconciled yesterday
+morning, by the intervention of Augustus Hervey; and, perhaps,
+the next thing you wilt hear, may be that Lord Temple is sent by
+this ministry to Ireland, though Lord Weymouth is again much
+talked of for it.
+
+The report of Norwich and Manchester weavers on the road is now
+doubted. If Lord Bute is banished, I suppose the Duke of Bedford
+will become the hero of this very mob, and every act of power
+which they (the ministers] have executed, let who will have been
+the adviser, will be forgotten. It will be entertaining to see
+Lord Temple supporting Lord Halifax on general warrants!
+
+You have more than once seen your old master(832) reduced to
+surrender up his closet to a cabal--but never with such
+circumstances of insult, indignity, and humiliation! For our
+little party, it is more humbled than ever. Still I prefer that
+state to what I dread; I mean, seeing your brother embarked in a
+desperate administration. It was proposed first to make him
+secretary at war, then secretary of state, but he declined both.
+Yet I trembled, lest he should think bound in honour to obey the
+commands of the King and Duke of Cumberland; but, to my great
+joy, that alarm is over, unless the triumphant faction exact more
+than the King can possibly suffer. It will rejoice you, however,
+my dear lord, to hear that Mr. Conway is perfectly restored to
+the King's favour; and that if he continues in opposition, it
+will not be against the King, but a most abominable faction, who,
+having raged against the constitution and their country to pay
+court to Lord Bute, have even thrown off that paltry mask, and
+avowedly hoisted the standard of their own power. Till the King
+has signed their demands, one cannot look upon this scene as
+closed.
+
+Friday evening.
+
+You will think, my dear lord, and it is natural you should, that
+I write my letters at once, and compose one part with my
+prophecies, and the other with the completion of them; but you
+must recollect that I understand this country pretty well,--
+attend closely to what passes,--have very good intelligence,--and
+know the characters of the actors thoroughly. A little sagacity
+added to such foundation, easily carries one's sight a good way;
+but you will care for my narrative more than my reflections, so I
+proceed.
+
+On Wednesday, the ministers dictated their terms; you will not
+expect much moderation, and, accordingly, there was not a grain:
+they demanded a royal promise of never consulting Lord Bute,
+Secondly, the dismission of Mr. Mckinsy from the direction of
+Scotland; thirdly, and lastly, for they could go no further, the
+crown itself--or, in their words the immediate nomination of Lord
+Granby to be captain-general. You may figure the King's
+indignation--for himself, for his favourite, for his uncle. In
+my own opinion, the proposal of grounds for taxing his majesty
+himself hereafter with breaking his word,(833) was the bitterest
+affront of all. He expressed his anger and astonishment, and
+bade them return at ten at night for his answer; but, before
+that, he sent the Chancellor to the junta, consenting to displace
+Mekinsy,(834) refusing to promise not to consult Lord Bute,
+though acquiescing to his not interfering in business, but with a
+peremptory refusal to the article of Lord Granby. The rebels
+took till next morning to advise on their answer; when they gave
+up the point of Lord Granby, and contented themselves with the
+modification on the chapter of Lord Bute. However, not to be too
+complimentary, they demanded Mekinsy's place for Lord Lorn,(835)
+and the instant removal of Lord Holland; both of which have been
+granted. Charles Townshend is paymaster, and Lord Weymouth
+viceroy of Ireland; so Lord Northumberland remains on the pav`e,
+which, as there is no place vacant for him, it was not necessary
+to stipulate. The Duchess of bedford, with colours flying,
+issued out of her garrison yesterday, and took possession of the
+drawing-room. To-day their majesties are gone to Woburn; but as
+the Duchess is a perfect Methodist against all suspicious
+characters, it is said, to-day, that Lord Talbot is to be added
+to the list of proscriptions, and now they think themselves
+established for ever.--Do they so? Lord Temple declares himself
+the warmest friend of the present administration;--there is a
+mystery still to be cleared up,--and, perhaps, a little to the
+mortification of Bedford-house.--We shall see.
+
+The Duke of Cumberland is retired to Windsor: your brother gone
+to Park-place: I go to Strawberry to-morrow, lest people should
+not think me a great man too. I don't know whether I shall not
+even think it necessary to order myself a fit of the gout.(836)
+I have received your short letter of the 16th, with the memorial
+of the family of Brebeuf;--now my head will have a little
+leisure, I will examine it,. and see if I can do any thing in the
+affair. In that letter you say, you have been a month without
+hearing from any of your friends. I little expected to be taxed
+on that head: I have written you volumes almost every day; my
+last dates have been of April 11th, 20th, May 5th, 12th, and
+16th. I beg you will look over them, and send me word exactly,
+and I beg you not to omit it, whether any of these are missing.
+Three of them I trusted to Guerchy, but took care they should
+contain nothing which it signified whether seen or not on t'other
+side of the water, though I did not care they should be perused
+on this. I had the caution not to let him have this, though by
+the eagerness with which he proffered both to-day and yesterday,
+to send any thing by his couriers, I suspected he wished to help
+them to better intelligence than he could give them himself. He
+even told me he should have another courier depart on Tuesday
+next; but I excused myself, on the pretence of having too much to
+write at once, and shall send this, and a letter your brother has
+left me, by mr. Craufurd, though he does not set out till Sunday;
+but you had better wait for it from him, than from the Duc de
+Choiseul. Pray commend my discretion--you see I grow a
+consummate politician; but don't approve of it too much, lest I
+only send you letters as prudent as your own.
+
+You may acquaint Lady Holland with the dismission of her lord, if
+she has not heard it, he being at Kingsgate. Your secretary(837)
+is likely to be prime minister in Ireland. Two months ago the
+new Viceroy himself was going to France for debt, leaving his
+wife and children to be maintained by her mother.(838)
+
+I will be much obliged to you, my dear lord, if you will contrive
+to pay Lady Stanhope for the medals; they cost, I think, but 4
+pounds 7 shillings or thereabout--but I have lost the note.
+
+Adieu! here ends volume the first. Omnia mutantur, sed non
+mutamur in illis. Princess Amelia, who has a little veered round
+to northwest, and by Bedford, does not speak tenderly of her
+brother--but if some families are reconciled, others are
+disunited. The Keppels are at open war with the Keppels, and
+Lady Mary Coke weeps with one eye over Lady Betty Mackinsy, and
+smiles with t'other on Lady Dalkeith;(839) but the first eye is
+the sincerest. The Duke of Richmond, in exactly the same
+proportion, is divided between his sisters, Holland and Bunbury.
+
+Thank you much for your kindness about Mr. T. Walpole-I have not
+had a moment's time to see him, but will do full justice to your
+goodness. Yours ever, H. W.
+
+Pray remember the dates of my letters--you will be strangely
+puzzled for a clue, if one of them has miscarried. Sir Charles
+Bunbury is not to be secretary for Ireland, but Thurlow the
+lawyer:(840) they are to stay five years without returning. Lord
+Lorn has declined, and Lord Frederic Campbell is to be lord privy
+seal for Scotland. Lord Waldegrave, they say, chamberlain to the
+Queen.(841)
+
+(831) From the family, not from the rioters.-C.
+
+(832) George the Second.
+
+(833) This alludes to the required promise not to consult Lord
+Bute.
+
+(834) The Following is from Mr. Stuart Mackenzie's own account of
+his removal, in the Mitchell MSS:--"They demanded certain terms,
+without which they declined coming in; the principal of which
+was, that I should be dismissed from the administration of the
+affairs of Scotland, and likewise from the office of privy seal.
+His Majesty answered, that as to the first, it would be no great
+punishment, he believed, to me, as I had never been very fond of
+the employment; but as to the second, I had his promise to
+continue it for life. Grenville replied to this purpose: 'In
+that case, Sir, we must decline coming in.'--'No,' says the King,
+'I will not, on that account, put the whole kingdom in confusion,
+and leave it without a government at all; but I will tell you how
+that matter stands --that he has my royal word to continue in the
+office; and if you force me, from the situation of things, to
+violate my royal word, remember you are responsible for it, and
+not I.' Upon that very solemn charge, Grenville answered, 'Sir,
+we must make some arrangement for Mr. Mackenzie.' The King
+answered, 'If I know any thing of him, he will give himself very
+little trouble about your arrangements for him.' His Majesty
+afterwards sent for me to his closet, where I was a very
+considerable time with him; and if it were possible for me to
+love my excellent prince now better than I ever did before, I
+should certainly do it; for I have every reason that can induce a
+generous mind to feel his goodness for me; but such was his
+Majesty's situation at this time, that, had he absolutely
+rejected my dismission, he would have put me in the most
+disagreeable situation in the world; and, what was of much higher
+consequence, he would leave greatly distressed his affairs."-E.
+
+(835) John Marquis of Lorn, afterwards fifth Duke of Argyle; a
+lieutenant-general in the army: he was brother of (General
+Conway's lady.-C.
+
+(836) An allusion to Mr. Pitt.-C.
+
+(837) Sir Charles Bunbury, secretary of embassy at Paris, was
+nominated secretary to Lord Weymouth, and held that office for
+about two months.-E.
+
+(838) The straitened circumstances of Lord Weymouth made his
+nomination very unpopular in Ireland: he never went over.-C.
+
+(839) In the recent arrangement, Lady Betty's husband was, as we
+have seen, dismissed from, and Lady Dalkeith's (Charles
+Townshend) acceded to, office.-C.
+
+(840) This was a mistake.-E.
+
+(841) This is the last of the series of letters written by
+Walpole to Lord Hertford: to the publication is subjoined the
+following postscript:-"The state of the administration, as
+described in the foregoing letters, could evidently not last; and
+after the failure of several attempts to induce Mr. Pitt to take
+the government on terms which the King could grant, the Duke of
+Cumberland, at his Majesty's desire, succeeded in forming the
+Rockingham administration, in which General Conway was secretary
+of state and leader of the House of Commons, and Lord Hertford,
+lord lieutenant of Ireland. There can be little doubt, that
+during these transactions, Mr. Walpole (although he had in the
+interval a severe fit Of the gout) wrote to Lord Hertford, but no
+other letter of this series has been discovered; which is the
+more to be regretted, as the state of parties was it that moment
+particularly interesting. The refusal of Mr. Pitt raised the
+ministers to a pitch of confidence, (perhaps@, we might say,
+-arrogance,) which, as Mr. Walpole foresaw, accelerated their
+fall. So blind were they to their true situation, that Mr.
+Rigby, who was as deep as any man in the ministerial councils,
+writes to a private friend "I never thought, to tell you the
+truth, that we were in any danger from this last political cloud.
+The Duke of Cumberland's political system, grafted upon the Earl
+of Bute's stock, seems, of all others, the least capable of
+succeeding.' This letter was written on the 7th of July, and on
+the 10th the new ministry was formed."-C.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 253 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, May 26, 1765. (page 405)
+
+If one of the one hundred events, and one hundredth part of the
+one hundred thousand reports that have passed, and been spread in
+this last month, have reached your solitary hill, you must be
+surprised at not a single word from me during that period. The
+number of events is my excuse. Though mine is the pen of a
+pretty ready writer, I could not keep pace with the revolution of
+each day, each hour. I had not time to begin the narrative, much
+less to finish it: no, I Must keep the whole to tell you at once,
+or to read it to you, for I think I shall write the history,
+which, let me tell you, Buckinger himself could not have crowded
+into a nutshell.
+
+For your part, you will be content though the house of Montagu
+has not made an advantageous figure in this political warfare;
+yet it is crowned with victory, and laurels you know compensate
+for every scar. You went out of town frightened out of your
+senses at the giant prerogative: alack! he is grown so tame,
+that, as you said of our earthquake, you may stroke him.(842) The
+Regency-bill, not quite calculated with that intent, has produced
+four regents, King Bedford, king Grenville, King Halifax, and
+king Twitcher.(843) Lord Holland is turned out, and Stuart
+Mackenzie. Charles Townshend is paymaster, and Lord Bute
+annihilated; and all done without the help of the Whigs. You
+love to guess what one is going to say. Now you may what I am
+not going to say. your newspapers perhaps have given you a long
+roll of opposition names, who were coming into place, and so all
+the world thought; but the Wind turned quite round, and left them
+on the strand, and just where they were, except in opposition
+which is declared to be at an end. Enigma as all this may sound,
+the key would open it all to you in the twinkling of an
+administration. In the mean time we have family reconciliations
+without end. The King and the Duke of Cumberland have been shut
+up together day and night; Lord Temple and George Grenville are
+sworn brothers; well, but Mr. Pitt, where is he? In the clouds,
+for aught I know; in one of which he may descend like the kings
+of Bantam, and take quiet possession of the throne again.
+
+As a thorough-bass to these squabbles, we have had an
+insurrection and a siege. Bedford-house, though garrisoned by
+horse and foot guards, was on the point of being taken. The
+besieged are in their turn triumphant; and, if any body now was
+to publish "Droit le Duc,"(844) I do not think the House of Lords
+would censure his book. Indeed the regents may do what they
+please, and turn out whom they will; I see nothing to resist
+them. Lord Bute will not easily be tempted to rebel when the
+last struggle has cost him so dear.
+
+I am sorry for some of my friends, to whom I wished more fortune.
+For myself, I am but just where I should have been had they
+succeeded. It is satisfaction enough to me to be delivered from
+politics; which you know I have long detested. When I was
+tranquil enough to write Castles of Otranto in the midst of grave
+nonsense and foolish councils of war, I am not likely to disturb
+myself with the diversions of the court where I am not connected
+with a soul. As it has proved to be the interest of the present
+ministers, however contrary to their torturer views, to lower the
+crown, they will scarce be in a hurry to aggrandize it again.
+That will satisfy you; and I, you know, am satisfied if I have
+any thing to laugh at--'tis a lucky age for a man who is so
+easily contented!
+
+The poor Chute has had another relapse, but is out of bed again.
+I am thinking of my journey to France; but, as Mr. Conway has a
+mind I should wait for him, I don't know whether it will take
+place before the autumn. I will by no means release you from
+your promise of making me a visit here before I go.
+
+Poor Mr. Bentley, I doubt, is under the greatest difficulties of
+any body. His poem, which he modestly delivered over to
+immortality, must be cut and turned; for Lord Halifax and Lord
+Bute cannot sit in the same canto together; then the horns and
+hoofs that he had bestowed on Lord Temple must be pared away, and
+beams of glory distributed over his whole person. 'Tis a
+dangerous thing to write political panegyrics or satires; it
+draws the unhappy bard into a thousand scrapes and
+contradictions. The edifices and inscriptions at Stowe should be
+a lesson not to erect monuments to the living. I will not place
+an ossuarium in my garden for my cat, before her bones are ready
+to be placed in it. I hold contradictions to be as essential to
+the definition of a political man, as any visible or featherless
+quality can be to man in general. Good night!
+
+28th.
+
+I shall send this by the coach; so whatever comes with it is only
+to make bundle. Here are some lines that came into my head
+yesterday in the postchaise, as I was reading in the Annual
+Register an account of a fountain-tree in one of the Canary
+Islands, which never dies, and supplies the inhabitants with
+water. I don't warrant the longevity though the hypostatic union
+of a fountain may eternize the tree.
+
+"In climes adust, where rivers never flow,
+Where constant suns repel approaching snow,
+How Nature's various and inventive hand
+Can pour unheard-of moisture o'er the land!
+immortal plants she bids on rocks arise,
+And from the dropping branches streams supplies,
+The thirsty native sucks the falling shower,
+Nor asks for juicy fruit or blooming flower;
+But haply doubts when travellers maintain,
+That Europe's forests melt not into rain."
+
+(842) See ant`e, p. 365, letter 237.-E.
+
+(843) Wilkes, in the North Briton, had applied to the Earl of
+Sandwich the sobriquet of jemmy Twitcher.-E.
+
+(844) ant`e, p. 294, letter 194.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 254 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, June 10, 1765, Eleven at night. (page 407)
+
+I am just come out of the garden in the most oriental of all
+evenings, and from breathing odours beyond those of Araby. The
+acacias, which the Arabians have the sense to worship, are
+covered with blossoms, the honeysuckles dangle from every tree in
+festoons, the seringas are thickets of sweets, and the new-cut
+hay in the field tempers the balmy gales with simple freshness;
+while a thousand sky-rockets launched into the air at Ranelagh or
+Marybone illuminate the scene, and give it an air of Haroun
+Alraschid's paradise. I was not quite so content by daylight;
+some foreigners dined here, and, though they admired our verdure,
+it mortified me by its brownness--we have not had a drop of rain
+this month to cool the tip of our daisies. My company was Lady
+Lyttelton, Lady Schaub, a Madame de Juliac from the Pyreneans,
+very handsome, not a girl, and of Lady Schaub's mould; the Comte
+de Caraman, nephew of Madame de Mirepoix, a Monsieur de
+Clausonnette, and General Schouallow,(845) the favourite of the
+late Czarina; absolute favourite for a dozen years, without
+making an enemy. In truth, he is very amiable, humble, and
+modest. Had he been ambitious, he might have mounted the throne:
+as he was not, you may imagine they have plucked his plumes a
+good deal. There is a little air of melancholy about him, and,
+if I am not mistaken, Some secret wishes for the fall of the
+present Empress; which, if it were civil to suppose, I could
+heartily join with him in hoping for. As we have still liberty
+enough left to dazzle a Russian, he seems charmed with England,
+and perhaps liked even this place the more as belonging to the
+son of one that, like himself, had been prime minister. If he
+has no more ambition left than I have, he must taste the felicity
+of being a private man. What has Lord Bute gained, but the
+knowledge of how many ungrateful sycophants favour and power can
+create?
+
+If you have received the parcel that I consined to Richard Brown
+for you, you will have found an explanation of my long silence.
+Thank you for being alarmed for my health.
+
+The day after to-morrow I go to Park-place for four or five days,
+and soon after to Goodwood. My French journey is still in
+suspense; Lord Hertford talks of coming over for a fortnight;
+perhaps I may go back with him; but I have determined nothing
+yet, till I see farther into the present chase, that somehow or
+other I may take my leave of politics for ever; for can any thing
+be so wearisome as politics on the account of others? Good
+night! shall I not see you here? Yours ever.
+
+(845) The Comte de Schouwaloff. See ant`e, p. 382, letter 245.
+Walpole says, in a note to Madame du Deffand's letter to him of
+the 19th of April, 1766, "Il fut IC favori, l'on croit le mari,
+de la Czarine Elizabeth de Russie, et pendant douze ans de faveur
+il ne se fit point un ennemi."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 255 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Strawberry Hill, June 11, 1765. (page 408)
+
+I am almost as much ashamed, Madam, to plead the true cause of my
+faults towards your ladyship, as to have been guilty of any
+neglect. It is scandalous, at my age, to have been carried
+backwards and forwards to balls and suppers and parties by very
+young people, as I was all last week. My resolutions of growing
+old and staid are admirable: I wake with a sober plan, and intend
+to pass the day with my friends--then comes the Duke of Richmond,
+and hurries me down to Whitehall to dinner-then the Duchess of
+Grafton sends for me to loo in Upper Grosvenor-street--before I
+can get thither, I am begged to step to Kensington, to give Mrs.
+Anne Pitt my opinion about a bow-window--after the loo, I am to
+march back to Whitehall to supper-and after that, am to walk with
+Miss Pelham on the terrace till two in the morning, because it is
+moonlight and her chair is not come. All this does not help my
+morning laziness; and, by the time I have breakfasted, fed my
+birds and my squirrels, and dressed, there is an auction ready.
+In short, Madam, this was my life last week, and is I think every
+week, with the addition of forty episodes. Yet, ridiculous as it
+is, I send it your ladyship, because I had rather you should
+laugh at me than be angry. I cannot offend you in intention, but
+I fear my sins of omission are equal to many a good Christian's.
+Pray forgive me. I really will begin to be between forty and
+fifty by the time I am fourscore; and I truly believe I shall
+bring my resolutions within compass; for I have not chalked out
+any particular business that will take me above forty years more;
+so that, if I do not get acquainted with the grandchildren of all
+the present age, I shall lead a quiet sober life yet before I
+die.
+
+As Mr. Bateman's is the kingdom of flowers, I must not wish to
+send you any; else, Madam, I should load wagons with acacias,
+honeysuckles, and seringas. Madame de Juliac, who dined here
+owned that the climate and odours equalled Languedoc. I fear the
+want of rain made the turf put her in mind of it, too. Monsieur
+de Caraman entered into the gothic spirit of the place, and
+really seemed pleased, which was more than I expected; for,
+between you and me, Madam, our friends the French have seldom
+eyes for any thing they have not been used to see all their
+lives. I beg my warmest compliments to your host and Lord
+Ilchester. I wish your ladyship all pleasure and health, and am,
+notwithstanding my idleness, your most faithful and devoted
+humble servant.
+
+
+
+Letter 256 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Saturday night. (page 409)
+
+I must scrawl a line to you, though with the utmost difficulty,
+for I am in my bed; but I see they have foolishly put it into the
+Chronicle that I am dangerously ill; and as I know you take in
+that paper, and are one of the very, very few, of whose
+tenderness and friendship I have not the smallest doubt, I give
+myself pain, rather than let you feel a moment's unnecessarily.
+It is true, I have had a terrible attack of the gout in my
+stomach, head, and both feet, but have truly never been in danger
+any more than one must be in such a situation. My head and
+stomach are perfectly well; my feet far from it. I have kept my
+room since this day se'nnight, and my bed these three days, but
+hope to get up to-morrow. You know my writing and my veracity,
+and that I would not deceive you. As to my person, it will not
+be so easy to reconnoitre it, for I question whether any of it
+will remain; it was easy to annihilate so airy a substance.
+Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 257 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Wednesday noon, July 3, 1765. (page 410)
+
+The footing part of my dance with my shocking partner the gout is
+almost over. I had little pain there this last night, and got,
+at twice, about three hours' sleep; but, whenever I waked, found
+my head very bad, which Mr. Graham thinks gouty too. The fever
+is still very high: but the same sage is of opinion, with my Lady
+LOndonderry, that if it was a fever from death, I should die; but
+as it is only a fever from the gout, I shall live. I think so
+too, and hope that, like the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.,
+they are so inseparable, that when one goes t'other will.
+
+Tell Lady Ailesbury, I fear it will be long before I shall be
+able to compass all your terraces again. The weather is very
+hot, and I have the (comfort of a window open all day. I have
+got a bushel of roses too, and a new scarlet nightingale, which
+does not sing Nancy Dawson from morning to night. Perhaps you
+think all these poor pleasures; but you are ignorant what a
+provocative the gout is, and what charms it can bestow on a
+moment's amusement! Oh! it beats all the refinements of a Roman
+sensualist. It has made even my watch a darling plaything; I
+strike it as often as a child does. Then the disorder of my
+sleep diverts me when I am awake. I dreamt that I went to see
+Madame de Bentheim at Paris, and that she had the prettiest
+palace in the world, built like a pavilion, of yellow laced with
+blue; that I made love to her daughter, whom I called
+Mademoiselle Bleue et Jaune, and thought it very clever.
+
+My next reverie was very serious, and lasted half an hour after I
+was awake; which you will perhaps think a little light-headed,
+and so do I. I thought Mr. Pitt had had a conference with Madame
+de Bentheim, and granted all her demands. I rung for Louis at
+six in the morning, and wanted to get up and inform myself of
+what had been kept so secret from me. You must know, that all
+these visions of Madame de Bentheim flowed from George Selwyn
+telling me last night, that she had carried most of her points,
+and was returning. What stuff I tell you! But alas! I have
+nothing better to do, sitting on my bed, and wishing to forget
+how brightly the sun shines, when I cannot be at Strawberry.
+Yours ever.
+
+
+
+Letter 258 To The Countess Of Suffolk.(846)
+London, July 3, 1765. (page 411)
+
+Your ladyship's goodness to me on all occasions makes me flatter
+myself that I am not doing an impertinence in telling you I am
+alive; though, after what I have suffered, you may be sure there
+cannot be much of me left. The gout has been a little in my
+stomach, much more in my head, but luckily never out of my right
+foot, and for twelve, thirteen, and seventeen hours together,
+insisting upon having its way as absolutely as ever my Lady
+Blandford(847) did. The extremity of pain seems to be over,
+though I sometimes think my tyrant puts in his claim to t'other
+foot; and surely he is, like most tyrants, mean as well as cruel,
+or he could never have thought the leg of a lark such a prize.
+The fever, the tyrant's first minister, has been as vexatious as
+his master, and makes use of this hot day to plague me more; yet,
+as I was sending a servant to Twickenham, I could not help
+scrawling out a few lines to ask how your ladyship does, to tell
+you how I am, and to lament the roses, strawberries, and banks of
+the river. I know nothing, Madam, of ,any kings or ministers but
+those I have mentioned; and this administration I fervently hope
+will be changed soon, and for all others I shall be very
+indifferent. had a (,real prince come to my bedside yesterday, I
+should have begged that the honour might last a very few minutes.
+I am, etc.
+
+(846) Now first collected.
+
+(847) lady Blandford was somewhat impatient in her temper. See
+ant`e, p. 342, letter 220.-E.
+
+
+
+letter 259 To The Countess Of Suffolk.(848)
+Arlington Street, July 9, 1765. (page 411)
+
+Madam,
+though instead of getting better, as I flattered myself I should,
+I have gone through two very painful and sleepless nights, yet as
+I give audience here in my bed to new ministers and foreign
+ministers, I think it full as much my duty to give an account of
+myself to those who are so good as to wish me well. I am reduced
+to nothing but bones and spirits; but the latter make me bear the
+inconvenience of the former, though they (I mean my bones) lie in
+a heap over one another like the bits of ivory at the game of
+straws.
+
+It is very melancholy, at the instant I was getting quit of
+politics, to be visited with the only thing that is still more
+plaguing. However, I believe the fit of politics going off makes
+me support the new-comer better. Neither of them indeed will
+leave me plumper;(849) but if they will both leave me at peace,
+your ladyship knows it is all I have ever desired. The chiefs
+of' the new ministry were to have kissed hands to-day; but Mr.
+Charles Townshend, who, besides not knowing either of his own
+minds, has his brother's minds to know too, could not determine
+last night. Both brothers are gone to the King to-day. I was
+much concerned to hear so bad an account of your ladyship's
+health. Other people would wish you a severe fit, which is a
+very cheap wish to them who do not feel it: I, who do, advise you
+to be content with it in detail. Adieu! Madam. Pray keep a
+little summer for me. I will give You a bushel of politics, when
+I come to Marble Hill, for a teacup of strawberries and cream.
+
+Mr. Chetwynd,(851) I suppose, is making the utmost advantage of
+any absence, frisking and cutting capers before Miss Hotham, and
+advising her not to throw herself away on a decrepit old man.-
+-Well, fifty years hence he may begin to be an old man too; and
+then I shall not pity him, though I own he is the best-humoured
+lad in the world now. Yours, etc.
+
+(848) Now first collected.
+
+(849) Walpole was too fond of this boast of disinterestedness.
+What was it but politics that made his fortune so plump? His
+fortune from his father, we know from himself, was very
+inconsiderable;-but from his childhood he held sinecure offices
+which, during the greater part of his life, produced him between
+six and seven thousand pounds per annum.-C.
+
+(851) William Chetwynd, brother of the two first Viscounts, and
+himself, in 1767, third Viscount Chetwynd. He was at this time
+nearly eighty years of age.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 260 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, July 11, 1765. (page 412)
+
+You are so good, I must write you a few lines, and you will
+excuse My not writing many, my posture is so uncomfortable, lying
+on a couch by the side of my bed, and writing on the bed. I have
+in this manner been what they call out of bed for two days, but I
+mend very slowly, and get no strength in my feet at all; however,
+I must have patience.
+
+Thank you for your kind offer; but, my dear Sir, you can do me no
+good but what you always do me, in coming to see me. I
+should hope that would be before I go to France, whither I
+certainly go the beginning of September, if not sooner. The
+great and happy change-happy, I hope, for this country--is
+actually begun. The Duke of Bedford, George Grenville, and the
+two Secretaries are discarded. Lord Rockingham is first lord of
+the treasury, Dowdeswell chancellor of the exchequer, the Duke of
+Grafton and Mr. Conway secretaries of state. You need not wish
+me joy, for I know you do. There is a good deal more to
+come,(852) and what is better, regulation of general warrants,
+and of undoing at least some of the mischiefs these - have been
+committing; some, indeed, is past recovery! I long to talk it
+all over with you; though it is hard that when I may write what I
+will, I am not able. The poor Chute is relapsed again, and we
+are no comfort to one another but by messages. An offer from
+Ireland was sent to Lord Hertford last night from his brother's
+office. Adieu!
+
+(852) "There has been pretty clean sweeping already," wrote Lord
+Chesterfield on the 15th; and I do not remember, in my time, to
+have seen so much at once, as an entire new board of treasury,
+and two new secretaries, etc. Here is a new political arch
+built; but of materials of so different a nature, and without a
+keystone, that it does not, in my opinion, indicate either
+strength or duration. It will certainly require repairs and a
+keystone next winter, and that keystone will and must necessarily
+be Mr. Pitt."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 262 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, August 23, 1765. (page 414)
+
+As I know that when you love people, you love them, I feel for
+the concern that the death of Lady Bab. Montagu(854) Will give
+you. Though you have long lived out of the way of seeing her,
+you are not a man to forget by absence, or all your friends would
+have still more reason to complain of your retirement. Your
+solitude prevents your filling up the places of those that are
+gone. In the world, new acquaintances slide into our habits, but
+you keep so strict a separation between your old friends and new
+faces, that the loss of any of the former must be more Sensible
+to you than to most people. I heartily condole with you, and yet
+I must make you smile. The second Miss Jefferies was to go to a
+ball yesterday at Hampton-court with Lady Sophia Thomas's
+daughters. The news came, and your aunt Cosby said the girl must
+not go to it. The poor child then cried in earnest. Lady Sophia
+went to intercede for her, and found her grandmother at
+backgammon, who would hear no entreaties. Lady Sophia
+represented that Miss Jefferies was but a second cousin, and
+could not have been acquainted. "Oh! Madam, if there is no
+tenderness left in the world-cinq ace--Sir, you are to throw."
+
+We have a strange story come from London. Lord Fortescue was
+dead suddenly; there was a great mob about his house in
+Grosvenor-square, and a buzz that my lady had thrown up the sash
+and cried murder, and that he then shot himself. How true all
+this I don't know: at least it is not so false as if it was in
+the newspapers. However, these sultry summers do not suit English
+heads: this last month puts even the month of November's nose out
+of joint for self-murders. If it was not for the Queen the
+peerage would be extinct: she has given us another Duke.(855)
+
+My two months are up, and yet I recover my feet very slowly. I
+have crawled once round my garden; but it sent me to my couch for
+the rest of the day. This duration of weakness makes me very
+impatient, as I wish much to be at Paris before the fine season
+is quite gone. This will probably be the last time I shall
+travel to finish my education, and I should be glad to look once
+more at their gardens and villas: nay, churches and palaces are
+but uncomfortable sights in cold weather, and I have much more
+curiosity for their habitations than their company. They have
+scarce a man or a woman of note that one wants to see; and, for
+their authors, their style is grown so dull in imitation of us,
+they are si philosophes, si g`eom`etres, si moraux, that I
+certainly should not cross the sea in search of ennui, that I can
+have in such perfection at home. However, the change of scene is
+my chief inducement, and to get out of politics. There is no
+going through another course of patriotism in your cousin
+Sandwich and George Grenville. I think of setting out by the
+middle of September; have I any chance of seeing you here before
+that? Won't you come and commission me to offer up your
+devotions to Notre Dame de Livry?(8 or chez nos filles de Sainte
+Marie. If I don't make haste, the reformation in France will
+demolish half that I want to see. I tremble for the Val de Grace
+and St. Cyr. The devil take Luther for putting it into the heads
+of his methodists to pull down the churches! I believe in twenty
+years there Will not be a convent left in Europe but this at
+Strawberry. I wished for you to-day; Mr. Chute and Cowslade
+dined here; the day was divine: the sun gleamed down into the
+chapel in all the glory of popery; the gallery was all radiance;
+we drank our coffee on the bench under the great ash-tree; the
+verdure was delicious; our tea in the Holbein room, by which a
+thousand chaises and barges passed; and I showed them my new
+cottage and garden over the way, which they had never seen, and
+with which they were enchanted. It is so retired, so modest, and
+yet so cheerful and trim, that I expect you to fall in love with
+it. I intend to bring it a handful of treillage and agr`emens
+from Paris; for being cross the road, and quite detached, it is
+to have nothing gothic about it, nor pretend to call cousins with
+the mansion-house.
+
+I know no more of the big world at London, than if I had not a
+relation in the ministry. To be free from pain and politics is
+such a relief to me, that I enjoy my little comforts and
+amusements here beyond expression. No mortal ever entered the
+gate of ambition with such transport as I took leave of them all
+at the threshold. Oh! if my Lord Temple knew what pleasures he
+could create for himself at Stowe, he would not harass a
+shattered carcass, and sigh to be insolent at St. James's! For my
+part, I say with the bastard in King John, though with a little
+more reverence, and only as touching his ambition,
+Oh! old Sir Robert, father, on my knee
+I give Heaven thanks I was not like to thee.
+
+Adieu! Yours most cordially.
+
+(854) Lady Barbara Montagu, daughter of George second Earl of
+Halifax.-E.
+
+(855) The Duke of Clarence, born on the 21st of August;
+afterwards King William the Fourth.-'E.
+
+(856) Madame de S`evign`e, whom Walpole frequently alludes to
+under this title.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 261 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, July 28, 1765. (page 413)
+
+The less one is disposed, if one has any sense, to talk of
+oneself to people that inquire only out of compliment, and do not
+listen to the answer, the more satisfaction one feels in
+indulging a self-complacency, by Sighing to those that really
+sympathize with our griefs. Do not think it is pain that makes
+me give this low-spirited air to my letter. No, it is the
+prospect of what is to come, not the sensation of what is
+passing, that affects me. The loss of youth is melancholy
+enough; but to enter into old age through the gate of infirmity
+is most disheartening. My health and spirits make me take but
+slight notice of the transition, and under the persuasion of
+temperance being a talisman, I marched boldly on towards the
+descent of the hill, knowing I must fall at last, but not
+suspecting that I should stumble by the way. This confession
+explains the mortification I feel. A month's confinement to one
+who never kept his bed a day is a stinging lesson, and has
+humbled my insolence to almost indifference. Judge, then, how
+little I interest myself about public events. I know nothing of
+them since I came hither, where I had not only the disappointment
+of not growing better, but a bad return In one of my feet, so
+that I am still wrapped up and upon a couch. It was the more
+unlucky as Lord Hertford is come to England for a few days. He
+has offered to come to me; but as I then should see him only for
+some minutes, I propose being carried to town tomorrow. It will
+be SO long before I can expect to be able to travel, that my
+French journey will certainly not take place so soon as I
+intended, and if Lord Hertford goes to Ireland, I shall be still
+more fluctuating; for though the Duke and Duchess of Richmond
+will replace them at Paris, and are as eager to have me with
+them, I have had so many more years heaped upon me within this
+month, that I have not the conscience to trouble young people,
+when I can no longer be as juvenile as they are. Indeed I shall
+think myself decrepit till I again saunter into the garden in my
+slippers and without my hat in all weathers--a point I am
+determined to regain, if possible; for even this experience
+cannot make me resign my temperance and my hardiness. I am tired
+of the world, its politics, its pursuits, and its pleasures; but
+it will cost me some struggles before I submit to be tender and
+careful. Christ! can I ever stoop to the regimen of old age? I
+do not wish to dress up a withered person, nor drag it about to
+public places; but to sit in one's room, clothed warmly,
+expecting visits from folk-, I don't wish to see, and tended and
+flattered by relations impatient for one's death let the gout do
+its worst as expeditiously as it can; it would be more welcome in
+my stomach than in my limbs. I am not made to bear a course of
+nonsense and advice, but must play the fool in my own way to the
+last, alone with all my heart, if I cannot be with the very few I
+wish to see: but, to depend for comfort on others, who would be
+no comfort to me; this surely is not a state to be preferred to
+death: and nobody can have truly enjoyed the advantages of youth,
+health, and spirits, who is content to exist without the two
+last, which alone bear any resemblance to the first.(853)
+
+You see how difficult it is to conquer my proud spirit: low and
+weak as I am, I think my resolution and perseverance will get me
+better, and that I shall still be a gay shadow; at least, I will
+impose any severity upon myself, rather than humour the gout, and
+sink into that indulgence with which most people treat it.
+Bodily liberty is as dear to me as mental, and I would as soon
+flatter any other tyrant as the gout, my Whiggism extending as
+much to my health as to my principles, and being as willing to
+part with life, when I cannot preserve it, as your uncle Algernon
+when his freedom was at stake. Adieu!
+
+(853) Upon this passage the Quarterly Review observes: "Walpole's
+reflections on human life are marked by strong sense and
+knowledge of mankind; but our most useful lesson will perhaps be
+derived from considering this man of the world, full of
+information and sparkling with vivacity, stretched on a sick bed,
+and apprehending all the tedious languor of helpless decrepitude
+and deserted solitude." Vol. xix. p. 129.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 263 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Saturday, Aug. 31, 1765, Strawberry Hill. (page 416)
+
+I thought it would happen so; that I should not see you before I
+left England! Indeed, I may as well give you quite up, for every
+year reduces our Intercourse. I am prepared, because it must
+happen, if I live, to see my friends drop off; but my mind was
+not turned to see them entirely separated from me while they
+live. This is very uncomfortable, but so are many things!--well!
+I will go and try to forget you all--all! God knows that all that
+I have left to forget is small enough; but the warm heart, that
+gave me affections, is not so easily laid aside. If I could
+divest myself of that, I should not, I think, find much for
+friendship remaining; you, against whom I have no complaint, but
+that you satisfy yourself with loving me without any desire of
+seeing me, are one of the very last that I wish to preserve; but
+I will say no more on a subject that my heart is too full of.
+
+I shall set out on Monday se'nnight, and force myself to believe
+that I am glad to go, and yet this will be my chief joy, for I
+promise myself little pleasure in arriving. Can you think me boy
+enough to be fond of a new world at my time of life! If I did not
+hate the world I know, I should not seek another. My greatest
+amusement will be in reviving old ideas. The memory of what made
+impressions on one's youth is ten times dearer than any new
+pleasure can be. I shall probably write to you often, for I am
+not disposed to communicate myself' to any thing that I have not
+known these thirty years. My mind is such a compound from the
+vast variety that I have seen, acted, pursued, that it would cost
+me too much pains to be intelligible to young persons, if I had a
+mind to open myself to them. They certainly do not desire I
+should. You like my gossiping to you, though you seldom gossip
+with me. The trifles that amuse my mind are the only points I
+value now. I have seen the vanity of every thing serious, and
+the falsehood of every thing that pretended to be serious. I go
+to see French plays and buy French china, not to know their
+ministers, to look into their government, or think of the
+interests of nations--in short, unlike most people that are
+growing old, I am convinced that nothing is charming but what
+appeared important in one's youth, which afterwards passes for
+follies. Oh! but those follies were sincere; if the pursuits of
+age are so, they are sincere alone to self-interest. Thus I
+think, and have no other care but not to think aloud. I would
+not have respectable youth think me an old fool. For the old
+knaves, they may suppose me one of their number if they please; I
+shall not be so--but neither the one nor the other shall know
+what I am. I have done with them all, shall amuse myself as well
+as I can, and think as little as I can; a pretty hard task for an
+active mind!
+
+Direct your letters to Arlington-street, whence Favre will take
+care to convey them to me. I leave him to manage all my affairs,
+and take no soul but Louis. I am glad I don't know your Mrs.
+Anne; her partiality would make me love her; and it is entirely
+incompatible with my present system to leave even a postern-door
+open to any feeling which would steal in if I did not double-bolt
+every avenue.
+
+If you send me any parcel to Arlington-street before Monday
+.se'nnight I will take care of it. Many English books I conclude
+are to be bought at Paris. I am sure Richardson's works are, for
+they have stupefied the whole French nation:(857) I will not
+answer for our best authors. You may send me your list, and, if
+I do not find them, I can send you word, and you may convey them
+to me by Favre's means, who will know of messengers, etc., coming
+to Paris.
+
+I have fixed no precise time for my absence. My wish is to like
+it enough to stay till February, which may happen, if I can
+support the first launching into new society. I know four or
+five very agreeable and sensible people there, as the Guerchys,
+Madame de Mirepoix, Madame de Boufflers, and Lady Mary Chabot,-
+-these intimately; besides the Duc de Nivernois, and several
+others that have been here. Then the Richmonds will follow me in
+a fortnight or three weeks, and their house will be a sort of
+home. I actually go into it at first, till I can suit myself
+with an -,apartment; but I shall take care to quit it before they
+come, for, though they are in a manner my children, I do not
+intend to adopt the rest of my countrymen; nor, when I quit the
+best company here, to live in the worst there; such @are young
+travelling boys, and, what is still worse, old travelling boys,
+governors.
+
+Adieu! remember you have defrauded me of this summer; I will be
+amply repaid the next, so make your arrangements accordingly.
+
+(857) "High as Richardson's reputation stood in his own country,
+it was even more exalted in those of France and Germany, whose
+imaginations are more easily excited, and their passions more
+easily moved, by tales of fictitious distress, than are the cold-
+blooded English. Foreigners of distinction have been known to
+visit Hampstead, and to inquire for the Flask Walk, distinguished
+as a scene in Clarissa's history, just as travellers visit the
+rocks of Meillerie to view the localities of Rousseau's tale of
+passion. Diderot vied with Rousseau in heaping incense upon the
+shrine of the English author. The former compares him to Homer,
+and predicts for his memory the same honours which are rendered
+to the father of epic poetry; and the last, besides his
+well-known burst of eloquent panegyric, records his opinion in a
+letter to D'Alembert:--'On n'a jamais fait encore, en quelque
+langue que ce soit, de roman `egal `a Clarisse, ni m`eme
+approchant.'" Sir Walter Scott; Prose Works, Vol. iii. p. 49.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 264 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Arlington Street, Sept. 3, 1765. (page 418)
+
+My dear lord,
+I cannot quit a country where I leave any thing that I honour so
+much as your lordship and Lady Strafford, without taking a sort
+of leave of you. I shall set out for Paris on Monday next the
+9th, and shall be happy if I can execute any commission for you
+there.
+
+A journey to Paris Sounds youthful and healthy. I have certainly
+mended much this last week, though with no pretensions to a
+recovery of youth. Half the view of my journey is to
+re-establish my health--the other half, to wash my hands of
+politics, which I have long determined to do whenever a change
+should happen. I would not abandon my friends while they were
+martyrs; but, now they have gained their crown of glory, they are
+well able to shift for themselves; and it was no part of my
+compact to go to that heaven, St. James's, with them. Unless I
+dislike Paris very much, I shall stay some time; but I make no
+declarations, lest I should be soon tired of it, and coming back
+again. At first, I must like it, for Lady Mary Coke will be
+there, as if by assignation. The Countesses of Carlisle and
+Berkeley, too, I hear, will set up their staves there for some
+time; but as my heart is faithful to Lady Mary, they would not
+charm me if they were forty times more Disposed to it.
+
+The Emperor' is dead,(858)--but so are all the Maximilians and
+Leopolds his predecessors, and with no more influence on the
+present state of things. The EmpressQueen will still be
+master-Dowager unless she marries an Irishman, as I wish with all
+my soul she may.
+
+The Duke and Duchess of Richmond will follow me in about a
+fortnight: Lord and Lady George Lennox go with them; and Sir
+Charles Banbury and Lady Sarah are to be at Paris, too, for some
+time: so the English court there will be very juvenile and
+blooming. This set is rather younger than the dowagers with whom
+I pass so much of my summers and autumns; but this is to be my
+last sally into the world and when I return, I intend to be as
+sober as my cat, and purr quietly in my own chimney corner.
+
+Adieu, my dear lord! May every happiness attend you both, and may
+I pass some agreeable days next summer with you at Wentworth
+Castle!
+
+(858) Francis the First, Emperor of Germany, died at Inspruck, on
+Sunday the 18th of August. He was in good health the greater part
+of the day, and assisted at divine service; but, between nine and
+ten in the evening, he was attacked by a fit of apoplexy, and
+expired in a few minutes afterwards in the arms of his son, the
+King of the Romans.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 265 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Arlington Street, Sept. 3, 1765. (page 419)
+
+The trouble your ladyship has given yourself so immediately,
+makes me, as I always am, ashamed of putting you to any. There
+is no persuading you to oblige moderately. Do you know, Madam,
+that I shall tremble to deliver the letters you have been so good
+as to send me? If you have said half so much of me, as you are,
+so partial as to think of me, I shall be undone. Limited as I
+know myself, and hampered in bad French, how shall I keep up to
+any character at all? Madame d'Aiguillon and Madame Geoffrin
+will never believe that I am the true messenger, but will
+conclude that I have picked Mr. Walpole's portmanteau's pocket.
+I wish only to present myself to them as one devoted to your
+ladyship; that character I am sure I can support in any language,
+and it is the one to which they would pay the most regard. Well!
+I don't care, Madam-it is your reputation that is at stake more
+than mine; and, if they find me a simpleton that don't know how
+to express myself, it will all fall upon you at last.' If your
+ladyship will risk that, I will, if you please, thank you for a
+letter to Madame d'Egmont, too: I long to know your friends,
+though at the hazard of their knowing yours. Would I were a
+jolly old man, to match, at least, in that respect, your jolly
+old woman!(859)--But, alas! I am nothing but a poor worn-out rag,
+and fear, when I come to Paris, that I shall be forced to pretend
+that I have had the gout in my understanding. My spirits, such
+as they are, will not bear translating; and I don't know whether
+I shall not find it the wisest part I can take to fling myself
+into geometry, or commerce, or agriculture, which the French now
+esteem, don't understand, and think we do. They took George
+Selwyn for a poet, and a judge of planting and dancing-. why may
+I not pass for a learned man and a philosopher? If the worst
+comes to the worst, I will admire Clarissa and Sir Charles
+Grandison; and declare I have not a friend in the world that is
+not like my Lord Edward Bomston, though I never knew a character
+like it in my days, and hope I never shall; nor do I think
+Rousseau need to have gone so far out of his way to paint a
+disagreeable Englishman.
+
+If you think, Madam, this sally is not very favourable to the
+country I am going to, recollect, that all I object to them is
+their quitting their own agreeable style, to take up the worst of
+ours. Heaven knows, we are unpleasing enough; but, in the first
+place, they don't understand us; and in the next, if they did, so
+much the worse for them. What have they gained by leaving
+Moli`ere, Boileau, Corneille, Racine, La Rochefucault, Crebillon,
+Marivaux, Voltaire, etc.? No nation can be another nation. We
+have been clumsily copying them for these hundred years, and are
+not we grown wonderfully like them? Come, madam, you like what I
+like of them? I am going thither, and you have no aversion to
+going thither--but own the truth; had not we both rather go
+thither fourscore years ago? Had you rather be acquainted with
+the charming madame Scarron, or the canting Madame de Maintenon?
+with Louis XIV. when the Montespan governed him, or when P`ere le
+Tellier? I am very glad when folks go to heaven, though it is
+after another body's fashion; but I 'wish to converse with them
+when they are themselves. I abominate a conqueror; but I do not
+think he makes the world much compensation, by cutting the
+throats of his Protestant subjects to atone for the massacres
+caused by his ambition.
+
+The result of all this dissertation, Madam--for I don't know how
+to call it a letter--is, that I shall look for Paris in the midst
+of Paris, and shall think more of the French that have been than
+the French that are, except of a few of your friends and mine.
+Those I know, I admire and honour, and I am sure I will trust to
+your ladyship's taste for the others; and if they had no other
+merit, I can but like those that will talk to me of you. They
+will find more sentiment in me on that chapter, than they can
+miss parts; and I flatter myself that the one will atone for the
+other.
+
+(859) la Duchesse Douairi`ere d'Aiguillon, n`ee Chabot, mother of
+the Duc d'Aiguillon, who succeeded the Duc de Choiseul as
+minister for foreign affairs. She was a correspondent of Lady
+Hervey's. In a letter to Walpole, of the 20th of November 1766,
+madame du Deffand says:--"Je soupai Iiier chez Madame
+d'Aiguillon: elle nous lut la traduction de la Lettre d'H`eloyse
+de Pope, et d'un chant du po`eme de Salomon, de Prior; elle
+`ecrit admirablement bien; j'en `etais r`eellement dans
+l'enthousiasme: dites-le `a Milady Hervey." She died in 1772.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 266 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 5, 1765. (page 420)
+
+Dear sir,
+You cannot think how agreeable your letter was to me, and how
+luckily it was timed. I thought you in Cheshire, and did not
+know how to direct; I now sit down to answer it instantly.
+
+I have been extremely ill indeed with the gout all over; in head,
+stomach, both feet, both wrists, and both shoulders. I kept my
+bed a fortnight in the most sultry part of this summer; and for
+nine weeks could not say I was recovered. Though I am still
+weak, and very soon tired with the least walk, I am in other
+respects quite well. However, to promote my entire
+reestablishment, I shall set out for Paris next Monday. Thus
+your letter came luckily. To hear you talk of going thither,
+too, made it most agreeable. Why should you not advance your
+journey? Why defer it till the winter is coming on? It would
+make me quite happy to visit churches and convents with you: but
+they are not comfortable in cold weather. Do, I beseech you,
+follow me as soon as possible. The thought of your being there
+at the same time makes me much more pleased with my journey; you
+will not, I hope, like it the less; and, if our meeting there
+should tempt you to stay longer, it will make me still more
+happy.
+
+If, in the mean time, I can be of any use to you, I shall be glad
+either in taking a lodging for you, Or any thing else. Let me
+know, and direct to me in Arlington-street, whence my servant
+Will convey it to me. Tell me above all things that you will set
+out sooner.
+
+If I have any money left when I return, and can find a place for
+it, I shall be very glad to purchase the ebony cabinet you
+mention, and will make it a visit with you next summer if you
+please--but first let us go to Paris. I don't give up my passion
+for ebony; but, since the destruction of the Jesuits, I hear one
+can pick up so many of their spoils that I am impatient for the
+opportunity.
+
+I must finish, as I have so much business before I set out; but I
+must repeat, how lucky the arrival of your letter was, how glad I
+was to hear of your intended journey, and how much I wish it may
+take place directly. I will only add that the court goes to
+Fontainbleau, the last week in September, or first in October,
+and therefore it is the season in the world for seeing all
+Versailles quietly, and at one's ease. Adieu! dear sir, yours
+most cordially.
+
+
+
+Letter 267 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Amiens, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1765. (page 421)
+
+Beau Cousin,
+I have had a very prosperous journey till just at entering this
+city. I escaped a Prince of Nassau at Dover, and sickness at
+sea, though the voyage lasted seven hours and a half. I have
+recovered my strength surprisingly in the time; though almost
+famished for want of clean victuals, and comfortable tea and
+bread and butter. half a mile from hence I met a coach and four
+with an equipage of French, and a lady in pea-green and silver, a
+smart hat and feather., and two suivantes. My reason told me it
+was the Archbishop's concubine; but luckily my heart whispered
+that it was Lady Mary Coke. I Jumped out of my chaise--yes,
+jumped, as Mrs. Nugent said of herself, fell on my knees, and
+said my first ave Maria, grati`a plena. We just shot a few
+politics flying--heard that Madame de Mirepoix had toasted me
+t'other day in tea--shook hands, forgot to weep, and parted; she
+to the Hereditary Princess, I to this inn, where is actually
+resident the Duchess of Douglas. We are not likely to have an
+intercourse, or I would declare myself' a Hamilton.(860)
+
+I find this country wonderfully enriched since I saw it
+four-and-twenty years ago. Boulogne is grown quite a plump snug
+town, with a number Of new houses. The worst villages are tight,
+and wooden shoes have disappeared. Mr. Pitt and the city of
+London may fancy what they will, but France will not come
+a-begging to the Mansion-house this year or two. In truth. I
+impute this air of opulence a little to ourselves. The crumbs
+that fall from the chaises of the swarms of English that visit
+Paris, must have contributed to fatten this province. It is
+plain I must have little to do when I turn my hand to
+calculating: but here is my observation. From Boulogne to Paris
+it will cost me near ten guineas; but then consider, I travel
+alone, and carry Louis most part of the way in the chaise with
+me. Nous autres milords Anglais are not often so frugal. Your
+brother, last year, had ninety-nine English to dinner on the
+King's birthday. How many of them do you think dropped so little
+as ten guineas on this road? In short, there are the seeds of a
+calculation for you, and if you will water them with a torrent of
+words, they will produce such a dissertation, that you will be
+able to vie with George Grenville next session in plans of
+national economy-only be sure not to tax travelling till I come
+back, loaded with purchases; nor, till then, propagate my ideas.
+It will be time enough for me to be thrifty of the nation's
+money, when I have spent all my own.
+
+Clermont, 12th.
+
+While they are getting my dinner, I continue my journal. The
+Duchess of Douglas (for English are generally the most
+extraordinary persons that we meet with even out of England) left
+Amiens before me, on her way home. You will not guess what she
+carries with her--Oh! nothing that will hurt our manufactures;
+nor what George Grenville himself would seize. One of her
+servants died at Paris: she had him embalmed, and the body is
+tied before her chaise: a droll way of being chief mourner.
+
+For a French absurdity, I have observed that along the great
+roads they plant walnut-trees, but strip them up for firing. It
+is like the owl that bit off the feet of mice, that they might
+lie still and fatten.
+
+At the foot of this hill is an old-fashioned ch`ateau belonging
+to the Duke of Fitz-James, with a parc en quincunx and clipped
+hedges. We saw him walking in his waistcoat and riband, very
+well powdered; a figure like Guerchy. I cannot say his seat
+rivals Goodwood or Euston.(861) I shall lie at Chantilly
+to-night, for I did not Set Out till ten this morning--not
+because I could not, as you will suspect, get up sooner--but
+because all the horses in the country have attended the Queen to
+Nancy.(862) Besides, I have a little Underplot of seeing
+Chantilly and St. Denis in my way: which you know one could not
+do in the dark to-night, nor in winter, if I return then.
+
+H`otel de feue Madame l'Ambassadrice d'Angleterre,
+Sept. 13, seven o'clock.
+
+I am Just arrived. My Lady Hertford is not at home, and Lady
+Anne(863) will not come out of her burrow: so I have just time to
+finish this before Madame returns; and Brian sets out to-night
+and will carry it. I find I shall have a great deal to say:
+formerly I observed nothing, and now remark every thing minutely.
+I have already fallen in love with twenty things, and in hate
+with forty. Adieu! yours ever.
+
+(860) The memorable cause between the houses of Douglas and
+Hamilton was then pending.-E.
+
+(861) The Duc de Fitzjames's father, Mareschal Berwick, was a
+natural son of James II. Mr. Walpole therefore compares his
+country-seat with those of the Dukes of Richmond and Grafton,
+similar descendants from his brother, Charles II.-E.
+
+(862) Stanislaus King of Poland, father to the Queen of Louis XV.
+lived at Nancy.-E.
+
+(863) Lady Anne Seymour Conway, afterwards married to the Earl of
+Drogheda.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 268 To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Sept. 14, 1765. (page 423)
+
+I am but two days old here, Madam, and I doubt I wish I was
+really so, and had my life to begin, to live it here. You see
+how just I am, and ready to make amende honorable to your
+ladyship. Yet I have seen very little. My Lady Hertford has cut
+me to pieces, and thrown me into a caldron with tailors,
+periwig-makers, snuff-box-wrights, milliners, etc. which really
+took up but little time; and I am come out quite new, with every
+thing but youth. The journey recovered me with magic expedition.
+My strength, if mine could ever be called strength, is returned;
+and the gout going off in a minuet step. I will say nothing of
+my spirits, which are indecently juvenile, and not less improper
+for my age than for the country where I am; which, if you will
+give me leave to say it, has a thought too much gravity. I don't
+venture to laugh Or talk nonsense, but in English.
+
+Madame Geoffrin came to town but last night, and is not visible
+on Sundays; but I hope to deliver your ladyship's letter and
+packet to-morrow. Mesdames d'Aiguillon, d'Egmont, and Chabot,
+and the Duc de Nivernois are all in the country. Madame de
+Bouttlers is at l'Isle Adam, whither my Lady Hertford is gone
+to-night to sup, for the first time, being no longer chained down
+to the incivility of an ambassadress. She returns after supper;
+an irregularity that frightens me, who have not got rid of all my
+barbarisms. There is one, alas! I never shall get over--the dirt
+of this country: it is melancholy, after the purity of
+Strawberry! The narrowness of the streets, trees clipped to
+resemble brooms, and planted on pedestals of chalk, and a few
+other points, do not edify me. The French Opera, which I have
+heard to-night, disgusted me as much as ever; and the more for
+being followed by the Devin de Village, which shows that they can
+sing without cracking the drum of one's ear. The scenes and
+dances are delightful; the Italian comedy charming. Then I am in
+love with treillage and fountains, and will prove it at
+Strawberry. Chantilly is so exactly what it was when I saw it
+above twenty years ago, that I recollected the very position of
+Monsieur le Duc's chair and the gallery. The latter gave me the
+first idea of mine; but, presumption apart, mine is a thousand
+times prettier. I gave my Lord Herbert's compliments to the
+statue of his friend the Constable -,(864) and, waiting some time
+for the concierge, I called out, O`u est Vatel?(865)
+
+In short, Madam, being as tired as one can be of one's own
+country,--I don't say whether that is much or little,--I find
+myself wonderfully disposed to like this. Indeed I wish I Could
+wash it. Madame de Guerchy is all goodness to me; but that is
+not new. I have already been prevented by great civilities from
+Madame de Bentheim and my old friend Madame de Mirepoix; but am
+not likely to see the latter much, who is grown a most particular
+favourite of the King, and seldom from him. The Dauphin is ill,
+and thought in a very bad way. I hope he will live, lest the
+theatres should be shut up. Your ladyship knows I never trouble
+my head about royalties, farther than it affects my own interest.
+In truth, the way that princes affect my interest is not the
+common way.
+
+I have not yet tapped the chapter of baubles, being desirous of
+making my revenues maintain me here as long as possible, It will
+be time enough to return to my Parliament when I want money.
+
+Mr. Hume that is the Mode,(866) asked much about your ladyship.
+I have seen Madame de Monaco(867) and think her very handsome,
+and extremely pleasing. The younger Madame d'Egmont,(868) I
+hear, disputes the palm with her: and Madame de Brionne(869) is
+not left without partisans. The nymphs of the theatres are
+laides `a faire peur which at my age is a piece of luck, like
+going into a shop of curiosities, and finding nothing to tempt
+one to throw away one's money.
+
+There are several English here, whether I will or not. I
+certainly did not come for them, and shall connect with them as
+little as possible. The few I value, I hope sometimes to hear
+of. Your ladyship guesses how far that wish extends. Consider
+too, Madam, that one of my unworthinesses is washed and done
+away, by the confession I made in the beginning of my letter.
+
+(864) The Constable de Montmorency.-E.
+
+(865) The ma`itre-d'h`otel, who, during the visit which Louis
+XIV. made to the grand Cond`e at Chantilly, put an end to his
+existence, because he feared the sea-fish would not arrive in
+time for one day's repast.
+
+(866) "Hume's conversation to strangers," says Lord Charlemont,
+"and still more particularly, one would suppose, to French women,
+could be little delightful; and yet no lady's toilette was
+complete without his attendance. At the Opera, his broad,
+unmeaning face was usually seen entre deux jolis minois: the
+ladies in France gave the ton, and the ton was deism."-E.
+
+(867) Madame de Monaco, afterwards Princess de Cond`e.-E.
+
+(868) Daughter of the celebrated Marshal Duc de Richelieu. See
+vol. iii. p. 358, letter 233, note 710. She was one of the
+handsomest women in France.-E.
+
+
+(869) Madame de Brionne, n`ee Rohan Rochefort, wife of M. de
+Brionne of the house of Lorraine, and mother of the Prince de
+Lambesc; known by his imprudent conduct at the head of his
+regiment in the garden of the Tuileries, at the commencement of
+the revolution.-E.
+
+
+
+ Letter 269 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+
+Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1765. (page 424)
+
+Dear sir,
+I have this moment received your letter, and as a courier is just
+setting out, I had rather take the opportunity of writing to you
+a short letter than defer it for a longer.
+
+I had a very good passage, and pleasant journey, and find myself
+surprisingly recovered for the time. Thank you for the good news
+you tell me of your coming: it gives me great joy.
+
+To the end of this week I shall be in Lord Hertford's house; so
+have not yet got a lodging: but when I do, you will easily find
+me. I have no banker, but credit on a merchant who is a private
+friend of ]lord Hertford; consequently, I cannot give you credit
+on him: but you shall have the use of my credit, which will be
+the same thing; and we can settle our accounts together. I
+brought about a hundred pounds with me, as I would advise you to
+do. Guineas you may change into louis or French crowns at Calais
+and Boulogne; and even small bank-bills will be taken here. In
+any shape I will assist you. Be careful on the road. My
+portmanteau, with part of my linen, was stolen from before my
+chaise at noon, while I went to see Chantilly. If you stir out
+of your room, lock the door of it in the inn, or leave your man
+in it. If you arrive near the time you propose, you will find me
+here, and I hope much longer.
+
+
+
+Letter 270 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, Sept. 22, 1765. (page 425)
+
+The concern I felt at not seeing you before I left England, might
+make me express myself warmly, but I assure you it was nothing
+but concern, nor was mixed with a grain of pouting. I knew some
+of your reasons, and guessed others. The latter grieve me
+heartily; but I advise you to do as I do - when I meet with
+ingratitude, I take a short leave both of it and its host.
+Formerly I used to look out for indemnification somewhere else;
+but having lived long enough to learn that the reparation
+generally proved a second evil of the same sort, I am content now
+to skin over such wounds with amusements, which at least have no
+scars. It is true, amusements do not always amuse when we bid
+them. I find it so here; nothing strikes me; every thing I do is
+indifferent to me. I like the people very well, and their way of
+life very well; but as neither were my object, I should not much
+care if they were any other people, or it was any other way of
+life. I am out of England and my purpose is answered.
+
+Nothing can be more obliging than the reception I meet with every
+where. It may not be more sincere (and why should it?) than our
+cold and bare civility; but it is better dressed, and looks
+natural: one asks no more. I have begun to sup in French houses,
+and as Lady Hertford has left Paris to-day, shall increase my
+intimacies. There are swarms of English here, but most of them
+are going, to my great satisfaction. As the greatest part are
+very young, they can no more be entertaining to me than I to
+them, and it certainly was not my countrymen that I came to live
+with. Suppers please me extremely; I love to rise and breakfast
+late, and to trifle away the day as I like. there are sights
+enough to answer that end, and shops you know are an endless
+field for me The city appears much worse to me than I thought I
+remembered it. The French music as shocking as I knew it was.
+The French stage is fallen off though in the only part I have
+seen Le Kain(870) I admire him extremely. He is very ugly and
+ill made,(871) and yet has an heroic dignity which Garrick wants,
+and great fire. The Dumenil I have not seen yet, but shall in a
+day or two. It is a mortification that I cannot compare her with
+the Clairon,(872) who has left the stage. Grandval I saw through
+a whole play without suspecting it was he. Alas! four-and-twenty
+years make strange havoc with us mortals! You cannot imagine how
+this struck me! The Italian comedy, now united with their Opera
+comique, is their most perfect diversion; but alas! Harlequin, my
+dear favourite harlequin, my passion, makes me more melancholy
+than cheerful. Instead of laughing, I sit silently reflecting
+how every thing loses charms when one's own youth does not lend.
+its gilding! When we are divested of that eagerness and illusion
+with which our youth presents objects to us, we are but the caput
+mortuum of pleasure.
+
+Grave as these ideas are, they do not unfit me for French
+company. The present tone is serious enough in conscience.
+unluckily, the subjects of their conversation are duller to me
+than my own thoughts, which may be tinged with melancholy
+reflections, but I doubt from my constitution will never be
+insipid.
+
+The French affect philosophy, literature, and freethinking: the
+first never did, and never will possess me; of the two others I
+have long been tired. Freethinking is for one's self, surely not
+for society; besides one has settled one's way of thinking, or
+knows it cannot be settled, and for others I do not see why there
+is not as much bigotry in attempting conversions from any
+religion as to it. I dined to-day with a dozen savans, and
+though all the servants were waiting, the conversation was much
+more unrestrained, even on the Old Testament, than I would suffer
+at my own table in England, if a single footman was present. For
+literature, it is very amusing when one has nothing else to do.
+I think it rather pedantic in society; tiresome when displayed
+professedly; and, besides, in this country one is sure, it is
+only the fashion of the day. Their taste in it is worst of
+all: could one believe that when they read our authors,
+Richardson and Mr. Hume should be their favourites? The latter is
+treated here with perfect veneration. His history, so falsified
+in many points, so partial in as many, so very unequal in its
+parts, is thought the standard of writing.
+
+In their dress and equipages they are grown very simple. We
+English are living upon their old gods and goddesses; I roll
+about in a chariot decorated with cupids, and look like the
+grandfather of Adonis.
+
+Of their parliaments and clergy I hear a good deal, and attend
+very little - I cannot take up any history in the middle, and was
+too sick of politics at home to enter into them here. In short,
+I have done with the world, and live in it rather than in a
+desert, like you. Few men can bear absolute retirement, and we
+English worst of all. We grow so humoursome, so obstinate and
+capricious, and so prejudiced, that it requires a fund of
+good-nature like yours not to grow morose. Company keeps our
+rind from growing too coarse and rough; and though at my return I
+design not to mix in public, I do not intend to be quite a
+recluse. My absence will put it in my power to take up or drop
+as much as I please. Adieu! I shall inquire about your
+commission of books, but having been arrived but ten days, have
+not yet had time. Need I say?--no I need not--that nobody can be
+more affectionately yours than, etc.
+
+870) Le Kain was born at Paris in 1725, and died there in 1778.
+He was originally brought up a surgical instrument maker; but his
+dramatic talents having been made known to Voltaire, he took him
+under his instructions, and secured him an engagement at the
+Fran`cais, where he performed for the first time in 1750.-E.
+
+(871) "Cet acteur," says Baron de Grimm, "n'est presque jamais
+faux, mais malheureusement il a voix, figure, tout, contre lui.
+Une sensibilit`e forte et profonde, qui faisait disparaitre la
+laideur de ses traits sous le charme de l'expression dont elle
+les rendait susceptible, et ne laissait aper`cevoir que lea
+caract`ere et la passion dont son `ame `etait remplie, et lui
+donnait @ chaque instant de nouvelles formes et nouvel `etre."-E.
+
+(872) See ant`e, p. 383, letter 245. Mademoiselle Clairon was
+born in 1723, and made her first appearance at Paris in 1743, in
+the character of Ph`edre. She died at Paris in 1803. Several of
+her letters to the British Roscius will be found in the Garrick
+Correspondence. On her acting, when in the Zenith of her
+reputation, Dr. Grimm passes the following judgment:--"Belle
+Clairon, vous avez beaucoup d'esprit: votre jeu est profond`ement
+raisonn`e; mais la passion a-t-elle le temps de raisoner? Vous
+n'avez ni naturel ni entrailles; vous ne d`echirez jamais les
+miennes; vous ne faites jamais couler mes pleurs; vous mettez des
+silences `a tout; vous voulez faire sentir chaque hemistiche; et
+lorsque tout fait effet dans votre jeu, je vois que la totalit`e
+de la sc`ene n'en fait plus aucun."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 271 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Oct. 3, 1765. (page 427)
+
+Still, I have seen neither Madame d'Egmont nor the Duchess
+d'Aiguillon, who are in the country; but the latter comes to
+Paris to-morrow. Madame Chabot I called on last night. She Was
+not at home, but the H`otel de Carnavalet;(873) was; and I
+stopped on purpose to say an ave-maria before it. It is a very
+singular building, not at all in the French style, and looks like
+an ex voto raised to her honour by some of her foreign votaries.
+I don't think her honoured half enough in her own country. I
+shall burn a little incense before your Cardinal's heart,(874)
+Madam, `a votre intention.
+
+I have been with Madame Geoffrin several times, and think she has
+one of the best understandings I ever met, and more knowledge of
+the world. I may be charmed with the French, but your ladyship
+must not expect that they will fall in love with me. Without
+affecting to lower myself, the disadvantage of speaking a
+language worse than any idiot one meets, is insurmountable: the
+silliest Frenchman is eloquent to me, and leaves me embarrassed
+and obscure. I could name twenty other reasons, if this one was
+not sufficient. As it is, my own defects are the sole cause of
+my not liking Paris entirely: the constraint I am under from not
+being perfectly master of their language, and from being so much
+in the dark, as one necessarily must be, on half the subjects of
+their conversation, prevents me enjoying that ease for which
+their society is calculated. I am much amused, but not
+comfortable.
+
+The Duc de Nivernois is extremely good to me; he inquired much
+after your ladyship. So does Colonel Drumgold.(875) The latter
+complains; but both of them, especially the Duc, seem better than
+when in England. I met the Duchesse de COSS`e,(876) this evening
+at Madame Geoffrin's. She is pretty, with a great resemblance to
+her father; lively and good-humoured, not genteel.
+
+Yesterday I went through all my presentations at Versailles.
+'Tis very convenient to gobble up a whole royal family in an
+hour's time, instead of being sacrificed one week at
+Leicester-house, another in Grosvenor-street, a third in
+Cavendish-square, etc. etc. etc. La Reine is le plus grand roi
+du monde,(877) and talked much to me, and would have said more if
+I would have let her; but I was awkward and shrunk back into the
+crowd. None of the rest spoke to me. The King is still much
+handsomer than his pictures, and has great sweetness in his
+countenance, instead of that farouche look which they give him.
+The Mesdames are not beauties, and yet have something Bourbon in
+their faces. The Dauphiness I approve the least of all: with
+nothing good-humoured in her countenance, she has a look and
+accent that made me dread lest I should be invited to a private
+party at loo with her.(878) The poor Dauphin is ghastly, and
+perishing before one's eyes.
+
+Fortune bestowed on me a much more curious sight than a set of
+princes; the wild beast of the Govaudan,(879) which is killed,
+and actually is in the Queen's antechamber. It is a thought less
+than a leviathan, and the beast in the Revelations, and has not
+half so many wings, and yes, and talons, as I believe they have,
+or will have some time or other; this being possessed but of two
+eyes, four feet, and no wings at all. It is as fine a wolf' as a
+commissary in the late war, except, notwithstanding all the
+stories, that it has not devoured near so many persons. In
+short, Madam, now it is dead and come, a wolf it certainly was,
+and not more above the common size than Mrs. Cavendish is. It has
+left a dowager and four young princes.
+
+Mr. Stanley, who I hope will trouble himself with this, has been
+most exceedingly kind and obliging to me. I wish that, instead
+of my being so much in your ladyship's debt, you were a little in
+Mine, and then I would beg you to thank him for me. Well, but as
+it is, why should not you, Madam? He will be charmed to be so
+paid, and you will not dislike to please him. In short, I would
+fain have him know my gratitude; and it is hearing it in the most
+agreeable way, if expressed by your ladyship.
+
+(873) Madame de S`evign`e's residence in Paris.-E.
+
+(874) The Cardinal de Richelieu's heart at the Sorbonne.-E.
+
+(875) Colonel Drumgold was born at Paris in 1730, and died there
+in 1786. Dr. Johnson, in giving Boswell an account of his visit
+to Paris in 1775, made the following mention of him: "I was just
+beginning to creep into acquaintance, by means of Colonel
+Drumgold, a very high man, Sir, head of l,'Ecole Militaire, and a
+most complete character, for he had first been a professor of
+rhetoric, and then became a soldier." He was The author of "La
+Gaiet`e," a poem, and several other pieces.-E.
+
+(876) wife of the Duc de Coss`e Brisac, governor of Paris. She
+was a daughter of the Duc de Nivernois.-E.
+
+(877) Madame de S`evign`e thus expresses herself of Louis XIV.
+after his having taken much notice of her at Versailles.-E.
+
+(878) He means, that the Dauphiness had a resemblance to the
+Princess Amelia.-E.
+
+(879) This enormous wolf, for wolf it proved to be, gave rise to
+many extraordinary reports. The following account of it is from
+the Gentleman's Magazine for 1764: "A very strange description is
+given in the Paris Gazette of a wild beast that has appeared in
+the neighbourhood of Langagne and the forest of Mercoire, and has
+occasioned great consternation. It has already devoured twenty
+persons, chiefly Children, and particularly young, girls; and
+scarce a day passes without some accidents. the terror it
+occasions prevents the woodcutters from working in the forest.
+those who have seen him say he is much higher than a wolf, low
+before, and his feet are armed with talons. His hair is reddish,
+his head large, and the muzzle of it shaped like that of a
+greyhound; his ears are small and straight, his breast wide and
+of a gray colour; his back streaked with black; and his mouth
+which is large, is provided with a set of teeth so very sharp
+that they have taken off several heads as clean as a razor could
+have done. He is of amazing swiftness; but when he aims at his
+prey, he couches so close to the ground that he hardly appears to
+be bigger than a large fox, and at the distance of one or two
+fathoms he rises upon his hind legs and springs upon his prey,
+which he always seizes by the neck or throat. The consternation
+is universal throughout the districts where he commits his
+ravages, and public prayers are offered up upon this occasion.
+The Marquis de Morangis has sent out four hundred peasants to
+destroy this fierce beast; but they have not been able to do it.
+He has since been killed by a soldier, and appears to be a
+hyena." E.
+
+
+
+Letter 272 To John Chute, Esq.
+Paris, Oct. 3, 1765. (page 429)
+
+I don't know where you are, nor when I am likely to hear of you.
+I write it random, and, as I talk, the first thing that comes
+into my pen.
+
+I am, as you certainly conclude, much more amused than pleased.
+At a certain time of life, sights and new objects may entertain
+one, but new people cannot find any place in one's affection.
+New faces with some name or other belonging to them, catch my
+attention for a minute--I cannot say many preserve it. Five or
+six of the women that I have seen already are very sensible. The
+men are in general much inferior, and not even agreeable. They
+sent us their best, I believe, at first, the Duc de Nivernois.
+Their authors, who by the way are every where, are worse than
+their own writings, which I don't mean as a compliment to either.
+In general, the style of conversation is solemn, pedantic, and
+seldom animated, but by a dispute. I was expressing my aversion
+to disputes Mr. Hume, who very gratefully admires the tone of
+Paris, having never known any other tone, said with great
+surprise, "Why, what do you like, if you hate both disputes and
+whisk?" What strikes me the most upon the whole is, the total
+difference of manners between them and us, from the greatest
+object to the least. There is not the smallest similitude in the
+twenty-four hours. It is, obvious in every trifle. Servants
+carry their lady's train, and put her into her coach with their
+hat on. They walk about the streets in the rain with umbrellas
+to avoid putting on their hats - driving themselves in open
+chaises in the country without hats, in the rain too, and yet
+often wear them in a chariot in Paris when it does not rain. The
+very footmen are powdered from the break of day, and yet wait
+behind their master, as I saw the Duc of Praslin's do, with a red
+pocket handkerchief about their necks. Versailles, like every
+thing else, is a mixture of parade and poverty, and in every
+instance exhibits something most dissonant from our manners. In
+the colonnades, upon the staircases, nay in the antechambers of
+the royal family, there are people selling all sorts of wares.
+While we were waiting in the Dauphin's sumptuous bedchamber, till
+his dressing-room door should be opened, two fellows were
+sweeping it, and dancing about in sabots to rub the floor.
+
+You perceive that I have been presented. The Queen took great
+notice of me; none of the rest said a syllable. You are let into
+the King's bedchamber just as he has put on his shirt; he dresses
+and talks good-humouredly to a few, glares at strangers, goes to
+mass--to dinner, and a-hunting. The good old Queen, who is like
+Lady Primrose in the face, and Queen Caroline in the immensity of
+her cap, is at her dressing-table, attended by two or three old
+ladies, who are languishing to be in Abraham's bosom, as the only
+man's bosom to whom they can hope for admittance. Thence you go
+to the Dauphin, for all is done in an hour. He scarce stays a
+minute; indeed, poor creature, he is a ghost, and cannot possibly
+last three months. The Dauphiness is in her bedchamber, but
+dressed and standing; looks cross, is not civil, and has the true
+Westphalian grace and accents. The four Mesdames, who are clumsy
+plump old wenches, with a bad likeness to their father, stand in
+a bedchamber in a row, with black cloaks and knotting-bags,
+looking good-humoured, not knowing what to say, and wriggling as
+if they wanted to make water. This ceremony too is very short:
+then you are carried to the Dauphin's three boys, who you may be
+sure only bow and stare. The Duke of Berry(880) looks weak, and
+weak-eyed: the Count de ProvenCe(881) is a fine boy; the Count
+d'Artois(882) well enough. The whole concludes with seeing the
+Dauphin's little girl dine, who is as round and as fat as a
+pudding.
+
+the Queen's antechamber we foreigners and the foreign ministers
+were shown the famous beast of the Govaudan, just arrived, and
+covered with a cloth, which two chasseurs lifted up. It is an
+absolute wolf, but uncommonly large, and the expression of agony
+and fierceness remains strongly imprinted on its dead jaws.
+
+I dined at the Duc of Praslin's with four-and-twenty ambassadors
+and envoys, who never go out but on Tuesdays to court. He does
+the honours sadly, and I believe nothing else well, looking
+important and empty. The Duc de Choiseul's face, which is quite
+the reverse of gravity, does not promise much more. His wife is
+gentle, pretty, and very agreeable. The Duchess of Praslin,
+jolly, red-faced, looking very vulgar, and being very attentive
+and civil. I saw the Duc de Richelieu in waiting, who is pale,
+except his nose, which is red, much wrinkled, and exactly a
+remnant of that age which produced General Churchill, Wilkes the
+player, the Duke of Argyle, etc. Adieu!
+
+(880) Afterwards the unfortunate Louis XVI.-E.
+
+(881) Afterwards Louis XVIII.-E.
+
+(882) Afterwards Charles X.-E
+
+
+
+Letter 273 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Paris, Oct, 6, 1765. (page 431)
+
+I am glad to find that you grow just, and that you do conceive at
+last, that I could do better than stay in England for politics.
+"Tenez, mon enfant," as the Duchesse de la Fert`e said to Madame
+Staal;(883) "comme il n'y a que moi au monde qui aie toujours
+raison," I will be very reasonable; as you have made this
+concession to me, who knew I was in the right I will not expect
+you to answer all my reasonable letters. If you send a bullying
+letter to the King of Spain,(884) or to Chose, my neighbour
+here,(885) I will consider them as written to myself, and
+subtract so much from your bill. Nay, I will accept a line from
+Lady Ailesbury now and then in part of payment. I shall continue
+to write as the wind sets in my pen; and do own my babble does
+not demand much reply.
+
+For so reasonable a person as I am, I have changed my mind very
+often about this country. The first five days I was in violent
+spirits; then came a dismal cloud of whisk and literature, and I
+could not bear it. At present I begin, very englishly indeed, to
+establish a right to my own way. I laugh, and talk nonsense, and
+make them hear me. There are two or three houses where I go
+quite at my ease, am never asked to touch a card, nor hold
+dissertations. Nay, I don't pay homage to their authors. Every
+woman has one or two planted in her house, and God knows how they
+water them. The old President HainaUlt(886) is the pagod at
+Madame du Deffand's, an old blind debauch`ee of wit, where I
+supped last night. The President is very near deaf, and much
+nearer superannuated. He sits by the table: the mistress of the
+house, who formerly was his, inquires after every dish on the
+table, is told who has eaten of which, and then bawls the bill of
+fare of every individual into the President's ears. In short,
+every mouthful is proclaimed, and so is every blunder I make
+against grammar. Some that I make on purpose, succeed: and one
+of them is to be reported to the Queen to-day by Hainault, who is
+her great favourite. I had been at Versailles and having been
+much taken notice of by her Majesty, I said, alluding to madame
+S`evign`e, La Reine est le plus grand roi du monde. You may
+judge if I am in possession by a scene that passed after supper.
+Sir James macdonald(887) had been mimicking Hume: I told the
+women, who, besides the mistress, were the Duchess de la
+Vali`ere,(888) Madame de Forcalquier,(889) a demoiselle, that to
+be sure they would be glad to have a specimen of Mr. Pitt's
+manner of speaking; and that nobody mimicked him so well as
+Elliot.(890) They firmly believed it, teased him for an hour,
+and at last said he was the rudest man in the world not to oblige
+them. It appeared the more strange, because here every body
+sings, reads their own works in public, or attempts any one thing
+without hesitation or capacity. Elliot speaks miserable French;
+which added to the diversion.
+
+I had had my share of distress in the morning, by going through
+the operation of being presented to the royal family, down to the
+little Madame's pap-dinner, and had behaved as sillily as you
+will easily believe; hiding myself behind every mortal. The
+Queen called me up to her dressing-table, and seemed mightily
+disposed to gossip with me; but instead of enjoying my glory like
+Madame de S`evign`e, I slunk back into the crowd after a few
+questions. She told Monsieur de Guerchy of it afterwards, and
+that I had run away from her, but said she would have her revenge
+at Fontainbleau. So I must go thither, which I do not intend.
+The King, Dauphin, Dauphiness, Mesdames, and the wild beasts did
+not say a word to me. Yes, the wild beast, he of the Gevaudan.
+He is killed, and actually in the Queen's antechamber, where he
+was exhibited to us with as much parade as if it was Mr. Pitt.
+It is an exceedingly large wolf, and, the connoisseurs say, has
+twelve teeth more than any wolf ever had since the days of
+Romulus's wet nurse. The critics deny it to be the true beast;
+and I find most people think the beast's name is legion,--for
+there are many. He was covered with a sheet, which two chasseurs
+lifted up for the foreign ministers and strangers. I dined at
+the Duke of Praslin's with five-and-twenty tomes of the corps
+diplomatique; and after dinner was presented, by Monsieur de
+Guerchy, to the Duc de Choiseul. The Duc de Praslin is as like
+his own letters in D'Eon's book as he can stare; that is, I
+believe a very silly fellow. His wisdom is of the grave kind.
+His cousin, the first minister, is a little volatile being, whose
+countenance and manner had nothing to frighten me for my country.
+I saw him but for three seconds, which is as much as he allows to
+any one body or thing. Monsieur de Guerchy, whose goodness to me
+is inexpressible, took the trouble of walking every where with
+me, and carried me particularly to see the new office for state
+papers. I wish I could send it you. It is a large building,
+disposed like an hospital, with the most admirable order and
+method. Lodgings for every officer; his name and business
+written over his door. In the body is a perspective of seven or
+eight large chambers: each is painted with emblems, and
+wainscoted with presses with wired doors and crimson curtains.
+Over each press, in golden letters, the country to which the
+pieces relate, as Angleterre, Allemagne, etc. Each room has a
+large funnel of bronze with or moulu, like a column to air the
+papers and preserve them. In short, it is as magnificent as
+useful.
+
+Prom thence I went to see the reservoir of pictures at M. de
+Marigny's. They are what are not disposed of in the palaces,
+though sometimes changed with others. This refuse, which fills
+many rooms from top to bottom, is composed of the most glorious
+works of Raphael, L. da Vinci, Giorgione, Titian, Guido,
+Correggio, etc. Many pictures, which I knew by their prints,
+without an idea where they existed, I found there.
+
+The Duc de Nivernois is extremely obliging to me. I have supped
+at Madame de Bentheim's, who has a very fine house and a woful
+husband. She is much livelier than any Frenchwoman. The
+liveliest I have seen is the Duc de Duras:(891) he is shorter and
+plumper Lord Halifax, but very like him in the face. I am to sup
+with the Dussons(892) on Sunday. In short, all that have been in
+England are exceedingly disposed to repay any civilities they
+received there. Monsieur de Caraman wrote from the country to
+excuse his not coming to see me, as his Wife is On the point of
+being brought to bed, but begged I would come to them. So I
+would, if I was a man-midwife: but though they are easy On Such
+heads, I am not used to it, and cannot make a party of pleasure
+of a labour.
+
+Wilkes arrived here two days ago, and announced that he was going
+minister to Constantinople.(893) To-day I hear he has lowered
+his credentials, and talks of going to England, if he can make
+his peace.(894) I thought by the manner in which this was
+mentioned to me, that the person meant to Sound me: but I made no
+answer: for, having given up politics in England, I certainly did
+not come to transact them here. He has not been to make me the
+first visit, which, as the last arrived, depends on him: so,
+never having spoken to him in my life, I have no call to seek
+him. I avoid all politics so much, that I had not heard one word
+here about Spain. I suppose my silence passes for very artful
+mystery, and puzzles the ministers who keep spies on the most
+insignificant foreigner. It would have been lucky if I had been
+as watchful. At Chantilly I lost my portmanteau with half my
+linen; and the night before last I was robbed of a new frock,
+waistcoat, and breeches, laced with gold, a white and silver
+waistcoat, black velvet breeches, a knife, and a book. These are
+expenses I did not expect, and by no means entering into my
+system of extravagance.
+
+I am very sorry for the death of Lord Ophaly, and for his family.
+I knew the poor young man himself but little, but he seemed
+extremely good-natured. What the Duke of Richmond will do for a
+hotel, I cannot conceive. Adieu!
+
+(883) See M`emoires de Madame de Staal (the first authoress of
+that name) published with the rest of her works, in three small
+volumes.-E.
+
+(884) Mr. Conway was now secretary of state for the foreign
+department.-E.
+
+(885) Louis XV.-E.
+
+(886) Le Pr`esident Hainault, surintendant de la maison de
+Mademoiselle la Dauphine, membre de l'Acad`emie Fran`caise et de
+l'Acad`emie des Inscriptions, known by his celebrated work, the
+Abr`eg`e Chronologique de l'Histoire, de France, and from the
+excellent table which he kept, and which was the resort of all
+the wits and savans of the day. His cook was considered the best
+in Paris, and the master was worthy of his cook; a fact which
+Voltaire celebrates in the opening lines of the epitaph which he
+wrote for him--
+
+"Hainault, fameux par vos soupers,
+Et votre Chronologic," etc.-E.
+
+(887) Sir James Macdonald of Macdonald, the eighth baronet, who
+died at Rome on the 26th of July 1766, in the twenty-fifth year
+of his age, regretted by all who knew him. In the inscription on
+his monument, executed at Rome and erected in the church of
+Slate, his character is thus drawn by his friend Lord
+Lyttelton:--"He had attained to so eminent a degree of knowledge
+in mathematics, philosophy, languages, and in every branch of
+useful and polite learning, as few have acquired in a long life
+wholly devoted to study; yet to this erudition he joined, what
+can rarely be found with it, great talents for business, great
+propriety of behaviour, great politeness of manners: his
+eloquence was sweet, correct and flowing; his memory vast and
+exact; his judgment strong and acute." On visiting Slate, in
+1773, Dr. Johnson observed to Boswell, that this inscription
+"should have been in Latin, as every thing intended to be
+universal and permanent should be." Upon this mr. Croker
+remarks,--"What a strange Perversion of language!--universal!
+Why, if it had been in Latin, so far from being universally
+understood, it would have been an utter blank to one (the better)
+half of the creation, and even of the men who might visit it,
+ninety-nine will understand it in English for one who could in
+Latin. Something may be said for epitaphs and inscriptions
+addressed, as it were, to the world at large--a triumphal arch --
+the pillar at Blenheim--the monument on the field of Waterloo:
+but a Latin epitaph in an English church, appears, in principle,
+as absurd as the dinner, which the doctor gives in Peregrine
+Pickle, 'after the manner of the ancients.' A mortal may surely
+be well satisfied if his fame lasts as long as the language in
+which he spoke or wrote."-E.
+
+(888) La Duchesse de la Vali`ere, daughter of the Duc d'Usez.
+She was one of the handsomest women in France, and preserved her
+beauty even to old age. She died about the year 1792, at the age
+of eighty.-E.
+
+(889) The Comtesse de Forcalquier, n`ee Canizy. She had ben
+first married to the Comte d'Antin, son to the Comtesse de
+Toulouse, by a marriage previous to that with the Comte de
+Toulouse, one of the natural children of Louis Quatorze, whom he
+legitimated.-E.
+
+(890) Sir Gilbert Elliot Of Minto. He was appointed a lord of
+the admiralty in 1756, treasurer of the chamber in 1762, keeper
+of the signets for Scotland in 1767, and treasurer of the navy in
+1770. He died in 1777.-E.
+
+(891) Le Duc de Duras, one of the gentlemen of the bedchamber at
+the court of France.-E.
+
+(892) M. D'Usson, who had formerly been in England in a
+diplomatic capacity; see ant`e p. 219, letter 157. He was
+brother to the Marquis de Bonnac, the French ambassador at the
+Hague.-E.
+
+(893) Wilkes's application for the embassy to Constantinople was
+an unsuccessful one. It will be seen in the Chatham
+Correspondence, that in February 1761, he had solicited of Mr.
+Pitt a seat at the board of trade. "I wish," he says, "the board
+of trade might be thought a place in which I could be of any
+service: whatever the scene is, I shall endeavour to have the
+reputation of acting in a manner worthy of the connexion I have
+the honour to be in; and, among all the chances and changes of a
+political world, I will never have an obligation in a
+parliamentary way but to Mr. Pitt and his friends." Vol. ii. p.
+94.-E.
+
+(894) After his outlawry.
+
+
+
+Letter 274 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Oct. 13, 1765. (page 434)
+
+How are the mighty fallen! Yes, yes, Madam, I am as like the Duc
+de Richelieu as two peas; but then they are two old withered gray
+peas. Do you remember the fable of Cupid and Death, and what a
+piece of work they made with hustling their arrows together?
+This is just my case: Love might shoot at me, but it was with a
+gouty arrow. I have had a relapse in both feet, and kept my bed
+six days but the fit seems to be going off; my heart can already
+go alone, and my feet promise themselves the mighty luxury of a
+cloth shoe in two or three days. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay,(895) who
+are here, and are, alas! to carry this, have been of great
+comfort to me, and have brought their delightful little daughter,
+who is as quick as Ariel. Mr. Ramsay could want no assistance
+from me: what do we both exist upon here, Madam, but your bounty
+and charity? When did you ever leave one of your friends in want
+of another? Madame Geotrrin came and sat two hours last night by
+my bedside: I could have sworn it had been my Lady Hervey,(896)
+she was so good to me. It was with so much sense, information,
+instruction, and correction! The manner of the latter charms me.
+I never saw any body in my days that catches one's faults and
+vanities and impositions so quick, that explains them to one so
+clearly, and convinces one so easily. I never liked to be set
+right before! You cannot imagine how I taste it! I make her both
+my confessor and director, and beam to think I shall be a
+reasonable creature at last, which I had never intended to be.
+The next time I see her, I believe I shall say, "Oh! Common
+Sense, sit down: I have been thinking so and so; is not it
+absurd?" for t'other sense and wisdom, I never liked them; I
+shall now hate them for her sake. If it was worth her while, I
+assure your ladyship she might govern me like a child.(897)
+
+The Duc de Nivernois too is astonishingly good to me. In short,
+Madam, I am going down hill, but the sun sets pleasingly. Your
+two other friends have been in Paris; but I was confined, and
+could not wait on them. I passed a whole evening with Lady Mary
+Chabot most agreeably: she charged me over and over with a
+thousand compliments to your ladyship. For sights, alas! and
+pilgrimages, they have been cut short! I had destined the fine
+days of October to excursions; but you know, Madam, what it is to
+reckon without one's host, the gout. It makes such a coward of
+me, that I shall be afraid almost of entering a church. I have
+lost, too, the Dumenil in Ph`edre and Merope, two of her
+principal parts, but I hope not irrecoverably.
+
+Thank you, Madam, for the Taliacotian extract: it diverted me
+much. It is true, in general I neither see nor desire to see our
+wretched political trash: I am sick of it up to the
+fountain-head. It was my principal motive for coming hither; and
+had long been my determination, the first moment I should be at
+liberty, to abandon it all. I have acted from no views of
+interest; I have shown I did not; I have not disgraced myself-
+-and I must be free. My comfort is, that, if I am blamed, it
+will be by all parties. A little peace of mind for the rest of
+my days is all I ask, to balance the gout.
+
+I have writ to Madame de Guerchy about Your orange-flower water;
+and I sent your ladyship two little French pieces that I hope you
+received. The uncomfortable posture in which I write will excuse
+my saying any more; but it is no excuse against my trying to do
+any thing to please one, who always forgets pain when her friends
+are in question.
+
+(895) Allan Ramsay, the painter.
+
+(896) Baron de Grimm, in speaking of Madame Geoffrin, says:--
+"This lady's religion seems to have always proceeded on two
+principles: the one, to do the greatest quantity of good in her
+power; the other, to respect scrupulously all established forms,
+and even to lend herself, with great complaisance, to all the
+different movements of public opinion."-E.
+
+(897) Gibbon, in a letter to his father, of the 24th of February
+1763, says:--"Lady Hervey's recommendation to Madame Geoffrin was
+a most excellent one: her house is a very good one; regular
+dinners there every Wednesday, and the best company in Paris, in
+men of letters and people of fashion. It was at her house I
+connected myself with M. Helvetius, who, from his heart, his
+head, and his fortune, is a most valuable man."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 275 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, Oct. 16, 1765. (page 436)
+
+I am here, in this supposed metropolis of pleasure, triste
+enough; hearing from nobody in England, and again confined with
+the gout in both feet: yes, I caught cold, and it has returned;
+but as I begin to be a little acquainted with the nature of its
+caresses, I think the violence of its passion this time will be
+wasted within the fortnight. Indeed, a stick and a great shoe do
+not commonly compose the dress which the English come hither to
+learn; but I shall content myself if I can limp about enough to
+amuse my eyes; my ears have already had their fill, and are not
+at all edified. My confinement preserves me from the journey to
+Fontainbleau, to which I had no great appetite; but then I lose
+the opportunity of seeing Versailles and St. Cloud at my leisure.
+
+I wrote to you soon after my arrival; did you receive it? All the
+English books you named to me are to be had here at the following
+prices. Shakspeare in eight volumes unbound for twenty-one
+livres; in larger paper for twenty-seven. Congreve, in three
+volumes for nine livres. Swift, in twelve volumes for twenty-four
+livres, another edition for twenty-seven. So you see I do not
+forget your commissions: if you have farther orders, let me know.
+
+Wilkes is here, and has been twice to see me in my illness. He
+was very civil, but I cannot say entertained me much. I saw no
+wit; his conversation shows how little he has lived in good
+company, and the chief turn of it is the grossest bawdy.(898) He
+has certainly one merit, notwithstanding the bitterness of his
+pen, that is, he has no rancour; not even against Sandwich, of
+whom he talked with the utmost temper. He showed me some of his
+notes on Churchill's works, but they contain little more than one
+note on each poem to explain the subject of it.
+
+The Dumenil is still the Dumenil, and nothing but curiosity could
+make me want the Clairon. Grandval is grown so fat and old, that
+I saw him through a whole play and did not guess him. Not one
+other, that you remember on the stage, remains there.
+
+It is not a season for novelty in any way, as both the court and
+the world are out of town. The few that I know are almost all
+dispersed. The old president Henault made me a visit yesterday:
+he is extremely amiable, but has the appearance of a
+superannuated bacchanal; superannuated, poor soul! indeed he is!
+The Duc de Richelieu is a lean old resemblance of old General
+Churchill, and like him affects still to have his Boothbies.
+Alas! poor Boothbies!
+
+I hope, by the time I am convalescent, to have the Richmonds
+here. One of the miseries of chronical illnesses is, that you
+are a prey to every fool, who, not knowing what to do with
+himself, brings his ennui to you, and calls it charity. Tell me
+a little the intended dates of your motions, that I may know
+where to write at you. Commend me kindly to Mr. John, and wish
+me a good night, of which I have had but one these ten days.
+
+(898) "I scarcely ever," says Gibbon, who happened to dine in the
+company of Wilkes in September 1762, "met with a better
+companion; he has inexhaustible spirits, infinite wit and humour,
+and a great deal of knowledge; but a thorough profligate in
+principle as in practice; his life stained with every vice, and
+his conversation full of blasphemy and indecency."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 276 To The Countess Of Suffolk.(899)
+Paris, Oct. 16, 1765. (page 437)
+
+Though I begin my letter to-day, Madam, it may not be finished
+and set out these four days; but serving a tyrant who does not
+allow me many holiday-minutes, I am forced to seize the first
+that offer. Even now when I am writing upon the table, he is
+giving me malicious pinches under it. I was exceedingly obliged
+to Miss Hotham for her letter, though it did not give me so good
+an account of your ladyship as I wished. I will not advise you
+to come to Paris, where, I assure you, one has not a nip less of
+the gout than at London, and where it is rather more difficult to
+keep one's chamber pure; water not being reckoned here one of the
+elements of cleanliness. If ever my Lady Blandford and I make a
+match, I shall insist on her coming hither for a month first, to
+learn patience. I need have a great stock, who have only
+travelled from one sick bed to another; who have seen nothing;
+and who hear of nothing but the braveries of Fontainbleau, where
+the Duc de Richelieu, whose year it is, has ordered seven new
+operas besides other shows. However, if I cannot be diverted, my
+ruin at least is protracted, as I cannot go to a single shop.
+
+Lady Mary Chabot has been so good as to make me a visit. She is
+again gone into the country till November, but charged me over
+and over to say a great deal for her to your ladyship, for whom
+she expresses the highest regard. Lady Brown is still in the
+country too; but as she loves laughing more than is fashionable
+here, I expect her return with great impatience. As I neither
+desire to change their religion or government, I am tired of
+their perpetual dissertations on those subjects. As when I was
+here last, which, alas! is four-and-twenty ears ago, I was much
+at Mrs. Hayes's, I thought it but civil to wait on her now that
+her situation is a little less brilliant. She was not at home,
+but invited me to supper next night. The moment she saw me I
+thought I had done very right not to neglect her; for she
+overwhelmed me with professions of her fondness for me and all my
+family. When the first torrent was over, she asked me if I was
+son of the Horace Walpole who had been ambassador here. I said
+no, he was my uncle. Oh! then you are he I used to call my
+Neddy! No, Madam, I believe that is my brother. Your brother!
+What is my Lord Walpole? My cousin, Madam. Your cousin! why,
+then, who are you? I found that if I had omitted my visit, her
+memory of me would not have reproached me much.
+
+Lord and Lady Fife are expected here every day from Spa; but we
+hear nothing certain yet of their graces of Richmond, for whom I
+am a little impatient; and for pam too, who I hope comes with
+them. In French houses it is impossible to meet with any thing
+but whist, which I am determined never to learn again. I sit by
+and yawn; which, however, is better than sitting at it to yawn.
+I hope to be able to take the air in a few days; for though I
+have had sharp pain and terrible nights, this codicil to my gout
+promises to be of much shorter duration than what I had in
+England, and has kept entirely to my feet. My diet sounds like
+an English farmer's, being nothing but beef and pudding; in truth
+the beef' is bouilli, and the pudding bread. This last night has
+been the first in which I have got a wink of sleep before six in
+the morning: but skeletons can live very well without eating or
+sleeping; nay, they can laugh too, when they meet with a jolly
+mortal of this world.
+
+Mr. Chetwynd, I conclude, is dancing at country balls and
+horseraces. It is charming to be so young;(900) but I do not
+envy one whose youth is so good-humoured and good-natured. When
+he gallops post to town, or swims his horse through a MillpODd In
+November, pray make my compliments to him, and to Lady Blandford
+and Lady Denbigh. The joys of the gout do not put one's old
+friends out of one's head, even at this distance. I am, etc.
+
+(899) Now first collected.
+
+(900) See ant`e, p. 412, letter 259.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 277 To Thomas Brand, Esq.(901)
+Paris, Oct. 19, 1765. (page 438)
+
+Don't think I have forgot your commissions: I mentioned them to
+old Mariette this evening, who says he has got one of them, but
+never could meet with the other, and that it will be impossible
+for me to find either at Paris. You know, I suppose, that he
+would as soon part with an eye as with any thing in his own
+collection.
+
+You may, if you please, suppose me extremely diverted here, Oh!
+exceedingly. In the first place, I have seen nothing; in the
+second, I have been confined this fortnight with a return of the
+gout in both feet; and in the third, I have not laughed since my
+Lady Hertford went away. I assure you, you may come hither very
+safely, and be in no danger from mirth. Laughing is as much out
+of fashion as pantins or bilboquets. Good folks, they have no
+time to laugh. There is God and the King to be pulled down
+first; and men and women, one and all, are devoutly employed in
+the demolition. They think me quite profane, for having any
+belief left. But this is not my only crime - I have told them,
+and am undone by it, that they have taken from us to admire the
+two dullest things we had, whisk and Richardson. It is very
+true, and they -want nothing but George Grenville to make their
+conversations, or rather dissertations, the most tiresome upon
+earth. For Lord Lyttelton, if he would come hither, and turn
+freethinker once more, he would be reckoned the most -,agreeable
+man in France--next to Mr. Hume, who is the only thing in the
+world that they believe implicitly; which they must do, for I
+defy them to understand any language that he speaks.
+
+If I could divest myself of my wicked--and unphilosophic bent to
+laughing, I should do very well. They are very civil and
+obliging to me, and several of the women are very agreeable, and
+some of the men. The Duc de Nivernois has been beyond measure
+kind to me, and scarce missed a day without coming to see me
+during my confinement. The Guerchys are. as usual, all
+friendship. I had given entirely into supping, as I do not love
+rising early, and still less meat breakfasts. The misfortune is,
+that in several houses they dine, and at others sup.
+
+You will think it odd that I should want to laugh, when Wilkes,
+Sterne, and Foote are here; but the first does not make me laugh,
+the second never could, and for the third, I choose to pay five
+shillings when I have a mind he should divert me. Besides, I
+certainly did not come in search of English: and yet the man I
+have liked the best in Paris is an Englishman, Lord Ossory, who
+is one of the most sensible young men I ever saw, with a great
+deal of Lord Tavistock in his manner.
+
+The joys of Fontainbleau I miss by my illness--Patienza! If the
+gout deprived me of nothing better than a court.
+
+The papers say the Duke of Dorset(902) is dead; what has he done
+for Lord George? You cannot be so unconscionable as not to
+answer me. I don't ask who is to have his riband; nor how many
+bushels of fruit the Duke of Newcastle's dessert for the
+Hereditary Prince contained, nor how often he kissed him for the
+sake of "the dear house of Brunswick"--No, keep your politics to
+yourselves; I want to know none of them:-when I do, and
+authentically, I will write to my Lady * * * * or Charles
+Townshend.
+
+Mrs. Pit's friend, Madame de Rochefort, is one of my principal
+attachments, and very agreeable indeed. Madame de Mirepoix
+another. For my admiration, Madame de Monaco--but I believe you
+don't doubt my Lord Hertford's taste in sensualities. March's
+passion, Marechalle d'Estr`ees, is affected, cross, and not all
+handsome. The Princes of the blood are pretty much retired, do
+not go to Portsmouth and Salisbury once a week, nor furnish every
+other paragraph to the newspapers. Their campaigns are confined
+to killing boars and stags, two or three hundred in a year.
+Adieu! Mr. Foley is my banker; or it is still more sure if you
+send your letter to Mr. Conway's office.
+
+(901) Of the Hoo, in Hertfordshire. See vol. ii. p. 211, letter
+103.-E.
+
+(902) Lionel Cranfield Sackville, seventh Earl and first Duke of
+Dorset: he died on the 10th of October. Lord George Sackville
+was his third son.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 278 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Paris, Oct. 28, 1765. (page 440)
+
+Mr. Hume sends me word from Fontainbleau, that your brother, some
+time in the spring of 1764, transmitted to the English ministry a
+pretty exact and very authentic account of the French finances;"
+these are his words: and "that it will be easily found among his
+lordship's despatches of that period." To the other question I
+have received no answer: I suppose he has not yet been able to
+inform himself.
+
+This goes by an English coachman of Count Lauragais, sent over to
+buy more horses; therefore I shall write a little ministerially,
+and, perhaps, surprise you, if you are not already apprised of
+things in the light I see them.
+
+The Dauphin will probably hold out very few days. His death,
+that is, the near prospect of it, fills the philosophers with the
+greatest joy, as it was feared he would endeavour the restoration
+of the Jesuits. You will think the sentiments of the
+philosophers very odd stale news --but do you know who the
+philosophers are, or what the term means here? In the first
+place, it comprehends almost every body; and in the next, means
+men, who, avowing war against popery, aim, many of them, at a
+subversion of all religion, and still many more, at the
+destruction of regal power. How do you know this? you will say;
+you, who have been but six weeks in France, three of which you
+have been confined to your chamber? True: but in the first period
+I went every where, and heard nothing else: in the latter, I have
+been extremely visited, and have had long and explicit
+conversations with many, who think as I tell you, and with a few
+of the other side, who are no less persuaded that there are such
+intentions. In particular. I had two officers here t'other
+night, neither of them young, whom I had difficulty to keep from
+a serious quarrel, and who, in the heat of the dispute, informed
+me of much more than I could have learnt with great pains.
+
+As a proof that my ideas are not quite visions, I send you a most
+curious paper;(903) such as I believe no magistrate would have
+pronounced in the time of Charles 1. I should not like to have it
+known to come from me, nor any part of the intelligence I send
+you; with regard to which, if you think it necessary to
+communicate it to particular persons, I desire my name may be
+suppressed. I tell it for your satisfaction and information, but
+would not have any body else think that I do any thing here but
+amuse myself; my amusements indeed are triste enough, and consist
+wholly in trying to get well; but my recovery moves very slowly.
+I have not yet had any thing but cloth shoes on, live sometimes a
+whole day on warm water, and am never tolerably well till twelve
+or one o'clock.
+
+I have had another letter from Sir Horace Mann, who has much at
+heart his riband and increase of character. Consequently you
+know, as I love him so much, I must have them at heart too.
+Count Lorenzi is recalled, because here they think it necessary
+to send a Frenchman of higher rank to the new grand ducal court.
+I wish Sir Horace could be raised on this occasion. For his
+riband, his promise is so old and so positive, that it is quite a
+hardship.
+
+Pray put the colonies in good-humour: I see they are violently
+Disposed to the new administration. I have not time to say more,
+nor more to say if I had time; so good night! Let me know if you
+receive this, and how soon: it goes the day after to-morrow.
+Various reports say the Duke of Richmond comes this week. I sent
+you a letter by Monsieur de Guerchy. Dusson, I hear, goes
+ambassador to Poland. Tell Lady Ailesbury that I have five or
+six little parcels, though not above one for her, of laces and
+ribands, which Lady Cecilic left Wit me: but how to convey them
+the Lord knows. Yours ever.
+
+(903) This paper does not appear.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 279 To Mr. Gray.
+Paris, Nov. 19, 1765. (page 441)
+
+You are very kind to inquire so particularly after my gout. I
+wish I may not be so circumstantial in my answer: but you have
+tapped a dangerous topic; I can talk gout by the hour. It is my
+great mortification, and has disappointed all the hopes that I
+had built on temperance and hardiness. I have resisted like a
+hermit, and exposed myself to all weathers and seasons like a
+smuggler; and in vain. I have, however, still so much of the
+obstinacy of both professions left, that I think I shall
+continue, and cannot obey you in keeping myself warm. I have
+gone through my second fit under one blanket, and already go
+about in a silk waistcoat with my bosom unbuttoned. In short, I
+am as prejudiced to try regimen, though so ineffectual, as I
+could have been to all I expected from it. The truth is, I am
+almost as willing to have the gout as to be liable to catch cold;
+and must run up stairs and down, in and out of doors, when I
+will, or I cannot have the least satisfaction. This will
+convince you how readily I comply with another of your precepts,
+walking as soon as am able.--For receipts, you may trust me for
+making use of none; I would not see a physician at the worst, but
+have quacked as boldly as quacks treat others. I laughed at your
+idea of quality receipts, it came so apropos. There is not a man
+or woman here that is not a perfect old nurse, and who does not
+talk gruel and anatomy with equal fluency and ignorance. One
+instance shall serve: Madame de Bouzols, Marshal Berwick's
+daughter, assured me there was nothing so good for the gout, as
+to preserve the parings of my nails in a bottle close stopped.
+When I try any illustrious nostrum, I shall give the preference
+to this.
+
+So much for the gout!(904) I told you what was coming. As to
+the ministry, I know and care very little about them. I told you
+and told them long ago, that if ever a change happened I would
+bid adieu to politics for ever. Do me the Justice to allow that
+I have not altered with the time. I was so impatient to put this
+resolution in execution that I hurried out of England before I
+was sufficiently recovered. I shall not run the same hazard again
+in haste; but will stay here till I am perfectly well, and the
+season of warm weather coming on or arrived; though the charms of
+Paris have not the least attraction for me, nor would keep me an
+hour on their own account. For the city itself, I cannot
+conceive where my eyes were: it Is the ugliest beastliest town in
+the universe. I have not seen a mouthful of verdure out of it,
+nor have they any thing green but their treillage and
+window-shutters. Trees cut into fire-shovels, and stuck into
+pedestals of chalk, Compose their country. Their boasted
+knowledge of society is reduced to talking of their suppers, and
+every malady they have about them, or know of. The Dauphin is at
+the point of death; every morning the physicians frame in account
+of him; and happy is he or she who can produce a copy of this
+lie, called a bulletin. The night before last, one of these was
+produced at supper where I was; it was read, and said he had une
+evacuation foetide. I beg your pardon, though you are not at
+supper. The old lady of the house(905) (who by the way is quite
+blind, was the Regent's mistress for a fortnight, and is very
+agreeable) called out, "Oh! they have forgot to mention that he
+threw down his chamber-pot, and was forced to change his bed."
+There were present several women of the first rank; as Madame de
+la Vali`ere, whom you remember Duchesse de Vaujour, and who is
+still miraculously pretty, though fifty-three; a very handsome
+Madame de Forcalquier, and others--nor was this conversation at
+all particular to that evening.
+
+Their gaiety is not greater than their delicacy--but I will not
+expatiate. In short, they are another people from what they
+were. They may be growing wise, but the intermediate passage is
+dulness. Several of the women are agreeable, and some of the
+men; but the latter are in general vain and ignorant. The
+savans--I beg their pardons, the philosophes--are insupportable,
+superficial, overbearing, and fanatic: they preach incessantly,
+and their avowed doctrine is atheism; you would not believe how
+openly--Don't wonder, therefore, if I should return a Jesuit.
+Voltaire himself does not satisfy them. One of their lady
+devotees said of him, "Il est bigot, c'est un d`eiste."
+
+I am as little pleased with their taste in trifles. Cr`ebillon
+is entirely out of fashion, and Marivaux a proverb: marivauder
+and marivaudage are established terms for being prolix and
+tiresome. I thought that we were fallen, but they are ten times
+lower.
+
+Notwithstanding all I have said, I have found two or three
+societies that please me; am amused with the novelty of the
+whole, and should be sorry not to have come. The Dumenil is, if
+possible, superior to what you remember. I am sorry not to see
+the Clairon; but several persons whose judgments seem the
+soundest prefer the former. Preville is admirable in low comedy.
+The mixture of Italian comedy and comic operas, prettily written,
+and set to Italian music, at the same theatre, is charming, and
+gets the better both of their operas and French comedy; the
+latter of which is seldom full, with all its merit.
+Petit-maitres are obsolete, like our Lords Foppington--but le
+monde est philosophe--When I grow very sick of this last
+nonsense, I go and compose myself at the Chartreuse, where I am
+almost tempted to prefer Le Soeur to every painter I know. Yet
+what new old treasures are come to light, routed out of the
+Louvre, and thrown into new lumber-rooms at Versailles!--But I
+have not room to tell you what I have seen! I will keep this and
+other chapters for Strawberry. Adieu! and thank you.
+
+Old Mariette has shown me a print by Diepenbecke of the Duke and
+Duchess of Newcastle(906) at dinner with their family. You would
+oblige me, if you would look into all their graces' folios, and
+see if it is not a frontispiece to some one of them. Then he has
+such a Petitot of Madame d'Olonne! The Pompadour offered him
+fifty louis for it(907)--Alack, so would I!
+
+
+(904) The following is Gray's reply, of the 13th of December:-
+-"You have long built your hopes on temperance, you say, and
+hardiness. On the first point we are agreed; the second has
+totally disappointed you, and therefore you will persist in it by
+all means. But then, be sure to persist too in being young, in
+stopping the course of time, and making the shadow return back
+upon your sun-dial. If you find this not so easy, acquiesce with
+a good grace in my anilities; put on your understockings of yarn,
+or woollen, even in the night-time. Don't provoke me, or I shall
+order you two nightcaps, (which, by the way, would do your eyes
+good,) and put a little of any French liqueur into your water;
+they are nothing but brandy and sugar; and among their various
+flavours, some of them may surely be palatable enough, The pain
+in your feet I can bear; but shudder at the sickness of your
+stomach and the weakness that still continues. I conjure you, as
+you love yourself--I conjure you by Strawberry, not to trifle
+with these edge-tools. There is no cure for the gout, when in
+the stomach, but to throw it into the limbs; There is no relief
+for gout in the limbs, but in gentle warmth and gradual
+perspiration." Works, vol. iv. p. 68.-E.
+
+(905) Madame du Deffand.-E.
+
+(906) Prefixed to some copies of the Duchess's work, entitled
+"The World's Olio,--Nature's Pictures drawn by Fancy's Pencil to
+the life," (folio, London, 1653,) is a print, Diepenbeck, del.,
+P. Clouvet sc., half sheet, containing portraits of William
+Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, (celebrated as a Cavalier general
+during the civil wars, and commonly styled the loyal Duke of
+Newcastle,) his Duchess, and their family.-E.
+
+(907) This miniature eventually became his property. In a letter
+from madame du Deffand of the 12th of December 1775, she says:-
+-"J'ai Madame d'Olonne entre les mains; vous voil`a au comble de
+la joie; mais moderez-en la, en apprenant que ses galans ne la
+payaient pas plus cher de son vivant que vous ne la payez apr`es
+sa mort; (@lle vous coute trois mille deux cents livres."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 280 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Nov. 21, 1765. (page 444)
+
+Madame Geoffrin has given me a parcel for your ladyship with two
+knotting-bags, which I will send by the first opportunity that
+seems safe:'--but I hear of nothing but difficulties; and shall,
+I believe, be saved from ruin myself, from not being able to
+convey any purchases into England. Thus I shall have made an
+almost fruitless journey to France, if I can neither fling away
+my money, nor preserve my health. At present, indeed, the gout
+is gone. I have had my house swept, and made as clean as I
+could-no very easy matter in this country; but I live in dread of
+seven worse spirits entering in. The terror I am under of a new
+fit has kept me from almost seeing any thing. The damps and fogs
+are full as great and frequent here as in London; but there is a
+little frost to-day, and I shall begin my devotions tomorrow. It
+is not being fashionable to visit churches: but I am de la
+vieille cour; and I beg your ladyship to believe that I have no
+youthful pretensions. The Duchess of Richmond tells me that they
+have made twenty foolish stories about me in England; and say
+that my person is admired here. I cannot help what is said
+without foundation; but the French have neither lost their eyes,
+nor I my senses. A skeleton I was born--skeleton I am--and death
+will have no trouble in making me one. I have not made any
+alteration in my dress, and certainly did not study it In
+England. Had I had any such ridiculous thoughts, the gout is too
+sincere a monitor to leave one under any such error. Pray,
+Madam, tell Lord and Lady Holland what I say: they have heard
+these idle tales; and they know so many of my follies, that I
+should be sorry they believed more of me than are true. If all
+arose from madame Geoffrin calling me in Joke le nouveau
+Richelieu, I give it under my hand that I resemble him in nothing
+but wrinkles.
+
+Your ladyship is much in the right to forbear reading politics.
+I never look at the political letters that come hither in the
+Chronicles. I was sick to death of them before I set out; and
+perhaps should not have stirred from home, if I had not been sick
+of them and all they relate to. If any body could write ballads
+and epigrams, `a la bonne heure! But dull personal abuse in prose
+is tiresome indeed. A serious invective against a pickpocket, or
+written by a pickpocket, who has so little to do as to read?
+
+The Dauphin continues languishing to his exit, and keeps every
+body at Fontainbleau. There is a little bustle now about the
+parliament of Bretagne; but you may believe, Madam, that when I
+was tired of the squabbles at London, I did not propose to
+interest myself in quarrels at Hull or Liverpool. Indeed, if the
+Duc de Chaulnes(908) commanded at Rennes, or Pomenars(909) was
+sent to prison, I might have a little curiosity. You wrong me in
+thinking I quoted a text from my Saint(910) ludicrously. On the
+contrary I am so true a bigot, that if she could have talked
+nonsense, I should, like any other bigot, believe she was
+inspired.
+
+The season and the emptiness of Paris, prevent any thing new from
+appearing. All I can send your ladyship is a very pretty
+logogriphe, made by the old blind Madame du Deffand, whom perhaps
+you know--certainly must have heard of. I sup there very
+often;(911) and she gave me this last night-you must guess it.
+
+Quoique je forme un corps, je ne suis qu'une id`ee;
+Plus ma beaut`e vieillit, plus elle est decid`ee:
+Il faut, pour me trouver, ignorer d'o`u je viens;
+Je tiens tout de lui, qui reduit tout `a rien.(912)
+
+Lady Mary Chabot inquires often after your ladyship. Your other
+two friends are not yet returned to Paris; but I have had several
+obliging messages from the Duchess d'Aiguillon.
+
+It pleased me extremely, Madam, to find no mention of your own
+gout in your letter. I always apprehend it for you, as you try
+its temper to the utmost, especially by staying late in the
+country, which you know it hates. Lord! it has broken my spirit
+so, that I believe it might make me leave Strawberry at a
+minute's warning. It has forbidden me tea, and been obeyed; and
+I thought that one of the most difficult points to carry with me.
+Do let us be well, Madam, and have no gouty notes to compare! I
+am your ladyship's most faithful, humble servant.
+
+(908) Governor of Britany in the time of Madame de S`evign`e.
+
+(909) See Madame de S`evign`e's Letters.
+
+(910) Madame de S`evign`e.
+
+(911) Madame du Deffand had, at this time, a supper at her house
+every Sunday evening, at which Walpole, during his stay at Paris,
+constantly made one of the company.-E.
+
+(912) The word is noblesse.
+
+
+
+Letter 281 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, Nov. 21, 1765. (page 445)
+
+You must not be surprised when my letters arrive long after their
+date. I write them at my leisure, and send them when I find any
+Englishman going to London, that I may not be kept in check, if
+they were to pass through both French and English posts. Your
+letter to Madame Roland, and the books for her, will Set Out very
+securely in a day or two. My bookseller here happens to be of
+Rheims, and knows Madame Roland, comme deux gouttes d'eau. This
+perhaps is not a well-placed simile, but the French always use
+one, and when they are once established, and one knows the tune,
+it does not signify sixpence for the sense.
+
+My gout and my stick have entirely left me. I totter still, it
+is true, but I trust shall be able to whisk about at Strawberry
+as well almost as ever. When that hour strikes, to be sure I
+shall not be very sorry. The sameness of the life here is worse
+than any thing but English politics and the House of Commons.
+Indeed, I have a mind still to see more people here, more sights,
+and more of the Dumenil. The Dauphin, who is not dead yet,
+detains the whole court at Fontainbleau, whither I dare not
+venture, as the situation is very damp, and the lodgings
+abominable. Sights, too, I have scarce seen any yet; and I must
+satisfy my curiosity; for hither, I think, I shall never come
+again. No, let us sit down quietly and comfortably, and enjoy
+our coming old age. Oh! if you are in earnest, and will
+transplant yourself to Roehampton, how happy I shall be! You
+know, if you believe an experience of above thirty years, that
+you are one of the very, very few, for whom I really care a
+straw. You know how long I have been vexed at seeing so little
+of you. What has one to do, when one grows tired of the world,
+as we both do, but to draw nearer and nearer, and gently waste
+the remains of life with the friends with whom one began it!
+Young and happy people will have no regard for us and our old
+stories, and they are in the right: but we shall not tire one
+another; we shall laugh together when nobody is by to laugh at
+us, and we may think ourselves young enough when we see nobody
+younger. Roehampton is a delightful spot, at once cheerful and
+retired. You will amble in your chaise about Richmond-park: we
+shall see one another as often as we like; I shall frequently
+peep at London, and bring you tales of it, and we shall sometimes
+touch a card with the Clive, and laugh our fill; for I must tell
+you, I desire to die when I have nobody left to laugh with me. I
+have never yet seen or heard any thing serious, that was not
+ridiculous. Jesuits, Methodists, philosophers, politicians, the
+hypocrite Rousseau, the scoffer Voltaire, the encyclopedists, the
+Humes, the Lytteltons, the Grenvilles, the atheist tyrant of
+Prussia, and the mountebank of history, Mr. Pitt, all are to me
+but impostors in their various ways. Fame or interest is their
+object; and after all their parade, I think a ploughman who sows,
+reads his almanack, and believes the stars but so many farthing
+candles, created to prevent his falling into a ditch as he goes
+home at night, a wiser and more rational being, and I am sure an
+honester than any of them. Oh! I am sick of visions and systems,
+that shove one another aside, and come over again, like the
+figures in a moving picture. Rabelais brightens up to me as I
+see more of the world; he treated it as it deserved, laughed at
+it all, and, as I judge from myself, ceased to hate it; for I
+find hatred an unjust preference. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 282 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Nov. 28, 1765. (page 447)
+
+What, another letter! Yes, Madam; though I must whip and spur, I
+must try to make my thanks keep up with your favours: for any
+other return, you have quite distanced me. This is to
+acknowledge the receipt of the Duchess d'Aiguillon--you may set
+what sum you please against the debt. She is delightful, and has
+much the most of a woman of quality of any I have seen, and more
+cheerfulness too: for, to show your ladyship that I am sincere,
+that my head is not turned, and that I retain some of my
+prejudices still, I avow that gaiety, whatever it was formerly,
+is no longer the growth of this country, and I will own too that
+Paris can produce women of quality that I should not call women
+of fashion; I will not use so ungentle a term as vulgar; but from
+their indelicacy, I could call it still worse. Yet with these
+faults, and the latter is an enormous one in my English eyes,
+many of the women are exceedingly agreeable. I cannot say so
+much for the men--always excepting the Duc de Nivernois. You
+would be entertained, for a quarter of an hour, with his
+Duchess--she is the Duke of Newcastle properly placed, that is,
+chattering incessantly out of devotion, and making interest
+against the devil, that she may dispose of bishoprics in the next
+world.
+
+Madame d'Egmont is expected to-day, which will run me again into
+arrears. I don't l(now how it is. Yes, I do: it is natural to
+impose on bounty, and I am like the rest of the world; I am going
+to abuse your goodness because I know nobody's so great. Besides
+being the best friend in the world, you are the best
+commissionnaire in the world, Madam - you understand from
+friendship to scissors. The enclosed model was trusted to me, to
+have two pair made as well as possible--but I really blush at my
+impertinence. However, all the trouble I mean to give your
+ladyship is, to send your groom of the chambers to bespeak them;
+and a pair besides of the common size for a lady, as well made as
+possible, for the honour of England's steel.
+
+The two knotting-bags from Madame Geoffrin went away by a
+clergyman two days ago; and I concerted all the tricks the doctor
+and I could think of, to elude the vigilance of the customhouse
+officers.
+
+With this, I send your ladyship the Orpheline Legu`ee: its
+intended name was the Anglomanie, my only reason for sending it;
+for it has little merit, and had as slender success, being acted
+but five times. However, there is nothing else new.
+
+The Dauphin continues in the same languishing and hopeless state,
+but with great coolness and firmness. Somebody gave him t'other
+day "The Preparation for Death:"(913) he said, "C'est la nouvelle
+du jour."
+
+I have nothing more to say, but what I have always to say, Madam,
+from the beginning of my letters to the end, that I am your
+ladyship's most obliged and most devoted humble servant.
+
+Nov. 28, three o'clock.
+
+Oh, Madam, Madam, Madam, what do you think I have found since I
+wrote my letter this morning? I am out of my wits! Never was
+any thing like my luck; it never forsakes me! I have found Count
+Grammont's picture! I believe I shall see company upon it,
+certainly keep the day holy. I went to the Grand Augustins to
+see the pictures of the reception of' the knights of the Holy
+Ghost: they carried me into a chamber full of their portraits; I
+was looking for Bassompierre; my laquais de louage opened a door,
+and said, "Here are more." One of the first that struck me was
+Philibert Comte de Grammont!(914) It is old, not at all
+handsome, but has a great deal of finesse in the countenance. I
+shall think of nothing now but having it copied. If I had seen
+or done nothing else, I should be content with my journey hither.
+
+(913) The title of a French book of devotion.
+
+(914) The witty Count de Grammont, who married Elizabeth,
+daughter of Sir George Hamilton, fourth son of James first Earl
+of Abercorn, by Mary, third sister of James first Duke of Ormond.
+Tradition reports, that Grammont, who is not recorded to have
+been a men of personal courage, having attached, if not engaged
+himself to Hamilton, went off abruptly for France: the Count
+George Hamilton pursued and overtook him at Dover, when he thus
+addressed him: "My dear friend, I believe you have forgot a
+circumstance that should take place before you return to France."
+To which Grammont answered, "True, my dear friend; what a memory
+I have! I quite forgot that I was to marry your sister; but I
+will instantly accompany you back to London and rectify that
+forgetfulness." His celebrated Memoirs were written by his
+brother-in-law, Anthony, generally called Count Hamilton, who
+followed the fortunes of James the Second, and afterwards entered
+the French service.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 283 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Paris, Nov. 29, 1765. (page 448)
+
+As I answered your short letter with a very long one, I shall be
+shorter in answer to your long, which I received late last night
+from Fontainbleau: it is not very necessary: but as Lord William
+Gordon sets out for England on Monday, I take that opportunity.
+
+The Duke of' Richmond tells me that Choiseul has promised every
+thing. I wish it may be performed, and speedily, as it will give
+you an opportunity of opening the Parliament with great `eclat.
+My opinion you know is, that this is the moment for pushing them
+and obtaining.
+
+Thank you for all you say about my gout. We have had a week of
+very hard frost, that has done me great good, and rebraced me.
+The swelling of my legs is quite gone. What has done me more
+good, is having entirely left off tea, to which I believe the
+weakness of my stomach was owing, having had no sickness since.
+In short, I think I am cured of every thing but my fears. You
+talk coolly of going as far as Naples, and propose my going with
+you. I would not go so far, if Naples was the direct road to the
+new Jerusalem. I have no thought or wish but to get home, and be
+quiet for the rest of my days, which I shall most certainly do
+the first moment the season will let me; and if I once get to
+London again, shall be scarce tempted ever to lie in an inn more.
+I have refused to go to Aubign`e, though I should lie but one
+night on the road. You may guess what I have suffered, when I am
+grown so timorous about my health, However, I am again reverted
+to my system of water, and trying to recover my hardiness--but
+nothing has at all softened me towards physicians.
+
+You see I have given you a serious answer, though I am rather
+disposed to smile at your proposal. Go to Italy! for what?--Oh!
+to quit--do you know, I think that as idle a thought as the
+other. Pray stay where you are, and do some good to your
+country, or retire when you cannot--but don't put your finger in
+your eye and cry after the holidays and sugar-plums of
+Park-place. You have engaged and must go through or be hindered.
+Could you tell the world the reason? Would not all men say you
+had found yourself incapable of what you had undertaken? I have
+no patience with your thinking so idly. It would be a reflection
+on your understanding and character, and a want of resolution
+unworthy of you.
+
+My advice is, to ask for the first great government that falls,
+if you will not take your regiment again; to continue acting
+vigorously and honestly where you are. Things are never stable
+enough in our country to give you a prospect of a long slavery.
+Your defect is irresolution. When you have taken your post, act
+up to it; and if you are driven from it, your retirement will
+then be as Honourable, and more satisfactory than your
+administration. I speak frankly, as my friendship for you
+directs. My way of acting (though a private instance) is
+agreeable to my doctrine. I determined, whenever our opposition
+should be over, to have done with politics; and you see I have
+adhered to my resolution by coming hither; and therefore you may
+be convinced that I speak my thoughts. I don't ask your pardon,
+because I should be forced to ask my own, if I did not tell you
+what I think the best for you. You have life and Park-place
+enough to come, and you have not had five months of gout. Make
+yourself independent honourably, which you may do by a
+government. but if you will take my advice, don't accept a
+ministerial place when you cease to be a minister. The former is
+a reward due to your profession and services; the latter is a
+degradation. You know the haughtiness of my spirit; I give you
+no advice but what I would follow.
+
+I sent Lady Ailesbury the "Orpheline Legu`ee:" a poor
+performance; but the subject made me think she would like to see
+it. I am over head and ears at Count Caylus's(915) auction, and
+have bought half of it for a song--but I am still in greater
+felicity and luck, having discovered, by mere accident, a
+portrait of Count Grammont, after having been in search of' one
+these fifteen years, and assured there was no such thing.
+Apropos, I promised you my but besides that there is nobody here
+that excels in painting skeletons, seriously, their painters are
+bitter bad, and as much inferior to Reynolds and Ramsay, as
+Hudson to Vandyck. I had rather stay till my return. Adieu!
+
+(915) The Count de Caylus, member of the Royal Academy of
+Inscriptions and Belles-lettre, honorary member of the Royal
+Academy of Painting and Sculpture, and author of the "Recueil
+d'Antiquit`es Egyptiennes, Etrusques, Grecques, Romaines, et
+Gauloises," in seven volumes, 4to., died at Paris in September
+1765, in the sixty-third year of his age. He was said to be the
+protector of the arts and the torment of the artists; for though
+he assisted them with his advice, and, better still, with his
+purse, he exacted from them, in return, the greatest deference to
+his opinion. Gibbon, in his Journal for May, 1763, thus speaks
+of the Count:--"Je le vis trois ou quatre fois, et je vis un
+homme simple, uni, bon, et qui me temoignoit une bont`e Extreme.
+Si je n'en ai point profits, je l'attribue moins `a son
+charact`ere qu'`a son genre de vie. Il se l`eve de grand matin,
+court les atteliers des artistes pendant tout le jour, et rentre
+chez lui `a six heures du soir pour se mettre en robe de chambre,
+et s'enfermer dans son cabinet. Le moyen de voir ses amis?"-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 284 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Paris, Dec. 5, 1765. (page 450)
+
+I have not above a note's worth to say; but as Lord Ossory sets
+out to-morrow, I just send you a line. The Dauphin, if he is
+still alive, which some folks doubt, is kept so only by cordials;
+though the Bishop of Glandeve has assured the Queen that he had
+God's own word for his recovery, which she still believes,
+whether her son is dead or not.
+
+The remonstrance of the Parliament of Paris, on the dissolution
+of that of Bretagne, is very decent; they are to have an audience
+next week. They do not touch on Chalotais, because the
+accusation against him is for treason. What do you think that
+treason Is? A correspondence with Mr. Pitt, to whom he is made
+to say, that "Rennes is nearer to London than Paris." It is now
+believed that the anonymous letters, supposed to be written by
+Chalotais, were forged by a Jesuit--those to Mr. Pitt could not
+have even so good an author.
+
+The Duke of Richmond is still at Aubign`e: I wonder he stays, for
+it is the hardest frost alive. Mr. Hume does not go to Ireland;
+where your brother finds he would by no means be welcome. I have
+a notion he will stay here till Your brother's return.
+
+The Duc de Praslin, it is said, will retire at Christmas. As La
+Borde, the great banker of the court, is trying to retire too, my
+consul, who is much connected with La Borde, suspects that
+Choiseul is not very firm himself. I have supped with Monsieur
+de Maurepas, and another night, with Marshal Richelieu: the first
+is extremely agreeable and sensible; and, I am glad, not
+minister. The other is an old piece of tawdry, worn out, but
+endeavouring to brush itself up; and put me in mind of Lord
+Chesterfield, for they laugh before they know what he has said--
+and are in the right, for I think they would not laugh
+afterwards.
+
+I send Lady Ailesbury the words and music of the prettiest opera
+comique in the world. I wish I could send her the actors too.
+Adieu!
+
+December 9.
+
+Lord Ossory put off his journey; which stopped this letter, and
+it will now go by Mr. Andrew Stuart.
+
+The face of things is changed here; which I am impatient to tell
+you, that you may see it is truth, not system, which I pique
+myself on sending you. The vigour of the court has frightened
+the Parliaments. That of Pau has submitted. The procureurs, etc
+of Rennes, who, it was said, would not plead before the new
+commission, were told, that if they did not plead the next day
+they should be hanged without a trial. No bribe ever operated
+faster! I heard t'other day, that some Spanish minister, I
+forget his name, being dead, Squillace would take his department,
+and Grimaldi have that of the West Indies. He is the worst that
+could have it, as we have no greater enemy.
+
+The Dauphin is certainly alive, but in the most shocking way
+possible; his bones worn through his skin, a great swelling
+behind, and so relaxed, that his intestines appear from that
+part; and yesterday the mortification was suspected.
+
+I have received a long letter from Lady Ailesbury, for which I
+give her a thousand thanks; and would answer it directly, if I
+had not told you every thing I know. The Duke and Duchess of
+Richmond are, I hear, at Fontainbleau: the moment they return, I
+will give the Duchess Lady Ailesbury's commission.
+
+
+
+Letter 285 To The Countess Of Suffolk.(916)
+Paris, Dec. 5, 1765; but does not set out till the 11th.
+(page 451)
+
+Madam,
+Miss Hotham need not be in pain for what to say when she gives me
+an account of your ladyship; which is all the trouble I thought
+of giving her. If she could make those accounts more favourable,
+I should be better pleased; but I know what an untractable brute
+the gout is, and the joy it takes in plaguing every body that is
+connected with it. We have the sharpest frost here that ever
+lived; it has done me great good; and, if it has the same effect
+on your ladyship, I hope you are starved to death. Since Paris
+has begun to fill in spite of Fontainbleau, I am much reconciled
+to it, and, have seen several people I like. I am established in
+two or three societies, where I sup every night; though I have
+still resisted whist, and am more constant to my old flame loo
+during its absence than I doubt I have been to my other passion.
+There is a young Comtesse d'Egmont, daughter of Marshal
+Richelieu, so pretty and pleasing, that, if I thought it would
+break any body's heart in England, I would be in love with her.
+Nay, Madam, I might be so within all rules here. I am twenty
+years the right side of red-heels, which her father wears still,
+and he has still a wrinkle to come before he leaves them off.
+
+The Dauphin is still alive, but kept so only by cordials. The
+Queen and Dauphiness have no doubt of his recovery, having the
+Bishop of Glandeve's word for it, who got a promise from a vision
+under its own hand and seal. The Dauphin has certainly behaved
+with great courage and tranquillity, but is so touched with the
+tenderness and attention of his family, that he now expresses a
+wish to live.
+
+If there is no talk in England of politics and parliaments, I can
+send your ladyship as much as you please from hence; or If you
+want English themselves, I can send you about fifty head; and I
+assure you, we shall still be well stocked. There were three
+card-tables at Lady Berkeley's.
+
+(916) Now first collected.
+
+
+
+ Letter 286 To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Jan. 2, 1766. (page 452)
+
+When I came to Paris, Madam, I did not know that by New year's--
+day I should find myself in Siberia; at least as cold. There
+have not been two good days together since the middle of October;
+however, I do not complain, as I am both well and pleased, though
+I wish for a little of your sultry English weather, all French as
+I am. I have entirely left off dinners, and the life I always
+liked, of lying late in bed, and sitting up late. I am told of
+nothing but how contradictory this is to your ladyship's orders;
+but as I shall have dull dinners and triste evenings enough when
+I return to England, all your kindness cannot persuade me to
+sacrifice my pleasures here, too. Many of my opinions are
+fantastic; perhaps this is one, that nothing produces gout like
+doing any thing one dislikes. I believe the gouts like a near
+relation, always visits one when one has some other plague. Your
+ladyship's dependence on the waters of Sunning-hill is, I hope,
+better founded; but in the mean time my system is full as
+pleasant.
+
+Madame d'Aiguillon's goodness to me does not abate, nor Madame
+Geoffrin's. I have seen but little of Madame d'Egmont, who seems
+very good, and is universally in esteem. She is now in great
+affliction, having lost suddenly Monsieur Pignatelli, the
+minister at Parma, whom she bred up, and whom she and her family
+had generously destined for her grand-daughter, an immense
+heiress. It was very delicate and touching what Madame d'Egmont
+said to her daughter-in-law on this occasion:--"Vous voyez, ma
+ch`ere, combien j'aime mes enfans d'adoption!" This
+daughter-in-law is delightfully pretty, and civil, and gay, and
+conversable, though not a regular beauty like Madame de Monaco.
+
+The bitterness of the frost deters me, Madam, from all sights; I
+console myself with good company, and still more, with being
+absent from bad. Negative as this satisfaction is, it is
+incredibly great, to me in a town like this, and to be sure every
+day of not meeting one face one hates! I never know a positive
+pleasure equal to it.
+
+Your ladyship and Lord Holland shall laugh at me as Much as you
+please for by dread of being thought charming; yet I shall not
+deny my panic, for surely nothing is so formidable as to have
+one's limbs on crutches and one's understanding in
+leading-strings. The Prince of Conti laughed at me t'other day
+on the same account. I was complaining to the old blind charming
+Madame du Deffand, that she preferred Mr. Crawford to me: "What,"
+said the Prince, "does not she love you?" "No, Sir," I replied,
+"she likes me no better than if she had seen me."
+
+Mr. Hume carries this letter and Rousseau to England.(917) I
+wish the former may not repent having engaged with the latter,
+who contradicts and quarrels with all mankind, in order to obtain
+their admiration. I think both his means and his end below such
+a genius. If I had talents like his, I should despise any
+suffrage below my own standard, and should blush to owe any part
+of my fame to singularities and affectations. But great parts
+seem like high towers erected on high mountains, the more
+expose(] to every wind, and readier to tumble. Charles Townshend
+is blown round the compass; Rousseau insists that the north and
+South blow at the same time; and Voltaire demolishes the Bible to
+erect fatalism in its stead:--so compatible are the greatest
+abilities and greatest absurdities!
+
+Madame d'Aiguillon gave me the enclosed letter for your ladyship.
+I wish I had any thing else to send you; but there are no new
+books, and the theatres are shut up for the Dauphin's death; who,
+I believe, is the greatest loss they have had since Harry 1V.
+
+(917) The Parliament of Paris having issued an arr`et against
+Rousseau, on account of his opinions, Mr. Hume was applied to by
+a friend in Paris to discover for him a retreat in England,
+whither he accompanied him. The plan finally concluded on was,
+that he should be comfortably boarded in the mansion of Mr.
+Davenport, at Wooton, in the county of Derby; and Mr. Hume, by
+his interest with the Government, obtained for him a pension of
+one hundred pounds a-year. On his arrival in London, he appeared
+in public in his Armenian dress, and excited much general
+notice.-E
+
+
+
+Letter 287 To John Chute, Esq.
+Paris, Jan. 1766. (page 453)
+
+It is in vain, I know, my dear Sir, to scold you, though I have
+Such a mind to it--nay, I must. Yes, You that will not lie a
+night at Strawberry in autumn for fear of the gout, to stay in
+the country till this time, and till you caught it! I know you
+will tell me, it did not come till you were two days in town.
+Do, and I shall have no more pity for you this if I was your
+wife, and had wanted to come to town two months ago.
+
+I am perfectly well, though to be sure Lapland is the torrid zone
+in comparison of Paris. We have had such a frost for this
+fortnight, that I went nine miles to dine in the country to-day,
+in a villa exactly like a green-house, except that there was no
+fire but in one room. We were four in a coach, and all our
+chinks stopped with furs, and yet all the glasses were frozen.
+We dined in a paved hall painted in fresco, with a fountain at
+one end; for in this country they live in a perpetual opera, and
+persist in being young when they are old, and hot when they are
+frozen. At the end of the hall sat shivering three glorious
+maccaws, a vast cockatoo, and two poor parroquets, who squalled
+like the children in the wood after their nursery-fire! I am
+come home, and blowing my billets between every paragraph, but
+can scarce move my fingers. However, I must be dressed
+presently, and go to the Comtesse de la Marche,(918) who has
+appointed nine at night for my audience. It seems a little odd
+to us to be presented to a princess of the blood at that hour--
+but I told you, there is not a tittle In which our manners
+resemble one another; I was presented to her father-in-law the
+Prince of Conti last Friday. In the middle of the lev`ee entered
+a young woman, too plain I thought to be any thing but his near
+relation. I was confirmed in my opinion, by seeing her, after he
+had talked to her, go round the circle and do the honours of it.
+I asked a gentleman near me if that was the Comtesse de la
+Marche? He burst into a violent laughter, and then told me it
+was Mademoiselle Auguste, a dancer!--Now, who was in the wrong?
+
+I give you these as samples of many scenes that have amused me,
+and which will be charming food at Strawberry. At the same time
+that I see all their ridicules, there is a douceur in the society
+of the women of fashion that captivates me. I like the way of
+life, though not lively; though the men are posts, and apt to be
+arrogant, and though there are twenty ingredients wanting to make
+the style perfect. I have totally washed my hands of their
+savans and Philosophers, and do not even envy you Rousseau, who
+has all the charlatanerie of Count St. Germain(919 to make
+himself singular and talked of. I suppose Mrs. Montagu, my Lord
+Lyttelton, and a certain lady friend of mine, will be in raptures
+with him, especially as conducted by Mr. Hume. But, however I
+admire his parts, neither he nor any genius I have known has had
+common sense enough to balance the impertinence of their
+pretensions. They hate priests, but love dearly to have an altar
+at their feet; for which reason it is much pleasanter to read
+them than to know them. Adieu! my dear Sir!
+
+Jan. 15.
+
+This has been writ this week, and waiting for a conveyance, and
+as yet has got none. Favre tells me you are recovered, but you
+don't tell me so yourself. I enclose a trifle that I wrote
+lately,(920) which got about and has made enormous noise in a
+city where they run and cackle after an event, like a parcel of
+hens after an accidental husk of a grape. It has made me the
+fashion, and made Madame de Boufflers and the Prince of Conti
+very angry with me; the former intending to be rapt to the Temple
+of Fame by clinging to Rousseau's Armenian robe. I am peevish
+that with his parts he should be such a mountebank: but what made
+me more peevish was, that after receiving Wilkes with the
+greatest civilities, he paid court to Mr. Hume by complaining of
+Wilkes's visit and intrusion.(921) Upon the whole, I would not
+but have come hither; for, since I am doomed to live in England,
+it is some comfort to have seen that the French are ten times
+more contemptible than we are. I am a little ungrateful; but I
+cannot help seeing with my eyes, though I find other people make
+nothing of seeing without theirs. I have endless histories to
+amuse you with when we meet, which shall be at the end of March.
+It is much more tiresome to be fashionable than unpopular; I am
+used to the latter, and know how to behave under it: but I cannot
+stand for member of parliament of Paris. Adieu!
+
+(918) La Comtesse de la Marche, princess of Modena, married to
+the only son of the Prince de Conti. Le Comte de la Marche was
+the only one of the princes of the blood who uniformly sided with
+the court in the disputes with the Parliament of Paris.-E.
+
+(919) The Comte de St. Germain had acquired a considerable
+military reputation in France by his conduct at Corbach in 1760;
+when he commanded the reserve, and saved the army by supporting
+the rear-guard and allowing the whole body to retire upon Cassel.
+Considering himself ill-used by the Marshal de Broglio, his
+commander-in-chief, he obtained leave to retire from the French
+service, and entered that of Denmark, from which he retired into
+private life in 1774. From this retirement he was summoned by
+Louis XVI. upon the death of the Comte de Muy,
+minister-at-war.-E.
+
+(920) The letter from the King of Prussia to Rousseau.-E.
+
+(921) "One evening, at the Mitre, Johnson said sarcastically to
+me, 'It seems, Sir, you have kept very good company abroad--
+Rousseau and Wilkes!' I answered with a smile, 'My dear Sir, you
+don't call Rousseau bad company: do you r(@ally think him a f bad
+man?' Johnson. 'Sir, if you are talking jestingly of this, I
+don't talk with you. If you mean to be serious, I think him one
+of the worst of men; a rascal, who ought to be hunted out of
+society, as he has been. Three or four nations have expelled
+him, and it is a shame that he is protected in this country.
+Rousseau, Sir, is a very bad man. I would sooner sign a sentence
+for his transportation than that of any felon who has gone from
+the Old Bailey these many years. Yes, I should like to have him
+work in the plantations.' " Boswell, vol. ii. p. 314, ed.
+1835.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 288 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, Jan. 5, 1766. (page 455)
+
+Lady beaulieu acts like herself, and so do you in being persuaded
+that nobody will feel any satisfaction that comes to you with
+more transport than I do; you deserve her friendship, because you
+are more sensible to the grace of the action than to the thing
+itself; of which, besides approving the sentiment, I am glad, for
+if my Lady Cardigan(922) is as happy in drawing a straw, as in
+picking straws, you will certainly miss your green coat. Yet
+methinks you would make an excellent Robin Hood reform`e, with
+little John your brother. How you would carol Mr. Percy's old
+ballads under the greenwood tree! I had rather have you in my
+merry Sherwood than at Greatworth, and should delight in your
+picture drawn as a bold forester, in a green frock, with your
+rosy hue, gray locks, and comely belly. In short, the favour
+itself, and the manner are so agreeable, that I shall be at least
+as much disappointed as you can be, if it fails. One is not
+ashamed to wear a feather from the hand of a friend. We both
+scorn to ask or accept boons; but it is pleasing to have life
+painted with images by the pencil of friendship. Visions you
+know have always been my pasture; and so far from growing old
+enough to quarrel with their emptiness, I almost think there is
+no wisdom comparable to that of exchanging what is called the
+realities of life for dreams. Old castles, old pictures, old
+histories, and the babble of old people, make one live back into
+centuries, that cannot disappoint one. One holds fast and surely
+what is past. The dead have exhausted their power of deceiving;
+one can trust Catherine of Medicis now. In short, you have
+opened a new landscape to my fancy; and my Lady Beaulieu will
+oblige me as much as you, if she puts the long bow into your
+hands. I don't know but the idea may produce some other Castle
+of Otranto.
+
+The victorious arms of the present ministry in Parliament will
+make me protract my stay here, lest it should be thought I
+awaited the decision of the event; next to successful enemies, I
+dread triumphant friends. To be sure, Lord Temple and George
+Grenville are very proper to be tied to a conqueror's car, and to
+drag then, slow lengths along;" but it is too ridiculous to see
+Goody Newcastle exulting like old Marius in a seventh consulship.
+Don't tell it, but as far as I can calculate my own intention, I
+shall not set out before the twenty-fifth of March. That will
+meet your abode in London; and I shall get a day or two out of
+you for some chat at Strawberry on all I have seen and done here.
+For this reason I will anticipate nothing now, but bid you
+good-morrow, after telling you a little story. The canton of
+Berne ordered all the impressions of Helvetius's Esprit and
+Voltaire's Pucelle to be seized. The officer of justice employed
+by them came into the council and said, "Magnifiques seigneurs,
+apr`es toutes les recherches possibles, on n'a p`u trouver dans
+toute la ville que tr`es peu de l'Esprit, et pas une Pucelle."
+Adieu! Robin and John.
+
+January 9th.
+
+I had not sent away my letter, being so disappointed of a
+messenger, and now receive yours of December the thirtieth. My
+house is most heartily at your service, and I shall write to
+Favre to have it ready for You. You will see by the former part
+of this letter, that I do not think of being in England before
+the end of March. All I dislike in this contract is the fear,
+that if I drive you out of my house, I shall drive you out of
+town; and as you will find, I have not a bed to offer you but my
+own, and Favre's, in which your servant will lie, for I have
+stripped Arlington-street to furnish Strawberry. In the mean
+time you will be comfortable in my bed, and need have no trouble
+about Favre, as he lodges at his wife's while I am absent. Let
+them know in time to have the beds aired.
+
+I don't understand one syllable of your paragraph about Miss
+Talbot, Admiral Cornish, and Mr. Hampden's son. I thought she
+was married, and I forget to whom.
+
+(922) Lady Mary Montagu, third daughter and coheiress of John
+second Duke of Montagu, and last of that creation; married, 7th
+July 1730, George Montagu, fourth Earl of Cardigan.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 289 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Saturday night, Jan. 11, 1766. (page 457)
+
+I have just now, Madam, received the scissors, by General Vernon,
+from Mr. Conway's office. Unluckily, I had not received your
+ladyship's notification of them sooner, for want of a conveyance,
+and I wrote to my servant to inquire of yours how they had been
+sent; which I fear may have added a little trouble to all you had
+been so good as to take, and for which I give you ten thousand
+thanks: but your ladyship is so exact and friendly, that it
+almost discourages rather than encourages me. I cannot bring
+myself to think that ten thousand obligations are new letters of
+credit. I have -seen Mrs. F *****, and her husband may be as
+happy as he will: I cannot help pitying him. She told me it is
+coulder here than in England; and in truth I believe so: I blow
+the fire between every paragraph, and am quite cut off from all
+sights. The agreeableness of the evenings makes me some amends.
+I am just going to sup at Madame d'Aiguillon's with Madame
+d'Egmont, and I hope Madame de Brionne, whom I have not yet seen;
+but she is not very well, and it is doubtful. My last new
+passion, and I think the strongest, is the Duchesse de Choiseul.
+Her face is pretty, not very pretty; her person a little model.
+Cheerful, modest, full of attentions, with the happiest propriety
+of expression, and greatest quickness of reason and judgment, you
+would take her for the queen of an allegory: one dreads its
+finishing, as much as a lover, if she would admit one, would wish
+it should finish. In short, Madam, though you are the last
+person that will believe it, France is so agreeable, and England
+so much the reverse, that I don't know when I shall return. The
+civilities, the kindnesses, the honours I receive, are so many
+and so great, that I am continually forced to put myself in mind
+how little I am entitled to them, and how many of them I owe to
+your ladyship. I shall talk you to death at my return. Shall
+you bear to hear me tell you a thousand times over, that Madame
+Geoffrin is the most rational woman in the world, and Madame
+d'Aiguillon the most animated and most obliging? I think you
+will. Your ladyship can endure the panegyric of your friends.
+If you should grow impatient to hear them commended, you have
+nothing to do but to come over. The best air in the world is
+that where one is pleased: Sunning waters are nothing to it. The
+frost is so hard, it is impossible to have the gout; and though
+the fountain of youth is not here, the fountain of age is, which
+comes to just the same thing. One is never old here, or never
+thought so. One makes verses as if one was but seventccn-for
+example:-
+
+ON MADAME DE FORCALQUIER SPEAKING ENGLISH.
+
+Soft sounds that steal from fair Forcalquier's lips,
+Like bee that murmuring the jasmin sips!
+Are these my native accents? None so sweet,
+So gracious, yet my ravish'd ears did meet.
+O power of beauty! thy enchanting look
+Can melodize each note in Nature's book.
+The roughest wrath of Russians, when they swear,
+Pronounced by thee, flows soft as Indian air;
+And dulcet breath, attemper'd by thine eyes,
+Gives British prose o'er Tuscan verse the prize.
+
+You must not look, Madam, for much meaning in these lines; they
+were intended only to run smoothly, and to be easily comprehended
+by the fair scholar who is learning our language. Still less
+must you show them: they are not calculated for the meridian of
+London, where you know I dread being represented as a shepherd.
+Pray let them think that I am wrapped up in Canada bills, and
+have all the pamphlets sent over about the colonies and the
+stamp-act.
+
+I am very sorry for the accounts your ladyship gives me of Lord
+Holland. He talks, I am told, of going to Naples: one would do a
+great deal for health, but I question if I could buy it at that
+expense. If Paris would answer his purpose, I should not wonder
+if he came hither; but to live with Italians must be woful, and
+would ipso facto make me ill. It is true I am a bad judge: I
+never tasted illness but the gout, which, tormenting as it is, I
+prefer to all other distempers: one knows the fit will end, will
+leave one quite well, and dispenses with the nonsense of
+physicians, and absurdity is more painful than pain: at least the
+pain of the gout never takes away my spirits, which the other
+does.
+
+I have never heard from Mr. Chute this century, but am glad the
+gout is rather his excuse than the cause, and that it lies only
+in his pen. I am in too good humour to quarrel with any body,
+and consequently cannot be in haste to see England, where at
+least one is sure of being quarrelled with. If they vex me, I
+will come back hither directly; and I shall have the satisfaction
+of knowing that your ladyship will not blame me.
+
+
+
+Letter 290 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Paris, Jan. 12, 1766. (page 458)
+
+I have received your letter by General Vernon, and another. to
+which I have writ an answer, but was disappointed of a conveyance
+I expected. You shall have it with additions, by the first
+messenger that goes; but I cannot send it by the post, as I have
+spoken very freely of some persons you name, in which we agree
+thoroughly. These few lines are only to tell you that I am not
+idle in writing to you.
+
+I almost repent having come hither: for I like the way of life
+and many of the people so well, that I doubt I shall feel more
+regret at leaving Paris than I expected. It would sound vain to
+tell you the honours and distinctions I receive, and how much I
+am in fashion; yet when they come from the handsomest women in
+France, and the most respectable in point of character, can one
+help being a little proud? If I was twenty years younger, I
+should wish they were not quite so respectable. Madame de
+Brionne, whom I have never seen, and who was to have met me at
+supper last night at the charming Madame d'Egmont's, sent me an
+invitation by the latter for Wednesday next. I was engaged, and
+hesitated. I was told, "Comment! savez-vous que c'est qu'elle
+ne feroit pas pour toute la France?" However, lest you should
+dread my returning a perfect old swain, I study my wrinkles,
+compare myself and my limbs to every plate of larks I see, and
+treat my understanding with at least as little mercy. Yet, do
+you know, my present fame is owing to a very trifling
+composition, but which has made incredible noise. I was one
+evening at Madame Geoffrin's joking on Rousseau's affectations
+and contradictions, and said some things that diverted them.
+When I came home, I Put them into a letter, and showed it next
+day to Helvetius and the Duc de Nivernois-, who were so pleased
+with it, that, after telling me some faults in the language,
+which you may be sure there were, they encouraged me to let it be
+seen. As you know I willingly laugh at mountebanks, political or
+literary, let their talents be ever so great, I was not averse.
+The copies have spread like wildfire; et me voici `a la mode! I
+expect the end of my reign at the end of the week with great
+composure. Here is the letter:--
+
+LE ROI DE PRUSSE, A MONSIEUR ROUSSEAU.(923)
+
+Mon ch`ere Jean Jacques,
+Vous avez renonc`e `a G`en`eve votre patrie; vous vous `etes fait
+chasser de la Suisse, pays tant vant`e dans vos `ecrits; la
+France vous a d`ecret`e. Venez done chez moi; j'admire vos
+talens; je m'amuse de vos r`everies, qui (soit dit en passant)
+vous occupent trop, et trop long tems. Il faut `a la fin `etre
+sage et heureux. Vous avez fait assez parler de vous par des
+singularit`es peu convenables `a un v`eritable grand homme.
+D`emontrez `a vos ennemis que vous pouvez avoir quelquefois le
+sens commun: cela les fachera, sans vous faire- tort. Mes `etats
+vous offrent Une retraite paisible; je vous veux du bien, et je
+vous en ferai, si vous le trouvez bon. Mais si vous vous
+obstiniez `a rejetter mon secours, attendez-vous que je ne le
+dirai `a personne. Si vous persistez @ vous creuser l'esprit
+pour trouver de nouveaux malheurs, choisissez les tels que vous
+voudrez. Je suis roi, je puis vous en procurer au gr`e de vos
+souhaits: et ce qui s`urement ne vous arrivera pas vis `a vis de
+vos ennemis, je cesserai de vous pers`ecuter quand vous cesserez
+de mettre votre gloire `a l'`etre. Votre bon ami, Frederic.
+
+The Princesse de Ligne,(924) whose mother was an Englishwoman
+made a good observation to me last night. She said, "Je suis
+roi, je puis vous procurer de malheurs," was plainly the stroke
+of an English pen. I said, then I had certainly not well
+imitated the character in which I wrote. You will say I am an
+old man to attack both Voltaire and Rousseau. It is true; but I
+shoot at their heel, at their vulnerable part.
+
+I beg your pardon for taking up your time with these trifles.
+The day after to-morrow we go in cavalcade with the Duchess of
+Richmond to her audience;(925) I have got my cravat and shammy
+shoes. Adieu!
+
+(923) How much Rousseau, who was naturally disposed to believe in
+plots and conspiracies against him, was annoyed by this jeu
+d'esprit, the reader will readily learn from the following
+letter, which he addressed to the editor of the London Chronicle
+shortly after his arrival in England:--
+
+Wootton, 3d March 1766.
+
+You have failed, Sir, in the respect which every private person
+owes to a crowned head, in attributing publicly to the King of
+Prussia a letter full of extravagance and malignity, of which,
+for these very reasons, you ought to have known be could not be
+the author. You have even dared to transcribe his signature, as
+if you had seen it written with his own hand. I inform you, Sir,
+this letter was fabricated at Paris; and what rends my heart is,
+that the impostor has accomplices in England. You owe to the
+King of Prussia, to truth, and to me, to print the letter which I
+write to you, and which I sign, as an atonement for a fault with
+which you would doubtless reproach yourself severely, if you knew
+to what a dark transaction you have rendered yourself accessory.
+I salute you Sir, very sincerely. Rousseau.
+
+(924) The Princess de Ligne was a daughter of the Marquis de
+Megi`eres, by Miss Oglethorpe, sister of general Oglethorpe.-E.
+
+(925) At Versailles, as ambassadress.
+
+
+
+Letter 291 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Paris, Jan. 18, 1766. (page 460)
+
+Dear sir,
+I had extreme satisfaction in receiving your letter, having been
+in great pain about you, and not knowing where to direct a
+letter. Favre(926) told me, you had had an accident, did not say
+what it was, but that you was not come to town.(927) He received
+all the letters and parcels safe; for which I give you many
+thanks, and a thousand more for your kindness in thinking of
+them, when you was suffering so much. It was a dreadful
+conclusion of your travels; but I trust will leave no
+consequences behind it. The weather is by no means favourable
+for a recovery, if it is as severe in England as at Paris. We
+have had two or three days of fog, rather than thaw; but the
+frost is set in again as sharp as ever. I persisted in going
+about to churches and convents, till I thought I should have lost
+my nose and fingers. I have submitted at last to the season, and
+lie a-bed all the morning; but I hope in February and March to
+recover the time I have lost. I shall not return to England
+before the end of March, being determined not to hazard any
+thing. I continue perfectly well, and few things could tempt me
+to risk five months more of gout.
+
+I will certainly bring you some pastils, and have them better
+packed, if it is possible. You know how happy I should be if you
+would send me any other commission. As you say nothing of the
+Eton living, I fear that prospect has failed you; which gives me
+great regret, as it would give me very sensible pleasure to have
+you fixed somewhere (and not far from me) for your ease and
+satisfaction.
+
+I am glad the cathedral of Amiens answered your expectation; so
+has the Sainte Chapelle mine; you did not tell me what charming
+enamels I should find in the ante-chapel. I have seen another
+vast piece, and very fine, of the Constable Montmorenci, at the
+Mar`echale Duchesse de Luxembourg's. Rousseau is gone to England
+with Mr. Hume. You will very probably see a letter to Rousseau,
+in the name of the King of Prussia, writ to laugh at his
+affectations. It has made excessive noise here, and I believe
+quite ruined the author with many philosophers. When I tell you
+I was the author, it is telling you how cheap I hold their anger.
+If it does not reach you, you shall see it at Strawberry, where I
+flatter myself I shall see you this summer, and quite well.
+Adieu!
+
+(926) A servant of Mr. Walpole's left in London.
+
+(927) In disembarking at Dover, Mr. Cole met with an accident,
+that had confined him there three weeks to his bed.
+
+
+
+Letter 292 To Mr. Gray.
+Paris, Jan. 25, 1766. (461)
+
+I am much indebted to you for your kind letter and advice; and
+though it is late to thank you for it, it is at least a stronger
+proof that I do not forget it. However, I am a little obstinate,
+as you know, on the chapter of health, and have persisted through
+this Siberian winter in not adding a grain to my clothes, and in
+going open-breasted without an under waistcoat. In short, though
+I like extremely to live, it must be in my own way, as long as I
+can: it is not youth I court, but liberty; and I think making
+oneself tender is issuing a general warrant against one's own
+person. I suppose I shall submit to confinement when I cannot
+help it; but I am indifferent enough to life not to care if it
+ends soon after my prison begins. I have not delayed so long to
+answer your letter, from not thinking of you, or from want of
+matter, but from want of time. I am constantly occupied,
+engaged, amused, till I cannot bring a hundredth part of what I
+have to say into the compass of a letter. You will lose nothing
+by this: you know my volubility, when I am full of new subjects;
+and I have at least many hours of conversation for you at my
+return. One does not learn a whole nation in four or five
+months; but, for the time, few, I believe, have seen, studied, or
+got so much acquainted with the French as I have.
+
+By what I said of their religious or rather irreligious opinions,
+you must not conclude their people of quality atheists--at least,
+not the men. Happily for them, poor souls! they are not capable
+of going so far into thinking. They assent to a great deal,
+because it is the fashion, and because they don't know how to
+contradict. they are ashamed to defend the Roman Catholic
+religion, because it is quite exploded; but I am convinced they
+believe it in their hearts. They hate the Parliaments and the
+philosophers, and are rejoiced that they may still idolize
+royalty. At present, too, they are a little triumphant: the
+court has shown a little spirit, and the Parliament much less:
+but as the Duc de Choiseul, who is very fluttering, unsettled,
+and inclined to the philosophers, has made a compromise with the
+Parliament of Bretagne, the Parliaments might venture out again,
+if, as I fancy will be the case, they are not glad to drop a
+cause, of which they began to be a little weary of the
+inconvenience.
+
+The generality of the men, and more than the generality, are dull
+and empty. They have taken up gravity, thinking it was
+philosophy and English, and so have acquired nothing in the room
+of their natural levity and cheerfulness. However, as their high
+opinion of their own country remains, for which they can no
+longer assign any reason, they are contemptuous and reserved,
+instead of being ridiculously, consequently pardonably,
+impertinent. I have wondered, knowing my own countrymen, that we
+had attained such a superiority. I wonder no longer, and have a
+little more respect for English heads than I had.
+
+The women do not seem of the same country: if they are less gay
+than they were, they are more informed, enough to make them very
+conversable. I know six or seven with very superior
+understandings. some of them with wit, or with softness, or very
+good sense.
+
+Madame Geoffrin, of whom you have heard much, is an extraordinary
+woman, with more common sense than I almost ever met with. Great
+quickness in discovering characters, penetration in going to the
+bottom of them, and a pencil that never fails in a likeness--
+seldom a favourable One. She exacts and preserves, spite of her
+birth and their nonsensical prejudices about nobility, great
+court and attention. This she acquires by a thousand little arts
+and offices of friendship: and by a freedom and severity, which
+seem to be her sole end of drawing a concourse to her; for she
+insists on scolding those she inveigles to her. She has little
+taste and less knowledge, but protects artisans and authors, and
+courts a few people to have the credit of serving her dependents.
+She was bred under the famous Madame Tencin, who advised her
+never to refuse any man; for, said her mistress, though nine in
+ten should not care a farthing for you, the tenth may live to be
+a useful friend. She did not adopt or reject the whole plan, but
+fully retained the purport of the maxim. In short, she is an
+epitome' of empire, subsisting by rewards and punishments. Her
+great enemy, Madame du Deffand, was for a short time mistress of
+the Regent, is now very old and stoneblind, but retains all her
+vivacity, wit, memory, judgment, passions, and agreeableness.
+She goes to operas, plays, suppers, and Versailles; gives suppers
+twice a-week; has every thing new read to her; makes new songs
+and epigrams, admirably, and remembers every one that has been
+made these fourscore years. She corresponds with Voltaire,
+dictates charming letters to him, contradicts him, is no bigot to
+him or any body, and laughs both at the clergy and the
+philosophers. In a Dispute, into which she easily falls, she is
+very warm, and yet scarce ever in the wrong: her judgment on
+every subject, is as just as possible; on every point of conduct
+as wrong as possible: for she is all love and hatred, passionate
+for her friends to enthusiasm, still anxious to be loved, I don't
+mean by lovers, and a vehement enemy, but openly. As she can
+have no amusement but conversation, the least solitude and ennui
+are insupportable to her, and put her into the power of several
+worthless people, who eat her suppers when they can eat nobody's
+of higher rank; wink to one another and laugh at her; hate her
+because she has forty times more parts--and venture to hate her
+because she is not rich.(928) She has an old friend whom I must
+mention, a Monsieur Pondeveyle,(929) author of the Fat puni, and
+the Complaisant, and of those pretty novels, the Comte de
+Cominge, the Siege of Calais, and Les Malheurs de l'Amour.(930)
+Would not you expect this old man to be very agreeable? He can
+be so, but seldom is yet he has another very different and very
+amusing talent, the art of parody, and is unique in his kind. He
+composes tales to the tunes of long dances -. for instance, he
+has adapted the Regent's Daphnis and Chloe to one, and made it
+ten times more indecent; but is so old, and sings it so well,
+that it is permitted in all companies. He has succeeded still
+better in les caract`eres de la danse, to which he has adapted
+words that express all the characters of love. With all this he
+has not the least idea of cheerfulness in conversation; seldom
+speaks but on grave subjects, and not often on them; is a
+humourist, very supercilious, and wrapt up in admiration of his
+own country, as the only judge of his merit. His air and look
+are cold and forbidding; but ask him to sing, or praise his
+works, his eyes and smiles open, and brighten up. In short, I
+can show him to you: the self-applauding poet in Hogarth's Rake's
+Progress, the second print, is so like his very features and very
+wig, that you would know him by it, if you came hither--for he
+certainly will not go to you.
+
+Madame de Mirepoix's understanding is excellent of the useful
+kind, and can be so when she pleases of the agreeable kind. She
+has read, but seldom shows it, and has perfect taste. Her manner
+is cold, but very civil; and she conceals even the blood of
+Lorrain, without ever forgetting it. Nobody in France knows the
+world better, and nobody is personally so well with the King.
+She is false, artful, and insinuating beyond measure when it is
+her interest,(931) but indolent and a coward. She never had any
+passion but gaming, and always loses. For ever paying court, the
+sole produce of a life of art is to get money from the King to
+carry on a course of paying debts or contracting new ones, which
+she discharges as fast as she is able. She advertised devotion,
+to get made dame du palais to the Queen; and the very next day
+this Princess of Lorrain was seen riding backwards with Madame
+Pompadour in the latter's coach. When the King was stabbed, and
+heartily frightened, the mistress took a panic too, and consulted
+D'Argenson,(932) whether she had not best make off in time. He
+hated her, and said, By all means. Madame de Mirepoix advised
+her to stay. The King recovered his spirits, D'Argenson was
+banished, and La Mar`echale inherited part of the mistress's
+credit. I must interrupt my history of illustrious women with an
+anecdote of Monsieur de Maurepas, with whom I am much acquainted,
+and who has one of the few heads which approach to good ones, and
+who luckily for us was disgraced, and the marine dropped, because
+it was his favourite object and province. He employed Pondeveyle
+to make a song on the Pompadour:(933) it was clever and bitter,
+and did not spare Majesty. This was Maurepas absurd enough to
+sing at supper at Versailles.(934) Banishment ensued; and lest
+he should ever be restored, the mistress persuaded the King that
+he had poisoned her predecessor Madame de Chateauroux. Maurepas
+is very agreeable, and exceedingly cheerful; yet I have seen a
+transient silent cloud when politics are talked of.
+
+Madame de Boufflers, who was in England(935) is a savants
+mistress of the Prince of Conti, and very desirous of being his
+wife. She is two women, the upper and the lower. I need not
+tell you that the lower is gallant, and still has pretensions.
+The upper is very sensible, too, and has a measured eloquence
+that is just and pleasing--but all is spoiled by an unrelaxed
+attention to applause. You would think she was always sitting
+for her picture to her biographer. Madame de Rochfort(936) is
+different from all the rest. Her understanding is just and
+delicate; with a finesse of wit that is the result of reflection.
+Her manner is soft and feminine, and though a savants, without
+any declared pretensions. She is the decent friend of Monsieur
+de Nivernois; for you must not believe a syllable of what you
+read in their novels. It requires the greatest curiosity, or the
+greatest habitude, to discover the smallest connexion between the
+sexes here. No familiarity, but under the veil of friendship, is
+permitted, and love's dictionary is as much prohibited, as at
+first sight one should think his ritual was. All you hear, and
+that pronounced with nonchalance, is, that Monsieur un tel has
+had Madame un telle. The Duc de Nivernois has parts, and writes
+at the top of the mediocre, but, as Madame Geoffrin says, is
+manqu`e par tout; guerrier manqu`e, ambassadeur manqu`e, homme
+d'affaires manqu`e and auteur manqu`e--no, he is not homme de
+naissance manqu`e. He would think freely, but has some ambition
+of being governor to the Dauphin, and is more afraid of his wife
+and daughter, who are ecclesiastic fagots. The former
+outchatters the Duke of Newcastle; and the latter Madame de
+Gisors, exhausts Mr. Pitt's eloquence in defense of the
+Archbishop of Paris. Monsieur de Nivernois lives in a small
+circle of dependent admirers, and Madame de Rochfort is
+high-priestess for a small salary of credit.
+
+The Duchess of Choiseul,(937) the only young one of these
+heroines, is not very pretty, but has fine eyes, and is a little
+model in wax-work, which not being allowed to speak for some time
+as incapable, has a hesitation and modesty, the latter of which
+the court has not cured, and the former of which is atoned for by
+the most interesting sound of voice, and forgotten in the most
+elegant turn and propriety of expression. Oh! it is the
+gentlest, amiable, civil little creature that ever came out of a
+fairy egg! So just in its phrases and thoughts, so attentive and
+good-natured! Every body loves it but its husband, who prefers
+his own sister the Duchess de Grammont,(938) an Amazonian,
+fierce, haughty dame, who loves and hates arbitrarily, and is
+detested. Madame de Choiseul, passionately fond of her husband,
+was the martyr of this union, but at last submitted with a good
+grace; has gained a little credit with him, and is still believed
+to idolize him. But I doubt it--she takes too much pains to
+profess it.
+
+I cannot finish my list without adding a much more common
+character--but more complete in its kind than any of the
+foregoing, the Mar`echale de Luxembourg.(939) She has been very
+handsome, very abandoned, and very mischievous. Her beauty is
+gone, her lovers are gone, and she thinks the devil is coming.
+This dejection has softened her into being rather agreeable, for
+she has wit and good-breeding; but you would swear, by the
+restlessness of her person and the horrors she cannot conceal,
+that she had signed the compact, and expected to be called upon
+in a week for the performance.
+
+I could add many pictures, but none so remarkable. In those I
+send you, there is not a feature bestowed gratis or exaggerated.
+For the beauties, of which there are a few considerable, as
+Mesdames de Brionne, de Monaco, et d'Egmont, they have not yet
+lost their characters, nor got any.
+
+You must not attribute my intimacy with Paris to curiosity alone.
+An accident unlocked the doors for me. That passe-partout,
+called the fashion, has made them fly open-and what do you think
+was that fashion? I myself. Yes, like Queen Elinor in the
+ballad, I sunk at Charing-cross, and have risen in the Fauxbourg
+St. Germain. A plaisanterie on Rousseau, whose arrival here in
+his way to you brought me acquainted with many anecdotes
+conformable to the idea I had conceived of him, got about, was
+liked much more than it deserved, spread like wildfire, and made
+me the subject of conversation. Rousseau's devotees were
+offended. Madame de Boufflers, with a tone of sentiment, and the
+accents of lamenting humanity, abused me heartily, and then
+complained to myself with the utmost softness. I acted
+contrition, but had like to have spoiled all, by growing
+dreadfully tired of a second lecture from the Prince of Conti,
+who took up the ball, and made himself the hero of a history
+wherein he had nothing to do. I listened, did not understand
+half he said (nor he neither), forgot the rest, said Yes when I
+should have said No, yawned when I should have smiled, and was
+very penitent when I should have rejoiced at my pardon. Madame
+de Boufflers was more distressed, for he owned twenty times more
+than I had said: she frowned and made him signs: but she had
+wound up his clack, and there was no stopping it. -The moment she
+grew angry, the lord of the house grew charmed, and it has been
+my fault if I am not at the head of a numerous sect:--but, when I
+left a triumphant party in England, I did not come hither to be
+at the head of a fashion. However, I have been sent for about
+like an African prince or a learned canary-bird, and was, in
+particular, carried by force to the Princess of Talmond,(940) the
+Queen's cousin, who lives in a charitable apartment in the
+Luxembourg, and was sitting on a small bed hung with saints and
+Sobieskis, in a corner of one of those vast chambers, by two
+blinking tapers. I stumbled over a cat, a footstool, and a
+chamber-pot in my journey to her presence. She could not find a
+syllable to say to me, and the visit ended with her begging a
+lap-dog. Thank the Lord! though this is the first month, it is
+the last week, of my reign; and I shall resign my crown with
+great satisfaction to a bouillie of chestnuts, which is just
+invented and whose annals will be illustrated by so many
+indigestions, that Paris will not want any thing else for three
+weeks. I will enclose the fatal letter after I have finished
+this enormous one; to which I will only add, that nothing has
+interrupted my S`evign`e researches but the frost. The Abb`e de
+Malherbes has given me full power to ransack I did not tell you,
+that by great accident, when I thought on nothing less, I
+stumbled on an original picture of the Comte de Grammont, Adieu!
+You are generally in London in March: I shall be there by the end
+of it.(941)
+
+
+(928) To the above portrait of Madame du Deffand it may be useful
+to subjoin the able development of her character which appeared
+in the Quarterly Review for May 1811, in its critique on her
+Letters to Walpole:--"This lady seems to have united the
+lightness of the French character with the
+solidity of the English. She was easy and volatile, yet
+judicious and acute; sometimes profound and sometimes
+superficial. She had a wit playful, abundant, and well-toned; an
+admirable conception of the ridiculous, and great skill in
+exposing it; a turn for satire, which she indulged, not always in
+the best-natured manner, yet with irresistible effect; powers of
+expression varied, appropriate, flowing from the source, and
+curious without research; a refined taste for letters, and a
+judgment both of men and books in a high degree: enlightened and
+accurate. As her parts had been happily thrown together by
+nature, they were no less happy in the circumstances which
+attended their progress and development. They were refined, not
+by a course of solitary study, but by desultory reading, and
+chiefly by living intercourse with the brightest geniuses of her
+age. Thus trained, they acquired a pliability of movement, which
+gave to all their exertions a bewitching air of freedom and
+negligence. and made even their last efforts seem only the
+exuberances or flowering-off of a mind capable of higher
+excellencies, but unambitious to attain them. There was nothing
+to alarm or overpower. On whatever topic she touched, trivial or
+severe, it was alike en badinant; but in the midst of this
+sportiveness, her genius poured itself forth in a thousand
+delightful fancies, and scattered new graces and ornaments on
+every object within its sphere. In its wanderings from the
+trifles of the day to grave questions of morals or philosophy, it
+carelessly struck out, and as carelessly abandoned, the most
+profound truths; and while it sought only to amuse, suddenly
+astonished and electrified by rapid traits of illumination, which
+opened the depths of difficult subjects, and roused the
+researches of more systematic reasoners. To these qualifications
+were added an independence in forming opinions, and a boldness in
+avowing them, which wore at least the semblance of honesty; a
+perfect knowledge of the world, and that facility of manners,
+which in the commerce of society supplies the place of
+benevolence."-E.
+
+(929) m. de Pontdeveyle, the younger brother of the Marquis
+d'Argental, the friend of Voltaire and of the King of Prussia.
+Their mother, Madame do Ferioles, was sister to the celebrated
+madame de Tencin and to the Cardinal of the same name. He died
+in 1774.-E.
+
+(930) Madame du Deffand, in a letter to Walpole of the 17th of
+March 1776, states the Malheurs de l'Amour to be the production
+of Madame de Tencin. She describes it as un roman bien `ecrit,
+mais qui n'inspire que de la tristesse."-E.
+
+(931) La Mar`ecchale de Mirepoix was the first woman of
+consequence who countenanced and appeared in public at Versailles
+with Madame du Barri; while, on the other hand, her brother, the
+Prince de Beauvau and his wife, gave great offence by refusing to
+see her or be of any of her parties. Her person is thus
+described by Madame du Deffand:--"Sa figure est charmante, son
+teint est `eblouissant; ses traits, sans `etre parfaits, sont Si
+bien assortis, que personne n'a l'air plus jeune et n'est plus
+jolie."-E.
+
+(932) Le Comte d'Argenson was minister-at-war, and, after
+Damien's attempt upon the life of the King of France in 1757, was
+disgraced, and exiled to his country-house at Ormes in Poitou.
+He was brother to the Marquis d'Argenson, who had been minister
+of foreign affairs, and died in 1756. He it was who is said to
+have addressed M. Bignon, his nephew, afterwards an academician,
+on conferring upon him the appointment of librarian to the King,
+"Mon neveu, voil`a une belle occasion pour apprendre `a lire."-E.
+
+(933) The following is the commencement of the song above alluded
+to by Walpole:--
+
+"Une petite bourgeoise,
+Elev`ee `a la grivoise,
+Mesurant tout k sa toise,
+Fait de la cour un tandis.
+Le Roi, malgr`e son scrupule,
+Pour elle froidement br`ule.
+Cette flamme ridicule Si
+Excite dans tout Paris, ris, ris, ris."
+
+(934) Le Comte de Maurepas, who was married to a sister of the
+Duc de la Valli`ere, had been minister of marine, and disgraced,
+as Walpole says, at the instigation of the reigning mistress,
+Madame de Pompadour. Upon the death of Louis Quinze, he was
+immediately summoned to assist in the formation of the ministry
+of his successor.-E.
+
+(935 See vol. iii. p. 218, letter 157.-E.
+
+(936) Madame de Rochefort, n`ee Brancas.-E.
+
+(937) La Duchesse de Choiseul, n`ee du Chatel. The husband
+appears to have been more attached to her than Walpole supposed;
+at least if we may judge from his will, in which he desires to be
+buried in the same grave, and expresses his gratification at the
+idea of reposing by the side of one whom he had, during his
+lifetime, cherished and respected so highly.-E.
+
+(938) La Duchesse de Grammont, sister of the Duke of Choiseul,
+does not appear to have deserved the character which Walpole has
+here given of her. She was thus described, in 1761, by Mr. Hans
+Stanley, in a letter to Mr. Pitt:--"The Duchess is the only
+person who has any weight with her brother, the Duc de Choiseul.
+She never dissembles her contempt or dislike of any man, in
+whatever degree of elevation. It is said she might have supplied
+the place of Madame de Pompadour, if she had pleased. She treats
+the ceremonies and pageants of courts as things beneath her: she
+possesses a most uncommon share of understanding, and has very
+high notions of honour and reputation." The crowning act of her
+life militates strongly against Walpole's views. When brought
+before the Revolutionary tribunal, in April 1794, after having
+been seized by order of Robespierre, she astonished her judges by
+the grace and dignity of her demeanour; and pleaded, not for her
+own life, but eloquently for that of her friend, the Duchesse du
+Chatelet: "Que ma mmort soit d`ecid`ee," she said; "cela ne
+m'`etonne pas; mais," pointing to her friend, "pour cet ange, en
+quoi vous a-t-elle offens`e; elle qui n'a jamais fait tort `a
+personne; et dont la vie enti`ere n'offre qu'un tableau de vertu
+et de bienfaisance." Both suffered upon the same scaffold. It
+was this lady who was selected to be made an example of, from
+among many others who slighted Madame du Barri; and for this she
+was exiled to the distance of fifteen leagues from Paris, or from
+wheresoever the court was assembled.-E.
+
+(939) La Mar`echale Duchesse de Luxembourg, sister to the Duc de
+Villeroi, Her first husband was the Duc de Boufflers, by whom she
+had a son, the Duc de Boufflers, who died at Genoa of the
+small-pox. She afterwards married the Mar`echal Duc de
+Luxembourg, at whose country-seat, Montmorency, Jean Jacques
+Rousseau was long an inmate.-E.
+
+(940) The Princess of Talmond was born in Poland, and said to be
+allied to the Queen, Maria Leczinska, with whom she came to
+France, and there married a prince of the house of Bouillon.-E.
+
+(941) Gray, in reference to this letter, writes thus to Dr.
+Wharton, on the 5th of March:--"Mr. Walpole writes me now and
+then a long and lively letter from Paris, to which place he went
+the last summer, with the gout upon him; sometimes in his limbs;
+often in his stomach and head. He has got somehow well, (not by
+means of the climate, one would think,) goes to all public
+places, sees all the best company, and is very much in fashion.
+He says he sunk like Queen Eleanor, at Charing-cross, and has
+risen again at Paris. He returns again in April; but his health
+is certainly in a deplorable state." Works, vol. iv. p. 79.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 293 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, Feb. 3, 1766. )page 468)
+
+I had the honour of writing to your ladyship on the 4th and 12th
+of last month, which I only mention, because the latter went by
+the post, which I have found is not always a safe conveyance.
+
+I am sorry to inform you, Madam, that you will not see Madame
+Geoffrin this year, as she goes to Poland in May. The King has
+invited her, promised her an apartment exactly in her own way,
+and that she shall see nobody but whom) she chooses to see. This
+will not surprise you, Madam; but what I shall add, will: though
+I must beg your ladyship not to mention it even to her, as it is
+an absolute secret here, as she does not know that I know it, and
+as it was trusted to me by a friend of yours. In short, there
+are thoughts of sending her with a public character, or at least
+with a commission from hence--a very extraordinary honour, and I
+think never bestowed but on the Mar`echale de Gu`ebriant. As the
+Dussons have been talked of, and as Madame Geoffrin has enemies,
+its being known might make her uneasy that it was known. I
+should have told it to no mortal but your ladyship; but I could
+not resist giving you such a pleasure. In your answer, Madam, I
+need not warn YOU not to specify what I have told you.
+
+My favour here continues ; and favour never displeases. To me,
+too, it is a novelty, and I naturally love curiosities. However,
+I must be looking towards home, and have perhaps only been
+treasuring up regret. At worst I have filled my mind with a new
+set of ideas; some resource to a man who was heartily tired of
+his old ones. When I tell your ladyship that I play at whisk,
+and bear even French music, you will not wonder at any change in
+me. Yet I am far from pretending to like every body, or every
+thing I see. There are some chapters on which I still fear we
+shall not agree; but I will do your ladyship the justice to own,
+that you have never said a syllable too much in behalf of the
+friends to whom you was so good as to recommend me. Madame
+d'Egmont, whom I have mentioned but little, is one of the best
+women in the world, and, though not at all striking at first,
+_fair)s upon one much. Colonel Gordon, with this letter, brings
+you, Madam, some more seeds from her. I have a box of pomatums
+for you from Madame de Boufflers, which shall go by the next
+conveyance that offers. As he waits for my parcel, I can only
+repeat how much I am your ladyship's most obliged and faithful
+humble servant.
+
+
+
+Letter 294 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, Feb. 4, 1766. (page 469)
+
+I write on small paper, that the nothing I have to say may look
+like a letter, Paris, that supplies tine with diversions, affords
+me no news. England sends me none, on which I care to talk by
+the post. All seems in confusion; but I have done with politics!
+
+The marriage of your cousin puts me in mind of the two owls, whom
+the Vizier in some Eastern tale told the Sultan were treating on
+a match between their children, on whom they were to settle I
+don't know how many ruined villages. Trouble not your head about
+it. Our ancestors were rogues, and so will our posterity be.
+
+Madame Roland has sent to me, by Lady Jerningham,(942) to beg my
+works. She shall certainly have them when I return to England;
+but how comes she to forget that you and I are friends? or does
+she think that all Englishmen quarrel on party? If she does,
+methinks she is a good deal in the right, and it is one of the
+reasons why I have bid adieu to politics, that I may not be
+expected to love those I hate, and hate those I love. I supped
+last night with the Duchess de Choiseul, and saw a magnificent
+robe she is to wear to-day for a great wedding between a
+Biron(943) and a Boufflers. It is of blue satin, embroidered all
+over in mosaic, diamond-wise, with gold: in every diamond is a
+silver star edged with gold, and surrounded with spangles in the
+same way; it is trimmed with double sables, crossed with frogs
+and tassels of gold; her head, neck, breast, and arms, covered
+with diamonds. She will be quite the fairy queen, for it is the
+prettiest little reasonable amiable Titania you ever saw; but
+Oberon does not love it. He prefers a great mortal Hermione his
+sister. I long to hear that you are lodged in Arlington-street,
+and invested with your green livery; and I love Lord Beaulieu for
+his cudom. Adieu!
+
+(942) Mary, eldest daughter, and eventually heiress, of Francis
+Plowden, Esq. by Mary eldest daughter of the Hon. John Stafford
+Howard, younger son of the unfortunate Lord Stafford, wife of sir
+George Jerningham.-E.
+
+(943) The Duc de Lauzun, who upon the death of his uncle, the
+Mar`echal de Biron, became Duc de Biron, married the heiress and
+only child of the Duc de Boufflers, who died at Genoa. The
+marriage proved an unhappy one, and the Duchess twice took refuge
+in England at the breaking out of the French revolution; but
+having, in 1793, unadvisedly returned to Paris, she perished on
+the scaffold in one of the bloody proscriptions of Robespierre.
+At the beginning of that revolution, the Duke espoused the
+popular cause, and even commanded an army under the orders of the
+legislative assembly; but in the storms that succeeded, being
+altogether unequal to stem the torrent of popular fury or direct
+its course, he fell by the guillotine early in 1794.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 295 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, Sunday, Feb. 23. (page 470)
+
+I cannot know that you are in my house, and not say, you are
+welcome. Indeed you are, and I am heartily glad you are pleased
+there. I have neither matter nor time for more, as I have heard
+of an opportunity of sending this away immediately with some
+other letters. News do not happen here as in London; the
+Parliaments meet, draw up a remonstrance, ask a day for
+presenting it, have the day named a week after, and so forth. At
+their rate of going on, if Methusalem was first president, he
+would not see the end of a single question. As your histories
+are somewhat more precipitate, I wait for their coming to some
+settlement, and then will return; but, if the old ministers are
+to be replaced, Bastille for Bastille, I think I had rather stay
+where I am. I am not half so much afraid of any power, as the
+French are of Mr. Pitt. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 296 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Paris, Feb. 28, 1766. (page 470)
+
+Dear sir,
+As you cannot, I believe, get a copy of the letter to Rousseau,
+and are impatient for it, I send it you: though the brevity of it
+will not answer your expectation. It is no answer to any of his
+works, and is only a laugh at his affectations. I hear he does
+not succeed in England, where his singularities are no curiosity.
+Yet he must stay there, or give up all his pretensions. To quit
+a country where he may live at ease, and unpersecuted, will be
+owning that tranquillity is not what he seeks. If he again seeks
+persecution, who will pity him? I should think even bigots would
+let him alone out of contempt.
+
+I have executed your commission in a way that I hope will please
+you. As you tell me you have a blue cup and saucer, and a red
+one, and would have them completed to six, without being all
+alike, I have bought one other blue, one other red, and two
+sprigged, in the same manner, with colours; so you will have just
+three pair, which seems preferable to six odd ones; and which,
+indeed, at nineteen livres a-piece, I think I could not have
+found.
+
+I shall keep very near the time I proposed returning; though I am
+a little tempted to wait for the appearance of' leaves. As I may
+never come hither again, I am disposed to see a little of their
+villas and gardens, though it will vex me to lose spring and
+lilac-tide at Strawberry. The weather has been so bad, and
+continues so cold, that I have not yet seen all I intended in
+Paris. To-day, I have been to the Plaine de Sablon, by the Bois
+de Boulogne, to see a horserace rid in person by the Count
+Lauragais and Lord Forbes.(944) All Paris was in motion by nine
+o'clock this morning, and the coaches and crowds were innumerable
+at so novel a sight. Would you believe it, that there was an
+Englishman to whom it was quite as new? That Englishman was I:
+though I live within two miles of Hounslow, have been fifty times
+in my life at Newmarket, and have passed through it at the time
+of the races, I never before saw a complete one. I once went
+from Cambridge on purpose; saw the beginning, was tired, and went
+away. If there was to be a review in Lapland, perhaps I might
+see a review, too; which yet I have never seen. Lauragais was
+distanced at the second circuit. What added to the singularity
+was, that at the same instant his brother was gone to church to
+be married. But, as Lauragais is at variance with his father and
+wife, he chose this expedient to show he was not at the wedding.
+Adieu!
+
+(944) James, sixteenth Baron, who married, in 1760, Catherine,
+only daughter of Sir Robert Innes, Bart. of orton. He was
+Deputy-governor of Fort William, and died there in 1804.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 297 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, March 3, 1766. (page 471)
+
+I write, because I ought, and because I have promised you I
+would, and because I have an opportunity by Monsieur de
+Lillebonne, and in spite of a better reason for being silent,
+which is, that I have nothing to say. People marry, die, and are
+promoted here about whom neither you nor I care a straw. No,
+truly, and I am heartily tired of them, as you may believe when I
+am preparing to return. There is a man in the next room actually
+nailing my boxes; yet it will be the beginning of April before I
+am at home. I have not had so much as a cold in all this
+Siberian winter, and I will not venture the tempting the gout by
+lying in a bad inn, till the weather is warmer. I wish, too, to
+see a few leaves out at Versailles, etc. If I stayed till August
+I could not see many; for there is not a tree for twenty miles,
+that is not hacked and hewed, till it looks like the stumps that
+beggars thrust into coaches to excite charity and miscarriages.
+
+I am going this evening in search of Madame Roland; I doubt we
+shall both miss each other's lilies and roses: she may have got
+some pionies in their room, but mine are replaced with crocuses.
+
+I love Lord Harcourt for his civility, to you; and I would fain
+see you situated under the greenwood-tree, even by a compromise.
+You may imagine I am pleased with the defeat, hisses, and
+mortification of George Grenville, and The more by the
+disappointment it has occasioned here. If you have a mind to vex
+them thoroughly, you must make Mr. Pitt minister.(945) They have
+not forgot him, whatever we have done.
+
+The King has suddenly been here this morning to hold a lit de
+justice: I don't yet know the particulars, except that it was
+occasioned by some bold remonstrances of the Parliament on the
+subject of That of Bretagne. Louis told me when I waked, that
+the Duke de Chevreuil, the governor of Paris, was just gone by in
+great state. I long to chat with Mr. Chute and you in the blue
+room at Strawberry: though I have little to write, I have a great
+deal to say. How do you like his new house? has he no gout?
+Are your cousins Cortez and Pizarro heartily mortified that they
+are not to roast and plunder the Americans? Is Goody Carlisle
+Disappointed at not being appointed grand inquisitor? Adieu! I
+will not seal this till I have seen or missed Madame Roland.
+Yours ever.
+
+P. S. I have been prevented going to madame Roland, and defer
+giving an account of her by this letter.
+
+(945) Mr. Gerard Hamilton, in a letter to Mr. Calcraft, of the
+7th, says:--"Grenville and the Duke of Bedford's people continue
+to oppose, in every stage, the passage of the bill for the repeal
+of the Stamp-act. The reports of the day are, that Mr. Pitt will
+go into the House of lords, and form an arrangement, which he
+will countenance."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 298 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Paris, March 10, 1766. (page 472)
+
+There are two points, Madam, on which I must write to your
+ladyship, though I have been confined these three or four Days
+with an inflammation in my eyes. My watchings and revellings
+had, I doubt, heated my blood, and prepared it to receive a
+stroke of cold, which in truth was amply administered. We were
+two-and-twenty at Mar`echale du Luxembourg's, and supped in a
+temple rather than in a hall. It is vaulted at top with gods and
+goddesses, and paved with marble; but the god of fire was not of
+the number. HOWever, as this is neither of my points, I shall
+say no more of it.
+
+I send your ladyship Lady Albemarle's box, which Madame Geoffrin
+brought to me herself yesterday. I think it very neat and
+charming, and it exceeds the commission but by a guinea and a
+half. It is lined with wood between the two golds, as the price
+and necessary size would not admit metal enough without, to leave
+it of any solidity.
+
+The other point I am indeed ashamed to mention so late. I am
+more guilty than even about the scissors. Lord Hertford sent me
+word a fortnight ago, that an ensigncy was vacant, to which he
+should recommend Mr. Fitzgerald. I forgot both to thank him and
+to acquaint your ladyship, who probably know it without my
+communication. I have certainly lost my memory! This is so idle
+and young, that I begin to fear I have acquired something of the
+Fashionable man, which I so much dreaded. It is to England then
+that I must return to recover friendship and attention? I
+literally wrote to Lord Hertford, and forgot to thank him. Sure
+I did not use to be so abominable! I cannot account for it; I am
+as black as ink, and must turn Methodist, to fancy that
+repentance can wash me white again. No, I will not; for then I
+may sin again, and trust to the same nostrum.
+
+I had the honour of sending your ladyship the funeral sermon on
+the Dauphin, and a tract to laugh at sermons: "Your bane and
+antidote are both before you." The first is by the Archbishop of
+Toulouse,(946) who is thought the first man of the clergy. It
+has some sense, no pathetic, no eloquence, and, I think, clearly
+no belief in his own doctrine. The latter is by the Abb`e
+Coyer,(947) written livelily, upon a single idea; and, though I
+agree upon the inutility of the remedy he rejects, I have no
+better opinion of that he would substitute. Preaching has not
+failed from the beginning of the world till to-day, not because
+inadequate to the disease, but because the disease is incurable.
+If one preached to lions and tigers, would it cure them of
+thirsting for blood, and sucking it when they have an opportunity
+No; but when they are whelped in the Tower, and both caressed and
+beaten, do they turn out a jot more tame when they are grown up?
+So far from it, all the kindness in the world, all the attention,
+cannot make even a monkey (that is no beast of prey) remember a
+pair of scissors or an ensigncy.
+
+Adieu, Madam! and pray don't forgive me, till I have forgiven
+myself. I dare not close my letter with any professions; for
+could you believe them in one that had so much reason to think
+himself Your most obedient humble servant?
+
+(946) Brionne de Lomenie, Archbishop of Toulouse, and afterwards
+Cardinal de Lomenie or as he was nicknamed by the populace of
+Paris, "Cardinal de l'Ignominie," was great-nephew to Madame du
+Deffand. The spirit of political intrigue raised him to the
+administration of affairs during the last struggles of the old
+r`egime, and exposed him to the contempt he deserved for aspiring
+to such a situation at such a moment. He was arrested at the
+commencement of the Revolution, and escaped the guillotine by
+dying in one of the prisons at Paris in 1794.-E.
+
+(947) This pamphlet of the Abb`e Coyer, which was entitled "On
+Preaching," produced a great sensation in Paris at the time of
+its publication. Its object is to prove, that those who have
+occupied themselves in preaching to others, ever since the world
+began, whether poets, priests, or philosophers, have been but a
+parcel of prattlers, listened to if eloquent, laughed at if dull;
+but who have never corrected any body: the true preacher being
+the government, which joins to the moral maxims which it
+inculcates the force of example and the power of execution.
+Baron de Grimm characterizes the Abb`e as being "l'homme du monde
+le plus lourd, l'ennui personnifi`e," and relates the following
+anecdote of him during his visit to Voltaire at the Chateau de
+Ferney:-" "The first day, the philosopher bore his company with
+tolerable politeness; but the next morning he interrupted him in
+a long prosing narrative of his travels, by this question:
+'Savez-vous bien, M. l'Abb`e, la difference qu'il y a entre Don
+Quichotte et vous? c'est que Don Quichotte prenait toutes les
+auberges pour des chateaux; et vous, vous prenez tous les
+ch`ateaux pour des auberges.'" The Abb`e died in 1782.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 299 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, March 12, 1766. (page 474)
+
+I can write but two lines, for I have been confined these four or
+five days with a violent inflammation in my eyes, and which has
+prevented my returning to Madame Roland. I did not find her at
+home, but left your letter. My right eye is well again, and I
+have been to take air.
+
+How can you ask leave to carry any body to Strawberry? May not
+you do what you please with me and mine? Does not
+Arlington-street comprehend Strawberry? why don't you go and lie
+there if you like it'? It will be, I think, the middle of April,
+before I return; I have lost a week by this confinement, and
+would fain satisfy my curiosity entirely, now I am here. I have
+seen enough, and too much, of the people. I am glad you are upon
+civil terms with Habiculeo. The less I esteem folks, the less I
+would quarrel with them.
+
+I don't wonder that Colman and Garrick write ill In concert,(948)
+when they write ill separately; however, I am heartily glad the
+Clive shines. Adieu! Commend me to Charles-street. Kiss Fanny,
+and Mufti, and Ponto for me, when you go to Strawberry: dear
+souls, I long to kiss them myself.
+
+(948) The popular comedy of The Clandestine Marriage, the joint
+production of Garrick and Colman, had just been brought out at
+Drury-lane theatre.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 300 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, March 21, 1766. (page 474)
+
+You make me very happy, in telling me you have been so
+comfortable in my house. If you would set up a bed there, you
+need never go out of it. I want to invite you, not to expel you.
+April the tenth my pilgrimage will end, and the fifteenth, or
+sixteenth, you may expect to see me, not much fattened with the
+flesh-pots of Egypt, but almost as glad to come amongst you again
+as I was to leave you.
+
+Your Madame Roland is not half so fond of me as she tells me; I
+have been twice at her door, left your letter and my own
+direction, but have not received so much as a message to tell me
+she is sorry she was not at home. Perhaps this is her first
+vision of Paris, and it is natural for a Frenchwoman to have her
+head turned with it; though what she takes for rivers of emerald,
+and hotels of ruby and topaz, are to my eyes, that have been
+purged with euphrasy and rue, a filthy stream, in which every
+thing is washed without being cleaned, and dirty houses, ugly
+streets, worse shops, and churches loaded with bad pictures.(949)
+Such is the material part of this paradise; for the corporeal,,if
+Madame Roland admires it, I have nothing to say; however, I shall
+not be sorry to make one at Lady Frances Elliot's. Thank you for
+admiring my deaf old woman; if I could bring my old blind one
+with me, I should resign this paradise as willingly as if it was
+built of opal, and designed by a fisherman, who thought that what
+makes a fine necklace would make a finer habitation.
+
+We did not want your sun; it has shone here for a fortnight with
+all its lustre but yesterday a north wind, blown by the Czarina
+herself I believe, arrived, and declared a month of March of full
+age. This morning it snowed; and now, clouds of dust are
+whisking about the streets and quays, edged with an east wind,
+that gets under one's very shirt. I should not be quite sorry if
+a little of it tapped my lilacs on their green noses, and bade
+them wait for their master.
+
+The Princess of Talmond sent me this morning a picture of two
+pup-dogs, and a black and white greyhound, wretchedly painted. I
+could not conceive what I was to do with this daub, but in her
+note she warned me not to hope to keep it. It was only to
+imprint on my memory the size, and features, and spots of Diana,
+her departed greyhound, in order that I might get her exactly
+such another. Don't you think my memory will return well stored,
+if it is littered with defunct lapdogs. She is so devout, that I
+did not dare send her word, that I am not possessed of a twig of
+Jacob's broom, with which he streaked cattle as he pleased
+
+T'other day, in the street, I saw a child in a leading-string,
+whose nurse gave it a farthing for a beggar; the babe delivered
+its mite with a grace, and a twirl of the hand. I don't think
+your cousin's first grandson will be so well bred. Adieu! Yours
+ever.
+
+
+(949) Walpole's picture of Paris, in 1766, is not much more
+favourable than that of Peter Heylin, who visited that city in
+the preceding century:--"This I am confident of," says Peter,
+"that the nastiest lane in London is frankincense and juniper to
+the sweetest street in this city. The ancient by-word was (and
+there is good reason for it) 'il destaient comme la fange de
+Paris:' had I the power of making proverbs, I would only change
+destaient' into 'il put,' and make the by-word ten times more
+orthodox. That which most amazed me is, that in such a
+perpetuated constancy of stinks, there should yet be variety--a
+variety so special and distinct, that my chemical nose (I dare
+lay my life on it), after two or three perambulations, would hunt
+out blindfold each several street by the smell, as perfectly as
+another by the eye."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 301 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, April 3, 1766. (page 475)
+
+One must be just to all the world; Madame Roland, I find, has
+been in the country, and at Versailles, and was so obliging as to
+call on me this morning, but I was so disobliging as not to be
+awake. I was dreaming dreams; in short, I had dined at Livry;
+yes, yes, at Livry, with a Langlade and De la Rochefoucaulds.
+The abbey is now possessed by an Abb`e de Malherbe, with whom I
+am acquainted, and who had given me a general invitation. I put
+it off to the last moment, that the bois and all`ees might set
+off the scene a little, and contribute to the vision; but it did
+not want it. Livry is situated in the For`et de Bondi, very
+agreeably on a flat, but with hills near it, and in prospect.
+There is a great air of simplicity and rural about it, more
+regular than our taste, but with an old-fashioned tranquillity,
+and nothing of coligichet. Not a tree exists that remembers the
+charming woman, because in this country an old tree is a traitor,
+and forfeits its head to the crown; but the plantations are not
+young, and might very well be as they were in her time. The
+Abb`e's house is decent and snug; a few paces from it is the
+sacred pavilion built for Madame de S`evign`e by her uncle, and
+much as it was in her day; a small saloon below for dinner, then
+an arcade, but the niches now closed, and painted in fresco with
+medallions of her, the Grignan, the Fayette, and the
+Rochefoucauld. Above, a handsome large room, with a
+chimney-piece in the best taste of Louis the Fourteenth's time; a
+holy family in good relief over it, and the cipher of her uncle
+Coulanges; a neat little bedchamber within, and two or three
+clean little chambers over them. On one side of the garden,
+leading to the great road, is a little bridge of wood, on which
+the dear woman used to wait for the courier that brought her
+daughter's letters. Judge with what veneration and satisfaction
+I set my foot upon it! If you will come to France with Me next
+year, we will go and sacrifice on that sacred spot together.
+
+On the road to Livry I passed a new house on the pilasters of the
+gate to which were two sphinxes in stone, with their heads
+coquetly reclined, straw hats, and French cloaks slightly pinned,
+and not hiding their bosoms. I don't know whether I or Memphis
+would have been more diverted. I shall set out this day
+se'nnight, the tenth, and be in London about the fifteenth or
+sixteenth, if the wind is fair. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+P. S. I need not say, I suppose, that this letter is to Mr.
+Chute, too.
+
+
+
+Letter 302 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Paris, April 6, 1766. (page 476)
+
+In a certain city of Europe(950) it is the custom to wear
+slouched hats, long cloaks, and high capes. Scandal and the
+government called this dress going in mask, and pretended that it
+contributed to assassination. An ordonnance was published,
+commanding free-born hats to be cocked, cloaks to be shortened,
+and capes laid aside. All the world obeyed for the first day:
+but the next, every thing returned into its old channel. In the
+evening a tumult arose, and cries of,, "God bless the King! God
+bless the kingdom! but confusion to Squillaci, the prime
+minister."(951) The word was no sooner given, but his house was
+beset, the windows broken, and the gates attempted. The guards
+came and fired on the weavers(952) of cloaks. The weavers
+returned the fire, and many fell on each side. As the hour of
+supper approached and the mob grew hungry, they recollected a tax
+upon bread, and demanded the repeal. the King yielded to both
+requests, and hats and loaves were set at liberty. The people
+were not contented, and still insisted on the permission of
+murdering the first minister; though his Majesty assured his
+faithful commons that the minister was never consulted on acts of
+government, and was only his private friend, who sometimes called
+upon him in an evening to drink a glass of wine and talk botany.
+The people were incredulous, and continued in mutiny when the
+last letters came away. If you should happen to suppose, as I
+did, that this history arrived in London, do not be alarmed; for
+it was at Madrid; and a nation who has borne the Inquisition
+cannot support a cocked hat. So necessary it is for governors to
+know when lead or a feather will turn the balance of human
+understandings, or will not!
+
+I should not have entrenched on Lord George's(953) province of
+sending you news of revolutions, but he is at Aubign`e; and I
+thought it right to advertise you in time, in case you should
+have a mind to send a bale of slouched hats to the support of the
+mutineers. As I have worn a flapped hat all my life, when I have
+worn any at all, I think myself qualified, and would offer my
+service to command them; but, being persuaded that you are a
+faithful observer of treaties, though a friend to repeals, I
+shall come and receive your commands in person. In the mean time
+I cannot help figuring what a pompous protest my Lord Lyttelton
+might draw up in the character of an old grandee against the
+revocation of the act for cocked hats.
+
+Lady Ailesbury forgot to send me word of your recovery, as she
+promised; but I was so lucky as to hear it from other hands.
+Pray take care of yourself, and do not imagine that you are as
+weak as I am, and can escape the scythe, as I do, by being low:
+your life is of more consequence. If you don't believe me, step
+into the street and ask the first man you meet.
+
+This is Sunday, and Thursday is fixed for my departure, unless
+the Clairon should return to the stage on Tuesday se'nnight, as
+it is said; and I do not know whether I should not be tempted to
+borrow two or three days more, having never seen her; yet my
+lilacs pull hard, and I have not a farthing left in the world.
+Be sure you do not leave a cranny open for George Grenville to
+wriggle it), till I have got all my things out of the
+customhouse. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(950) This account alludes to the insurrection at Madrid, on the
+attempt of the court to introduce the French dress in Spain.
+
+(951) Squillace, an Italian, whom the King was obliged to banish.
+
+(952) Alluding to the mobs of silk-weavers which had taken place
+in London.
+
+(953) Lord George Lenox, only brother to the Duke of Richmond.
+
+
+
+Letter 303 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Paris, April 8, 1766. (page 478)
+
+I sent you a few lines by the post yesterday with the first of
+the insurrection at Madrid. I have since seen Stahremberg,(954)
+the imperial minister, who has had a courier from thence; and if
+Lord Rochford(955) has not sent one, you will not be sorry to
+know more particulars. The mob disarmed the Invalids; stopped
+all coaches, to prevent Squillaci's flight; and meeting the Duke
+de Medina Celi, forced him and the Duke d'Arcos to carry their
+demands to the King. His most frightened Majesty granted them
+directly; on which his highness the people despatched a monk with
+their demands in writing, couched in four articles; the
+diminution of the gabel on bread and oil; the revocation of the
+ordonnance on hats and cloaks; the banishment of Squillaci; and
+the abolition of some other tax, I don't know what. The King
+signed all; yet was still forced to appear at a balcony, and
+promise to observe what he had granted. Squillaci was sent with
+an escort to Carthagena, to embark for Naples, and the first
+commissioner of the treasury appointed to succeed him; which does
+not look much like observation of the conditions. Some say
+Ensenada is recalled, and that Grimaldi is in no good odour with
+the people. If the latter and Squillaci are dismissed, we get
+rid of two enemies.
+
+The tumult ceased on the grant of the demands; but the King
+retiring that night to Aranjuez, the insurrection was renewed the
+next morning on pretence that this flight was a breach of the
+capitulation The people seized the gates of the capital, and
+permitted nobody to go out. In this state were things when the
+courier came away. the ordonnance against going in disguise
+looks as if some suspicions had been conceived; and yet their
+confidence was so great as not to have two thousand guards in the
+town. The pitiful behaviour of the court makes one think that
+the Italians were frightened, and that the Spanish part of the
+ministry were not sorry it took that turn. As I suppose there is
+no great city in Spain which has not at least a bigger bundle of
+grievances than the capital, one shall not wonder if the
+pusillanimous behaviour of the King encourages them to redress
+themselves too.
+
+There is what is called a change of the ministry here; but it is
+only a crossing over and figuring in. The Duc de Praslin has
+wished to retire for some time; and for this last fortnight there
+has been talk of his being replaced by the Duc d'Aiguillon. the
+Duc de Nivernois, etc.; but it is plain, though not believed till
+now, that the Duc de Choiseul is all-powerful. To purchase the
+stay of his cousin Praslin, on whom he can depend, and to leave
+no cranny open, he has ceded the marine and colonies to the Due
+de Praslin, and taken the foreign and military department
+himself. His cousin is, besides, named chef du conseil des
+finances; a very honourable, very dignified, and very idle place,
+and never filled since the Duc de Bethune had it. Praslin's
+hopeful cub, the Viscount, whom you saw in England last year,
+goes to Naples; and the Marquis de Durfort to Vienna--a cold,
+dry, proud man, with the figure and manner of Lord Cornbury.
+
+Great matters are expected to-day from the Parliament, which
+re-assembles. A mousquetaire, his piece loaded with a lettre de
+cachet, went about a fortnight ago to the notary who keeps the
+parliamentary registers, and demanded them. They were refused--
+but given up, on the lettre de cachet being produced. The
+Parliament intends to try the notary for breach of trust, which I
+suppose will make his fortune; though he has not the merit of
+perjury, like Carteret Webb.
+
+There have been insurrections at Bordeaux and Tailless, on the
+militia, and twenty-seven persons were killed at the latter: but
+both are appeased. These things are so much in vogue, that I
+wonder the French do not dress `a la r`evolte. The Queen is in a
+very dangerous way. This will be my last letter; but I am not
+sure I shall set out before the middle of next week. Yours ever.
+
+(954) Prince Stahremberg: he had married a daughter of the Duc
+d'Arembert, by his Duchess, nee la Marche.
+
+(955) William Henry Zuleistein de Nassau, Earl of Rochford, who
+was at this time the English ambassador extraordinary at the
+court of Spain.
+
+
+
+Letter 304 To The Rev. Mr. COLE.
+Arlington Street, May 10, 1766. (page 479)
+
+At last I am come back, dear Sir, and in good health. I have
+brought you four cups and saucers, one red and white, one blue
+and white, and two coloured; and a little box of pastils. Tell
+me whether and how I shall convey them to you; or whether you
+will, as I hope, come to Strawberry this summer, and fetch them
+yourself; but if you are in the least hurry, I will send them.
+
+I flatter myself you have quite recovered your accident, and have
+no remains of lameness. The spring is very wet and cold, but
+Strawberry alone contains more verdure than all France.
+
+I scrambled very well through the custom-house at Dover, and have
+got all my china safe from that here in town. You will see the
+fruits when you come to Strawberry Hill. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 305 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, May 13, 1766. (page 479)
+
+Dear sir,
+I am forced to do a very awkward thing, and send you back one of
+your letters, and, what is still worse, opened. The case was
+this: I received your two at dinner, opened one and laid the
+other in my lap; but forgetting that I had taken one out of the
+first, I took up the wrong 'Hand broke it open,. without
+perceiving my mistake, till I saw the words, Dear Sister. I give
+you my honour I read no farther, but had torn it too much to send
+it away. Pray excuse me; and another time I beg you will put an
+envelope, for you write just where the seal comes; and besides,
+place the seals so together that though I did not quite open the
+fourth letter, yet it stuck so to the outer seal, that I could
+not help tearing it a little. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 306 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, May 25, 1766. (page 480)
+
+When the weather will please to be in a little better temper, I
+will call upon you to perform your promise; but I cannot in
+conscience invite you to a fireside. The Guerchys and French
+dined here last Monday, and it rained so that we could no more
+walk in the garden than Noah could. I came again, to-day, but
+shall return to town to-morrow, as I hate to have no sun in May,
+but what I can make with a peck of coals.
+
+I know no news, but that the Duke of Richmond is secretary of
+state,(956) and that your cousin North has refused the
+vice-treasurer of Ireland. It cost him bitter pangs, not to
+preserve his virtue, but his vicious connexions. He goggled his
+eyes, and groped in his money-pocket; more than half consented;
+nay, so much more, that when he got home he wrote an excuse to
+Lord Rockingham, which made it plain that he thought he had
+accepted. As nobody was dipped deeper in the warrants and
+prosecution of Wilkes, there is no condoling with the ministers
+on missing so foul a bargain. They are only to be pitied, that
+they can purchase nothing but damaged goods.
+
+So, my Lord Grandison(957) is dead! Does the General inherit
+much? Have you heard the great loss the church of England has
+had? It is not avowed; but hear the evidence and judge. On
+Sunday last, George Selwyn was strolling home to dinner at half
+an hour after four. He saw my Lady Townshend's coach stop at
+Caraccioli's(958) chapel. He watched, saw her go in; her footman
+laughed; he followed. She Went up to the altar, a woman brought
+her a cushion; she knelt, crossed herself, and prayed. He stole
+up, and knelt by her. Conceive her face, if you can, when she
+turned and found his close to her. In his demure voice, he said,
+"Pray, Madam, how long has your ladyship left the pale of our
+church!" She looked furies, and made no answer. Next day he
+went to her, and she turned it off upon curiosity; but is any
+thing more natural? No, she certainly means to go armed with
+every viaticum, the church of England in one hand, Methodism in
+the other, and the Host in her mouth.
+
+Have you ranged your forest, and seen your lodge yourself? I
+could almost wish it may not answer, and that you may cast an eye
+towards our neighbourhood. My Lady Shelburne(959) has taken a
+house here, and it has produced a bon-mot from Mrs. Clive. You
+know my Lady Suffolk is deaf, and I have talked much of a
+charming old passion I have at Paris, who is blind; "Well," said
+the Clive, "if the new Countess is but lame, I shall have no
+chance of ever seeing you." Good night!
+
+(956) When the Duke of Grafton quitted the seals, they were
+offered first to Lord Egmont, then to Lord Hardwicke, who both
+declined them; "but, after their going a-begging for some time,"
+says Lord Chesterfield, " the Duke of Richmond begged them, and
+has them, faute de mieux."-E.
+
+(957) John Villiers, fifth Viscount Grandison. He had bee
+n elevated to the earldom in 1721; which title became extinct,
+and the viscounty devolved upon William third Earl of Jersey.-E.
+
+(958) The Marquis de Carraccioli, ambassador from the court of
+Naples.-E
+
+(959) Mary Countess of Shelburne, widow of the Hon. John
+Fitzmaurice, first Earl of Shelburne. She was likewise his first
+cousin, being the daughter of the Hon. William Fitzmaurice, of
+Gailane, in the county of Kerry.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 307 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, June 20, 1766. (page 481)
+
+I don't know when I shall see you, but therefore must not I write
+to you? Yet I have as little to say as may be. I could cry
+through a whole page over the bad weather. I have but a lock of
+hay, you know; and I cannot get it dry, unless I bring it to the
+fire. I would give half-a-crown for a pennyworth of sun. It is
+abominable to be ruined in coals in the middle of June.
+
+What pleasure have you to come! there is a new thing published,
+that will make you split your cheeks with laughing. It is called
+the New Bath Guide.(960) It stole into the world, and for a
+fortnight no soul looked into it, concluding its name was the
+true name. No such thing. It is a set of letters in verse, in
+all kind of verses, describing the life at Bath, and incidentally
+every thing else; but so much wit, so much humour, fun, and
+poetry, so much originality, never met together before. Then the
+man has a better ear than Dryden or Handel. Apropos to Dryden,
+he has burlesqued his St. Cecilia, that you will never read it
+again without laughing. There is a description of a milliner's
+box in all the terms of landscape, painted lawns and chequered
+shades, a Moravian ode, and a Methodist ditty, that are
+incomparable, and the best names that ever were composed. I can
+say it by heart, though a quarto, and if I had time would write
+it you down; for it is not yet reprinted, and not one to be had.
+
+There are two volumes, too, of Swift's Correspondence, that will
+not amuse you less in another way, though abominable, for there
+are letters of twenty persons now alive; fifty of Lady Betty
+Germain, one that does her great honour in which she defends her
+friend Lady Suffolk, with all the spirit in the world,(961)
+against that brute, who hated every body that he hoped would get
+him a mitre, and did not. His own Journal sent to Stella during
+the four last years of the Queen, is a fund of entertainment.
+You will see his insolence in full colours, and, at the same
+time, how daily vain he was of being noticed by the ministers he
+affected to treat arrogantly. His panic, at the Mohocks is
+comical; but what strikes one, is bringing before one's eyes the
+incidents of a curious period. He goes to the rehearsal of Cato,
+and says the drab that acted Cato's daughter could not say her
+part. This was only Mrs. Oldfield. I was saying before George
+Selwyn, that this journal put me in mind of the present time,
+there was the same indecision, irresolution, and want of system;
+but I added, "There is nothing new under the sun." "No," said
+Selwyn, "nor under the grandson."
+
+My Lord Chesterfield has done me much honour: he told Mrs. Anne
+Pitt that he would subscribe to any politics that I should lay
+down. When she repeated this to me, I said, "Pray tell him I
+have laid down politics."
+
+I am got into puns and will tell you an excellent one of the King
+of France, though it does not spell any better than Selwyn's.
+You must have heard of Count Lauragais, and his horserace, and
+his quacking his horse till he killed it. At his return the King
+asked him what he had been doing in England? "Sire, j'ai appris
+`a Penser"--"Des chevaux?" replied the King.(962) Good night! I
+am tired, and going to bed. Yours ever.
+
+(960) By Christopher Anstey. This production became highly
+popular for its pointed and original humour, and led to numerous
+imitations. Gray, in a letter to Dr. Wharton, says--"Have you
+read the New Bath Guide? It is the only thing in fashion, and is
+a new and original kind of humour. Miss Prue's conversation I
+doubt you will paste down, as Sir W. St. Quintyn did before he
+carried it to his daughter; yet I remember you all read Crazy
+Tales without pasting." Works, vol. iv. p. 84.-E.
+
+(961) The letter in question is dated Feb. 8, 1732-3, and the
+following is the passage to which Walpole refers;--"Those out of
+power and place always see the faults of those in, with dreadful
+large spectacles. The strongest in my memory is Sir Robert
+Walpole, being first pulled to pieces in the year 1720, because
+the South Sea did not rise high enough; and since that, he has
+been to the full as well banged about, because it did rise too
+high. I am determined never wholly to believe any side or party
+against@ the other; so my house receives them altogether, and
+those people meet here that have, and would fight in any other
+place. Those of them that have great and good qualities and
+virtues, I love and admire; in which number is Lady Suffolk,
+because I know her to be a wise, discreet, honest, and sincere
+courtier."-E.
+
+(962) See ant`e, p. 389, letter 248, note 802.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 308 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey.
+Strawberry Hill, June 28, 1766. (page 482)
+
+It is consonant to your ladyship's long experienced goodness, to
+remove my error as soon as you could. In fact, the same post
+that brought Madame d'Aiguillon's letter to you, brought me a
+confession from Madame du Deffand of her guilt.(963) I am not
+the less obliged to your ladyship for informing against the true
+criminal. It is well for
+me, however, that I hesitated, and did not, as Monsieur Guerchy
+pressed me to do, constitute myself prisoner. What a ridiculous
+vainglorious figure I should have made at Versailles, with a
+laboured letter and my present! I still shudder when I think of
+it, and have scolded(9
+64) Madame du Deffand black and blue. However, I feel very
+comfortable; and though it will be imputed to my own vanity, that
+I showed the box as Madam de Choiseul's present, I resign the
+glory, and submit to the Shame with great satisfaction. I have
+no pain in receiving this present from Madame du Deffand; and
+must own have great pleasure that nobody but she could write that
+most charming of all letters. Did not Lord Chesterfield think it
+so, Madam? I doubt our friend Mr. Hume must allow that not only
+Madame de Boufflers, but Voltaire himself, could not have written
+so well. When I give up Madame de S`evign`e herself, I think his
+sacrifices will be trifling.
+
+Pray, Madam, continue your waters; and, if possible, wash away
+that original sin, the gout. What would one give for a little
+rainbow to tell one one should never have it again! Well, but
+then one should have a burning fever--for I think the greatest
+comfort that good-natured divines give us IS, that we are not to
+be drowned any more, in order that we may be burned. It will not
+at least be this summer. here is nothing but haycocks swimming
+round me. If it should cease raining by Monday se'nnight, I
+think of' dining with your ladyship at Old Windsor; and if Mr.
+Bateman presses me mightily, I may take a bed there.
+
+As I have a waste of paper before me, and nothing more to say, I
+have a mind to fill it with a translation of a tale that I found
+lately in the Dictionnaire d'Anecdotes, taken from a German
+author. The novelty of it struck me, and I put it into verse--
+ill enough; but as the old Duchess of Rutland used to say of a
+lie, it will do for news into the country.
+
+"From Time's usurping power, I see,
+Not Acheron itself is free.
+His wasting hand my subjects feel,
+Grow old, and wrinkle though in Hell.
+Decrepit is Alecto grown,
+Megaera worn to skin and bone;
+And t'other beldam is so old,
+She has not spirits left to scold.
+Go, Hermes, bid my brother Jove
+Send three new Furies from above."
+To Mercury thus Pluto said:
+The winged deity obey'd.
+
+It was about the self same season
+That Juno, with as little reason,
+Rung for her abigail; and, you know,
+Iris is chambermaid to Juno.
+"Iris, d'ye hear? Mind what I say;
+I want three maids--inquire--No, stay!
+Three virgins--Yes, unspotted all;
+No characters equivocal.
+Go find me three, whose manners pure
+Can Envy's sharpest tooth endure."
+The goddess curtsey'd, and retired;
+>From London to Pekin inquired;
+Search'd huts and palaces in vain;
+And tired, to Heaven came back again.
+"Alone! are you return'd alone?
+How wicked must the world be grown!
+What has my profligate been doing?
+On earth has he been spreading ruin?
+Come, tell me all."--Fair Iris sigh'd,
+And thus disconsolate replied:--
+"'Tis true, O Queen! three maids I found--
+The like are not on Christian ground--
+So chaste, severe, immaculate,
+The very name of man they hate:
+These--but, alas! I came too late;
+For Hermes had been there before--
+In triumph off to Pluto bore
+Three sisters, whom yourself would own
+The true supports of Virtue's throne."
+"To Pluto!--Mercy!" cried the Queen,
+"What can my brother Pluto mean?
+Poor man! he doats, or mad he sure is!
+What can he want them for?"--"Three Furies."
+
+You will say I am an infernal poet; but every body cannot write
+as they do aux Champs Elys`ees. Adieu, Madam!
+
+(963) Madame du Deffand had sent Mr. Walpole a snuff-box, on the
+lid of which was a portrait of Madame de S`evign`e, accompanied
+by a letter written in her name from the Elysian Fields, and
+addressed to Mr. Walpole; who did not at first suspect Madame du
+Deffand as the author, but thought both the present and the
+letter had come from the Duchess of Choiseul. ("One of the
+principal features, and it must be called, when carried to such
+excess, one of the principal weaknesses of Mr. Walpole's
+character, was a fear of ridicule--a fear which, , like most
+others, often leads to greater dangers than that which it seeks
+to avoid. At the commencement of his acquaintance with madame du
+Deffand, he was near fifty, and she above seventy years of age,
+and entirely blind. She had already long passed the first epoch
+in the life of a Frenchwoman, that of gallantry, and had as long
+been established as a bel esprit; and it is to be remembered
+that, in the ante-revolutionary world of paris, these epochs in
+life were as determined, and as strictly observed, as the changes
+of dress on a particular day of the different seasons; and that a
+woman endeavouring to attract lovers after she ceased to be
+galante, would have been not less ridiculous as her wearing
+velvet when the rest of the world were in demi-soisons. Madame
+du Deffand, therefore, old and blind, had no more idea of
+attracting Mr. Walpole to her as a lover than she had of the
+possibility of any one suspecting her of such an intention; and
+indeed her lively feelings, and the violent fancy she had taken
+for his conversation and character, in every expression of
+admiration and attachment which she really felt, and which she
+never supposed capable of misinterpretation. By himself they
+were not misinterpreted; but he seems to have had ever before his
+eyes a very unnecessary dread of that being so by others--a fear
+lest madame du Deffand's extreme partiality and high opinion
+should expose him to suspicions of entertaining the same opinion
+of himself, or of its leading her to some extravagant mark of
+attachment; and all this, he persuaded himself, was to be exposed
+in their letters to all the clerks of the post-office at paris
+and all the idlers at Versailles. This accounts for the
+ungracious language in which he often replied to the
+importunities of her anxious affection; a language so foreign to
+his heart, and so contrary to his own habits in friendship: this
+too accounts for his constantly repressing on her part all
+effusions of sentiment, all disquisitions on the human heart, and
+all communications of its vexations, weaknesses, and pains."
+Preface to "Letters of Madame du Deffand to Mr. Walpole."-E.
+
+(964) Vous avez si bien fait," replied Madame du Deffand, "par vo
+le`cons, vos pr`eceptes, vos gronderies, et, le pis do tous, par
+vos ironies, que vous `etes presque parvenu `a me rendre fausse,
+ou, pour le moins, fort dissimul`ee."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 309 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, July 10, 1766. (page 485)
+
+Don't you think a complete year enough for any administration to
+last? One, who at least can remove them, though he cannot make
+them, thinks so; and, accordingly, yesterday notified that he had
+sent for Mr. Pitt.(965) Not a jot more is known; but as this set
+is sacrificed to their resolution to have nothing to do with Lord
+Bute, the new list will probably not be composed Of such hostile
+ingredients. The arrangement I believe settled in the outlines;
+if it is not, it may still never take place: it will not be the
+first time this egg has been addled. One is very sure that many
+people on all sides will be displeased, and I think no side quite
+contented. Your cousins, the house of Yorke, Lord George
+Sackville, Newcastle, and Lord Rockingham, will certainly not be
+of the elect. What Lord Temple will do, or if any thing will be
+done for George Grenville, are great points of curiosity. The
+plan will probably be, to pick and cull from all quarters, and
+break all parties as much as possible.(966) From this moment I
+date the wane of Mr. Pitt's glory; he will want the thorough-bass
+of drums and trumpets, and is not made for peace. The dismission
+of a most popular administration, a leaven of Lord Bute, whom,
+too, he can never trust, and the numbers he will discontent, will
+be considerable objects against him.
+
+For my own part, I am much pleased, and much diverted. I have
+nothing to do but to sit by and laugh; a humour you know I am apt
+to indulge. You shall hear from me again soon.
+
+(965) On the 7th the King addressed a letter to Mr. Pitt,
+expressing a desire to have his thoughts how an able and
+dignified ministry might be formed, and requesting him to come to
+town for that salutary purpose. The letter will be found in the
+Chatham Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 436.-E.
+
+(966) "Here are great bustles at court," writes Lord
+Chesterfield, on the 11th, "and a great change of persons is
+certainly very near. My conjecture is, that, be the new
+settlement what it will, Mr. Pitt will be at the head of it. If
+he is, I presume, qu'il aura mis de l'eau dans son vin par
+rapport `a My lord Bute: when that shall come to be known, as
+known it certainly Will soon be, he may bid adieu to his
+popularity."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 310 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, July 21, 1766. (page 485)
+
+You may strike up your sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer; for Mr.
+Pitt(967) comes in, and Lord Temple does not. Can I send you a
+more welcome affirmative or negative? My sackbut is not very
+sweet, and here is the ode I have made for it:
+
+When Britain heard the woful news,
+That Temple was to be minister,
+To look upon it could she choose
+But as an omen most sinister?
+But when she heard he did refuse,
+In spite of Lady Chat. his sister,
+What could she do but laugh, O Muse?
+And so she did, till she ***** her.
+
+If that snake had wriggled in, he would have drawn after him the
+whole herd of vipers; his brother Demogorcon and all. 'Tis a
+blessed deliverance.
+
+The changes I should think now would be few. They are not yet
+known; but I am content already, and shall go to Strawberry
+to-morrow, where I shall be happy to receive you and Mr. John any
+day after Sunday next, the twenty-seventh, and for as many days
+as ever you will afford me. Let me know your mind by the return
+of the post. Strawberry is in perfection: the verdure has all
+the bloom of spring: the orange-trees are loaded with blossoms,
+the gallery all sun and gold, Mrs. Clive all sun and vermilion--
+in short, come away to Yours ever.
+
+P. S. I forgot to tell you, and I hate to steal and not tell,
+that my ode is imitated from Fontaine.
+
+(967) Mr. Pitt was gazetted, on the 30th of July, Viscount Pitt,
+of Burton Pynsent, and Earl of Chatham. The same gazette
+contained the notification of his appointment as lord privy seal
+in the room of the Duke of Newcastle. "What shall I say to you
+about the ministry?" writes Gray to Wharton: "I am as angry as a
+common-councilman of London about my Lord Chatham, but a little
+more patient, and will hold my tongue till the end of the year.
+In the mean time, I do mutter in secret, and to you, that to quit
+the House of Commons, his natural strength, to sap his own
+popularity and grandeur, (which no man but himself could have
+done,) by assuming a foolish title; and to hope that he could win
+by it, and attach him to a court that hate him, and will dismiss
+him as soon as ever they dare, was the weakest thing that ever
+was done by so great a man. Had it not been for this, I should
+have rejoiced at the breach between him and Lord Temple, and at
+the union between him and the Duke of Grafton and Mr. Conway: but
+patience! we shall see!" Works, vol. iv. p. 83.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 311 To David Hume, Esq.(968)
+Arlington Street, July 26, 1766. (page 486)
+
+Dear Sir,
+Your set of literary friends are what a set of literary men are
+apt to be, exceedingly absurd. They hold a consistory to consult
+how to argue with a madman; and they think it very necessary for
+your character to give them the pleasure of seeing Rousseau
+exposed, not because he has provoked you, but them. If Rousseau
+prints, you must; but I certainly would not till he does.(969)
+
+I cannot be precise as to the time of my writing the King of
+Prussia's letter; but I do assure you with the utmost truth that
+it was several days before you left Paris, and before Rousseau's
+arrival there, of which I can give you a strong proof; for I not
+only suppressed the letter while you stayed there, out of
+delicacy to you, but it was the reason why, out of delicacy to
+myself, I did not go to see him, as you often proposed to me,
+thinking it wrong to go and make a cordial visit to a man, with a
+letter in my pocket to laugh at him. You are at full liberty,
+dear Sir, to make use of what I say in your justification, either
+to Rousseau or any body else. I should be very sorry to have you
+blamed on my account; I have a hearty contempt of Rousseau, and
+am perfectly indifferent what the literati of Paris think of the
+matter. If there is any fault, which I am far from thinking, let
+it lie on me. No parts can hinder my laughing at their
+possessor, if he is a mountebank. If he has a bad and most
+ungrateful heart, as Rousseau has shown in your case, into the
+bargain, he will have my scorn likewise, as he will of all good
+and sensible men. You may trust your sentence to such who are as
+respectable judges as any that have pored over ten thousand more
+volumes.
+
+P. S. I will look out the letter and the dates as soon as I go to
+Strawberry Hill.
+
+(968) On the celebrated quarrel between Hume and Rousseau,
+D'Alembert, and the other literary friends of the former, met at
+Paris, and were unanimous in advising him to publish the
+particulars. This Hume at first refused, but determined to
+collect them and for that purpose had written to Mr. Walpole
+respecting the pretended letter from the King of Prussia.
+
+(969) "Your friend Rousseau, I doubt, grows tired of Mr.
+Davenport and Derbyshire: he has picked up a quarrel with David
+Hume, and writes him letters of fourteen pages folio, upbraiding
+him with all his noirceurs; take one only as a specimen. He says
+that at Calais they chanced to sleep in the same room together,
+and that he overheard David talking in his sleep, and saying,
+'Ah! je le tiens, ce Jean Jacques l`a.' In short, I fear, for
+want of persecution and admiration (for these are his real
+complaints), be will go back to the Continent." Gray to Wharton;
+Works, vol. iv. P. 82.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 312 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, Sept. 18, 1766. (page 487)
+
+Dear sir,
+I am exceedingly obliged to you for your very friendly letter,
+and hurt at the absurdity of the newspapers that occasioned the
+alarm. Sure I am not of consequence enough to be lied about! It
+is true I am ill, have been extremely so, and have been ill long,
+but with nothing like paralytic, as they have reported me. It
+has been this long disorder alone that has prevented my profiting
+of your company at Strawberry, according to the leave you gave me
+of asking it. I have lived upon the road between that place and
+this, never settled there, and uncertain whether I should go to
+Bath or abroad. Yesterday se'nnight I grew exceedingly ill
+indeed, with what they say has been the gout in my stomach,
+bowels, back, and kidneys. The worst seems over, and I have been
+to take the air to-day for the first time, but bore it so ill
+that I don't know how soon I shall be able to set out for Bath,
+whither they want me to go immediately. As that journey makes it
+very uncertain when I shall be at Strawberry again, and as you
+must want your cups and pastils, will you tell me if I can convey
+them to you any way safely? Excuse my saying more to-day, as I
+am so faint and weak; but it was impossible not to acknowledge
+your kindness the first minute I was able. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 313 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Sept. 18, 1766. (page 488)
+
+I am this moment come hither with Mr. Chute, who has showed me
+your most kind and friendly letter, for which I give you a
+thousand thanks. It did not surprise me, for you cannot alter.
+I have been most extremely ill; indeed, never well since I saw
+you. However, I think it is over, and that the gout is gone
+without leaving a codicil in my foot. Weak I am to the greatest
+degree, and no wonder. Such explosions make terrible havoc in a
+body of paper. I shall go to the Bath in a few days. which they
+tell me will make my quire of paper hold out a vast while! as to
+that, I am neither credulous nor earnest. If it can keep me from
+pain and preserve me the power of motion, I shall be content.
+Mr. Chute, who has been good beyond measure, goes with me for a
+few days. A thousand thanks and compliments to Mr. and Mrs.
+Whetenhall and Mr. John, and excuse me writing more, as I am a
+little fatigued with my little journey.
+
+
+
+Letter 314 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Bath, Oct. 2, 1766. (page 488)
+
+I arrived yesterday at noon, and bore my journey perfectly well,
+except that I had the headache all yesterday; but it is gone
+to-day, or at least made way for a little giddiness which the
+water gave me this morning at first. If it does not do me good
+very soon, I shall leave it; for I dislike the place exceedingly,
+and am disappointed in it. Their new buildings that are so
+admired, look like a collection of little hospitals; the rest is
+detestable; and all crammed together, and surrounded with
+perpendicular hills that have no beauty. The river is paltry
+enough to be the Seine or Tiber. Oh! how unlike my lovely
+Thames!
+
+I met my Lord Chatham's coach yesterday full of such
+Grenville-looking children, that I shall not go to see him this
+day or two; and to-day I spoke to Lady Rockingham in the street.
+My Lords Chancellor and President are here, and Lord and Lady
+Powis. Lady Malpas arrived yesterday. I shall visit Miss Rich
+to-morrow. In the next apartment to [nine lodges *****. I have
+not seen him some years; and he is grown either mad or
+superannuated, and talks without cessation or coherence: you
+would think all the articles in a dictionary were prating
+together at once. The Bedfords are expected this week. There
+are forty thousand others that I neither know nor intend to know.
+In short, it is living in a fair, and I am heartily sick of it
+already. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 315 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Bath, Oct. 5, 1766. (page 489)
+
+Yes, thank you, I am quite well again; and if I had not a mind to
+continue so, I would not remain here a day longer, for I am tired
+to death of the place. I sit down by the waters of Babylon and
+weep, when I think of thee, oh Strawberry! The elements
+certainly agree with me, but I shun the gnomes and salamanders,
+and have not once been at the rooms. Mr. Chute stays with me
+till Tuesday; when he is gone, I do not know what I shall do; for
+I cannot play at cribbage by myself, and the alternative is to
+see my Lady Vane open the ball, and glimmer at fifty-four. All
+my comfort is, that I lodge close to the cross bath, by which
+means I avoid the pump-room and all its works. We go to dine and
+see Bristol to-morrow, which will terminate our sights, for we
+are afraid of your noble cousins at Badminton; and, as Mrs. Allen
+is dead and Warburton entered upon the premises, you may swear we
+shall not go thither.
+
+Lord Chatham, the late and present Chancellors, and sundry more,
+are here; and their graces of Bedford expected. I think I shall
+make your Mrs. Trevor and Lady Lucy a visit; but it is such an
+age since we met, that I suppose we shall not know one another by
+sight. Adieu! These watering places, that mimic a capital, and
+add vulgarisms and familiarities of their own, seem to me like
+abigails in cast gowns, and I am not young enough to take up with
+either. Yours ever.
+
+
+
+Letter 316 To John Chute, Esq.
+Bath, Oct. 10, 1766. (page 489)
+
+I am impatient to hear that your charity to me has not ended in
+the gout to yourself--all my comfort is, if you have it, that you
+have good Lady Brown to nurse you.
+
+My health advances faster than my amusement. However, I have
+been at one opera, Mr. Wesley's.(970) They have boys and girls
+with charming voices, that sing hymns, in parts, to Scotch ballad
+tunes but indeed so long, that one would think they were already
+in eternity, and knew how much time they had before them. The
+chapel is very neat, with true Gothic windows (yet I am not
+converted); but I was glad to see that luxury is creeping in upon
+them before persecution: they have very neat mahogany stands for
+branches, and brackets of the same in taste. At the upper end is
+a broad hautpas of four steps, advancing in the middle: at each
+end of the broadest part are two of my eagles, with red cushions
+for the parson and clerk. Behind them rise three more steps, in
+the midst of which is a third eagle for pulpit. Scarlet armed
+chairs to all three. On either hand, a balcony for elect ladies.
+The rest of the congregation sit on forms. Behind the pit, in a
+dark niche, is a plain table within rails; so you see the throne
+is for the apostle. Wesley is a lean elderly man,
+fresh-coloured, his hair smoothly combed, but with a soup`con of
+curls at the ends. Wondrous clean, but as evidently an actor as
+Garrick. He spoke his sermon, but so fast, and with so little
+accent, that I am sure he has often uttered it, for it was like a
+lesson. There were parts and eloquence in it; but towards the
+end he exalted his voice, and acted very ugly enthusiasm; decried
+learning, and told stories, like Latimer, of the fool of his
+college, who said, "I thanks God for every thing." Except a few
+from curiosity, and some honourable women, the congregation was
+very mean. There was a Scotch Countess Of Buchan,(971) who is
+carrying a pure rosy vulgar face to heaven, and who asked Miss
+Rich, if that was the author of the poets. I believe she meant
+me and the Noble Authors.
+
+The Bedfords came last night. Lord Chatham was with me yesterday
+two hours; looks and walks well, and is in excellent political
+spirits. Yours ever.
+
+(970) The idea of adapting the psalms of the church to secular
+tunes had been put in practice long before Wesley's day. The
+celebrated Clement Marot wrote a number of psalms to sing to the
+popular airs of his time, for the accommodation of the ladies of
+the French court who were devoutly inclined; but he left it to
+Wesley to assign as a reason for doing so, that there were no
+just grounds for letting the devil have all the best tunes
+himself.-E.
+
+(971) Agnes, second daughter of Sir James Stewart of Goodtrees;
+married, in January 1739, to Henry David, fifth Earl of Buchan.
+She was the mother of the celebrated Lord Erskine.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 317 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Bath, Oct. 18, 1766. (page 490)
+
+Well, I went last night to see Lady Lucy and Mrs. Trevor, was let
+in, and received with great kindness. I found them little
+altered; Lady Lucy was much undressed, but looks better than when
+I saw her last, and as well as one could expect; no shyness nor
+singularity, but very easy and conversable. They have a very
+pretty house, with two excellent rooms on a floor, and extremely
+well furnished. You may be sure your name was much in request.
+If I had not been engaged, I could have staved much longer with
+satisfaction; and if I am doomed, as probably I shall be, to come
+hither again, they would be a great resource to me; for I find
+much more pleasure now in renewing old acquaintances than in
+forming new.
+
+The waters do not benefit me so much as at firs,; the pains in my
+stomach return almost every morning, but do not seem the least
+allied to the gout. This decrease of their virtue is not near so
+great a disappointment to me as you might imagine; for I am so
+childish as not to think health itself a compensation for passing
+my time very disagreeably. I can bear the loss of youth
+heroically, provided I am comfortable, and can amuse myself as I
+like. But health does not give one the sort of spirits that make
+one like diversions, public places, and mixed company. Living
+here is being a shopkeeper, who is glad of all kinds of
+customers; but does not suit me, who am leaving Off trade. I
+shall depart on Wednesday, even on the penalty of coming again.
+To have lived three weeks in a fair appears to me a century! I
+am not at all in love with their country, which so charms every
+body. Mountains are very good frames to a prospect, but here
+they run against one's nose, nor can one stir out of the town
+without clambering. It is true one may live as retired as one
+pleases, and may always have a small society. The place is
+healthy, every thing is cheap, and the provisions better than
+ever I tasted. Still I have taken an insupportable aversion to
+it, which I feel rather than can account for; I do not think you
+would dislike it: so you see I am just in general, though very
+partial as to my own particular.
+
+You have raised my curiosity about Lord Scarsdale's, yet I
+question whether I shall ever take the trouble of visiting it. I
+grow every year more averse to stirring from home, and putting
+myself out of my way. If I can but be tolerably well at
+Strawberry, my wishes bounded. If I am to live at
+watering-places, and keep what is called good hours, life itself
+will be very indifferent to me. I do not talk very sensibly, but
+I have a contempt for that fictitious character styled
+philosophy; I feel what I feel, and say I feel what I do feel.
+Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+
+
+Letter 318 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Bath, Oct. 18, 1766. (page 491)
+
+You have made me laugh, and somebody else makes me stare. How
+can one wonder at any thing he does, when he knows so little of
+the world? I suppose the next step will be to propose me for
+groom of the bedchamber to the new Duke of Cumberland. But why
+me? Here is that hopeful young fellow, Sir John Rushout, the
+oldest member of the House, and, as extremes meet, very proper to
+begin again; why overlook him? However, as the secret is kept
+from me myself, I am perfectly easy about it. I shall call
+to-day or to-morrow to ask his commands, but certainly shall not
+obey those you mention.(972)
+
+The waters certainly are not so beneficial to me as at first: I
+have almost every morning my pain in my stomach. I do not
+pretend this to be the cause of my leaving Bath. The truth is, I
+cannot bear it any longer. You laugh at my regularity; but the
+contrary habit is so strong in me, that I cannot continue such
+sobriety. The public rooms, and the loo, where we play in a
+circle, like the hazard on Twelfth-night, are insupportable.
+This coming into the world again, when I am so weary of it, is as
+bad and ridiculous as moving an address would be. I have no
+affectation; for affectation is a monster at nine-and-forty; but
+if I cannot live quietly, privately,
+and comfortably, I am perfectly indifferent about living at all.
+I would not kill myself, for that is a philosopher's affectation,
+and I will come hither again, if I must; but I shall always drive
+very near, before I submit to do any thing I do not like. In
+short, I must be as foolish as I please, as long as I can keep
+without the limits of absurdity. What has an old man to do but
+to preserve himself from parade on one hand, and ridicule on the
+other?(973) Charming youth may indulge itself in either, may be
+censured, will be envied, and has time to correct. Adieu
+
+Monday evening.
+
+You are a delightful manager of the House of Commons, to reckon
+540, instead of 565! Sandwich was more accurate In lists, and
+would not have miscounted 25, which are something in a division.
+
+(972) Mr. Conway had intimated to Walpole, that it was the wish
+of Lord Chatham, that he should move the address on the King's
+speech at the opening of the session.-E.
+
+(973) On the topic of ridicule, Walpole had, a few days before,
+thus expressed himself in a letter to Madame du Deffand:--"Il y
+avoit longtemps avant la date de notre connaissance, que cette
+crainte de ridicule s'`etoit plant`ee dans mon esprit, et vous
+devez assur`ement vous ressouvenir a quel point elle me
+poss`edoit, et combien de fois je vous en ai entretenu. N'allez
+pas lui chercher une naissance r`ecente. D`es le moment que je
+cessais d'`etre jeune, j'ai eu une peur horrible de devenir un
+veillard ridicule." To this the lady replied--"Vos craintes sur
+le ridicule sont des terreurs paniques, mais on ne gu`erit point
+de la peur; je n'ai point une semblable foiblesse; je sais qu'`a
+mon age on est `a l'abri de donner du scandale: si l'on aime, on
+n'a point `a s'en cacher; l'amiti`e ne sera jamais un sentiment
+ridicule, quand elle ne fait pas faire des folies; mais
+gardons-nous d'en prof`erer le nom, puisque vous avez de si
+bonnes raisons de la vouloir proscrire."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 319 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 22, 1766. (page 492)
+
+They may say what they will, but it does one ten times more good
+to leave Bath than to go to it. I may sometimes drink the
+waters, as Mr. Bentley used to say I invited company hither that
+I did not care for, that I might enjoy the pleasure of their
+going away. My health is certainly amended, but I did not feel
+the satisfaction of it till I got home. I have still a little
+rheumatism in one shoulder, which was not dipped in Styx, and is
+still mortal; but, while I went to the rooms, or stayed in my
+chambers in a dull court, I thought I had twenty complaints. I
+don't perceive one of them.
+
+Having no companion but such as the place afforded, and which I
+did not accept, my excursions were very few; besides that the
+city is so guarded with mountains, that I had not patience to be
+jolted like a pea in a drum, in my chaise alone. I did go to
+Bristol, the dirtiest great shop I ever saw, with so foul a
+river, that, had I seen the least appearance of cleanliness, I
+should have concluded they washed all their linen in it, as they
+do at Paris. Going into the town, I was struck with a large
+Gothic building, coal-black, and striped with white; I took it
+for the devil's cathedral. When I came nearer, I found it was a
+uniform castle, lately built, and serving for stables and offices
+to a smart false Gothic house on the other side of the road.
+
+The real cathedral is very neat and has pretty tombs, besides the
+two windows of painted glass, given by Mrs. Ellen Gwyn. There is
+a new church besides of' St. Nicholas, neat and truly Gothic,
+besides a charming old church at the other end of the town. The
+cathedral, or abbey, at Bath, is glaring and crowded with modern
+tablet-monuments; among others, I found two, of my cousin Sir
+Erasmus Phillips, and of Colonel Madan. Your cousin Bishop
+Montagu, decked it much. I dined one day with an agreeable
+family, two miles from Bath, a Captain Miller(974) and his wife,
+and her mother, Mrs. Riggs. They have a small new-built house,
+with a bow-window, directly opposite to which the Avon falls in a
+wide cascade, a church behind it in a vale, into which two
+mountains descend, leaving an opening into the distant country.
+A large village, with houses of gentry, is on one of the hills to
+the left. Their garden is little, but pretty, and watered with
+several small rivulets among the bushes. Meadows fall down to
+the road; and above, the garden is terminated by another view of
+the river, the city, and the mountains. 'Tis a very diminutive
+principality, with large Pretensions.
+
+I must tell you a quotation I lighted upon t'other day from
+Persius, the application of which has much diverted Mr. Chute.
+You know my Lord Milton,(975) from nephew of the old usurer
+Damer, of Dublin, has endeavoured to erect himself into the
+representative of the ancient Barons Damory--
+
+"----Momento turbinis exit
+Marcus Dama."
+
+Apropos, or rather not `apropos, I wish you joy of the
+restoration of the dukedom in your house, though I believe we
+both think it very hard upon my Lady Beaulieu.
+
+I made a second visit to Lady Lucy and Mrs. Trevor, and saw the
+latter One night at the rooms. She did not appear to me so
+little altered as in the dusk of her own chamber. Adieu! Yours
+ever.
+
+(974) Captain John Miller, of Ballicasy, in the county of Clare.
+In the preceding year he had married Anne, the only daughter of
+Edward Riggs, Esq. In 1778, he was created an Irish baronet, and
+in 1784, chosen representative for Newport in parliament. See
+post, Walpole's letter to General Conway, of the 15th of January
+1775.-E.
+
+(975) Joseph Damer Lord Milton, of Shrone Hill, in the kingdom of
+Ireland, was created a baron of Great Britain in May 1762, by the
+title of Baron Milton of Milton Abbey, Dorsetshire.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 320 To Sir David Dalrymple.(976)
+Strawberry Hill, Nov. 5, 1766. (page 494)
+
+Sir,
+On my return from Bath, I found your very kind and agreeable
+present of the papers in King Charles's time;(977) for which and
+all your other obliging favours I give you a thousand thanks.
+
+I was particularly pleased with your just and sensible preface
+against the squeamish or bigoted persons who would bury in
+oblivion the faults and follies of princes, and who thence
+contribute to their guilt; for if princes, who living are above
+control, should think that no censure is to attend them when
+dead, it would be new encouragement to them to play the fool and
+act the tyrant. When they are so kind as to specify their crimes
+under their own hands, it would be foppish delicacy indeed to
+suppress them. I hope you will proceed, Sir, and with the same
+impartiality. It was justice due to Charles to publish the
+extravagancies of his enemies too. The comparison can never be
+fairly made, but when we see the evidence on both sides. I have
+done so in the trifles I have published, and have as much
+offended some by what I have said of the Presbyterians at the
+beginning of my third volume of the Painters, as I had others by
+condemnation of King Charles in my Noble Authors. In the second
+volume of my Anecdotes I praised him where he deserved praise;
+for truth is my sole object, and it is some proof, when one
+offends both. I am, Sir, your most obliged and obedient servant.
+
+(976) Now first collected. In the March of this year, Sir David
+Dalrymple was made a judge of the Court of session, when he
+assumed the name of lord Hailes, by which he is best known.-E.
+
+(977) "The Memorials and Letters relating to the History of
+Britain in the Reigns of James the First and Charles the First,
+published from the originals in the Advocates' Library at
+Edinburgh," had just appeared, in two volumes, octavo.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 321 To David Hume, Esq.
+Nov. 6, 1766. (page 494)
+
+Dear sir,
+You have, I own, surprised me by suffering your quarrel with
+Rousseau to be printed, contrary to your determination when you
+left London, and against the advice of all your best friends
+here; I may add, contrary to your own nature, which has always
+inclined you to despise literary squabbles, the jest and scorn of
+all men of sense. Indeed, I am sorry you have let yourself be
+over-persuaded, and so are all that I have seen who wish you
+well: I ought rather to use your own word extorted. You say your
+Parisian friends extorted your consent to this publication. I
+believe so. Your good sense would not approve what your good
+heart could not refuse. You add, that they told you Rousseau had
+sent letters of defiance against you all over Europe? Good God!
+my dear Sir, could you pay any regard to such fustian? All
+Europe laughs at being dragged every day into these idle
+quarrels, with which Europe only ***. Your friends talk as
+loftily as of a challenge between Charles the Fifth and Francis
+the First. What are become of all the controversies since the
+days of Scaliger and Scioppius, of Billingsgate memory? Why,
+they sleep in oblivion, till some Bayle drags them out of their
+dust, and takes mighty pains to ascertain the date of each
+author's death, which is of no more consequence to the world than
+the day of his birth. Many a country squire quarrels with his
+neighbour about game and manors; yet they never print their
+wrangles, though as much abuse passes between them as if they
+could quote all the philippics of the learned. You have acted,
+as i should have expected if you would print, with sense, temper,
+and decency, and, what is still more uncommon, with your usual
+modesty. I cannot say so much for your editors. But editors and
+commentators are seldom modest. Even to this day that race ape
+the dictatorial tone Of the commentators at the restoration of
+learning, when the mob thought that Greek and Latin could give
+men the sense which they wanted in their native languages. But
+Europe is now grown a little wiser, and holds these magnificent
+pretensions in proper contempt.
+
+What I have said is to explain why I am sorry my letter makes a
+part of this controversy. When I sent it to you, it was for your
+justification; and, had it been necessary, I could have added as
+much more, having been witness to your anxious and boundless
+friendship for Rousseau. I told you, you might make what use of
+it you pleased. Indeed, at that time I did not-could not think
+of its being printed, you seeming so averse to any publication on
+that head. However, I by no means take it ill, nor regret my
+part, if it tends to vindicate your honour.
+
+I must confess that I am more concerned that you have suffered my
+letter to be curtailed; nor should I have consented to that if
+you had asked me. I guessed that your friends consulted your
+interest less than their own inclination to expose Rousseau; and
+I think their omission of what I said on that subject proves I
+was not mistaken in my guess. My letters hinted, too, my
+contempt of learned men and their miserable conduct. Since I was
+to appear in print, I should not have been sorry that that
+opinion should have appeared at the same \time. In truth, there
+is nothing I hold so cheap as the generality of learned men; and
+I have often thought that young men ought to be made scholars,
+lest they should grow to reverence learned blockheads, and think
+there is any merit in having read more foolish books than other
+folks; which, as there are a thousand nonsensical books for one
+good one, must be the case of any man who has read much more than
+other people.
+
+Your friend D'Alembert, who, I suppose, has read a vast deal, is,
+it seems, offended with my letter to Rousseau.(978) He is
+certainly as much at liberty to blame it, as I was to write it.
+Unfortunately he does not convince me; nor can I think but that
+if Rousseau may attack all governments and all religions, I might
+attack him: especially on his affectation and affected
+misfortunes; which you and your editors have proved are affected.
+D'Alembert might be offended at Rousseau's ascribing my letter to
+him; and he is in the right. I am a very indifferent author; and
+there is nothing so vexatious to an indifferent author as to be
+confounded with another of the same class. I should be sorry to
+have his eloges and translations of scraps of Tacitus laid to me.
+However, I can forgive him any thing, provided he never
+translates me. Adieu! my dear Sir. I am apt to laugh, you know,
+and therefore you will excuse me, though I do not treat your
+friends up to the pomp of their claims. They may treat me as
+freely: I shall not laugh the less, and I promise you I will
+never enter into a controversy with them. Yours ever.
+
+(978) For writing the pretended letter from the King of Prussia
+to Rousseau, Walpole was severely censured by Warburton, in a
+letter to Hurd:--"As to Rousseau," says the Bishop, "I entirely
+agree with you, that his long letter to his brother philosopher,
+Hume, shows him to be a frank lunatic. His passion of tears, his
+suspicion of his friends in the midst of their services, and his
+incapacity of being set right, all consign him to Monro.
+Walpole's pleasantry upon him had baseness in its very
+conception. It was written when the poor man had determined to
+seek an asylum in England; and is, therefore, justly and
+generously condemned by D'Alembert. This considered, Hume failed
+both in honour and friendship not to show his dislike; which
+neglect seems to have kindled the first spark of combustion in
+this madman's brain. However, the contestation is very amusing,
+and I shall be very sorry if it stops, now it is in so good a
+train. I should be well pleased, particularly, to see so
+seraphic a madman attack so insufferable a coxcomb as Walpole;
+and I think they are only fit for one another."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 322 To David Hume, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 11, 1766. (page 496)
+
+Indeed, dear Sir, it was not necessary to make me any apology.
+D'Alembert is certainly at liberty to say what he pleases of me;
+and undoubtedly you cannot think that it signifies a straw to me
+what he says. But how can you be surprised at his printing a
+thing that he sent you so long ago? All my surprise consists in
+your suffering him to Curtail my letter to you, when you might be
+sure be would print his own at length. I am glad, however, that
+he has mangled mine: it not only shows his equity, but is the
+strongest proof that he was conscious I guessed right, when I
+supposed he urged you to publish, from his own private pique to
+Rousseau.
+
+What you surmise of his censuring my letter because I am a friend
+of Madame du Deffand, is astonishing indeed, and not to be
+credited, unless you had suggested it. Having never thought him
+any thing like a superior genius,(979) as you term him, I
+concluded his vanity was hurt by Rousseau's ascribing my letter
+to him; but, to carry resentment to a woman, to an old and blind
+woman, so far as to hate a friend of hers qui ne lui avoit fait
+de mal is strangely weak and lamentable. I thought he was a
+philosopher, and that philosophers were virtuous, upright men,
+who loved wisdom, and were above the little passions and foibles
+of humanity. I thought they assumed that proud title as an
+earnest to the world, that they intended to be something more
+than mortal; that they engaged themselves to be patterns of
+excellence, and would utter no opinion, would pronounce no
+decision, but what they believed the quintessence of' truth; that
+they always acted without prejudice and respect of persons.
+Indeed, we know that the ancient philosophers were a ridiculous
+composition of arrogance, disputation, and contradictions; that
+some of them acted against all ideas of decency; that others
+affected to doubt of their own senses; that some, for venting
+unintelligible nonsense, pretended to think themselves superior
+to kings; that they gave themselves airs of accounting for all
+that we do and do not see-and yet, that no two of them agreed in
+a single hypothesis; that one thought fire, another water, the
+origin of all things; and that some were even so absurd and
+impious, as to displace God, and enthrone matter in his place. I
+do not mean to disparage such wise men, for we are really obliged
+to them: they anticipated and helped us off with an exceeding
+deal of nonsense, through which we might possibly have passed, if
+they had not prevented us. But, when in this enlightened age, as
+it is called, I saw the term philosophers revived, I concluded
+the jargon would be omitted, and that we should be blessed with
+only the cream of sapience; and one had more reason still to
+expect this from any superior genius. But, alas! my dear Sir,
+what a tumble is here! Your D'Alembert is a mere mortal oracle.
+Who but would have laughed, if, when the buffoon Aristophanes
+ridiculed Socrates, Plato had condemned the former, not for
+making sport with a great man in distress, but because Plato
+hated some blind old woman with whom Aristophanes was acquainted!
+
+D'Alembert's conduct is the More Unjust, as I never heard Madame
+du Deffand talk of him above three times in the seven months that
+I passed at Paris; and never, though she does not love him, with
+any reflection to his prejudice. I remember the first time I
+ever heard her mention his name, I said I have been told he was a
+good man but could not think him a good writer. (Craufurd(980)
+remembers this, and it is a proof that I always thought of
+D'Alembert as I do now.) She took it up with warmth, defended
+his parts, and said he was extremely amusing. For her quarrel
+with him, I never troubled my head about it one way or other;
+which you will not wonder at. You know in England we read their
+works, but seldom or never take any notice of authors. We think
+them sufficiently paid if their books sell, and of course leave
+them to their colleges and obscurity, by which means we are not
+troubled with their variety and impertinence. In France, they
+spoil us; but that was no business of mine. I, who am an author
+must own this conduct very sensible; for in truth we are a most
+useless tribe.
+
+That D'Alembert should have omitted passages in which you was so
+good as to mention me with approbation, agrees with his
+peevishness, not with his philosophy. However, for God's sake,
+do not state the passages. I do not love compliments, and will
+never give my consent to receive any. I have no doubt of your
+kind intentions to me, but beg they may rest there. I am much
+more diverted with the philosopher D'Alembert's underhand
+dealings, than I should have been pleased with panegyric even
+from you.
+
+Allow me to make one more remark, and I have done with this
+trifling business for ever. Your moral friend pronounces me
+ill-natured for laughing at an unhappy man who had never offended
+me. Rousseau certainly never did offend me. I believed, from
+many symptoms in his writings, and from what I heard of him, that
+his love of singularity made him choose to invite misfortunes,
+and that he hung out many more than he felt. I, who affect no
+philosophy, nor pretend to more virtue than my neighbours,
+thought this ridiculous in a man who is really a superior genius,
+and joked upon it in a few lines never certainly intended to
+appear in print. The sage D'Alembert reprehends this--and where?
+In a book published to expose Rousseau, and which confirms by
+serious proofs what I had hinted at in jest. What! does a
+philosopher condemn me, and in the very same, breath, only with
+ten times more ill-nature, act exactly as I had done? Oh! but
+you will say, Rousseau had offended D'Alembert by ascribing the
+King of Prussia's letter to him. Worse and worse: if Rousseau is
+unhappy, a philosopher should have pardoned. Revenge is so
+unbecoming the rex regum, the man who is precipue sanus--nisi cum
+pituita molesta est. If Rousseau's misfortunes are affected,
+what becomes of my ill-nature? In short, my dear Sir, to
+conclude as D'Alembert concludes his book, I do believe in the
+virtue of Mr. Hume, but not much in that of philosophers. Adieu!
+Yours ever.
+
+P. S. It occurs to me, that you may be apprehensive of my being
+indiscreet enough to let D'Alembert learn your suspicions of him
+on Madame du Deffand's account! but you may be perfectly easy on
+that head. Though I like such an advantage over him, and should
+be glad he saw this letter, and knew how little formidable I
+think him, I shall certainly not make an ill use of a private
+letter, and had much rather wave my triumph, than give a friend a
+moment's pain. I love to laugh at an impertinent savant, but
+respect learning when Joined to such goodness as yours, and never
+confound ostentation and modesty.
+
+I wrote to you last Thursday and, by Lady Hertford's advice,
+directed my letter to Nine-Wells: I hope you will receive it.
+Yours ever.
+
+(979) "I believe I said he was a man of superior parts, not a
+superior genius; words, if I mistake not, of a very different
+import." Hume.-E.
+
+(981) John Craufurd, Esq. of Auchinames, in Scotland.-E.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 323 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Dec. 12, 1766. (page 499)
+
+Pray what are you doing?
+Or reading or feeding?
+Or drinking or thinking?
+Or praying or playing?
+Or walking or talking?
+Or riding about to your neighbours?(982)
+
+I am sure you are not writing, for I have not had a word from you
+this century; nay, nor you from me. In truth, we have had a busy
+month, and many grumbles of a state-quake; but the session has
+however ended very triumphantly for the great Earl. I mean, we
+are adjourned for the holidays for above a month, after two
+divisions of one hundred and sixty-six to forty-eight, and one
+hundred and forty to fifty-six.(983) The Earl chaffered for the
+Bedfords, and who so willing as they?(984) However, the bargain
+went off, and they are forced to return to George Grenville.
+Lord Rockingham and the Cavendishes have made a jaunt to the same
+quarter, but could carry only eight along with them, which
+swelled that little minority to fifty-six. I trust and I hope it
+will not rise higher in haste. Your cousin, I hear, has been two
+hours with the Earl, but to what purpose I know not. Nugent is
+made Lord Clare, I think to no purpose at all.I came hither
+to-day for two or three days, and to empty my head. The weather
+is very warm and comfortable. When do you move your tents
+southward? I left little news in town, except politics. That
+pretty young woman, Lady Fortrose,(985) Lady Harrington's eldest
+daughter, is at the point of death, killed, like Coventry and
+others, by white lead, of which nothing could break her. Lord
+Beauchamp is going to marry the second Miss Windsor.(986) It is
+odd that those two ugly girls, though such great fortunes, should
+get the two best figures in England, him and Lord Mount-Stuart.
+
+The Duke of York is erecting a theatre at his own palace, and is
+to play Lothario in the Fair Penitent himself. Apropos, have you
+seen that delightful paper composed out of scraps in the
+newspapers! I laughed till I cried, and literally burst out so
+loud, that I thought Favre, who was waiting in the next room,
+would conclude I was in a fit; I mean the paper that says,
+
+"This day his Majesty will go in state to fifteen notorious,"
+etc. etc.(987)
+
+It is the newest piece of humour except the Bath Guide, that I
+have seen of many years. Adieu! Do let me hear from you soon.
+How does brother John? Yours ever.
+
+(982 Thus playfully imitated by Lord Byron, in December, 1816;
+
+"What are you doing now, oh Thomas Moore?
+Sighing or suing now?
+Rhyming or wooing now?
+Billing or cooing now?
+Which, Thomas Moore?"-E.
+
+(983) On the bill of indemnity for those concerned in the embargo
+on the exportation of corn.-E.
+
+(984) The following is Lord Chesterfield's account of this
+negotiation:--"No mortal can comprehend the present state of
+affairs. Eight or nine persons, of some consequence, have
+resigned their employments; upon which, Lord Chatham made
+overtures to the Duke of Bedford and his people; but they could
+by no means agree, and his grace went the next day, full of
+wrath, to Woburn; so that negotiation is entirely at an end.
+People wait to see who Lord Chatham will take in, for some he
+must have; even he cannot be alone, contra mundum. Such a state
+of things, to be sure, was never seen before, in this or in any
+other country. When this ministry shall be settled, it will be
+the sixth in six years' time."-E.
+
+(985) Caroline, eldest daughter of William second Earl of
+Harrington; married, on the 7th of October 1765, to Kenneth
+M'Kenzie, created Baron of Andelon, Viscount Fortrose and Earl of
+Seaforth in the peerage of Ireland. Her ladyship died on the 9th
+of February 1767.-E.
+
+(986) Francis Lord Beauchamp, son of the first Marquis of
+Hertford. His first wife, by whom he had no issue, was Alice
+Elizabeth, youngest daughter and coheiress of Herbert second
+Viscount Windsor. This lady died in 1772; when his lordship
+married, secondly, in 1776, Isabella Anne, daughter and heiress
+of Charles Ingram, Viscount Irvine of Scotland.-E.
+
+(987) Cross-readings from the Public Advertiser, by Caleb
+Whitefoord. [The paper was entitled, "A New Method of reading
+the Newspapers," and was subscribed, "Papyrius Cursor;" a
+signature which Dr. Johnson thought singularly happy, it being
+the real name of an ancient Roman, and expressive of the thing
+done in this lively conceit--of which the following may serve as
+a specimen:--
+
+"Yesterday Dr. Jones preached at St. James's and performed it
+with ease in less than 15 minutes.
+The sword of state was carried before Sir J. Fielding, and
+committed to Newgate.
+There was a numerous and brilliant court; a down look, and cast
+with one eye.
+Last night the Princess Royal was baptized; Mary, alias Moll
+Hacket, alias Black Nell.
+This morning the Right Hon. the Speaker--was convicted of keeping
+a disorderly house.
+This day his Majesty will go in state to fifteen notorious common
+prostitutes.
+Their R. H. the Dukes of York and Gloucester were bound over to
+their good behaviour.
+At noon her R. H. the Princess dowager was married to Mr.
+Jenkins, an eminent tailor.
+Several changes are talked of at court, consisting of 8040 triple
+bob-majors.
+At a very full meeting of common council, the greatest show of
+horned cattle this season.
+An indictment for murder is preferred against the worshipful
+company of Apothecaries.
+Yesterday the new Lord Mayor was sworn in, and afterwards tossed
+and gored several persons.
+This morning will be married the Lord Viscount and afterwards
+hung in chains, pursuant to his sentence.
+Escaped from the new gaol, Terence M'Dernan, if he will return,
+he will be kindly received,"
+
+
+
+Letter 324 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 16, 1766. (p-age 500)
+
+I wrote to You last post on the very day I ought to have received
+yours; but being at Strawberry, did not get it in time. Thank
+you for your offer of a doe; you know when I dine at home here,
+it is quite alone, and venison frightens my little meal; yet, as
+half of it is designed for dimidium animae meae Mrs. Clive (a
+pretty round half), I must not refuse it; venison will make such
+a figure at her Christmas gambols! only let me know when and how
+I am to receive it, that she may prepare the rest of her banquet;
+I will convey it to her. I don't like your wintering so late in
+the country. Adieu!
+
+
+
+Letter 325 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1767. (page 501
+
+I am going to eat some of your venison, and dare to say it is
+very good; I am sure you are, and thank you for it. Catherine, I
+do not doubt, is up to the elbows in currant jelly and Gratitude.
+I have lost poor Louis, who died last week at Strawberry. He had
+no fault but what has fallen upon himself, poor. soul! drinking:
+his honesty and good-nature were complete; and I am heartily
+concerned for him, which I shall seldom say so sincerely.
+
+There has been printed a dull complimentary letter to me on the
+quarrel of Hume and Rousseau. In one of the reviews they are so
+obliging as to say I wrote it myself: it is so dull, that I
+should think they wrote it themselves--a kind Of abuse I should
+dislike much more than their criticism.
+
+Are not you frozen, perished? How do you keep yourself alive on
+your mountain! I scarce stir from my fireside. I have scarce
+been at Strawberry for a day this whole Christmas, and there is
+less appearance of a thaw to-day than ever. There has been
+dreadful havoc at Margate and Aldborough, and along the coast.
+At Calais, the sea rose above sixty feet perpendicular, which
+makes people conclude there has been an earthquake somewhere or
+other. I shall not think of my journey to France yet; I suffered
+too much with the cold last year at Paris, where they have not
+the least idea of comfortable, but sup in stone halls, with all
+the doors open. Adieu! I must go dress for the drawing-room of
+the Princess of Wales. Yours ever.
+
+
+
+Letter 326 To Dr. Ducarel.
+April 25, 1767. (page 501)
+
+Mr. Walpole has been out of town, Or should have thanked Dr.
+Ducarel sooner for the obliging favour of his most curious and
+valuable work,(988) which Mr. Walpole has read with the greatest
+pleasure and satisfaction. He will be very much obliged to Dr.
+Ducarel if he will favour him with a set of the prints separate;
+which Mr. Walpole would be glad to put into his volumes of
+English Heads; and shall be happy to have an opportunity of
+returning these obligations.
+
+(988) Entitled "Anglo-Norman Antiquities considered, in a Tour
+through part of Normandy."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 327 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, July 29, 1767. (page 502)
+
+My dear lord,
+I am very sorry that I must speak of a loss that will give you
+and Lady Strafforct concern; an essential loss to me, who am
+deprived of a most agreeable friend, with whom I passed here many
+hours. I need not say I mean poor Lady Suffolk.(989) I was with
+her two hours on Saturday night; and, indeed, found her much
+changed, though I did not apprehend her in danger. I was going
+to say she complained--but you know she never did complain--of
+the gout and rheumatism all over her, particularly in her face.
+It was a cold night, and she sat below stairs when she should
+have been in bed; and I doubt this want of care was prejudicial.
+I sent next morning. She had a bad night; but grew much better
+in the evening. Lady Dalkeith came to her; and, when she was
+gone, Lady Suffolk said to Lord Chetwynd, "She would eat her
+supper in her bedchamber." He went up with her, and thought the
+appearances promised a good night: but she was scarce sat down in
+her chair, before she pressed her hand to her side, and died in
+half an hour.
+
+I believe both your lordship and Lady Strafford will be surprised
+to hear that she was by no means in the situation that most
+people thought. Lord Chetwynd and myself were the only persons
+at all acquainted with her affairs, and they were far from being
+even easy to her. It is due to her memory to say, that I never
+saw more strict honour and justice. She bore knowingly the
+imputation of being covetous, at a time that the strictest
+economy could by no means prevent her exceeding her income
+considerably. The anguish of the last years of her life, though
+concealed, flowed from the apprehension of not satisfying her few
+wishes, which were, not to be in debt, and to make a provision
+for Miss Hotham.(990) I can give your lordship strong instances
+of the sacrifices she tried to make to her principles. I have
+not yet heard if her will is opened; but it will surprise those
+who thought her rich. Lord Chetwynd's friendship to her has been
+unalterably kind and zealous, and has not ceased. He stays in
+the house with Miss Hotham till some of her family come to take
+her away. I have perhaps dwelt too long on this subject; but, as
+it was not permitted me to do her justice when alive, I own I
+cannot help wishing that those who had a regard for her, may at
+least know how much more she deserved it than even they
+suspected. In truth, I never knew a woman more respectable for
+her honour and principles, and have lost few persons in my life
+whom I shall miss so much. I am, etc.
+
+(989) Henrietta Hobart, Countess of Suffolk. She died at Marble
+Hall, on the 24th of July.-E.
+
+(990) Her great-niece.
+
+
+
+Letter 328 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, July 31, 1767. (page 503)
+
+I find one must cast you into debt, if one has a mind to hear of
+you. You would drop one with all your heart, if one would let
+you alone. Did not you talk of passing by Strawberry in June, on
+a visit to the Bishop? I did not summon you, because I have not
+been sure of my own motions for two days together for these three
+months. At last all is subsided; the administration will go on
+pretty much as it was, with Mr. Conway for part of it. The fools
+and the rogues, or, if you like proper names, the Rockinghams and
+the Grenvilles, have bungled their own game, quarrelled, and
+thrown it away.
+
+Where are you? What are you doing? Where are you going or
+staying? I shall trip to Paris in about a fortnight, for a month
+or six weeks. Indeed, I have had such a loss in poor Lady
+Suffolk,(991) that my autumns at Strawberry will suffer
+exceedingly, and will not be repaired by my Lord Buckingham. I
+have been in pain, too, and am not quite easy about my brother,
+who is in a bad state of health. Have you waded through or into
+Lord Lyttelton?(992) How dull one may be, if one will but take
+pains for six or seven-and-twenty years together! Except one
+day's gout, which I cured with the boolikins, I have been quite
+well since I saw you: nay, with a microscope you would perceive I
+am fatter. Mr. Hawkins saw it with his naked eye, and told me
+it was common for lean people to grow fat when they grow old. I
+am afraid the latter is more certain than the former, I submit to
+it with a good grace. There is no keeping off age by sticking
+roses and sweet peas in one's hair, as Miss Chudleigh does still.
+
+If you are not totally abandoned, you will send me a line before
+I go. The Clive has been desperately nervous; but I have
+convinced her it did not become her, and she has recovered her
+rubicundity. Adieu!
+
+(991) "Votre pauvre sourde!" writes Madame du Deffand to Walpole,
+on the 3d of August. "Ah! mon Dieu! que j'en suis f`ach`ee;
+c'est une veritable perte, et je la partage: j'aimais qu'elle
+v`ecut; j'aimais son amiti`e pour vous; j'aimais votre
+attachement pour elle: tout cela, ce me semble, m'`etait bon."-E.
+
+(992) His "History of the Life of King Henry the Second, and of
+the Age in which he lived," in four volumes quarto.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 329 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Friday, Aug. 7, 1767. (page 503)
+
+As I am turned knight-errant, and going again in search of my old
+fairy,(993) I will certainly transport your enchanted casket, and
+will endeavour to procure some talisman, that may secrete it from
+the eyes of those unheroic harpies, the officers of the
+customhouse, YOU must take care to let me have it before
+to-morrow se'nnight.
+
+The house at Twickenham with which you fell in love, is still
+unmarried; but they ask a hundred and thirty pounds a-year for
+it. If they asked one hundred and thirty thousand pounds for it,
+perhaps my Lord Clive might snap it up; but that not being the
+case, I don't doubt but it will fall, and I flatter myself, that
+you and it may meet at last upon reasonable terms. That of
+General Trapaud is to be had at fifty pounds a-year, but with a
+fine on entrance of five hundred pounds. As I propose to return
+by the beginning of October, perhaps I may see you, and then you
+may review both. Since the loss of poor Lady Suffolk, I am more
+desirous than ever of having you in my neighbourhood, as I have
+not a rational acquaintance left. Adieu!
+
+(993) Madame du Deffand. The following passages from her letters
+to Walpole will best explain the reasons which induced him to
+undertake the journey:--"Paris, 5 Juillet. Je crois entrevoir
+que votre s`ejour ici vous inqui`ete, et que la complaisance qui
+vous am`ene vous coute beaucoup; mais, mon Tuteur, songez au
+plaisir que vous me ferez, quelle sera ma reconnaissance. Je ne
+vous dirai point combien cette visite m'est necessaire; vous
+jugerez par vous-m`eme si je vous en ai impose sur rien, et si
+vous pourrez jamais vous repentir des marques d'amiti`e que vous
+m'avez donn`ees. Mon Dieu! que nous aurons de sujets de
+conversations!"--"Dimanche, 23 Ao`ut. Enfin, enfin, il n'y a plus
+de mer qui nous s`epare; j'ai l'esperance de vous voir d`ees
+aujoqrd'hui. J'ai pri`e hier Madame Simonetti d'envoyer chez moi
+au moment de votre arriv`ee; si vous voulez venir chez MOi, comme
+j'esp`ere, vous aurez sur le champ mon carrosse. Je me flatte
+que demain vous dinerez et souperez avec moi t`ete-`a-t`ete; nous
+en aurons bien `a dire. Sans cette maudite compagnie que j'ai si
+sottement rassembl`ee, vous m'auriez trouv`ee chez vous `a la
+d`escente de votre chaise; cela vous auroit fort d`eplu, mais je
+m'en serois mocqu`ee." Madame Simonetti kept the H`otel garni du
+Parc Royal, Rue du Colombie. In a journal which Walpole kept of
+this journey to Paris, is the following entry:--"August 23.
+Arrived at Paris a quarter before seven; at eight, to Madame du
+Deffand's; found the Clairon acting Agrippine and Ph`edre. Not
+tall; but I liked her acting better than I expected. Supped
+there with her, and the Duchesse de Villeroi, d'Aiguillon, etC.
+etc."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 330 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(994)
+Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1767. (page 504)
+
+Last night by Lord Rochford's courier, we heard of Townshend's
+death;(995) for which indeed your letter had prepared me. As a
+man of incomparable parts, and most entertaining to a spectator,
+I regret his death. His good-humour prevented one from hating
+him, and his levity from loving him; but, in a political light, I
+own I cannot look upon it as a misfortune. His treachery alarmed
+me, and I apprehended every thing from it. It was not advisable
+to throw him into the arms of the Opposition. His death avoids
+both kinds of mischief. I take for granted you will have Lord
+North for chancellor of the exchequer.(996) He is very inferior
+to Charles in parts; but what he wants in those, will be supplied
+by firmness and spirit.
+
+With regard to my brother, I should apprehend nothing, were he
+like other men; but I shall not be astonished, if he throws his
+life away; and I have seen so much of the precariousness of it
+lately, that I am prepared for the event, if it shall happen. I
+will say nothing about Mr. Harris; he is an old man, and his
+death will be natural. For Lord Chatham, he is really or
+intentionally mad,--but I still doubt which of the two. Thomas
+Walpole has writ to his brother here, that the day before Lord
+Chatham set out for Pynsent, he executed a letter of attorney,
+with full powers to his wife, and the moment it was signed he
+began singing.(997)
+
+You may depend upon it I shall only stay here to the end of the
+month: but if you should want me sooner, I will set out at a
+moment's warning, on your sending me a line by Lord Rochf'ord's
+courier. This goes by Lady Mary Coke, who sets out to-morrow
+morning early, on notice of Mr. Townshend's death, or she would
+have stayed ten days longer. I sent you a letter by Mr.
+Fletcher, but I fear he did not go away till the day before
+yesterday.
+
+I am just come from dining en famille with the Duke de Choiseul:
+he was very civil--but much more civil to Mr. Wood,(998) who
+dined there too. I imagine this gratitude to the peacemakers. I
+must finish; for I am going to Lady Mary, and then return to sup
+with the Duchess de Choiseul, who is not civiller to any body
+than to me. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(994) Now first printed.
+
+(995) Mr. Charles Townshend died very unexpectedly, on the 4th of
+September; he being then only in his forty-second year.-E.
+
+(996) "The chancellorship of the exchequer," says Adolphus, "was
+filled up ad interim by Lord Mansfield. It was offered to Lord
+North, who, for some reasons which are not precisely known,
+declined accepting it. The offer was subsequently made to Lord
+Barrington; who declared his readiness to undertake the office,
+if a renewed application to Lord North should fail: a fresh
+negotiation was attempted with the Duke of Bedford, but without
+effect, and at length Lord North was prevailed on to accept the
+office. Mr. Thomas Townshend succeeded Lord North as paymaster,
+and Mr. Jenkinson was appointed a lord of the treasury; Lord
+Northington and General Conway resigning, Lord Gower was made
+president of the council; Lord Weymouth, secretary of state; and
+Lord Sandwich, joint postmaster-general. These promotions
+indicated an accommodation between the ministry and the Bedford
+party; and the cabinet was further strengthened by the
+appointment of Lord Hillsborough to the office of secretary of
+state for America. The ministry, thus modelled, was called the
+Duke of Grafton's administration; for, although Lord Chatham
+still retained his place, he was incapable of transacting
+business."-E.
+
+(997) Lord Chatham's enemies were constantly insinuating, that
+his illness was a political one. For the real state of his
+health at the time Walpole was penning this uncharitable passage,
+see Lady Chatham's letter to Mr. Nuthall of the 17th of August,
+and his lordship's own grateful and affectionate letter to Mr.
+Thomas Walpole of the 30th of October. Correspondence, Vol. iii.
+p. 282, 289.-E.
+
+(998) Mr. Robert Wood. He was under-secretary of state at the
+time of the treaty of Paris.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 331 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, Oct. 24, 1767. (page 505)
+
+Dear Sir,
+It is an age since we have had any correspondence. My long and
+dangerous illness last year, with my journey to Bath; my long
+attendance in Parliament all winter, spring, and to the beginning
+of summer: and my journey to France since, from whence I returned
+but last week,(999) prevented my asking the pleasure Of Seeing
+you at Strawberry Hill.
+
+I wish to hear that you have enjoyed your health, and shall be
+glad of any news of you. The season is too late, and the
+Parliament too near opening, for me to propose a winter journey
+to you. if you should happen to think at all of London, I trust
+you would do me the favour to call on me. In short, this is only
+a letter of inquiry after YOU, and to show you that I am always
+most truly yours.
+
+(999) Walpole left Paris the 9th of October; on the morning of
+which Madame du Deffand thus resumes her correspondence with
+him:--"Que de lachet`e, de faiblesse, et de ridicules je vous ai
+laiss`e voir! Je m'`etais bien promis le contrire; mais, mais--
+oubliez tout cela, pardonnez-le moi, mon Tuteur, et ne pensez
+plus `a votre Petite que pour vous dire qu'elle est raisonnable,
+ob`eissante, et par-dessus tout reconnaissante; que son respect,
+oui, je dis respect, que sa crainte, mais sa crainte filiale, son
+tendre mais s`erieux attachement, feront jusqu'`a son dernier
+moment le bonheur de sa vie. Qu'importe d'`etre vielle, d'`etre
+aveugle; qu'importe le lieu qu'on habite; qu'importe que tout ce
+qui environne soit sot ou Extravagant: quand l'`ame est fortement
+occup`ee, il ne lui manque rien que l'objet qui l'occupe; et
+quand cet objet repond `a ce qu'on sent pour lui, on n'a plus
+rien desirer."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 332 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Sunday, Nov. 1, 1767. (page 506)
+
+The house is taken that you wot of, but I believe you may have
+General Trapaud's for fifty pounds a-year, and a fine of two
+hundred and fifty, which is less by half, look you, than you was
+told at first. A jury of matrons, composed of Lady Frances, my
+Dame Bramston, Lady Pembroke, and Lady Carberry, and the merry
+Catholic Lady Brown, have sat upon it, and decide that you should
+take it. But you must come and treat in person, and may hold the
+congress here. I hear Lord Guildford is much better, so that the
+exchequer will still find you in funds. You will not dislike to
+hear, shall you, that Mr Conway does not take the appointments of
+secretary of state. if it grows the fashion to give up above
+five thousand pounds a-year, this ministry will last for ever;
+for I do not think the Opposition will struggle for places
+without salaries. If my Lord Ligonier does not go to heaven, or
+Sir Robert Rich to the devil soon, our General will run
+considerably in debt; but he had better be too poor than too
+rich. I would not have him die like old Pulteney, loaded with
+the spoils of other families and the crimes of his own. Adieu! I
+will not write to you any more, so you may as well come. Yours
+ever.
+
+
+
+Letter 333 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Dec. 19, 1767. (page 506)
+
+You are now, I reckon, settled in your new habitation:(1000) I
+would not interrupt you in your journeyings, dear Sir, but am not
+at all pleased that you are seated so little to your mind; and
+yet I think you will stay there. Cambridge and Ely are
+neighbourhoods to your taste, and if you do not again shift your
+quarters, I shall make them and you a visit: Ely I have never
+seen. I Could have wished that you had preferred this part of the
+world; and yet, I trust, I shall see you here oftener than I have
+done of late. This, to my great satisfaction, is my last session
+of Parliament; to which, and to politics, I shall ever bid adieu!
+
+I did not go to Paris for my health, though I found the journey
+and the seasickness, which I had never experienced before,
+contributed to it greatly. I have not been so well for some
+years as I am at present, and if I continue to plump up as I do
+at present, I do not know but by the time we may meet, whether
+you may not discover, without a microscope, that I am really
+fatter. I went to make a visit to my dear old blind woman, and
+to see some things I could not see in winter.
+
+For the Catholic religion, I think it very consumptive. With a
+little patience, if Whitfield, Wesley, my Lady Huntingdon, and
+that rogue Madan(1001) live, I do not doubt but we shall have
+something very like it here. And yet I had rather live at the
+end of a tawdry religion, than at the beginning; which is always
+more stern and hypocritic.
+
+I shall be very glad to see your laborious work of the maps; you
+are indefatigable, I know: I think mapping would try my patience
+more than any thing.
+
+My Richard the Third will go to press this week, and you shall
+have one of the first copies, which I think will be in about a
+month, if you will tell me how to convey it: direct to Arlington
+street. Mr. Gray went to Cambridge yesterday se'nnight: I wait
+for some papers from him for my purpose. I grieve for your
+sufferings by the inundation; but you are not only an hermit,
+but, what is better, a real philosopher. Let me hear from you
+soon. Yours ever.
+
+(1000) Mr. Cole had lately removed from Bleckeley, Bucks, to
+Waterbeach, near Cambridge.
+
+(1001) The Rev. Martin Madan, author of "Thelypthora," a defence
+of a plurality of wives. In 1767, he subjected himself to much
+obloquy, by dissuading a clerical friend from giving up a
+benefice, which he had accepted under a solemn promise of
+eventual resignation.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 334 To Sir David Dalrymple.(1002)
+Strawberry Hill, Jan. 17, 1768. (page 507)
+
+I will begin, Sir, with telling you that I have seen Mr. Sherriff
+and his son. The father desired my opinion on sending his son to
+Italy. I own I could by no means advise it. Where a genius is
+indubitable and has already made much progress, the study of
+antique and the works of the great masters may improve a young
+man extremely, and open lights to him which he might never
+discover of himself: but it is very different sending a young man
+to Rome to try whether he has genius or not; which may be
+ascertained with infinitely less trouble and expense at home.
+Young Mr. Sherriff has certainly a disposition to drawing; but
+that may not be genius. His misfortune may have made him embrace
+it as a resource in his melancholy hours. Labouring under the
+misfortune of deafness, his friends should consider to what
+unhappiness they may expose him. His family have naturally
+applied to alleviate his misfortune, and to cultivate the parts
+they saw in him: but who, in so long a journey and at such a
+distance, is to attend him in the same affectionate manner? Can
+he shift for himself, especially without the language? who will
+take the trouble at Rome of assisting him, instructing him,
+pointing out to him what he should study? who will facilitate
+the means to him of gaining access to palaces and churches, and
+obtain permission for him to work there? I felt so much for the
+distresses he must undergo, that I could not see the benefits to
+accrue, and those eventual, as a compensation. Surely, Sir, it
+were better to place him here with some painter for a year or
+two. He does not seem to me to be grounded enough for such an
+expedition.
+
+I will beg to know how I may convey my Richard to you, which will
+be published to-morrow fortnight. I do not wonder you could not
+guess the discovery I have made. It is one of the most
+marvellous that ever was made. In short, it is the original
+coronation roll of Richard the Third, by which it appears that
+very magnificent robes were ordered for Edward the Fifth, and
+that he did, or was to have walked at his uncle's coronation.
+This most valuable monument is in the Great Wardrobe. It is not,
+though the most extraordinary the only thing that will much
+surprise you in my work. But I will not anticipate what little
+amusement you may find there. I am, Sir, etc.
+
+(1002) Now first collected.
+
+
+
+Letter 335 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 1, 1768. (page 508)
+
+Dear Sir,
+I have waited for the impression of my Richard, to send you the
+whole parcel together. This moment I have conveyed to Mr.
+Cartwright a large bundle for you, containing Richard the
+Third,(1003) the four volumes of the new edition of the
+Anecdotes, and six prints of your relation Tuer. You will find
+his head very small: but the original was too inconsiderable to
+allow it to be larger. I have sent you no Patagon`eans;(1004)
+for they are out of print: I have only my own copy, and could not
+ get another. Pray tell me how, or what you heard of it; and
+tell me sincerely, for I did not know it had made any noise.
+
+I shall be much obliged to you for the extract relating to the
+Academy of which a Walpole was president. I doubt if he was of
+our branch; and rather think he was of the younger and Roman
+Catholic branch.
+
+Are you reconciled to your new habitation? Don't you find it too
+damp? and if you do, don't deceive yourself, and try to surmount
+it, but remove immediately. Health is the most important of all
+considerations. Adieu! dear Sir.
+
+(1003) "Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard the
+Third, by Mr. Horace Walpole;" London, 1768, 4to. Two editions
+of this work, which occasioned a good deal of historical
+controversy, were published during the year.-E.
+
+(1004) "An Account of the Giants lately discovered; in a letter
+to a friend in the country." London, 1766, 8vo. It was
+afterwards translated into French by the Chevalier Redmond, an
+Irish officer in the French service.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 336 To Sir David Dalrymple.(1005)
+Arlington Street, Feb. 2, 1768. (page 509)
+
+I have sent to Mr. Cadell my Historic Doubts, Sir, for you. I
+hope they may draw forth more materials, which I shall be very
+ready either to subscribe to or to adopt. In this view I must
+beg you, Sir, to look into Speed's History of England, and in his
+account of Perkin Warbeck you will find Bishop Leslie often
+quoted. May I trouble you to ask, to what work that alludes, and
+whether in print or MS.? Bishop Leslie lived under Queen
+Elizabeth, and though he could know nothing of Perkin Warbeck,
+was yet near enough to the time to have had much better materials
+than we have. May I ask, too, if Perkin Warbeck's Proclamation
+exists any where authentically? You will see in my book the
+reason of all these questions.
+
+I am so much hurried with it just now, that you will excuse my
+being so brief. I can attribute to nothing but the curiosity of
+the subject, the great demand for it; though it was sold publicly
+but yesterday, and twelve hundred and fifty copies were printed,
+Dodsley has been with me this morning to tell me he must prepare
+another edition directly. I am, Sir, etc.
+
+(1005) Now first collected.
+
+
+
+Letter 337 To Mr. Gray.
+Arlington Street, Feb. 18, 1768. (page 509)
+
+You have sent me a long and very obliging letter, and yet I am
+extremely out of humour with you. I saw Poems by Mr. Gray
+advertised: I called directly at Dodsley's to know if this was to
+be more than a new edition? He was not at home himself, but his
+foreman told me he thought there were some new pieces, and notes
+to the whole. It was very unkind, not only to go out of town
+without mentioning them to me, without showing them to me, but
+not to say a word of them in this letter. Do you think I am
+indifferent, or not curious, about what you write? I have ceased
+to ask you, because you have so long refused to show me any
+thing. You could not suppose I thought that you never write.
+No; but I concluded you did not intend, at least yet, to publish
+what you had written. As you did intend it, I might have
+expected a month's preference. You will do me the Justice to own
+that I had always rather have seen your writings than have shown
+you mine; which you know are the most hasty trifles in the world,
+and which, though I may be fond of the subject when fresh, I
+constantly forget in a very short time after they are published.
+This would sound like affectation to others, but will not to you.
+It would be affected, even to you, to say I am indifferent to
+fame. I certainly am not, but I am indifferent to almost any
+thing I have done to acquire it. The greater part are mere
+compilations; and no wonder they are, as you say, incorrect, when
+they are commonly written with people in the room, as Richard and
+the Noble Authors were. But I doubt there is a more intrinsic
+fault in them: which is, that I cannot correct them. If I write
+tolerably, it must be -,it once; I can neither mend nor add. The
+articles of Lord Capel and Lord Peterborough, in the second
+edition of the Noble Authors, cost me more trouble than all the
+rest together: and you may perceive that the worst part of
+Richard, in point of ease and style, is what relates to the
+papers you gave me on Jane Shore, because it was taken on so long
+afterwards, and when my impetus was chilled. If some time or
+other you will take the trouble of pointing out the inaccuracies
+of' 'It, I shall be much obliged to you: at present I shall
+meddle no more with it. It has taken its fate; nor did I mean to
+complain. I found it was Condemned indeed beforehand, which was
+what I alluded to. Since publication (as has happened to me
+before) the success has gone beyond my expectation.
+
+Not only at Cambridge, but here there have been people wise
+enough to think me too free with the King of Prussia!(1006) A
+newspaper has talked of my known inveteracy to him. Truly, I
+love him as well as I do most kings. The greater offence is my
+reflection on Lord Clarendon. It is forgotten that I had
+overpraised him before. Pray turn to the new State Papers, from
+which, it is said, he composed his history. You will find they
+are the papers from which he did not compose his history. And
+yet I admire my Lord Clarendon more than these pretended admirers
+do. But I do not intend to justify myself. I can as little
+satisfy those who complain that I do not let them know what
+really did happen. If this inquiry can ferret out any truth, I
+shall be glad. I have picked up a few more circumstances. I now
+want to know what Perkin Warbeck's Proclamation was, which Speed
+in his history says is preserved by Bishop Leslie. If you look
+in Speed, perhaps you will be able to assist me.
+
+The Duke of Richmond and Lord Lyttelton agree with you, that I
+have not disculpated Richard of the murder of Henry VI. I own to
+you, it is the crime of which in my own mind I believe him most
+guiltless. Had I thought he committed it, I should never have
+taken the trouble to apologize-for the rest. I am not at all
+positive or obstinate on your other objections, nor know exactly
+what I believe on many points of this story. And I am so
+sincere, that, except a few notes hereafter, I shall leave the
+matter to be settled or discussed by others. As you have written
+much too little, I have written a great deal too much, and think
+only of finishing the two or three other things I have begun--and
+of those, nothing but the last volume of Painters is designed for
+the present public. What has one to do when turned fifty, but
+really think of finishing?(1007)
+
+I am much obliged and flattered by Mr. Mason's approbation, and
+particularly by having had almost the same thought with him. I
+said, "People need not be angry at my excusing Richard; I have
+not diminished their fund of hatred, I have only transferred it
+from Richard to Henry." Well, but I have found you close with
+Mason--No doubt, cry Prating I, something will come out.(1008)-
+-Oh! no--leave us, both of you, to Annabellas and Epistles to
+Ferney,(1009) that give Voltaire an account of his own tragedies,
+to +Macarony fables that are more unintelligible than Pilpay's
+are in the original, to Mr. Thornton's hurdy-gurdy poetry'(1010)
+and to Mr. ***** who has imitated himself worse than any fop in
+a magazine would have done. In truth, if you should abandon us,
+I could not wonder--When Garrick's prologues and epilogues, his
+own Cymons and farces, and the comedies of the fools that pay
+court to him, are the delight of the age, it does not deserve any
+thing better. Pray read the new account of Corsica. What
+relates to Paoli will amuse you much. There is a deal about the
+island and its divisions that one does not care a straw for. The
+author, Boswell,(1011) is a strange being, and, like Cambridge,
+has a rage of knowing any body that ever was talked of. He
+forced himself upon me at Paris in spite of my teeth and my
+doors, and I see has given a foolish account of all he could pick
+up from me about King Theodore. He then took an antipathy to me
+on Rousseau's account, abused me in the newspapers, and exhorted
+Rousseau to do so too: but as he came to see me no more, I
+forgave all the rest. I see he now is a little sick of Rousseau
+himself; but I hope it will not cure him of his anger to me.
+However, his book will I am sure entertain you.(1012)
+
+I will add but a word or two more. I am criticised for the
+expression tinker up in the preface. Is this one of those that
+you object to? I own I think such a low expression, placed to
+ridicule an absurd instance of wise folly, very forcible.
+Replace it with an elevated word or phrase, and to my conception
+it becomes as flat as possible.
+
+George Selwyn says I may, if I please, write historic doubts on
+the present Duke of Grafton too. Indeed, they would be doubts,
+for I know nothing certainly.
+
+Will you be so kind as to look into Leslie De Rebus Scotorum, and
+see if Perkin's Proclamation is there, and if there, how
+authenticated. You will find in Speed my reason for asking this.
+I have written in such a hurry, I believe you will scarce be able
+to read my letter--and as I have just been writing French,
+perhaps the sense may not be clearer than the writing. Adieu!
+
+(1006) Gray, in a letter to Mr. Walpole, of the 14th, had said--
+"I have heard it objected, that you raise doubts and
+difficulties, and do not satisfy them by telling us what is
+really the case. I have heard you charged with disrespect to the
+King of Prussia; and above all, to King William and the
+Revolution. My own objections are little more essential: they
+relate chiefly to inaccuracies of style, which either debase the
+expression or obscure the meaning. As to your argument@ most of
+the principal parts are made out with a clearness and evidence
+that no one would expect, where materials are so scarce. Yet I
+still suspect Richard of the murder of Henry the Sixth." Works,
+vol. iv. p. 105.-E.
+
+(1007) To this Gray, on the 25th, replied--"To what you say to me
+so civilly, that I ought to write more, I answer in your own
+words, (like the Pamphleteer, who is going to refute you out of
+your own mouth,) what has one to do, when turned fifty, but
+really to think of finishing? However, I will be candid (for you
+seem to be so with me), and avow to you, that, till fourscore and
+ten, whenever the humour takes me, I will write, because I like
+it; and because I like myself better when I do so. If I do not
+write much, it is because I cannot." Works, vol. iv. p. 111.-E.
+
+(1008) "I found him close with Swift."--"Indeed?"--"No doubt,"
+Cries prating Balbus, "something will come out." Pope.
+
+(1009) Keate's "Ferney; an Epistle to M. Voltaire."-E.
+
+(1010) His burlesque Ode on St. Cecilia's Day; with the humour of
+which Dr. Johnson was much diverted, and used to repeat this
+passage--
+
+"In strains more exalted the salt-box shall join,
+And clattering and battering and clapping combine,
+With a rap and a tap, while the hollow side sounds,
+Up and down leaps the flap, and with rattling rebounds.-E.
+
+(1011) "Your history," wrote Dr. Johnson to Boswell, "is like
+other histories, but your journal is, in a very high degree,
+curious and delightful: there is between them that difference
+which there will always be found between notions borrowed from
+without and notions generated within. Your history was copied
+from books; your journal rose out of your own experience and
+observation. I know not whether I could name any narrative by
+which curiosity is better excited or better gratified."-E.
+
+(1012) To this Gray replies--,'Mr. Boswell's book has pleased and
+moved me strangely; all, I mean, that relates to Paoli. He is a
+man born two thousand years after his time! The pamphlet proves
+what I have always maintained, that any fool may write a most
+valuable book by chance, if he will only tell us what he heard
+and saw with veracity. Of Mr. Boswell's truth I have not the
+least suspicion, because I am sure be could invent nothing of
+this kind. The true title of this part of his work is a Dialogue
+between a Green Goose and a Hero." Works, vol. iv. p. 112.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 338 To Mr. Gray.
+Arlington Street, Friday night, Feb. 26, 1768. (page 512)
+
+I plague you to death, but I must reply a few more words. I
+shall be very glad to see in print, and to have those that are
+worthy, see your ancient Odes; but I was in hopes there were some
+pieces. too, that I had not seen. I am sorry there are
+not.(1013)
+
+I troubled you about Perkin's Proclamation. because Mr. Hume lays
+great stress upon it, and insists, that if Perkin affirmed that
+his brother was killed, it must have been true, if he was true
+Duke of York. Mr. Hume would have persuaded me that the
+Proclamation is in Stowe, but I can find no such thing there;
+nor, what is more, in Casley's Catalogue, which I have twice
+looked over carefully. I wrote to Sir David Dalrymple In
+Scotland, to inquire after it; because I would produce it if I
+could, though it should make against me: but he, I believe,
+thinking I inquired with the contrary view, replied very drily,
+that it was published at York, and was not to be found in
+Scotland. Whether he is displeased that I have plucked a hair
+from the tresses of their great historian; or whether, as I
+suspect, he is offended for King William; this reply was all the
+notice he took of my letter and book. I only smiled; as I must
+do when I find one party is angry with me on King William's, and
+the other on Lord Clarendon's account.
+
+The answer advertised is Guthrie's, who is furious that I have
+taken no notice of his History. I shall take as little of his
+pamphlet; but his end will be answered, if he sells that and one
+or two copies of his History.(1014) Mr. Hume, I am told, has
+drawn up an answer too, which I shall see, and, if I can, will
+get him to publish; for, if I should ever choose to say any thing
+more on this subject, I had rather reply to him than to
+hackney-writers:--to the latter, indeed, I never will reply. A
+few notes I have to add that will be very material; and I wish to
+get some account of a book that was once sold at Osborn's, that
+exists perhaps at Cambridge, and of which I found a memorandum
+t'other day in my note-book. It is called A Paradox, or Apology
+for Richard the Third, by Sir William Cornwallis.(1015) If you
+could discover it, I should be much obliged to you.
+
+Lord Sandwich, with whom I have not exchanged a syllable since
+the general warrants, very obligingly sent me an account of the
+roll at Kimbolton; and has since, at my desire, borrowed it for
+me and sent it to town.(1016) It is as long as my Lord
+Lyttelton's History; but by what I can read of it (for it is both
+ill written and much decayed), it is not a roll of kings, but of
+all that have been possessed of, or been Earls of Warwick: or
+have not--for one of the first earls is Aeneas. How, or
+wherefore, I do not know, but amongst the first is Richard the
+Third, in whose reign it was finished, and with whom it
+concludes. He is there again with his wife and son, and Edward
+the Fourth, and Clarence and his wife, and Edward their son (who
+unluckily is a little old man), and Margaret Countess of
+Salisbury, their daughter.--But why do I say with these? There
+is every body else too and what is most meritorious, the habits
+of all the times are admirably well observed from the most savage
+ages. Each figure is tricked with a pen, well drawn, but neither
+Coloured nor shaded. Richard is straight, but thinner than my
+print; his hair short, and exactly curled in the same manner; not
+so handsome as mine, but what one might really believe intended
+for the same countenance, as drawn by a different painter,
+especially when so small; for the figures in general are not so
+long as one's finger. His queen is ugly, and with just such a
+square forehead as in my print, but I cannot say like it. Nor,
+indeed, where forty-five figures out of fifty (I have not counted
+the number) must have been imaginary, can one lay great stress on
+the five. I shall, however, have these figures copied,
+especially as I know Of no other image of the son. Mr. Astle is
+to come to Me tomorrow morning to explain the writing.
+
+I wish you had told me in what age your Franciscan friars lived;
+and what the passage in Comines is. I am very ready to make
+amende honorable. Thank you for the notes on the Noble Authors.
+They shall be inserted when I make a new edition, for the sake of
+the trouble the person has taken, though they are of little
+consequence. Dodsley has asked me for a new edition; but I have
+had little heart to undertake such work, no more than to mend my
+old linen. It is pity one cannot be born an ancient, and have
+commentators to do such jobs for one! Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+Saturday morning.
+
+On reading over your letter again this morning, I do find the age
+in which the friars lived--I read and write in such a hurry, that
+I think I neither know what I read or say.
+
+(1013) Gray, in his letter of the 25th, had said:--"The Long
+Story was to be totally omitted, as its only use (that of
+explaining the plates) was gone; but, to supply the place of it
+in bulk, lest my works should be mistaken for the works of a flea
+or a pismire I promised to send him an equal weight of poetry or
+prose; so I put up about two ounces of stuff, viz. The Fatal
+Sisters; The Descent of Odin; a bit of something from the Welch,
+and certain little Notes, partly from justice-,, partly from ill-
+temper, just to tell the gentle reader that Edward 1. was not
+Oliver Cromwell, nor Queen Elizabeth the Witch of Endor. This is
+literally all; and with all this, I shall be but a shrimp of an
+author." Works, vol. iv. P. 110.-E.
+
+(1014) Gray, in his answer of the 6th of March, says--"Guthrie,
+you see, has vented himself in the Critical Review. His History
+I never saw, nor is it here, nor do I know any one that ever saw
+it. He is a rascal; but rascals may chance to meet with curious
+records." Works, vol. iv. p. 116.-E.
+
+(1015) "The Praise of King Richard the Third," which was
+published by Sir William Cornwallis, Knight, the celebrated
+"Essayist," in 1617, is reprinted in the third volume of the
+Somers' Collection of Tracts.-E.
+
+(1016) From this roll were taken the two plates of portraits in
+the Historic Doubts.
+
+
+
+Letter 339 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, March 12, 1768. (page 514)
+
+The house, etc. described in the enclosed advertisement I Should
+think might suit you; I am sure its being in my neighbourhood
+would make me glad, if it did. I know no more than what you will
+find in this scrap of paper, nor what the rent is, nor whether it
+has a chamber as big as Westminster-hall; but as you have flown
+about the world, and are returned to your ark without finding a
+place to rest your foot, I should think you might as well inquire
+about the house I notify to you, as set out with your caravan to
+Greatworth, like a Tartar chief; especially as the laws of this
+country will not permit you to stop in the first meadow you like,
+and turn your horses to grazing without saying by your leave.
+
+As my senatorial dignity is gone,(1017) and the sight of my name
+is no longer worth threepence, I shall not put you to the expense
+of a cover, and I hope the advertisement will not be taxed, as I
+seal it to the paper. In short, I retain so much iniquity from
+the last infamous Parliament that you see I would still cheat the
+public. The comfort I feel in sitting peaceably here, instead of
+being at Lynn in the high fever of a contested election, which at
+best would end in my being carried about that large town like the
+figure of a pope at a bonfire, is very great. I do not think,
+when that function is over, that I shall repent my resolution.
+What could I see but sons and grandsons playing over the same
+knaveries, that I have seen their fathers and Grandfathers act?
+Could I hear oratory beyond my Lord Chatham's? Will there ever
+be parts equal to Charles Townshend's? Will George Grenville
+cease to be the most tiresome of beings? Will he not be
+constantly whining, and droning, and interrupting, like a
+cigala(1018) in a sultry day in Italy.
+
+Guthrie has published two criticisms on my Richard;(1019) one
+abusive in the Critical Review; t'other very civil and even
+flattering in a pamphlet; both so stupid and contemptible, that I
+rather prefer the first, as making some attempt at vivacity; but
+in point of argument, nay, and of humour, at which he makes an
+effort too, both things are below scorn. As an instance of the
+former, he says, the Duke of Clarence might die of drinking sack,
+and so be said to be drowned in a butt of malmsey; of the latter
+sort, are his calling the Lady Bridget Lady Biddy, and the Duke
+of York poor little fellow! I will weary you with no more such
+stuff!
+
+The weather is so very March, that I cannot enjoy my new holidays
+at Strawberry yet; I sit reading and writing close to the fire.
+
+Sterne has published two little volumes, called Sentimental
+Travels. They are very pleasing, though too much dilated, and
+infinitely preferable to his tiresome Tristram Shandy, of which I
+never could get through three volumes. In these there is a great
+good-nature and strokes of delicacy. Gray has added to his poems
+three ancient Odes from Norway and Wales. The subjects of the
+two first are grand and picturesque, and there is his genuine
+vein in them; but they are not interesting, and do not, like his
+other poems, touch any passion. Our human feelings, which he
+masters at will in his former pieces, are here not
+affected.(1020) Who can care through what horrors a Runic savage
+arrived at all the joys and glories they could conceive, the
+supreme felicity of boozing ale out of the skull of an enemy in
+Odin's hall? Oh! yes, just now perhaps these odes would be
+toasted at many a contested election. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(1017) Walpole had retired from Parliament at the general
+election in the beginning of this year.-E.
+
+(1018) "The shrill cicalas, people of the pine,
+Making their summer lives one ceaseless song,
+Were the sole echoes, save my steed's and mine,
+And vesper-bells that rose the boughs along."
+Don Juan, c. iii. st. 106.-E.
+
+(1019) Walpole's work is thus characterized by Sir Walter Scott:-
+-"The Historical Doubts are an acute and curious example how
+minute antiquarian research may shake our faith in the facts most
+pointedly averred by general history. It is remarkable also to
+observe how, in defending a system, which was probably at first
+adopted as a mere literary exercise, Mr. Walpole's doubts
+acquired, in his own eyes, the respectability of certainties, in
+which he could not brook controversy." Prose Works; vol. iii. p.
+304.-E.
+
+(1020) "They strike, rather than please; the images are magnified
+by affectation; the language is laboured into harshness. The
+mind of the writer seems to work with unnatural violence.
+Double, double, toil and trouble! There is too little appearance
+of ease and nature." Johnson.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 340 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, April 15, 1768. (page 516)
+
+Mr. Chute tells me that you have taken a new house in Squireland,
+and have given yourself up for two years more to port and
+parsons. I am very angry, and resign you to the works of the
+devil or the church, I don't care which. You will get the gout,
+turn Methodist, and expect to ride to heaven upon your own great
+foe. I was happy with your telling me how well you love me, and
+though I don't love loving, I could have poured out all the
+fullness of my heart to such an old and true friend; but what am
+I the better for it, if I am to see you but two or three days in
+the year? I thought you would at last come and while away the
+remainder of life on the banks of the Thames in gaiety and old
+tales. I have quitted the stage, and the Clive is preparing to
+leave it. We shall neither of us ever be grave: dowagers roost
+all round us and you could never want cards or mirth. Will you
+end like a fat farmer, repeating annually the price of oats, and
+discussing stale newspapers? There have you got, I hear into an
+old gallery that has not been glazed since Queen Elizabeth, and
+under the nose of an infant Duke and Duchess, that will
+understand you no more than if you wore a ruff and a coif, and
+talked to them of a call of serjeants the year of the Spanish
+armada! Your wit and humour will be as much lost upon them, as
+if you talked the dialect of Chaucer; for with all the divinity
+of wit, it grows out of fashion like a fardingale. I am
+convinced that the young men at White's already laugh at George
+Selwyn's bon-mots only by tradition. I avoid talking before the
+youth of the age as I would dancing before them; for if one's
+tongue don't move in the steps of the day, and thinks to please
+by its old graces, it is only an object of ridicule, like Mrs.
+Hobart in her cotilion. I tell you we should get together, and
+comfort ourselves with reflecting on the brave days that we have
+known--not that I think people were a jot more clever or wise in
+our youth than now, are now; but as my system is always to live
+in a vision as much as I can, and as visions don't increase with
+years, there is nothing so natural as to think one remembers what
+one does not remember.
+
+I have finished my tragedy,(1021) but as you would not bear the
+subject, I will say no more of it, but that Mr. Chute, who is not
+easily pleased, likes it, and Gray, who is still more difficult,
+approves it.(1022) I am not yet intoxicated enough with it to
+think it would do for the stage, though I wish to see it acted;
+but, as Mrs. Pritchard(1023) leaves the stage next month, I know
+nobody could play the Countess; nor am I disposed to expose
+myself to the impertinent eyes of that jackanapes Garrick, who
+lets nothing appear but his own wretched stuff, or that of
+creatures still duller, who suffer him to alter their pieces as
+he pleases. I have written an epilogue in character for the
+Clive, which she would speak admirably; but I am not so sure that
+she would like to speak it. Mr. Conway, Lady Aylesbury, Lady
+Lyttelton, and Miss Rich, are to come hither the day after
+to-morrow, and Mr. Conway and I are to read my play to them; for
+I have not strength enough to go through the whole alone.(1024)
+
+My press is revived, and is printing a French play written by the
+old President Henault.(1025) It was damned many years ago at
+Paris, and yet I think it is better than some that have
+succeeded, and much better than any of our modern tragedies. I
+print it to please the old man, as he was exceedingly kind to me
+at Paris; but I doubt whether he will live till it is
+finished.(1026) He is to have a hundred copies, and there are to
+be but a hundred more, Of Which You shall have one.
+
+Adieu! though I am very angry with you, I deserve all your
+friendship, by that I have for you, witness my anger and
+disappointment. Yours ever.
+
+P. S. Send me your new direction, and tell me when I must begin
+to use it.
+
+(1021) The Mysterious Mother. See vol. i. p. 57.-E.
+
+(1022) Of this tragedy Lord Byron was also an approver: "It is
+the fashion," he says, "to underrate Horace Walpole; firstly,
+because he was a nobleman; and secondly, because he was a
+gentleman; but, to say nothing of the composition of his
+incomparable Letters, and of the Castle of Otranto, he is the
+ultimus Romanorum, the author of the Mysterious Mother; a tragedy
+of the highest order, and not a puling love.play."-E.
+
+(1023) This celebrated actress, who excelled alike in tragedy and
+comedy, took leave of the stage in May, in the part of Lady
+Macbeth, and died at Bath in the following August.-E.
+
+(1024) Walpole, in a letter to Madame du Deffand, of the 11th of
+March, speaking of the "Honn`ete Criminel," a copy of which she
+had sent him, gives her the following account of his own
+tragedy:--"L'Honn`ete Criminel me paroit assez m`ediocre. Ma
+propre trag`edie a de bien plus grands d`efauts, mais au moins
+elle ne ressemble pas au toout compass`e tet r`egl`e du si`ecle.
+Il ne vous plairoit pas assur`ement; il n'y a pas de beaux
+Sentiments: il n'y a que des passions sans envelope, des crimes,
+des repentis, et des horreurs. Je crois qu'il y a beaucoup plus
+de mauvais que de bon, et je sais s`urement que depuis le premier
+acte jusqu'a la derni`ere sc`ene l'int`er`et languit au lieu
+d'augmenter: peut-il avoir on plus grand d`efaut?"-E.
+
+(1025) Corn`elie, a manuscript tragedy, written by the Pr`esident
+Henault in early life.
+
+(1026) He died in Novembor 1770, at the age of eighty-six.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 341 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, April 16, 1768. (page 517)
+
+Well, dear Sir, does your new habitation improve as the spring
+advances? There has been dry weather and east wind enough to
+parch the fens. We find that the severe beginning of this last
+winter has made terrible havoc among the evergreens, though of
+old standing. Half my cypresses have been bewitched, and turned
+into brooms; and the laurustinus is every where perished. I am
+Goth enough to choose now and then to believe in prognostics; and
+I hope this destruction imports, that, though foreigners should
+take root here, they cannot last in this climate. I would fain
+persuade myself, that we are to be our own empire to eternity.
+
+The Duke of Manchester has lent me an invaluable curiosity; I
+mean invaluable to us antiquaries: but perhaps I have already
+mentioned it to you; I forgot whether I have or no. It is the
+original roll of the Earls of Warwick, as long as my gallery, and
+drawn by John Rous(1027) himself. Ay, and what is more, there
+are portraits of Richard III., his Queen, and son; the two former
+corresponding almost exactly with my print; and a panegyric on
+the virtues of Richard, and a satire, upwards and downwards, on
+the illegal marriage of Edward IV., and on the extortions of
+Henry VII. I have had these and seven other portraits copied,
+and shall, some time or other, give plates of them. But I wait
+for an excuse; I mean till Mr. Hume shall publish a few remarks
+he has made on my book: they are very far from substantial; yet
+still better than any other trash that has been written against
+it, nothing of which deserves an answer.
+
+I have long had thoughts of drawing up something for London like
+St. Foix's Rues de Paris,(1028) and have made some collections.
+I wish You Would be so good, in the course of your reading, to
+mark down any passage to that end: as where any great houses of
+nobility were situated; or in what street any memorable event
+happened. I fear the subject will not furnish much till later
+times, as our princes kept their courts up and down the country
+in such a vagrant manner.
+
+I expect Mr. Gray and Mr. Mason to pass the day with me here
+to-morrow. When I am more settled here I shall put you in mind
+of your promise to bestow more than one day on me.
+
+I hope the Methodist, your neighbour, does not, like his
+patriarch Whitfield, encourage the people to forge, murder, etc.
+in order to have the benefit of being converted at the gallows.
+That arch-rogue preached lately a funeral sermon on one Gibson,
+hanged for forgery, and told his audience, that he could assure
+them Gibson was now in heaven, and that another fellow, executed
+at the same time, had the happiness of touching Gibson's coat as
+he was turned off. As little as you and I agree about a hundred
+years ago, I don't desire a reign of fanatics. Oxford has begun
+with these rascals, and I hope Cambridge will wake. I don't mean
+that I would have them persecuted, which is what they wish; but I
+would have the clergy fight them and ridicule them. Adieu! dear
+Sir. Yours ever.
+
+(1027) John Rous, the historian of Warwickshire, "who," according
+to Walpole in his Anecdotes of Painting, "drew his own portrait,
+and other semblances, but in too rude a style to be called
+painting."-E.
+
+(1028) Essais Historiques sur Paris, par
+Germain-Fran`cois-Poulain de Saint Foix; of which an English
+translation was published in 1767.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 342 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, June 6, 1768. (page 519)
+
+You have told me what makes me both sorry and glad.(1029) Long
+have I expected the appearance of Ely, and thought it at the eve
+of coming forth. Now you tell me it is not half written; but
+then I am rejoiced you are to write it. Pray do; the author is
+very much in the right to make you author for him. I cannot say
+you have addressed yourself quite so judiciously as he has. I
+never heard of Cardinal Lewis de Luxembourg in my days, nor have
+a scrap of the history of Normandy, but Ducarel's tour to the
+Conqueror's kitchen. But the best way will be to come and
+rummage my library yourself: not to set me to writing the lives
+of prelates: I shall strip them stark, and you will have them to
+reconsecrate. Cardinal Morton is at your service: pray say for
+him, and of me, what you please. I have very slender opinion of
+his integrity; but as I am not spiteful, It would be hard to
+exact from you a less favourable account of him than I conclude
+your piety will bestow on all his predecessors and successors.
+Seriously, you know how little I take contradiction to heart, and
+beg you will have no scruples about defending Morton. When I
+bestow but a momentary smile on the abuse of any answerers, I am
+not likely to stint a friend in a fair and obliging remark.
+
+The man that you mention, who calls himself "Impartialis," is, I
+suppose some hackney historian, I shall never inquire, whom,
+angry at being censured in the jump, and not named. I foretold he
+would drop his criticisms before he entered on Perkin Warbeck,
+which I knew he could not answer; and so it happened. Good night
+to him!
+
+Unfortunately, I am no culinary antiquary - the Bishop of
+Carlisle, who is, I have oft heard talk of a sotelle, as an
+ancient dish. He is rambling between London, flagley, and
+Carlisle, that I do not know where to consult him: but, if the
+book is not printed before winter, I am sure he could translate
+your bill of fare into modern phrase. As I trust I shall see you
+some time this summer, you might bring your papers with you, and
+we will try what we can make of them. Tell me, do, when it will
+be most convenient for you to come, from now to the end of
+October. At the same time, I will beg to see the letters of the
+university to King Richard; and shall be still more obliged to
+you for the print of Jane Shore.(1030) I have a very bad
+mezzotinto of her, either from the picture at Cambridge or Eton.
+I wish I could return these favours by contributing to the
+decoration of your new old house: but, as you know, I erected an
+old house, not demolished one. I had no windows, or frames for
+windows, but what I bespoke on purpose for the places where they
+are. My painted glass was so exhausted, before I got through my
+design, that I was forced to have the windows in the Battery
+painted on purpose by Pecket. What scraps I have remaining are
+so bad I cannot make you pay for the carriage of them, as I think
+there is not one whole piece; but you shall see them when you
+come hither, and I will search if I can find any thing for your
+purpose. I am sure I owe it you. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(1029) This is in reply to one of Mr. Cole's letters, wherein he
+had informed Mr. Walpole, that he had undertaken to write the
+history of some of' the Bishops of Ely for the History of Ely
+Cathedral, and requested some particulars relating to Cardinal
+Lewis de Luxembourg; and to be informed the meaning of the French
+word sotalle or sotelle. Mr. Cole also proposed to controvert an
+opinion of Mr. Walpole's respecting Cardinal Morton.
+
+(1030) This appears, from the copy of Cole's previous letter, to
+have been an engraving done by Mr. Tyson of Bennett's College,
+from the picture in the Provost's lodge.
+
+
+
+Letter 343 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, June 15, 1768. (page 520)
+
+No, I cannot be so false as to say I am glad you are pleased with
+your situation. You are so apt to take root, that it requires
+ten years to dig you out again when you once begin to settle. As
+you go pitching your tent up and down, I wish you were still more
+a Tartar, and shifted your quarters perpetually. Yes, I will
+come and see you, but tell me first, when do your Duke and
+Duchess travel to the north? I know that he is a very amiable
+lad, and I do not know that she is not as amiable a laddess, but
+I had rather see their house comfortably when they are not there.
+
+I perceive the deluge fell upon you before it reached us. It
+began here but on Monday last, and then rained near
+eight-and-forty hours without intermission. My poor hay has not
+a dry thread to its back. I have had a fire these three days.
+In short, every summer one lives in a state of mutiny and murmur,
+and I have found the reason: it is because we will affect to have
+a summer, and we have no title to any such thing. Our poets
+learnt their trade of the Romans, and so adopted the terms of
+their masters. They talk of shady groves, purling streams, and
+cooling breezes, and we get sore throats and agues with
+attempting to realize these visions. Master Damon writes a song,
+and invites Miss Chloe to enjoy the cool of the evening, and the
+deuce a bit have we of any such thing as a cool evening. Zephyr
+is a northeast wind, that makes Damon button up to the chin, and
+pinches Chloe's nose till it is red and blue; and then they cry,
+this is a bad summer! as if we ever had any other. The best sun
+we have is made of Newcastle coal, and I am determined never to
+reckon upon any other. We ruin ourselves with inviting over
+foreign trees and make our houses clamber up hills to look at
+prospects. How our ancestors would laugh at us, who knew there
+was no being comfortable, unless you had a high hill before your
+nose, and a thick warm wood at your back! Taste is too freezing
+a commodity for us, and, depend upon it, will go out of fashion
+again.
+
+There is indeed a natural warmth in this country, which, as you
+say, I am very glad not to enjoy any longer; I mean the hothouse
+in St. Stephen's chapel. My own sagacity makes me very vain,
+though there was very little merit in it. I had seen so much of
+all parties, that I had little esteem left for any; it is most
+indifferent to me who is in or -who is out, or which is set in
+the pillory, Mr. Wilkes or my Lord Mansfield. I see the country
+going to ruin, and no man with brains enough to save it. That is
+mortifying ; but what signifies who has the undoing it? I seldom
+suffer myself to think on this subject: my patriotism could do no
+good, and my philosophy can make me be at peace.
+
+I am sorry you are likely to lose your poor cousin Lady
+Hinchinbrook;(1031) I heard a very bad account of her when I was
+last in town. Your letter to Madame Roland shall be taken care
+of; but as you are so scrupulous of making me pay postage, I must
+remember not to overcharge you, as I can frank my idle letters no
+longer; therefore, good night!
+
+P. S. I was in town last week, and found Mr. Chute still
+confined. He had a return in his shoulder, but I think it more
+rheumatism than gout.
+
+(1031) Elizabeth, wife of John Viscount Hinchinbroke, afterwards
+fifth Earl of Sandwich, was the only surviving daughter of
+George, second and last Earl of Halifax. Her ladyship died on
+the 1st of July 1768, leaving a son, George Viscount
+Hinchinbroke, who died sine prole, in 1790.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 344 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(1032)
+Strawberry Hill, June 16, 1768. (page 521)
+
+I am glad you have writ to me, for I wanted to write to you, and
+did not know what to say. I have been but two nights in town,
+and then heard of nothing but Wilkes, of whom I am tired to
+death, and of T. Townshend, the truth of whose story I did not
+know; and indeed the tone of the age has made me so uncharitable,
+that I concluded his ill-humour was put on, in order to be
+mollified with the reversion of his father's place, which I know
+he has long wanted; and the destination of the Pay-office has
+been so long notified, that I had no notion of his not liking the
+arrangement. For the new Paymaster,(1033) I could not think him
+worth writing a letter on purpose. By your letter and the
+enclosed I find Townshend has been very ill-treated, and I like
+his spirit in not bearing such neglect and contempt, though
+wrapped up in 2700 pounds a-year.
+
+What can one say of the Duke of Grafton, but that his whole
+conduct is childish, insolent, inconstant, and absurd--nay,
+ruinous? Because we are not in confusion enough, he makes every
+thing as bad as possible, neglecting on one hand, and taking no
+precaution on the other. I neither see how it is possible for
+him to remain minister, nor whom to put in his place. No
+government, no police, London and Middlesex distracted, the
+colonies in rebellion, Ireland ready to be so, and France
+arrogant, and on the point of being hostile! Lord Bute accused of
+all and dying of a panic; George Grenville wanting to make rage
+desperate; Lord Rockingham the Duke of Portland, and the
+Cavendishes thinking we have no enemies but Lord Bute and Dyson,
+and that four mutes and an epigram can set every thing to rights,
+the Duke of Grafton like an apprentice, thinking the world should
+be postponed to a whore and a horserace; and the Bedfords not
+caring what disgraces we undergo, while each of them has 3000
+pounds a-year and three thousand bottles of claret and champagne!
+Not but that I believe these last good folks are still not
+satisfied with the satisfaction of their wishes. They have the
+favour of the Duke of Grafton, but neither his confidence nor his
+company; so that they can neither sell the places in his gift nor
+his secrets. Indeed, they,' have not the same reasons to be
+displeased with him as you have; for they were his enemies and
+you his friend--and therefore he embraced them and dropped you,
+and I believe would be puzzled to give a tolerable reason for
+either.
+
+As this is the light in which I see our present situation, you
+will not wonder that I am happy to have nothing to do with it.
+Not that, were it more flourishing, I would ever meddle again. I
+have no good opinion of any of our factions, nor think highly of
+either their heads or their hearts. I can amuse myself much more
+to my satisfaction; and, had I not lived to see my country at the
+period of its greatest glory, I should bear our present state
+much better. I cannot mend it, and therefore will think as
+little of it as I can. The Duke of Northumberland asked me to
+dine at Sion to-morrow; but, as his vanity of governing Middlesex
+makes him absurdly meditate to contest the county, I concluded he
+wanted my interest here, and therefore excused myself; for I will
+have nothing to do with it.
+
+I shall like much to come to Park-place, if your present company
+stays, or if the Fitzroys or the Richmonds are there; but I
+desire to be excused from the Cavendishes, who have in a manner
+left me off, because I am so unlucky as not to think Lord
+Rockingham as great a man as my Lord Chatham, and Lord John more
+able than either. If you will let me know when they leave you,
+you shall see me: but they would not be glad of my company, nor I
+of theirs.
+
+My hay and I are drowned; I comfort myself with a fire, but I
+cannot treat the other with any sun, at least not with one that
+has more warm than the sun in a harlequin-farce.
+
+I went this morning to see the Duchess of Grafton, who has got an
+excellent house and fine prospect, but melancholy enough, and so
+I thought was she herself: I did not ask wherefore.
+
+I go to town to-morrow to see the Devil upon Two Sticks,(1034) as
+I did last week, but could not get in. I have now secured a
+place in my niece Cholmondeley's box, and am to have the
+additional entertainment of Mrs. Macauley in the same company;
+who goes to see herself represented, and I suppose figures
+herself very like Socrates.
+
+I shall send this letter by the coach, as it is rather free
+spoken, and Sandwich may be prying.
+
+Mr. Chute has found the subject of my tragedy, which I thought
+happened in Tillotson's time, in the Queen of Navarre's Tales;
+and what is very remarkable, I had laid my plot at Narbonne and
+about the beginning of the Reformation, and it really did happen
+in Languedoc and in the time of Francis the First. Is not this
+singular?(1035)
+
+I hope your canary hen was really with egg by the blue-bird, and
+that he will not plead that they are none of his and sue for a
+divorce. Adieu!
+
+(1032) Now first printed. In the preceding January Mr. Conway
+had resigned his situation of secretary of state for the northern
+department.-E.
+
+(1033) Mr. Rigby.
+
+(1034) Foote's successful comedy of The Devil upon Two Sticks was
+first acted at the Haymarket on the 31st of May.-E.
+
+(1035) See vol. i. p. 57.
+
+
+
+Letter 345 To Monsieur De Voltaire.
+Strawberry Hill, June 21, 1768. (page 523)
+
+Sir,
+You read English with so much more facility than I can write
+French, that I hope you will excuse my making use of my own
+tongue to thank you for the honour of your letter. If I employed
+your language, my ignorance in it might betray me into
+expressions that would not do justice to the sentiments I feel at
+being so distinguished.
+
+It is true, Sir, I have ventured to contest the history of
+Richard the Third, as it has been delivered down to us; and I
+shall obey your commands, and send it to you, though with fear
+and trembling; for though I have given it to the world, as it is
+called, yet, as you have justly observed, that world is comprised
+within a very small circle of readers--and Undoubtedly I could
+not expect that you would do me the Honour of being one of the
+number. Nor do I fear you, Sir, only as the first genius in
+Europe, who has illustrated every science; I have a more intimate
+dependence on you than YOU Suspect. Without knowing it, you have
+been my master, and perhaps the sole merit that may be found in
+my writings is owing to my having studied yours; so far, Sir, am
+I from living in that state of barbarism and ignorance with which
+you tax me when you say que vous m'`etes peut-`etre inconnu. I
+was not a stranger to your reputation very many years ago, but
+remember to have then thought you honoured our house by dining
+with my mother--though I was at school, and had not the happiness
+of seeing you: and yet my father was in a situation that might
+have dazzled eyes older than mine. The plain name of that
+father, and the pride of having had so excellent a father, to
+whose virtues truth at last does justice , is all I have to
+boast. I am a very private man, distinguished by neither
+dignities nor titles, which I have never done any thing to
+deserve--but as I am certain that titles alone would not have
+procured me the honour of your notice, I am content without
+them.(1036)
+
+But, Sir, if I can tell you nothing good of myself, I can at
+least tell you something bad; and, after the obligation you have
+conferred on me by your letter, I should blush if you heard it
+from any body but myself. I had rather incur your indignation
+than deceive you. Some time ago I took the liberty to find fault
+in print with the criticisms you had made on our Shakspeare.
+This freedom, and no wonder, never came to your knowledge. It
+was in a preface to a trifling romance, much unworthy of your
+regard, but which I shall send you, because I cannot accept even
+the honour of your correspondence, without making you judge
+whether I deserve it. I might retract, I might beg your pardon;
+but having said nothing but what I thought, nothing illiberal or
+unbecoming a gentleman, it would be treating you with ingratitude
+and impertinence, to suppose that you would either be offended
+with my remarks, or pleased with my recantation. You are as much
+above wanting flattery, as I am above offering it to you. You
+would despise me, and I should despise myself--a sacrifice I
+cannot make, Sir, even to you.
+
+Though it is impossible not to know you, Sir, I must confess my
+ignorance on the other part of your letter. I know nothing of
+the history of Monsieur de Jumonville, nor can tell whether it is
+true or false, as this is the first time I ever heard of it. But
+I will take care to inform myself as well as I can, and, if you
+allow me to trouble you again, will send you the exact account as
+far as I can obtain It. I love my country, but I do not love any
+of my countrymen that have been capable, if they have been so, of
+a foul assassination. I should have made this inquiry directly,
+and informed you of the result of it in this letter, had I been
+in London; but the respect I owe you, Sir, and my impatience to
+thank you for so unexpected a mark of your favour, made me choose
+not to delay my gratitude for a single post. I have the honour
+to be, Sir, your most obliged and most obedient humble servant.
+
+(1036) Voltaire had said, "Vous pardonnerez encore plus `a mon
+ignorance de vos titres; je n'en respecte pas moins votre
+personne; je connais plus votre m`erite que les dignit`es dont il
+doit `etre rev`etu."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 346 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, June 25, 1768. (page 524)
+
+You ordered me, my dear Lord, to write to you, and I am ready to
+obey you, and to give you every proof of attachment in my power:
+but it is a very barren season for all but cabalists, who can
+compound, divide, multiply No. 45 forty-five thousand different
+ways. I saw in the papers to-day, that somehow or other this
+famous number and the number of the beast in the Revelations is
+the same--an observation from which different persons will draw
+various conclusions. For my part, who have no ill wishes to
+Wilkes, I wish he was in Patmos, or the New Jerusalem, for I am
+exceedingly tired of his name. The only good thing I have heard
+in all this Controversy was of a man who began his letter thus:
+"I take the Wilkes-and-liberty to assure you," etc.
+
+I peeped at London last week, and found a tolerably full opera.
+But now the birthday is over, I suppose every body will go to
+waters and races till his Majesty of Denmark arrives. He is
+extremely amorous; but stays so short a time, that the ladies who
+Intended to be undone must not hagle. They must do their
+business in the twinkling of an allemande, or he will be flown.
+Don't you think he will be a little surprised, when he inquires
+for the seriglio in Buckingham-house, to find, in full of all
+accounts, two old Mecklenburgheresses?
+
+Is it true that Lady Rockingham is turned Methodist? It will be a
+great acquisition to the sect to have their hymns set by
+Giardini. I hope Joan Huntingdon will be deposed, if the husband
+becomes first minister. I doubt, too, the saints will like to
+call at Canterbury and Winchester in their way to heaven. My
+charity is so small, that I do not think their virtue a jot more
+obdurate than that of patriots.
+
+We have had some severe rain; but the season is now beautiful,
+though scarce hot. The hay and the corn promise that we shall
+have no riots on their account. Those black dogs the whiteboys
+or coal-heavers are dispersed or taken; and I really- see no
+reason to think we shall have another rebellion this fortnight.
+The most comfortable event to me is, that we shall have no civil
+war all the summer at Brentford. I dreaded two kings there; but
+the writ for Middlesex will not be issued till the Parliament
+meets; so there will be no pretender against King Glynn.(1037)
+As I love peace, and have done with politics, I quietly
+acknowledge the King de facto; and hope to pass and repass
+unmolested through his Majesty's long, lazy, lousy capital.(1038)
+
+My humble duty to my Lady Strafford and all her pheasants. I
+have just made two cascades; but my naiads are fools to Mrs.
+Chetwynd or my Lady Sondes, and don't give me a gallon of water
+in a week.--Well, this is a very silly letter! But you must take
+the will for the deed. Adieu, my dear Lord! Your most faithful
+servant.
+
+(1037) Serjeant Glynn, Member of Parliament for Middlesex.
+
+(1038) Brentford.
+
+
+
+Letter 347 To Monsieur De Voltaire.
+Strawberry Hill, July 27, 1768. (page 525)
+
+One can never, Sir, be sorry to have been in the wrong, when
+one's errors are pointed out to one in so obliging and masterly a
+manner. Whatever opinion I may have of Shakspeare, I should
+think him to blame, if he could have seen the letter you have
+done me the honour to -write to me, and yet not conform to the
+rules you have there laid down. When he lived, there had not
+been a Voltaire both to give laws to the stage, and to show on
+what good sense those laws were founded. Your art, Sir, goes
+still farther: for you have supported your arguments, without
+having recourse to the best authority, your own words. It was My
+interest perhaps to defend barbarism and irregularity. A great
+genius is in the right, on the contrary, to show that when
+correctness, nay, when perfection is demanded, he can still
+shine, and be himself, whatever fetters are imposed on him. But
+I will say no more on this head; for I am neither so unpolished
+as to tell you to your face how much I admire you, nor, though I
+have taken the liberty to vindicate Shakspeare against your
+criticisms, am I vain enough to think myself an adversary worthy
+of you. I am much more proud of receiving laws from you, than of
+contesting them. It was bold in me to dispute with you even
+before I had the honour of your acquaintance; it would be
+ungrateful now when you have not only taken notice of me, but
+forgiven me. The admirable letter you have been so good as to
+send me, is a proof that you are one of those truly great and
+rare men who know at once how to conquer and to pardon.
+
+I have made all the inquiry I could into the story of M. de
+Jumonville; and though your and our accounts disagree, I own I do
+not think, Sir, that the strongest evidence is in our favour. I
+am told we allow he was killed by a party of our men, going to
+the Ohio. Your countrymen say he was going with a flag of truce.
+The commanding officer of our party said M. de Jumonville was
+going with hostile intentions; and that very hostile orders were
+found after his death in his pocket. Unless that officer had
+proved that he had previous intelligence of those orders, I doubt
+he will not be justified by finding them afterwards; for I am not
+at all disposed to believe that he had the foreknowledge of your
+hermit,(1039) who pitched the old woman's nephew into the river,
+because "ce jeune homme auroit assassin`e sa tante dans un an."
+
+I am grieved that such disputes should ever subsist between two
+nations who have every thing in themselves to create happiness,
+and who may find enough in each other to love and admire. It is
+your benevolence, Sir, and your zeal for softening the manners of
+mankind; it is the doctrine of peace and amity which You preach
+which have raised my esteem for you even more than the brightness
+of your genius. France may claim you in the latter light, but
+all nations have a right to call you their countryman du c`ot`e
+du coeur. it is on the strength of that connexion that I beg
+you, Sir, to accept the homage of, Sir, your most obedient humble
+servant.(1040)
+
+
+(1039) An allusion to the fable in Zadig, which is said to have
+been founded on Parnell's Hermit, but which was most probably
+taken from one of the Contes Devots, "De l'Hermite qu'un ange
+conduisit dans le Si`ecle," and of which a translation, or rather
+modernization, is to be found in the fifth volume of Le Grand
+d'Aussy, Fabliaux (p. 165, ed. 1829). The original old French
+version has been printed by Meou, in his Nouveau Recueil de
+Fabliaux et Contes, tom. ii. p. 916.-E.
+
+(1040) The letter of Voltaire, to which the above is a reply,
+contained the following opinion of Walpole's Historical Doubts:-
+-"Avant le d`epart de ma lettre, j'ai eu le tems, Monsieur, de
+lire votre Richard Trois. Vous seriez un excellent attornei
+general; vous pesez toutes les probabilit`es; mais il paroit que
+vous avez une inclination secrette pour ce bossu. Vous voulez
+qu'il ait `et`e beau gar`con, et m`eme galant homme. Le
+b`en`edictin Calmet a fait une dissertation pour prouver que
+Jesus Christ avait un fort beau visage. Je veux croire avec
+vous, que Richard Trois n'`etait ni si laid, ni si m`echant,
+qu'on le dit; mais je n'aurais pas voulu avoir affaire `a lui.
+Votre rose blanche et votre rose rouge avaient de terribles
+`epines pour la nation.
+
+"Those gracious kings are all a pack of rogues. En lisant
+l'histoire des York et des Lancastre, et de bien d'autres, on
+croit lire l'histoire des voleurs de grand chemin. Pour votre
+Henri Sept, il n'`etait que coupeur de bourses. Be a minister or
+an anti-minister, a lord or a philosopher, I will be, with an
+equal respect, Sir, etc."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 348 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, August 9, 1768. (page 527)
+
+You are very kind, or else you saw into my mind, and knew that I
+have been thinking of writing to you, but had not a penfull of
+matter. True, I have been in town, but I am more likely to learn
+news here; where at least we have it like fish, that could not
+find vent in London. I saw nothing there but the ruins of loo,
+Lady Hertford's cribbage, and Lord Botetourt, like patience on a
+monument, smiling in grief. He is totally ruined, and quite
+charmed. Yet I heartily pity him. To Virginia he cannot be
+indifferent: he must turn their heads somehow or other. If his
+graces do not captivate them, he will enrage them to fury; for I
+take all his douceur to be enamelled on iron.
+
+My life is most uniform and void of events, and has nothing worth
+repeating. I have not had a soul with me, but accidental company
+now and then at dinner. Lady Holderness,. Lady Ancram, Lady
+Mary Coke, Mrs. Ann Pitt, and Mr. Hume, dined here the day before
+yesterday. They were but just gone, when George Selwyn, Lord
+Bolingbroke, and Sir William Musgrave, who had been at
+Hampton-court, came in, at nine at night, to drink tea. They
+told me, what I was very glad to hear, and what I could not
+doubt, as they had it from the Duke of Grafton himself, that
+Bishop Cornwallis(1041) goes to Canterbury. I feared it would be
+****; but it seems he had secured all the backstairs, and not the
+great stairs. As the last head of the church had been in the
+midwife line, I supposed Goody Lyttelton(1042) had hopes; and as
+he had been president of an atheistical club, to be Sure
+Warburton did not despair. I was thinking it would make a good
+article in the papers, that three bishops had supped with Nancy
+Parsons at Vauxhall, in their way to Lambeth. I am sure ****,
+would have been of the number; and **** who told the Duke of
+Newcastle, that if his grace had commanded the Blues at Minden,
+they would have behaved better, would make no scruple to cry up
+her chastity.
+
+The King of Denmark comes on Thursday; and I go to-morrow to see
+him. It has cost three thousand pounds to new furnish an
+apartment for him at St. James's; and now he will not go thither,
+supposing it would be a confinement. He is to lodge at his own
+minister Dieden's.
+
+Augustus Hervey, thinking it the bel air, is going to sue for a
+divorce from the Chudleigh.(1043) He asked Lord Bolingbroke
+t'other day, who was his proctor'! as he would have asked for his
+tailor. The nymph has sent him word, that if he proves her his
+wife he must pay her debts; and she owes sixteen thousand pounds.
+This obstacle thrown in the way, looks as if she was not sure of
+being Duchess of Kingston. The lawyers say, it will be no valid
+plea; it not appearing that she was Hervey's wife, and therefore
+the tradesmen could not reckon on his paying them.
+
+Yes, it is my Gray, Gray the poet, who is made professor of
+modern history, and I believe it is worth five hundred a-year. I
+knew nothing of it till I saw it in the papers; but believe //it
+was Stonehewer that obtained it for him.(1044)
+
+Yes, again; I use a bit of alum half as big as my nail, Once or
+twice a-week, and let it dissolve in my mouth. I should not
+think that using it oftener could be prejudicial. You should
+inquire; but as you are in more hurry than I am, you should
+certainly use it oftener than I do. I wish I could cure my Lady
+Ailesbury too. Ice-water has astonishing effect on my stomach,
+and removes all pain like a charm. Pray, though the one's teeth
+may not be so white as formerly, nor t'other look in perfect
+health, let the Danish King see such good specimens of the last
+age--though, by what I hear, he likes nothing but the very
+present age. However, sure you will both come and look at him:
+not that I believe he is a jot better than the apprentices that
+flirt to Epsom in a Tim-whisky; but I want to meet you in town.
+
+I don't very well know what I write, for I hear a caravan on my
+stairs, that are come to see the house; Margaret is chattering,
+and the dogs barking; and this I call retirement! and yet I think
+it preferable to your visit at Becket. Adieu! Let me know
+something more of your motions before you go to Ireland, which I
+think a strange journey, and better compounded for: and when I
+see you in town I will settle with you another visit to
+Park-place. Yours ever.
+
+(1041) The Hon. Frederick Cornwallis, seventh son of Charles
+fourth Baron Cornwallis, was translated from the see of Lichfield
+and Coventry to that of Canterbury, on the death of Archbishop
+Secker.-E.
+
+(1042) Bishop of Carlisle. He died in December following; upon
+which event, Warburton wrote to Dr. Hurd--"A bishop, more or
+less, in the world, is nothing; and perhaps of as small account
+in the next. I used to despise him for his antiquarianism, but
+of late, since I grow old and dull myself, I cultivated an
+acquaintance with him for the sake of what formerly kept us
+asunder."-E.
+
+(1043) On the 8th of March, 1769,, the lady publicly espoused
+Evelyn Pierrepoint., Duke of Kingston; for which offence she was
+impeached before the House of Peers, and the marriage declared
+illegal. She subsequently retired to the continent, where she
+died in 1788.-E.
+
+(1044) The following is Gray's own account, in a letter of the
+1st of August:--"I write chiefly to tell you, that on Sunday
+se'nnight Brocket died by a fall from his horse, being, as I
+hear, drunk: that on the Wednesday following I received a letter
+from the Duke of Grafton, saying he had the King's command to
+offer me the vacant professorship; and he adds, that from private
+as well as public considerations, he must take the warmest part
+in approving so well-judged a measure, etc. There's for you!"--
+In a letter to Dr. Beattie, of the 31st of October, he says--"It
+is the best thing the Crown has to bestow (on a layman) here; the
+salary is four hundred pounds per annum; but what enhances the
+value of it to me is, that it was bestowed without being asked.
+Instances of a benefit so nobly conferred, I believe, are rare;
+and therefore I tell you of it as a thing that does honour, not
+only to me, but to the minister." Works, vol. IV. pp. 123,
+127.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 349 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Aug. 13, 1768. (page 529)
+
+indeed, what was become of you, as I had offered myself to you so
+long ago, and you did not accept my bill; and now it is payable
+at such short notice, that as I cannot find Mr. Chute, nor know
+where he is, whether at your brother's or the Vine, I think I had
+better defer my visit till the autumn, when you say you will be
+less hurried, and more at leisure. I believe I shall go to
+Ragley beginning of September, and possibly on to Lord
+Strafford's, and therefore I may call on you, if it will not be
+inconvenient to you, on my return.
+
+I came to town to see the Danish King. He is as diminutive as if
+he came out of a kernel in the Fairy Tales. He is not ill made,
+nor weakly made, though so small; and though his face is pale and
+delicate, it is not at all ugly, yet has a strong cast of the
+late King, and enough of the late Prince of Wales to put one upon
+one's guard not to be prejudiced in his favour. Still he has
+more royalty than folly in his air; and, considering he is not
+twenty, is as well as one expects any king in a puppet-show to
+be. He arrived on Thursday, supped and lay at St. James's.
+Yesterday evening he was at the Queen's and Carlton-house, and at
+night at Lady Hertford's assembly. He only takes the title of
+altesse, an absurd mezzotermine, but acts king exceedingly;
+struts in the circle like a cock-sparrow, and does the honours of
+himself very civilly. There is a favourite too, who seems a
+complete jackanapes; a young fellow called Holke, well enough in
+his figure, and about three-and-twenty, but who will be tumbled
+down long before he is prepared for it. Bernsdorff, a
+Hanoverian, his first minister, is a decent sensible man; I pity
+him, though I suppose he is envied. From Lady Hertford's they
+went to Ranelagh, and to-night go to the opera. There had like
+to have been an untoward circumstance: the last new opera in the
+spring, which was exceedingly pretty, was called "I Viaggiatori
+Ridicoli," and\ they were on the point of acting it for this
+royal traveller.
+
+I am sure you are not sorry that Cornwallis is archbishop. He is
+no hypocrite, time-server, nor high-priest. I little expected so
+good a choice. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+
+
+
+Letter 350 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 16, 1768. (page 529)
+
+As you have been so good, my dear lord, as twice to take notice
+of my letter, I am bound in conscience and gratitude to try to
+amuse you with any thing new. A royal visiter, quite fresh, is a
+real curiosity--by the reception of him, I do not think many more
+of the breed will come hither. He came from Dover in
+hackney-chaises; for somehow or other the master of the horse
+happened to be in Lincolnshire; and the King's coaches having
+received no orders, were too good subjects to go and fetch a
+stranger King of their own heads. However, as his Danish Majesty
+travels to improve himself for the good of his people, he will go
+back extremely enlightened in the arts of government and
+morality, by having learned that crowned heads may be reduced to
+ride in a hired chaise.
+
+By another mistake, King George happened to go to Richmond about
+an hour before King Christiern arrived in London. An hour Is
+exceedingly long; and the distance to Richmond Still longer: so
+with all the despatch that could possibly be made, King George
+could not get back to his capital till next day at noon. Then,
+as the road from his closet at St. James's to the King of
+Denmark's apartment on t'other side of the palace is about thirty
+miles, which posterity, having no conception of the prodigious
+extent and magnificence of St. James's, will never believe, it
+was half an hour after three before his Danish Majesty's courier
+could go, and return to let him know that his good brother and
+ally was leaving the palace in which they both were, in order to
+receive him at the Queen's palace, which you know is about a
+million of snail's paces from St. James's. Notwithstanding these
+difficulties and unavoidable delays, Woden, Thor, Fria, and all
+the gods that watch over the Kings of the North, did bring these
+two invincible monarchs to each other's embraces about half an
+hour after five that same evening. They passed an hour in
+projecting a family compact that will regulate the destiny of
+Europe to latest posterity: and then, the Fates so willing it,
+the British Prince departed for Richmond, and the Danish
+potentate repaired to the widowed mansion of his royal
+mother-in-law, where he poured forth the fulness of his heart in
+praises on the lovely bride she had bestowed on him, from whom
+nothing but the benefit of his subjects could ever have torn him.
+And here let Calumny blush, who has aspersed so chaste and
+faithful a monarch with low amours; pretending that he has raised
+to the honour of a seat in his sublime council, an artisan of
+Hamburgh, known only by repairing the soles of buskins, because
+that mechanic would, on no other terms, consent to his fair
+daughter's being honoured with majestic embraces. So victorious
+over his passions is this young Scipio from the Pole, that though
+on Shooter's-hill he fell into an ambush laid for him by an
+illustrious Countess, of blood-royal herself, his Majesty, after
+descending from his car, and courteously greeting her, again
+mounted his vehicle, without being one moment eclipsed from the
+eyes of the surrounding multitude. Oh! mercy on me! I am out of
+breath--pray let me descend from my stilts, or I shall send you
+as fustiin and tedious a history as that of Henry II. Well then,
+this great King is a very little one; not ugly, nor ill-made. He
+has the sublime strut of his grandfather, or of a cock-sparrow;
+and the divine white eyes of all his family by the mother's side.
+His curiosity seems to have consisted in the original plan of
+travelling for I cannot say he takes notice of any thing in
+particular. His manner is cold and dignified, but very civil and
+gracious and proper. The mob adore him and huzza him; and so
+they did the first instant. At Present they begin to know why--
+for he flings money to them out of his windows; and by the end of
+the week I do not doubt but they will want to choose him for
+Middlesex. His court is extremely well ordered; for they bow as
+low to him at every word as if his name was Sultan Amurat. You
+would take his first minister for only the first of his slaves.
+I hope this example, which they have been so good as to exhibit
+at the opera, will contribute to civilize us. There is indeed a
+pert young gentleman, who a little discomposes this august
+ceremonial. His name is Count Holke, his age three-and-twenty
+and his post answers to one that we had formerly in England, many
+ages ago, and which in our tongue was called the lord high
+favourite. Before the Danish monarchs became absolute, the most
+refractory of that country used to write libels, called North
+Danes, against this great officer; but that practice has long
+since ceased. Count Holke seems rather proud of his favour, than
+shy of displaying it.
+
+I hope, my dear lord, you will be content with my Danish
+politics, for I trouble myself with no other. There is a long
+history about the Baron de Bottetourt and Sir Jeffery Amherst,
+who has resigned his regiment but it is nothing to me, nor do I
+care a straw about it. I am deep in the anecdotes of the new
+court; and if you want to know more of Count Holke or Count
+Molke, or the grand vizier Bernsdorff, or Mynheer Schimmelman,
+apply to me, and you shall be satisfied. But what do I talk of?
+You will see them yourself. Minerva in the shape of Count
+Bernsdorff, or out of all shape in the person of the Duchess of
+Northumberland, is to conduct Telemachus to York races; for can a
+monarch be perfectly accomplished in the mysteries of king-craft,
+as our Solomon James I. called it, unless he is initiated in the
+arts of jockeyship? When this northern star travels towards its
+own sphere, Lord Hertford will go to Ragley. I shall go with
+him; and, if I can avoid running foul of the magi that will be
+thronging from all parts to worship that star, I will endeavour
+to call at Wentworth Castle for a day or two, if it will not be
+inconvenient; I should think it would be about the second week in
+September, but your lordship shall hear again, unless you should
+forbid me, who am ever Lady Strafford's and your lordship's most
+faithful humble servant.
+
+
+
+Letter 351To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(1045)
+Arlington Street, Aug. 25, 1768. (page 531)
+
+heartily glad you do not go to Ireland; it is very well for the
+Duke of Bedford, who, as George Selwyn says, is going to be made
+a mamamouchi. Your brother sets out for Ragley on Wednesday
+next, and that day I intend to be at Park--place, and from thence
+shall go to Ragley on Friday. I shall stay three or four days,
+and then go to Lord Strafford's for about as many; and shall call
+on George Montagu on my return, so as to be at home in a
+fortnight, an infinite absence in my account. I wish you could
+join in with any part of this progress, before you go to worship
+the treasures that are pouring in upon your daughter by the old
+Damer's death.(1046)
+
+You ask me about the harvest--you might as well ask me about the
+funds. I thought the land flowed with milk and honey. We have
+had forty showers, but they have not lasted a minute each; and as
+the weather continues warm and my lawn green,
+
+"I bless my stars, and call it luxury."
+
+They tell me there are very bad accounts from several colonies,
+and the papers are full of their remonstrances; but I never read
+such things. I am happy to have nothing to do with them, and
+glad you have not much more. When one can do no good, I have no
+notion of sorrowing oneself for every calamity that happens in
+general. One should lead the life of a coffee-house politician,
+the most real patriots that I know, who amble out every morning
+to gather matter for lamenting over their country. I leave mine,
+like the King of Denmark, to ministers and Providence; the latter
+of which, like an able chancellor of the exchequer to an ignorant
+or idle first lord, luckily does the business. That little King
+has had the gripes, which have addled his journey to York. I
+know nothing more of his motions. His favourite is fallen in
+love with Lady Bel Stanhope,(1047) and the monarch himself
+demanded her for him. The mother was not averse, but Lady Bel
+very sensibly refused--so unfortunate are favourites the instant
+they set their foot in England! He is jealous of
+Sackville,(1048) and says, "ce gros noir n'est pas beau;" which
+implies that he thinks his own whiteness and pertness charming.
+Adieu! I shall see you on Wednesday.
+
+(1045) Now first printed.
+
+(1046) J. Damer, Esq., of carne in Dorsetshire, brother to the
+first Lord Milton.-E.
+
+)1047) Afterwards Countess of Sefton.-E.
+
+(1048) Who afterwards succeeded to the Dukedom of Dorset.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 352 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Aug. 30, 1768. (page 532)
+
+You are always heaping so many kindnesses on me, dear Sir, I
+think I must break off all acquaintance with you, unless I can
+find some way of returning them. The print of the Countess of
+Exeter Is the greatest present to me in the world. I have been
+trying for years to no purpose to get one. Reynolds the painter
+promised to beg one for me of a person he knows, but I have never
+had it. I wanted it for four different purposes. 1. As a
+grandmother (in law, by the Cranes and Allingtons): 2. for my
+collection of heads: 3. for the volumes of prints after pieces in
+my collection: and, above all, for my collection of Faithornes,
+which though so fine, wanted such a capital print: and to this
+last I have preferred it. I give you unbounded thanks for it:
+and yet I feel exceedingly ashamed to rob you. The print of Jane
+Shore I had: but as I have such various uses for prints I easily
+bestowed it. It is inserted in my Anecdotes, where her picture
+is mentioned.
+
+Thank you, too, for all your notices. I intend next summer to
+set about the last volume of my Anecdotes, and to make still
+further additions to my former volumes, in which these notes find
+their place. I am going to reprint all my pieces together, and,
+to my shame be it spoken, find they will at least make two large
+quartos. You, I know, will be partial enough to give them a
+place on a shelf, but as I doubt many persons will not be so
+favourable, I Only think of leaving the edition behind me.
+
+Methinks I should like for your amusement and my own, that you
+settled to Ely: yet I value your health so much beyond either,
+that I must advise Milton, Ely being, I believe, a very damp,
+and, consequently, a very unwholesome situation. Pray let me
+know on which you fix; and if you do fix this summer, remember
+the hopes you have given me of a visit. My summer, that is, my
+fixed residence here, lasts till November. My gallery is not
+only finished, but I am going on with the round chamber at the
+end of it; and am besides playing with the little garden on the
+other side of the road, which was old Franklin's, and by his
+death came into my hands. When the round tower is finished, I
+propose to draw up a description and catalogue of the whole house
+and collection, and I think you will not dislike lending me your
+assistance.
+
+Mr. Granger,(1049) of Shiplake, is printing his laborious and
+curious Catalogue of English heads, with an accurate though
+succinct account of almost all the persons. It will be a very
+valuable and useful work, and I heartily wish may succeed; though
+I have some fears. There are of late a small number of persons
+who collect English heads but not enough to encourage such a
+work: I hope the anecdotic part will make it more known and
+tasted. It is essential to us, who shall love the performance,
+that it should sell: for he prints no farther at first than to
+the end of the first Charles: and, if this part does not sell
+well, the bookseller will not purchase the remainder of the copy,
+though he gives but a hundred pounds for this half'; and good Mr.
+Granger is not in circumstances to afford printing it himself. I
+do not compare it with Dr. Robertson's writings, who has an
+excellent genius, with admirable style and manner; and yet I
+cannot help thinking, that there is a good deal of Scotch puffing
+and partiality, when the booksellers have given the Doctor three
+thousand pounds for his Life of Charles V., for composing which
+he does not pretend to have obtained any new materials.
+
+I am going into Warwickshire; and I think shall go on to Lord
+Strafford's, but propose returning before the end of September.
+Yours ever.
+
+(1049) The Rev. James Granger, Vicar of Shiplake in Oxfordshire;
+where he died in 1776. See post, May 27, 1769.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 353 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Strawberry Hill, Monday, Oct. 10, 1768. (page 534)
+
+I give you a thousand thanks, my dear Lord, for the account of
+the ball at Welbeck. I shall not be able to repay it with a
+relation of the masquerade to-night;(1050) for I have been
+confined here this week with the gout in my foot, and have not
+stirred off my bed or couch since Tuesday. I was to have gone to
+the great ball at Sion on Friday, for which a new road,
+paddock, and bridge were made, as other folks make a dessert. I
+conclude Lady Mary Coke has, and will tell you of all these
+pomps, which Health thinks so serious, and Sickness with her
+grave face tells one are so idle. Sickness may make me moralize,
+but I assure you she does not want humour. She has diverted me
+extremely with drawing a comparison between the repose (to call
+neglect by its dignified name) which I have enjoyed in this fit,
+and the great anxiety in which the whole world was when I had the
+last gout, three years ago--you remember my friends were then
+coming into power. Lord Weymouth was so good as to call at least
+once every day, and inquire after me; and the foreign ministers
+insisted that I should give them the satisfaction of seeing me,
+that they might tranquillize their sovereigns with the certainty
+of My not being in any danger. The Duke and Duchess of Newcastle
+were So kind, though very nervous themselves, as to send
+messengers and long messages every day from Claremont. I cannot
+say this fit has alarmed Europe quite so much. I heard the bell
+ring at the gate, and asked with much majesty if it was the Duke
+of Newcastle had sent? "No, Sir, it was only the butcher's boy."
+The butcher's boy is, indeed, the only courier i have had.
+Neither the King of France nor King of Spain appears to be under
+the least concern about me.
+
+My dear Lord, I have had so many of these transitions in my life,
+that you will not wonder they divert me more than a masquerade.
+I am ready to say to most people, "Mask, I know you." I wish I
+might choose their dresses!
+
+'When I have the honour of seeing Lady Strafford, I shall beseech
+her to tell me all the news: for I am too nigh and too far to
+know any. Adieu, my dear Lord!
+
+(1050) A masquerade given at the Opera-house by the King of
+Denmark; one of the most magnificent which had ever been given in
+England. The jewels worn on the occasion by the maskers were
+estimated to be of the value of two millions.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 354 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 10, 1768. (page 535)
+
+I have not received the cheese, but I thank you as much
+beforehand. I have been laid up with a fit of the gout in both
+feet and a knee; at Strawberry for an entire month, and eight
+days here: I took the air for the first time the day before
+yesterday, and am, considering, surprisingly recovered by the
+assistance of the bootikins and my own perseverance in drinking
+water. I moulted my stick to-day, and have no complaint but
+weakness left. The fit came just in time to augment my felicity
+in having quitted Parliament. I do not find it so uncomfortable
+to grow old, when One is not obliged to expose oneself in public.
+
+I neither rejoice nor am sorry at your being accommodated in your
+new habitation. It has long been plain to me that you choose to
+bury yourself in the ugliest spot you can find, at a distance
+from almost all your acquaintance; so I give it up; and then I am
+glad you are pleased.
+
+Nothing is stirring but politics, and chiefly the worst kind of
+politics, elections. I trouble myself with no sort, but seek to
+pass what days the gout leaves me or bestows on me, as quietly as
+I can. I do not wonder at others, because I doubt I am more
+singular than they are; and what makes me happy would probably
+not make them so. My best compliments to your brother; I shall
+be glad to see you both when you come; though for you, you don't
+care how little time you pass with your friends. Yet I am, and
+ever shall be Yours most sincerely.
+
+
+
+Letter 355 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Nov. 15, 1768. (page 535)
+
+You cannot wonder when I receive such kind letters from you, that
+I am vexed our intimacy should be reduced almost to those
+letters. It is selfish to complain, when you give me such good
+reasons for your system: but I grow old; and the less time we
+have to live together, the more I feel a separation from a person
+I love so well; and that reflection furnishes me with arguments
+in vindication of my peevishness. Methinks, though the contrary
+is true in practice, prudence should be the attribute of youth,
+not of years. When we approach to the last gate of life, what
+does it signify to provide for new furnishing one's house? Youth
+should have all those cares; indeed, charming youth is better
+employed. It leaves foresight to those that have little occasion
+for it. You and I have both done with the world, the busy world,
+and therefore I would smile with you over what we have both seen
+of it, and luckily we can smile both, for we have quitted it
+willingly, not from disgust nor mortifications. However, I do
+not pretend to combat your reasons, much less would I draw you to
+town a moment sooner than it is convenient to you, though I shall
+never forget your offering it. Nay, it is not so much in town
+that I wish we were nearer, as in the country. Unless one lives
+exactly in the same set of company, one is not much the better
+for one's friends being in London. I that talk of giving up the
+world, have only given up the troubles of it, as far as that is
+possible. I should speak more properly in saying, that I have
+retired out of the world into London. I always intend to place
+some months between me and the moroseness of retirement. We are
+not made for Solitude. It gives us prejudices, it indulges us in
+our own humours, and at last we cannot live without them.
+
+My gout is quite gone; and if I had a mind to disguise its
+remains, I could walk very gracefully, except on going down
+stairs. Happily, it is not the fashion to hand any body; the
+nymph and I should soon be at the bottom.
+
+Your old cousin Newcastle is going; he has had a stroke of the
+palsy, and they think will not last two days.(1051) I hope he is
+not sensible, as I doubt he would be too averse to his situation.
+Poor man! he is not like my late amiable friend, Lady
+Hervey;(1052) two days before She died, she wrote to her Son
+Bristol these words: "I feel my dissolution coming on, but I have
+no pain; what can an old woman desire more?" This was consonant
+to her usual propriety--yes, propriety IS grace, and thus every
+body may be graceful, when other graces are fled. Oh! but you
+will cry, is not this a contradiction to the former part of your
+letter? Prudence is one of the graces of age;-why--yes, I do not
+know but it may and yet I don't know how, it is a musty quality;
+one hates to allow it to be a grace--come, at least it is only
+like that one of the graces that hides her face. In Short, I
+have ever been so imprudent, that though I have much corrected
+myself, I am not at all vain of such merit. I have purchased it
+for much more than it was worth. I wish you joy of Lord
+Guildford's amendment; and always take a full part in your
+satisfaction or sorrow. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(1051) The Duke of Newcastle died on the 17th.-E.
+
+(1052) Lady Hervey died on the 2d of September, in the
+sixty-eighth year of her age.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 356 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 1, 1768. (page 536)
+
+I like your letter, and have been looking at my next door but
+one. The ground-story is built, and the side walls will
+certainly be raised another floor, before you think of arriving.
+I fear nothing for you but the noise of workmen, and of this
+street in front and Picadilly on the other side. If you can bear
+such a constant hammering and hurricane, it will rejoice me to
+have you so near me; and then I think I must see you oftener than
+I have done these ten years. Nothing can be more dignified than
+this position. From my earliest memory Arlington-street has been
+the ministerial street. The Duke of Grafton is actually coming
+into the house of Mr. Pelham, which my Lord president is
+quitting, and which occupies too the ground on which my father
+lived; and Lord Weymouth has just taken the Duke of Dorset's; yet
+you and I, I doubt, shall always live on the wrong side of the
+way.
+
+Lord Chatham is reconciled to Lord Temple and George
+Grenville.(1053) The second is in great spirits on the occasion;
+and yet gives out that Lord Chatham earnestly solicited it. The
+insignificant Lepidus patronizes Antony, and is sued to by
+Augustus! Still do I doubt whether Augustus will ever come forth
+again. Is this a peace patched up by Livia for the sake of her
+children, seeing the imbecility of her husband? or is Augustus
+to own he has been acting changeling, like the first Brutus, for
+near two years? I do not know, I remain in doubt.
+
+Wilkes has struck an artful stroke.(1054) The ministers, devoid
+of all management in the House of Commons, consented that he
+should be heard at the bar of the House, and appointed to-morrow,
+forgetting the election for Middlesex is to come on next
+Thursday: one would think they were impatient to advance riots.
+Last Monday Wilkes demanded to examine Lord Temple: when that was
+granted, he asked for Lord Sandwich and Lord March. As the first
+had not been refused, the others could not. The Lords were
+adjourned till to-day
+@ , and, I suppose, are now sitting on this perplexing demand.
+If Lord Temple desires to go to the bar of the Commons, and the
+others desire to be excused, it will be difficult for the Lords
+to know what to do. Sandwich is frightened out of his
+senses,(1055) and March does not like it. Well! this will cure
+ministers and great lords of being flippant in dirty tyranny,
+when they see they may be worried for it four years afterwards.
+
+The Commons, I suppose, are at this minute as hotly engaged on
+the Cumberland election between Sir James Lowther and the Duke of
+Portland. Oh! how delightful and comfortable to be sitting
+quietly here a scribbling to you, perfectly indifferent about
+both houses! You will Just escape having your brains beaten out,
+by not coming this fortnight. The Middlesex election will be
+over. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(1053) Through the mediation of their mutual friend, Mr.
+Calcraft, a reconciliation between Lord Chatham and Earl Temple
+took place at Hayes, on the 25th of November, to which Mr.
+Grenville heartily acceded. See Chatham Correspondence, vol,
+iii. p. 349.-E.
+
+(1054) Mr. Wilkes, on the 14th of November, had presented a
+petition to the House of Commons, praying for a redress of his
+grievances.-E.
+
+(1055) By a reference to Sir Henry Cavendish's Debates, vol. i.
+pp. 93, 131, it will be seen, that Lord Sandwich expressed,
+through Mr. Rigby, his readiness to be examined, and that he was
+examined on the 31st of January.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 357 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Sunday, March 26, 1769. (page 538)
+
+I beg your pardon; I promised to send you news, and I had quite
+forgot that we have had a rebellion; at least, the Duke of
+Bedford says so. Six or eight hundred merchants, English, Dutch,
+Jews, Gentiles, had been entreated to protect the Protestant
+succession, and consented.(1056) They set out on Wednesday noon
+in their coaches and chariots, chariots not armed with scythes
+like our Gothic ancestors. At Temple-bar they met several
+regiments of foot dreadfully armed with mud, who discharged a
+sleet of dirt on the royal troop. Minerva, who had forgotten her
+dreadful Egis, and who, in the shape of Mr. Boehm, carried the
+address, was forced to take shelter under a Cloud in Nando's
+coffeehouse, being more afraid of Buckhorse than ever Venus was
+of Diomed; in short, it was a dismal day; and if Lord Talbot had
+not recollected the patriot feats of his youth,(1057) and
+recommenced bruiser, I don't know but the Duchess of
+Kingston,(1058) who has so long preserved her modesty, from both
+her husbands, might not have been ravished in the drawing-room.
+Peace is at present restored, and the rebellion adjourned to the
+thirteenth of April; when Wilkes and Colonel Luttrell are to
+fight a pitched battle at Brentford, the Phillippi of antoninus.
+Tityre, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fogi, know nothing of
+these broils. You don't convert your ploughshares into
+falchions, nor the mud of Adderbury into gunpowder. I tremble for
+my painted windows, and write talismans of number forty-five on
+every gate and postern of my castle. Mr. Hume is writing the
+Revolutions of Middlesex, and a troop of barnacle geese are
+levied to defend the capital. These are melancholy times!
+Heaven send we do not laugh till we cry!
+
+London, Tuesday, 28th.
+
+Our ministers, like their Saxon ancestors, are gone to bold a
+wittenagemoot on horseback at Newmarket. Lord Chatham, we are
+told, is to come forth after the holidays and place himself at
+the head of the discontented. When I see it I shall believe it.
+Lord Frederick Campbell is, at last, to be married this evening
+to the Dowager-countess of Ferrers.(1059) The Duchess of Grafton
+is actually Countess of Ossory.(1060) This is a short gazette;
+but, consider, it is a time of truce. Adieu!
+
+(1056) A great riot took place on the 22d of March 1769, when a
+cavalcade of the merchants and tradesmen of the city of London,
+who were proceeding to St. James's with a loyal address, was so
+maltreated by the populace, that Mr. Boehm, the gentleman to whom
+the address was entrusted, was obliged to take refuge in Nando's
+coffeehouse. His coach was rifled; but the address escaped the
+search of the rioters, and was, after considerable delay, during
+which a second had been voted and prepared, eventually presented
+at St. James's.-E.
+
+(1057) Lord Talbot behaved with great intrepidity upon this
+occasion: though he had his staff of office broken in his hand,
+and was deserted by his servants, he secured two of the most
+active of the rioters. His example recalled the military to
+their duty, who, without employing either guns or bayonets,
+captured fifteen more.-E.
+
+(1058) The Duke of Kingston had married Miss Chudleigh on the 8th
+of this instant; the Consistory Court of London having declared,
+on the 11th of February previous, that the lady was free from any
+matrimonial contract with the Hon. Augustus John Hervey. On the
+19th, she was presented, upon her marriage, to their Majesties;
+who honoured her by wearing her favours, as did all the great
+officers of state.-E.
+
+(1059) See vol. iii. p. 58, letter 24. This unfortunate lady was
+burnt to death at Lord Frederick's seat at Combe Bank, in July
+1807.-E.
+
+(1060) Lady Anne Liddel, only daughter of Henry Liddel, Lord
+Ravensworth, married, in 1756, to Augustus Henry, third Duke of
+Grafton; from whom being divorced by act of parliament, she was
+married secondly, on the 26th of March, to the Earl of Ossory.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 358 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, April 15, 1769. (page 539)
+
+I should be very sorry to believe half your distempers. I am
+heartily grieved for the vacancy that has happened in your mouth,
+though you describe it so comically. As the only physic I
+believe in is prevention, you shall let me prescribe to you. Use
+a little bit of alum twice or thrice in a week, no bigger than
+half your nail, till it has all dissolved in your mouth, and then
+spit out. This has fortified my teeth, that they are as strong
+as the pen of Junius.(1061) I learned it of Mrs. Grosvenor, who
+had not a speck in her teeth to her death. For your other
+complaints, I revert to my old sermon, temperance. If you will
+live in a hermitage, methinks it is no great addition to live
+like a hermit. Look in Sadeler's prints, they had beards down to
+their girdles; and with all their impatience to be in heaven,
+their roots and water kept them for a century from their wishes.
+I have lived all my life like an anchoret in London, and within
+ten miles, shed my skin after the gout, and am as lively as an
+eel in a week after. Mr. Chute, who has drunk no more wine than
+a fish, grows better every year. He has escaped this winter with
+only a little pain in one hand. Consider that the physicians
+recommended wine, and then can you doubt of its being poison?
+Medicines may cure a few acute distempers, but how should they
+mend a broken constitution? they would as soon mend a broken
+leg. Abstinence and time may repair it, nothing else can; for
+when time has been employed to spoil the blood, it cannot be
+purified in a moment.
+
+Wilkes, who has been chosen member of Parliament almost as often
+as Marius was consul, was again re-elected on Thursday. The
+House of Commons, who are as obstinate as the county, have again
+rejected him. To-day they are to instate Colonel Luttrell in his
+place.(1062) What is to follow I cannot say, but I doubt
+grievous commotions. Both sides seem so warm, that it Will be
+difficult for either to be in the right. This is not a merry
+subject, and therefore I will have done with it. If it comes to
+blows, I intend to be as neutral as the gentleman that was going
+out with his hounds the morning of Edgehill. I have seen too
+much of parties to list with any of them.
+
+You promised to return to town, but now say nothing of it. You
+had better come before a passport is necessary: Adieu!
+
+(1061) The Letters of Junius, the first of which appeared on the
+21st of January, were now in course of publication, and exciting
+great attention, not only in this country, but, as it would seem,
+also in France: "On parle ici beaucoup de votre `ecrit de
+Junius," writes Madame du Deffand to Walpole.-E.
+
+(1062) Wilkes, having been expelled the House of Commons on the
+3d of February 1769, was a third time elected for Middlesex on
+the 16th of March. On the 17th, the election was declared by the
+House to be null and void, and a new writ was ordered to be
+issued. On the day of election, the 13th of April, Wilkes,
+Luttrell, and Serjeant Whitaker presented themselves as
+candidates, when the former, having a majority, was declared duly
+elected. On the 14th, this election was pronounced void, and on
+the 15th Henry Laws Luttrell, Esq. was duly elected, by 197
+against 143, and took his seat accordingly.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 359 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, May 11, 1769. (page 540)
+
+You are so wayward, that I often resolve to give you up to your
+humours. Then something happens with which I can divert you, and
+my good-humour returns. Did not you say you should return to
+London long before this time? At least, could you not tell me you
+had changed your mind? why am I to pick it out from your absence
+and silence, as Dr. Warburton found a future state in Moses's
+saying nothing of the matter! I could go on with a chapter of
+severe interrogatories, but I think it more cruel to treat You as
+a hopeless reprobate; yes, you are graceless, and as I have a
+respect for my own scolding, I shall not throw it away upon you.
+
+Strawberry has been in great glory; I have given a festino there
+that will almost mortgage it. Last Tuesday all France dined
+there: Monsieur and Madame du Chatelet,(1063) the Duc de
+Liancourt,(1064) three more French ladies, whose names you will
+find in the enclosed paper, eight other Frenchmen, the Spanish
+and Portuguese ministers, the Holdernesses, Fitzroys, in short we
+were four-and-twenty. They arrived at two. At the gates of the
+castle I received them, dressed in the cravat of Gibbons's
+carving, and a pair of gloves embroidered up to the elbows that
+had belonged to James the First. The French servants stared, and
+firmly believed this was the dress of English country gentlemen.
+After taking a survey of the apartments, we went to the
+printing-house, where I had prepared the enclosed verses, with
+translations by Monsieur de Lille,(1065) one of the company. The
+moment they were printed off, I gave a private signal, and French
+horns and clarionets accompanied this compliment. We then went
+to see Pope's grotto and garden, and returned to a magnificent
+dinner in the refectory. In the evening we walked, had tea,
+coffee, and lemonade in the gallery, which was illuminated with a
+thousand, or thirty candles, I forgot which, and played at whist
+and loo till midnight. Then there was a cold supper, and at one
+the company returned to town, saluted by fifty nightingales, who,
+as tenants of the manor, came to do honour to their lord.
+
+I cannot say last night was equally agreeable. There was what
+they called a ridotto el fresco at Vauxhall,(1066) for which one
+paid half-a-guinea, though, except some thousand more lamps and a
+covered passage all round the garden, which took off from the
+gardenhood, there was nothing better than on a common night. Mr.
+Conway and I set out from his house at eight o'clock; the line
+and torrent of coaches was so prodigious, that it was
+half-an-hour after nine before we got half-way from Westminster-
+bridge. We then alighted; and after scrambling under bellies of
+horses, through wheels, and over posts and rails, we reached the
+gardens, where were already many thousand persons. Nothing
+diverted me but a man in a Turk's dress and two nymphs in
+masquerade without masks, who sailed amongst the company, and,
+which was surprising seemed to surprise nobody. It had been
+given out that people were desired to come in fancied dresses
+without masks. We walked twice round and were rejoiced to come
+away, though with the same difficulties as at our entrance; for
+we found three strings of coaches all along the road, who did not
+move half a foot in half-an-hour. There is to be a rival mob in
+the same way at Ranelagh to-morrow; for the greater the folly and
+imposition the greater is the crowd. I have suspended the
+vestimenta that were torn off my back to the god of repentance,
+and shall stay away. Adieu! I have not a word more to say to
+you. Yours ever.
+
+P. S. I hope you will not regret paying a shilling for this
+packet.
+
+(1063) Le Marquis du Chatelet, was son to la Marquise du
+Chatelet, the commentator upon Newton, and the Am`elie of
+Voltaire. The scandalous chronicles of the time accord to the
+philosopher the honour of his paternity.-E.
+
+(1064) The Duc de Liancourt, of the family de la Rochefoucauld,
+grand ma`itre de la garde-robe du Roi. At the commencement of
+the Revolution, his conduct was much blamed by those attached to
+the court. He eventually emigrated to England, and, after
+residing here some time, visited America, and published an
+account of his travels in that country. In 1799, after the 19th
+Brumaire, he returned to France. He died in March 1827, in his
+eightieth year.-E.
+
+(1065) M. de Lille was an officer of the French cavalry, an
+agreeable man in society, and author of several pretty ballads
+and vers de soci`et`e.
+
+(1066) "They went to the Ridotto-'tis a hall
+Where people dance, and sup, and dance again;
+Its proper name, perhaps, were a masqued ball,
+But that's of no importance to my strain;
+'Tis (on a smaller scale) like our Vauxhall,
+Excepting that it can't be spoilt by rain:
+The company is 'mix'd'--the phrase I quote is
+As much as saying, they're below your notice."
+Beppo, st. 58.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 360 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Arlington Street, May 27, 1769. (page 541)
+
+Dear Sir,
+I have not heard from you this century, nor knew where you had
+fixed yourself. Mr. Gray tells me you are still at Waterbeche.
+Mr. Granger has published his Catalogue of Prints and Lives down
+to the Revolution;(1067) and as the work sells well, I believe,
+nay, do not doubt, we shall have the rest. There are a few
+copies printed but on one side of the leaf. As I know you love
+scribbling in such books as well as I do, I beg you will give me
+leave to make you a present of one set. I shall send it in about
+a week to Mr. Gray, and have desired him, as soon as he has
+turned it over, to convey it to you. I have found a few
+mistakes, and you will find more. To my mortification, though I
+have four thousand heads, I find, upon a rough calculation, that
+I still want three or four hundred.
+
+Pray, give me some account of yourself, how you do, and whether
+you are fixed. I thought you rather inclined to Ely. Are we
+never to have the history of that cathedral? I wish you would
+tell me that you have any thoughts of coming this way, or that
+you would make me a Visit this Summer. I shall be little from
+home this summer till August, when I think of going to Paris for
+six weeks. To be sure you have seen the History of British
+Topography,(1068) which was published this winter, and it is a
+delightful book in our way. Adieu! dear Sir. Yours ever.
+
+(1067) A Biographical History of England, from Egbert the Great
+to the Revolution. A continuation, bringing the work down from
+the Revolution to the end of George I.'s reign, was published in
+1806, by the Rev. Mark Noble. In a letter to Boswell, of the
+30th of August 1776, Dr. Johnson says--"I have read every word of
+Granger's Biographical History. It has entertained me
+exceedingly, and I do not think him the Whig that you supposed.
+Horace Walpole being his patron is, indeed, no good sign of his
+political principles; but he denied to Lord Mansfield that he was
+a Whig, and said he had been accused by both parties of
+partiality. It seems he was like Pope--
+
+'While Tories call me Whig, and Whigs a Tory.'
+
+I wish you would look more into his book; and as Lord Mountstuart
+wishes much to find a proper person to continue the work upon
+Granger's plan, and has desired I would mention it to you, if
+such a man occurs, please to let me know. His lordship will give
+him generous encouragement."-E.
+
+(1068) By Richard Gough, the well-known antiquary. The second
+edition, published in 1780, is a far better one.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 361 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, June 14, 1769. (page 542)
+
+Dear Sir,
+Among many agreeable passages in your last, there is nothing I
+like so well as the hope you give me of seeing you here in July.
+I will return that visit immediately: don't be afraid; I do not
+mean to incommode you at Waterbeche; but, if you will come, I
+promise I will accompany you back as far as Cambridge: nay, carry
+you on to Ely, for thither I am bound. The Bishop(1068) has sent
+a Dr. Nichols to me, to desire I would assist him in a plan for
+the east window of his cathedral, which he intends to
+benefactorate with painted glass. The window is the most
+untractable of all Saxon uncouthness: nor can I conceive what to
+do with it, but by taking off the bottoms for arms and mosaic,
+splitting the crucifixion into three compartments, and filling
+the five lights at top with prophets, saints, martyrs, and such
+like; after shortening the windows like the great ones. This I
+shall propose. However, I choose to see the spot myself, as it
+will be a proper attention to the Bishop after his civility, and
+I really would give the best advice I could. The Bishop, like
+Alexander VIII., feels that the clock has struck half-an-hour
+past eleven, and is impatient to be let depart in peace after his
+eyes shall have seen his vitrification: at least, he is impatient
+to give his eyes that treat; and yet it will be a pity to
+precipitate the work. If you can come to me first, I shall be
+happy; if not, I must come to you: that is, will meet you at
+Cambridge. Let me know your mind, for I would not press you
+unseasonably. I am enough obliged to you already; though, by
+mistake, you think it is you that are obliged to me. I do not
+mean to plunder you of any more prints; but shall employ a little
+collector to get me all that are getable. The rest, the greatest
+of us all must want.
+
+I am very sorry for the fever you have had: but, Goodman Frog, if
+you will live in the fens, do not expect to be as healthy as if
+you were a fat Dominican at Naples. You and your MSS. will all
+grow mouldy. When our climate is subject to no sign but Aquarius
+and Pisces, would one choose the dampest country under the
+heavens! I do not expect to persuade you, and so I will say no
+more. I wish you joy of the treasure you have discovered: six
+Saxon bishops and a Duke of Northumberland!(1069) You have had
+fine sport this season. Thank you much for wishing to see my
+name on a plate in the history. But, seriously, I have no such
+vanity. I did my utmost to dissuade Mr. Granger from the
+dedication, and took especial pains to get my virtues left out of
+the question; till I found he would be quite hurt if I did not
+let him express his gratitude, as he called it: so, to satisfy
+him, I was forced to accept of his present; for I doubt I have
+few virtues but what he has presented me with; and in a
+dedication, you know, One is permitted to have as many as the
+author can afford to bestow. I really have another objection to
+the plate: which is, the ten guineas. I have so many
+draughts on my extravagance for trifles, that I like better than
+vanity, that I should not care to be at that expense. But I
+should think either the Duke or Duchess of
+Northumberland would rejoice at such an Opportunity of buying
+incense; and I will tell you what you shall do. Write to Mr.
+Percy, and vaunt the discovery of Duke Brithnoth's bones, and ask
+him to move their graces to contribute a plate. They Could not
+be so unnatural as to refuse; especially if the Duchess knew the
+size of his thigh-bone.
+
+I was very happy to show civilities to your friends, and should
+have asked them to stay and dine, but unluckily expected other
+company. Dr. Ewin seems a very good sort of man, and Mr.
+Rawlinson a very agreeable one. Pray do not think it
+was any trouble to me to pay respect to your recommendation.
+
+I have been eagerly reading Mr. Shenstone's Letters, which,
+though containing nothing but trifles, amused me extremely, as
+they mention so many persons I know; particularly myself. I
+found there, what I did not know, and what, I believe, Mr.
+Gray,(1070) himself never knew, that his ode on my cat was
+written to ridicule Lord Lyttelton's monody. It is just as true
+as that the latter will survive, and the former be forgotten.
+There is another anecdote equally vulgar, and
+ void of truth:
+that my father, sitting in George's coffee-house, (I suppose Mr.
+Shenstone thought that, after he quitted his place, he went to
+the coffee-houses to learn news,) was asked to contribute to a
+figure of himself that was to be beheaded by the mob. I do
+remember something like it, but it happened to myself. I met a
+mob, just after my father was out, in Hanover-square, and drove
+up to it to know what was the matter. They were carrying about a
+figure of my sister.(1071) This probably gave rise to the other
+story. That on my uncle I never heard; but it Is a good story,
+and not at all improbable. I felt great pity on reading these
+letters for the narrow circumstances of the author, and the
+passion for fame that he was tormented with; and yet he had much
+more fame than his talents entitled him to. Poor man! he wanted
+to have all the world talk of him for the pretty place he had
+made; and which he seems to have made only that it might be
+talked of.(1072) The first time a company came to see my house,
+I felt this joy. I am now so tired of it, that I shudder when
+the bell rings at the gate. It is as bad as keeping an
+inn, and I am often tempted to deny its being shown, if it would
+not be ill-natured to those that come, and to my housekeeper. I
+own, I was one day too cross, I had
+been plagued all the week with staring crowds. At
+last, it rained a deluge. Well, said
+I, at last, nobody will come to-day. The words were scarce
+uttered, when the bell rang. I replied, "Tell them they cannot
+possibly see the house, but they are very welcome to walk in the
+garden."(1073) Observe; nothing above alludes to Dr. Ewin and
+Mr. Rawlinson: I was not only much pleased with them, but quite
+glad to show them how entirely you may command my house, and your
+most sincere friend and servant.
+
+
+(1068) Dr. Matthias Mawson, translated from Llandaff to the see
+of Ely in 1754. He died in November 1770, in his eighty-seventh
+year. His character was thus drawn, in 1749, by the Rev. W.
+Clarke:--"Our Bishop is a better sort of man than most of the
+mitred order. He is, indeed, awkward, absent, etc.; but then, he
+has no ambition, no desire to please, and is privately munificent
+when the world thinks him parsimonious. He has given more to the
+Church than all the bishops put together for almost a
+century."-E.
+
+(1069) The following is an extract from a previous letter of Mr.
+Cole's, and to this Mr. Walpole alludes:--"An old wall being to
+be taken down behind the choir (at Ely], on which were painted
+seven figures of six Saxon bishops, and a Duke, as he is called,
+of Northumberland, one Brithnoth; which painting I take to be as
+old as any we have in England--I guessed by seven arches in the
+wall, below the figures, that the bones of these seven
+benefactors to the old Saxon conventual church were reposited in
+the wall under them: accordingly, we found seven separate holes,
+each with the remains of the Said persons," etc. etc. Mr. Cole
+proposed that Mr. Walpole should contribute an Engraving from
+this painting to the history of Ely Cathedral, a work about to be
+published, or to use his interest to induce the Duke of
+Northumberland to do so.
+
+(1070) "I have read," says Gray, in a letter to Mr. Nicholls, "an
+octavo volume of Shenstone's Letters. Poor man! he was always
+wishing for money, for fame, and other distinctions; and his
+whole philosophy consisted in living against his will in
+retirement, and in a place which his taste had adorned; but which
+he only enjoyed when people of note came to see and commend it:
+his correspondence is about nothing else but this place and his
+own writings, with two or three neighbouring clergy, who wrote
+verses too." Works, vol. iv. p. 135-E.
+
+(1071) See vol. i. p. 244, letter 61.-E.
+
+(1072) "In the infancy of modern gardening, a false taste was
+introduced by Shenstone, in his ferme orn`ee at the Leasowes;
+where, instead of surrounding his house with such a quantity of
+ornamental lawn or park Only, as might be consistent with the
+size of the mansion or the extent of the property, his taste,
+rather than his ambition, led him to ornament the whole of his
+estate; and in the vain attempt to combine the profits of a farm
+with the scenery of a park, he lived under the continual
+mortification of disappointed hope; and with a mind exquisitely
+sensible, he felt equally the sneer of the great man at the
+magnificence of his attempts and the ridicule of the farmer at
+the misapplication of his paternal acres." Repton.-E.
+
+(1073) Walpole having complained of these intrusions on his
+privacy to Madame du Deffand, the lady replied: "Oh! vous n'`etes
+point f`ach`e qu'on vienne voir votre chateau; vous ne l'avez pas
+fait singulier; vous ne l'avez pas rempli de choses precieuses,
+de raret`es; vous ne b`atissez pas un cabinet rond, dans lequel
+le lit est un trone, et o`u il n'y a que des tabourets, pour y
+rester seul oou ne recevoir que vos amis. Tout le monde a les
+m`emes passions, les m`emes vertus, les m`emes vices; il n'y a
+que les modifications qui en fond la diff`erence; amour propre,
+vanit`e, crainte de l'ennui," etc.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 362 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, Monday, June 26, 1769. (page 545)
+
+Dear Sir,
+Oh! yes, yes, I shall like Thursday or Friday, 6th or 7th,
+exceedingly; I shall like your staying with me two days
+exceedinglier; and longer exceedingliest; and I will carry you
+back to Cambridge on our pilgrirnage to Ely. But I should not at
+all like to be catched in the glories
+of an installation, and find myself a doctor, before I knew where
+I was. It will be much more agreeable to find the whole caput
+asleep, digesting turtle, dreaming of bishoprics, and humming old
+catches of Anacreon, and scraps of Corelli. I wish Mr. Gray
+ may not be set out for the north ; which is
+rather the case than setting out for
+the summer. We have no summers, I think, but what we raise, like
+pineapples, by fire. My bay is an absolute water-soochy, and
+teaches me how to feel for you. You are quite in the right to
+sell your fief in Marshland. I should be glad if you would take
+one step more, and quit Marshland. We live, at least, on terra
+firma in this part of the world, and
+can saunter out without stilts. Item,
+we do not wade into pools, and call
+it going upon the water, and get sore throats. I trust yours
+is better ; but I recollect this is not the first you have
+complained of. Pray be not incorrigible, but come to shore.
+
+Be so good as to thank Mr. Smith, my old tutor, for his
+corrections, If ever the Anecdotes are reprinted, I will
+certainly profit of them.
+
+I joked, it is true, about Joscelin de Louvain(1074) and his
+Duchess; but not at all in advising you to make Mr. Percy pimp
+for the plate. On the contrary, I wish you success , and think
+this an infallible method of obtaining the benefaction. It is
+right to lay vanity under contribution; for then both sides are
+pleased.
+
+It will not be easy for you to dine with Mr. Granger from hence,
+and return at night. It cannot be less than six or
+seven-and-twenty miles to Shiplake. But I go to
+Park-place to-morrow, which is within two miles of him, and I
+will try if I can tempt him to meet you here. Adieu!
+
+(1074) The Duke of Northumberland. His grace having been
+originally a baronet, Sir Hugh
+Smithson, and having married the daughter of Algernon Seymour,
+Duke of Somerset and Earl of Northumberland, in 1750 assumed the
+surname and arms of Percy, and was created Duke of Northumberland
+in 1766. Walpole's allusion is to his becoming a Percy by
+marriage, as Joscelin had done before him: Agnes de Percy,
+daughter of William de Percy the third baron, having only
+consented to marry Joscelin of Louvain, brother of Queen
+Adelicia, second wife of Henry I., and son of Godfrey Barbatus,
+Duke of Lower Lorraine and Count of Brabant, who was descended
+from the Emperor Charlemagne, upon his agreeing to adopt either
+the surname or arms of Percy.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 363 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Arlington Street, July 3, 1769. (page 546)
+
+When you have been so constantly good to me, my dear lord,
+without changing, do you wonder that our friendship has lasted so
+long? Can I be so insensible to the honour or pleasure of your
+acquaintance When the advantage lies much on my side, am I likely
+to alter the first? Oh, but it will last now! We have seen
+friendships without number born and die. Ours was not formed on
+interest, nor alliance; and politics, the poison of all English
+connexions, never entered into ours. You have given me a new
+proof by remembering the chapel of Luton. I hear it is to be
+preserved; and am glad of it, though I might have been the better
+for its ruins.
+
+I should have answered your lordship's last post, but was at
+Park-place. I think Lady Ailesbury quite recovered; though her
+illness has made such an impression that she does not yet believe
+it.
+
+It is so settled that we are never to have tolerable weather in
+June, that the first hot day was on Saturday-hot by comparison:
+for I think it is three years since we have really felt the feel
+of summer. I was, however, concerned to be forced to come to
+town yesterday on some business; for, however the country feels,
+it looks divine, and the verdure we buy so dear is delicious. I
+shall not be able, I fear, to profit of it this summer in the
+loveliest of all places, as I am to go to Paris in August. But
+next year I trust I shall accompany Mr. Conway and Lady Ailesbury
+to Wentworth Castle. I shall be glad to visit Castle Howard and
+Beverley; but neither would carry me so far, if Wentworth Castle
+was not in the way.
+
+The Chatelets are gone, without any more battles with the
+Russians.(1075) The papers say the latter have been beaten by
+the Turks;(1076) which rejoices me, though against all rules of
+politics: but I detest that murderess, and like to have her
+humbled. I don't know that this Piece Of news is true: it is
+enough to me that it is agreeable. I had rather take it for
+granted, than be at the trouble of inquiring about what I have so
+little to do with. I am just the same about the City and Surrey
+petitions. Since I have dismembered(1077) myself, it is
+incredible how cool I am to all politics.
+
+London is the abomination of desolation; and I rejoice to leave
+it again this evening. Even Pam has not a lev`ee above once or
+twice a week. Next winter, I suppose, it will be a fashion to
+remove into the city: for, since it is the mode to choose
+aldermen at this end of the town, the maccaronis will certainly
+adjourn to Bishopsgate-street, for fear of being fined for
+sheriffs. Mr. James and Mr. Boothby will die of the thought of
+being aldermen of Grosvenor-ward and Berkeley-square-ward. Adam
+and Eve in their paradise laugh at all these tumults, and have
+not tasted of the tree that forfeits paradise; which I take to
+have been the tree of politics, not of knowledge. How happy you
+are not to have your son Abel knocked on the head by his brother
+Cain at the Brentford election! You do not hunt the poor deer
+and hares that gambol around you. If Eve has a sin, I doubt it
+is angling;(1078) but as she makes all other creatures happy, I
+beg she would not Impale worms nor whisk carp out of one element
+into another. If she repents of that guilt, I hope she will live
+as long as her grandson Methuselah. There is a commentator that
+says his life was protracted for never having boiled a lobster
+alive. Adieu, dear couple, that I honour as much as I could
+honour my first grandfather and grandmother! Your most dutiful
+Hor. Japhet.
+
+(1075) The Duc de Chatelet, the French ambassador, had affronted
+Comte Czernicheff, the Russian ambassador, at a ball at court, on
+a point of precedence, and a challenge ensued, but their meeting
+was prevented.
+
+(1076) Before Choczim. The Russians were at first victorious;
+but, like the King of Prussia at the battle of Zorndorff, they
+despatched the messenger with the news too soon; for the Turks
+having recovered their surprise, returned to the charge, and
+repulsed the Russians with great slaughter.-E.
+
+(1077) Mr. Walpole means, since he quitted Parliament.
+
+(1078) Walpole's abhorrence of the pastime of angling has been
+already noticed. See vol. iii. p. 70, letter 29.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 364 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+Strawberry Hill, Friday, July 7, 1769. (page 547)
+
+You desired me to write, if I knew any thing particular. How
+particular will content you? Don't imagine I would send you such
+hash as the livery's petition.(1079) Come; would the apparition
+of my Lord Chatham satisfy you? Don't be frightened; it was not
+his ghost. He, he himself in propria persona, and not in a strait
+waistcoat, came into the King's lev`ee this morning, and was in
+the closet twenty minutes after the lev`ee; and was to go out of
+town to-night again.(1080) The deuce is in it if this is not
+news. Whether he is to be king, minister, lord mayor, or
+alderman, I do not know; nor a word more than I have told you.
+Whether he was sent for to guard St. James's gate, or whether he
+came alone, like Almanzor, to storm it, I cannot tell: by
+Beckford's violence I should think the latter. I am so
+indifferent what he came for, that I shall wait till Sunday to
+learn: when I lie in town on my way to Ely. You will probably
+hear more from your brother before I can write again. I send
+this by my friend Mr. Granger, who will leave it at your
+park-gate as he goes through Henley home. Good-night! it is past
+twelve, and I am going to bed. Yours ever.
+
+(1079) The petition of the livery of London, complaining of the
+unconstitutional conduct of the King's ministers, and the undue
+return of Mr. Luttrell, when he Opposed Mr. Wilkes at the
+election for Middlesex.
+
+(1080) In a letter to the Earl of Chatham, of the 11th, Lord
+Temple says:--"Your reception at St. James's where I am glad you
+have been, turns out exactly such as I should have expected--full
+of the highest marks of regard to your lordship: full of
+condescension, and of all those sentiments of grace and goodness
+which his Majesty can so well express. I think that you cannot
+but be happy at the result of this experiment." Chatham
+Correspondence, vol. iii. p. 361.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 365 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, July 15, 1769. (page 548)
+
+Dear Sir,
+Your fellow-travellers, Rosette(1081) and I, got home safe and
+perfectly contented with our expedition, and wonderfully obliged
+to you. Pray receive our thanks and barking; and pray say, and
+bark a great deal for us to Mr. and Mrs. Bentham, and all that
+good family.
+
+After gratitude, you know, always comes a little self-interest;
+for who would be at the trouble of being grateful, if he had no
+further expectations? Imprimis, then, here are the directions
+for Mr. Essex for the piers of my gates. Bishop Luda must not be
+offended at my converting his tomb into a gateway. Many a saint
+and confessor, I doubt, will be glad soon to be passed through,
+as it will, at least, secure his being passed over. When I was
+directing the east window at Ely, I recollected the lines of
+Prior:--
+
+"How unlucky were Nature and Art to poor Nell!
+She was painting her cheeks at the time her nose fell."
+
+Adorning cathedrals when the religion itself totters, is very
+like poor Nell's mishap.(1082) ***** I will trouble you with no
+more at present, but to get from Mr. Lort the name of the Norfolk
+monster, and to give it to Jackson. Don't forget the list of
+English heads in Dr. Ewin's book for Mr. Granger; particularly
+the Duchess of Chenreux. I will now release you, only adding my
+compliments to Dr. Ewin, Mr. Tyson, Mr. Lort, Mr. Essex, and once
+more to the Benthams. Adieu, dear Sir! Yours ever
+
+Remember to ask me for icacias, and any thing else with which I
+ can pay some of my debts to you..
+
+(1081) A favourite dog of Mr. Walpole's.
+
+(1082) Here follow some minute directions for building the
+gateway, unintelligible without the sketch that accompanied the
+letter, and uninteresting with it, and a list of prints that Mr.
+Walpole was anxious to procure.
+
+
+
+Letter 366 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
+Strawberry Hill, August 12, 1769. (page 549)
+
+Dear Sir,
+I was in town yesterday, and found the parcel arrived very safe.
+I give you a thousand thanks, dear Sir, for all the contents; but
+when I sent you the list of heads I wanted, it was for Mr.
+Jackson, not at all meaning to rob you; but your generosity much
+outruns my prudence, and I must be upon my guard with you. The
+Catherine Bolen was particularly welcome; I had never seen it--it
+is a treasure, though I am persuaded not genuine, but taken from
+a French print of the Queen of Scots, which I have. I wish you
+could tell me from whence it was taken; I mean from what book: I
+imagine the same in which are two prints, which Mr. Granger
+mentions, and has himself (with Italian inscriptions, too), of a
+Duke of Northumberland and an Earl of Arundel. Mr. Bernardiston
+I never saw before--I do not know in what reign he lived--I
+suppose lately: nor do I know the era of the Master of Benet.
+When I come back, I must beg you to satisfy these questions. The
+Countess of Kent is very curious, too; I have lately got a very
+dirty one, so that I shall return yours again. Mrs. Wooley I
+could not get high or low. But there is no end of thanking you-
+-and yet I must for Sir J. Finet, though Mr. ; but I am sure
+they will be very useful to me. I hope he will not forget me in
+October. It will be a good opportunity of
+sending you some good acacias, or any thing you Want
+ from hence. I am sure you ought to ask me for any thing in
+my power, so much I am in your debt: I must
+beg to be a little more, by entreating you to pay Mr. Essex
+whatever he asks for his drawing, which is
+just what I wished. The iron gates I have.
+
+With regard to a history of Gothic architecture, in which he
+desires my advices, the plan, I think, should lie in a very
+simple compass. Was I to execute it, it
+should be thus:--I would give a series of
+plates, even from the conclusion of Saxon architecture, beginning
+with the round Roman arch, and going on to show how they
+plaistered and zigzagged it, and then how better ornaments crept
+in till the beautiful Gothic arrived at its perfection: then how
+it deceased in Henry the Eighth's reign--Abp. Wareham's tomb at
+Canterbury, being I believe the last example of unbastardized
+Gothic. A very few plates more would demonstrate its change:
+though Holbein embroidered it with some morsels of true
+architecture. In Queen Elizabeth's reign there was scarce any
+architecture at all: I mean no pillars, or seldom, buildings then
+becoming quite plain. Under James a barbarous composition
+succeeded. A single plate of something of Inigo
+Jones, in his heaviest and worst style, should terminate the
+work; for he soon stepped into the true and perfect Grecian.
+
+The next part, Mr. Essex can do better than any body, and is,
+perhaps, the only person that can do it. This should
+consist of observations on the art, proportions, and method of
+building, and the reasons observed by the Gothic architects for
+what they did. This would show what great men they
+were, and how they raised such aerial and stupendous masses;
+though unassisted by half the lights now enjoyed by their
+successors. The prices and the wages of workmen, and
+the comparative value of money and provisions at the several
+periods, should be stated, as far as it is possible to get
+materials.
+
+The last part (I don't know whether it should not be the first
+part) nobody can do so well as yourself. This must be to
+ascertain the chronological period of each building; and not only
+of each building but of each tomb, that shall be exhibited: for
+you know the great delicacy and richness of Gothic ornaments were
+exhausted on small chapels, oratories and tombs. For my own
+part, I should wish to have added detached samples of the various
+patterns of ornaments, which would not be a great many; as,
+excepting pinnacles, there is scarce one which does not branch
+from the trefoil; quadrefoils, cinquefoils, etc. being but
+various modifications of it. I believe almost all the
+ramifications of windows are so, and of them there should be
+samples, too.
+
+This work you see could not be executed by one hand; Mr. Tyson
+could give great assistance. I wish the plan was drawn out, and
+better digested. This is a very rude sketch, and first thought.
+I should be very glad to contribute what little I know, and to
+the expense too, which would be considerable; but I am sure we
+could get assistance-and it had better not be undertaken than
+executed superficially. Mr. Tyson's History of Fashions and
+Dresses would make a valuable part of the work; as, in elder
+times especially, much must be depended on tombs for dresses.
+ I have a notion the King might be inclined to encourage such
+a work; and, if a proper plan was drawn out, for which I have not
+time now, I would endeavour to get it laid before him, and his
+patronage solicited. Pray talk this over with Mr. Tyson and Mr.
+Essex. It is an idea worth pursuing.
+
+You was very kind to take me out of the scrape about the organ
+and yet if my insignificant name could carry it to one side, I
+would not scruple to lend it.(1084) Thank you, too, for St.
+Alban and Noailles. The very picture the latter describes was in
+my father's collection, and is now at Worksop. I have scarce
+room to crowd in my compliments to the good house of Bentham, and
+to say, yours ever.
+
+(1083) The Rev. Michael Tyson, of Bennet College, Cambridge. He
+was elected F. S. A. in 1768, and died in
+1780. He was greatly Esteemed by Mr. Gough, and is described as a
+good antiquary and a gentleman artist. He engraved a remarkable
+portrait of Jane Shore, some of the old
+masters of his college, and some of the noted characters in and
+about Cambridge.-E.
+
+(1084) There was a dispute among the chapter at Ely respecting
+the situation of the organ.
+
+
+
+letter 367 To George Montagu, Esq.
+August 18, 1769. (page 551)
+
+As I have heard nothing of you since the Assyrian calends, which
+is much longer ago than the Greek, you may perhaps have died in
+Media, at Ecbatana, or in Chaldoea, and then to be sure I have no
+reason to take it ill that you have forgotten me. There is no
+Post between Europe and the Elysian fields, where I hope in the
+Lord Pluto you are; and for the letters that are sent by Orpheus,
+Aeneas, Sir George Villiers, and such accidental passengers, to
+be sure one cannot wonder if they miscarry. You might indeed
+have sent one a scrawl by Fanny, as Cock-lane is not very distant
+from Arlington-street; but, when I asked her, she scratched the
+ghost of a no, that made One's ears tingle again. If, contrary
+to all probability, you still be above ground, and if, which is
+still more improbable, you should repent of your sins while you
+are yet in good health, and should go strangely further, and
+endeavour to make Atonement by writing to me again, I think it
+conscientiously right to inform you, that I am not in
+Arlington-street, nor at Strawberry-hill, nor even in Middlesex;
+nay, not in England; I am--I am--guess where--not in Corsica, nor
+at Spa--stay, I am not at Paris yet, but I hope to be there in
+two days. In short, I am at Calais, having landed about two
+hours ago, after a tedious passage of nine hours. Having no soul
+with me but Rosette, I have been amusing myself with the arrival
+of a French officer and his wife in a berlin, which carried their
+ancestors to one of Moli`ere's plays: as Madame has no maid with
+her, she and Monsieur very prudently untied the trunks, and
+disburthened the venerable machine of all its luggage themselves;
+and then with a proper resumption of their equality, Monsieur
+gave his hand to Madame, and conducted her in much ceremony
+through the yard to their apartment. Here ends the beginning of
+my letter; when I have nothing else to do, perhaps, I may
+continue it. You cannot have the confidence to complain, if I
+give you no more than my moments perdus; have you deserved any
+better of me?
+
+Saturday morning.
+
+Having just recollected that the whole merit of this letter will
+consist in the Surprise, I hurry to finish it, and send it away
+by the captain of the packet, who is returning. You may repay me
+this surprise by answering my letter, and by directing yours to
+Arlington-street, from whence Mary will forward it to me. You
+will not have much time to consider, for I shall set out on my
+return from Paris the first of October,(1085) according to my
+solemn promise to Strawberry; and you must know, I keep my
+promises to Strawberry much better than you do. Adieu! Boulogne
+hoy!
+
+(1085) Mr. Walpole arrived at Paris on the 18th of august, and
+left it on the 5th of October. On the 18th of July, Madame du
+Deffand had written to him--"Vous souhaitez que je vive
+quatre-vingt-huit ans; et pourquoi le souhaiter, si votre premier
+voyage ici doit `etre le dernier'! Pour que ce souhait m'e`ut
+`et`e agr`eable, il falloit y ajouter, 'Je verrai encore bien des
+fois ma Petite, et je jouerai d'un bonheur qui n'`etoit r`eserv`e
+qu'a moi, L'amiti`e la plus tendre, la plus sincere, et la plus
+constants qu'il f`ut jamais.' Adieu! mon plaisir est troubl`e,
+je l'avoue; je crains que ce ne soit un exc`es de complaisance
+qui vous fasse faire ce voyage."-E.
+
+
+
+ Letter 368 To John Chute, Esq.
+Paris, August 30, 1769. (page 552)
+
+I have been so hurried with paying and receiving visits, that I
+have not had a moment's worth of time to write. My passage was
+very tedious, and lasted near nine hours for want of wind. But I
+need not talk of my journey; for Mr. Maurice, whom I met on the
+road, will have told you that I was safe on terra firma.
+
+Judge of my surprise at hearing four days ago, that my Lord
+Dacre(1086) and my lady were arrived here. They are lodged
+within a few doors of me. He is come to consult a Doctor
+Pomme,(1087) who has prescribed wine, and Lord Dacre already
+complains of the violence of his appetite. If you and I had
+pommed him to eternity, he would not have believed us. A man
+across the sea tells him the plainest thing in the world; that
+man happens to be called a doctor; and happening for novelty to
+talk common sense, is believed, as if he had talked nonsense!
+and what is more extraordinary, Lord Dacre thinks himself better,
+though he is so.
+
+My dear old woman(1088) is in better health than when I left her,
+and her spirits so increased, that I tell her she will go mad
+with age. When they ask her how old she is, she answers, "J'ai
+soixante et mille ans." She and I went to the Boulevard last
+night after supper, and drove about there till two in the
+morning. We are going to sup in the country this evening, and
+are to go tomorrow night at eleven to the puppet-show. A
+prot`eg`e of hers has written a piece for that theatre. I have
+not yet seen Madame du Barri, nor can get to see her picture at
+the exposition at the Louvre, the crowds are so enormous that go
+thither for that purpose. As royal curiosities are the least
+part of my virt`u, I wait with patience. Whenever I have an
+opportunity I visit gardens, chiefly with a view to Rosette's
+having a walk. She goes nowhere else, because there is a
+distemper among the dogs.
+
+There is going to be represented a translation of Hamlet: who
+when his hair is cut, and he is curled and powdered, I suppose
+will be exactly Monsieur le Prime Oreste. T'other night I was at
+M`erope. The Dumenil was as divine as Mrs. Porter; they said her
+familiar tones were those of a poisonni`ere. In the last act,
+when one expected the catastrophe, Narbas, more interested than
+any body to see the event, remained coolly on the stage to hear
+the story. The Queen's maid of honour entered without her
+handkerchief, and with her hair most artfully undressed, and
+reeling as if she was maudlin, sobbed Out a long narrative, that
+did not prove true; while Narbas, with all the good breeding in
+the world, was more attentive to her fright than to what had
+happened. So much for propriety. Now for probability. Voltaire
+has published a tragedy, called "Les Gu`e,bres." Two Roman
+colonels open the piece: they are brothers, and relate to one
+another, how they lately in company destroyed, by the Emperor's
+mandate, a city of the Guebres, in which were their own wives and
+children: and they recollect that they want prodigiously to know
+whether both their families did perish in the flames. The son of
+the one and the daughter of the other are taken up for heretics,
+and, thinking themselves brother and sister, insist upon being
+married, and upon being executed for their religion. The son
+stabs his father, who is half a Gu`ebre, too. The high-priest
+rants and roars. The Emperor arrives, blames the pontiff for
+being a persecutor, and forgives the son for assassinating his
+father (who does not die) because--I don't know why, but that he
+may marry his cousin. The grave-diggers in Hamlet have no
+chance, when such a piece as the Guebres is written agreeably to
+all rules and unities. Adieu, my dear Sir! I hope to find you
+quite well at my return. Yours ever.
+
+(1086) Thomas Barret Lennard, seventeenth Baron Dacre. His
+lordship married Ann Maria, daughter of Sir John Pratt, lord
+chief-justice of the court of King's Bench.-E.
+
+(1087) At that time the fashionable physician of Paris. He was
+originally from Arles, and attained his celebrity by curing the
+ladies of fashion in the French metropolis of the vapours.-E.
+
+(1088) Madame du Deffand.
+
+
+
+\Letter 369 To George Montagu, Esq.
+
+Paris, Sept. 7, 1769. (page 553)
+
+Your two letters flew here together in a breath. I shall answer
+the article of business first. I could certainly buy many things
+for you here, that you would like, the reliques of the last age's
+magnificence; but, since my Lady Holderness invaded the
+custom-house with a hundred and fourteen gowns, in the reign of
+that two-penny monarch George Grenville, the ports are so
+guarded, that not a soul but a smuggler can smuggle any thing
+into England; and I suppose you would not care to pay
+seventy-five per cent, on second-hand commodities. All I
+transported three years ago, was conveyed under the canon of the
+Duke of Richmond. I have no interest in our present
+representative; nor if I had, is he returning. Plate, of all
+earthly vanities, is the most impassable: it is not Counerband in
+its metallic capacity, but totally so in its personal; and the
+officers of the custom-house not being philosophers enough to
+separate the substance from the superficies, brutally hammer both
+to pieces, and return you only the intrinsic: a compensation
+which you, who are a member of Parliament, would not, I trow, be
+satisfied with. Thus I doubt you must retrench your generosity
+to yourself, unless you can contract into an Elzevir size, and be
+content with any thing one can bring in one's pocket.
+
+My dear old friend was charmed with your mention of her, and made
+me vow to return you a thousand compliments. She cannot conceive
+why you will not step hither. Feeling in herself no difference
+between the spirits of twenty-three and seventy-three, she thinks
+there is no impediment to doing whatever one will but the want of
+eyesight. If she had that, I am persuaded no consideration would
+prevent her making me a visit at Strawberry Hill. She makes
+songs, sings them, remembers all that ever were made; and, having
+lived from the most agreeable to the most reasoning age, has all
+that was amiable in the last, all that is sensible in this,
+without the vanity of the former, or the pedant impertinence of
+the latter. I have heard her dispute with all sorts of people,
+on all sorts of subjects, and never knew her in the wrong. She
+humbles the learned, sets right their disciples, and finds
+conversation for every body. Affectionate as Madame de
+S`evign`e, she has none of her prejudices, but a more universal
+taste; and, with the most delicate frame, her spirits hurry her
+through a life of fatigue that would kill me, if I was to
+continue here. If we return by one in the morning from supping
+in the country, she proposes driving to the Boulevard or to the
+Foire St. Ovide, because it is too early to go to bed. I had
+great difficulty last night to persuade her, though she was not
+well, not to sit up till' between two or three for the comet; for
+which purpose she had appointed an astronomer to bring his
+telescopes to the President Henault's, as she thought it would
+amuse me. In short, her goodness to me is so excessive, that I
+feel unashamed at producing my withered person in a round of
+diversions, which I have quitted at home. I tell a story; I do
+feel ashamed, and sigh to be in my quiet castle and cottage; but
+it costs me many a Pang, when I reflect that I shall probably
+never have resolution enough to take another journey to see this
+best and sincerest of friends, who loves me as much as my mother
+did! but it is idle to look forward--what is next year?-a bubble
+that may burst for her or me, before even the flying year can
+hurry to the end of its almanack! To form plans and projects in
+such a precarious life as this, resembles the enchanted
+castles"of fairy legends, in which every gate Was guarded by
+giants, dragons, etc. Death or diseases bar every portal through
+which we mean to pass; and, though we may escape them and reach
+the last chamber, what a wild adventurer is he that centres his
+hopes at the end of such an avenue! I am contented with the
+beggars of the threshold, and never propose going on, but as the
+gates open of themselves.
+
+The weather here is quite sultry, and I am sorry to say one can
+send to the corner of the street and buy better peaches than all
+our expense in kitchen gardens produces. Lord and Lady Dacre are
+a few doors from me, having started from Tunbridge more suddenly
+than I did from Strawberry Hill, but on a more unpleasant motive.
+My lord was persuaded to come and try a new physician. His faith
+is greater than mine! but, poor man! can one wonder that he is
+willing to believe? My lady has stood her shock, and I do not
+doubt will get over it.
+
+Adieu, my t'other dear old friend! I am sorry to say I see you
+almost as seldom as I do Madame du Deffand. However, it is
+comfortable to reflect that we have not changed to each other for
+some five-and-thirty years, and neither you nor I haggle about
+naming so ancient a term. I made a visit yesterday to the Abbess
+of Panthemont, General Oglethorpe's niece,(1089) and no chicken.
+I inquired after her mother, Madame de Meziers, and I thought I
+might to a spiritual votary to immortality venture to say, that
+her mother must be very old; she interrupted me tartly, and said,
+no, her mother had been married extremely young. Do but think of
+its seeming important to a saint to sink a wrinkle of her own
+through an iron grate! Oh, we are ridiculous animals; and if
+animals have any fun in them, how we must divert them.
+
+(1089) Sister of the Princess de Ligne.
+
+
+
+Letter 370 To The Earl Of Strafford.
+Paris, Sept. 8, 1769. (page 555)
+
+T'other night, at the Duchess of Choiseul's at supper, the
+intendant of Rouen asked me, if we have roads of communication
+all over England and Scotland'@--I suppose he thinks that in
+general we inhabit trackless forests and wild mountains, and that
+once a year a few legislators come to Paris to learn the arts of
+civil life, as to sow corn, plant vines, and make operas. If
+this letter should contrive to scramble through that desert
+Yorkshire, where your lordship has attempted to improve a dreary
+hill and uncultivated vale, you will find I remember your
+commands of writing from this capital of the world, whither I am
+come for the benefit of my country, and where I am intensely
+studying those laws and that beautiful frame of government, which
+can alone render a nation happy, great, and flourishing; where
+lettres de cachet soften manners, and a proper distribution of
+luxury and beggary ensures a common felicity. As we have a
+prodigious number of students in legislature of both sexes here
+at present, I will not anticipate their discoveries; but as your
+particular friend, will communicate a rare improvement on nature,
+which these great philosophers have made, and which would add
+considerable beauties to those parts which your lordship has
+already recovered from the waste, and taught to look a little
+like a Christian country. The secret is very simple, and yet
+demanded the effort of a mighty genius to strike it out. It is
+nothing but this: trees ought to be educated as much as men, and
+are strange awkward productions when not taught to hold
+themselves upright or bow on proper occasions. The academy de
+belles-lettres have even offered a prize for the man that shall
+recover the long lost art of an ancient Greek, called le sieur
+Orph`ee, who instituted a dancing-school for plants, and gave a
+magnificent ball on the birth of the Dauphin of Thrace, which was
+performed entirely by forest-trees. In this whole kingdom there
+is no such thing as seeing a tree that is not well-behaved. They
+are first stripped up and then cut down; and you would as soon
+meet a man with his hair about his ears as an oak or ash. As the
+weather is very hot now, and the soil chalk, and the dust white,
+I assure you it is very difficult, powdered as both are all over,
+to distinguish a tree from a hairdresser. Lest this should sound
+like a travelling hyperbole, I must advertise your lordship, that
+there is little difference in their heights; for, a tree of
+thirty years' growth being liable to be marked as royal timber,
+the proprietors take care not to let their trees live to the age
+of being enlisted, but burn them, and plant others as often
+almost as they change their fashions. This gives an air of
+perpetual youth to the face of the country, and if adopted by us
+would realize Mr. Addison's visions, and
+
+"Make our bleak rocks and barren mountains smile."
+
+What other remarks I have made in my indefatigable search after
+knowledge must be reserved to a future opportunity; but as your
+lordship is my friend, I may venture to say without vanity to
+You, that Solon nor any Of the ancient philosophers who travelled
+to Egypt in quest of religions. mysteries, laws, and fables,
+never sat up so late with the ladies and priests and presidents
+de parlement at Memphis, as I do here--and consequently were not
+half so well qualified as I am to new-model a commonwealth. I
+have learned how to make remonstrances, and how to answer them.
+The latter, it seems, is a science much wanted in my own
+country(1090)--and yet it is as easy and obvious as their
+treatment of trees, and not very unlike it. It was delivered
+many years ago in an oracular sentence of my namesake,
+"Odi profanum vulgus, et arceo." You must drive away the vulgar,
+and you must have an hundred and fifty thousand men to drive them
+away with--that is all. I do not wonder the intendant of Rouen
+thinks we are still in a state of barbarism, when we are ignorant
+of the very rudiments of government.
+
+The Duke and Duchess of Richmond have been here a few days, and
+are gone to Aubign`e. I do not think him at all well, and am
+exceedingly concerned for it; as I know no man who has more
+estimable qualities. They return by the end of the month. I am
+fluctuating whether I shall not return with them, as they have
+pressed me to do, through Holland. I never was there, and could
+never go so agreeably; but then it would protract my absence
+three weeks, and I am impatient to be in my own cave,
+notwithstanding the wisdom I imbibe every day. But one cannot
+sacrifice one's self wholly to the public: Titus and Wilkes have
+now and then lost a day. Adieu, my dear lord! Be assured that I
+shall not disdain yours and Lady Strafford's conversation, though
+you have nothing but the goodness of your hearts, and the
+simplicity of your manners, to recommend you to the more
+enlightened understanding of your old friend.
+
+(1090) Alluding to the number of remonstrances, under the name of
+petitions, which were presented this year from the livery of
+London, and many other corporate bodies, on the subject of the
+Middlesex election.
+
+
+
+Letter 371 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Paris, Sunday night, Sept. 17, 1769. (page 557)
+
+I am heartily tired; but, as it is too early to go to bed, I must
+tell you how agreeably I passed the day. I wished for you; the
+same scenes strike us both, and the same kind of visions has
+amused us both ever since we were born.
+
+Well then: I went this morning to Versailles with my niece Mrs.
+Cholmondeley, Mrs. Hart, Lady Denbigh's sister, and the Count de
+Grave, one of the most amiable, humane, and obliging men alive.
+Our first object was to see Madame du Barri.(1091) Being too
+early for mass, we saw the Dauphin and his brothers at dinner.
+The eldest is the picture of the Duke of Grafton, except that he
+is more fair, and will be taller. He has a sickly air, and no
+grace. The Count de Provence has a very pleasing countenance,
+with an air of more sense than the Count d'Artois, the genius of
+the family. They already tell as many bon-mots of the latter as
+of Henri Quatre and Louis Quatorze. He is very fat, and the most
+like his grandfather of all the children. You may imagine this
+royal mess did not occupy us long: thence to the chapel, where a
+first row in the balconies was kept for us. Madame du Barri
+arrived over against us below, without rouge, without powder, and
+indeed sans avoir fait sa toilette; an odd appearance, as she was
+so conspicuous, close to the altar, and amidst both court and
+people. She is pretty, when you consider her; yet so little
+striking, that I never should have asked who she was. There is
+nothing bold, assuming, or affected in her manner. Her husband's
+sister was alone, with her. In the tribune above, surrounded by
+prelates, was the amorous and still handsome King. One could not
+help smiling at the mixture of piety, pomp, and carnality. From
+chapel we went to the dinner of the elder Mesdames. We were
+almost stifled in the antechamber, where their dishes were
+heating over charcoal, and where we could not stir for the press.
+When the doors are opened every body rushes in, princes of the
+blood, cordons bleus, abb`es, housemaids, and the Lord knows who
+and what. Yet, so used are their highnesses to this trade, that
+they eat as comfortably and heartily as you or I could do in our
+own parlours.
+
+Our second act was much more agreeable. We quitted the court and
+a reigning mistress, for a dead one and a cloister. In short, I
+had obtained leave from the Bishop of Chartres to enter into St.
+Cyr; and, as Madame du Deffand never leaves any thing undone that
+can give me satisfaction, she had written to the abbess to desire
+I might see every thing that could be seen there. The Bishop's
+order was to admit me, Monsieur de Grave, et les dames de ma
+compagnie: I begged the abbess to give me back the order, that I
+might deposit it in the archives of Strawberry, and she complied
+instantly. Every door flew open to us: and the nuns vied in
+attentions to please us. The first thing I desired to see was
+Madame de Maintenon's apartment. It consists of' two small
+rooms, a library, and a very small chamber, the same in which the
+Czar saw her, and in which she died. The bed is taken away, and
+the room covered now with bad pictures of the royal family, which
+destroys the gravity and simplicity. It is wainscotted with oak,
+with plain chairs of the same, covered with dark blue damask.
+Every where else the chairs are of blue cloth. The simplicity and
+extreme neatness of the whole house, which is vast, are very
+remarkable. A large apartment above, (for that I have mentioned
+is on the ground-floor,) consisting of five rooms, and destined
+by Louis Quatorze for Madame de Maintenon, is now the infirmary,
+with neat white linen beds, and decorated with every text of
+Scripture by which could be insinuated that the foundress was a
+Queen. The hour of vespers being come, we were conducted to the
+chapel, and, as it was my curiosity that had led us thither, I
+was placed in the Maintenon's own tribune; my company in the
+adjoining gallery. The pensioners two and two, each band headed
+by a man, March orderly to their seats, and sing the whole
+service, which I confess was not a little tedious. The young
+ladies to the number of two hundred and fifty are dressed in
+black, with short aprons of the same, the latter and their stays
+bound with blue, yellow, green or red, to distinguish the
+classes; the captains and lieutenants have knots of a different
+colour for distinction. Their hair is curled and powdered, their
+coiffure a sort of French round-eared caps, with white tippets, a
+sort of ruff and large tucker: in short, a very pretty dress.
+The nuns are entirely in black, with crape veils and long trains,
+deep white handkerchiefs, and forehead cloths, and a very long
+train. The chapel is plain but very pretty, and in the middle of
+the choir under a flat marble lies the foundress. Madame de
+Cambis, one of the nuns, who are about forty, is beautiful as a
+Madonna.(1092) The abbess has no distinction but a larger and
+richer gold cross: her apartment consists of two very small
+rooms. Of Madame de Maintenon we did not see less than twenty
+pictures. The young one looking over her shoulder has a round
+face, without the least resemblance to those of her latter age.
+That in the roil mantle, of which you know I have a copy, is the
+most repeated; but there is another with a longer and leaner
+face, which has by far the most sensible look. She is in black,
+with a high point head and band, a long train, and is sitting in
+a chair of purple velvet. Before her knees stands her niece
+Madame de Noailles, a child; at a distance a view of Versailles
+or St. Cyr, I could not distinguish which. We were shown some
+rich reliquaries, and the corpo santo that was sent to her by the
+Pope. We were then carried into the public room of each class.
+In the first, the young ladies, who were playing at chess, were
+ordered to sing to us the choruses of Athaliah; in another, they
+danced minuets and country-dances while a nun, not quite so able
+as St. Cecilia, played on a violin. In the others, they acted
+before us the proverbs or conversations written by Madame de
+Maintenon for their instruction; for she was not only their
+foundress but their saint, and their adoration of her memory has
+quite eclipsed the Virgin Mary. We saw their dormitory, and saw
+them at supper; and at last were carried to their archives. where
+they produced volumes of her letters, and where one of the nuns
+gave me a small piece of paper with three sentences in her
+handwriting. I forgot to tell you, that this kind dame, who took
+to me extremely, asked me if we had many convents and many relics
+in England. I was much embarrassed for fear of destroying her
+good opinion of me, and so said we had but few now. Oh! we went
+to the apothecaries where they treated us with cordials, and
+where one of the ladies told me inoculation was a sin, as it was
+a voluntary detention from mass, and as voluntary a cause of
+eating gras. Our visit concluded in the garden, now grown very
+venerable, where the young ladies played at little games before
+us. After a stay of four hours we took our leave. I begged the
+abbess's blessing; she smiled, and said, she doubted I should not
+place much faith in it. She is a comely old gentlewoman, and
+very proud of having seen Madame de Maintenon. Well! was not I
+in the right to wish you with me? could you have passed a day
+more agreeably!
+
+I will conclude my letter with a most charming trait of Madame de
+Mailly, which cannot be misplaced in such a chapter of royal
+concubines. Going to St. Sulpice, after she had lost the King's
+heart, a person present desired the crowd to make way for her.
+Some brutal young officers said, "Comment, pour cette catin-l`a!"
+She turned to them, and, with the most charming modesty said,
+"Messieurs, puisque vous me COnnoissez, priez Dieu pour moi." I
+am sure it will bring tears into your eyes. Was not she the
+Publican, and Maintenon the Pharisee? Good night! I hope I am
+going to dream of all I have been seeing. As my impressions and
+my fancy, when I am pleased, are apt to be strong. My night
+perhaps, may still be more productive of ideas than the day has
+been. It will be charming, indeed, if Madame de Cambis is the
+ruling tint. Adieu! Yours ever.
+
+(1091) Madame du Barry, the celebrated mistress of Louis XV., was
+born in the lowest rank of society, and brought up in the most
+depraved habits; being known only by the name which her beauty
+had acquired for her, Mademoiselle l'Ange. She became the
+mistress of the Comte du Barry, (a gentleman belonging to a
+family of Toulon, of no distinction, well known as Le Grand du
+Barry, or, Du Barry le Rou`e,) and eventually the mistress of the
+King; and, when the influence she exercised over her royal
+protector had determined him to receive her publicly at court and
+a marriage was necessary to the purpose, Du Barry le Rou`e
+brought forward his younger brother, the Comte Guillaume du
+Barry, who readily submitted to this prostitution of his name and
+family.-E.
+
+(1092) Madame du Deffand, in her letter to Walpole of the 10th of
+May 1776, enclosed the following portrait of Madame de Cambise,
+by Madame de la Valli`ere:--"Non, non, Madame, je ne farai point
+votre portrait: vous avez une mani`ere d'`etre si noble, si fine,
+si piquante, si d`elicate, si s`eduisaitte; votre gentilesse et
+vos graces changent si souvent pour n'en `etre que plus aimable,
+que l'on ne peut saisir aucun de vos traits ni au physique ni au
+moral." She was niece of La Marquise de Boufflers, and, having
+fled to England at the breaking out of the French Revolution,
+resided here until her death, which took place at Richmond in
+January 1809.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 372 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Oct. 13, 1769. (page 560
+
+I arrived last night at eleven o'clock, and found a letter from
+you, which gave me so much pleasure, that I must write you a
+line, though I am hurried to death. You cannot imagine how
+rejoiced I am that Lord North(1093) drags you to light again; it
+is a satisfaction I little expected. When do you come? I am
+impatient. I long to know your projects.
+
+I had a dreadful passage of eight hours, was drowned, though not
+shipwrecked, and was sick to death. I have been six times at sea
+before, and never suffered the least, which makes the
+mortification the greater: but as Hercules was not more robust
+than I, though with an air so little Herculean, I have not so
+much as caught cold, though I was wet to the skin with the rain,
+had my lap full of waves, was washed from head to foot in the
+boat at ten o'clock at night, and stepped into the sea up to my
+knees. Q'avois-je `a faire dans cette gal`ere?(1094) In truth,
+it is a little late to be seeking adventures. Adieu! I must
+finish, but I am excessively happy with what you have told me.
+Yours ever.
+
+(1093) Lord North had appointed Mr. Montagu his private
+secretary.
+
+(1094) Walpole left Paris on the 5th of October. Early on the
+morning of the 6th, Madame du Deffand thus wrote to him:-
+-"N'exigez point de gaiet`e, contentez-vous de ne pas trouver de
+tristesse: je n'envoyai point chez vous hier matin; j'ignore `a
+quelle heure vous partites; tout ce que je sais c'est que vous
+n'`etes plus ici." And again, on the 9th:--"Je ne respirerai `a
+mon aise qu'apr`es une lettre de Douvres. Ah! je me ha`is bien
+de tout le mal que je vous cause; trois journ`ees de route,
+autant de nuits d`etestables, une embarquement, un passage, le
+risque de mille accidens, voil`a le bien que je vous procure.
+Ah! c'est bien vous qui pouvez dire en pensant de moi,
+'Qu'allais-je faire dans cette gal`ere?'"-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 373 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Strawberry Hill, Oct. 16, 1769. (page 560)
+
+I arrived at my own Louvre last Wednesday night, and am now at my
+Versailles. Your last letter reached me but two days before I
+left Paris, for I have been an age at Calais and upon the sea. I
+could execute no commission for you, and, in truth, you gave me
+no explicit one; but I have brought you a bit of china, and beg
+you will be content with a little present, instead of a bargain.
+Said china is, or will be soon, in the custom-house; but I shall
+have it, I fear, long before you come to London.
+
+I am sorry those boys got at my tragedy. I beg you would keep it
+under lock and key; it is not at all food for the public; at
+least not till I am "food for worms, good Percy." Nay, it is not
+an age to encourage any body, that has the least vanity, to step
+forth. There is a total extinction of all taste: our authors are
+vulgar, gross, illiberal: the theatre swarms with wretched
+translations, and ballad operas, and we have nothing new but
+improving abuse. I have blushed at Paris, when the papers came
+over crammed with ribaldry, or with Garrick's insufferable
+nonsense about Shakspeare. As that man's writings will be
+preserved by his name, who will believe that he was a tolerable
+actor? Cibber wrote as bad odes, but then Cibber wrote The
+Careless Husband and his own Life, which both deserve
+immortality. Garrick's prologues and epilogues are as bad as his
+Pindarics and pantomimes.(1095)
+
+I feel myself here like a swan, that, after living six weeks in a
+nasty pool upon a common, is got back into its own Thames. I do
+nothing but plume and clean myself, and enjoy the verdure and
+silent waves. Neatness and greenth are so essential in my
+opinion to the country, that in France, where I see nothing but
+chalk and dirty peasants, I seem in a terrestrial purgatory that
+is neither town nor country. The face of England is so
+beautiful, that I do not believe Tempe or Arcadia were half so
+rural; for both lying in hot climates, must have wanted the turf
+of our lawns. It IS unfortunate to have so pastoral a taste,
+when I want a cane more than a crook. We are absurd creatures;
+at twenty, I loved nothing but London.
+
+Tell me when you shall be in town. I think of passing Most Of my
+time here till after Christmas. Adieu!
+
+(1095) Mr. J. Sharp, in a letter to Garrick, of the 29th of March
+in this year, says--"I met Mr. Gray at dinner last Sunday: he
+spoke handsomely of your happy knack of epilogues; but he calls
+the Stratford Jubilee, Vanity Fair." See Garrick Correspondence,
+vol. i. p. 337.-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 374 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.
+
+Strawberry Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1769. (page 561)
+
+I am here quite alone, and did not think of going to town till
+Friday for the opera, which I have not yet seen. In compliment
+to you and your Countess, I will make an effort, and be there on
+Thursday; and will either dine with you at your own house, or at
+your brother's; which you choose. This is a great favour, and
+beyond my Lord Temple's journey to dine with my Lord Mayor.(1096)
+I am so sick of the follies of all sides, that I am happy to be
+at quiet here, and to know no more of them than what I am forced
+to see in the newspapers; and those I skip over as fast as I can.
+
+The account you give me of Lady *** was just the same as I
+received from Paris. I will show you a very particular letter I
+received by a private hand from France; which convinces me that I
+guessed right, contrary to all the wise, that the journey to
+Fontainbleau would overset Monsieur de Choiseul. I think he
+holds but by a thread, which will snap soon.(1097) I am
+labouring hard with the Duchess(1098) to procure the Duke of
+Richmond satisfaction in the favour he has asked about his
+duchy;' but he shall not know it till it is completed, if I can
+be so lucky as to succeed. I think I shall, if they do not fall
+immediately.
+
+You perceive how barren I am, and why I have not written to you.
+I pass my time in clipping and pasting prints; and do not think I
+have read forty pages since I came to England. I bought a poem
+called Trinculo's Trip to the Jubilee; having been struck with
+two lines in an extract in the papers,
+
+"There the ear-piercing fife,
+And the ear-piercing wife--"
+
+Alas! all the rest, and it is very long, is a heap of
+unintelligible nonsense, about Shakspeare, politics, and the Lord
+knows what. I am grieved that, with our admiration of
+Shakspeare, we can do nothing but write worse than ever he did.
+One would think the age studied nothing but his Love's Labour
+Lost, and Titus Andronicus. Politics and abuse have totally
+corrupted our taste. Nobody thinks of writing a line that is to
+last beyond the next fortnight. We might as well be given up to
+a controversial divinity, The times put me in mind of the
+Constantinopolitan empire; where, in an age of learning, the
+subtlest wits of Greece contrived to leave nothing behind them,
+but the memory of their follies and acrimony. Milton did not
+write his Paradise Lost till he had Outlived his politics. With
+all his parts, and noble sentiments of liberty, who would
+remember him for his barbarous prose? Nothing is more true than
+that extremes meet. The licentiousness of the press makes us as
+savage as our Saxon ancestors, who could only set their marks;
+and an outrageous pursuit of individual independence, grounded on
+selfish views, extinguishes genius as much as despotism does.
+The public good of our country is never thought of by men that
+hate half their country. Heroes confine their ambition to be
+leaders of the mob. Orators seek applause from their faction,
+not from posterity; and ministers forget foreign enemies, to
+defend themselves against a majority in Parliament. When any
+Caesar has conquered Gaul, I will excuse him for aiming at the
+perpetual dictature. If he has only jockeyed somebody out of the
+borough of Veii or Falernum, it is too impudent to call himself a
+patriot or a statesman. Adieu!
+
+(1096) At Guildhall, on the 9th of November, in the second
+mayoralty of Alderman Beckford.-E.
+
+(1097) Walpole had received a letter, of the 2d, from Madame du
+Deffand, describing the growing influence of Madame du Barry, and
+her increasing enmity to the Duc de Choiseul.-E.
+
+(1098) The Duchess of Aubign`e.
+
+
+
+Letter 375 To George Montagu, Esq.
+Arlington Street, Dec. 14, 1769. (page 562)
+
+I cannot be silent, when I feel for you. I doubt not but the
+loss of Mrs. Trevor is very sensible to you, and I am heartily
+sorry for you. One cannot live any time, and not perceive the
+world slip away, as it were, from under one's feet: one's
+friends, one's connexions drop off, and indeed reconcile one to
+the same passage; but why repeat these things? I do not mean to
+write a fine consolation; all I intended was to tell you, that I
+cannot be indifferent to what concerns you.
+
+I know as little how to amuse you: news there are none but
+politics, and politics there will be as long as we have a
+shilling left. They are no amusement to me, except in seeing two
+or three sets of people worry one another, for none of whom I
+care a straw.
+
+Mr. Cumberland has produced a comedy called The Brothers. It
+acts well, but reads ill; though I can distinguish strokes of Mr.
+Bentley in it. Very few of the characters are marked, and the
+serious ones have little nature, and the comic ones are rather
+too much marked; however, the three middle acts diverted me very
+well.(1099)
+
+I saw the Bishop of Durham(1100) at Carlton House, who told me he
+had given you a complete suit of armour. I hope you will have no
+occasion to lock yourself in it, though, between the fools and
+the knaves of the present time, I don't know but we may be
+reduced to defend our castles. If you retain any connexions with
+Northampton, I should be much obliged to you if you could procure
+from thence a print of an Alderman Backwell.(1101) It is
+valuable for nothing but its rarity, and it is not to be met with
+but there. I would give eight or ten shillings rather than not
+have it. When shall you look towards us?, how does your brother
+John? make my compliments to him. I need not say how much I am
+yours ever.
+
+(1099) "The Brothers," Cumberland's first comedy, came out at
+Covent-Garden theatre on the 2d of December, and met with no
+inconsiderable success.-E.
+
+(1100) The Hon. Dr. Richard Trevor, consecrated Bishop of St.
+David's in 1744, and translated to the see of Durham in 1762. He
+died in June 1771.-E.
+
+(1101) Edward Backwell, alderman of London, of whom Granger gives
+the following character:--"He was a banker of great ability,
+industry, integrity, and very extensive credit. With such
+qualifications, he, in a trading nation, would, in the natural
+event of things, have made a fortune, except in such an age as
+that of charles the Second, when the laws were overborne by
+perfidy, violence, and rapacity; or in an age when bankers become
+gamesters, instead of merchant-adventurers; when they affect to
+live like princes, and are, with their miserable creditors, drawn
+into the prevailing vortex of luxury. Backwell carried on his
+business in the same shop which was afterwards occupied by Child.
+He, to avoid a prison, retired into Holland, where he died. His
+body was brought for sepulture to Tyringham church, near Newport
+Pagnel." Frequent mention of the Alderman is made by Pepys, in
+whose Diary is the following entry:--"April 12, 1669. This
+evening, coming home, we overtook Alderman Backwell's coach and
+his lady, and followed them to their house, and there made them
+the, first visit, where they received us with extraordinary
+civility, and owning the obligation But I do, contrary to my
+expectation, find her something a proud and vainglorious woman,
+in telling the number of her servants and family, and expenses;.
+He is also so, but he was ever of that strain. But here he
+showed me the model of his houses that he is going to build in
+Cornhill and Lombard-street; but he has purchased so much there
+that it looks like a little town, and must have cost him a great
+deal of money."-E.
+
+
+
+Letter 376 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.(1102)
+Arlington Street, Dec. 21, 1769. (page 563)
+
+Dear sir,
+I am very grateful for all your communications, and for the
+trouble you are so good as to take for me. I am glad you have
+paid Jackson, Though he is not only dear, (for the prints he has
+got for me are very common,) but they are not what I wanted, and
+I do not believe were mentioned in my list. However, as paying
+him dear for what I do not want, may encourage him to hunt for
+what I do want, I am very well content he should cheat me a
+little. I take the liberty of troubling you with a list I have
+printed (to avoid copying it several times), and beg you will be
+so good as to give it to him, telling him these are exactly what
+I do want, and no others. I will pay him well for any of these,
+and especially those marked thus x; and still more for those with
+double or treble marks. The print I want most is the Jacob Hall.
+I do not know whether it is not one of the London Cries, but he
+must be very sure it is the right. I will let you know certainly
+when Mr. West comes to town, who has one.
+
+I shall be very happy to contribute to your garden: and if you
+will let me have exact notice in February how to send the shrubs,
+they shall not fail you; nor any thing else by which I can pay
+you any part of my debts. I am much pleased with the Wolsey and
+Cromwell, and beg to thank you and the gentleman from whom they
+came. Mr. Tyson's etchings will be particulary acceptable. I
+did hope to have seen or heard of him in October. Pray tell him
+he is a visit in my debt, and that I will trust him no longer
+than to next summer. Mr. Bentham, I find, one must trust and
+trust without end. It is pity so good a sort of man should be so
+faithless. Make my best compliments, however, to him and to my
+kind host and hostess.
+
+I found my dear old blind friend at Paris perfectly well, and am
+returned so myself. London is very sickly, and full of bilious
+fevers, that have proved fatal to several persons, and in my Lord
+Gower's family have even seemed contagious. The weather is
+uncommonly hot, and we want frost to purify the air.
+
+I need not say, I suppose, that the names scratched out in my
+list are of such prints as I have got since I printed it, and
+therefore what I no longer want. If Mr. Jackson only stays at
+Cambridge till the prints drop into his mouth, I shall never have
+them. If he would take the trouble of going to Bury, Norwich,
+Ely, Huntingdon, and such great towns, nay, look about in inns, I
+do not doubt but he would find at least some of them. He should
+be no loser by taking pains for me; but I doubt he chooses to be
+a great gainer without taking any. I shall not pay for any that
+are not in my list; but I ought not to trouble you, dear Sir,
+with these particulars. It is a little your own fault, for you
+have spoiled me.
+
+Mr. Essex distresses me by his civility. I certainly would not
+have given him that trouble, if I had thought he would not let me
+pay him. Be so good as to thank him for me, and to let me know
+if there is any other way I could return the obligation. I hope,
+at least, he will make me a visit at Strawberry Hill, whenever he
+comes westward. I shall be very impatient to see you, dear Sir,
+both there and at Milton. Your faithful humble servant.
+
+(1102) Now first printed, from the original in the British
+Museum.-E.
+
+
+ END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LETTERS OF HORACE WALPOLE VOLUME 3 ***
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