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 ofthe privy-seal. Lady Carlisle's marriage with Sir WilliamMusgrave. --25

2. To the Right Hon. William Pitt, Nov. 19. -Congratulations onthelustre of his administration--[N. ] 26

3. To Sir Horace Mann, Nov. 30. -Sir Edward Hawke's victory overConflans. Lord Kinnoul's mission to Portugal--27

4. To the same, Dec. 13. -Regretting his own ignorance ofmathematics and common figures. Victory of Prince Henry--28

5. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 23. -Tumults in Ireland. Story ofLord 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 anunintentional offence--34

9. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 14. -Severity of the weather. Military preparations. Prince Edward's party. Edwards's "HistoryofBirds"--35

10. To Sir Horace Mann, Jan. 26. -Severity of the winter. Death ofLady Besborough. Ward's drops--36

11. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 28. -Death of Lady Besborough. LordFerrers's murder of his steward. Visit to the Magdalen. Dr. Dodd--37

12. To Sir David Dalrymple. Feb. 3. -Macpherson's fragments orErsepoetry. Mary Queen of Scots. Dyer's "Fleece. " Pepys's collectionofballads. Faction--[N. ] 40

13. To Sir Horace Mann, Feb. 3. -Caserta. Character of Mr. ThomasPitt. Death of the Duchess of Bolton. Lord George Sackville'scourt-martial. Lord Charles Hay. Lord Ferrers's murder of hissteward. Dutch mud-quake--41

14. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Feb. 4. -"Anecdotes of Painting. "Character of Dr. Hurd. Warburton's "Shakspeare. " Edwards's"Canonsof Criticism"--44

15. To Sir Horace Mann, Feb. 28. -M. Thurot's expedition. Siege ofCarrickfergus. Lord Ferrers--45

16. To the same, March 4. -M. Thurot's expedition. Duke ofBedford'sIrish administration. General Flobert and Mr. Mallet. Ward'sdrops--48

17. To the same, March 26. -Lord George Sackville'scourt-martial--49

18. To George Montagu, Esq. March 27. -Lord George Sackville'scourt-martial. Miss Chudleigh's public breakfast--50

19. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 4. -Erse Poetry; Gray's queriesconcerning Macpherson. Home's "Siege of Aquileia. " "TristramShandy"--[N. ] 51

20. To George Montagu, Esq. April 19. -Lord George Sackville'ssentence. Lord Ferrers's trial. Duel between the Duke of BoltonandMr. Stewart--52

21. To Sir Horace Mann, April 20. -Lord George Sackville'ssentence. 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. LadyHuntingdon. 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 oftheDead. " Anecdotes of lord Ferrers--64

27. To the Earl of Strafford, June 7. -Description of MissChudleigh's ball. Death of Lady Anson--66

28. To Sir Horace Mann, June 20. -Siege of Quebec. The house ofFuentes. Pope's house and garden--68

29. To Sir David Dalrymple, June 20. -Authenticity of the Ersepoems. 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 RobertWalpoleand his man John. George Townshend's absurdities. "Tant mieuxpourElle. "--[N. ] 70

31. To the same, June 28. -Siege of Quebec raised. LadyStormont--72

32. To George Montagu, Esq. July 4:. -Visit to Chaffont. Gray'staciturnity--73

33. To Sir Horace Mann, July 7. -Siege of Quebec raised--74

34. To George Montagu, Esq. July 19. -Visit to Oxford. Holbein'sportraits. Blenheim. Ditchley. --75

35. To the same, July 20. --76

36. To Sir Horace Mann, Aug. 1. -Wolfe's tomb. Death of LadyLincoln. 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 hisillness--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 thenorth. 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 nieceCharlotteto Lord Huntingtower--90

47. To Sir Horace Mann, Oct. 5. -Capture of Montreal. Projectedexpedition. Lord Dysart. His niece's marriage. Death of LadyCoventry--91

48. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 14. -Duke of York's visit toStrawberry 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 theSecond--96

51. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 28. -The new court. Manners oftheyoung 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 youngKing--99

54. To the same, Nov. 4. -Bequests of the late King. Court andministerial changes. George Townshend's challenge to LordAlbemarle--100

55. To the same, Nov. 13. -Personal conduct of the new King. Funeralof George the Second. King of Prussia's victory over MarshalDaun--102

56. To the same, Nov. 22. -Appointment of the King'shousehold--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 ofPainting"--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 atNorthumberland-house. Account of a play performed atHolland-house--108

62. To the same, Feb. 7. -Ball at Carlton-house. Death of WortleyMontagu. Miss Ford's letter to Lord Jersey--109

63. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Feb. 8. -Mr. Conway's speech on theQualification-bill --110

64. To George Montagu, Esq. March 7. -On Mr. Montagu's beingappointed usher of the black rod in Ireland. Prospect of Peace. Rumours of the King's marriage. Lord Pembroke's "Treatise onHorsemanship"--111

65. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, March 7. -Voltaire's letter to LordLyttelton. Colman's "Jealous Wife. " "Tristram Shandy. " Voltaire's"Tancred"--111

66. To George Montagu, Esq. March 17. -Changes in the King'shousehold--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 bya visit to Houghton. Electioneering at Lynn. Aunt Hammond--115

70. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 10. -Prospect of peace. DeathofSir Harry Bellendine--118

71. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 14. -Macpherson's"Fingal. "--[N. )119

72. To the Countess of Suffolk, April 15. -Electionarrangements. --[N) 120

73. To George Montagu, Esq. April 16. -Anacreontic upon Sir HarryBellendine--121

74. To the same, April 28. -Lady Suffolk. Account of a fire nearSackville-street--122

75. To the same, May 5. -Death of Sir William Williams. Gray andMason 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 asnuff-box. New opera. Murphy's "All in the Wrong. " Lines on the Duchess ofGrafton--126

78. To George Montagu, Esq. , June 18. -Mr. Bentley's play of TheWishes, or Harlequin's mouth opened"--128

79. To the same, July 5. --130

80. To the Earl of Strafford, July 5. -Anecdote of Whitfield andLady Huntingdon--130

81. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 14. -Apologies for not havingwritten. Approaching marriage of the King--131

82. To George Montagu, Esq. July 16. -The King's approachingmarriage. The Queen's household--133

83. To the Countess of Ailesbury, July 20. -Thanks for a presentofsome china. Congratulations on Mr. Conway's escape at the battleofKirkdenckirk--134

84. To the Earl of Strafford, July 2)@. -Battle ofKirkdenckirk--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 thesuccess of the army. Taking of Pondicherry--138

87. To George Montagu, Esq. July 28. -First night of Mr. Bentley'splay. Singular instance of modesty--138

88. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. , 5. -Tomb of the Earl ofPembroke. Wolfe's monument. Rapacity of the chapter of Westminster--140

89. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 20. -offer of a seat at thecoronation. 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. Herperson and manners--144

92. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 24. -Description of thecoronation--145

93. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 25. -Delays in the treaty ofpeace. The coronation--147

94. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Sept. 27. -Pedigrees. Thecoronation. 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'sresignation, pension, and peerage--153

98. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 12. -Mr. Pitt's pension andpeerage. 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. Londonaddress to Mr. Pitt. Differences in the cabinet. State ofparties--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 agefound in genuine letters. One from Anne of Denmark to the Marquisof Buckingham. Hume's "History. " "Hau Kiou Choaan;" a Chinesehistory. --[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. Effectsof age. Mistakes of life. Tricks of his printer. Mrs. Dunch'sauction. Losing at loo. Death of Lady Pomfret. Bon-mot of M. DeChoiseul. Lines on Lady Mary Coke's having St. Anthony's fire inher 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 ofMissKnox. 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 politeliterature--170

113. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Feb. 13. -Lamentation on thetediousness of engravers, and tricks of printers--171

114. To the Earl of Bute, Feb. 15. -On the Earl's suggesting tohima work Similar to Montfaucon's "Monuments de la MonarchieFran`caise. "--[N. ] 171

115. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 22. -Violent storms. ElopementofLord Pembroke and Kitty Hunter--173

116. To Dr. Ducarel, Feb. 24. -English Montfaucon. Medals. ErrorsinVertue and others--174

117. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 25. -Lely's picture of MadameGrammont. 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 betweenTiberius and Charles the Second. Caution on the care of hiseyesight--178

121. To George Montagu, Esq. March 22. -Capture of Martinico. Fatalaccident 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 AudleyInn--181

124. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 20. -"Anecdotes of Painting. "Knaveryof his printer--183

125. To George Montagu, Esq. May 25. -Duke of Newcastle'sresignation. Ministerial changes--184

126. To the same, June 1. -Lord Melcomb. Lady Mary WortleyMontagu. The Cherokee Indian chiefs. Anecdotes and bon-mots--185

127. To the same, June 8. -Account of Lady Northumberland'sfestino. Bon-mots. Death of Lord Anson--185

128. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 29. -Invitation to StrawberryHill--186

129. To the Countess of Ailesbury, July 31. -Congratulation on thetaking of the Castle of Waldeck--187

130. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 5. -Revolution in Russia. Takingof the Castle of Waldeck--187

131. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 5. --188

132. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 10. -Great drought. RevolutioninRussia. 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. "TheNorth 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 onherson's safe return from the Havannah--196

139. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 4. -Love of fame. Capture oftheHavannah. 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 thepresentage--198

142. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 31. --200

143. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 4. -The Duke of Devonshire'snameerased out of the council-book--200

144. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Nov. 13. --201

145. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 20. -His illness. Politicalsquabbles. 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 NorthBriton. " Riots at Drury-lane Theatre. George Selwyn and LordDacre's footman--203

148. To George Montagu, Esq. March 29. -Wilkes and "The NorthBriton. " Dedication to "The Fall of Mortimer. " Lord and LadyPembroke'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 LadyTemple on Lady Mary Coke. Opposition to the Cider-tax--206

150. To the same, April 8. -Death of lord Waldegrave. Lord Bute'sresignation. New ministry. Quarrel among the Opposition--208

151. To the same, April 14. -Lady Waldegrave. Botched-upadministration. Grants and reversions--210

152. To the same, April 22, -Lady Waldegrave. The newadministration. Lord Pulteney's extravagance. Sir Robert Brown'sparsimony. 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'srelease from the Tower. Dreadful fire at Lady Molesworth's. LadyM. 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 entertainmentat Esher. Mrs. Anne Pitt--218

158. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, May 21. -French and Englishvivacity compared. Miss chudleigh's f`ete--221

159. To the same, May 28. -Masquerade at the Duke ofRichmond'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. CastleAshby. 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. Duperyof Opera undertakers--232

171. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 10. -Inclemency of theweather- -233

172. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 15. -Singular appearance of theThames--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. ThomasPitt--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 ofPoland. Expulsion of the Jesuits--239

178. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 12. -Irish politics. Death ofSir Michael Foster--242

179. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 17. -Debates on the King'sSpeech. Wilkes at the Cockpit. Privileges of Parliament. "NorthBriton. " Duel between Martin and Wilkes. "Essay on Woman. "Bon-mots. Lord Sandwich's piety. Wilkes and Churchill. M. DeGuerchy--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 votingagainst the court. Unpopularity of the ministry. Debates onprivilege. 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 literaryinformation--256

184. To the Earl of Hertford, Dec. 9. -Transactions betweenGeneral Conway and Mr. Grenville. Dismissal of Lord Shelburne andColonel 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 theministry. Dismissals. Intended assassination of Wilkes. Mrs. Sheridan's comedy of "The Dupe"--261

186. To the same, Dec. 29. -Debates on privilege. Lord Clive'sjaghire. 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. ANew-year's gift. Lady Temple. Portrait of Lady Suffolk atseventy-six. --266

188. To the Earl of Hertford, Jan. 22. -Mr. Conway's opposition tothe ministry. Feelings of the government towards his lordship. Ministerial disunion. State of the opposition. Marriage of PrinceFerdinand with the Princess Augusta. His reception in England. Wilkes. Churchill's "Dueller. " Ball at Carlisle house. Proceedings against Wilkes. Dismissals. The Duc de Pecquigny'squarrel with Lord Garlies. --270

189. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Jan. 31. --277

190. To Sir David Dalrymple, Jan. 31. -Thanks for corrections ofthe "Anecdotes of Painting. " London booksellers--[N. ) 278

191. To the Earl of Hertford, Feb. 6. -The Cider-bill. Debates onprivilege. Charles Townshend's bon-mot. East India affairs. Ducde Pecquigny's episode--279

192. To the same, Feb. 15. -Great debates in the House of Commonson 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 ofbooksellers--[N. ] 292

194. To the Earl of Hertford, Feb. 24. -Complaint in the House ofLords of a book called "Droit le Roy. " Wilkes's trials for "TheNorth Briton" and the "Essay on Woman. " Tottering state of theministry. Mrs. Anne Pitt's ball--294

195. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, March 3. -Thanks for some prints andthe loan of manuscripts--296

196. To the Earl of Hertford, March 11. -Cambridge Universityelection for high-steward. Debate on the budget. Lord Bute'snegotiations. The Duchess of Queensbury's ball. Affairs of India. M. Helvetius--297

197. To the same, March 18. -Death of Lord Malpas and of LordTownshend. Lord Clive's jaghire. George Selwyn's accident--300

198. To the same, March 27. -Uncertain state of politics. D'Eon'spublication of the Duc de Nivernois's private letters. Liberty ofthe 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 libelon the Earl. Cambridge University election. Jemmy Twitcher. LordLyttelton's reconciliation with Mr. Pitt. Lord Bath at court. Bishop Warburton and Helvetius--308

201. To the same, April 12. -Party abuse. Character. Lady SusanFox's marriage with O'Brien the actor. East India affairs. Projected marriages. Expected changes. Confusion at theIndia-house--310

202. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, April 12. --313

203. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 19. -On Mr. Conway'sdismissal from all his employments--313

204. To the Earl of Hertford, April 20. -On Mr. Conway's dismissalfrom 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'sdismissal. Offers him half his fortune--316

206. The Hon. H. S. Conway to the Earl of Hertford, April23. -Giving his brother an account of his total dismissal from theKing's service for his vote in the House of Commons--317

207. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 24. -On Mr. Conway'sdismissal- -320

208. The Hon. H. S. Conway To the Earl of Hertford, May1. -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, inconsequence of Mr. Conway's dismissal. Promotions andchanges--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 courtshipand marriage. The Mecklenburgh Countess. Bon-mot--326

213. To George Montagu, Esq. June 18. -Account of a party atStrawberry--328

214. To the same, July 16. -"life of Lord Herbert. " Lady Temple'spoems--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 theministry. Determination to quit party. Regrets that the Earl didnot espouse mr. Conway's cause. Consequences of Lord Bute'sconduct. The Queen's intended visit to Strawberry. A dinner withthe Duke of Newcastle. Fracas at Tunbridge Wells. On Mr. Conway'sdismission. 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 offerof the Earl. Farewell to politics. Lord Mansfield's violenceagainst the press. Conduct of the Duke of Bedford. Overtures toMr. Pitt. Recluse life of their Majesties. Court economy. Dissensions in the house of Grafton. Nancy Parsons. Death of SirJohn Barnard. Conduct of Mr. Grenville--338

221. To the Right Hon. William Pitt, Aug. 29. -"Life of LordHerbert of Cherbury"--343

222. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 29. --343

223. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 1. -Enclosing a reply toWalpole's "Counter Address. " Lady Ailesbury's picture, executedin worsteds--344

224. To the Rev. Dr. Birch, Sept. 3. -Thanks for an originalpicture of Sir William Herbert--345

225. To the Earl of Hertford, Oct. 5. -Madame de Boufflers andOliver Cromwell. James the Second's Journal. Illness of the Dukeof Devonshire. Folly of being unhappy--345

226. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 5. -Unfavourable state ofpublic affairs. Reflections on his birthday--347

227. To the same, Oct. 13. -Death of the Duke of Devonshire. Hisbequest 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 andhis mother--348

229. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 1. -Duke of Devonshire's legacyto Mr. Conway. Lady Harriot Wentworth's marriage with herfootman. Unpopularity of the court--350

230. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Nov. 8. --352

231. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 9. -Announcing his intendedvisit to Paris. Adieu to politics--353

232. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 10. -Thanks for somepilchards--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 toParis--356

234. To the same, Dec. 3. -Ministerial changes. Separation in thehouse of Grafton. The Duke of Kingston and Miss Chudleigh. Correspondence between Mr. Legge and Lord Bute. Mr. Dunning'spamphlet 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. SirWilliam Pynsent's legacy to Mr. Pitt. Duel between Lord Byron andMr. 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. Wretchedcondition of The administration. --373

241. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 19. -Congratulations on hishealth and cheerful spirits. Recommends him to quit his countrysolitude. Contemplated visit to Paris. And retirement fromParliament and political connexions. Runic poetry. Mallet's"Northern Antiquities. " Lord Byron's trial. AntiquarianSociety--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 theDroit d'Aubaine. Dr. Percy's "Reliques of Ancient EnglishPoetry. " Old Ballads. Rosamond's Bower. Ambition and Content--378

244. To Monsieur Elie de Beaumont, March 18. -"The Castle ofOtranto. " Madame de Beaumont's "Letters of the Marquis deRoselle. " Churchill and Dryden. Effects of Richardson'snovels--381

245. To the Earl of Hertford, March 26. -Count de Guerchy'spretended conspiracy to murder M. D'Eon. The King's illness. Count de Caraman. "Siege of Calais. " Duc de Choiseul's reply toMademoiselle Clairon. French admiration of Garrick. Quin inFalstaff. 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. Straitof 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. Frenchencroachments. Parliament. Poor bill. A late dinner--385

248. To the same, April 18. -The King's recovery. Proceedings onthe Regency-bill. Enmity between Lord Bute and Mr. Grenville. Rumoured changes. State of parties. Lord Byron's acquittal. TheDuke of Cumberland's illness. Daffy's Elixir. Poor-bill. LordHinchinbrook'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 Lordson the Regency-bill--391

251. To the same, May 12. -Proceedings in the House of Commons onthe Regency bill. The Princess Dowager excluded from theRegency--395

252. To the same, May 20. -The King forbids the Parliament to beprorogued. The Duke of Cumberland ordered to form a newadministration. Failure of the Duke's negotiation with Mr. Pitt. Ministerial resignations. Humiliations of the Crown. Riots. Attack on Bedford-house. General spirit of mutiny anddissatisfaction. Extraordinary conduct of Mr. Pitt. Second tumult atBedford-house. The King compelled to take back his ministers. Reconciliationbetween Lord Temple and George Grenville. Mr. Conway restored tothe King's favour. Extravagant terms dictated by the ministers tothe King. Stuart Mackenzie's removal. Ministerial changes andsquabbles--399

253. To George Montagu, Esq. May 26. -Proceedings on theRegency-bill. Ministerial squabbles and changes. Mr. Bentley's'poem. Danger of writing political panegyrics or satires. Lines onthe Fountain Tree in the Canary Islands--405

254. To the same, June 10. -A party at Strawberry. GeneralSchouvaloff. Felicity of being a private man. Ingratitude ofsycophants--407

255. To the right Hon. Lady Hervey, June 11. -Apology for notwriting. Regrets at being carried backward. , ; and forwards toballs and suppers. Resolutions of growing old and staid atfourscore--408

256. To George Montagu, Esq. -Contradicting a report of hisdangerous 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 CharlesTownshend. --(N) 411

260. To George Montagu, Esq. July 11. -Change of the ministry. TheRockingham administration--412

261. To the same, July 28. -Reflections on loss of youth. Entranceinto old age through the gate Of infirmity. A month's confinementto a sick bed a stinging lesson. Whiggism--413

262. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 23. -Death of Lady BarbaraMontagu. Old friends and new faces. A strange story. Motives forrevisiting Paris. The French reformation. Churches and convents. Adieu to politics--414

263. To the same, Aug. 31. -Dropping off and separation offriends. Pleasant anticipations from his visit to Paris. Revivalof old ideas. Stupefying effects of richardson's novels on theFrenchmnation--416

264. To the Earl of Strafford, Sept. 3. -Motives of his journey toParis. Death of the Emperor of Germany. "My last sally into theworld"--418

265. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Sept. 3. -Thanks for lettersof 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. Adroll way of being chief mourner. A French absurdity. Walnut-trees. Clermont. The Duc de Fitz-James. Arrival atParis--421

268. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Sept. 14. -Salutary effects OFhis journey. French gravity. Parisian dirt. French Opera. Italiancomedy Chantilly. Illness of the Dauphin. Mr. David Hume the modeat Paris. Mesdames de Monaco, d'Egmont, and de Brionne. Nymphs ofthe theatres--423

269. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 18. -Advice respecting hisjourney to Paris--424

270. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 22. -Ingratitude. Amusements. French society. Mode of living. Music. Stage. Le Kain. TheDumenil. 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 notenjoying Paris. Duc de Nivernois. Colonel Drumgold. Duchesse deCoss`e. Presentations at Versailles. The King and Queen. TheMesdames. 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 deChoiseul. Duc de Richelieu--429

273. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 6. -French society. A supperat Madame du Deffand's. President Henault. Walpole's blundersagainst French grammar. Sir James Macdonald's mimicry of Mr. David Hume. Mr. Elliot's imitation of Mr. Pitt. Presentation tothe Royal Family. Dinner at the Duc de Praslin's with the corpsdiplomatique. Visit to the State Paper Office. M. De Marigny'spictures. 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. Visitfrom Wilkes. The Dumenil. Grandval. President Henault--436

276. To the Countess of Suffolk, Oct. 16. -Fontainbleau. Duc deRichelieu. 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 atParis. "God and the King to be Pulled down. " Admiration of whistand Richardson. Freethinking. Wilkes, Sterne, and Foote at Paris. Lord Ossory. Mesdames de Rochefort, Monaco, and Mirepoix. TheMar`echalle d'Estr`ees--438

278. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 29. -Probable death of theDauphin. Description of the Philosophers. Their object thedestruction of regal power. --440

279. To Mr. Gray, Nov. 19. -State of his health. Infalliblespecific for the gout. Picture of Paris. French society. ThePhilosophers. Dumenil. Preville. Visit to the Chartreuse--441

280. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 21. -Recovery from a fitof the gout. "Le nouveau Richelieu. " Indifference to politics. Squabbles about the French Parliaments. Bigotry. Logogriphe byMadame du Deffand--444

281. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 21. -A simile. Sameness of llifeat 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 herintroductions. Duchesse d'Aiguillon. French women of quality. Duchesse de Nivernois. "L'Orpheline Legu`egu`ee. " CountGrammont's picture--447

283. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Nov. 29. -Tea-drinking. Dissuadeshim from going to Italy. Advice for his political conduct. "L'Orpheline Legu`ee. " Count Caylus's auction. Portrait of CountGrammont. French painters--448

284. To the Hon. H. S. Conway. Dec. 5. -The Dauphin. Frenchpolitics. M. De Maurepas. Marshal Richelieu. French parliaments--450

285. To the Countess of Suffolk, Dec. 5. -Fret)ch society. TheComtesse 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 theComtesse de la Marche. Douceur in the society of the Parisiennesof fashion. Charlatanerie of the Savans and Philosophes. CountSt. Germain. Rousseau in England. Walpole's pretended letter ofthe King of Prussia to Rousseau--453

288. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan, 5. -Robin Hood reform`e andLittle 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 theDuchesse 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 oneselftender. " Change in French manners. Their religious opinions. TheParliaments. The men dull and empty. Wit, softness, and goodsense of the women. Picture of Madame Geoffrin. Madame duDeffand. M. Pontdeveyle. Madame de Mirepoix. Anecdote of M. DeMaurepas. Madame de Boufflers. Madame de Rochefort. Familiaritiesunder the veil of friendship. Duc de Nivernois. Madame de Gisors. Duchesse de Choiseul. Duchesse de Grammont. Mar`echale deLuxembourg. Pretended letter to Rousseau. Walpole at the head ofthe fashion. Carried to the Princess de Talmond--461

293. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Feb. 3. -Madame de Geoffrin'ssecret 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 leavingParis. Defeat of George Grenville. Repeal of the AmericanStamp-act. Lit de justice. Remonstrances of the Parliaments--471

298. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, March 10. -Watchings andrevellings. A supper at the Mar`echale de Luxembourg's. Funeralsermon on the Dauphin. The Abb`e Coyer's pamphlet onPreaching--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 firstvisit to Paris contrasted with his own. The Princess of Talmond'spug-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 onthe attempt of the Court to introduce the French dress inSpain--476

303. To the same, April 8. -Further particulars of theinsurrection at Madrid. Change in the French ministry. Lettres decachet. 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 ofhis letters--479

306. To George Montagu, Esq. May 25. -Ministerial appointments. Duke of Richmond. Lord North. Death of Lord Grandison. LadyTownshend turned Roman Catholic. Mrs. Clive's bon-mot--480

307. To the same, June 20. -Anstey's New Bath Guide. Swift'sCorrespondence, 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'spresent 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 theministry. The King's letter to Mr. Pitt--485

310. To the same, July 21. -Change of the ministry. Ode on theoccasion--485

311. To David Hume, Esq. July 26. -Quarrel between David Hume, andRousseau--486

312. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 18. -Contradicting a newspaperreport of his illness--487

313. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 18. --488

314. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 2. -Journey to Bath. Greatdislike of the place. The new buildings. Lord Chatham--488

315. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 5. -Recovery. Tired to death ofBath. 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 ofBuchan. 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 himto second the Address on the King's Speech. Life at Bath. Motivesfor leaving the place. Old age. Dread of ridicule--491

319. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 22. -Satisfaction at his returnto Strawberry Hill. Visit to Bristol. Its buildings. Abbey churchof Bath. Batheaston--492

320. To Sir David Dalrymple, (Lord Hailes, ) Nov. 5. -Thanks forhis "Memorials and Letters. " Folly of burying in oblivion thefaults 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 byD'Alembert in a published letter of Walpole's. Picture of modernphilosophers--496

323. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 12. -Politics. Ministerialnegotiations. Deaths and marriages. Caleb Whitefoord'sCross-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 NormanAntiquities"--501

327. To the Earl of Strafford, July 29. -Death and character ofLady 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 ofCharles Townshend. State of the ministry. Lord Chatham. Dinner atthe 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 ofthe appointment to secretary of state. Old Pulteney--506

333. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 19. -Intended retirement fromParliament. State of his health. Roman Catholic religion--506

 1768. 

334. To Sir David Dalrymple, Jan. 17. -Advice on sending a youngartist to Italy. "Historic Doubts. " Coronation roll of Richardthe 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 "HistoricDoubts. " Rapid sale of the first impression--(N. ] 509

337. To Mr. Gray, Feb. 18. -New edition of Gray's poems. On hisown writings. King of Prussia. Lord Clarendon's "History. ""Historic Doubts. " Disculpation of Richard the Third. "Turned offifty. " Garrick's prologues and epilogues. Boswell's "Corsica. "General Paoli--509

338. To the same, Feb. 26. -"Historic Doubts. " Guthrie's answerthereto. Thanks for notes on the "Noble, Authors"--512

339. To George Montagu, Esq. March 12. -Reflections on hisretirement from Parliament. Guthrie's answer to the "HistoricDoubts. " Sterne's Sentimental Journey. " Gray's "Odes"--514

340. To the same, April 15. -Wit as temporary as dress andmanners. Fate of George Selwyn's bon-mots. Completion of histragedy 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 Earlsof Warwick. Projects a History of the Streets of London. St. Foix's Rues de Paris. The Methodists. Whitfield's funeral sermonon Gibson the forger--517

342. To the same, June 6. -History of Ely cathedral. CardinalLewis 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. Thecountry going to ruin--520

344. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 16. -Wilkes and liberty. Ministerial changes. Conduct of the Duke of Grafton. Distressedstate of the country. Lord Chatham. Foote's "Devil upon TwoSticks. " Subject of "The Mysterious Mother"--[N. ] 521

345. To Monsieur de Voltaire, June 21. -On his soliciting a copyof the "Historic Doubts. " Reply to Voltaire's criticisms onShakspeare--523

346. To the Earl of Strafford, June 25. -Wilkes and Number 45. TheKing of Denmark. Lady Rockingham and the Methodist Pope JoanHuntingdon. Brentford election--524

347. To Monsieur de Voltaire, July 27. -Reply to Voltaire'svindication of his criticism on Shakspeare. Story of M. Dejumonville. "Historic Doubts"--525

348. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 9. -Lord Botetourt. NewArchbishop of Canterbury. King of Denmark. Augustus Hervey'sdivorce from the Chudleigh. Gray appointed professor of modernhistory. Efficacy of ice-water--527

349. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 13. -Arrival of the King ofDenmark. His person and manners. His suite--529

350. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 16. -Personal description ofthe King of Denmark. His cold reception at Court. The firstfavourite, 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 BelStanhope--(N. ] 531

352. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 30. -Thanks for some prints andsome notices. Improvements at Strawberry. Mr. Granger's"Catalogue of English Heads. " Dr. Robertson's writings. Scotchpuffing--532

353. To the Earl of Strafford, Oct. 10. -Health and sickness. Quiet of his present illness contrasted with the inquiries afterhim when his friends were coming into power--534

354. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 10. -Benefits from bootikins andwater-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 ofNewcastle, and of Lady Hervey--535

356. To the same, Dec. 1. -Arlington-street. Reconciliationbetween 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. Brentfordelection. Wilkes and Luttrell. Marriages--538

358. To the same, April 15. -Temperance the best physician. Easymode of preserving the teeth. Advice on wine drinking. Middlesexelection. Wilkes and the House of Commons--539

359. To the same, May 11. -Grand festino at Strawberry. Ridotto alfresco at Vauxhall--540

360. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 27. -Granger's Catalogue of Printsand 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 forEly cathedral. Bishop Mawson. Granger's dedication. Shenstone'sLetters. His unhappy passion for fame. The Leasowes. Instructionson domestic privacy--542

362. To the same, June 26. -Intended visit to Ely. Englishsummers. Advice to quit Marshland. Joscelin de Louvain--545

363. To the Earl of Strafford, July 3. -Disinterestedness andlength 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'slevee--547

365. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 15. -Return from Ely. East windowof the cathedral. Bishop Luda's tomb--548

366. To the same, Aug. 12. -Thanks for some prints. Advicerespecting a History of Gothic Architecture. Tyson's "History ofFashions and Dresses"--549

367. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 18. -Calais. Complaint of hisfriend's long silence. Journey to Paris--551

368. To John Chute, Esq. Aug. 30. -Journey to Paris. Lord Dacreand Dr. Pomme. Account of Madame du Deffand. Madame du Barry. French theatre. Hamlet. The Dumenil. Voltaire's tragedy of "LesGu`ebres"- -552

(369. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 7. -Character of Madame duDeffand. 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 ofthe French government. Lettres de cachet. Students inlegislature. 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 deCambise. Trait of Madame de Mailly --557

372. To the same, Oct. 13. -Return to England. Congratulations onhis 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'sprologues and epilogues. French chalk and dirt contrasted withEnglish neatness and greenth--560

374. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Nov. 14. -Lord Temple's dinner withthe Lord Mayor. Tottering position of the Duc de Choiseul. "Tripto the Jubilee. " Literature and politics of the day. Milton'sprose writings. Heroes and orators--561

375. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 14. -Condolence on the death ofMrs. Trevor. Loss of friends and connexions. Cumberland's comedyof "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 nohand in them. He probably received his staff from the board oftrade. If any part of the consequences could be placed topartiality for me, it would be the prevention of your coming totown, which I wished. My lady Cutts(1) is indubitably your owngrandmother: the Trevors would once have had it, but by somemisunderstanding the old Cowslade refused it. Mr. Chute hastwenty more corroborating circumstances, but this one issufficient. 

Fred. Montagu told me of the pedigree. I shall take care of allyour commissions. Felicitate yourself on having got from me thetwo landscapes; that source is stopped. Not that Mr. M`untz iseloped 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 andIshmael into the wilderness. A cause much more familiar to mehas separated US--nothing but a tolerable quantity of ingratitudeon his side, both to me and Mr. Bentley. The story is rather toolong for a letter: the substance was most extreme impertinence tome, concluded by an abusive letter against Mr. Bentley, who senthim from starving on seven pictures for a guinea to One hundredpounds a year, my house, table, and utmost countenance. Inshort, I turned his head, and was forced to turn him out ofdoors. You shall see the documents, as it is the fashion to callproof papers. Poets and painters imagine they confer the Honourwhen they are protected, and they set down impertinence to thearticle of their own virtue, when you dare to begin to think thatan 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 strollerPindar, or had made up card-matches at the siege of Genoa, hasresigned the privy seal, because he has not the garter. (2) Youcannot imagine what an absolute prince I feel myself with knowingthat nobody can force me to give the garter to M`untz. 

My Lady Carlisle is going to marry a Sir William Musgrave, who isbut three-and-twenty; but, in consideration of the match, and ofher having years to spare, she has made him a present of ten, andcalls them three-and-thirty. I have seen the new Lady Stanhope. I assure you her face will introduce no plebeian charms into thefaces of the Stanhopes, Adieu!

(1) Lady Cutts was the mother of Mrs. Montagu, by her secondhusband, 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 andLady Hester Pitt: and though I think myself extremelydistinguished by your obliging note, I shall be sorry for havinggiven you the trouble of writing it, if it did not lend me a verypardonable opportunity of saying what I much wished to express, but thought myself too private a person, and of too littleconsequence, to take the liberty to say. In short, Sir, I waseager to congratulate you on the lustre you have thrown on thiscountry; I wished to thank you for the security you have fixed tome of enjoying the happiness I do enjoy. You have placed Englandin a situation in which it never saw itself--a task the moredifficult, 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 havealready written his eulogium. " It is but justice to you, Sir, toadd, that that period ended when your administration began. 

Sir, do not take this for flattery: there is nothing in yourpower to give that I would accept; nay, there is nothing I couldenvy, but what I believe you would scarce offer me--your glory. This may seem very vain and insolent: but consider, Sir, what amonarch is a man who wants nothing! consider how he looks downon one who is only the most illustrious man in England! But Sir, freedoms apart, insignificant as I am, probably it must be somesatisfaction to a great mind like yours to receive incense, whenyou are sure there is no flattery blended with it; and what mustany Englishman be that could give you a moment's satisfaction andwould hesitate?

Adieu! Sir. I am unambitious, I am uninterested, but I am vain. You have, by your notice, uncanvassed, unexpected, and at aperiod when you certainly could have the least temptation tostoop down to me, flattered me in the most agreeable manner. Ifthere could arrive the moment when you could be nobody, and I anybody, you cannot imagine how grateful I would be. In the meantime, permit me to be, as I have been ever since I had the honourof 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 thirteendays we have been in the utmost impatience for news. The Brestfleet had got out; Duff, with three ships, was in the utmostdanger--Ireland ached--Sir Edward Hawke had notice in ten hours, and sailed after Conflans--Saunders arrived the next moment fromQuebec, heard it, and sailed after Hawke, without landing hisglory. No express arrived, storms blow; we knew not what tothink. This morning at four we heard that, on the 20th, SirEdward Hawke came in sight of the French, who were pursuing Duff. The fight began at half an hour past two--that is, the Frenchbegan to fly, making a running fight. Conflans tried to savehimself behind the rocks of Belleisle, but was forced to burn hisship of eighty guns and twelve hundred men. The Formidable, ofeighty, and one thousand men, is taken; we burned the Hero ofseventy-four, eight hundred and fifteen men. The Thes`ee andSuperbe of seventy-four and seventy, and of eight hundred andfifteen and eight hundred men, were sunk in the action, and thecrews lost. Eight of their ships are driven up the Vilaine, after having thrown over their guns; they have moored twofrigates 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-fourguns, and the Essex of sixty-four, are lost, but the crews saved;they, it is supposed, perished by the tempest, which raged allthe time, for

"We rode in the whirlwind and directed the storm. "

Sir Edward heard guns of distress in the night, but could nottell whether of friend or foe, nor could assist them. (5)

Thus we wind up this wonderful year! Who that died three yearsago and could revive, would believe it! Think, that fromPetersburgh to the Cape of Good Hope, from China to California, De Paris `a Perou, there are not five thousand Frenchmen in the world that havebehaved well! Monsieur Thurot is piddling somewhere on the coastof Scotland, but I think our sixteen years of fears of invasionare over--after sixteen victories. If we take Paris, I don'tdesign to go thither before spring. My Lord Kinnoul is going toLisbon to ask pardon for Boscawen's beating De la Clue in theirHouse; it will be a proud supplication, with another victory inbank. (6) Adieu! I would not profane this letter with a word ofany thing else for the world. 

(5) This was Hawke's famous victory, for which he received thethanks of Parliament, and a pension of two thousand poundsa-year. In 1765, he was created a peer. -D. 

(6) The object of Lord Kinnoul's mission to the court of Portugalwas to remove the misunderstanding between the two crowns, inconsequence of Admiral Boscawen's having destroyed some Frenchships 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 geometriccommission! How my own ignorance has laughed at me since I readyour letter! I say, your letter, for as to Dr. Perelli's, I knowno more of a Latin term in mathematics than Mrs. Goldsworthy(7)had an idea of verbs. I will tell you an early anecdote in myown life, and you shall judge. When I first went to Cambridge, Iwas 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 forthem. "- 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 inthe world. I took, at my own expense, a private instructor, (8)who came to me once a-day for a year. Nay, I took infinitepains, but had so little capacity, and so little attention, (as Ihave always had to any thing that did not immediately strike myinclination) that after mastering any proposition, when the man came the next day, it was as new to me as if I hadnever heard of it ; in short, even to common figures, I am thedullest dunce alive. I have often said it of myself, and it istrue, that nothing that has not a proper Dame of a man or a woman to it, affixes any idea upon my mind. I couldremember who was King Ethelbald's great aunt, and not be surewhether she lived in the year 500 or 1500. I don't know whether Iever told you, that when you sent me the seven gallons of drams, and they were carried to Mr. Fox by mistake for Florence wine, Ipressed @im to keep as much as he liked: for, said I, I have seenthe bill of lading, and there is a vast quantity. He asked howmuch? I answered seventy gallons; so little idea I have ofquantity. I will tell you one more story of myself, and you willcomprehend what sort of a head I have! Mrs. Leneve said to meone day, "There is a vast waste of coals in your house ; youshould make the servants take off the fires at night. " Irecollected this as I was going to bed, and, out of economy, putmy fire out with a bottle of Bristol water! However, as Icertainly will neglect nothing to oblige you, I went to Sissonand gave him the letter. He has undertaken both the engine andthe drawing, and has promised the utmost care in both. Thelatter, he says, must be very large, and that it will take sometime to have it performed very accurately. He has promised meboth in six or seven weeks. But another time, don't imagine, because I can bespeak an enamelled bauble, that I am fit to beentrusted with the direction of the machine at Marli. It is notto save myself trouble, for I think nothing so for you, butI would have you have credit, and I should be afraid ofdishonouring you. 

There! there is the King of Prussia has turned all our war and peace topsy-turvy ! If Mr. Pitt Will conquerGermany too, he must go and do it himself. Fourteen thousandsoldiers and nine generals taken, as it were, in a partridge net!and what is worse, I have not heard yet that the monarch owns hisrashness. (9) As often as he does, indeed, he is apt to repairit. You know I have always dreaded Daun--one cannot make ablunder but he profits of it-and this ' just at the moment thatwe heard of nothing but new bankruptcy in France. I want to knowwhat a kingdom is to do when it is forced to run away?

14th. --Oh! I interrupt my reflections--there is another bit of avictory! Prince Henry, who has already succeeded to hisbrother's crown, as king of the fashion, hasbeaten a parcel of Wirternberghers and taken four battalions. Daun is gone into Bohemia, and Dresden is still to be ours. TheFrench are gone into winter quarters--thank God! What weather ishere to be lying on the ground! Men should be statues, or willbe so, if they go through it. Hawke is enjoying himself inQuiberon Bay, but I believe has done no more execution. Dr. Haysays it will soon be as shameful to beat a Frenchman as to beat awoman. Indeed, one isforced to ask every morning what victory there is, for fear ofmissing one. We talk of a con(, ress at Breda, and some thinkLord Temple will go thither: if he does, I shall really believeit 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, andbeat the French watches, though they were two to one. For theFugitive pieces: the Inscription for the Column(10) was writtenwhen I was with you at Florence, though I don't wonder that youhave forgotten it after so many yeirs. I would not have ittalked of, for I find some grave personages are offended -withthe liberties I have taken with so imperial a head. What couldprovoke them to give a column Christian burial? Adieu!

(7) Wife of the English consul at Leghorn, where, when she waslearning Italian by grammar, she said, "Oh! give me a language inwhich there are no verbs!" concluding, as she had not learnt herown 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 ofGeneral Finek, who had placed himself so injudiciously, that hewas obliged to capitulate to the Austrians with fourteen thousandmen. 

(10) The inscription for the neglected Column in St. Mark's Placeat 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 thecountry in this bitter weather? I have not been here these threeweeks till to-day, and was delighted to find it so pleasant, andto meet a comfortable southeast wind, the fairest of all winds, in spite of the scandal that lies on the east; though it is thewest that is parent of all ugliness. The frost was succeeded bysuch fogs, that I could not find my way out of London. 

Has your brother told you of the violences in Ireland? Therewanted nothing but a Massaniello to overturn the government; andluckily for the government and for Rigby, he, who was made forMassaniello, happened to be first minister there. Tumults, andinsurrections, and oppositions, "Like arts and sciences, have travelled west. "

Pray make the general collect authentic accounts of those civilwars against he returns--you know where they will find theirplace, and that you are one of the very few that will profit ofthem. I will grind and dispense to you all the corn you bring tomy 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; andwe live upon distant news, as if London was York or Bristol. There is nothing domestic, but that Lord George Lennox, beingrefused Lord Ancram's consent, set out for Edinburgh with LadyLouisa Kerr, the day before yesterday; and Lord Buckingham isgoing to be married to our Miss Pitt of Twickenham, daughter ofthat 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 Iwas not sure that the two husbands, that she had at once, wereboth dead. " Apropos to my wedding, Prince Edward asked me at theOpera, t'other night, when I was to marry Lady Mary Coke: Ianswered, as soon as I got a regiment; which, you know, is nowthe fashionable way. 

The kingdom of beauty is in as great disorder as the kingdom ofIreland. My Lady Pembroke looks like a ghost-poor Lady Coventryis going to be one; and the Duchess of Hamilton is so altered Idid not know her. Indeed, she is bid with child, and so big, that as my Lady Northumberland says, it is plain she has a camelin her belly, and my Lord Edgecumbe says, it is as true it didnot go through the eye of a needle. That Countess has been laidup with a hurt in her leg; Lady Rebecca Paulett pushed her on thebirthnight against a bench: the Duchess of Grafton asked if itwas true that Lady Rebecca kicked her? "Kick me, Madam! When didyou ever hear of a Percy that took a kick?"

I can tell you another anecdote of that house, that will notdivert you less. Lord March making them a visit this summer atAlnwick Castle, my lord received him at the gate, and said, "Ibelieve, my lord, this is the first time that ever a Douglas anda Percy met here in friendship. " Think of this from a Smithson toa true Douglas!

I don't trouble my head about any connexion; any news into thecountry I know is welcome, though it comes out higlepigledy, justas it happens to be packed up. The cry in Ireland has beenagainst Lord Hilsborough, supposing him to mediate an union ofthe two islands; George Selwyn, seeing him set t'other nightbetween my Lady Harrington and Lord Barrington, said, "Who cansay that my Lord Hilsborough is not an enemy to an union?"

I will tell you one more story, and then good night. LordLyttelton(11) was at Covent Garden; Beard came on: the formersaid, "How comes Beard here? what made him leave Drury Lane?"Mr. Shelley, who sat next him, replied, "Why, don't you know hehas been such a fool as to go and marry a Miss Rich? He hasmarried Rich's daughter. " My lord coloured; Shelley found outwhat he had said, and ran away. 

I forgot to tell you, that you need be in no disturbance aboutM`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 hearingfrom you again. I felt sorry at thinking that you was displeasedwith the frankness and sincerity of my last. You have shown methat I made a wrong judgment of you, and I willingly correct it. 

You are extremely obliging in giving yourself the least troubleto make collections for me. I have received so much assistanceand information from you, that I am sure I cannot have a moreuseful friend. For the Catalogue, I forgot it, as in the courseof things I suppose it is forgot. For the Lives of EnglishArtists I am going immediately to begin it, and shall then flingit into the treasury of the world, for the amusement of the worldfor a day, and then for the service of any body who shall happenhereafter to peep into the dusty drawer where it shall repose. 

For my Lord Clarendon's new work(12) of which you ask me, I amcharmed with it. It entertains me more almost than any book Iever read. I was told there was little in it that had notalready got abroad, or was not known by any other channels. Ifthat is true, I own I am so scanty an historian as to have beenignorant of many of the facts but sure, at least, thecircumstances productive of, or concomitant on several of them, set them in very new lights. The deductions and stating ofarguments are uncommonly fine. His language I find muchcensured--in truth, it is sometimes involved, particularly in theindistinct usage of he and him. But in my opinion his style isnot so much inferior to the former History as it seems. But thisI take to be the case; when the former part appeared, the worldwas not accustomed to a good style as it is now. I question ifthe History of the Rebellion had been published but this summer, whether it would be thought so fine in point of style as it hasgenerally been reckoned. For his veracity, alas! I am sorry tosay, there is more than one passage in the new work which putsone a little upon one's guard in lending him implicit credit. When he says that Charles I. And his queen were a pattern ofconjugal affection, it makes one stare. Charles was so, I verilybelieve; but can any man in his historical senses believe, thatmy Lord Clarendon did not know that, though the Queen was apattern of affection, it was by no means of the conjugalkind. (13) Then the subterfuges my Lord Clarendon uses to avoidavowing that Charles II. Was a Papist, are certainly no groundsfor corroborating his veracity. (14) In short, I don't believehim when he does not speak truth; but he has spoken so muchtruth, that it is easy to see when he does not. 

Lucan is in poor forwardness. I have been plagued with asuccession of bad printers, and am not got beyond the fourthbook. It will scarce appear before next winter. Adieu! Sir. Ihave received so much pleasure and benefit from yourcorrespondence, that I should be sorry to lose it. I will notdeserve to lose it, but endeavour to be, as you will give meleave to be, your, etc. 

(12) The life of Edward Earl of Clarendon, etc. Dr. Johnson, inthe sixty-fifth number of the Idler, has also celebrated theappearance of this interesting and valuable work. -C. 

(13) Mr. Walpole had early taken up this opinion; witness thatgross line in his dull epistle to Aston, written in 1740, "Thelustful Henrietta's Romish shade;" but we believe that no goodauthority for this imputation can be produced: there is strongevidence the other way: and if we were even to stand on mereauthority, we should prefer that of Lord Clarendon to thescandalous 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 lightin later times, of Charles's having, with great secrecy andmystery, reconciled himself to the church of Rome on hisdeathbed, proves that up to that extreme hour he was not aPapist. -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 personof my consequence! I am now almost ready to say, We, instead of IIn short, I live amongst royalty--considering the plenty, that isno great wonder. All the world lives with them, and they withall the world. Princes and Princesses open shops in every cornerof the town, and the whole town deals with them. As I have goneto 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, thatI came to town on purpose a month ago for the Duke's levee, andhad engaged brand to go with me, and then could not bring myselfto it. At last, I went to him and the Princess Emily yesterday. It was well I had not flattered myself with being still in mybloom; I am grown so old since they saw me, that neither of themknew me. When they were told, he just spoke to me (I forgivehim; he is not out of my debt, even with that) - she wasexceedingly gracious, and commended Strawberry to the skies. TO-night, I was asked to their party at Norfolk House. Theseparties are wonderfully select and dignified one might sooner bea knight of Malta than qualified for them; I don't know how theDuchess of Devonshire, Mr. Fox, and I, were forgiven some of ourancestors. There were two tables at loo, two at whist, and aquadrille. 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, andbroke four pieces off a great crystal chandelier. I stick to myetiquette, and treat them with great respect; not as I do myfriend, the Duke of York. But don't let us talk any more ofPrinces. My Lucan appears to-morrow; I must say it is a noblevolume. Shall I send it you--or won't you come and fetch it?

There is nothing new of public, but the violent commotions inIreland, (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 HarryBeauclerc; her lord dropped down dead two nights ago, as he wassitting with her and all their children. Admiral Boscawen isdead by this time. (16) Mrs. Osborne and I are not muchafflicted; Lady Jane Coke too is dead, exceedingly rich; I havenot heard her will yet. 

If you don't come to town soon, I give you warning, I will be alord of the bedchamber, or a gentleman usher. If you will, Iwill be nothing but what I have been so many years-my own andyours ever. 

(15) Walpole, in his Memoires, vol. Ii. P. 401, gives aparticular account of these commotions. Gray, in a letter to Dr. Wharton, of the 23d of January, says, "They placed an old womanon the throne, and called for pipes and tobacco; made my LordChief Justice administer an oath (which they dictated) to my LordChancellor; beat the Bishop of Killaloe black and blue; atfoot-ball with Chenevix, the old refugee Bishop of Waterford;rolled my Lord Farnham in the kennel; pulled Sir ThomasPrendergast by the nose (naturally large) till it was the size ofa cauliflower-; and would have hanged Rigby if he had not got outof a window. At last the guard was obliged to move (with ordersnot to fire), but the mob threw dirt at them. Then the horsebroke in upon them, cutting and slashing, and took seventeenprisoners. The notion that had possessed the crowd was, that aunion was to be voted between the two nations, and they shouldhave 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 unfortunateAdmiral Byng. She was married to the son of sir John Osborn ofChicksand 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 causeof my concern yesterday. I saw you much displeased at what I hadsaid; and felt so innocent of the least intention of offendingyou, that I could not help being struck at my own ill-fortune, and wit[) the sensation raised by finding you mix great goodnesswith great severity. 

I am naturally very impatient under praise; I have reflectedenough on myself to know I don't deserve it; and with thisconsciousness you ought to forgive me, Madam, if I dreaded thatthe person Whose esteem I valued the most in the world, shouldthink, that I was fond of what I know is not my due. I meant toexpress this apprehension as respectfully as I could, but mywords failed me-a misfortune not too common to me, who am apt tosay too much, not too little! Perhaps it is that very qualitywhich your ladyship calls wit, and I call tinsel, for which Idread being praised. I wish to recommend myself to you by moreessential merits-and if I can only make you laugh, it will bevery apt to make me as much concerned as I was yesterday. Forpeople to whose approbation I am indifferent, I don't carewhether they commend or condemn me for my wit; in the former casethey Will not make me admire myself for it, in the latter theycan't make me think but what I have thought already. But for thefew whose friendship I wish, I would fain have them see, thatunder all the idleness of my spirits there are some very seriousqualities, such as warmth, gratitude, and sincerity, which @illreturns 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 haveto say so much upon, will not your good-nature apply it as itdeserves, to what passed yesterday? Won't you believe that myconcern flowed from being disappointed at having offended onewhom I ought by so many ties to try to please, and whom, if Iever meant any thing, I had meaned to please? I intended youshould see how much I despise wit, if I have any, and that youshould know my heart was void of vanity and full of gratitude. They -are very few I desire should know so much; but my passionsact too promptly and too naturally, as you saw, when I am withthose I really love, to be capable of any disguise. Forgive me, Madam, this tedious detail but of all people living, I cannotbear 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 rudeseason! Sure you must be become a snowball! As I was not inEngland in forty-one, I had no notion of such cold. The streetsare abandoned; nothing appears in them: the Thames is almost assolid. Then think what a campaign must be in such a season! Ourarmy was under arms for fourteen hours on the twenty-third, expecting the French and several of the men were frozen when theyshould have dismounted. What milksops the Marlboroughs andTtirennes, the Blakes and the Van Tromps appear now, who whippedinto winter quarters and into port, the moment their noses lookedblue. Sir Cloudesly Shovel said that an admiral would deserve tobe broke, who kept great ships out after the end of September, and to be shot if after October. There is Hawke(18) in the bayweathering this winter, after conquering in a storm. For mypart, I scarce venture to make a campaign in the Opera-house; forif I once begin to freeze, I shall be frozen through in a moment. I am amazed, with such weather, such ravages, and distress, thatthere is any thing left in Germany, but money; for thither halfthe treasure of Europe goes: England, France, Russia, and all theEmpress can squeeze from Italy and Hungary, all is sent thither, and yet the wretched people have not subsistence. A pound ofbread sells at Dresden for eleven-pence. We are going to sendmany more troops thither; and it Is so much the fashion to raiseregiments, that I wish there were such a neutral kind of beingsin England as abb`es, that one might have an excuse for notgrowing military mad, when one has turned the heroic corner ofone's age. I am ashamed of being a young rake, when my seniorsare covering their gray toupees with helmets and feathers, andaccoutering their pot-bellies with cuirasses and martialmasquerade habits. Yet rake I am, and abominably so, for aperson that begins to wrinkle reverently. I have sat up twicethis 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 onSaturday night I supped with Prince Edward at my Lady Rochford's, and we stayed till half an hour past three. My favour with thatHighness continues, or rather increases. He makes every bodymake suppers for him to meet me, for I still hold out againstgoing to court. In short, if he were twenty years older, or Icould make myself twenty years younger, I might carry him toCamden-house, and be as impertinent as ever my Lady Churchillwas; but, as I dread being ridiculous, I shall give my Lord Buteno uneasiness. My Lady Maynard, who divides the favour of thistiny court with me, - supped with us. Did you know she singsFrench ballads very prettily? Lord Rochford played on the guitar, and the Prince sung; there were my two nieces, and LordWaldegrave, Lord Huntingdon, and Mr. Morrison the groom, and theevening was pleasant; but I had a much more agreeable supper lastnight at Mrs. Clive's, with Miss West, my niece Cholmondeley, andMurphy, the writing actor, who is very good company, and two orthree more. Mrs. Cholmondeley is very lively; you know howentertaining the Clive is, and Miss West is an absolute original. 

There is nothing new, but a very dull pamphlet, written by LordBath, and his chaplain Douglas, called a Letter to Two Great Men. It is a plan for the peace, and much adopted by the city, andmuch admired by all who are too humble to judge for themselves. 

I was much diverted the other morning with another volume onbirds, by Edwards, who has published four or five. The poor man, who is grown very old and devout, begs God to take from him thelove of natural philosophy; and having observed some heterodoxproceedings among bantam cocks, he proposes that all schools ofgirls and boys should be promiscuous, lest, if separated, theyshould learn wayward passions. But what struck me most were hisdedications, the last was to God; this is to Lord Bute, as if hewas determined to make his fortune in one world or the other. 

Pray read Fontaine's fable of the lion grown old; don't it putyou in mind of any thing? No! not when his shaggy majesty hasborne the insults of the tiger and the horse, etc. And the asscomes last, kicks out his only remaining fang, and asks for ablue bridle? Apropos, I will tell you the turn Charles Townshendgave to this fable. "My lord, " said he, "has quite mistaken thething; he soars too high at first: people often miscarry by notproceeding by degrees; he went and at once asked for my LordCarlisle's garter-if he would have been contented to ask firstfor my Lady Carlisle's garter, I don't know but he would haveobtained it. " ' Adieu!

(18) Sir Edward Hawke had defeated the French fleet, commanded byAdmiral Conflans, in the beginning of this winter. [A graphicaldescription of this victory is given by Walpole in his Memoires. "It was, " he says, "the 20th of November: the shortness of theday prevented the total demolition of the enemy; but neitherdarkness, nor a dreadful tempest that ensued, could call off SirEdward from pursuing his blow. The roaring of the element wasredoubled by the thunder from our ships; and both concurred, inthat scene of horror, to put a period to the navy and hopes ofFrance. "--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 andexercise, but to look after my gold-fish and orange-trees. Weimport all the delights of hot countries, but as we cannotpropagate their climate too, such a season as this is mighty aptto murder rarities. And it is this very winter that has beenused for the invention of a campaign in Germany! where all fuelis so destroyed that they have no fire but out of the mouth of acannon. If I were writing to an Italian as well as into Italy, one might string concetti for an hour, and describe how heroesare frozen on their horses till they become their own statues. But seriously, does not all this rigour of warfare throw back anair of effeminacy on the Duke of Marlborough and the brave ofancient days, who only went to fight as one goes out of town inspring, and who came back to London with the first frost'@ Ourgenerals are not yet arrived, though the Duke de Broglio's lastmiscarriage seems to determine that there shall at last be such athing as winter quarters; but Daun and the King of Prussia arestill 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 thesame fever and sore throat of which she lost four children fouryears ago. It looks as if it was a plague fixed in the walls oftheir house: it broke out again among their servants, and carriedoff two, a year and a half after the children. About ten daysago Lord Besborough was seized with it, and escaped withdifficulty; then the eldest daughter had it, though slightly: mylady, attending them, is dead of it in three days. It is thesame 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 suchpolitical foes, but I am much more concerned for the return ofyour headaches. I don't know what to say about Ward's(21)medicine, because the cures he does in that complaint areperformed by him in person. He rubs his hand with somepreparation and holds it upon your forehead, from which severalhave found instant relief. If you please, I will consult himwhether he will send you any preparation for it; but you mustfirst send me the exact symptoms and circumstances of yourdisorder and constitution, for I would not for the world ventureto 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 withthe militia, others raising regiments or with their regiments; inshort, 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 ofDevonshire, 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, atthis time, to have a surprising effect. He is immortalized byPope-

"See Ward by batter'd beaux invited over. "

There is a curious statue of him in marble at the Society ofArts, 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 whetheryou have the constitution of a horse or a man, you will beequally in danger. All the horses in town are laid up with sorethroats and colds, and are so hoarse you cannot hear them speak, I, with all my immortality, have been -half killed; that violentbitter weather was too much for me; I have had a nervous feverthese six or seven weeks every night, and have taken bark enoughto have made a rind for Daphne; nay, have even stayed at home twodays; but I think my eternity begins to bud again. I am quite ofDr. Garth's mind, who, when any body commended a hard frost tohim, 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 Granbyis dead; and the famous Polly, Duchess of Bolton, and my LadyBesborough. I have no great reason to lament the last, and yetthe circumstances of her death, and the horror of it to herfamily, make one shudder. It was the same sore throat and feverthat carried off four of their children a few years ago. My lordnow fell ill of it, very ill, and the eldest daughter slightly:my lady caught it, attending her husband, and concealed it aslong as she could. When at last the physician insisted on herkeeping her bed, she said, as she went into her room, "Then, Lordhave mercy on me! I shall never come out of it again, " and diedin three days. Lord Besborough grew outrageously impatient atnot seeing her, and would have forced into her room, when she hadbeen dead about four days. They were obliged to tell him thetruth: never was an answer that expressed so much horror! hesaid, "And how many children have I left?"not knowing how farthis calamity might have reached. Poor Lady Coventry is nearcompleting this black list. 

You have heard, I suppose, a horrid story of another kind, ofLord Ferrers murdering his steward in the most barbarous anddeliberate manner. He sent away all his servants but one, and, like that heroic murderess Queen Christina, carried the poor manthrough a gallery and several rooms, locking them after him, andthen bid the man kneel down, for he was determined to kill him. The poor creature flung himself at his feet, but in vain; wasshot, and lived twelve hours. Mad as this action was from theconsequences, there was no frenzy in his behaviour; he got drunk, and, at intervals, talked of it coolly; but did not attempt toescape, till the colliers beset his house, and were determined totake him alive or dead. He is now in the gaol at Leicester, andwill soon be removed to the Tower, then to Westminster Hall, andI suppose to Tower Hill; unless, as Lord Talbot prophesied in theHouse of Lords, "Not being thought mad enough to be shut up, tillhe had killed somebody, he will then be thought too mad to beexecuted;" 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 Ipassed yesterday. A party was made to go to the Magdalen-house. We met at Northumberland-house at five, and set off in fourcoaches. Prince Edward, Colonel Brudenel his groom, LadyNorthumberland, Lady Mary Coke, Lady Carlisle, Miss Pelham, LadyHertford, Lord Beauchamp, Lord Huntingdon. Old Bowman, and I. This new convent is beyond Goodman's-fields, and I assure youwould content any Catholic alive. We were received by--oh!first, a vast mob, for princes are not so common at that end ofthe town as at this. Lord Hertford, at the head of the governorswith their white staves, met us at the door, and led the Princedirectly into the chapel, where, before the altar, was anarm-chair for him, with a blue damask cushion, a prie-Dieu, and afootstool of black cloth with gold nails. We set on forms nearhim. There were Lord and Lady Dartmouth in the odour ofdevotion, and many city ladies. The chapel is small and low, butneat, hung with Gothic paper, and tablets of benefactions. Atthe west end were enclosed the sisterhood, above an hundred andthirty, all in grayish brown stuffs, broad handkerchiefs, andflat straw hats, with a blue riband, pulled quite over theirfaces. As soon as we entered the chapel, the organ played, andthe Magdalens sung a hymn in parts; you cannot imagine how well, The chapel was dressed with orange and myrtle, and there wantednothing but a little incense to drive away the devil-or to invitehim. Prayers then began, psalms, and a sermon: the latter by ayoung clergyman, one Dodd, (22) who contributed to the Popish ideaone had imbibed, by haranguing entirely in the French style, andvery eloquently and touchingly. He apostrophized the lost sheep, who sobbed and cried from their souls; so did my Lady Hertfordand Fanny Pelham, till I believe the city dames took them bothfor Jane Shores. The confessor then turned to the audience, andaddressed himself to his Royal Highness, whom he called mostillustrious Prince, beseeching his protection. In short, it wasa very pleasing performance, and I got the most illustrious todesire it might be printed. We had another hymn, and then wereconducted to the parloir, where the governors kissed the Prince'shand, and then the lady abbess, or matron, brought us tea. Fromthence we went to the refectory, where all the nuns, withouttheir hats, were ranged at long tables, ready for supper. A fewwere handsome, many who seemed to have no title to theirprofession, and two or three of twelve years old; but allrecovered, and looking healthy. I was struck and pleased withthe modesty of two of them, who swooned away with the confusionof being stared at. We were then shown their work, which ismaking linen, and bead-work; they earn ten pounds a-week. Onecircumstance diverted me, but amidst all this decorum, I kept itto myself. The wands of the governors are white, but twisted attop with black and white, which put me in mind of Jacob's rods, that he placed before the cattle to make them breed. My LordHertford would never have forgiven me, if I had joked on this; soI kept my countenance very demurely, nor even inquired, whetheramong the pensioners there were any novices from Mrs. Naylor's. 

The court-martial on Lord George Sackville is appointed: GeneralOnslow is to be Speaker of it. Adieu! till I see you; I am gladit will be so soon. 

(22) The unfortunate Dr. Dodd, who suffered at Tyburn, in June1770, 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) theyare poetry, and resemble that of the East; that is, they containnatural images and natural sentiment elevated, before rules wereinvented to make poetry difficult and dull. The transitions areas sudden as those in Pindar, but not so libertine; for theystart into new thoughts on the subject, without wandering fromit. ' I like particularly the expression of calling Echo, "Son ofthe Rock. " The Monody is much the best. 

I (cannot say I am surprised to hear that the controversy on theQueen of Scots is likely to continue. Did not somebody write adefence of Nero, and yet none of his descendants remained topretend to the empire? If Dr. Robertson could have said more, Iam sorry it will be forced from him. He had better have said itvoluntarily. You will forgive me for thinking his subject didnot demand it. Among the very few objections to his charmingwork, one was, that he seemed to excuse that Queen more than wasallowable, 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 uppity for her and resentment against her persecutress, and by muchoverloading the demerits of Lord Darnley. For my part, Dr. Mackenzie, or any body else, may write what they please againstme: I meaned to speak my mind, not to write controversy-trashseldom read but by the two opponents who write it. Yet were Iinclined to reply, like Dr. Robertson, I could say a little more. You have mentioned, Sir, Mr. Dyer's Fleece. I own I think it avery insipid poem. (25) His Ruins of Rome had great picturesquespirit, and his Grongar Hill was beautiful. His Fleece I couldnever get through; and from thence I suppose never heard of Dr. Mackenzie. 

Your idea of a collection of ballads for the cause of liberty isvery public-spirited. I wish, Sir, I could say I thought itwould answer your view. Liberty, like other good and badprinciples, can never be taught the people but when it is taughtthem by faction. The mob will never sing lilibullero but inopposition to some other mob. However, if you pursue thethought, there is an entire treasure of that kind in the libraryof Maudlin College, Cambridge. It was collected by Pepys, secretary of the admiralty, and dates from the battle ofAgincourt. Give me leave to say, Sir, that it is verycomfortable to me to find gentlemen of your virtue and partsattentive to what is so little the object of public attentionnow. The extinction of faction, that happiness to which we oweso much of our glory and success, may not be without someinconveniences. A free nation, perhaps, especially when arms arebecome so essential to our existence as a free people, may want alittle opposition: as it is a check that has preserved us solong, one cannot wholly think it dangerous; and though I wouldnot be one to tap new resistance to a government with which Ihave no fault to find, yet it may not be unlucky hereafter, ifthose who do not wish so well to it, would a little showthemselves. They are not strong enough to hurt; they may be ofservice by keeping ministers in awe. But all this isspeculation, and flowed from the ideas excited in me by yourletter, that is full of benevolence both to public and private. Adieu! Sir; believe that nobody has more esteem for you than israised by each letter. 

(23) Now first collected. 

(24) "Fragments of Ancient Poetry, collected in the Highlands ofScotland, and translated from the Gaelic, or Erse Language, " theproduction of James Macpherson; the first presentation to theworld of that literary novelty, which was afterwards to excite somuch discussion and dissension in the literary world. -E. 

(25) Dr. Johnson was pretty much of Walpole's opinion. "Of TheFleece, " he says, "which never became popular, and is nowuniversally neglected, I can say little that is likely to call itto attention. The woolcomber and the poet appear to me suchdiscordant natures, that an attempt to bring them together is tocouple 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 magnificenceYou 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 ofHerculaneum as they appear, if ever they do appear, which Isuppose is doubtful now that King Carlos(27) is gone to Spain. One thing pray observe, that I don't beg these scarce books ofyou, as a bribe to spur me on to obtain for you yourextra-extraordinaries. Mr. Chute and I admire Caserta; and he atleast is no villanous judge of architecture; some of our Englishtravellers abuse it; but there are far from striking faults: thegeneral idea seems borrowed from Inigo Jones's Whitehall, thoughwithout the glaring uglinesses, which I believe have been lent toInigo; those plans, I think, were supplied by Lord Burlington, Kent, and others, to very imperfect sketches of the author. IsCaserta finished and furnished? Were not the treasures ofHerculaneum to be deposited there?

I am in the vein of drawing upon your benevolence, and shallproceed. Young Mr. Pitt, (28) nephew of the Pitt, is setting outfor Lisbon with Lord Kinnoul, and will proceed through Granada toItaly, with his friend Lord Strathmore;(29) not the son, Ibelieve, of that poor mad Lady Strathmore(30) whom you rememberat Florence. The latter is much commended; I don't know him: Mr. Pitt is not only a most ingenious Young man, but a most amiableone: he has already acted in the most noble style-I don't meanthat he took a quarter of Quebec, or invaded a bit of France, orhas spoken in the House of Commons better than DemostheneS'Snephew: but he has an odious father, and has insisted on gloriouscuttings off of entails on himself, that his father's debts mightbe paid and his sisters provided for. My own lawyer, (31) whoknew nothing of my being acquainted with him, spoke to me of himin raptures--no small merit in a lawyer to comprehend virtue incutting off an entail when it was not to cheat; but indeed thislawyer was recommended to me by your dear brother --no wonder heis 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 toknow one you will like so much. I should indeed have given ithim, were it only to furnish you with an opportunity ofingratiating yourself with Mr. Pitt's nephew: but I address himto your heart. Well! but I have heard of another honest lawyer!The famous Polly, Duchess of Bolton, (32) is dead, having, after alife of merit, relapsed into her Pollyhood. Two years ago, atTunbridge, 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, refusedto draw it. The Court of Chancery did furnish one other, notquite so scrupulous, and her three sons have but a thousandpounds apiece; the surgeon about nine thousand. 

I think there is some glimmering of peace! God send the worldsome repose from its woes! The King of Prussia has writ toBelleisle to desire the King of France will make peace for him:no injudicious step, as the distress of France will make themglad to oblige him. We have no other news, but that Lord GeorgeSackville has at last obtained a court-martial. I doubt muchwhether he will find his account in it. One thing I know Idislike-a German aide-de-camp is to be an evidence! Lord Georgehas paid the highest compliment to Mr. Conway's virtue. Beingtold, as an unlucky circumstance for him, that Mr. Conway was tobe one of his judges, (but It is not so, ) he replied, there wasno man in England he should so soon desire of that number. Andit is no mere compliment, for Lord George has excepted againstanother of them--but he knew whatever provocation he may havegiven to Mr. Conway, whatever rivalship there has been betweenthem, nothing could bias the integrity of the latter. There isgoing to be another court-martial on a mad Lord Charles Hay, (33)who has foolishly demanded it; but it will not occupy theattention of the world like Lord George's. There will soon beanother trial of another sort on another madman, an Earl Ferrers, who has murdered his steward. He was separated by Parliamentfrom his wife, a very pretty woman, whom he married with nofortune, for the most groundless barbarity, and now killed hissteward for having been evidence for her; but his story andperson 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 latelyhad a mudquake, and giving themselves terrafirma airs, call it anearthquake! 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 Frenchprisoners, abandoned by their monarch. Must not it make theRomans blush in their Appian-way, who dragged their prisoners intriumph? What adds to this benevolence is, that we cannotcontribute to the subsistence of our own prisoners in France;they conceal where they keep them, and use them cruelly to makethem enlist. We abound in great charities: the distress of warseems to heighten rather than diminish them. There is a new one, not quite so certain of its answering, erected for those wretchedwomen, called abroad les filles repenties. I was there the othernight, and fancied myself in a convent. 

The Marquis of Buckingham and Earl Temple are to have the twovacant 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, alittle poetry, a little painting, and some divinity, I knownothing. How should I? I, who have always lived in the big busyworld; who lie abed all the morning, calling it morning as longas you please; who sup in company; who have played at pharaohhalf my life, and now at loo till two and three in the morning;who have always loved pleasure haunted auctions--in short, whodon't know so much astronomy as would carry me to Knightsbridge, nor more physic than a physician, nor in short any thing that iscalled science. If it were not that I lay up a little provisionin summer, like the ant, I should be as ignorant as all thepeople I live with. How I have LAUGHED when some of themagazines have called me the learned gentleman! Pray don't belike 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' Russiato-day in the papers; but how should there be peace? If We arevictorious, what is the King of Prussia? Will the distress ofFrance move the Queen of Hungary? When we do make peace, how fewwill it content! The war was made for America, but the peacewill be made for Germany; and whatever geographers may pretend, Crown-point lies somewhere in Westphalia. Again adieu! I don'tlike your rheumatism, and much less your plague. 

(26) Prints of the palace of Caserta. 

(27) Don Carlos, King of Naples, who succeeded his half-brotherFerdinand in the crown of Spain. An interesting picture of thecourt of the King of the Two Sicilies at the time of his leavingNaples, will be found in the Chatham Correspondence, in a letterfrom Mr. Stanier Porten to Mr. Pitt. See vol. Ii. P. 31. -E. 

(28) Thomas, only son of Thomas Pitt of boconnock, eldest brotherof 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) issetting out on his travels. He goes with my Lord Kinnoul toLisbon; then (by sea still) to Cates; then up the Guadalquiver toSeville and Cordova, and so perhaps to Toledo, but certainly toGrenada; and, after breathing the perfumed air of Andalusia, andcontemplating the remains of Moorish magnificence, re-embarks atGibraltar or Malaga, and sails to Genoa. Sure an extraordinarygood way of passing a few winter months, and better than draggingthrough Holland, Germany, and Switzerland, to the same place. " Acopy of Mr. Thomas Pitt's manuscript Diary of his tour to Spainand Portugal is in the possession of Mr. Bentley, the proprietorof this Correspondence. -E. ]

(29) John Lyon, ninth Earl of Strathmore. He married in 1767Miss Bowes, the great heiress, whose disgraceful adventures areso well known. -D. 

(30) Lady Strathmore, rushing between her husband and agentleman, with whom he had quarrelled and was fighting, andtrying to hold the former, the other stabbed him in her -arms, onwhich 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. CharlesDuke of Bolton took her off the stage, had children by her, andafterwards 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 ableto send you a SHEET or two of my new work, but I find so manydifficulties and so much darkness attending the beginning, that Ican scarce say I have begun. I can only say in general, that Ido not propose to go further back than I have sure footing; thatis, I shall commence with what Vertue had collected from ourrecords, which, with regard to painting, do not date before HenryIII. ; and then from him there is a gap to Henry VII. I shallsupply that with a little chronology of intervening paintings, THOUGH, hitherto, I can find none of the two first Edwards. FromHenry VIII. There will be a regular succession of painters, shortlives of whom I am enabled by Vertue's MSS. To write, and I shallconnect them historically. I by no means Mean to touch onforeign Artists, unless they came over hither; but they areessential, for we had scarce any others tolerable. I propose tobegin with the anecdotes of painting only, because, in thatbranch, my materials are by far most considerable. If I shall beable to publish this part, perhaps it may induce persons ofcuriosity and knowledge to assist me in the darker parts of thestory touching our architects, statuaries, and engravers. But itis from the same kind friendship which has assisted me soliberally already, that I expect to draw most information; need Ispecify, Sir, that I mean yours, when the various hints in yourlast letter speak so plainly for me?

It is a pleasure to have any body one esteems agree with one'sown sentiments, as you do strongly with mine about Mr. Hurd. (34)It is impossible not to own that he has sense and greatknowledge--but sure he is a most disagreeable writer! He loadshis thoughts with so many words, and those couched in so hard astyle, and so void of all veracity, that I have no patience toread him. In one point. In the dialogues you mention, he isperfectly ridiculous. He takes infinite pains to make the worldbelieve, upon his word, that they are the genuine productions ofthe speakers, and yet does not give himself the least trouble tocounterfeit the style of any one of them. What was so easy as toimitate Burnet? In his other work, the notes on Horace, he isstill more absurd. He cries up Warburton's preposterous notes onShakspeare, which would have died of their own folly, though Mr. Edwards had not put them to death with the keenest wit in theworld. (35) But what signifies any sense, when it takes Warburtonfor a pattern, who, with much greater parts, has not been able tosave himself from, or rather has affectedly involved himself innumberless absurdities?--who proved Moses's legation by the sixthbook of Virgil;--a miracle (Julian's Earthquake), by proving itwas none;--and who explained a recent poet (Pope) by metaphysicalnotes, ten times more obscure than the text! As if writing werecome to perfection, Warburton and Hurd are going back again; andsince commentators, obscurity, paradoxes, and visions have beenso long exploded, ay, and pedantry too, they seem to think thatthey shall have merit by reviving what was happily forgotten -, and yet these men have their followers, by that balance whichcompensates to one for what he misses from another. When anauthor writes clearly, he is imitated; and when obscurely, he isadmired. Adieu!

(34) Who died Bishop of Worcester in 1808. He was the author ofmany works, most of which are now little read, although they hada great vogue in their day. There is a great deal of justice inMr. 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 GreatBritain, France, and Ireland, you must abate about an hundredththousandth part of the dignity of your crown. You are no moremonarch 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 wecede this Hibernian town, in order to recover Minorca, or to keepQuebec and Louisbourg. To be sure, it is natural you shouldthink so: how should so victorious and heroic nation cease toenjoy any of its possessions, but to save Christian blood? Oh! Iknow, you will suppose there has been another insurrection, andthat it is King John(36) of Bedford, and not King George ofBrunswick, that has lost this town. Why, I own you are a greatpolitician, and see things in a moment-and no wonder, consideringhow long you have been employed in negotiations; but for once allyour sagacity is mistaken. Indeed, considering the totaldestruction of the maritime force of France, and that the greatmechanics and mathematicians of this age have not invented aflying bridge to fling over the sea and land from the coast ofFrance to the north of Ireland, it was not easy to conceive howthe French should conquer Carrickfergus--and yet they have. Buthow I run on! not reflecting that by this time the old Pretendermust have hobbled through Florence on his way to Ireland, to takepossession of this scrap of his recovered domains; but I may aswell tell you at once, for to be sure you and the loyal body ofEnglish in Tuscany will slip over all this exordium to come tothe account of so extraordinary a revolution. Well, here it is. Last week Monsieur Thurot--oh! now you are au fait!--MonsieurThurot, as I was saying, landed last week in the isle of Islay, the capital province belonging to a great Scotch King, (37) who isso good as generally to pass the winter with his friends here inLondon. Monsieur Thurot had three ships, the crews of whichburnt two ships belonging to King George, and a house belongingto his friend the King of Argyll--pray don't mistake; by hisfriend(38) I mein King George's, not Thurot's friend. When theyhad finished this campaign, they sailed to Carrickfergus, apoorish town, situated in the heart of the Protestant cantons. They immediately made a moderate demand of about twenty articlesof provisions, promising to pay for them; for you know it is theway of modern invasions(39) to make them cost as much as possibleto oneself, and as little to those one invades. If this was notcomplied with, they threatened to burn the town, and then marchto Belfast, which is much richer. We were sensible of this civilproceedings and not to be behindhand, agreed to it; but somehowor other this capitulation was broken; on which a detachment (thewhole invasion consists of one thousand men) attack the place. We shut the gates, but after the battle of Quebec it isimpossible that so great a people should attend to such triflesas locks and bolts, accordingly there were none--and as if therewere no gates neither, the two armies fired through them--if thisis a blunder, remember I am describing an Irish war. I forgot togive you the numbers of the Irish army. It consisted but Ofseventy-two, under lieut. -colonel Jennings, a wonderful braveman--too brave, in short, to be very judicious. Unluckily ourammunition was soon spent, for it is not above a year that therehave been any apprehensions for Ireland, and as all that part ofthe country are most protestantly loyal, it was not thoughtnecessary to arm people who would fight till they die for theirreligion. When the artillery was silenced, the garrison thoughtthe best way of saving the town was by flinging it at the headsof the besiegers; accordingly they poured volleys of brickbats atthe French, whose commander, Monsieur Flobert, was mortallyknocked down, and his troops began to give way. However, GeneralJennings thought it most prudent to retreat to the castle, andthe French again advanced. Four or five raw recruits stillbravely kept the gates, when the garrison, finding no moregunpowder in the castle than they had had in the town, and notnear so good a brick-kiln, sent to desire to surrender. GeneralThurot accordingly made them prisoners of war, and plundered thetown. 

END OF THE SIEGE OF CARRICKFERGUS. 

You will perhaps ask what preparations have been made to recoverthis loss. The, viceroy immediately despatched GeneralFitzwilliam with four regiments of foot and three of horseagainst the invaders, appointing to overtake them in person atNewry; but -@is I believe he left Bladen's Caesar, and Bland'sMilitary Discipline behind him in England, which he used to studyin the camp at Blandford, I fear he will not have his campaignequipage ready soon enough. My Lord Anson too has sent nineships, though indeed he does not think they will arrive timeenough. Your part, my dear Sir, will be very easy: you will onlyhave to say that it is nothing, while it lasts; and the moment itis 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 trialcomes on to-morrow, but I believe will be postponed, as thecourt-martial will consult the judges, whether a man who is notin the army, may be tried as an officer. The judges will answeryes, for how can a point that is not common sense, not be commonlaw!

Lord Ferrers is in the Tower; so you see the good-natured peopleof England will not want their favourite amusement, executions--not to mention, that it will be very hard if the Irish war don'tfurnish some little diversion. 

My Lord Northampton frequently asks me about you. Oh! I hadforgot, there is a dreadful Mr. Dering come over, who to showthat he has not been spoiled by his travels, got drunk the firstday he appeared, and put me horridly out of countenance about mycorrespondence with you--for mercy's sake take care how youcommunicate my letters to such cubs. I will send you no moreinvasions, if you read them to bears and bear-leaders. Seriously, my dear child, I don't mean to reprove you; I knowyour partiality to me, and your unbounded benignity to everything English; but I sweat sometimes, when I find that I havebeen corresponding for two or three months with young Derings. For clerks and postmasters, I can't help it, and besides, theynever tell one they have seen One's letters; but I beg you willat 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 yourheart 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 thelast 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 MonsieurThurot's! Instead of the waiting for the viceroy's army, andstaying to see whether it had any ammunition, or was only armedwith brickbats `a la Carrickfergienne, he re-embarked on the28th, taking along with him the mayor and three others--Isuppose, as proofs of his conquest. The Duke of Bedford had sentnotice of' the invasion to Kinsale, where lay three or four ofour best frigates. They instantly sailed, and came up with theflying invaders in the Irish Channel. You will see the shortdetail of the action in the Gazette; but, as the letter waswritten by Captain Elliot himself, you will not see there, thathe with half the number of Thurot's crew, boarded the latter'svessel. Thurot was killed, and his pigmy navy all taken andcarried into the Isle of Man. It is an entertaining episode; butthink what would have happened, if the whole of the plan hadtaken place -it the destined time. The negligence of the Duke ofBedford's administration has appeared so gross, that one maybelieve his very kingdom would have been lost, if Conflans hadnot been beat. You will see, by the deposition of Ensign hall, published in all our papers, that the account of the siege ofCarrickfergus, which I sent you in my last, was not half soridiculous as the reality--because, as that deponent said, I wasfurnished with no papers but my memory. The General Flobert, Iam told, you may remember at Florence; he was then very mad, andwas to have fought Mallet. --but was banished from Tuscany. Someyears since he was in England; and met Mallet at lordChesterfield's, but without acknowledging one another. The nextday Flobert asked the Earl if Mallet had mentioned him?--No-"Il adonc, " said Flobert, "beaucoup de retenue, car surement ce qu'ilpourroit dire de moi, ne seroit pas `a mon avantage. "--it waspretty, and they say he is now grown an agreeable and rationalman. 

The judges have given their opinion that the court-martial onlord George Sackville is legal; so I suppose it will proceed onThursday. 

I receive yours of the 16th of last month: I wish you had givenme any account of your headaches that I could show to Ward. Hewill no more comprehend nervous, than the physicians do who usethe word. Send me an exact description; if he can do you nogood, at least it will be a satisfaction to me to have consultedhim. I wish, my dear child, that what you say at the end of yourletter, of appointments and honours, was not as chronical as yourheadaches-that is a thing you may long complain of-indeed there Ican consult nobody. I have no dealings with either ourstate-doctors or statequacks. I only know that the politicalones are so like the medicinal ones, that after the doctors hadtalked nonsense for years, while we daily grew worse, the quacksventured boldly, and have done us wonderful good. I should notdislike to have you state your case to the latter, though Icannot advise it, for the regular physicians are daintilyjealous; nor could I carry it, for when they know I would takenone of their medicines myself, they would not much attend to meconsulting them for others, nor would it be decent, nor should Icare to be seen in their shop. Adieu!

P. S. There are some big news from the East Indies. I don't knowwhat, except that the hero Clive has taken Mazulipatam and theGreat Mogul's grandmother. I suppose she will be brought overand put in the Tower with the Shahgoest, the strange Indian beastthat 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 timeimmemorial since he promised me the machine and the drawing insix weeks. After above half of time immemorial was elapsed, hecame and begged for ten guineas. Your brother and I called oneanother to a council of war, and at last gave it him neminecontradicente. The moment your hurrying letter arrived, I issuedout a warrant and took Sisson up, who, after all his promises, was guilty by his own confession, of not having begun thedrawing. However, after scolding him black and blue, I have gotit from him, have consigned it to your brother James, and youwill receive it, I trust, along With this. I hope too timeenough for the purposes it is to serve, and correct; if it isnot, I shall be very sorry. You shall have the machine as soonas 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 tosell, --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--sixmonths without writing to you! Sure he must turn black in theface, if he has a drop of brotherly ink in his veins. As to yourother brother, (41) he is so strange a man, that is, so common aone;, that I am not surprised at any thing he does or does notdo. 

Bless your stars that you are not here, to be worn out with thedetails of lord George's court-martial! One hears of nothingelse. It has already lasted much longer than could be conceived, and now the end of it is still at a tolerable distance. Thecolour of it is more favourable for him than it looked at first. Prince Ferdinand's narrative has proved to set out with a heap oflies. There is an old gentleman(42) of the same family who hasspared no indecency to give weight to them--but, you know, general officers are men of strict honour, and nothing can biasthem. Lord Charles Hay's court-martial is dissolved, by thedeath of one of the members--and as no German interest isconcerned to ruin him, it probably will not be re-assumed. LordFerrers'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 maymake your court to my Lady Orford, by announcing the ancientbarony of Clinton, which is fallen to her, by the death of thelast 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 anySaturday of any week, as nurses quiet children and their ownconsciences by the refined salvo of to-morrow is a new day. WhenMr. Smith's Saturday and the frame do arrive, I will pay the oneand send you the other. 

Lord George's trial is not near being finished. By its dragglingbeyond the term of the old Mutiny-bill, they were forced to makeout a new warrant: this lost two days, as all the depositionswere forced to be read over again to, and resworn by, thewitnesses; then there will be a contest, whether Sloper(44) shallre-establish his own credit by pawning it farther. Lord Ferrerscomes on the stage on the sixteenth of next month. 

I breakfasted the day before yesterday at Elia laeliaChudleigh's. There was a concert for Prince Edward's birthday, and at three, a vast cold collation, and all the town. The houseis 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 withterrenes, filigree, figures, and every thing upon earth. Everyfavour she has bestowed is registered by a bit of Dresden china. There is a glass-case full of enamels, eggs, ambers, lapislazuli, 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 rockcrystal, ready to be thrown down, in every corner. But of allcuriosities, are the conveniences in every bedchamber: greatmahogany projections, with brass handles, cocks, etc. I couldnot 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, Ishould have deferred writing, till a better opportunity, if itwere not to satisfy the curiosity of a friend; a friend whom you, Sir, will be glad to have made curious, as you originally pointedhim out as a likely person to be charmed with the old Irishpoetry you sent me. It is Mr. Gray, who is an enthusiast aboutthose poems, and begs me to put the following queries to you;which I will do in his own words, and I may say truly, Poetaloquitur. 

"I am so charmed with the two specimens of Erse poetry, that Icannot help giving you the trouble to inquire a little fartherabout 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 whatantiquity are they supposed to be?

"Is there any more to be had of equal beauty, or at allapproaching to it?

"I have been often told, that the poem called Hardykanute (whichI always admired and still admire) was the work of somebody thatlived a few years ago. (46) This I do not at all believe, thoughit has evidently been retouched in places by some modern hand;but, however, I am authorized by this report to ask, whether thetwo poems in question are certainly antique and genuine. I makethis inquiry in quality of an antiquary, and am not otherwiseconcerned about it; for if I were sure that any one now living inScotland had written them, to divert himself and laugh at thecredulity of the world, I would undertake a journey into theHighlands only for the pleasure of seeing him. "

You see, Sir, how easily you may make our greatest southern bardtravel northward to visit a brother. Young translator hadnothing to do but to own a forgery, and Mr. Gray is ready to packup his lyre, saddle Pegasus, and set out directly. Butseriously, he, ' Mr. Mason, my Lord Lyttelton, and one or twomore, whose taste the world allows, are in love with your Erseelegies - I cannot say in general they are so much admired--butMr. 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 exceedsboth the other. Mr. Home seems to have a beautiful talent forpainting genuine nature and the manners of his country. Therewas so little nature in the manners of both Greeks and Romans, that I do not wonder at his success being less brilliant when hetried those subjects; and, to say the truth, one is a littleweary of them. At present, nothing is talked of, nothingadmired, but what I cannot help calling a very insipid andtedious performance: it is a kind Of novel, called "The Life andOpinions of Tristram Shandy;" the great humour of which consistsin the whole narration always going backwards. I cannot conceivea man saying that it would be droll to write a book in thatmanner, but have no notion of his persevering in executing it. It makes one smile two or three times at the beginnings but inrecompense makes one yawn for two hours. The characters aretolerably kept up, but the humour is for ever attempted andmissed. The best thing in it is a Sermon, oddly coupled with agood deal of bawdy, and both the composition of a clergyman. Theman's head, indeed, was a little turned before, now topsy-turvywith his success and fame. (48) Dodsley has given him six hundredand fifty pounds for the second edition and two more volumes(which I suppose will reach backwards to hisgreat-great-grandfather); Lord Falconberg, a donative of onehundred and sixty pounds a-year; and Bishop Warburton gave him apurse of gold and this compliment (which happened to be acontradiction), "that it was quite an original composition, andin the true Cervantic vein:" the only copy that ever was anoriginal, except in painting, where they all pretend to be so. Warburton, however, not content with this, recommended the bookto 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. Lockhartstated, that on the blank leaf of his copy of Allan Ramsay's"Evergreen, " Sir Walter Scott has written "Hardyknute was thefirst 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 asthe book. One is invited to dinner, where he dines, a fortnightbeforehand. His portrait is done by Reynolds, and nowengraving. " He adds, in another letter, "There is much good funin Tristram, and humour sometimes hit and sometimes missed. Haveyou read his Sermons (with his own comic figure at the head ofthem)? They are in the style, I think, most proper for thepulpit, and show a very strong imagination and a sensible heart:but you see him often tottering on the verge of laughter, andready 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 allthe communications of how terrible it was, is ended inproclaiming him unfit for the King's service. Very moderate, incomparison of what was intended and desired, and truly not verysevere, considering what was proved. The other trial, LordFerrers's, lasted three days. You have seen the pomp andawfulness of such doings, so I will not describe it to you. Thejudge and criminal were far inferior to those you have seen. Forthe Lord High Steward(49) he neither had any dignity nor affectedany; nay, he held it all so cheap, that he said at his own tablet'other day, "I will not send for Garrick and learn to act apart. " At first I thought Lord Ferrers shocked, but in generalhe behaved rationally and coolly; though it was a strangecontradiction to see a man trying by his own sense, to provehimself out of his senses. It was more shocking to see his twobrothers brought to prove the lunacy in their own blood; in orderto save their brother's life. Both are almost as ill-looking menas the Earl; one of them is a clergyman, suspended by the Bishopof London for being a Methodist; the other a wild vagabond, whomthey call in the country, ragged and dangerous. After LordFerrers was condemned, he made an excuse for pleading madness, towhich he said he was forced by his family. He is respited tillMonday-fortnight, and will then be hanged, I believe in theTower; and, to the mortification of the peerage, is to beanatomized, conformably to the late act for murder. Many peerswere absent; Lord Foley and Lord Jersey attended only the firstday; and Lord Huntingdon, and my nephew Orford (in compliment tohis mother), as related to the prisoner, withdrew without voting. But never was a criminal more literally tried by his peers, forthe three persons, who interested themselves most in theexamination, were at least as mad as he; Lord Ravensworth, LordTalbot, and Lord Fortescue. Indeed, the first was almostfrantic. The seats of the peeresses were not near full, and mostof the beauties absent; the Duchess of Hamilton and my nieceWaldegrave, you know, lie in; but, to the amazement of everybody, Lady Coventry was there; and what surprised me much more, looked as well as ever. I sat next but one to her, and shouldnot have asked if she had been ill--yet they are positive she hasfew weeks to live. She and Lord Bolingbroke seemed to havedifferent thoughts, and were acting over all the old comedy ofeyes. I sat in Lord Lincoln's gallery; you and I know theconvenience of it; I thought it no great favour to ask, and hevery obligingly sent me a ticket immediately, and ordered me tobe placed in one of the best boxes. Lady Augusta was in the samegallery; the Duke of York and his young brothers were in thePrince of Wales's box, who was not there, no more than thePrincess, Princess Emily, nor the Duke. It was an agreeablehumanity in my friend--the Duke of York; he would not take hisseat 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 inthat respect; the Duke of Richmond was the finest figure; theDuke of Marlborough, with the best countenance in the world, looked clumsy in his robes; he had new ones, having given awayhis father's to the valet de chambre. There were others not atall so indifferent about the antiquity of theirs; LordHuntingdon's, Lord Abergavenny's, and Lord Castlehaven's scarcelyhung on their backs; the former they pretend were used at thetrial of the Queen of Scots. But all these honours were a littledefaced by seeing Lord Temple, as lord privy seal, walk at thehead of the peerage. Who, at the last trials, would havebelieved a prophecy, that the three first men at the next shouldbe Henley the lawyer, Bishop Secker, and Dick Grenville. 

The day before the trial, the Duke of Bolton fought a duel atMarylebone with Stewart who lately stood for Hampshire; thelatter 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 andMr. Stewart, a candidate for the county of Hampshire at the lateelection: what the quarrel was I do not know; but, they met nearMarylebone, and the Duke, in making a pass, overreached himself, fell down, and hurt his knee. The other bid him get up, but hecould not; then he bid him ask his life, but he would not; so helet him alone, and that's all. Mr. Stewart was slightlywounded. " 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 somuch and so long, is at last at an end-, gently enough, considering who were his parties, and what has been proved. Heis declared unfit to serve the King in a military capacity-but Ithink this is not the last we shall hear of Whatever were hisdeficiencies in the day of battle, he has at least showed no wantof spirit, either in pushing on his trial or during it. Hisjudgment in both was perhaps a little more equivocal. He had aformal message that he must abide the event whatever it shouldbe. He accepted that issue, and during the course of theexamination, attacked judge, prosecutor and evidence. Indeed, aman cannot be said to want spirit, who could show so much in hiscircumstances. (51) I think, without much heroism, I could soonerhave led up the cavalry to the charge, than have gone toWhitehall to be worried as he was; nay, I should have thoughtwith less danger of my life. But he is a peculiar man; and Irepeat it, we have hot heard the last of him. You will find thatby serving the King he understands in a very literal sense; andthere is a young gentleman(52) who it is believed intends thosewords shall not have a more extensive one. 

We have had another trial this week, still more solemn, thoughless interesting, and with more serious determination: I meanthat of Lord Ferrers. I have formerly described this solemnityto you. The behaviour, character, and appearance of thecriminal, by no means corresponded to the dignity of the show. His figure is bad and villanous, his crime shocking. He wouldnot plead guilty, and yet had nothing to plead; and at last tohumour his family, pleaded madness against his inclination: itwas moving to see two of his brothers brought to depose thelunacy in their blood. After he was condemned, he excusedhimself for having used that plea. He is to be hanged in afortnight, I believe, in the Tower, and his body to be deliveredto the surgeons, according to the tenour of the new act ofparliament for murder. His mother was to present a petition forhis life to the King to-day. There were near an hundred andforty peers present; my Lord Keeper was lord high steward, butwas not at all too dignified a personage to sit on such acriminal: indeed he gave himself no trouble to figure. I willsend you both trials as soon as they are published. It isastonishing with what order these shows are conducted. Neitherwithin the hall nor without was there the least disturbance, (53)though the one so full, and the whole way from Charing-cross tothe House of Lords was lined with crowds. The foreigners werestruck with the awfulness of the proceeding-it is new to theirideas, to see such deliberate justice, and such dignity ofnobility, mixed with no respect for birth in the catastrophe, andstill more humiliated by anatomizing the criminal. 

I am glad you received safe my history of Thurot: as the accountswere authentic, they must have been useful and amusing to you. Idon't expect more invasions, but I fear our correspondence willstill have martial events to trade in, though there are suchChristian professions going about the world. I don't believetheir Pacific Majesties will waive a campaign, for which they areall prepared, and by the issue of which they will all hope toimprove their terms. 

You know we have got a new Duke of York(54) and were to have hadseveral new peers, but hitherto it has stopped at him and thelord 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 forhis health. It is Mr. Morrice, clerk of the green cloth, heir ofSir William Morrice, and of vast wealth. I gave a letter latelyfor a young gentleman whom I never saw, and consequently notmeaning to incumber you with him, I did not mention himparticularly in my familiar letters. 

(51) Gray, in a letter of the 22d, gives the following account ofthe result of this trial. "The old Pundles that sat on LordGeorge Sackville have at last hammered out their sentence. He isdeclared disobedient, and unfit for all military command. Whathe will do with himself, nobody guesses. The unembarrassedcountenance, the looks of revenge, contempt, and superiority thathe bestowed on his accusers were the admiration of all, but hisusual talent and art did not appear; in short, his cause wouldnot support him. You may think, perhaps, he intends to go abroadand hide his head; au contraire, all the world visits him on hiscondemnation. " Works, vol. Iii. P. 239. -E. 

(52) George Prince of Wales. 

(53) "I was not present, " says Gray, "but Mason was in the Dukeof Ancaster's gallery. And in the greatest danger; for the cellunderneath him (to which the prisoner retires) was on fire duringthe trial, and the Duke, with the workmen, by sawing away sometimbers, and other assistance, contrived to put it out withoutany 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 handin the answer to my Lord Bath's Rhapsody: it is true thebooksellers sold it as mine, and it was believed so till peoplehad 'read it, because my name and that of Pulteney had been aptto answer one another, and because that war was dirtily revivedby the latter in his libel; but the deceit soon vanished; theanswer a appeared to have much more knowledge of the subject thanI have, and a good deal more temper than I should probably haveexerted, if I had thought it worth while to proceed to an answer;but though my Lord Bath is unwilling to enter lists in which hehas suffered so much shame, I am by no means fond of enteringthem; nor was there any honour to be acquired, either from thecontest or the combatant. 

My history of artists proceeds very leisurely; I find the subjectdry and uninteresting, and the materials scarce worth arranging:yet I think I shall execute my purpose, at least as far asrelates to painters. It is a work I can scribble at any time, and on which I shall bestow little pains; things that are so soonforgotten should not take one up too much. I had consulted Mr. Lethinkai, who told me he had communicated to Mr. Vertue whatobservations he had made. I believe they were scanty, for I findsmall 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 wasexecuted yesterday. Madness, that in other countries is adisorder, is here a systematic character; it does not hinderpeople from forming a plan of conduct, and from even dyingagreeably to it. You remember how the last Ratcliffe died withthe utmost propriety; so did this horrid lunatic, coolly andsensibly. His own and his wife's relations had asserted that hewould tremble at last. No such thing; he shamed heroes. He borethe solemnity of a pompous and tedious procession of above twohours, from the Tower to Tyburn, with as much tranquillity as ifhe was only going to his own burial, not to his own execution. He even talked on indifferent subjects in the passage; and if thesheriff and the chaplains had not thought that they had parts toact, too, and had not consequently engaged him in most particularconversation, he did not seem to think it necessary to talk onthe occasion; he went in his wedding-clothes, marking the onlyremaining impression on -his mind. The ceremony he was in ahurry to have over: he was stopped at the gallows by the vastcrowd, but got out of his coach as soon as he could, and was butseven minutes on the scaffold, which was hung with black, andprepared by the undertaker of his family at their expense. Therewas a new contrivance for sinking the stage under him, which didnot play well; and he suffered a little by the delay, but wasdead in four minutes. The mob was decent, and admired him, andalmost pitied him; so they would Lord George, whose executionthey are so angry at missing. I suppose every highwayman willnow preserve the blue handkerchief he has about his neck when heis married, that he may die like a lord. With all his madness, he was not mad enough to be struck with his aunt Huntingdon'ssermons. The Methodists have nothing to brag of his conversion, though Whitfield prayed for him and preached about him. EvenTyburn has been above their reach. I have not heard that LadyFanny dabbled with his soul; but I believe she is prudent enoughto confine her missionary zeal to subjects where the body may beher perquisite. 

When am I likely to see you? The delightful rain is come--we lookand 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 oneof the best of families, tried for murdering his servant, withthe utmost dignity and solemnity, and then hanged at the commonplace of execution for highwaymen, and afterwards anatomized?This must seem a little odd to them, especially as they have notlately had a Sixtus Quinttis. I have hitherto spoken of LordFerrers 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 aminute account of him, don't think me so far part of an Englishmob, as to fall in love with a criminal merely because I have hadthe pleasure of his execution. I certainly did not see it, norshould have been struck with more intrepidity--I never adoredheroes, whether in a cart or a triumphal car--but there has beenSuch wonderful coolness and sense in all this man's lastbehaviour, that it has made me quite inquisitive about him --notat all pity him. I only reflect, what I have often thought, howlittle connexion there is between any man's sense and hissensibility--so much so, that instead of Lord Ferrers having anyascendant over his passions, I am disposed to think, that hisdrunkenness, which was supposed to heighten his ferocity, hasrather been a lucky circumstance-what might not a creature ofsuch capacity, and who stuck at nothing, have done, if hisabilities had not been drowned in brandy? I will go back a littleinto his history. His misfortunes, as he called them, were datedfrom his marriage, though he has been guilty of horrid excessesunconnected with Matrimony, and is even believed to have killed agroom -, he died a year after receiving a cruel beating fromhim. His wife, a very pretty woman, was sister of Sir WilliamMeredith, (55) had no fortune, and he says, trepanned him intomarriage, having met him drunk at an assembly in the country, andkept him so till the ceremony was over. As he always kepthimself so afterwards, one need not impute it to her. In everyother respect, and one scarce knows how to blame her for wishingto be a countess, her behaviour was unexceptionable. (56) He hada mistress before and two or three children, and her he tookagain after the separation from his wife. He was fond of bothand used both ill: his wife so ill, always carrying pistols tobed, and threatening to kill her before morning, beating her, andjealous without provocation, that she got separated from him byact of Parliament, which appointed receivers of his estate inorder to secure her allowance. This he could not bear. However, he named his steward for one, but afterwards finding out thatthis Johnson had paid her fifty pounds without his knowledge, andsuspecting him of being in the confederacy against him, hedetermined, when he failed of opportunities of murdering hiswife, to kill the steward, which he effected as you have heard. The shocking circumstances attending the murder, I did not tellyou-indeed, while he was alive, I scarce liked to speak myopinion even to you; for though I felt nothing for him, I thoughtit wrong to propagate any notions that might interfere withmercy, if he could be then thought deserving it--and not knowinginto what hands my letter might pass before it reached yours, Ichose to be silent, though nobody could conceive greater horrorthan I did for him at his trial. Having shot the steward atthree in the afternoon, he persecuted him till one in themorning, threatening again to murder him, attempting to tear offhis bandages, and terrifying him till in that misery he was gladto obtain leave to be removed to his own house; and when the earlheard the poor creature was dead, he said he gloried in havingkilled him. You cannot conceive the shock this evidence gave thecourt-many of the lords were standing to look at him-at once theyturned from him with detestation. I had heard that on the formeraffair in the House of Lords, he had behaved with greatshrewdness--no such thing appeared at his trial. It is nowpretended, that his being forced by his family against hisinclination to plead madness, prevented his exerting his parts--but he has not acted in any thing as if his family had influenceover him--consequently his reverting to much good sense leavesthe whole inexplicable. The very night he received sentence, heplayed at picquet with the warders and would play for money, andwould have continued to play every evening, but they refuse. Lord Cornwallis, governor of the Tower, shortened his allowanceof wine after his conviction, agreeably to the late strict actson murder. This he much disliked, and at last pressed hisbrother the clergyman to intercede that at least he might havemore porter; for, said he, what I have is not a draught. Hisbrother represented against it, but at last consenting (and hedid obtain it)--then said the earl, "Now is as good a time as anyto take leave of you--adieu!" A minute journal of his wholebehaviour 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 nodoubt of madness in him, but not of a pardonable sort. Twopetitions from his mother and all his family were presented tothe King, who said, as the House of Lords had unanimously foundhim guilty, he would not interfere. Last week my lord keepervery good-naturedly got out of a gouty bed to present another:the King would not hear him. "Sir, " said the keeper, "I don'tcome to petition for mercy or respite; but that the four thousandpounds which Lord Ferrers has in India bonds may be permitted togo according to his disposition of it to his mistress' children, and the family of the murdered man. " "With all my heart, " saidthe King, "I have no objection; but I will have no messagecarried to him from me. " However, this grace was notified to himand gave him great satisfaction: but unfortunately it now appearsto be law, that it is forfeited to the sheriff of the countywhere the fact was committed; though when my Lord Hardwicke wastold that he had disposed of it, he said, to be sure he maybefore conviction. 

Dr. Pearce, Bishop of Rochester, (57) offered his service to him:he thanked the Bishop, but said, as his own brother was aclergyman, he chose to have him. Yet he had another relation whohas been much more busy about his repentance. I don't knowwhether you have ever heard that one of the singular charactershere is a Countess of Huntingdon, (58) aunt of Lord Ferrers. Sheis the Saint Theresa of the Methodists. Judge how violentbigotry must be in such mad blood! The Earl, by no meansdisposed to be a convert, let her visit him, and often sent forher, as it was more company; but he grew sick of her, andcomplained that she was enough to provoke any body. She made hersuffragan, Whitfield, pray for and preach about him, and thatimpertinent fellow told his enthusiasts in his sermon, that myLord's heart was stone. The earl wanted much to see hismistress: my Lord Cornwallis, as simple an old woman as my LadyHuntingdon herself, consulted her whether he should permit it. "Oh! by no means; it would be letting him die in adultery!" Inone thing she was more sensible. He resolved not to take leaveof his children, four girls, but on the scaffold, and then toread to them a paper he had drawn up, very bitter on the familyof Meredith, and on the House of Lords for -the firsttransaction. This my Lady Huntingdon persuaded him to drop, andhe took leave of his children the day before. He wrote twoletters in the preceding week to Lord Cornwallis on some of theserequests - they were cool and rational, and concluded withdesiring him not to mind the absurd requests of his (LordFerrers's) family in his behalf. On the last morning he dressedhimself in his wedding clothes, and said, he thought this, atleast, as good an occasion of putting them on as that for whichthey were first made. He wore them to Tyburn. This marked thestrong impression on his mind. His mother wrote to his wife in aweak angry Style, telling her to intercede for him as her duty, and to swear to his madness. But this was not so easy; in allher cause before the lords, she had persisted that he was notmad. 

Sir William Meredith, and even Lady Huntingdon had prophesiedthat his courage would fail him at last, and had so muchfoundation, that it is certain Lord Ferrers had often been beat:--but the Methodists were to get no honour by him. His couragerose where it was most likely to fail, -an unlucky circumstance toprophets, especially when they have had the prudence to have allkind of probability on their side. Even an awful procession ofabove two hours, with that mixture of pageantry, shame, andignominy, 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, inhis chariot and six, the horses dressed with ribands; next LordFerrers, in his own landau and six, his coachman crying all theway; guards at each side; the other sheriffs chariot followedempty, with a mourning coach-and-six, a hearse, and the HorseGuards. Observe, that the empty chariot was that of the othersheriff, who was in the coach with the prisoner, and who wasVaillant, the French bookseller in the Strand. How will youdecipher all these strange circumstances to Florentines? Abookseller in robes and in mourning, sitting as a magistrate bythe side of the Earl; and in the evening, every -body going toVaillant's shop to hear the particulars. I wrote to him '. As heserves me, for the account: but he intends to print it, and Iwill send it you with some other things, and the trial. LordFerrers at first talked on indifferent matters, and observing theprodigious confluence of people, (the blind was drawn up on hisside, ) he said, --"But they never saw a lord hanged, and perhapswill never see another;" One of the dragoons was thrown by hishorse's leg entangling in the hind wheel: Lord Ferrers expressedmuch concern, and said, "I hope there will be no death to-day butmine, " and was pleased when Vaillant told him the man was nothurt. Vaillant made excuses to him on his office. "On thecontrary, " said the Earl, "I am much obliged to you. I fearedthe disagreeableness of the duty might make you depute yourunder-sheriff. As you are so good as to execute it yourself, Iam persuaded the dreadful apparatus will be conducted with moreexpedition. " The chaplain of the Tower, who sat backwards, thenthought it his turn to speak, and began to talk on religion; butLord Ferrers received it impatiently. However, the chaplainpersevered, and said, he wished to bring his lordship to someconfession or acknowledgment of contrition for a crime sorepugnant to the laws of God and man, and wished him to endeavourto do whatever could be done in so short a time. The Earlreplied, "He had done every thing he proposed to do with regardto God and man; and as to discourses on religion, you and I, Sir, " said he to the clergyman, "shall probably not agree on thatsubject. The passage is very short: you will not have time toconvince me, nor I to refute you; it cannot be ended before wearrive. " The clergyman still insisted, and urged, that. Atleast, the world would expect some satisfaction. Lord Ferrersreplied, with some impatience, "Sir, what have I to do with theworld? I am going to pay a forfeit life, which my country hasthought proper to take from me--what do I care now what the worldthinks of me? But, Sir, since you do desire some confession, Iwill confess one thing to you; I do believe there is a God. Asto modes of worship, we had better not talk on them. I alwaysthought Lord Bolingbroke in the wrong, to publish his notions onreligion: 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 beexpected from one of his calling, and that even decency required, that some prayer should be used on the scaffold, and asked hisleave, at least to repeat the Lord's Prayer there. Lord Ferrersreplied, "I always thought it a good prayer; you may use it ifyou please. "

While these discourses were passing, the procession was stoppedby the crowd. The Earl said he was dry, and wished for some wineand water. The Sheriff said, he was sorry to be obliged torefuse him. By late regulations they were enjoined not to letprisoners drink from the place of imprisonment to that ofexecution, as great indecencies had been formerly committed bythe lower species of criminals getting drunk; "And though, " saidhe, "my Lord, I might think myself excusable in overlooking thisorder out of regard to a person of your lordship's rank, yetthere is another reason which, I am sure, will weigh withyou;-your Lordship is sensible of the greatness of the crowd; wemust draw up to some tavern; the confluence would be so great, that it would delay the expedition which your Lordship seems somuch to desire. " He replied, he was satisfied, adding, "Then Imust be content with this, " and took some pigtail tobacco out ofhis pocket. As they went on, a letter was thrown into his coach;it was from his mistress, to tell him, it was impossible, fromthe crowd, for her to get up to the spot where he had appointedher to meet and take leave of him, but that she was in ahackney-coach of such a number. He begged Vaillant to order hisofficers to try to get the hackney-coach up to his, "My Lord, "said Vaillant, you have behaved so well hitherto, that I think itis pity to venture unmanning yourself. " He was struck, and wassatisfied without seeing her. As they drew nigh, he said, "Iperceive we are almost arrived; it is time to do what little moreI have to do;" and then taking out his watch, gave it toVaillant, desiring him to accept it as a mark of his gratitudefor his kind behaviour, adding, "It is scarce worth Youracceptance; but I have nothing else; it is a stop-watch, and apretty accurate one. " He gave five guineas to the chaplain, andtook out as much for the executioner. Then giving Vaillant apocket-book, he begged him to deliver it to Mrs. Clifford hismistress, with what it contained, and with his most tenderregards, saying, "The key of it is to the watch, but I ampersuaded you are too much a gentleman to open it. " He destinedthe remainder of the money in his purse to the same person, andwith the same tender regards. 

When they came to Tyburn, his coach was detained some minutes bythe conflux of people; but as soon as the door was opened, hestepped out readily and mounted the scaffold: it was hung withblack, by the undertaker, and at the expense of his family. Under the gallows was a new invented stage, to be struck fromunder him. He showed no kind of fear or discomposure, only justlooking at the gallows with a slight motion of dissatisfaction. He said little, kneeled for a moment to the prayer, said, "Lordhave mercy upon me, and forgive me my errors, " and immediatelymounted 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 wasbut seven minutes from leaving the coach, to the signal given forstriking the stage. As the machine was new, they were not readyat it: his toes touched it, and he suffered a little, having hadtime, by their bungling, to raise his cap; but the executionerpulled it down again, and they pulled his legs, so that he wassoon out of pain, and quite dead in four minutes. He desired notto be stripped and exposed, and Vaillant promised him, though hisclothes must be taken off, that his shirt should not. Thisdecency ended with him: the sheriffs fell to eating and drinkingon the scaffold, ran and helped up one of their friends to drinkwith them, as he was still hanging, which he did for above anhour, and then was conveyed back with the same pomp to Surgeons'Hall, to be dissected. The executioners fought for the rope, andthe one who lost it cried. The mob tore off the black cloth asrelics; but the universal crowd behaved with great decency andadmiration, as they well might; for sure no exit was ever madewith more sensible resolution and with less ostentation. 

If I have tired you by this long narrative, you feel differentlyfrom me. The man, the manners of the country, the justice of sogreat and curious a nation, all to me seem striking, and must, Ibelieve, do more so to you, who have been absent long enough toread of your own country as history. 

I have run into so much paper, that I am ashamed at going on, buthaving a bit left, I must say a few more words. The otherprisoner, from whom the mob had promised themselves moreentertainment, is gone into the country, having been forbid thecourt, with some barbarous additions to the sentence, as you Willsee in the papers. It was notified, too, to the secondcourt, (59) who have had the prudence to countenance him nolonger. 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, orrather of the man who is no philosopher, and who had more Soucithan any man now in Europe? How contemptible they are! Miserablepoetry; not a new thought, nor an old one newly expressed. (60) Isay nothing of the folly of publishing his aversion to theEnglish, at the very time they are ruining themselves for him;nor of the greater folly of his irreligion. The epistle to Keithis puerile and shocking. He is not so sensible as Lord Ferrers, who did not think such sentiments ought to be published. HisMajesty could not resist the vanity of showing how disengaged hecan be even at this time. 

I am going to give a letter for you to Strange, the engraver, whois going to visit Italy. He is a very first-rate artist, and byfar our best. Pray countenance him, though you will not approvehis politics. (61) I believe Albano(62)) is his Loretto. 

I shall finish this vast volume with a very good story, thoughnot so authentic as my sheriff's. It is said that GeneralClive's father has been with Mr. Pitt, to notify, that if thegovernment will send his son four hundred thousand pounds, and acertain number of ships, the heaven-born general knows of a partof India, where such treasures are buried, that he will engage, to send over enough. To pay the national debt. "Oh!" said theminister, "that is too much; fifty millions would be sufficient. "Clive insisted on the hundred millions, --Pitt, that half would doas well. "Lord, Sir!" said the old man, "consider, if youradministration lasts, the national debt will soon be two hundredmillions. " Good night for a twelvemonth!

(55) Sir William Meredith, Bart. Of Hanbury, in Cheshire. Thetitle is now extinct. -D. 

(56) She afterwards married Lord Frederick Campbell, brother ofthe Duke of Argyle, and was an excellent woman. (She wasunfortunately burned to death at Lord Frederick's seat, CombeBank, 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 therare instance of disinterestedness, of wishing to relinquish allhis pieces of preferment. These consisted of the deanery ofWestminster and bishopric of Rochester. The deanery he gave up, but was not allowed to do so by the bishopric, which was said, asa peerage, to be inalienable. -D. 

(58) Lady Selina Shirley, daughter of an Earl of Ferrers. (Selina Shirley, second daughter and coheiress of Washington EarlFerrers, and widow of Theophilus Hastings, ninth Earl ofHuntingdon. She was the peculiar patroness of enthusiasts of allsorts in religion. -D. )

(59) The Prince of Wales's. 

(60) "The town are reading the King of Prussia's poetry, and Ihave 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 cramberecocta of our worst freethinkers tossed up in German-Frenchrhyme. " 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 mefor Mr. Gray the account of Erse poetry, even at a time when youwere so much out of order. That indisposition I hope is entirelyremoved, and your health perfectly reestablished. Mr. Gray isvery thankful for the information. (64)

I have lately bought, intending it for Dr. Robertson, a SpanishMS. Called "Annals del Emperador Carlos V. Autor, Francisco Lopezde Gornara. " As I am utterly ignorant of the Spanish tongue, Ido not know whether there is the least merit in my purchase. Itis not very long; if you will tell me how to convey it, I willsend it to him. 

We have nothing new but some Dialogues of the Dead by LordLyttelton. I cannot say they are very lively or striking. Thebest I think, relates to your country, and is written with a verygood design: an intention of removing all prejudices and disUnionbetween the two parts of our island. I cannot tell you how thebook is liked in general, for it appears but this moment. 

You have seen, to be sure, the King of Prussia's Poems. If heintended to raise the glory of his military capacity bydepressing his literary talents, he could not, I think, . Havesucceeded better. One would think a man had been accustomed tonothing but the magnificence of vast armies, and to the tumult ofdrums and trumpets. Who is incapable of seeing that God is asgreat in the most minute parts of creation as in the mostenormous. His Majesty does not seem to admire a mite, unless itis magnified by a Brobdignag microscope! While he is strugglingwith the force of three empires, he fancies that it adds to hisglory to be unbent enough to contend for laurels with thetriflers of a French Parnassus! Adieu! Sir. 

(63) Now first collected. 

(64) The following is Gray's description of these poems, in aletter to Wharton. --"I am gone mad about them. They are said tobe translations (literal and in prose) from the Erse tongue, doneby one Macpherson, a young clergyman in the Highlands. He meansto publish a collection he has of these specimens of antiquity;but what plagues me is, I cannot come at any certainty on thathead. I was so struck, so extasi`e, with their infinite beauty, that I writ into Scotland to make a thousand inquiries. Theletters 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 wholeexternal evidence would make one believe these fragments (for sohe calls them, though nothing can be more entire) counterfeit;but the internal is so strong on the other side, that I amresolved to believe them genuine, spite of the devil and thekirk. It is impossible to convince me, that they were inventedby the same man that writes me these letters. On the other hand, it is almost as hard to suppose, if they are original, that heshould be able to translate them so admirably. In short, thisman is the very demon of poetry, or he has lighted on a treasurehid for ages. " In another letter, be says, --"As to theirauthenticity, I have many enquiries, and have lately procured aletter from Mr. David Hume, the historian, which is moresatisfactory than any thing I have yet met with on that subject. He says, 'Certain it is, that these poems are in every body'smouth 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 youstill talk of him! You seem to think him as grave and learned asa professor of Bologna--why, he is an errant, low, indigentmechanic, and however Dr. Perelli found him out, is a shufflingknave, and I fear, no fitter to execute his orders than to writethe letter you expect. Then there was my ignorance and yourbrother James's ignorance to be thrown into the account. For thedrawing, Sisson says Dr. Perelli has the description of italready; however, I have insisted on his making a reference tothat description in a scrawl we have with much ado extorted fromhim. I pray to Sir Isaac Newton that the machine may answer: Itcosts, the stars know what! The whole charge comes to upwards ofthreescore pounds! He had received twenty pounds, and yet was sonecessitous, that on our hesitating, he wrote me a mostimpertinent letter for his money. I dreaded at first undertakinga commission for which I was so unqualified, and though I havedone all I could, I fear you and your friend will be but illsatisfied. 

Along with the machine I have sent you some new books; LordGeorge's trial, Lord Ferrers's, and the account of him; afashionable thing called Tristram Shandy, and my Lord Lyttelton'snew Dialogues of the Dead, or rather Dead Dialogues; andsomething less valuable still than any of these, but which Iflatter myself you will not despise; it is my own print, donefrom a picture that is reckoned very like--you must allow for thedifference that twenty years since you saw me have made. Thatwonderful creature Lord Ferrers, of whom I told you so much in mylast, and with whom I am not going to plague you much more, madeone of his keepers read Hamlet to him the night before his deathafter he was in bed-paid all his bills in the morning, as ifleaving an inn, and half an hour before the sheriffs fetched him, corrected some verses he had written in the Tower in imitation ofthe Duke of Buckingham's epitaph, dublus sed ron improbusvin. (65) What a noble author have I here to add to my Catalogue!For the other noble author, Lord Lyttelton, you will find hiswork paltry enough; the style, a mixture of bombast, poetry, andvulcarisms. Nothing new in the composition, except making peopletalk out of character is so. Then he loves changing sides somuch, that he makes Lord Falkland and Hampden cross over andfigure in like people in a country dance; not to mention theirguardian angels, who deserve to be hanged for murder. He isangry too at Swift, Lucian, and Rabelais, as if they had laughedat him of all men living, and he seems to wish that one wouldread the last's Dissertation 1 on Hippocrates instead of hisHistory of Pantagruel. But I blame him most, when he wassatirizing too free writers, for praising the King of Prussia'spoetry, to which any thing of Bayle is harmless. I like best theDialogue between the Duke of argyll and the Earl of Angus, andthe character of his own first wife under that of Penelope. Ineed not tell you that Pericles is Mr. Pitt. 

I have had much conversation with your brother James, and intendto have more with your eldest, about your nephew. He is a sweetboy, and has all the goodness of dear Gal. And dear you in hiscountenance. They have sent him to Cambridge under thatinterested hog the Bishop of Chester, (66) and propose to keep himthere three years. Their apprehension seems to be of his growinga fine gentleman. I could not help saying, "Why, is he not to beone?" My wish is to have him with you--what an opportunity ofhis learning the world and business under such a tutor and such aparent! but they think he will dress and run into diversions. Itried to convince them that of all spots upon earth dress isleast necessary at Florence, and where one can least divertoneself. I am answered with the necessity of Latin andmathematics-the one soon forgot, the other never got to anypurpose. I cannot bear his losing the advantage of being broughtup by you, with all the advantages of such a situation, and wherehe May learn in perfection living languages, never attained aftertwenty. I am so earnest on this, for I doat on him for dearGal. 's sake, that I will insist to rudeness on his remaining atCambridge but two years; and before that time you shall write tosecond My motions. 

The Parliament is up, and news are gone out of town: I expectnone but what we receive from Germany. As to the Pretender, hislife or death makes no impression here when a real King is sosoon forgot, how should an imaginary one be remembered? Besides, since Jacobites have found the way to St. James's, it is grown somuch the fashion to worship Kings, that people don't send theiradorations so far as Rome. He at Kensington is likely long tooutlast his old rival. The spring is far from warm, yet he wearsa silk coat and has left off fires. 

Thank you for the entertaining history of the Pope and theGenoese. I am flounced again into building--a round tower, gallery, cloister, and chapel, all starting up--if I am forced torun away by ruining myself, I will come to Florence, steal yournephew, and bring him with me. Adieu!

(65) The following verses are said to have been found in LordFerrers'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 afterwardsBishop 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 Londonfor on purpose, you will not wonder that I am childish enough towrite an account of it. I could give a better reason, yourbidding me send you any news; but I scorn a good reason when I amidle enough to do any thing for a bad one. You had heard, beforeyou left London, of Miss Chudleigh's intended loyalty on thePrince's birthday. Poor thing, I fear she has thrown away abovea quarter's salary! It was magnificent and well-understood--nocrowd--and though a sultry night, one was not a momentincommoded. The court was illuminated on the whole summit of thewall with a battlement of lamps; smaller ones on every step, anda figure of lanterns on the outside of the house. Thevirgin-mistress began the ball with the Duke of York, who wasdressed in a pale blue watered tabby, which, as I told him, if hedanced much, would soon be tabby all over, like the man'sadvertisement, (67) but nobody did dance much. There was a newMiss Bishop from Sir Cecil's endless hoard of beauty daughters, who is still prettier than her sisters. The new Spanish embassywas 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 doesnot degenerate from such high-born ugliness; the daughter-in-lawwas sick, and they say is not ugly, and has as good set of teethas one can have, when one has but two and those black. They seemto have no curiosity, sit where they are placed, and ask noquestions about so strange a country. Indeed, the ambassadresscould see nothing; for Doddington(68) stood before her the wholetime, sweating Spanish at her, of which it was evident, by hercivil nods without answers, she did understand a word. Shespeaks bad French, danced a bad minuet, and went away--thoughthere was a miraculous draught of fishes for their supper, for itwas a fast-day--but being the octave of their f`ete-dieu, theydared not even fast plentifully. Miss Chudleigh desired thegamblers would go up into the garrets--"Nay, they are notgarrets-it is only the roof of the house hollowed for upperservants-but I have no upper servants. " Every body ran up: thereis a low gallery with bookcases, and four chambers practisedunder the pent of the roof, each hung with the finest Indianpictures on different colours, and with Chinese chairs of thesame colours. Vases of flowers in each for nosegays, and in oneretired nook a most critical couch!

The lord of the Festival(69) was there, and seemed neitherashamed nor vain of the expense of his pleasures. At supper sheoffered him Tokay, and told him she believed he would find itgood. The supper was in two rooms and very fine, and on thesideboards, and even on the chairs, were pyramids and troughs ofstrawberries and cherries you would have thought she was kept byVertumnus. Last night my Lady Northumberland lighted up hergarden for the Spaniards: I was not there, having excused myselffor a headache, which I had not, but ought to have caught thenight before. Mr. Doddington entertained these Fuentes's atHammersmith; and to the shame of our nation, while they weredrinking tea in the summer-house, some gentlemen, ay, my lord, gentlemen, went into the river and showed the ambassadress andher daughter more than ever they expected to see of England. 

I dare say you are sorry for poor Lady Anson. She wasexceedingly good-humoured, and did a thousand good-natured andgenerous actions. I tell you nothing of the rupture of LordHalifax's match, of which you must have heard so much; but youwill like a bon-mot upon it. They say, the hundreds of Druryhave got the better of the thousands of Drury. (70) The prettyCountess(71) is still alive, was I thought actually dying onTuesday night, and I think will go off very soon. I think therewill soon be a peace: my only reason is, that every body seems sobackward at making war. Adieu! my dear lord!

(67) A staymaker of the time, who advertised in the newspapersthat 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 LaneTheatre; and the marriage broken off was with a daughter of SirThomas Drury, an heiress. -E. 

(71) The Countess of Coventry. She survived till the 1st ofOctober. -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 onehas read and done with; or at least, if one looked at the book, one just recollected that there was a supplement promised, tocontain a chapter on Montreal, the starving and surrender of it--but here are we on a sudden reading our book backwards. Anaccount came two days ago that the French on their march tobesiege Quebec, had been attacked by General Murray, who got intoa 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 officerskilled and wounded, I believe there has been a rueful slaughter--the place, too, I suppose will be retaken. The year 1760 is notthe year 1759. Added to the war we have a kind of plague too, anepidemic fever and sore throat: Lady Anson is dead of it; LordBute and two of his daughters were in great danger; my LadyWaldegrave has had it, and I am mourning for Mrs. ThomasWalpole, (72) who died of it--you may imagine I don't come much totown; I had some business here to-day, particularly with Dagge, whom I have sent for to talk about Sophia;(73) he will be herepresently, and then I will let you know what he says. 

The embassy and House of Fuentes are arrived-many feasts andparties have been made for them, but they do not like those outof town, and have excused themselves rather ungraciously. Theywere invited to a ball last Monday at Wanstead, but did not go:yet I don't know where they can see such magnificence. Theapproach, the coaches, the crowds of spectators to see thecompany arrive, the grandeur of the fa`cade and apartments, werea charming sight; but the town is so empty that that great houseappeared so too. He, you know, is all attention, generosity, andgood breeding. 

I must tell you a private wo that has happened to me in myneighbourhood--Sir William Stanhope bought Pope's house andgarden. The former was so small and bad, one could not avoidpardoning his hollowing out that fragment of the rock Parnassusinto habitable chambers--but would you believe it, he has cutdown the sacred groves themselves! In short, it was a little bitof ground of five acres, inclosed with three lanes, and seeingnothing. Pope had twisted and twirled, and rhymed and harmonizedthis, till it appeared two or three sweet little lawns openingbeyond one another, and the whole surrounded with thickimpenetrable woods. Sir William, by advice of hisson-in-law, (74) Mr. Ellis, has hacked and hewed these groves, wriggled a winding-gravel walk through them with an edging ofshrubs, in what they call the modern taste, and in short, hasdesigned the three lanes to walk in again--and now is forced toshut them out again by a wall, for there was not a Muse couldwalk there but she was spied by every country fellow that went bywith a pipe in his mouth. 

It is a little unlucky for the Pretender to be dying just as thePope seems to design to take Corsica into his hands, and mightgive 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 oftown, but I have writ to him to press the affair, and will pressit, as it is owing to his negligence. Mr. Chute, to whom Ispoke, says he told Dagge he was ready to be a trustee, andpressed him to get it concluded. 

(72) Daughter of Sir Gerard Vanneck. 

(73) Natural daughter of Mr. Whitehed, mentioned in precedingletters, by a Florentine woman. 

(74) Welbore Ellis, afterwards*Lord Mendip, married the onlydaughter of Sir William Stanhope; in right of whom he afterwardsenjoyed 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 ofit has merit; but I am sorry not to see in it the sixdescriptions of night, with which you favoured me before, andwhich I like as much as any of the pieces. I can, however, by nomeans agree with the publisher, that they seem to be parts of anheroic poem; nothing to me can be more unlike. I should as soontake all the epitaphs in Westminster Abbey, and say it was anepic poem on the History of England. The greatest part areevidently elegies; and though I should not expect a bard to writeby the rules of Aristotle, I would not, on the other hand, giveto any work a title that must convey so different an idea toevery common reader. I could wish, too, that the authenticityhad been more largely stated. A man who knows Dr. Blair'scharacter, will undoubtedly take his word; but the gross ofmankind, considering how much it is the fashion to be scepticalin reading, will demand proofs, not assertions. 

I am glad to find, Sir, that we agree so much on the Dialogues ofthe Dead; indeed, there are very few that differ from us. It iswell for the author, that none of his critics have undertaken toruin his book by improving it, as you have done in the livelylittle specimen you sent me. , Dr. Brown has writ a dull dialogue, called Pericles and Aristides, which will have a different effectfrom what yours, would have. One of the most objectionablepassages in lord Lyttelton's book is, in my opinion, hisapologizing for 'the moderate government of Augustus. A man whohad exhausted tyranny in the most lawless and Unjustifiableexcesses 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 anew edition of Isaac Walton's Complete Angler, . Full of anecdotesand historic notes. It is published by Mr. Hawkins, (76) a veryworthy gentleman in my neighbourhood, but who, I could wish, didnot think angling so very innocent an amusement. We cannot livewithout destroying animals, but shall-we torture them for oursport--sport in their destruction?(77) I met a rough officer athis house t'other day, who said he knew such a person was turningMethodist; for, in the middle of conversation, he rose, andopened the window to let out a moth. I told him I did not knowthat the Methodists had any principle so good, and that I, who amcertainly not on the point of becoming one, always did so too. One of the bravest and best men I ever knew, Sir Charles Wager, Ihave often heard declare he never killed a fly willingly. It isa comfortable reflection to me, that all the victories of lastyear have been gained since the suppression of the bear gardenand prize-fighting; as it is plain, and nothing else would havemade it so, that our valour did not, singly and solely dependupon, those two universities. Adieu. !

(75) Now first collected. 

(76) Afterwards Sir John Hawkins, Knight, the executor andbiographer of Dr. Johnson. -E. 

(77) Lord Byron, like Walpole, had a mortal dislike to angling, and describes it as " the cruelest, the coldest, and thestupidest of pretended sports. " Of good Isaac Walton he says, "The quaint, old, cruel coxcomb, . In his gulletShould 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 alwayssays they will come to one and never does; that is a mixture ofpromises and excuses; that loves one better than anybody, and yetwill not stir a step to see one; that likes nothing but their ownways and own books, and that thinks the Thames is not as charmingin one place as another, and that fancies Strawberry Hill is theonly thing upon earth worth living for-all this you would say, ifeven 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 mindof General Sutton, who was one day sitting by my father at hisdressing. 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 youdown!" My dear Harry, I will knock myself down-but I fear Ishall cut you again. I wish you sorrow for the battle of Quebec. I thought as much of losing the duchies of Aquitaine and Normandyas Canada. 

However, as my public feeling never carries me to any greatlengths of reflection, I bound all my Qu`ebecian meditations to alittle diversion on George Townshend's absurdities. The DailyAdvertiser said yesterday, that a certain great officer who had aprincipal share in the reduction of Quebec had given it as hisopinion, that it would hold out a tolerable siege. This greatgeneral has acquainted the public to-day in an advertisementwith--what do you think?--not that he has such an opinion, for hehas no opinion at all, and does not think that it can nor cannothold out a siege, --but, in the first place, that he was luckilyshown this paragraph, which, however, he does not like; in thenext, that he is and is not that great general, and yet thatthere is nobody else that is; and, thirdly, lest his silence, till he can proceed in another manner with the printer, (andindeed it is difficult to conceive what manner of proceedingsilence is, ) should induce anybody to believe the said paragraph, he finds himself under a necessity of giving the public hishonour, that there is no more truth in this paragraph than insome others which have tended to set the opinions of some generalofficers together by the ears--a thing, however, inconceivable, which he has shown may be done, by the confusion he himself hasmade in the King's English. For his another manner with theprinter, I am impatient to see how the charge will lie againstMatthew Jenour, the publisher of the Advertiser, who, withouthaving the fear of God before his eyes, has forcibly, violently, and maliciously, with an offensive weapon called a hearsay, andagainst the peace of our sovereign Lord the King, wickedly andtraitorously assaulted the head of George Townshend, general, andaccused it of having an opinion, and him the said GeorgeTownshend, has slanderously and of malice prepense believed to bea great general; in short, to make Townshend easy, I wish, as hehas no more contributed to the loss of Quebec than he did to theconquest of it, that he was to be sent to sign this capitulationtoo. 

There is a delightful little French book come out, called "TantMieux pour elle. " It is called Cr`ebillon's, and I should thinkwas so. I only borrowed it, and cannot get one; tant pis pourvous. 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 somecaptain--tant mieux pour elle. I think the forlorn earl shouldmatch with Miss Ariadne Drury; and by the time my Lord Halifaxhas had as many more children and sentiments by and for MissFalkner, as he can contrive to have. Probably Miss Pitt may beready to be taken into keeping. Good night!

P. S. The Prince of Wales has been in the greatest anxiety forLord Bute; to whom he professed to Duncombe, and Middleton, hehas the greatest obligations; and when they pronounced theirpatient out of danger, his Royal Highness gave to each of them agold modal of himself, as a mark of his sense of their care andattention. 

(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 bequiet in their own houses, nor let others be at peace in theirs!Have not they enough of one another in winter, but they mustcuddle in summer too? For your part, you are a very priest: themoment one repents, you are for turning it to account. I wishyou was in camp--never will I pity you again. How did youcomplain when you was in Scotland, Ireland, Flanders, and I don'tknow where, that you could never enjoy Park-place! Now you have awhole summer to yourself, and you are as junkettaceous as my LadyNorthumberland. Pray, what horse-race do you go to next? For mypart, I can't afford to lead such a life: I have Conway-papers tosort; I have lives of the painters to write; I have my prints topaste, my house to build, and every thing in the world to tellposterity. 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 gohere and to go there--well, I will meet you at Chaffont onThursday; but I positively will stay but one night. I havesettled with our brother that we will be at Oxford on the 13th ofJuly, 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 thenext day. If this is too early for you, we may put it off to the15th: determine by Thursday, and one of us will write to LordHertford. 

Well! Quebec(79) is come to life again. Last night I went to seethe Holdernesses, who by the way are in raptures with Park-inSion-lane; as Cibber says of the Revolution, I met the Raising ofthe Siege; that is, I met my lady in a triumphal car, drawn by aManks horse thirteen little fingers high, with Lady Emily:

et sibi CountessNe placeat, ma'amselle curru portatur eodem-

Mr. Milbank was walking in ovation by himself after the car; andthey were going to see the bonfire at the alehouse at the corner. The whole procession returned with me; and from the countess'sdressing-room we saw a battery fired before the house, the mobcrying "God bless the good news!"--These are all the particularsI know of the siege: my lord would have showed me the journal, but we amused ourselves much better in going to eat peaches fromthe new Dutch stoves. 

The rain is come indeed, and my grass is as green as grass; butall my hay has been cut and soaking this week, and I am too muchin the fashion not to have given Up gardening for farming; asnext I suppose We shall farming and turn graziers and hogdrivers. 

I never heard of such a Semele as my Lady Stormont(80) brought tobed in flames. I hope Miss Bacchus Murray will not carry theresemblance through, and love drinking like a Pole. My LadyLyttelton is at Mr. Garrick's, and they were to have breakfastedhere this morning; but somehow or other they have changed theirmind. Good Night!

(79) Quebec was besieged by the French in the spring of thisyear, with an army of fifteen thousand men, under the command ofthe Chevalier de Levis, assisted by a naval force. They were, however, repulsed by General Murray, who was supported by LordColville and the fleet under his command; and on the night of the16th of May raised the siege very precipitately, leaving theircannon, 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 thesetwo days. Mr. Conway, Lady Ailesbury, Lady Lyttelton, and Mrs. Shirley are there; and Lady Mary is going to add to the numberagain. The house and grounds are still in the same dislocatedcondition; in short, they finish nothing but children; even Mr. Bentley's Gothic stable, which I call Houynhm castle, is notroughcast yet. We went to see More-park, but I was not muchstruck with it, after all the miracles I had heard Brown hadperformed there. He has undulated the horizon in so manyartificial mole-hills, that it is full as unnatural as if it wasdrawn with a rule and compasses. Nothing is done to the house;there are not even chairs in the great apartment. My Lord Ansonis more slatternly than the Churchills, and does not even finishchildren. I am going to write to Lord Beauchamp, that I shall beat Oxford on the 15th, where I depend upon meeting you. I designto see Blenheim, and Rousham, (is not that the name of Dormer's?)and Althorp, and Drayton, before I return--but don't befrightened, 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 LordHolderness, and orders are gone to execute it directly inYorkshire. The first draught was Mason's; but as he does notpretend 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 youtoo. Gray is in @their neighbourhood. My Lady Carlisle says, "he is extremely like me in his manner. " They went a party todine on a cold loaf, and passed the day; Lady A. Protests henever opened his lips but once, and then only said, "Yes, mylady, 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 verynecessary, after living for a month in a house with three womenthat laughed from morning till night, and would allow nothing tothe sulkiness of my disposition. Company and cards at home, parties by land and water abroad, and (what they call) doingsomething, that is, racketting about from morning to night, areoccupations, 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 yourbrother, who has this moment been here, write to-night with allthe particulars relating to the machine. The ten guineas areincluded in the sixty; and the ship, which is not yet sailed, isinsured. My dear child, don't think of making me any excusesabout employing me; I owe you any trouble sure that I canpossibly undertake, and do it most gladly; in this one instance Iwas sorry you had pitched upon me, because it was entirely out ofmy sphere, and I could not even judge whether I had served youwell or not. I am here again waiting for Dagge, whom it is moredifficult to see than a minister; he disappointed me last time, but writ to me afterwards that he would immediately settle theaffair for poor Sophia. 

Quebec, you know, is saved; but our German histories don't go onso well as our American. Fouquet is beat, and has lost five outof twelve thousand men, after maintaining himself against thirtyfor seven hours--he is grievously wounded, but not prisoner. TheRussians are pouring on--adieu the King of Prussia, unless PrinceFerdinand's battle, of which we have expected news for these fourdays, can turn the scale a little--we have settled that he is sogreat a general, that you must not wonder if We expect that heshould beat all the world in their turns. 

There has been a woful fire at Portsmouth; they say occasioned bylightning; the shipping was saved, but vast quantities of storesare destroyed. 

I shall be more easy about your nephew, since you don't adopt myidea; and yet I can't conceive with his gentle nature and yourgood sense but you would have sufficient authority over him. Idon't know who your initials mean, Ld. F. And Sr. B. But don'tmuch signify, but consider by how many years I am removed fromknowing the rising generation. 

I shall some time hence trouble you for some patterns ofbrocadella of two or three colours: it is to furnish a roundtower that I am adding, with a gallery, to my castle: thequantity I shall want will be pretty large; it is to be abedchamber entirely hung bed, and eight armchairs; the dimensionsthirteen feet high, and twenty-two diameter. Your Bianca Capellois to be over the chimney. I shall scarce be ready to hang itthese two years, because I move gently, and never begin till Ihave the money ready to pay, which don't come very fast, as it isalways to be saved out of my income, subject, too, to twentyother whims and expenses. I only mention it now, that you may atyour leisure look me out half a dozen patterns; and be so good asto let me know the prices. Stosch is not arrived yet as I haveheard. 

Well, --at last, Dagge is come, and tells me I may assure youpositively that the money will be paid in- two months from thistime; he has been at Thistlethwait's, (82) which is nineteen milesfrom town, and goes again this week to make him sign a paper, onwhich the parson(82) will pay the money. I shall be happy whenthis is completed to your satisfaction, that is, when yourgoodness is rewarded by being successful; but till it iscompleted, with all Mr. Dagge's assurances, I shall not be easy, for those brothers are such creatures, that I shall always expectsome delay or evasion, when they are to part with money. Adieu!

(82) Brother and heirs of Mr. Whithed, who had changed his namefor an estate. (Transcriber's note: this note really is cited twice in the aboveparagraph. )

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 returnedwith him to Park-place, and to-day hither. I am sorry you couldnot come to us; we passed four days most agreeably, and I believesaw more antique holes and corners than Tom Hearne did inthreescore years. You know my rage for Oxford; if King's-collegewould not take it ill, . I don't l(now but I should retirethither, and profess Jacobitism, that I might enjoy somevenerable set of chambers. Though the weather has been sosultry, I ferreted from morning to night, fatigued that strongyoung lad Lord Beauchamp, and harassed his tutors till they wereforced to relieve one another. ' With all this, I found nothingworth seeing, except the colleges themselves, painted glass, anda couple of crosiers. Oh, yes! in an old buttery at Christ-church I discovered two of the most glorious portraits by Holbeinin the world. They call them Dutch heads. I took them down, washed them myself, and fetched out a thousand beauties. We wentto Blenheim and saw all Vanbrugh's quarries, all the acts ofparliament and gazettes on the Duke in inscriptions, and all theold flock chairs, wainscot tables, and gowns and petticoats ofQueen Anne, that old Sarah could crowd among blocks of marble. It looks like the palace of an auctioneer, who has-been chosenKing of Poland, and furnished his apartments with obsoletetrophies, rubbish that nobody bid for, and a dozen pictures, thathe had stolen from the inventories of different families. Theplace is as ugly as the house, and the bridge, like the beggarsat the old Duchess's gate, begs for a drop of water, and isrefused. We went to Ditchley, which is a good house, wellfurnished, has good portraits, a wretched saloon, and onehandsome scene behind the house. There are portraits of theLitchfield hunt, in true blue frocks, with ermine capes. One ofthe colleges has exerted this loyal pun, and made their eastwindow entirely of blue glass. But the greatest pleasure we had, was in seeing Sir Charles Cotterel's at Housham; it reinstatedKent with me; he has nowhere shown so much taste. The house isold, and was bad; he has improved it, stuck as close as he couldto Gothic, has made a delightful library, and the whole iscomfortable. The garden is Daphne in little; the sweetest littlegroves, streams, glades, porticoes, cascades, and river, imaginable; all the scenes are perfectly classic. Well, if I hadsuch a house, such a library, so pretty a place, and so pretty awife, I think I should let King George send to Herenhausen for amaster of the ceremonies. 

Make many compliments to all your family for me; Lord Beauchampwas much obliged by your invitation. I shall certainly acceptit, as I return from the north; in the mean time, find out howDrayton and Althorp lie according to your scale. Adieu! Yoursmost 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 Tuesdaynext: but what can I say if your Wetenhalls will break into myalmanack, and take my very day, can I help it! I must own Ishall be glad if their coach-horse is laid up with thefashionable sore throat and fever can you recommend no coachmanto them like Dr. Wilmot, who will despatch it in three days? IfI don't see you at Oxford, I don't think I shall at Greatworthtill my return from the north, which will be about the 20th or22d of August. Drayton, (83) be it known to you, is Lady BettyGermain's. , is in your own county, was the old mansion of theMordaunts, and is crammed with whatever Sir John could get fromthem and the Norfolks. Adieu!

(83) The seat of Sir John Germain, Bart. ; by whose will, and thatof his widow, Lady Betty, his property devolved upon Lord GeorgeSackvillc; who, in consequence, assumed, in 1770, the name ofGermain. -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 beenarrived some days; and to offer him all manner, of civilities onyour account--when indeed they can be of no use to him, for thereis not a soul in town. There was a wild report last week of theplague being in St. Thomas's Hospital, and to be sure Stosch mustbelieve there is some truth in it, for there is not a coach to beseen, 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 mindto see London, he must go to Huntingdon races, Derby races, Stafford races, Warwick races-that is the fashionable route thisyear-alas! I am going part of it; the Duchess of Grafton and Looare going to the Duke of Devonshire's, Lord Gower's, and LordHertford's; but I shall contrive to arrive after every race isover. Stosch delivered me the parcel safe, and I should havepaid him for your Burgundy, but found company with him, andthought it not quite so civil to offer it at the first interview, lest it should make him be taken for a wine-merchant. He dineswith me on Tuesday at Strawberry Hill, when I shall find anopportunity. He is going for a few days to Wanstead, and thenfor three months to a clergyman's in Yorkshire, to learn English. Apropos, you did not tell me why he comes; is it to sell hisuncle's collection? Let me know before winter on what foot Imust introduce him, for I would fain return a few of the thousandcivilities you have showed at my recommendation. 

The hereditary Prince has been beaten, and has beaten, with thebalance on his side; but though the armies are within a mile ofone another, I don't think it clear there will be a battle, as wemay lose much more than we can get. A defeat will cost Hanoverand Hesse; a victory cannot be vast enough to leave us at libertyto assist the King of Prussia. He gave us a little advantage theother day; outwitted Daun, and took his camp and magazines, andaimed at Dresden; but to-day the siege is raised. Daun sometimesmisses himself, but never loses himself. It is not the fashionto admire him, but for my part, I should think it worth while togive the Empress a dozen Wolfes and Dauns, to lay aside thecautious Marshal. Apropos to Wolfe, I cannot Imagine what youmean by a design executing at Rome for his tomb. The designshave been laid before my lord chamberlain several months; Wilton, Adam, Chambers, and others, all gave in their drawingsimmediately; and I think the Duke of Devonshire decided for thefirst. Do explain this to me, or get a positive explanation. Ofit-and whether any body is drawing for Adam or Chambers. 

Mr. Chute and Mr. Bentley, to whom I showed your accounts of thePapa-Portuguese war, were infinitely diverted, as I was too, withit. The Portuguese, "who will turn Jews not Protestants, " and thePope's confession, "which does more honour to his sincerity thanto his infallibility, " are delightful. I will tell you who willneither, turn Jew nor Protestant, Day, nor Methodist, which ismuch more in fashion than either--Monsieur Fuentes will not; hehas given the Virgin Mary (who he fancies hates public places, because he never met her at one, ) his honour that he never willgo to any more. What a charming sort of Spanish Ambassador! Iwish they always sent us such-the worst they can do, is to buyhalf a dozen converts. 

My Lady Lincoln, (84) who was ready to be brought to bed, is deadin three hours of convulsions. It has been a fatal year to greatladies: within this twelvemonth have gone off Lady Essex, LadyBesborough, Lady Granby, Lady Anson, and Lady Lincoln. My LadyCoventry is still alive, sometimes at the point of death, sometimes recovering. They fixed the spring: now the autumn isto be critical for her. 

I set out for my Lord Strafford's to-morrow se'nnight, so shallnot be able to send you any victory this fortnight. 

General Clive(85) is arrived all over estates and diamonds. If abeggar asks charity, be says, "Friend, I have no small brilliantsabout me. "

I forgot to tell you that Stosch was to dine with GeneralGuise. (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 HenryClinton, Earl of Lincoln, afterwards Duke of newcastle. 

(85) Afterwards created Lord Clive in Ireland. It is to him thatwe in great measure owe our dominion in India; in the acquisitionof which he is, however, reproached with having exercised greatcruelties. -D. 

(86) General Guise did leave his collection as he promised; butthe University employing the son of Bonus, the cleaner ofpictures, to repair them, he entirely repainted them, and asentirely 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 Ihave no notion when I shall be able to wait on you. -Such acalamity!--My tower is not fallen down, nor Lady Fanny Shirleyrun away with another printer; nor has my Lady D * * * * insistedon living with me as half way to Weybridge. Something moredisgraceful than all these, and wofully mortifying for a youngcreature, who is at the same time in love with Lady Mary Coke, and following the Duchess of Grafton and Loo all over thekingdom. In short, my lord, I have got the gout-yes, the gout inearnest. I was seized on Monday morning, suffered dismally allnight, am now wrapped in flannels like the picture of a Moroccoambassador, and am carried to bed by two servants. You seevirtue and leanness are no preservatives. I write this now toyour lordship, because I think it totally impossible that Ishould 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 letone name a day. All I know is, that it may abridge my otherparties, but shall not my stay at Wentworth Castle. The Duke ofDevonshire was so good as to ask me to be at Chatsworthyesterday, but I did not know it time enough. As it happens, Imust have disappointed him. At present I look like Pam's fathermore than one of his subjects; only one of my legs appears: Therest 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 meanunpleasant for me; every body else I suppose it will make laugh. Come, laugh at once! I am laid up with the gout, am an absolutecripple, am carried up to bed by two men, and could walk to Chinaas soon as cross the room. In short, here is my history: I havebeen out of order this fortnight, without knowing what was thematter with me; pains in my head, sicknesses at my stomach, dispiritedness, and a return of the nightly fever I had in thewinter. I concluded a northern journey would take all this off--but, behold! on Monday morning I was seized as I thought withthe cramp in my left foot; however, I walked about all day:towards evening it discovered itself by its true name, and thatnight I suffered a great deal. However, on Tuesday I was -, againable to go about the house; but since Tuesday I have not beenable to stir, and am wrapped in flannels and swathed like SirPaul Pliant on his wedding-night. I expect to hear that there isa 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 hadnot the least claim. 

I don't yet give up my expedition; as my foot is much swelled, Itrust this alderman distemper is going: I shall set out theinstant I am able; but I much question whether it will be soonenough 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 charmingDuchess. (88)

I did not tell you about German skirmishes, for I knew nothing ofthem: when two vast armies only scratch one another's faces itgives me no attention. My gazette never contains above one ortwo casualties of foreign politics:-overlaid, one king; dead ofconvulsions, an electorate; burnt to death, Dresden. 

I wish you joy of all your purchases; why, you sound as rich asif you had had the gout these ten years. I beg their pardon; butjust at present, I am very glad not to be near the vivacity ofeither Missy or Peter. I agree with you much about theMinor:(89) there are certainly parts and wit in it. Adieu!

(87) John Harris, of Hayne in Devonshire, married to Mr. Conway'seldest sister. 

(88) Anne Liddell, Duchess of Grafton. 

(89) Foote's comedy of The Minor came out at the Haymarkettheatre, and, though performed by a young and unpractisedcompany, brought full houses for many nights. In the characterof Mrs. Cole and Mr. Smirk, the author represented those of thenotorious Mother Douglas, and Mr. Langford, the auctioneer. Inthe epilogue, spoken by Shift, which the author himselfperformed, together with the other two characters, he took off, to a degree of exactness, the manner and person of the celebratedGeorge 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; flyingabout some where or other, I suppose. Well, it is charming to beso 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. Sixyears ago I had it, and nobody would believe me--now they mayhave proof. My legs are as big as your cousin Guildford's andthey don't use to be quite so large. I was seized yesterdayse'nnight; have had little pain in the day, but mostuncomfortable nights; however, I move about again a little with astick. If either my father or mother had had it, I should notdislike it so much. I am bound enough to approve it if descendedgenealogically: but it is an absolute upstart in me, and what ismore provoking, I had trusted to my great abstinence for keepingme from it: but thus it is, if 1 had had any gentlemanlikevirtue, as patriotism or loyalty, I might have got something bythem: I had nothing but that beggarly virtue temperance, and shehad not interest enough to keep me from a fit of the gout. Another plague is, that every body that ever knew any body thathad it, is so good as to come with advice, and direct me how tomanage it; that is, how to contrive to have it for a great manyyears. I am very refractory; I say to the gout, as greatpersonages do to the executioners, "Friend, do your workas quick as you can. " They tell me of wine to keep it out of mystomach; but I will starve temperance itself; I will be virtuousindeed--that is, I will stick to virtue, though I find it is notits own reward. 

This confinement has kept me from Yorkshire; I hope, however, tobe at Ragley by the 20th, from whence I shall still go to LordStrafford's and by this delay you may possibly be at Greatworthby my return, which will be about the beginning of September. Write me a line as soon as you receive this; direct it toArlington Street, it will be sent after me. Adieu. 

P. S. My tower erects its battlements bravely; my Anecdotes ofPainting thrive exceedingly: thanks to the gout, that has pinnedme 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 nothave come alone! Mr. Conway and your ladyship should have cometoo. Do you know, this is the individual manor-house, (91) wheremarried ladies may have a flitch of bacon upon the easiest termsin the world? I should have expected that the owners would beruined in satisfying the conditions of the obligation, and thatthe park would be stocked with hogs instead of deer. On thecontrary, it is thirty years since the flitch was claimed, andMr. Offley was never so near losing one as when you and Mr. Conway were at Ragley. He so little expects the demand, that theflitch is only hung in effigie over the hall chimney, carved inwood. Are not you ashamed, Madam, never to have put in yourclaim? It is above a year and a day that you have been married, and I never once heard either of you mention a journey toWhichnovre. If you quarrelled at loo every night, you could notquit your pretensions with more indifference. I had a great mindto take my oath, as one of your witnesses, that you neither ofyou would, if you were at liberty, prefer any body else, nefairer ne fouler, and I could easily get twenty persons to swearthe same. Therefore, unless you will let the world be convinced, that all your apparent harmony is counterfeit, you must set outimmediately for Mr. Offley's, or at least send me a letter ofattorney to claim the flitch in your names; and I will send it upby the coach, to be left at the Blue Boar, or wherever you willhave it delivered. But you had better come in person; you willsee one of the prettiest spots in the world; it is a littleparadise, and the more like the antique one, as, by all I havesaid, the married couple seems to be driven out of it. The houseis very indifferent: behind is a pretty park; the situation, abrow of a hill commanding sweet meadows, through which the Trentserpentizes in numberless windings and branches. The spires ofthe cathedral of Litchfield are in front at a distance, withvariety of other steeples, seats, and farms, and the horizonbounded by rich hills covered with blue woods. If you love aprospect, or bacon, you will certainly come hither. 

Wentworth Castle, Sunday night. 

I had writ thus far yesterday, but had no opportunity of sendingmy letter. I arrived here last night, and found only the Duke ofDevonshire, who went to Hardwicke this morning: they were down atthe menagerie, and there was a clean little pullet, with which Ithought his grace looked as if he should be glad to eat a sliceof Whichnovre bacon. We follow him to Chatsworth tomorrow, andmake our entry to the public dinner, to the disagreeableness ofwhich I fear even Lady Mary's company will not reconcile me. 

My Gothic building, which tiny lord Strafford has executed in themenagerie, has a charming effect. There are two bridges builtbesides; but the new front is very little advanced. Adieu, Madam!

(90) Daughter of the Duke of Argyle, first married to the Earl ofAilesbury, 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. Ofthe Earls of Lancaster, lords of the honour of Tutbury, upon twosmall fees, but also upon condition of his keeping ready"arrayed, at all time of the year but Lent, one bacon flykehanging in his hall at Whichnovre, to be given to every man orwoman who demanded it a year and a day after the marriage upontheir swearing they would not have changed for none other, fairernor fouler, richer nor poorer, nor for no other descended of agreat 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 ofnews to send you a good deal. I have been here but two or threedays, and it has rained expresses. The most importantintelligence I can give you is that I was stopped from cominginto 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 nowrunning about with the children and climbing hills--and I intendto have only just as much of this wholesome evil as shall carryme to a hundred. The next point of consequence is, that the Dukeof Cumberland has had a stroke of the palsy-- As his courage isat least equal to mine, he makes nothing of it; but being abovean inch more in the girth than I am, he is not Yet arrived atskipping about the house. In truth, his case is melancholy: thehumours that have fallen upon the wound in his leg have kept himlately 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 supportingbodily ills, and to looking upon the approach of a lingeringdeath with fortitude, is a real object of compassion. How hemust envy, what I am sure I don't, his cousin of Prussia riskinghis life every hour against Cossacks and Russians! Well! but thisrisker has scrambled another victory: he has beat that pertpretender Laudon(92)--yet it looks to me as if he was but newgilding his coffin; the undertaker Daun will, I fear, still havethe burying of him!

I received here your letter of the 9th, and am glad Dr. Perelliso far justifies Sisson as to disculpate me. I trust I shallexecute Sophia's business better. 

Stosch dined with me at Strawberry before I set out. He is avery rational creature. I return homewards to-morrow; mycampaigns are never very long; I have great curiosity for seeingplaces, but I despatch it soon, and am always impatient to beback with my own Woden and Thor, my own Gothic Lares. While thelords and ladies are at skittles, I just found a moment to writeyou a line. Adieu!

Arlington Street, Sept. 1. 

I had no opportunity of sending my letter to the secretary'soffice, so brought it myself. You will see in the Gazetteanother little victory of a Captain Byron over a whole diminutiveFrench squadron. Stosch has had a fever. He is now going toestablish himself at Salisbury. 

(92) This was the battle of Licgnitz, fought on the 15th ofAugust, 1760, and in which the King of Prussia signally defeatedthe 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 frommy expedition; and now I fear it must be another year before Isee Greatworth, as I have two or three more engagements on mybooks for the residue of this season. I go next week to LordWaldegrave, and afterwards to George Selwyn, and shall return byBath, which I have never yet seen. Will not you and the generalcome to Strawberry in October?

Thank you for your lamentations on my gout; it was, in proportionto my size, very slender--my feet are again as small as ever theywere. When I had what I called big shoes, I could have danced aminuet on a silver penny. 

My tour has been extremely agreeable. I set out with winning agood deal at loo at Ragley; the Duke of Grafton was not sosuccessful. And had some high words with Pam. I went from thenceto Offley's at Whichnovre, the individual manor of the flitch ofbacon, which has been growing rusty for these thirty years in hishall. I don't wonder; I have no notion that one could keep ingood humour with one's wife for a year and a day, unless one wasto live on the very spot, which is one of the sweetest scenes Iever saw. It is the brink of a high hill; the Trent wrigglesthrough at the foot; Litchfield and twenty other churches andmansions decorate the view. Mr. Anson has bought an estate closeby, whence my lord used to cast many a wishful eye, thoughwithout the least pretensions even to a bit of lard. 

I saw Litchfield cathedral, which has been rich, but my friendLord Brook and his soldiery treated poor St. Chadd(93) with solittle ceremony, that it is in a most naked condition. In aniche, it the very summit they have crowded a statue of Charlesthe Second, with a special pair of shoo-strings, big enough for aweathercock. As I went to Lord Strafford's I passed throughSheffield, which is one of the foulest towns in England in themost charming situation there are two-and-twenty thousandinhabitants making knives and scissors; they remit eleventhousand pounds a week to London. One man there has discoveredthe art of plating copper with silver; I bought a pair ofcandlesticks for two guineas that are quite pretty. LordStrafford has erected the little Gothic building, which I got Mr. Bentley to draw; I took the idea from Chichester-cross. Itstands on a high bank in the menagerie, between a pond and avale, totally bowered over with oaks. I went with the Straffordsto Chatsworth, and stayed there four days; there were Lady MaryCoke, 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 theancient grace? She stayed every evening till it was dark in theskittle-ground, keeping the score: and one night, that theservants had a ball for Lady Dorothy'S(95) birthday, we fetchedthe fiddler into the drawing-room, and the dowager herself dancedwith us! I never was more disappointed than at Chatsworth, which, ever since I was born, I have condemned. It is a glorioussituation; the vale rich in corn and verdure, vast woods hangdown the hills, which are green to the top, and the immense rocksonly serve to dignify the prospect. The river runs before thedoor, 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 finebridge with statues under a noble cliff. If they will have abridge (which by the way will crowd the scene), it should becomposed of rude fragments, such as the giant of the Peak wouldstep upon, that he might not be wet-shod. The expense of theworks now carrying on will amount to forty thousand pounds. Aheavy quadrangle of stables is part of the plan, . Is verycumbrous, and standing higher than the house, is ready tooverwhelm it. The principal front of the house is beautiful, andexecuted with the neatness of wrought-plate; the inside is mostsumptuous, but did not please me; the heathen gods, goddesses, Christian virtues, and allegoric gentlefolks, are crowded intoevery room, as if Mrs. Holman had been in heaven and invitedevery body she saw. The great apartment is first; paintedceilings, inlaid floors, and unpainted wainscots make every roomsombre. The tapestries are fine, but, not fine enough, and thereare few portraits. The chapel is charming. The great jet d'eauI like, nor would I remove it; whatever is magnificent of thekind in the time it was done, I would retain, else all gardens and houses wear a tiresome resemblance. Iexcept that absurdity of a cascade tumbling down marble steps, which reduces the steps to be of no use at all. I sawHaddon, (96) an abandoned old castle of the Rutlands, in aromantic situation, but which never could have composed atolerable dwelling. The Duke sent Lord John with me toHardwicke, where I was again disappointed; but I will not takerelations from others; they either don't see for themselves, orcan't see for me. How I had been promised that I should becharmed with Hardwicke, and told that the Devonshires ought tohave established there! never was I less charmed in my life. Thehouse is not Gothic, but of that betweenity, that intervened whenGothic declined and Palladian was creeping in--rather, this istotally naked of either. It has vast chambers--aye, vast, suchas the nobility of that time delighted in, and did not know howto furnish. The great apartment is exactly what it was when theQueen of @Scots was kept there. Her council-chamber, thecouncil-chamber of a poor woman, who had only two secretaries, agentleman usher, an apothecary, a confessor, and three maids, isso outrageously spacious, that you would take it for KingDavid's, who thought, contrary to all modern experience, that inthe multitude of counsellors there is wisdom. At the upperend is the state, with a long table, covered with a sumptuouscloth, embroidered and embossed with gold, -at least what wasgold: so are all the tables. Round the top of the chamber runs amonstrous frieze, ten or twelve feet deep, representingstag-hunting in miserable plastered relief. The next is herdressing-room, hung with patchwork on black velvet; then herstate bedchamber. The bed has been rich beyond description, andnow hangs in costly golden tatters. The hangings, part of whichthey say her Majesty worked, are composed of figures as large aslife, sewed and embroidered on black velvet, white satin, etc. And represent the virtues that were necessary for her, or thatshe was forced to have, as patience and temperance, etc. Thefire-screens are particular; pieces of yellow velvet, fringedwith gold, hang on a cross-bar of wood, which is fixed on the topof a single stick, that rises from the foot. The only furniturewhich has any appearance of taste are the table and cabinets, which are all of oak, richly carved. There is a privata chamberwithin, where she lay, her arms and style over the door; thearras 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 theFifth and his Queen, curious, and a whole history of Kings ofEngland, not worth sixpence apiece. There is an original of oldBess(97) of Hardwicke herself, who built the house. Her estateswere then reckoned at sixty thousand pounds a-year, and now letfor two hundred thousand pounds. Lord John Cavendish told me, that the tradition in the family was that it had been prophesiedto her that she should never die as long as she was building; andthat at last she died in a hard frost, when the labourers couldnot work. There is a fine bank of old oaks in the park over alake; nothing else pleased me there. However, I was so divertedwith this old beldam and her magnificence, that I made thisepitaph 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 erectedWith more than royal pomp, to varyThe prison of her captiveWhen 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. Theformer is the very abbey. (98) The great east window(99) of thechurch remains, and connects with the house; the hall entire, therefectory entire, the cloister untouched, with the ancientcistern of the convent, and their arms on it; a private chapelquite perfect. The park, which is still charming, has not beenso much unprofaned; the present lord has lost large sums, andpaid part in old oaks, five thousand pounds of which have beencut 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-boysdressed in old family liveries for a public day. In the hall isa very good collection of pictures, all animals; the refectory, now the great-drawing-room, is full of Byrons; the vaulted roofremaining, but the windows have new dresses making for them by aVenetian tailor. (100) Althorpe(101) has several very finepictures by the best Italian hands, and a gallery of all one'sacquaintance by Vandyke and Lely. I wonder you never saw it; itis but six miles from Northampton. Well, good night; I have writyou such a volume, that you see I am forced to page it. The Dukehas had a stroke of the palsy, but is quite recovered, except insome letters, which he cannot pronounce; and it is still visiblein the contraction of one side of his mouth. My compliments toyour family. 

(93) The patron saint Of the town. The imagery and carved workon the front of the cathedral was much injured in 1641. Thecross upon the west window is said to have been frequently aimedat by Cromwell's soldiery. -E. 

(94) Daughter of John Hoskins, Esq. And widow of William thethird Duke of Devonshire. 

(95) Afterwards Duchess of Portland. 

(96) Anciently the seat of the Vernons. Sir George Vernon, inQueen Elizabeth's time, was styled King of the Peak, " and theproperty came into the Manners family by his daughter marryingThomas, son of the first Earl of Rutland. -E. 

(97) She was daughter of John Hardwicke, of Hardwicke inDerbyshire. Her first husband was Robert Barley, Esq. Whosettled 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, whosedaughter, Lady Grace, married her son by Sir William Cavendish. 

(98) Evelyn, who visited Newstead in 1654, says of it:--"It issituated much like Fontainbleau, in France, capable of being madea noble seat, accommodated as it is with brave woods and streams;it has yet remaining the front of a glorious abbey church. " LordByron thus beautifully describes the family seat, in thethirteenth canto of Don Juan:

"An old, old monastery once, and nowStill older mansion-of a rich and rareMix'd Gothic, much as artists all allowFew specimens yet left us can compare. 

"Before the mansion lay a lucid lake, Broad as transparent, deep, and freshly fedBy a river, which its soften'd way did takeIn currents through the calmer water spreadAround: the wildfowl nestled in the brakeAnd sedges, brooding in their liquid bed:The woods sloped downwards to its brink, and stoodWith 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 ableStill unimpaired to decorate the sceneThe 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 thetruth, not exceedingly. The bank of oaks over the ponds is fine, and the vast lawn behind the house: I saw nothing else that issuperior to the common run of parks. For the house, it did notplease me at all; there is no grace, no ornament, no Gothic init. I was glad to see the style of furniture of that age; and myimagination helped me to like the apartment of the Queen ofScots. Had it been the chateau of a Duchess of Brunswick, onwhich they had exhausted the revenues of some centuries, I don'tthink I should have admired it at all. In short, Hardwickedisappointed me as much as Chatsworth surpassed my expectation. There is a richness and vivacity of prospect in the latter; inthe former, nothing but triste grandeur. 

Newstead delighted me. There is grace and Gothic indeed--goodchambers and a comfortable house. The monks formerly were theonly sensible people that had really good mansions. (102) I sawAlthorpe too, and liked it very well: the pictures are fine. Inthe gallery I found myself quite at home; and surprised thehousekeeper by my familiarity with the portraits. 

I hope you have read Prince Ferdinand's thanksgiving, where hehas made out a victory by the excess of his praises. I supped atMr. Conway's t'other night with Miss West'(103) and we divertedourselves with the encomiums on her Colonel Johnston. LadyAilesbury told her, that to be sure next winter she would burnnothing but laurel-faggots. Don't you like Prince Ferdinand'sbeing so tired with thanking, that at last he is forced to turnGod over to be thanked by the officers?

In London there is a more cruel campaign than that waged by theRussians: the streets are a very picture of the murder of theinnocents--one drives over nothing but poor dead dogs!(104) Thedear, good-natured, honest, sensible creatures! Christ! how cananybody hurt them? Nobody could but those Cherokees the English, who desire no better than to be halloo'd to blood:--one dayAdmiral Byng, the next Lord George Sackville, and to-day the poordogs!

I cannot help telling your lordship how I was diverted the nightI returned hither. I was sitting with Mrs. Clive, her sister andbrother, in the bench near the road at the end of her long walk. We heard a violent scolding; and looking out, saw a pretty womanstanding by a high chaise, in which was a young fellow, and acoachman riding by. The damsel had lost her hat, her cap, hercloak, her temper, and her senses; and was more drunk and moreangry than you can conceive. Whatever the young man had or hadnot done to her. She would not ride in the chaise with him, butstood cursing and swearing in the most outrageous style: and whenshe had vented all the oaths she could think of, she at lastwished perfidion might seize him. You may imagine how welaughed. The fair intoxicate turned round, and cried "I amlaughed at!--Who is it!--What, Mrs. Clive? Kitty Clive?--No:Kitty Clive would never behave so!" I wish you could have seenMy neighbour's confusion. She certainly did not grow paler thanordinary. I laugh now while I repeat it to you. 

I have told Mr. Bentley the great honour you have done him, mylord. He is happy the Temple succeeds to please you. 

(102) "----It lies perhaps a little low, Because the monkspreferred a hill behind To shelter their devotion from the wind. "Byron. -E. 

(103) Lady Henrietta-Cecilia, eldest daughter of John, afterwardsLord de la Warr. In 1763, she was married to General JamesWest. -E. 

(104) In the summer of this year the dread of mad dogs' ragedlike an epidemic: the periodical publications of the time beingfilled with little else of domestic interest than the squabblesof the dog-lovers and dog-haters. The Common Council of London, at a meeting on the @6th August, issued an order for killing alldogs found in the street. , or highways after the 27th, andoffered a reward of two shillings for every dog that should bekilled and buried in the skin. In Goldsmith's Citizen of theWorld there is an amusing paper in which he ridicules the fear ofmad dogs as one of those epidemic terrors to which our countrymenare 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 havecontrived to see you without it. Your brother promised he wouldcome and dine here one day with you and Lord Beauchamp. I go toNavestock on Monday, for two or three days; but that Will notexhaust your waiting. (105) I shall be in town on Sunday; but- asthat is a court-day, I will not--so don't propose it--dine withyou at Kensington; but I will be with my Lady Hertford about six, where your brother and you will find me if you please. I cannotcome to Kensington in the evening, for I have but one pair ofhorses in the world, and they will have to carry me to town inthe morning. 

I wonder the King expects a battle; when Prince Ferdinand can doas well without fighting, why should he fight? Can't he make thehereditary Prince gallop into a mob of Frenchmen, and get ascratch on the nose; and Johnson straddle across a river and comeback with six heads of hussars in his fob, and then can't hethank all the world, and assure them he shall never forget thevictory they have not gained? These thanks are sent over: theGazette swears that this no-success was chiefly owing to GeneralMostyn; and the Chronicle protests, that it was achieved by myLord Granby's losing his hat, which he never wears; and then hislordship sends over for three hundred thousand pints of porter todrink his own health; and then Mr. Pitt determines to carry onthe war for another year; and then the Duke of Newcastle hopesthat we shall be beat, that he may lay the blame on Mr. Pitt, andthat then he shall be minister for thirty years longer; and thenwe shall be the greatest nation in the universe. Amen! My dearHarry, you see how easy it is to be a hero. If you had but takenimpudence and Oatlands in your way to Rochfort, it would not havesignified whether you had taken Rochfort or not. Adieu! I don'tknow who Lady Ailesbury's Mr. Alexander is. If she curls like avine with any Mr. Alexander but you, I hope my Lady Coventry willrecover and be your Roxana. 

(105) Mr. Conway, as groom of the bedchamber to the King, wasthen 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 noprinciples; and all this I am not afraid to tell you, . As youhave left your sword behind you. If you take it ill, I havegiven my nephew, who brings your sword, a letter of attorney tofight you for me; I shall certainly not see you: my LadyWaldegrave goes to town on Friday, but I remain here. You loseLady Anne Connolly and her forty daughters, who all dine hereto-day upon a few loaves and three small fishes. I should havebeen glad if you would have breakfasted here on Friday on yourway; but as I lie in bed rather longer than the lark, I fear ourhours 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 willapprove the match a little more than I Suppose my Lord Dysartwill, as he does not yet know, though they have been marriedthese two hours, that, at ten o'clock this morning, his sonespoused my niece Charlotte at St. James's church. The momentmy Lord Dysart is dead, I will carry you to see the Ham-house;it is pleasant to call cousins with a charming prospect overagainst one. Now you want to know the detail: there was none. It is not the style of Our Court to have long negotiations; wedon't fatigue the town with exhibiting the betrothed for sixmonths together in public places. Vidit, venit, vicit;--theyoung lord has liked her some time; on Saturday se'nnight Hecame to my brother, and made his demand. The princess did notknow him by sight, and did not dislike him when she did; sheconsented. And they were married this morning. My Lord Dysartis such a - that nobody will pity him; he has kept his son tillsix-and-twenty, and would never make the least settlement onhim; "Sure, " said the young man, "if he will do nothing for me, I may please myself; he cannot hinder me of ten thousand poundsa-year, and sixty thousand that are in the funds, all entailedon me"--a reversion one does not wonder the bride did notrefuse, as there is present possession too of a very handsomeperson; the only thing his father has ever given him. Hisgrandfather, Lord Granville, has always told him to choose agentlewoman, and please himself; yet I should think the ladiesTownshend and Cooper would cackle a little. 

I wish you could have come here this October for more reasonsthan one. The Teddingtonian history is grown wofully bad. Mark Antony, though no boy, persists in losing the world two orthree times over for every gipsy that be takes for a Cleopatra. I have laughed, been scolded, represented, begged, and at lastspoken very roundly--all with equal success; at present we donot meet. I must convince him of ill usage, before I can makegood usage of any service. All I have done is forgot, becauseI will not be enamoured of Hannah Cleopatra too. You shallknow the whole history when I see you; you may trust me forstill being kind to him; but that he must not as yet suspect;they are bent on going to London, that she may visit and bevisited, while he puts on his red velvet and ermine, and goesabout begging in robes. 

Poor Mr. Chute has had another very severe fit of the gout; Ileft him in bed, but by not hearing he is worse, trust onSaturday to find him mended. Adieu!

(106) Charlotte, third daughter of Sir Edward Walpole, andsister 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. Doyou know that I came to town to-day by accident, and was herefour hours before I heard that Montreal was taken? The expresscame early this morning. I am so posthumous in my intelligence, that you must not expect any intelligence from me--but the samepost that brings you this, will convey the extraordinary gazette, which of late is become the register of the Temple of Fame. AllI know is, that the bonfires and squibs are drinking GeneralAmherst'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 thatunlucky hue which has so often been addled; in short, beholdanother secret expedition. It was notified on Friday, anddeparts in a fortnight. Lord Albemarle, it is believed, willcommand it. One is sure at least that it cannot be to America, for we have taken it all. The conquest of Montreal may perhapsserve in full of all accounts, as I suspect a little that thisnew plan was designed to amuse the City of London at thebeginning of the session, who would not like to have wasted somany millions on this campaign, without any destruction of friendor foe. (108) Now, a secret expedition may at least furnish acourt-martial, and the citizens love persecution even better thantheir money. A general or in admiral to be mobbed either bytheir applause or their hisses, is all they desire. -Poor LordAlbemarle!

The charming Countess(109) is dead at last; and as if the wholehistory of both sisters was to be extraordinary, the Duchess ofHamilton is in a consumption too, and going abroad directly. Perhaps you may see the remains of these prodigies, you will seebut little remains; her features were never so beautiful as LadyCoventry's, and she has long been changed, though not yet I thinkabove six-and-twenty. The other was but twenty-seven. 

As all the great ladies are mortal this year, my family is forcedto recruit the peerage. My brother's last daughter is married;and, as Biddy Tipkin(110) says, though their story is too shortfor a romance, it will make a very pretty novel--nay, it isalmost brief enough for a play, and very near comes within one ofthe unities, the space of four-and-twenty hours. There is in theworld, particularly in my world, for he lives directly overagainst me across the water, a strange brute called Earl ofDysart. (111) Don't be frightened, it is not he. His son, LordHuntingtower, to whom he gives but four hundred pounds a year, isa comely young gentleman of twenty-six, who has often hadthoughts of trying whether his father would not likegrandchildren better than his own children, as sometimes peoplehave more grand-tenderness than paternal. All the answer hecould ever get was, that the Earl could not afford, as he hasfive younger children, to make any settlement, but he offered, asa proof of his inability and kindness, to lend his son a largesum of money at low interest. This indigent usurer has thirteenthousand pounds a year, and sixty thousand pounds in the funds. The money and ten of the thirteen thousand in land are entailedon Lord Huntingtower. The young lord, it seems, has been in lovewith Charlotte for some months, but thought so little ofinflaming her, that yesterday fortnight she did not know him bysight. On that day he came and proposed himself to my brother, who with much surprise heard his story, but excused himself fromgiving an answer. He said, he would never force the inclinationsof his children; he did not believe his daughter had anyengagement or attachment, but she might have: he would send forher and know her mind. She was at her sister Waldegrave's, towhom, on receiving the notification, she said very sensibly, "ifI was but nineteen, I would refuse pointblank; I do not like tobe married in a week to a man I never saw. But I amtwo-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 offsoon-it is dangerous to refuse so great a match. " Take notice ofthe married in a week; the love that was so many months inripening, could not stay above a week. She came and saw thisimpetuous lover, and I believe was glad she had not refusedpointblank-for they were married last Thursday. I tremble alittle for the poor girl; not to mention the oddness of thefather, and twenty disagreeable things that may be in the youngman, who has been kept and lived entirely out of the world; @takes her fortune, ten thousand pounds, and cannot settle anothershilling upon her till his father dies, and then promises Only athousand a year. Would one venture one's happiness and one'swhole fortune for the chance of being Lady Dysart?@if LordHuntingtower 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 recommendhim to somebody or other as a travelling governor or companion. I would if I knew any body: but who travels now? He says youhave notified his intention to me-so far from it, I have notheard 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--Itrust no ill health has occasioned your silence. Adieu!

(107) General Sir Jeffrey Amherst distinguished himself in thewar with the French in America. He was subsequently created apeer, and made commander-in-chief. -D. 

(108) The large armament, intended for a secret expedition andcollected at Portsmouth, was detained there the whole summer, butthe 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, overagainst 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 raisea regiment at Twickenham, am going with the expedition, and haveactually kissed hands, don't believe it; though I own, the twofirst would not be more surprising than the last. I will tellyou how the calamity befell me, though you will laugh instead ofpitying me. Last Friday morning, I was very tranquilly writingmy Anecdotes of Painting, --I heard the bell at the gate ring--Icalled out, as usual, "Not at home;" but Harry, who thought itwould be treason to tell a lie, when he saw red liveries, owned Iwas, and came running up: "Sir, the Prince of Wales is at thedoor, and says he is come on purpose to make you a visit!" Therewas I, in the utmost confusion, undressed, in my slippers, and myhair 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 Ikneeled down, and kissed his hand. I beg your uncle AlgernonSidney's pardon, but I could not let the second Prince of theblood kiss my hand first. He was, as he always is, extremelygood-humoured; and I, as I am not always, extremely respectful. He stayed two hours, nobody with him but Morrison; I showed himall my castle, the pictures of the Pretender's sons, and thattype of the Reformation, Harry the Eighth's ----, moulded into ato the clock he gave Anne Boleyn. - But observe my luck; he wouldhave the sanctum sanctorum in the library opened: about a monthago 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 notbeen in a court these ten years, consequently have never kissedhands 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 mightbe so brutal, and tell the world in rhyme that rudeness isvirtue; or, if I was a patriot, I might, after laughing at Kingsand Princes for twenty years, catch at the first opening offavour and beg a place. In truth, I can do neither; yet I couldnot be shocking; I determined to go to Leicester-house, andcomforted myself that it was not much less meritorious to gothere for nothing, than to stay quite away; yet I believe I mustmake a pilgrimage to Saint Liberty of Geneva, before I amperfectly purified, especially as I am dipped even at St. James's. Lord Hertford, at my request, begged my Lady Yarmouthto get an order for my Lady Henry to go through the park, and thecountess said so many civil things about me and my suit, andgranted it so expeditiously, that I shall be forced to visit, even before she lives here next door to my Lady Suffolk. Myservants 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 apage of the back stairs--but these are not all my troubles. As Inever dress in summer, I had nothing upon earth but a frock, unless I went in black, like a poet, and pretended that a cousinwas dead, one of the muses. Then I was in panics lest I shouldcall my Lord Bute, your Royal Highness. I was not indeed in muchpain at the conjectures the Duke of Newcastle would make on suchan apparition, even if he should suspect that a new oppositionwas on foot, and that I was to write some letters to the Whigs. 

Well, but after all, do you know that my calamity has notbefallen me yet? I could not determine to bounce over head andears into the drawing-room at once, without one soul knowing whyI cane thither. I went to London on Saturday night, and LordHertford was to carry me the next Morning; in the meantime Iwrote to Morrison, explaining my gratitude to one brother, and myunacquaintance with t'other, and how afraid I was that it wouldbe thought officious and forward if I was presented now, andbegging he would advise me what to do; and all this upon mybended knee, as if Schutz had stood over me and dictated everysyllable. The answer was by order from the Duke of York, that hesmiled at my distress, wished to put me to no inconvenience, butdesired, that as the acquaintance had begun without restraint, itmight continue without ceremony. Now I was in more perplexitythan ever! I could not go directly, and yet it was not fit itshould be said I thought it an inconvenience to wait on thePrince of Wales. At present it is decided by a jury of courtmatrons, that is, courtiers, that I must write to my Lord Buteand 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. Inthe 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, likeDoddington; I should never come down again; I cannot be driven ina royal curricle to wells and waters: I can't make love now to mycontemporary Charlotte Dives; I cannot quit Mufti and myparroquet for Sir William Irby, (112) and the prattle of adrawing-room, nor Mrs. Clive for Aelia Lalia Chudleigh; in short, I could give up nothing but an Earldom of EglingtOn; and yet Iforesee, that this phantom of the reversion of a reversion willmake me plagued; I shall have Lord Egmont whisper me again; andevery tall woman and strong man, that comes to town, will makeinterest 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 Idon't find my virtue a bit staggered by this first glimpse ofcourt sunshine. 

Mr. Conway has pressed to command the new Quixotism on foot, andhas been refused; I sing a very comfortable te Deum for it. Kingsley, Craufurd, and Keppel, are the generals, and CommodoreKeppel the admiral. The mob are sure of being pleased; they willget a conquest, or a court-martial. A very unpleasant thing hashappened to the Keppels; the youngest brother, who had run indebt 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 hisreligion, and sent for a ---- that had been taken from him atGibraltar; naturam expellas fure`a. There's the true blood ofCharles the Second sacrificing every thing for popery and abunter. 

Lord Bolingbroke, on hearing the name of Lady Coventry atNewmarket, affected to burst into tears, and left the room, notto 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 theKing joy of having lost no subjects, but those that perished inthe rabbits. Fitzroy asked him if he thought they crossed thegreat American lakes in such little boats as one goes toVauxhall? he replied, "Yes, Mr. Pitt said the rabbits"--it wasin the falls, the rapids. 

I like Lord John almost as well as Fred. Montagu; and I like yourletter better than Lord John; the application of Miss Falkenerwas 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 givenmuch 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 thevery day it was necessary to save me from a ridicule? I was tohave kissed hands to-morrow-but you will not care a farthingabout that now; so I must tell you all I know of departedmajesty. He went to bed well last night, rose at six thismorning as usual, looked, I suppose, if all his money was in hispurse, and called for his chocolate. A little after seven, hewent into the water-closet; the German valet de chambre heard anoise, listened, heard something like a groan, ran in, and foundthe hero of Oudenarde and Dettingen on the floor, with a gash onhis right temple, by falling against the corner of a bureau. Hetried to speak, could not, and expired. Princess Emily wascalled, found him dead, and wrote to the Prince. I know not asyllable, but am come to see and hear as much as I can. I fearyou will cry and roar all night, but one could not keep it fromyou. 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 Ofambition, disinteresteds, etc. That I could amass, gilded with asmuch duty affection, zeal, etc. As possible, received a verygracious and sensible answer, and was to have been presentedto-morrow, and the talk of the few people, that are in town, fora week. Now I shall be lost in the crowd, shall be as well thereas I desire to be, have done what was right, they know I wantnothing, may be civil to me very cheaply, and I can go and seethe puppet-show for this next month at my ease: but perhaps youwill think all this a piece of art; to be sure, I have timed mycourt, as luckily as possible, and contrived to be the lastperson in England that made interest with the successor. You seevirtue and philosophy always prone to know the world and theirown interest. However, I am not so abandoned a patriot yet, asto desert my friends immediately; you shall hear now and then theevents of this new reign--if I am not made secretary of state--ifI am, I shall certainly take care to let you know it. 

I had really begun to think that the lawyers for once talkedsense, when they said the King never dies. He probably cot hisdeath, as he liked to have done two years ago, by viewing thetroops for the expedition from the wall of Kensington Garden. MyLady Suffolk told me about a month ago that he had often toldher, speaking of the dampness of Kensington, that he would neverdie 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 latePrince of Wales's death, and to-day of the King's. 

Thank you, Mr. Chute is as well as can be expected--in thisnational affliction. Sir Robert Brown has left every thing to myLady--aye, every thing, I believe his very avarice. 

Lord Huntingtower wrote to offer his father eight thousand poundsof Charlotte's fortune, if he would give them one thousand a-yearin present, and settle a jointure on her. The Earl returned thistruly laconic, for being so unnatural, an answer. "LordHuntingtower, I answer your letter as soon as I receive it; Iwish you joy; I hear your wife is very accomplished. Yours, Dysart. " I believe my Lady Huntingtower must contrive to make itconvenient for me, that my Lord Dysart should die--and then hewill. I expect to be a very respectable personage in time, andto have my tomb set forth like the Lady Margaret Douglas, that Ihad 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 knewnothing worth telling you; and the great event of this morningyou Z, will certainly hear before it comes to you by so sober andregular a personage as the postman. The few circumstances knownyet are, that the King went well to bed last night; rose well atsix 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: theKing tried to speak, but died instantly. I should hope thiswould draw you southward: such scenes are worth looking at, evenby people who regard them with such indifference as your lordshipand I. I say no more, for what will mix in a letter with thedeath of a King! I am my lady's and your lordship's mostfaithful servant. 

Letter 51 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, Tuesday, October 28. (page 97)

The new reign dates with great propriety and decency; thecivilest letter to Princess Emily; the greatest kindness to theduke; the utmost respect to the dead body. No changes to be madebut those absolutely necessary, as the household, etc. --and whatsome will think the most unnecessary, in the representative ofpower. There are but two new cabinet counsellors named; the Dukeof York and Lord Bute, so it must be one of them. The Princessdoes not remove to St. James's, so I don't believe it will beshe. To-day England kissed hands, so did I, and it is morecomfortable to kiss hands with all England, than to have allEngland ask why one kisses hands. Well! my virtue is safe; I hada gracious reception, and yet I am almost as impatient to returnto Strawberry, as I was to leave it on the news. There is greatdignity and grace in the King's manner. I don't say this, likemy dear Madame de S`evign`e, because he was civil to me but thepart is well acted. If they do as well behind the scenes, asupon the stage, it will be a very complete reign. Hollinshed, orBaker, would think it begins well, that is, begins ill; it hasrained without intermission, and yesterday there came a cargo ofbad news, all which, you know, are similar omens to a man whowrites history upon the information of the clouds. Berlin istaken by the Prussians, the hereditary Prince beaten by theFrench. Poor Lord Downe has had three wounds. He and yourbrother's Billy Pitt are prisoners. Johnny Waldegrave was shotthrough the hat and through the coat; and would have been shotthrough the body, if he had had any. Irish Johnson is wounded inthe hand; Ned Harvey somewhere; and Prince Ferdinand mortally inhis reputation for sending this wild detachment. Mr. Pitt hasanother reign to set to rights. The Duke of Cumberland has takenLord Sandwich's, in Pall-mall; Lord Chesterfield has offered hishouse to Princess Emily; and if they live at Hampton-court, as Isuppose his court will, I may as well offer Strawberry for aroyal nursery; for at best it will become a cakehouse; 'tis sucha convenient airing for the maids of honour. If I was not forcedin conscience to own to you, that my own curiosity is exhausted, I would ask you, if you would not come and look at this newworld; but a new world only reacted by old players is not muchworth seeing; I shall return on Saturday. The Parliament isprorogued till the day it was to have met; the will is notopened; what can I tell you more? Would it be news that all ishopes and fears, and that great lords look as if they dreadedwanting bread? would this be news? believe me, it all growsstale soon. I had not seen such a sight these three-and-thirtyyears: I came eagerly to town; I laughed for three days-. I amtired 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 elseany thing, I went last night to Kensington to inquire afterPrincess Emily and Lady Yarmouth: nobody knew me, they asked myname. When they heard it, they did not seem ever to have heardit before, even in that house. I waited half an hour in a lodgewith a footman of Lady Yarmouth's; I would not have waited solong in her room a week ago; now it only diverted me. Evenmoralizing is entertaining, when one laughs at the same time; butI 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 Icannot expect to tell you news, when I say your old master isdead. But I can pretty well tell you what I like best to beable to say to you on this occasion, that you are in no danger. Change Will scarce reach to Florence when its hand is checkedeven in the capital. But I will move a little regularly, andthen you will form your judgment more easily--This is Tuesday;on Friday night the King went to bed in perfect health, androse so the next morning at his usual hour of six; he calledfor and drank his chocolate. At seven, for every thing withhim was exact and periodic, he went into the closet to dismisshis chocolate. Coming from thence, his valet de chambre hearda noise; waited a moment, and heard something like a groan. Heran in, and in a small room between the closet and bedchamberhe found the King on the floor, who had cut the right side ofhis face against the edge of a bureau, and who after a gaspexpired. Lady Yarmouth was called, and sent for PrincessAmelia; but they only told the latter that the King was ill andwanted her. She had been confined for some days with arheumatism, but hurried down, ran into the room without farthernotice, and saw her father extended on the bed. She is verypurblind, and more than a little deaf They had not closed hiseyes: she bent down close to his face, and concluded he spoketo her, though she could not hear him-guess what a shock whenshe found the truth. She wrote to the Prince of Wales--but sohad one of the valets de chambre first. He came to town andsaw the Duke(113) and the privy council. He was extremely kindto the first--and in general has behaved with the greatestpropriety, dignity, and decency. He read his speech to thecouncil with much grace, and dismissed the guards on himself towait on his grandfather's body. It is intimated, that he meansto employ the same ministers, but with reserve to himself ofmore authority than has lately been in fashion. The Duke ofYork and Lord Bute are named of the cabinet council. The lateKing's will is not yet opened. To-day every body kissed handsat Leicester-house, and this week, I believe, the King will goto St. James's. The body has been opened; the great ventricleof the heart had burst. What an enviable death! In thegreatest period of glory of this country, and of his reign, inperfect tranquillity at home, at seventy-seven, growing blindand deaf, to die without a pang, before any reverse of fortune, or any distasted peace, nay, but two days before a ship load ofbad news: could he have chosen such another moment? The news isbad indeed! Berlin taken by capitulation, and yet the Austriansbehaved so savagely that even the Russians(114) felt delicacy, were shocked, and checked them! Nearer home, the hereditaryPrince(115) has been much beaten by Monsieur de Castries, andforced to raise the siege of Wesel, whither Prince Ferdinandhad Sent him most unadvisedly: we have scarce an officerunwounded. The secret expedition will now, I conclude, sail, to give an `eclat to the new reign. Lord Albemarle does notcommand it, as I told you, nor Mr. Conway, though both applied. 

Nothing is settled about the Parliament; not even the necessarychanges in the household. Committees of council are regulatingthe mourning and the funeral. The town, which between armies, militia, and approaching elections, was likely to be a desertall the winter, is filled in a minute, but every thing is inthe deepest tranquility. People stare; the only expression. The moment any thing is declared, one shall not perceive thenovelty of the reign. A nation without parties is soon anation without curiosity. You may now judge how little yoursituation is likely to be affected. I finish; I think I feelashamed of tapping the events of a new reign, of which probablyI shall not see half. If I was not unwilling to balk yourcuriosity, I should break my pen, as the great officers dotheir 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 Austrianarmy. They were, however, soon driven from it. -D. 

(115) Of Brunswick; afterwards the celebrated duke of thatname. -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 thatof George the Third. And have read the addresses, and haveshifted a few lords and grooms of the bedchamber, you are masterof the history of the new reign, which is indeed but a new leaseof the old one. The favourite took it up in ahigh style; but having, like my Lord Granville, forgot to ensureeither house of Parliament, or the mob, the third house ofParliament, 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 oldmaster, 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 ridiculouslife into a young court, which will at least be saved from theimputation of childishness, by being governed by folly of seventyyears growth. 

The young King has all the appearance of being amiable. There isgreat grace to temper much dignity and extreme good-nature, whichbreaks out on all occasions. Even the household is not settledyet. The greatest difficulty is the master of the horse. LordHuntingdon is so by all precedent; Lord Gower, I believe, will beso. Poor Lord Rochford is undone - nobody is unreasonable tosave him. The Duke of Cumberland has taken Schomberg-house inPall-mall; Princess Emily is dealing for Sir Richard Lyttelton'sin Cavendish-square. People imagined the Duke of Devonshire hadlent her Burlington-house; I don't know why, unless they supposedshe was to succeed my Lady Burlington in every thing. 

A week has finished my curiosity fully; I return to Strawberryto-morrow, and I fear go next week to Houghton, to make anappearance of civility to Lynn, whose favour I never asked, norcare if I have or not; but I don't know how to refuse thisattention to Lord Orford, who begs it. 

I trust you will have approved my behaviour at court, that is, mymixing extreme politeness with extreme indifference. Ourpredecessors, the philosophers of ancient days, knew not how tobe disinterested without brutality; I pique myself on founding anew sect. My followers are to tell kings, with excess ofattention, that they don't want them, and to despise favour withmore good breeding than others practise in suing for it. We area thousand times a greater nation than the Grecians: why are weto imitate them! Our sense is as great, our follies greater; surewe have all the pretensions to superiority! Adieu!

P. S. As to the fair widow Brown, I assure you the devil neversowed two hundred thousand pounds in a more fruitful soil: everyguinea has taken root already. I saw her yesterday; it shall besome 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 totown, 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 leftfifty thousand pounds between the Duke, Emily, and Mary; the Dukehas given up his share. To Lady Yarmouth a cabinet, with thecontents; they call it eleven thousand pounds. By a German deed, he gives the Duke to the value of one hundred and eighty thousandpounds, placed on mortgages, not immediately recoverable. E hadonce given him twice as much more, then revoked it, and at lastexcused the revocation, on the pretence of the expenses of thewar; but owns he was the best son that ever lived, and had neveroffended him; a pretty strong comment on the affair ofClosterseven! He gives him, besides, all his jewels in England;but had removed all the best to Hanover, which he makes crownjewels, and his successor residuary legatee. The Duke, too, hassome uncounted cabinets. My Lady Suffolk has given me aparticular of his jewels, which plainly amount to one hundred andfifty 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 bycoaches, and was close to him, whom she had not seen for so manyyears, and to my Lady Yarmouth; but they did not know her: itstruck 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 shehad to ask for, is made surveyor of the roads, in the room of SirHarry Erskine, who is to have an old regiment. He excuseshimself from seeing company, as favourite of the favourite. Arthur is removed from being clerk of the wine-cellar, asacrifice to morality The Archbishop has such hopes of the youngKing, that he is never out of the circle. He trod upon theDuke's foot on Sunday, in the haste of his zeal; the Duke said tohim, "My lord, if your grace is in such a hurry to make yourcourt, that is the way. " Bon-mots come thicker than changes. Charles Townshend, receiving an account of the impression theKing's death had made, was told Miss Chudleigh cried. "What, "said he, "Oysters?" And last night, Mr. Dauncey, asking GeorgeSelwyn if Princess Amelia would have a guard? he replied, "Nowand then one, I suppose. "

An extraordinary event has happened to-day; George Townshend senta challenge to Lord Albemarle, desiring him to be with a secondin the fields. Lord Albemarle took Colonel Crawford, and went toMary-le-bone; George Townshend bespoke Lord Buckingham, who lovesa secret too well not to tell it: he communicated it to Stanley, who went to St. James's, and acquainted Mr. Caswall, the captainon guard. The latter took a hackney-coach, drove toMary-le-bone, and saw one pair. After waiting ten minutes, theothers came; Townshend made an apology to Lord Albemarle formaking him wait. "Oh, " said he, "men of spirit don't wantapologies: come, let us begin what we came for. " At thatinstant, 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 theircoach; he would carry back Lord Albemarle and Crawford in his. He did, and went to acquaint the King, who has commissioned someof 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 hatedone another so much on the Duke's account, that a slight wordwould easily make their aversions boil over. Don't you, nor evenyour 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 kissinghands. The chief difficulty is settled; Lord Gower yields themastership of the horse to Lord Huntingdon, and removes to thegreat wardrobe, from whence Sir Thomas Robinson was to have goneinto Ellis's place, but he is saved. The city, however, have amind to be out of humour; a paper has been fixed on the RoyalExchange, with these words, "No petticoat government, no Scotchminister, no Lord George Sackville;" two hints totally unfounded, and the other scarce true. No petticoat ever governed less, itis left at Leicester-house; Lord George's breeches are as littleconcerned; 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; allhis speeches are obliging. I saw him again yesterday, and wassurprised to find the levee-room had lost so entirely the air ofthe lion's den. This sovereign don't stand in one spot, with hiseyes fixed royally on the ground, and dropping bits of Germannews; he walks about, and speaks to every body- I saw himafterwards on the throne, where he is graceful and genteel, sitswith dignity, and reads his answers to addresses well; it was theCambridge address, carried by the Duke of Newcastle in hisdoctor's gown, and looking like the M`edecin malgr`e lui. He hadbeen vehemently solicitous for attendance, for fear my LordWestmoreland, who vouchsafes himself to bring the address fromOxford, should outnumber him. Lord Litchfield and several otherJacobites 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'othernight; I had never seen a royal funeral; nay, I walked as a ragof quality, which I found would be, and so it was, the easiestway of seeing it. It is absolutely a noble sight. The Prince'schamber, hung with purple, and a quantity of silver lamps, thecoffin under a canopy of purple velvet, and six vast chandeliersof silver on high stands, had a very good effect. The ambassadorfrom Tripoli and his son were carried to see that chamber. Theprocession through a line of foot-guards, every seventh manbearing a torch, the horse-guards lining the outside, theirofficers with drawn sabres and crape sashes on horseback, thedrums muffled, the fifes, bells tolling, and minute guns, --allthis was very solemn. But the charm was the entrance of theabbey, where we were received by the dean and chapter in richrobes, the choir and almsmen bearing torches; the whole abbey soilluminated, that one saw it to greater advantage than by day;the tombs, long aisles, and fretted roof, all appearingdistinctly, and with the happiest chiaro scuro. There wantednothing but incense, and little chapels here and there, withpriests saying mass for the repose of the defunct; yet one couldnot complain of its not being Catholic enough. I had been indread of' being coupled with some boy of ten years old; but theheralds were not very accurate, and I walked with GeorgeGrenville, taller and older, to keep me in countenance. When wecame to the chapel of Henry the Seventh, all solemnity anddecorum ceased; no order was observed, people sat or stood wherethey could or would; the yeomen of the guard were crying out forhelp, oppressed by the immense weight of the coffin; the bishopread sadly, and blundered in the prayers; the fine chapter, Manthat is born of a woman, was chanted, not read; and the anthem, besides being immeasurably tedious, would have served as well fora nuptial. The real serious part was the figure of the Duke ofCumberland, heightened by a thousand melancholy circumstances. He had a dark brown adonis, and a cloak of black cloth, with atrain of five yards. Attending the funeral of a father could notbe pleasant: his leg extremely bad, yet forced to stand upon itnear two hours; his face bloated and distorted with his lateparalytic stroke, which has affected, too, one of his eyes, andplaced over the mouth of the vault, into which, in allprobability, he must himself so soon descend; think howunpleasant a situation! he bore it all with a firm andunaffected countenance. This grave scene was fully contrasted bythe burlesque Duke of Newcastle. He fell into a fit of cryingthe moment he came into the chapel, and flung himself back in astall, 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 wasnot there, spying with one hand, and mopping his eyes with theother. Then returned the fear of catching cold; and the Duke ofCumberland, who was sinking with heat, felt himself weighed down, and turning round, found it was the Duke of Newcastle standingupon his train, to avoid the chill of the marble. It was verytheatric to look down into the vault, where the coffin lay, attended by mourners with lights. Clavering, the groom of thebedchamber, refused to sit up with the body, and was dismissed bythe 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, isnothing to-day; it only takes its turn among the questions, "Whois to be groom of the bedchamber? what is Sir T. Robinson tohave?" I have been to Leicester-fields to-day; the crowd wasimmoderate; I don't believe it will continue so. Good night. Yours ever. 

(116) At Torgau, on the 3d of November. An animated descriptionof 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 areto be eighteen lords, and thirteen grooms; all the late King'sremain, but your cousin Manchester, Lord Falconberg, Lord Essex, and Lord Flyndford, replaced by the Duke of Richmond, LordWeymouth, Lord March, and Lord Eglinton: the last at the requestof the Duke of York. Instead of Clavering, Nassau, and GeneralCampbell, who is promised something else, Lord Northampton'sbrother and Commodore Keppel are grooms. When it was offered tothe Duke of Richmond, he said he could not accept it, unlesssomething was done for Colonel Keppel, for whom he has interestedhimself; that it would look like sacrificing Keppel to his ownviews. This is handsome; Keppel is to be equery. 

Princess Amelia goes every where, as she calls it; she was onMonday at Lady Holderness's, and next Monday is to be atBedford-house; but there is only the late King's set, and thecourt of Bedford so she makes the houses of other people astriste as St. James's was. Good night. 

Not a word more of the King of Prussia: did you ever know avictory 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 tocourt to present addresses, or to be presented, I can tell younothing new. The day the King went to the House, I was threequarters of an hour getting through Whitehall; there weresubjects enough to set up half-a-dozen petty kings: the Pretenderwould 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 sothronged, that I will stay tilt some people are discontented. The first night the King went to the play, which was civilly on aFriday, not on the opera-night, as he used to do, the wholeaudience sung God save the King in chorus. For the first act, the press was so great at the door, that no ladies could go tothe boxes, and only the servants appeared there, who kept places:at the end of the second act, the whole mob broke in, and seatedthemselves; yet all this zeal is not likely to last, though he sowell deserves it. Seditious papers are again stuck up: onet'other day in Westminster Hall declared against a Saxe-GothanPrincess. The Archbishop, who is never out of the drawing-room, has great hopes from the King's goodness, that he shall makesomething of him, that is something bad of him. On the Address, Pitt and his zany Beckford quarrelled, on the latter's callingthe campaign languid. What is become of our magnanimous ally andhis victory, I know not. It) eleven days, no courier has arrivedfrom him; but I have been these two days perfectly indifferentabout his magnanimity. I am come to put my Anecdotes of Paintinginto the press. You are one of the few that I expect will beentertained with it. It has warmed Gray's coldness so much, thathe is violent about it; in truth, there is an infinite quantityof new and curious things about it; but as it is quite foreignfrom all popular topics, I don't suppose it will be much attendedto. There is not a word of Methodism in it, it says nothing ofthe disturbances in Ireland, it does not propose to keep allCanada, it neither flattered the King of Prussia nor PrinceFerdinand, it does not say that the city of London are the wisestmen in the world, it is silent about George Townshend, and doesnot abuse my Lord George Sackville; how should it please? I wantyou to help me in a little affair, that regards it. I have foundin a MS. That in the church of Beckley, or Becksley, in Sussex, there are portraits on glass, In a window, of Henry the Third andhis Queen. I have looked in the map, and find the first namebetween Bodiham and Rye, but I am not sure it is the place. Iwill be much obliged to you if you will write directly to yourSir Whistler, and beg him to inform himself very exactly if thereis any such thing in such a church near Bodiham. Pray state itminutely; because if there is, I will have them drawn for thefrontispiece 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 Devonshirewas firm, and would only let him correct some passages, and evenof those the Duke has restored some. One that the prelateeffaced was, "You snub-nosed son of a bitch. " Foote says, hewill take out a license to preach Tam. Cant, against Tom. Cant. (117)

The first volume of Voltaire's Peter the Great is arrived. Iweep over it. It is as languid as the campaign; he is grown old. He boasts of the materials communicated to him by the Czarina'sorder--but alas! he need not be proud of them. They only serveto show how much worse he writes history with materials thanwithout. Besides, it is evident how much that authority hascramped his genius. I had heard before, that when he sent thework to Petersburgh for imperial approbation, it was returnedwith orders to increase the panegyric. I wish he had acted likea very inferior author. Knyphausen once hinted to me, that Imight have some authentic papers, if I was disposed to write thelife of his master; but I did not care for what would lay meunder such restrictions. It is not fair to use weapons againstthe persons that lend them; and I do not admire his master enoughto commend any thing in him, but his military actions. Adieu!

(117) The following anecdote is related in the BiographiaDramatica:--"Our English Aristophanes sent a copy of the Minor tothe Archbishop of Canterbury, requesting that, if his graceshould see any thing objectionable in it, he would exercise thefree use of his pen, either in the way of erasure or correction. The Archbishop returned it untouched; observing to a confidentialfriend, 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 ofcorrection or objection, Foote would have had the assurance tohave advertised the play as 'corrected and prepared for the pressby 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 commissionI troubled you with. As I am in great want of some more paintedglass 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, ifit can be purchased reasonably. 

My Lucan is finished, but will not be published till afterChristmas, when I hope you will do me the favour of acceptingone, and let me know how I shall Convey it. The Anecdotes ofPainting have succeeded to the press: I have finished twovolumes, but as there will at least be a third, I am notdetermined whether I shall not wait to publish the wholetogether. You will be surprised, I think, to see what a quantityof materials the industry of one man (Vertue) could amass and howmuch he retrieved at this late period. I hear of nothing newlikely to appear; all the world is taken up in penning addresses, or in presenting them;(118) and the approaching elections willoccupy the thoughts of men so much that an author could notappear 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 shallbe glad if I prove to be in the right. 

There is not much of news to tell you; and yet there is muchdissatisfaction. The Duke of Newcastle has threatened to resignon the appointment of Lord Oxford and Lord Bruce without hisknowledge. His court rave about Tories, which you know comeswith 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 allfaction, when it is not for factious purposes. LordFitzmaurice, (119) made aide-de-camp to the King, has disgustedthe army. The Duke of Richmond, whose brother has no more beenput over others than the Duke of Newcastle has preferred Tories, has presented a warm memorial in a warm manner, and has resignedthe bedchamber, not his regiment-another propriety. 

Propriety is so much in fashion, that Miss Chudleigh has calledfor the council books of the subscription concert, and has struckoff the name of Mrs. Naylor. (120) I have some thoughts ofremonstrating, that General Waldegrave is too lean for to be agroom of the bedchamber. Mr. Chute has sold his house to MissSpeed for three thousand pounds, and has taken one for a year inBerkeley Square. 

This is a very brief letter; I fear this reign will soon furnishlonger. When the last King could be beloved, a young man with agood heart has little chance of being so. Moreover, I have amaxim, that the extinction of party is the origin of faction. "Good night. 

(119) Afterwards Earl of Shelburne, and in 1784 created Marquisof Lansdowne. -E. 

(120) A noted procuress. -E. 

Letter 60 To The Rev. Henry ZouchArlington Street, Jan. 3, 1761. (page 107)

Sir, I stayed till I had the Lucan ready to send you, before I thankedyou for your letter, and for the pane of glass, about which youhave given yourself so much kind trouble, and which I havereceived; I think it is clearly Heraclitus weeping over a globe. 

Illuminated MSS. , unless they have portraits of particularpersons, I do not deal in; the extent of my collecting is alreadyfull asgreat as I can afford. I am not the less obliged to you, Sir, for thinking Of me. Were my fortune larger, I should godeeper into printing, and having engraved curious MSS. Anddrawings; as I cannot, I comfort myself with reflecting on themortifications I avoid, by the little regard shown by the worldto 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 ofsciences, that is, compilations and mangled abstracts, are theonly saleable commodities. Would you believe, what I know isfact, that Dr. Hill(121) earned fifteen guineas a-week by workingfor wholesale dealers: he was at once employed on six voluminousworks of Botany, Husbandry, etc. Published weekly. I am sorry tosay, this journeyman is one of the first men preferred in the newreign: he is made gardener of Kensington, a place worth twothousand pounds a-year. (122) The King and lord Bute havecertainly both of them great propensity to the arts; but Dr. Hill, though undoubtedly not deficient in parts, has as littleclaim to favour in this reign, as Gideon, the stock-jobber, inthe last; both engrossers without merit. Building, I am told, isthe King's favourite study; I hope our architects will not betaken from the erectors of turnpikes. 

(121) Dr. Hill's were among the first works in which scientificknowledge was put in a popular shape, by the system of numberpublishing. The Doctor's performances in this way are notdiscreditable, 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 hispursuits 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 arecoming so late, as I like to have you here in the spring. Youwill find no great novelty in the new reign. Lord Denbigh(123)is made master of the harriers, with two thousand a-year. LordTemple asked it, and Newcastle and Hardwicke gave into it forfear of Denbigh's brutality in the House of Lords. Does thisdiffer from the style of George the Second?

The King designs to have a new motto; he will not have a Frenchone; so the Pretender may enjoy Dieu et mon droit in quiet. 

Princess Amelia is already sick of being familiar: she has beenat Northumberland-house, but goes to nobody more. That party waslarger, but still more formal than the rest, though the Duke ofYork had invited himself and his commerce-table. I played withMadam and we were mighty well together; so well, that two nightsafterwards she commended me to Mr. Conway and Mr. Fox, butcalling 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, shethanked my Lady Northumberland, like a parson's wife, for all hercivilities. 

I was excessively amused on Tuesday night; there was a play atHolland-house, acted by children; not all children, for LadySarah Lenox(124) and Lady Susan Strangways(125) played the women. It was Jane Shore; Mr. Price, Lord Barrington's nephew, wasGloster, 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: butthe two girls were delightful, and acted with so much nature andsimplicity, that they appeared the very things they represented. Lady Sarah was more beautiful than you can conceive, and her veryawkwardness gave an air of truth to the shame of the part, andthe antiquity of the time, which was kept up by her dress, takenout of Montfaucon. Lady Susan was dressed from Jane Seymour; andall the parts were clothed in ancient habits, and with the mostminute propriety. I was infinitely more struck with the lastscene between the two women than ever I was when I have seen iton the stage. When Lady Sarah was in white, with her hair abouther ears, and on the ground, no Magdalen by Corregio was half solovely and expressive. You would have been charmed too withseeing Mr. Fox's little boy of six years old, who is beautiful, and acted the Bishop of Ely, dressed in lawn sleeves and with asquare cap; they had inserted two lines for him, which he couldhardly speak plainly. Francis had given them a pretty prologue. Adieu!

(123) Basil Fielding, sixth Earl of Denbigh, and fifth Earl ofDesmond. He died in 1800. -E. 

(124) daughter of the Duke of Richmond, afterwards married to SirThomas 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 youare 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 atleast once in their lives see me. 'Tis a horrible thing to dinewith a mayor! I shall profane King John's cup, and taste nothingbut water out of it, as if it were St. John Baptist's. 

Prepare yourself for crowds, multitudes. In this reign all theworld lives in one room: the capital is as vulgar as a countrytown in the season of horse-races. There were no fewer than fourof these throngs on Tuesday last, at the Duke of Cumberland's, Princess Emily's, the Opera, and Lady Northumberland's; for evenoperas, Tuesday's operas, are crowded now. There is nothing elsenew. Last week there was a magnificent ball at Carleton-house:the two royal Dukes and Princess Emily were there. He of Yorkdanced; the other and his sister had each their table at loo. Iplayed at hers, and am grown a favourite; nay, have been at herprivate party, and was asked again last Wednesday, but took theliberty to excuse myself, and am yet again summoned for Tuesday. It is triste enough: nobody sits till the game begins, and thenshe and the company are all on stools. At Norfolk-house were twoarmchairs placed for her and the Duke of Cumberland, the Duke ofYork being supposed a dancer, but they would not use them. LordHuntingdon arrived in a frock, pretending he was just come out ofthe country; unluckily, he had been at court, full-dressed, inthe morning. No foreigners were there but the son anddaughter-in-law of Monsieur de Fuentes: the Duchess told theDuchess of Bedford, that she had not invited the ambassadress, because her rank is disputed here. You remember the Bedford tookplace, of madame de Mirepoix; but Madame de Mora danced first, the Duchess of Norfolk saying she supposed that was of noconsequence. 

Have you heard what immense riches old Wortley has left? Onemillion three hundred and fifty thousand pounds. (127) It is allto centre in my Lady Bute; her husband is one of Fortune'sprodigies. They talk of a print, in which her mistress isreprimanding 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 Selwyncalls 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, thatkept him alive so long. He every day drank, I think it was, half-a-pint of tokay, which he imported himself from Hungary ingreater quantity than he could use, and sold the overplus for anyprice he chose to set upon it. He has left better than half amillion of money. " Gray, Works, vol. Iii. P. 272. -E. 

(128) Miss Ford was the object of an illicit, but unsuccessfulattachment, on the part of Lord Jersey, whose advances, if notsanctioned by the lady, appear to have been sanctioned by herfather, who told her "she might have accepted the settlement hislordship offered her, and yet not have complied" with his terms. The following extract from the letter will explain the historyabove alluded to:--"However, I must do your lordship the justiceto say, that as you conceived this meeting [one with a noblepersonage which Lord Jersey had desired her not to make] wouldhave 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 Ihad 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 hisbeloved mistress; but as coming from your lordship gave it anadditional value, which it had not in itself; and I received itwith the regard I thought due to every thing coming from yourlordship, and would have eat it, had it been eatable. I am''impatient to acquit your lordship and myself, by showing that asyour lordship's eight hundred pounds a-year did not purchase myperson, 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 thatI had a mind to go to Strawberry on Friday without staying forthe Qualification bill. You said it did not signify--No! What ifyou intended to speak on it? Am I indifferent to hearing you?More-Am I indifferent about acting with you? Would not I followyou in any thing in the world?--This is saying no profligatething. Is there any thing I might not follow you in? You evendid not tell me yesterday that you had spoken. Yet I will tellyou all I have heard; though if there was a Point in the world inwhich I could not wish you to succeed where you wish yourself, perhaps it would be in having you employed. I cannot be coolabout your danger; yet I cannot know any thing that concerns you, and keep it from you. Charles Townshend called here just after Icame to town to-day. Among other discourse he told me of yourspeaking on Friday, and that your speech was reckoned hostile tothe Duke of Newcastle. Then talking of regiments going abroad, he said, * * * * * With regard to your reserve to me, Ican easily believe that your natural modesty made you unwillingto talk of yourself to me. I don't suspect you of any reserve tome: I only mention it now for an occasion of telling you, that Idon't like to have any body think that I would not do whateveryou do. I am of no consequence: but at least it would give mesome, to act invariably with you; and that I shall most certainlybe 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 amnot 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 AnneJekyll(130) said, she had written to you on Saturday night. Iasked 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 asthat. Shall not you come to town first? You cannot pack upyourself, and all you will want, at Greatworth. 

We are in the utmost hopes of a peace; a Congress is agreed uponat Augsbourg, but yesterday's mail brought bad news. PrinceFerdinand has been obliged to raise the siege of Cassel, and toretire to Paderborn; the hereditary prince having been againdefeated, with the loss of two generals, and to the value of fivethousand men, in prisoners and exchanged. If this defers thepeace it will be grievous news to me, now Mr. Conway is gone tothe army. 

The town talks of nothing but an immediate Queen, yet I amcertain the ministers know not of it. Her picture is come, andlists of her family given about; but the latter I do not sendyou, as I believe it apocryphal. Adieu!

P. S. Have you seen the -, advertisement of a new noble author? ATreatise of Horsemanship, by Henry Earl of Pembroke!(131) AsGeorge 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 inIreland. 

(130) sister of the Earl of Halifax. 

(131) Tenth Earl of Pembroke and seventh Earl of Montgomery. Thework was entitled "Military Equitation; or a Method of breakingHorses, and teaching Soldiers to ride. " A fourth edition, inquarto, 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 oftelling me that you had received the Lucan, and as you did not, Iconcluded Dodsley had neglected it: he has in two instances. Themoment they were published, I delivered a couple to him, for you, and one for a gentleman in Scotland. I received no account ofeither, and after examining Dodsley a fortnight ago, I learnedthree days since from him, that your copy, Sir, was delivered toMrs. Ware, bookseller, in Fleet Street, who corresponds with Mr. Stringer, to be sent in the first parcel; but, says he, as theysend only once a month, it probably was not sent away till verylater), . I am vexed, Sir, that you have waited so longfor this trifle: if you neither receive it, nor get informationof it, I will immediately convey another to you. It would bevery ungrateful in me to neglect what would give you a moment'samusement, after your thinking so obligingly of the painted glassfor me. I shall certainly be in Yorkshire this summer, and as Iflatter myself that I shall be more lucky in meeting you, I willthen take what you shall be so good as to bestow on me, withoutgiving you the trouble of sending it. 

If it were not printed in the London Chronicle, I wouldtranscribe for you, Sir, a very weak letter of Voltaire to LordLyttelton, (132) and the latter's answer: there is nothing elsenew, but a very indifferent play, (133) called The Jealous Wife, so well acted as to have succeeded greatly. Mr. Mason, Ibelieve, is going to publish some elegies: I have seen theprincipal one, on Lady Coventry; it was then only an unfinisheddraft. The second and third volumes ofTristram Shandy, the dregs of nonsense, have universally met thecontempt they deserve: genius may be exhausted;--I see thatfolly's invention may be so too. 

The foundations of my gallery at Strawberry are laying. May Inot flatter myself, Sir, that you will see the whole even beforeit is quite complete?

P. S. Since I wrote my letter, I have read a new play ofVoltaire's, called Tancred, and I am glad to say that it repairsthe idea of his decaying parts, which I had conceived from hisPeter the Great, and the letter I mentioned. Tancred did notplease at Paris, nor was I charmed with the two first acts; inthe three last are great flashes of genius, single lines, andstarts of passion of the first fire: the woman's part is a littletoo Amazonian. 

(132) An absurd letter from Voltaire to the author of theDialogues of the Dead, remonstrating against a statement, that"he, Voltaire, was in exile, on account of some blamable freedomsin his writings. " He denies both the facts and the causeassigned; but he convinced nobody, for both were notoriouslytrue. Voltaire was, it is true, not banished by sentence; but hewas not permitted to reside in France, and that surely may becalled exile, particularly as he was all his life endeavouring toobtain leave to return to Paris. -C. 

(133) The Jealous Wife still keeps the stage, and does notdeserve to be so slightingly spoken of: but there were privatereasons which might possibly warp Mr. Walpole's judgment on theworks of Colman. He was the nephew of lord Bath, and The JealousWife was dedicated to that great rival of Sir Robert Walpole. -C. [Dr. Johnson says. -that the Jealous Wife, "though not writtenwith much genius, was yet so well exhibited by the actors, thatit 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 buildersrefused, is become the head-stone of the corner. My Lady Talbot, I suppose, would have found no charms in Cardinal Mazarin. Asthe Duke of Leeds was forced to give way to Jemmy Grenville, theDuke of Rutland has been obliged to make room for this new Earl. Lord Huntingdon is groom of the stole, and the last Duke I havenamed, master of the horse; the red liveries cost Lord Huntingdona pang. Lord Holderness has the reversion of the Cinque-portsfor life, and I think may pardon his expulsion. 

If you propose a fashionable assembly, you must send cards toLord Spenser, Lord Grosvenor, Lord Melcomb, Lord Grantham, LordBoston, Lord Scarsdale, Lady Mountstuart, the Earl of TyrConnell, and Lord Wintertown. The two last you will meet in Ireland. Nojoy ever exceeded your cousin's or Doddington's: the former camelast night to Lady Hilsborough's to display his triumph; thelatter too was there, and advanced to me. I said, ":I was comingto wish you joy. " "I concluded so, " replied he, "and came toreceive it. " He left a good card yesterday at Lady Petersham's, avery young lord to wait on Lady Petersham, to make her ladyshipthe first offer of himself. I believe she will be content withthe exchequer: Mrs. Grey has a pension of eight hundred poundsa-year. 

Mrs. Clive is at her villa for Passion week; I have written toher for the box, but I don't doubt of its being (, one; but, considering her alliance, why does not Miss Price bespeak theplay and have the stage box?

I shall smile if Mr. Bentley, and M`Untz, and their two Hannahsmeet at St. James's; so I see neither of them, I care not wherethey are. 

Lady Hinchinbrook and Lady Mansel are at the point of death; LordHardwicke is to be poet-laureate; and, according to modern usage, I suppose it will be made a cabinet-counsellor's place. Goodnight!

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) iscertainly named lord-lieutenant. I wish you joy. You will besorry too to hear that your Lord North is much talked of forsucceeding him at the board of' trade. I tell you this withgreat composure, though today has been a day of amazement. Allthe world is staring, whispering, and questioning. LordHolderness has resigned the seals, (135) and they are given toLord Bute. Which of the two secretaries of state is firstminister? the latter or Mr. Pitt? Lord Holderness received thecommand but yesterday, at two o'clock, till that moment thinkinghimself extremely well at court; but it seems the King said hewas tired of having two secretaries, of which one would donothing, and t'other could do nothing; he would have a secretarywho both could act and would. Pitt had asshort a notice of this resolution as the sufferer, and was littlebetter pleased. He is something softened for the present by theoffer of cofferer for Jemmy Grenville, which is to be ceded bythe Duke of Leeds, who returns to his old post of justice ineyre, from whence Lord Sandys is to be removed, some say to thehead of the board of trade. Newcastle, who enjoys this fall ofHolderness's, who had deserted him for Pitt, laments over theformer, but seems to have made his terms with the new favourite:if the Bedfords have done so too, will it surprise you? It willme, if Pitt submits to this humiliation; if he does not, I takefor granted the Duke of Bedford will have the other seals. Thetemper with which the new reign has hitherto proceeded, seems alittle impeached by this sudden act, and the Earl now stands inthe direct light of a minister-, if the House of Commons shouldcavil 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) inNorthumberland, where the mob have killed an officer and three ofthe Yorkshire militia, who, in return, fired and shot twenty-one. 

Adieu! I shall be impatient to hear some consequences of my firstparagraph. 

P. S. Saturday. --I forgot to tell you that Lord Hardwicke haswritten some verses to Lord Lyttelton, upon those the latter madeon Lady Egremont. (137) If I had been told that he had put on abag, and was gone off with Kitty Fisher, (138) I should not havebeen more astonished. 

Poor Lady Gower(139) is dead this morning of a fever in herlying-in. I believe the Bedfords arc very sorry; for there is anew opera(140) this evening. 

(134) The Earl of Halifax. 

(135) Lord Barrington, in a letter to Mr. Mitchell, of the 23dsays, "Our friend Holderness is finally in harbour; he has fourthousand a-year for life, with the reversionship of the Cinque-ports, after the Duke of Dorset; which he likes better thanhaving the name of pensioner. I never could myself understandthe difference between a pension and a synecure place. "-E. 

(136) In consequence of the expiration of the three years' termof service, prescribed by the Militia-act, and the new ballotabout to take place. -E. 

(137) The following are the lines alluded to, "Addition extemporeto 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 soundHer modest praise the world around;But notes were wanting-canst thou findA 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 letterfrom Gray to Mason, of the 22d of January, the Opera appears atthis time to have been in a flourishing condition--"The Opera iscrowded this year like any ordinary theatre. Elisi is finer thanany 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 littlepotbellied and thick-shouldered, otherwise no bad figure; hasaction proper, and not ungraceful. We have heard nothing, sinceI remember operas, but eternal passages, divisions, and flightsof execution: of these he has absolutely none; whether merelyfrom judgment, or a little from age, I will not affirm: his pointis expression, and to that all the ornaments he inserts (whichare few and short) are evidently directed. He gets higher, theysay, than Farinelli; but then this celestial note you do not hearabove once in a whole opera; and he falls from this altitude atonce to the mellowest, softest, Strongest tones (about the middleof his compass) that can be heard. The Mattei, I assure you, ismuch improved by his example, and by her great success thiswinter; but then the burlettas and the Paganina, I have not beenso pleased with any thing these many years. She is too fat, andabove forty, yet handsome withal, and has a face that speaks thelanguage of all nations. She has not the invention, the fire, and the variety of action that the Spiletta had; yet she islight, 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 hasnot been opened. I grieve at the loss of your suit, and for theinjustice done you, but what can one expect but injury, whenforced to have recourse to law! Lord Abercorn asked me thisevening, if it was true that you are going to Ireland? I gave avague answer, and did not resolve him how much I knew of it. Iam impatient for the answer to your compliment. 

There is not a word of newer news than what I sent you last. TheSpeaker has taken leave, and received the highest compliments, and substantial ones too; he did not over-act, and it was reallya handsome scene. (141) I go to my election on Tuesday, and, if Ido not tumble out of the chair, and break my neck, you shall hearfrom me at my return. I got the box for Miss Rice; LadyHinchinbrook is dead. 

(141) Mr, Onslow held the office of Speaker of the House ofCommons for above thirty-three years, and during part of thattime enjoyed the lucrative employment of treasurer of the navy:"notwithstanding which, " says Mr Hatsell, "it is an anecdoteperfectly well known, that on his quitting the Chair, his incomefrom his private fortune, which had always been inconsiderable, Was rather less than it had been in 1727, when he was firstelected into it. Superadded to his great and accurate knowledgeof the history of this country, and of the minuter forms andproceedings of Parliament, the distinguishing features of hischaracter were a regard and veneration for the Britishconstitution, as it was declared at and established at theRevolution. "-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 twohours last month) I have not been in sixteen years! Think what acrowd of reflections! No; Gray, and forty churchyards, could notfurnish so many: nay, I know one must feel them with greaterindifference than I possess, to have the patience to put theminto verse. Here I am, probably for the last time of my life, though not for the time: every clock that strikes tells me I aman hour nearer to yonder church--that church, into which I havenot yet had courage to enter, where lies that mother on whom Idoated, and who doated on me! There are the two rival mistressesof Houghton, neither of whom ever wished to enjoy it! There toolies he who founded its greatness; to contribute to whose fallEurope was embroiled; there he sleeps in quiet and dignity, whilehis friend and his foe, rather his false ally and real enemy, Newcastle and Bath, are exhausting the dregs of their pitifullives in squabbles and pamphlets. 

The surprise the pictures(142) gave me is again renewed;accustomed for many years to see nothing but wretched daubs andvarnished copies at auctions, I look at these as enchantment. Myown description of them seems poor; but shall I tell you truly, the majesty of Italian ideas almost sinks before the warm natureof Flemish colouring. Alas! don't I grow old? My youngimagination was fired with Guido's ideas; must they be plump andprominent as Abishag to warm me now? Does great youth feel withpoetic limbs, as well as see with poetic eyes? In one respect Iam very young, I cannot satiate myself with looking: an incidentcontributed to make me feel this more strongly. A party arrivedjust as I did, to see the house, a man and three women In ridingdresses, and they rode post through the apartments. I could nothurry before them fast enough; they were not so long in seeingfor the first time, as I could have been in one room, to examinewhat I knew by heart. I remember formerly being often divertedwith this kind of seers; they come, ask what such a room iscalled, in which Sir Robert lay, write it down, admire a lobsteron a cabbage in a market-piece, dispute whether the last room wasgreen or purple, and then hurry to the inn for fear the fishshould be over-dressed. How different my sensations! not apicture here but recalls a history; not one, but I remember inDowning-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 itwas now called the pleasure-ground. What a dissonant idea ofpleasure! those groves, those all`ees, where I have passed somany charming moments, are now stripped up or over-grown--manyfond paths I could not unravel, though with a very exact clew inmy memory: I met two gamekeepers, and a thousand hares In thedays when all my soul was tuned to pleasure and vivacity (and youwill think, perhaps, it is far from being out of tune yet), Ihated Houghton and its solitude; yet I loved this garden, as now, with many regrets, I love Houghton; Houghton, I know not what tocall it, monument of grandeur or ruin! How I have wished thisevening for Lord Bute! how I could preach to him! For myself, Ido not want to be preached to; I have long considered, how everyBalbec must wait for the chance of a Mr. Wood. The servantswanted to lay me in the great apartment-what, to make me pass mynight as I have done my evening! It were like Proposing toMargaret Roper(143) to be a duchess in the court that cut off herfather's head, and imagining it would please her. I have chosento sit in my father's little dressing-room, and am now by hisscrutoire, where, in the heights of his fortune, he used toreceive the accounts of his farmers, and deceive himself, or us, with the thoughts of his economy. How wise a man at once, andhow weak! For what has he built Houghton? for his grandson toannihilate, or for his son to mourn over. If Lord Burleigh couldrise and view his representative driving the Hatfield stage, hewould feel as I feel now. (144) Poor little Strawberry! at leastit will not be stripped to pieces by a descendant! You will findall 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 withMr. Conway yesterday morning; moral reflections or commonplacesare the livery one likes to wear, when one has just had a realmisfortune. He is going to Germany: I was glad to dress myselfup in transitory Houghton, in lieu of very sensible concern. To-morrow I shall be distracted with thoughts, at least images ofvery different complexion. I go to Lynn, and am to be elected onFriday. I shall return hither on Saturday, again alone, toexpect Burleighides on Sunday, whom I left at Newmarket. I mustonce in my life see him on his grandfather's throne. 

Epping, Monday night, thirty-first. -No, I have not seen him; heloitered on the road, and I was kept at Lynn till yesterdaymorning. It is plain I never knew for how many trades I wasformed, when at this time of day I can begin electioneering, andsucceed in my new vocation.. Think of me, the subject of a mob, who was scarce ever before in a mob, addressing them in thetown-hall, riding at the head of two thousand people through sucha town as Lynn, dining with above two hundred of them, amidbumpers, huzzas, songs, and tobacco, and finishing with countrydancing at a ball and sixpenny whisk! I have borne it allcheerfully; nay, have sat hours in conversation, the thing uponearth that I hate; have been to hear misses play on theharpsichord, and to see an alderman's copies of Rubens and CarloMarat. Yet to do the folks justice, they are sensible, andreasonable, and civilized; their very language is polished sinceI lived among them. I attribute this to their more frequentintercourse with the world and the capital, by the help of goodroads and postchaises, which, if they have abridged the King'sdominions, have at least tamed his subjects. Well, howcomfortable it will be to-morrow, to see my parroquet, to play atloo, and not be obliged to talk seriously! The Heraclitus of thebeginning of this letter will be overjoyed on finishing it tosign himself your old friend, Democritus. 

P. S. I forgot to tell you that my ancient aunt Hammond came overto Lynn to see me; not from any affection, but curiosity. Thefirst thing she said to me, though we have not met these sixteenyears, was, ,Child, you have done a thing to-day, that yourfather never did in all his life; you sat as they carried you, --he always stood the whole time. " "Madam, " said I, "when I amplaced in a chair, I conclude I am to sit in it; besides, as Icannot imitate my father in great things, I am not at allambitious of mimicking him in little ones. " I am sure sheproposes to tell her remarks to my uncle Horace's ghost, theinstant they meet. 

(142) This magnificent collection of pictures was sold to theEmpress of Russia, and some curious particulars relative to thesale will be found in Beloe's Anecdotes of Literature. A seriesOf engravings was likewise made from them, which was published in1788, under the title of "The Houghton Gallery: a collection ofprints, from the best pictures in the possession of the Earl ofOrford. "-E. 

(143) Wife, of William Roper, Esq. And eldest and favouritedaughter of Sir Thomas More. She bought the head of herill-fated parent, when it was about to be thrown into the Thames, after having been affixed to London bridge, and on beingquestioned by the Privy Council about her conduct, she boldlyreplied, that she had done so that "it might not become food forfishes. " She survived her father nine years, and died at the ageof thirty-six, in 1544, and was buried at St. Dunstan's church, Canterbury; the box containing her father's head being placed onher coffin. -E. 

(144) the prayer of Sir Robert Walpole, recorded on thefoundation-stone, was, that "after its master, to a mature oldage, had long enjoyed it in perfection, his latest descendantsmight 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 knowany method he could have lighted upon so likely to gain my heart, as being beaten out of the field before you joined him. Idelight in a hero that is driven so far that nobody can followhim. He is as well at Paderborn, as where I have long wished theKing of Prussia, the other world. You may frown if you please atmy imprudence, you who are gone with all the disposition in theworld to be well with your commander; the peace is in a mannermade, and the anger of generals will not be worth sixpence theseten years. We peaceable folks are now to govern the world, andyou 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 Lytteltonwould say, that Lady Mary Coke, like Venus, smiled over thewaves, et mare prestabat eunti. In truth, when she could tameme, she must have had little trouble with the ocean. Tell me howmany burgomasters she has subdued, or how many would have fallenin love with her if they had not fallen asleep! Come, has shesaved two-pence by her charms? Have they abated a farthing oftheir impositions for her being handsomer than any thing in theseven provinces? Does she know how political her journey isthought? Nay, my Lady Ailesbury, you are not out of the scrape;you are both reckoned des Mar`echale de Guebriant, (146) going tofetch, and consequently govern the young queen. There are morejealousies about your voyage, than the Duke of Newcastle wouldfeel if Dr. Shaw had prescribed a little ipecacuanha to my LordBute. 

I am sorry I must adjourn my mirth, to give Lady Ailesbury apang; poor Sir Harry Bellendine(147) is dead; he made a greatdinner at Almac's for the House of Drummond, drank very hard, caught a violent fever, and died in a very few days. Perhaps youwill have heard this before; I shall wish so; I do not like, eveninnocently, to be the cause of sorrow. 

I do not at all lament Lord Granby's leaving the army, and yourimmediate succession. There are persons in the world who wouldgladly ease you of this burden. As you are only to take thevice-royalty of a coop, and that for a few weeks, I shall butsmile if you are terribly distressed. Don't let Lady Ailesburyproceed to Brunswick: you might have had a wife who would nothave thought it so terrible to fall into the hands [arms] ofhussars; but as I don't take that to be your Countess's turn, leave her with the Dutch, who are not so boisterous as Cossacksor chancellors of the exchequer. 

My love, my duty, my jealousy, to Lady Mary, if she is not sailedbefore you receive this--if she is, I shall deliver them myselfGood 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 Polandwith the character of ambassadress by Louis Xiii. To accompanythe Princess Marie de Gonzague, who had been married by proxy tothe 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 Icould tell you that I had seen Fingal. Two journeys into Norfolkfor my election, and other accidents, prevented my seeing anypart of the poem till this last week, and I have yet only seenthe first book. There are most beautiful images in it, and itsurprises one how the bard could strike out so many shining ideasfrom a few so very simple objects, as the moon, the storm, thesea, and the heath, from whence he borrows almost all hisallusions. The particularizing of persons, by "he said, " "hereplied, " so much objected to in Homer, is so wanted inFingal, (149) that it in some measure justifies the GrecianHighlander; I have even advised Mr. Macpherson (to preventconfusion) to have the names prefixed to the speeches, as in aplay. It is too obscure without some such aid. My doubts of thegenuineness are all vanished. 

I fear, sir, from Dodsley's carelessness, you have not receivedthe Lucan. A gentleman in Yorkshire, for whom I consignedanother copy at the same time with yours, has got his but withinthis fortnight. I have the pleasure to find, that the notes areallowed 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 theArts, as I have put it together from his collections. Twovolumes are finished, the first almost printed and the thirdbegun. There will be a fourth, I believe, relating solely toengravers. You will be surprised, sir, how the industry of oneman could at this late period amass so near a complete history ofour artists. I have no share in it, but in arranging hismaterials. Adieu!

(148) Now first collected. 

(149) "For me, " writes Gray, it this time, to Dr. Wharton, "Iadmire nothing but Fingal; yet I remain still in doubt about theauthenticity of these poems, though inclining rather to believethem genuine in spite of the worio. Whether they are theinventions of antiquity, or of a modern Scotchman, either case tome is alike unaccountable. Je m'y perds. " Dr. Johnson, on thecontrary, 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, askedJohnson whether he thought any man of modern age could havewritten such poems? Johnson replied, 'Yes, Sir, many men, manywomen, and many children. ' He, at this time, did not know thatDr. Blair had just published a dissertation, not only defendingtheir authenticity, but seriously ranking them with the poems ofHomer and Virgil; and when he was afterwards informed of thiscircumstance, he expressed some displeasure at Dr. Fordyce'shaving suggested the topic, and said, 'I am not sorry that theygot thus much for their pains: Sir, it was like leading one totalk of a book, when the author is concealed behind thedoor. '"-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 weshould be. Mr. Conway--and I need say no more--has negotiated sowell, 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 theDuke of Cumberland. It must be your ladyship's part to preparethis; which I hope will be the means of putting an end to theseunhappy differences. My only fear now is, lest the Duke shouldhave promised the Lodge. ' Mr. Conway writes to Lord Albemarle, who is yet at Windsor, to prevent this, if not already done, tillthe rest is ready to be notified to the Duke of Cumberland. Yourladyship's good sense and good heart make it unnecessary for meto say more. 

(150) Now first collected. 

(151) The Hon. Aubrey Beauclerk, son of Lord Vere; afterwardsDuke 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 mangerin Berkeley Square, and you will not accept it. I have chosenyour coat, a claret colour, to suit the complexion of the countryyou are going to visit; but I have fixed nothing about the lace. Barrett had none of gauze, but what were as broad as the IrishChannel. Your tailor found a very reputable one at anotherplace, but I would not determine rashly; it will be two orthree-and-twenty shillings the yard: you might have a verysubstantial real lace, ' which would wear like your buffet, fortwenty. The second order of gauzes are frippery, none abovetwelve shillings, and those tarnished, for the species are out offashion. You will have time to sit in judgment upon theseimportant points; for Hamilton(152) your secretary told me at theOpera two nights ago, that he had taken a house near Busby, andhoped to be in my neighbourhood for four months. 

I was last night at your plump Countess's who is so shrunk, thatshe does not seem to be composed of above a dozen hassocs. LordGuildford rejoiced mightily over your preferment. The Duchess ofArgyle was playing there, not knowing that the great Pam was justdead, to wit, her brother-in-law. He was abroad in the morning, was seized with a palpitation after dinner, and was dead beforethe surgeon could arrive. There's the crown of Scotland toofallen upon my Lord Bute's head! Poor Lord Edgecumbe is stillalive, and may be so for some days; the physicians, who no longerago than Friday se'nnight persisted that he had no dropsy, inorder to prevent his having Ward, (153) on Monday last proposedthat Ward should be called in, and at length they owned theythought the mortification begun. It is not clear it is yet; attimes he is in his senses, and entirely so, composed, clear, andmost rational; talks of his death, and but yesterday, after sucha conversation with his brother, asked for a pencil to amusehimself with drawing. What parts, genius, agreeableness thrownaway at a hazard table, and not permitted the chance of beingsaved by the villainy of physicians!

You will be pleased with the Anacreontic, written by LordMiddlesex upon Sir Harry Bellendine: I have not seen any thing soantique for ages; it has all the fire, poetry, and simplicity ofHorace. 

"Ye sons of Bacchus, come and joinin solemn dirge, while tapers shineAround the grape-embowered shrineOf 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 shrineOf honest Harry Bellendine. 

Your brows let ivy chaplets twine, While you push round the sparkling wine, And let your table be the shrineOf honest Hairy Bellendine. "

He died in his vocation, of a high fever, after the celebrationof some orgies. Though but six hours in his senses, he gave aproof of his usual good humour, making it his last request to thesister Tuftons to be reconciled; which they are. His prettyvilla, in my neighbourhood, I fancy he has left to the new LordLorn. I must tell you an admirable bon-mot of George Selwyn, though not a new one; when there was a malicious report that theeldest Tufton was to marry Dr. Duncan, Selwyn said, "How oftenwill 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-speechHamilton, was, on the appointment of Lord Halifax to theviceroyalty of Ireland, selected as his secretary, and wasaccompanied thither by the celebrated Edmund Burke, partly as afriend and partly as his private secretary. -E. 

(153) The celebrated empiric, see ant`e, p. 37, letter 10. Hisdrops were first introduced in 1732, by Sir Thomas Robinson; uponwhich 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 Ihope the weather will have recovered its temper. At present itis horridly cross and uncomfortable; I fear we shall have a coldseason; we cannot eat our summer and have our summer. 

There has been a terrible fire in the little traverse street, atthe upper end of Sackville Street. Last Friday night, betweeneleven and twelve, I was sitting with Lord Digby in thecoffee-room at Arthur's; they told us there was a great firesomewhere about Burlington Gardens. I, who am as constant at afire as George Selwyn at an execution, proposed to Lord Digby togo and see where it was. We found it within two doors of thatpretty house of Fairfax, now General Waldegrave's. I sent forthe latter, who was at Arthur's; and for the guard, from St. James's. Four houses were in flames before they could find adrop of water; eight were burnt. I went to my Lady Suffolk, inSaville Row, and passed the whole night, till three in themorning, between her little hot bedchamber and the spot up to myancles in water, without catching cold. (154) As the wind, whichhad sat towards Swallow Street, changed in the middle of theconflagration, I concluded the greater part of Saville Row wouldbe consumed. I persuaded her to prepare to transport her mostvaluable effects--"portantur avari Pygmalionis opes miserae. "She behaved with great composure, and observed to me herself howmuch worse her deafness grew with the alarm. Half the people offashion in town were in the streets all night, as it happened insuch a quarter of distinction. In the crowd, looking on withgreat tranquillity, I saw a Mr. Jackson, an Irish gentleman, withwhom I had dined this winter, at Lord Hertford's. He seemedrather 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 royalDukes and Princess Emily were there; your lord-lieutenant, thegreat lawyer, lords, and old Newcastle, whose teeth are tumbledout, and his mouth tumbled in; hazard very deep; loo, beauties, and the Wilton Bridge in sugar, almost as big as the life. I amglad all these joys are near going out of town. The Graftons goabroad for the Duchess's health; Another climate may mend that--Iwill not answer for more. Adieu! Yours ever. 

(154) This accident was owing to a coachman carrying a lightedcandle into the stable, and, agreeably to Dean Swift's Advice toServants, sticking it against the rack; the straw being set in aflame in his absence, by the candle falling. Eight or ninehorses perished, and fourteen houses were burnt to the ground. Walpole was, most probably, not an idle spectator for thenewspapers 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 theysecured them in a place of safety; a noble instance ofneighbourly 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) anexpress from Belleisle, arrived this morning, brings nothing buthis death. He was shot very unnecessarily, riding too near abattery; in sum, he is a sacrifice to his own rashness, and toours. For what are we taking Belleisle? I rejoiced at the littleloss we had on landing; for the glory, I leave it to the commoncouncil. I am very willing to leave London to them too, and dopass half the week at Strawberry, where my two passions, lilacsand nightingales, are in full bloom. I spent Sunday as if itwere Apollo's birthday -. Gray and Mason were with me, and welistened to the nightingales till one o'clock in the morning. Gray has translated two noble incantations from the Lord knowswho, a Danish Gray, who lived the Lord knows when. They are tobe enchased in a history of English bards, which Mason and he areWriting; but of which the former has not written a word yet, andof 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 heliked, to make as good a picture as Vandyke or Rubens could. Iwas silent--"Why now, " said he, "you think this very vain, butwhy should not one speak the truth?" This truth was uttered inthe face of his own Sigismonda, which is exactly a maudlin w----, tearing off the trinkets that her keeper had given her, to flingat his head. She has her father's picture in a bracelet on herarm, and her fingers are bloody with the heart, as if she hadjust bought a sheep's pluck in St. James's Market. As I wasgoing, 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 toreceive his commands. For shortness, I will mark this wonderfuldialogue by initial letters. 

H. I am told you are going to entertain the town with somethingin our way. W. Not very soon, Mr. Hogarth. H. I wish you wouldlet me have it to correct; I should be very sorry to have youexpose yourself to censure; we painters must know more of thosethings than other people. W. Do you think nobody understandspainting but painters? H. Oh! so far from it, there's Reynolds, who certainly has genius; why but t'other day he offered ahundred pounds for a picture, that I would not hang in my cellar;and indeed, to say truth I have generally found, that persons whohad studied painting least were the best judges of it; but what Iparticularly wished to say to you was about Sir James Thornhill(you know he married Sir James' daughter): I would not have yousay any thing against him; there was a book published some timeago, abusing him, and it gave great offence. He was the firstthat attempted history in England, and, I assure you, someGermans have said that he was a very great painter. W. My workwill go no lower than the year one thousand seven hundred, and Ireally have not considered whether Sir J. Thornhill will comewithin my plan or not; if he does, I fear you and I shall notagree upon his merits. H. I wish you would let me correct it;besides; I am writing something of the same kind myself; I shouldbe sorry we should clash. W. I believe it is not much known whatmy work is, very few persons have seen it. H. Why, it is acritical history of painting, is it not? W. No, it is anantiquarian history of it in England; I bought Mr. Vertue's MSS. And, I believe, the work will not give much offence; besides, ifit does, I cannot help it: when I publish any thing, I give it tothe world to think of it as they please. H. Oh! if it is anantiquarian work, we shall not clash; mine is a critical work; Idon't know whether I shall ever publish it. It is rather anapology for painters. I think it is owing to the good sense ofthe English that they have not painted better. W. My dear Mr. Hogarth, I must take my leave of you, you now grow too wild--andI left him. If I had stayed, there remained nothing but for himto 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 aline to his genius (I mean, for wit) in my preface; I shall noterase it; but I hope nobody will ask me if he is not mad. Adieu!

(155) Sir William Pere Williams, Bart. Member for Shoreham, and acaptain in Burgoyne's Dragoons. He was killed in reconnoitringbefore Belleisle. Gray wrote his epitaph, at the request of Mr. Frederick Montagu, who intended to have it inscribed on amonument 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 itwith an apology, as it was gained over a sort of relation ofyours. Jemmy Lumley last week had a party of whist at his ownhouse; the combatants, Lucy Southwell, that curtseys like a bear, Mrs. Prijean, and a Mrs. Mackenzy. They played from six In theevening till twelve next day; Jemmy never winning one rubber, andrising a loser of two thousand pounds. How it happened I knownot, nor why his suspicions arrived so late, but he fanciedhimself cheated, and refused to pay. However, the bear had noshare in his evil surmises: on the contrary, a day or twoafterwards, he promised a dinner at Hampstead to Lucy and hervirtuous sister. As he went to the rendezvous his chaise wasstopped by somebody, who advised him not to proceed. Yet no whitdaunted, he advanced. In the garden he found The gentleconqueress, Mrs. MacKenzy, Who accosted him in the most friendlymanner. After a few compliments, she asked if he did not intendto pay her. "No, indeed I shan't, I shan't; your servant, yourservant. "--"Shan't you?" said the fair virago; and taking ahorsewhip from beneath her hoop, she fell upon him with as muchvehemence as the Empress-queen would upon the King of Prussia, ifshe could catch him alone in the garden at Hampstead. Jemmycried out murder; his servant, - rushed in, rescued him from thejaws of the lioness, and carried him off in his chaise to town. The Southwells, were already arrived, and descended on the noiseof the fray, finding nobody to pay for the dinner, and fearingthey must, set out for London too without it, though I supposethey had prepared tin pockets to carry off all that should beleft. Mrs. Mackenzy is immortal, and in the crown-office. (156)

The other battle in my military journal happened between theDuchess of Argyle and Lord Vere. The Duchess, who always talksof puss and pug, and who, having lost her memory, forgets howoften she tells the same story, had tired the company atDorset-house with the repetition of the same story; when theDuke's spaniel reached up into her lap, and placed his nose mostcritically: "See, " said she, "see, how fond all creatures are ofme. " Lord Vere, who was at cards, and could not attend to themfor her gossiping, said peevishly, without turning round orseeing where the dog was, "I suppose he smells PUSS. " "What!"said the Duchess of Argyle, in a passion, "Do you think my pussstinks?" I believe you have not two better stories inNorthamptonshire. 

Don't imagine that my gallery will be prance-about-in-able, asyou expect, by the beginning of June; I do not propose to finishit till next year, but you will see some glimpse of it, and forthe rest of Strawberry, it never was more beautiful, You must nowbegin to fix your motions: I go to Lord Dacre's at the end ofthis month, and to Lord Ilchester's the end of the next; betweenthose periods I expect you. 

Saturday morning, Arlington Street. I came to town yesterday for a party at Bedford-house, made forPrincess Amelia; the garden was open, with French horns andclarionets, and would have been charming with one single zephyr, that had not come from the northeast; however, the young ladiesfound it delightful. There was limited loo for the Princess, unlimited for the Duchess of Grafton, to whom I belonged, a tableof quinze, and another of quadrille. The Princess ha(f heard ofour having cold meat upon the loo-table, and would have some. Atable was brought in, she was served so, others rose by turns andwent to the cold meat; in the outward room were four littletables for the rest of the company. Think, if King George theSecond could have risen and seen his daughter supping pell-mellwith men, as if it were in a booth! The tables were removed, theyoung people began to dance to a tabor and pipe; the Princess satdown again, but to unlimited loo; we played till three, and I wonenough to help on the gallery. I am going back to it, to give mynieces and their lords a dinner. 

We were told there was a great victory come from Pondicherry, butit 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 goodfriend Mr. L. Has been horsewhippcd, trampled, bruised, and p--dupon, by a Mrs. Mackenzie, a sturdy Scotchwoman. It was done inan inn-yard at Hampstead, in the face of day, and he has put herin 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'sdessert, does it cost you a pretty snuff-box? Do the pastors atthe Hague(157) enjoin such expensive retributions? If a mansteals a kiss there, I suppose he does penance in a sheet ofBrussels lace. The comical part is, that you own the theft, indsending me, but say nothing of the vehicle of your repentance. In short, Madam, the box is the prettiest thing I ever saw, and Igive you a thousand thanks for it. 

When you comfort yourself about the operas, you don't know whatyou have lost; nay, nor I neither; for I was here, concludingthat a serenata for a birthday would be -is dull and as vulgar asthose festivities generally are: but I hear of nothing but theenchantment of it. (158) There was a second orchestra in thefootman's gallery, disguised by clouds, and filled with the musicof the King'S chapel. The choristers behaved like angels, andthe harmony between the two bands was in the most exact time. Elisi piqued himself, and beat both heaven and earth. The joysof the year do not end there. The under-actors open atDrury-lane to-night with a new comedy by Murphey, called "All inthe Wrong. "(159) At Ranelagh, all is fireworks and skyrockets. The birthday exceeded the splendour of Haroun Alraschid and theArabian Nights, when people had nothing to do but to scour alantern and send a genie for a hamper of diamonds and rubies. Doyou remember one of those stories, where a prince has eightstatues of diamonds, which he overlooks, because he fancies hewants a ninth; and to his great surprise the ninth proves to bepure flesh and blood, which he never thought of? Some how orother, Lady Sarah(160 is the ninth statue; and, you will allow, has better white and red than if she was made of pearls andrubies. Oh! I forgot, I was telling you of the birthday: my LordP * * * * had drunk the King's health so often at dinner, that atthe ball he took Mrs. * * * * for a beautiful woman, and, as shesays, "made an improper use of his hands. " The proper use ofhers, she thought, was to give him a box on the ear, thoughwithin the verge of the court. He returned it by a push, and shetumbled off the end of the bench; which his Majesty has acceptedas sufficient punishment, and she is not to lose her righthand. (161)

I enclose the list your ladyship desired: you will see that thePlurality of Worlds" are Moore's, and of some I do not know theauthors. ' There is a late edition with these names to them. 

My duchess was to set out this morning. I saw her for the lasttime the day before yesterday at Lady Kildare's: never was ajourney less a party of pleasure. She was so melancholy, thatall Miss Pelham's oddness and my spirits could scarce make hersmile. Towards the end of the night, and that was three in themorning, I did divert her a little. I slipped Pam into her lap, and then taxed her with having it there. She was quiteconfounded; but, taking it up, saw he had a Telescope in hishand, which I had drawn, and that the card, which was split, andjust 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 youthat all gallantry does not centre at the Hague. 

I wish I could tell you that Stanley(162) and Bussy, by crossingover and figuring in, had forwarded the peace. It is no moremade than Belleisle is taken. However, I flatter myself that youwill not stay abroad till you return for the coronation, which isordered for the beginning of October. I don't care to tell youhow lovely the season is; how my acacias are powdered withflowers, and my hay just in its picturesque moment. Do they evermake any other hay in Holland than bulrushes in ditches? My newbuildings rise so swiftly, that I shall have not a shilling left, so far from giving commissions on Amsterdam. When I have made myhouse so big that I don't know what to do with it, and amentirely undone, I propose, like King Pyrrhus, who took such aroundabout way to a bowl of punch, to sit down and enjoy myself;but with this difference, that it is better to ruin one's selfthan all the world. I am sure you would think as I do, thoughPyrrhus were King of Prussia. I long to have you bring back theonly hero that ever I could endure. Adieu, Madam! I sent youjust such another piece of tittle-tattle as this by GeneralWaldegrave: you are very partial to me, or very fond of knowingevery thing that passes in your own country, if you can be amusedso. If you can, 'tis surely my duty to divert you, though at theexpense of my character; for I own I am ashamed when I look backand see four sides of paper scribbled over with nothings. 

(157) Lady Ailesbury remained at the Hague while Mr. Conway waswith the army during the campaign in 1761. 

(158) The music was by Cocchi. Dr. Burney says it was notsufficiently admired to encourage the manager to perform it morethan twice. -E. 

(159) 'This comedy, which came out in the summer-season atDrury-lane, under the conduct of Foote and the author, met withconsiderable success. Some of the hints are acknowledged to havebeen borrowed from Moli`ere's "Cocu Imaginaire. "-E. 

(160) Lady Sarah Lenox. -E. 

(161) The old punishment for giving a blow in the King'spresence. 

(162) Mr. Hans Stanley was at this time employed in negotiating apeace 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 arainbow and pair, to signify that we are not to be totallydrowned. It has rained incessantly, and floated all my newworks; I seem rather to be building a pond than a gallery. Myfarm too is all under water, and what is vexatious, if Sunday hadnot thrust itself between, I could have got in my hay on Monday. As the parsons will let nobody else make hay on Sundays, I thinkthey 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 fortnightor three weeks, perhaps I may be able to carry you to a play ofMr. Bentley's--you stare, but I am in earnest: nay, and de par leroy. In short, here is the history of it. You know the passionhe always had for the Italian comedy; about two years ago hewrote one, intending to get it offered to Rich, but without hisname. He would have died to be supposed an author, and writingfor gain. I kept this an inviolable secret. Judge then of mysurprise, when about a fortnight or three weeks ago, I found myLord Melcomb reading this very Bentleiad in a circle at my LadyHervey's. Cumberland had carried it to him with a recommendatorycopy of verses, containing more incense to the King and my LordBute, than the magi brought in their portmanteaus to Jerusalem. The idols were propitious, and to do them justice, there is agreat deal of wit in the piece, which is called "The Wishes, orHarlequin's Mouth Opened. "(163) A bank note of two hundredpounds was sent from the treasury to the author, and the playordered to be performed by the summer company. Foote wassummoned to Lord Melcomb's, where Parnassus was composed of thepeer himself, who, like Apollo, as I am going to tell you, wasdozing, the two chief justices, and Lord B. Bubo read the playhimself, "with handkerchief and orange by his side. " But thecurious part is a prologue, which I never saw. It represents thegod of verse fast asleep by the side of Helicon: the race ofmodern bards try to wake him, but the more they repeat theirworks, the louder he snores. At last "Ruin seize thee, ruthlessKing!" is heard, and the god starts from his trance. This is agood 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 heexcels the ancient one by the choice of his friend. Footerefused to act this prologue, and said it was too strong. "Indeed, " said Augustus's friend, "I think it is. " They havesoftened it a little, and I suppose it will be performed. Youmay depend upon the truth of all this; but what is much morecredible is, that the comely young author appears every night inthe Mall in a milk-white coat with a blue cape, disclaims anybenefit, and says he has done with the play now it is out of hisown hands, and that Mrs. Hannah Clio, alias Bentley, writ thebest scenes in it. He is going to write a tragedy, and she, Isuppose, is going--to court. 

You will smile when I tell you that t'other day a party went toWestminster Abbey, and among the rest saw the ragged regiment. They inquired the names of the figures. "I don't know them, " saidthe man, "but if Mr. Walpole was here he could tell you everyone. " Adieu! I expect Mr. John and you with impatience. 

(163) This piece, founded on Fontaine's "Trois Souhaits, " waswritten 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 veryjust satire and solid sense, and give evident testimony of theauthor's learning, knowledge, understanding, and criticaljudgment; yet the deficiency of incident which appears in it, aswell as of that lively kind of wit which is one of the essentialsof perfect comedy, seem, in great measure, to justify thatcoldness 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 getsick, only to have an excuse for not returning to it. Yourdeparture is so abrupt, that I don't know but I may expect tofind that Mrs. Jane Truebridge, whom you commend so much, andcall Mrs. Mary, will prove Mrs. Hannah. Mrs. Clive is still moredisappointed: she had proposed to play at quadrille with you fromdinner till supper, and to sing old Purcell to you from supper tobreakfast next morning. (164) If you cannot trust yourself fromGreatworth for a whole fortnight, how will you do in Ireland forsix months? Remember all my preachments, and never be in spiritsat supper. Seriously I am sorry you are out of order, but amalarmed for you at Dublin, and though all the bench of bishopsshould quaver Purcell's hymns, don't let them warble you into apint of wine. I wish you were going among catholic prelates, whowould deny you the cup. Think of me and resist temptation. Adieu!

(164) Dr. Burney tells us, that Mrs. Clive's singing, "which wasintolerable when she meant to be fine, in ballad-farces and songsof humour, was, like her comic acting, every thing it shouldbe. "-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 longwanted to write, and had nothing to tell you. My Lady D. Seemsto have lost her sting; she has neither blown up a house nor aquarrel since you departed. Her wall, contiguous to you, isbuilt, but so precipitate and slanting that it seems hurrying totake water. I hear she grows sick of her undertakings. We havebeen ruined by deluges; all the country was under water. LordHolderness's new foss`e(165) was beaten in for several yards -this tempest was a little beyond the dew of Hermon, that fell onthe Hill of Sion. I have been in still more danger by water: myparroquet was on my shoulder as I was feeding my gold-fish, andflew into the middle of the pond: I was very near being theNouvelle Eloise, and tumbling in after him; but with much ado Iferried him out with my hat. 

Lord Edgecumbe has had a fit of apoplexy; your brotherCharles(166) a bad return of his old complaint; and Lord Melcombehas tumbled down the kitchen stairs, and--waked himself. 

London is a desert; no soul in it but the king. Bussy has takena temporary house. The world talks of peace-would I couldbelieve it! every newspaper frightens me: Mr. Conway would bevery angry if he knew how I dread the very name of the Prince deSoubise. 

We begin to perceive the tower of Kew(167) from Montpellier in afortnight you will see it in Yorkshire. 

The Apostle Whitfield is come to some shame: he went to LadyHuntingdon lately, and asked for forty pounds for some distressedsaint 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 verypressing, but in vain. At last he said, "There's your watch andtrinkets, you don't want such vanities; I will have that. " Shewould have put him off- but he persisting, she said, "Well, ifyou must have it, you must. " About a fortnight afterwards, goingto his house, and being carried into his wife's chamber, amongthe paraphernalia of the latter the Countess found her ownoffering. This has made a terrible schism: she tells the storyherself--I had not it from Saint Frances, (168) but I hope it istrue. Adieu, my dear lord!

P. S. My gallery sends its humble duty to your new front, and allmy creatures beg their respects to my lady. 

(165) At Sion-hill, near Brentford. 

(166) Charles Townshend, married to Lady Greenwich, eldest sisterto 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 receivedfrom you, and beginning Dear sir! Can you be angry with me, forcan I be in fault to you? Blamable in ten thousand otherrespects, may not I almost say I am perfect with regard to you'?Since I was fifteen have I not loved you unalterably? Since Iwas capable of knowing your merit, has not my admiration beenveneration? For what could so much affection and esteem change?Have not your honour, your interest, your safety been ever myfirst objects? Oh, Harry! if you knew what I have felt and amfeeling about you, would you charge me with neglect? If I haveseen a person since you went, to whom my first question has notbeen, "What do you hear of the peace?" you would have reason toblame me. You say I write very seldom: I will tell you what, Ishould almost be sorry to have you see the anxiety I haveexpressed about you in letters to every body else. No; I mustexcept Lady Ailesbury, and there is not another on earth wholoves you so well, and is so attentive to whatever relates toyou. 

With regard to writing, this is exactly the case. - I had nothingto tell you; nothing has happened; and where you are I wascautious of writing. Having neither hopes nor fears, I alwayswrite the thoughts of the moment, and even laugh to divert theperson I am writing to, without any ill will on the subjects Imention. But in your situation that frankness might beprejudicial to you: and to write grave unmeaning letters, Itrusted you was too secure of' me either to like them or desirethem. I knew no news, nor could: I have lived quite alone atStrawberry; am connected with no court, ministers, or party;consequently heard nothing, and events there have been none. Ihave not even for this month heard my Lady Townshend's extemporegazette. All the morning I play with my workmen or animals, goregularly every evening to the meadows with Mrs. Clive, or sitwith my Lady Suffolk, and at night scribble my Painters-What ajournal to send you! I write more trifling letters than any manliving; am ashamed of them, and yet they are expected of me. You, my Lady Ailesbury, your brother, Sir Horace Mann, GeorgeMontagu, Lord Strafford-all expect I should write--Of what? Ilive less and less in the world, care for it less and less, andyet am thus obliged to inquire what it is doing. Do make theseallowances for me, and remember half your letters go to my LadyAilesbury. I writ to her of the King's marriage, concluding shewould send it to you: tiresome as it would be, I will copy my ownletters, if you it; for I will do any thing rather than disobligeyou. I will send you a diary of the Duke of York's balls andRanelaghs, inform you of how many children my Lady Berkeley iswith child, and how many races my nephew goes to. No; I willnot, you do not want such proofs of my friendship. 

The papers tell us you are retiring, and I was glad? You seem toexpect an action--Can this give me spirits? Can I write to youjoyfully, and fear? Or is it fit Prince Ferdinand should knowyou have a friend that is as great a coward about you as yourwife? The only reason for my silence that can not be true, is, that I forget you. When I am prudent or cautious, it is nosymptom of my being indifferent. Indifference does not happen infriendships, as it does in passions; and if I was young enough, or feeble enough to cease to love you, I would not for my ownsake let it be known. Your virtues are my greatest pride; I havedone myself so much honour by them, that I will not let it beknown you have been peevish with me unreasonably. Pray God wemay have peace, that I may scold you for it!

The King's marriage was kept the profoundest secret till lastWednesday, when the privy council was extraordinarily summoned, and it was notified to them. Since that, the new Queen's motheris dead, and will delay it a few days; but Lord Harcourt is tosail on the 27th, and the coronation will certainly be on the 22dof September. All that I know fixed is, Lord Harcourt master ofthe horse, the Duke of Manchester chamberlain, and Mr. Stonetreasurer. Lists there are in abundance; I don't know theauthentic: those most talked of, are Lady Bute groom of thestole, the Duchesses of Hamilton and Ancaster, LadyNorthumberland, 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 maidstoo. Bedchainber women, Mrs. Bloodworth, Robert Brudenel, Charlotte Dives, Lady Erskine; in short, I repeat a merenewspaper. 

We expect the final answer of France this week. Bussy(169) wasin great pain on the fireworks for quebec, lest he should beobliged to illuminate his house: you see I ransack my memory forsomething to tell you. 

Adieu! I have more reason to be angry than you had; but I am notso hasty: you are of a violent, impetuous, jealous temper--I, cool, sedate, reasonable. I believe I must subscribe my name, oryou 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 Iknew you would learn as much by the evening post as I could tellyou. The solemn manner of summoning the council was veryextraordinary: people little imagined, that the urgent andimportant business in the rescript was to acquaint them that hisMajesty was going to * * * * * * * *. All I can tell you oftruth is, that Lord Harcourt goes to fetch the Princess, andcomes back her master of the horse. She is to be here in August, and the coronation certainly on the 22d of September. Think ofthe joy the women feel; there is not a Scotch peer in the fleetthat might not marry the greatest fortune in England between thisand the 22d of September. However, the ceremony will lose itstwo brightest luminaries, my niece Waldegrave for beauty, and theDuchess of Grafton for figure. The first will be lying-in, thelatter at Geneva; but I think she will come, if she walks to Itas well as at it. I cannot recollect but Lady Kildare and LadyPembroke of great beauties. Mrs. Bloodworth and Mrs. RobertBrudenel, bedchamber women, Miss Wrottesley and Miss Meadows, maids of honour, go to receive the Princess at Helvoet; what ladyI do not hear. Your cousin's Grace of Manchester, they say, isto be chamberlain, and Mr. Stone, treasurer; the Duchess ofAncaster and Lady Bolingbroke of her bedchamber: these I do notknow are certain, but hitherto all seems well chosen. Miss MollyHowe, one of the pretty Bishops, and a daughter of Lady HarryBeauclerc, are talked of for maids of honour. The greatapartment at St. James's is enlarging, and to be furnished withthe pictures from Kensington : this does not portend a newpalace. 

In the midst of all this novelty and hurry, my mind is verydifferently employed. They expect every minute the news of abattle between Soubise and the hereditary Prince. Mr. Conway, Ibelieve, is in the latter army; judge if I can be thinking muchof espousals and coronations! It is terrible to be forced to sitstill, expecting such an event; in one's own room one is notobliged to be a hero; consequently, I tremble for one that isreally a hero. 

Mr. Hamilton, your secretary, has been to see me to-day; I amquite ashamed not to have prevented him. I will go to-morrowwith all the speeches I can muster. 

I am sorry neither you nor your brother are quite well, but shallbe content if my Pythagorean sermons have any weight with you. You go to Ireland to make the rest of your life happy; don't goto 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 yourladyship are prefaced with thanks for presents:-don't mistake; Iam not ashamed of thanking you, but of having so many occasionsfor it. Monsieur Hop has sent me the piece of china: I admire itas much as possible, and intend to like him as much as ever I canbut hitherto I have not seen him, not having been in town sincehe arrived. 

Could I have believed that the Hague would so easily compensatefor England? nay, for Park-place! Adieu, all our agreeablesuppers! Instead of Lady Cecilia's(170) French songs, we shallhave 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, Iexpect to meet all my relations at your house, and Sir SamsonGideon instead of Charles Townshend. You will laugh like Mrs. Tipkin(173) when a Dutch Jew tells you that he bought at two anda half per cent. And sold at four. Come back, if you have anytaste left: you had better be here talking robes, ermine, andtissue, Jewels and tresses, as all the world does, than own youare corrupted. Did you receive my notification of the new Queen?Her mother is dead, and she will not be here before the end ofAugust. 

My mind is much more at peace about Mr. Conway than it was. Nobody thinks there will be a battle, as the French did notattack them when both armies shifted camps; and since that, Soubise has entrenched himself up to the whiskers:--whiskers Ithink he has, I have been so afraid of him! Yet our hopes ofmeeting are still very distant: the peace does not advance; andif Europe has a stiuer left in its pockets, the war willcontinue; though happily all parties have been so scratched, thatthey only sit and look anger at one another, like a dog and catthat don't care to begin again. 

We are in danger of losing our sociable box at the Opera. Thenew Queen is very musical, and if Mr. Deputy Hodges and the citydon'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 quelleraclerie il y aura! All the guitars are untuned; and if MissConway has a mind to be in fashion at her return, she must takesome David or other to teach her the new twing twang, twing twingtwang. As I am still desirous of being in fashion with yourladyship, and am, over and above, very grateful, I keep nocompany but my Lady Denbigh and Lady Blandford, and learn everyevening, for two hours, to mask my English. Already I amtolerably fluent in saying she for he. (174)

Good night, Madam! I have no news to send you: one cannotannounce a royal wedding and a coronation every post. 

P. S. Pray, Madam, do the gnats bite your legs? Mine are swelledas 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 Ireceive your charming note, and this magnificent victory!(175)Oh! my dear Madam, how I thank you, how I congratulate you, how Ifeel for you, how I have felt for you and for myself! But Ibought it by two terrible hours to-day--I heard of the battle twohours before I could learn a word of Mr. Conway--I sent all roundthe world, and went half around it myself. I have cried andlaughed, trembled and danced, as you bid me. If you had sent meas much old china as King Augustus gave two regiments for, Ishould not be half so much obliged to you as for your note. Howcould you think of me, when you had so much reason to think ofnothing but yourself?--And then they say virtue is not rewardedin this world. I will preach at Paul's Cross, and quote you andMr. Conway; no two persons were ever so good and happy. Inshort, I am serious in the height of all my joy. God is verygood to you, my dear Madam; I thank him for you; I thank him formyself: it is very unalloyed pleasure we taste at this moment!--Good night! My heart is so expanded, I could write to the lastscrap 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 theStates of Holland. -E. 

(172) The first words of a favourite French air, with MadameWelderen's confusion of p's, t's' etc. 

(173) A character in Steele's comedy of The Tender Husband, orthe 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 greatvictory 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 thinkfew things would make you happier than to hear that we havetotally defeated the French combined armies, and that Mr. Conwayis safe. The account came this morning: I had a short note frommy poor Lady Ailesbury, who was waked with the good news beforeshe had heard there had been a battle. I don't pretend to sendyou circumstances, no more than I do of the wedding andcoronation, because you have relations and friends in town nearerand better informed. Indeed, only the blossom of victory is comeyet. Fitzroy is expected, and another fuller courier after him. Lord Granby, to the mob's heart's content, has the chief honourof the day--rather, of the two days. The French behaved to themob's content too, that is, shamefully: and all this glorycheaply bought on our side. Lieutenant-colonel Keith killed, andColonel Marlay and Harry Townshend wounded. If it produces apeace, I shall be happy for mankind--if not, shall content myselfwith the single but pure joy of Mr. Conway's being safe. 

Well! my lord, when do you come? You don't like the question, butkings will be married and must be crowned-and if people will beearls, they must now and then give up castles and new fronts forprocessions and ermine. By the way, the number of peeresses thatpropose to excuse themselves makes great noise; especially as somany are breeding, or trying to breed, by commoners, that theycannot walk. I hear that my Lord Delawar, concluding all womenwould not dislike the ceremony, is negotiating his peerage in thecity, and trying if any great fortune will give fifty thousandpounds for one day, as they often do for one night. I saw Missthis evening at my Lady Suffolk's, and fancy she does not thinkmy 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 thisyear. It is all royal marriages, coronations, and victories;they come tumbling so over one another from distant parts of theglobe, that it looks just like the handywork of a lady romancewriter, whom it costs nothing but a little false geography tomake the Great Mogul in love with a Princess of Mecklenburg, anddefeat two marshals of France as he rides post on an elephant tohis nuptials. I don't know where I am. I had scarce foundMecklenburg Strelitz(176) with a magnifying-glass before I amwhisked to Pondicherri(177)--well, I take it, and raze it. Ibegin to grow acquainted with Colonel Coote, and to figure himpacking up chests and diamonds, and sending them to his wifeagainst the King's wedding--thunder go the Tower guns, andbehold, Broglio and Soubise are totally defeated; if the mob havenot much stronger heads and quicker conceptions than I have, they-will conclude my Lord Granby is become nabob. How the deuce intwo days can one digest all this? Why is not Pondicherri inWestphalia? I don't know how the Romans did, but I cannotsupport two victories every week. Well, but you will want toknow the particulars. Broglio and Soubise united, attacked ourarmy on the 15th, but were repulsed; the next day, the PrinceMahomet Alli d Cawn--no, no, I mean Prince Ferdinand, returnedthe attack, and the French threw down their arms and fled, runover my Lord Harcourt, who was going to fetch the new Queen; inshort, I don't know how it was, but Mr. Conway is safe, and I amas happy as Mr. Pitt himself. We have only lost aLieutenant-colonel Keith; Colonel Marlay and Harry Townshend arewounded. 

I could beat myself for not having a flag ready to display on myround tower, and guns mounted on all m@battlements. Instead ofthat, I have been foolishly trying on My new pictures upon mygallery. However, the oratory of our Lady of Strawberry shall bededicated next year on the anniversary of Mr. Conway's safety. Think with his intrepidity, and delicacy of honour wounded, whatI had to apprehend; you shall absolutely be here on the sixteenthof next July. Mr. Hamilton tells me your King does not set outfor his new dominions till the day after the coronation; if youwill come to it, I can give you a very good place for theprocession; which is a profound secret, because, if known, Ishould be teased to death, and none but my first friends shall beadmitted. I dined with your secretary yesterday; there wereGarrick and a young Mr. Burke, who wrote a book inthe style of Lord Bolingbroke, that was much admired. (178) He isa sensible man, but has not worn off his authorism yet, andthinks there is nothing so charming as writers, and to be one. He will know better one of these days. I like Hamilton's littleMarly; we walked in the great all`ee, and drank tea in the arbourof treillage; they talked of Shakspeare and Booth, of Swift andmy Lord Bath, and I was thinking of Madame S`evign`e, -. Goodnight! I have a dozen other letters to write; I must tell myfriends how happy I am--not as an Englishman, but as a cousin. 

(176) The King had just announced his intention of demanding inmarriage the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelitz. -E. 

(177) the news of the capture of Pondicherry had only arrived onthe preceding day. -E. 

(178) Mr. Burke's "Vindication of Natural Society, " in imitationof Lord Bolingbroke's style, which came out in the spring of1756, 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 topieces, I don't mind your pouting; but in good truth, it was alittle vexatious to have you quarrelling with me, when I was ingreater 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 willforgive 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. Thepark guns never have time to cool; we ruin ourselves in gunpowderand skyrockets. If you have a mind to do the gallantest thing inthe world after the greatest, you must escort the Princess ofMecklenburgh through France. You see what a bully I am; themoment the French run away, I am sending you on expeditions. Iforgot to tell you that the King has got the isle of Dominiqueand the chickenpox, two trifles that don't count in the midst ofall these festivities. No more does your letter of the 8th, which I received yesterday: it is the one that is to come afterthe 16th, that I shall receive graciously. 

Friday 24th. 

Not satisfied with the rays of glory that reached Twickenham, Icame to town to bask in your success; but am most disagreeablydisappointed to find you must beat the French once more, who seemto love to treat the English mob with subjects for bonfires. Ihad got over such an alarm, that I foolishly ran into the otherextreme, and concluded there was not a French battalion leftentire upon the face of Germany. Do write to me; don't be out ofhumour, but tell me every motion you make: I assure you I havedeserved you should. Would you were out of the question, if itwere only that I might feel a little humanity! There is not ablacksmith or linkboy in London that exults more than I do, uponany good news, since you went abroad. What have I to do to hatepeople I never saw, and to rejoice in their calamities? Heavensend 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 undeceivedround by every thing that calls itself a virtue. I came to townyesterday, through clouds of dust, to see The Wishes, and wentactually feeling for Mr. Bentley, and full of the emotions hemust be suffering. What do you think, in a house crowded, wasthe first thing I saw? Mr. And Madame Bentley, perched up in thefront boxes, and acting audience at his own play! No, all theimpudence of false patriotism never came up to it. Did one everhear of an author that had courage to see his own first night inpublic'? I don't believe Fielding or Foote himself ever did; andthis was the modest, bashful Mr. BenTley, that died at thethought of being known for an author even by his ownacquaintance! In the stage-box was Lady Bute, Lord Halifax, andLord Melcombe. I must say, the two last entertained the house asmuch as the play; your King was prompter, and called out to theactor every minute to speak louder. The other went backwards, behind the scenes, fetched the actors into the box, and wasbusier than Harlequin. The curious prologue was not spoken, thewhole very ill acted. It turned out just what I remembered it;the good extremely good, the rest very flat and vulgar; thegenteel dialogue, I believe, might be written by Mrs. Hannah. The audience were extremely fair: the first act they bore withpatience, though it promised very ill; the second is admirable, and was much applauded; so was the third; the fourth-woful; thebeginning of the fifth it seemed expiring, but was revived by adelightful burlesque of the ancient chorus, which was followed bytwo dismal scenes, at which people yawned, but were awakened on asudden by Harlequin's being drawn up to a gibbet, nobody knew whyor wherefore - this raised a prodigious and continued hiss, Harlequin all the while suspended in the air, --at last they weresuffered to finish the play, but nobody attended to theconclusion. (179) Modesty and his lady all the while sat with theutmost indifference; I suppose Lord Melcombe had fallen asleepbefore he came to this scene, and had never read it. Theepilogue was the King and new queen, and ended with a personalsatire on Garrick: not very kind on his own stage To add to thejudgment of his conduct, Cumberland two days ago published apamphlet to abuse him. It was given out for to-night with rathermore claps than hisses, but I think will not do unless theyreduce it to three acts. 

I am sorry you will not come to the coronation. The place Ioffered I am not sure I can get for any body else; I cannotexplain it to you, because I am engaged to secrecy: if I can getit 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 saysthat, "when the last of the three Wishes produced the ridiculouscatastrophe of the hanging of Harlequin in full view of theaudience, my uncle, the author, then sitting by me, whispered inmy ear, 'If they don't damn this they deserve to be damnedthemselves;' and whilst he was yet speaking the roar began, andThe 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 the17th of last month by Fitzroy. (180) I heard he had lost hispocket-book with all his despatches, but had found it again. Hewas a long time finding the letter for me. 

You do nothing but reproach me; I declare I will bear it nolonger, though you should beat forty more Marshals of France. Ihave already writ you two letters that would fully justify me ifyou receive them; if you do not, it is not I that am in fault fornot writing, but the post-offices for reading my letters, contentif they would forward them when they have done with them. Theyseem 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 isdispersed? Would you know who won the sweepstakes at Huntingdon?what parties are at Woburn? what officers upon guard in Betty'sfruit-shop? whether the peeresses are to wear long, or shorttresses at the coronation? how many jewels Lady Harringtonborrows of actresses? All this is your light summer wear forconversation; and if my memory were as much stuffed with it as myears, I might have sent you Volumes last week. My nieces, LadyWaldegrave and Mrs. Keppel, were here five days, and discussedthe claim or disappointment of every miss in the kingdom for maidof honour. Unfortunately this new generation is not at all myaffair. I cannot attend to what Concerns them. Not that theirtrifles are less important than those of one's own time, but mymould has taken all its impressions, and can receive no more. Imust grow old upon the stock I have. I, that was so impatient atall their chat, the moment they were gone, flew to my LadySuffolk, and heard her talk with great satisfaction of the lateQueen's coronation-petticoat. The preceding age always appearsrespectable to us (I mean as one advances in years), one's ownage interesting, the coming age neither one nor t'other. 

You may judge by this account that I have writ all my letters, orought to have written them; and yet, for occasion to blame Me, you draw a very pretty picture of my situation: all which tendsto prove that I ought to write to you every day, whether I haveany thing to say or not. I am writing, I am building--both worksthat will outlast the memory of battles and heroes! Truly, Ibelieve, the one will as much as t'other. My buildings arepaper, like my writings, and both will be blown away in ten yearsafter I am dead; if they had not the substantial use of amusingme while I live, they would be worth little indeed. I will giveyou 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 tombof 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 knighttemplar, a very wicked set of people, as his lordship had heard, though he knew nothing of them, as they are not mentioned byLonginus. I own I thought this a made story, and wrote to hislordship, expressing my concern that one of the finest and mostancient monuments in the abbey should be removed, and begging, ifit was removed, that he would bestow it on me, who would erectand preserve it here. After a fortnight's deliberation, thebishop sent me an answer, civil indeed, and commending my zealfor antiquity! but avowing the story under his own hand. Hesaid, that at first they had taken Pembroke's tomb for a knighttemplar's. Observe, that not only the man who shows the tombsnames it every day, but that there is a draught of it at large inDart's Westminster; that upon discovering whose it was, he hadbeen very unwilling to consent to the removal, and at last hadobliged Wilton to engage to set it up within ten feet of where itstands at present. His lordship concluded with congratulating meon publishing learned authors at my press. Don't wonder that aman who thinks Lucan a learned author, should mistake a tomb inhis own cathedral. If I had a mind to be angry, I could complainwith reason; as, having paid forty pounds for ground for mymother's tomb, that the Chapter of Westminster sell their churchover and over again; the ancient monuments tumble upon one's headthrough their neglect, as one of them did, and killed a man atLady Elizabeth Percy's funeral; and they erect new waxen dolls ofQueen Elizabeth, etc. To draw visits and money from the mob. Ihope all this history is applicable to some part or other of myletter; but letters you will have, and so I send you one, verylike your own stories that you tell your daughter-. There was aKing, and he had three daughters, and they all went to see thetombs; and the youngest, -who was in love with Aylmer de Valence, etc. 

Thank you for your account of the battle; thank Prince Ferdinandfor giving you a very Honourable post, which, in spite of histeeth and yours, proved a very safe one; and above all, thankPrince Soubise, whom I love better than all the German Princes inthe universe. Peace, I think, we must have at last, if you beatthe French, or at least hinder them from beating you, andafterwards starve them. Bussy's last last courier is expected;but as he may have a last last last courier, I trust more to thisthan to all the others. He was complaining t'other day to Mr. Pitt of our haughtiness, and said it would drive the French tosome 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 knowwhat to do with them. "

Adieu! Don't fancy that the more you scold, the more I willwrite: it has answered three times, but the next cross word yougive me shall put an end to our correspondence. Sir HoraceMann's father used to say, "Talk, Horace, you have been abroad:"--You cry, "Write, Horace, you are at home. " No, Sir. You canbeat an hundred and twenty thousand French, but you cannot getthe better of me. I will not write such foolish letters as thisevery 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 megreat pleasure; bring them back unbroken; I have no mind to loseyou; we have been acquainted these thirty years, and to give thedevil his due, in all that time I never knew a bad, a false, amean, or ill-natured thing in the devil--but don't tell him I sayso, especially as I cannot say the same of myself. I am nowdoing a dirty thing, flattering you to preface a commission. Dickey Bateman(181) has picked up a whole cloister full of oldchairs in Herefordshire. He bought them one by one, here andthere in farmhouses, for three-and-sixpence, and a crown apiece. They are of' wood, the seats triangular, the backs, arms, andlegs loaded with turnery. A thousand to one but there are plentyup and down Cheshire too. If Mr. And Mrs. Wetenhall, as theyride or drive out would now and then pick up such a chair, itwould oblige me greatly. Take notice, no two need be of the samepattern. 

Keep it as the secret of your life; but if your brother Johnaddresses himself to me a day or two before the coronation, I canplace him well to see the procession: when it is over, I willgive you a particular reason why this must be such a mystery. Iwas extremely diverted t'other day with my mother's and my oldmilliner; she said she had a petition to me--"What is it, Mrs. Burton?" "It Is in behalf of two poor orphans. " I began to feelfor my purse. "What can I do for them, Mrs. Burton?" "Only ifyour honour would be so compassionate as to get them tickets forthe coronation. " I could not keep my countenance, and thesedistressed orphans are two and three-and-twenty! Did you everhear a more melancholy case?

The Queen is expected on Monday. I go to town on Sunday. Wouldthese shows and your Irish journey were over, and neither of us aday the poorer!

I am expecting Mr. Chute to hold a chapter on the cabinet. Abarge-load of niches, window-frames, and ribs, is arrived. Thecloister is paving, the privy garden making, painted glassadjusting to the windows on the back stairs - with so many ironsin the fire, you may imagine I have not much time to write. Iwish you a safe and pleasant voyage. 

(181) Richard Bateman, brother of Viscount Bateman. In SirCharles Hanbury Williams's Poems he figures as "ConstantDickey. "-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 townfor these three days. The Queen was seen off the coast of Sussexon Saturday last, and is not arrived yet-nay, last night at teno'clock it was neither certain when she landed, nor when shewould be in town. I forgive history for knowing nothing, when sopublic an event as the arrival of a new Queen is a mystery evenat the very moment in St. James's Street. The messenger thatbrought the letter yesterday morning, said she arrived, it halfan hour after four at Harwich. This was immediately translatedinto landing, and notified in those words to the ministers. Sixhours afterwards it proved no such thing, and that she was onlyin Harwich-road; and they recollected that an hour after fourhappens twice in twenty-four hours, and the letter did notspecify which of the twices it was. Well! the bridemaids whippedon their virginity; the new road and the parks were thronged; theguns were choking with impatience to go off; and Sir JamesLowther, who was to pledge his Majesty was actually married toLady Mary Stuart. (182) Five, six, seven, eight o'clock came, andno Queen--She lay at Witham at Lord Abercorn's, who was mosttranquilly in town; and it is not certain even whether she willbe composed enough to be in town to-night. She has been sick buthalf an hour; sung and played on the harpsicord all the voyage, and been cheerful the whole time. The coronation will nowcertainly not be put off-so I shall have the pleasure of seeingyou on the 15th. The weather is close and sultry; and if thewedding is to-night, we shall all die. 

They have made an admirable speech for the Tripoline ambassadorthat he said he heard the King had sent his first eunuch to fetchthe 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 ofthe Irish peers, has been excellently liquidated: Lord Halifaxhas stuck up a paper in the coffee-room at Arthur's, importing, ,That his Majesty, not having leisure to determine a point of suchgreat consequence, permits for this time such Irish peers asshall be at the marriage to walk in the procession. " Every bodyconcludes those personages will understand this order as it isdrawn up in their own language; otherwise it is not very clearhow they are to walk to the marriage, if they are at it beforethey come to it. 

Strawberry returns its duty and thanks for all your lordship'sgoodness to it, and though it has not got its wedding-clothesyet, will be happy to see you. Lady Betty Mackenzie is theindividual woman she was--she seems to have been gone threeyears, like the Sultan in the Persian Tales, who popped his headinto a tub of water, pulled it up again, and fancied he had beena dozen years in bondage in the interim. She is not altered atittle. Adieu, my dear lord!

Twenty minutes past three in the afternoon, not in the middle ofthe night. 

Madame Charlotte is this instant arrived. The noise of coaches, chaises, horsemen, mob, that have been to see her pass throughthe parks, is so prodigious that I cannot distinguish the guns. I am going to be dressed, and before seven shall launch into thecrowd. 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 itwith great satisfaction, for the Queen is come; and I have seenher, have been presented to her--and may go back to Strawberry. For this fortnight I have lived upon the road between Twickenhamand london: I came, grew inpatient, returned; came again, stillto no purpose. The yachts made the coast of Suffolk lastSaturday, on Sunday entered the road of Harwich, and on Mondaymorning the King's chief eunuch, as the Tripoline ambassadorcalls Lord Anson, landed the Princess. She lay that night atLord Abercorn's at Whitham, the palace of silence; and yesterdayat a quarter after three arrived at St. James's. In half an hourone heard nothing but proclamations of her beauty: every body wascontent, every body pleased. At seven one went to court. Thenight was sultry. About ten the procession began to move towardsthe 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 spectatorsknew as much of her upper half as the King himself. You willhave no doubts of her sense by what I shall tell you. On theroad they wanted to curl her toupet; she said she thought itlooked as well as that of any of the ladies sent to fetch her; ifthe King bid her, she would wear a periwig, otherwise she wouldremain as she was. When she caught the first glimpse of thepalace, she grew frightened and turned pale; the Duchess ofHamilton smiled--the Princess said, "My dear Duchess, you maylaugh, you have been married twice, but it is no joke to me. "Her lips trembled as the coach stopped, but she jumped out withspirit, and has done nothing but with good-humour andcheerfulness. She talks a great deal--is easy, civil, and notdisconcerted. At first, when the bridemaids and the court wereintroduced to her, she said, "Mon Dieu, il y en a tant, il y en atant!" She was pleased when she was to kiss the peeresses; butLady Augusta was forced to take her hand and give it to thosethat 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 andGerman with the King, and the Duke of York. They did not get tobed till two. To-day was a drawing-room: every body waspresented to her; but she spoke to nobody, as she could not knowa soul. The crowd was much less than at a birthday, themagnificence very little more. The King looked very handsome, and talked to her continually with great good-humour. - It doesnot promise as if they two would be the two most unhappy personsin England, from this event. The bridemaids, especially LadyCaroline Russel, Lady Sarah Lenox, and Lady Elizabeth Keppel, were beautiful figures. With neither features nor air, LadySarah was by far the chief angel. The Duchess of Hamilton wasalmost in possession of her former beauty today: and your otherDuchess, your daughter, was much better dressed than ever I sawher. Except a pretty Lady Sutherland, and a most perfect beauty, an Irish Miss Smith, (183) I don't think the Queen saw much elseto discourage her: my niece, (184) Lady Kildare, Mrs. Fitzroy, were none of them there. There is a ball to-night, and two moredrawing-rooms; but I have done with them. The Duchess ofQueensbury and Lady Westmoreland were in the procession, and didcredit to the ancient nobility. 

You don't presume to suppose, I hope, that we are thinking ofyou, and wars, and misfortunes, and distresses, in these festivaltimes. Mr. Pitt himself Would be mobbed if he talked of anything but clothes, and diamonds, and bridemaids. Oh! yes, wehave wars, civil wars; there is a campaign opened in thebedchamber. Every body is excluded but the ministers; even thelords of the bedchamber, cabinet counsellors, and foreignministers: but it has given such offence that I don't knowwhether Lord Huntingdon must not be the scapegoat. Adieu! I amgoing 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 sowell; but your trial is not begun yet. When your King comes;, the ploughshares will be put into the fire. Bless your starsthat your King is not to be married or crowned. All the vines ofBordeaux, and all the fumes of Irish brains cannot make a town sodrunk as a regal wedding and coronation. I am going to letLondon 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 thecoronation was but the day before yesterday, the Duke ofDevonshire had forty messages yesterday, desiring tickets for aball, that they fancied was to be at court last night. Peoplehad sat up a night and a day, and yet wanted to see a dance. IfI 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 hallwas the most glorious. The blaze of lights, the richness andvariety of habits, the ceremonial, the benches of peers, andpeeresses, 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 seeanother; nor am impatient to have my Lord Effingham's promisefulfilled. The King complained that so few precedents were keptfor their proceedings. Lord Effingham owned, the earl marshal'soffice had been strangely neglected; but he had taken such carefor the future, that the next coronation would be regulated inthe most exact manner imaginable. The number of peers andpeeresses present was not very great; some of the latter, with noexcuse in the world, appeared in Lord Lincoln's gallery, and evenwalked about the hall indecently in the intervals of theprocession. My Lady Harrington, covered with all the diamondsshe could borrow, hire, or seize, and with the air of Roxann, wasthe finest figure at a distance; she complained to George Selwynthat she was to walk with Lady Portsmouth, who would have a wigand a stick--"Pho, " said he, "you will only look as if you weretaken up by the constable. " She told this everywhere, thinkingthe reflection was on my Lady Portsmouth. Lady Pembroke, aloneat the head of the countesses, was the picture of majesticmodesty; the Duchess of Richmond as pretty as nature and dress, with no pains of her own, could make her; Lady Spencer, LadySutherland, and Lady Northampton, very pretty figures. LadyKildare, still beauty itself, if not a little too large. Theancient peeresses were by no means the worst party: LadyWestmoreland, still handsome, and with more dignity than all; theDuchess of Queensbury looked well, though her locks weremilk-white; Lady Albemarle very genteel; nay, the middle age hadsome good representatives in lady Holderness, Lady Rochford, andLady Strafford, the perfectest little figure of all. My LadySuffolk ordered her robes, and I dressed part of her head, as Imade some of my Lord Hertford's dress; for you know, noprofession comes amiss to me, from a tribune of the people to ahabit-maker. Don't imagine that there were not figures asexcellent on the other side: old Exeter, who told the King he wasthe handsomest man she ever saw; old Effingham and a Lady Say andSeale, with her hair powdered and her tresses black, were inexcellent contrast to the handsome. Lord B * * * * put on rougeupon his wife and the Duchess of Bedford in the painted chamber;the Duchess of Queensbury told me of the latter, that she lookedlike an orange-peach, half red, and half yellow. The coronets ofthe peers and their robes disguised them strangely; it requiredall the beauty of the Dukes of Richmond and Marlborough to makethem noticed. One there was, though of another species, thenoblest figure I ever saw, the high-constable of Scotland, LordErrol; as one saw him in a space capable of containing him, oneadmired him. At the wedding, dressed in tissue, he looked likeone of the giants in Guildhall, new gilt. It added to the energyof his person, that one considered him acting so considerable apart in that very hall, where so few years ago one saw hisfather, Lord Kilmarnock, condemned to the block. The championacted his part admirably, and dashed down his gauntlet with prouddefiance. His associates, Lord Effingham, Lord Talbot, and theDuke of Bedford, were woful: Lord Talbot piqued himself on hishorse backing down the hall, and not turning its rump towards theKing; but he had taken such pains to dress it to that duty, thatit entered backwards, and at his retreat the spectators clapped, a terrible indecorum, but suitable to such Bartholomew-fairdoings. He had twenty demel`es and came out of none creditably. He had taken away the table of the knights of the Bath, and wasforced to admit two in their old place, and dine the others inthe court of requests. Sir William Stanhope said, "We areill-treated, for some of us are gentlemen. " beckford told theEarl, it was hard to refuse a table to the city of london Whom itwould cost ten thousand pounds to banquet the King, and hislordship would repent it if they had not a table in the Hall;they had. To the barons of the Cinque-ports, who made the samecomplaint, he said, "If you come to me as lord-steward, I tellyou it is impossible; if, as Lord Talbot, I am a match for any ofyou:" and then he said to Lord Bute, "If I were a minister, thusI would talk to France, to Spain, to the Dutch--none of your halfmeasures. " This has brought me to a melancholy topic. Bussygoes tomorrow, a Spanish war is hanging in the air, destructionis taking a new lease of mankind--of the remnant of mankind. Ihave no prospect of seeing Mr. Conway. Adieu! I will not disturbyou with my forebodings. You I shall see again in spite of war, and I trust in spite of Ireland. I was much disappointed at notseeing your brother John: I kept a place for him to the lastminute, 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 goesaway! Mankind is again given up, to the sword! Peace and you arefar from England!

Strawberry Hill. 

I was interrupted this morning, just as I had begun my letter, byLord Waldegrave; and then the Duke of Devonshire sent for me toBurlington-house to meet the Duchess of Bedford, and see the oldpictures from Hardwicke. If my letter reaches you three dayslater, at least you are saved from a lamentation. Bussy has putoff his journey to Monday (to be sure, you know this is Friday):he says this is a strange country, he can get no Waggoner tocarry his goods on a Sunday. I am Clad a Spanish war waits for aconveyance, and that a wagoner's veto is as good as a tribune'sof Rome, and can stop Mr. Pitt on his career to Mexico. He wasgoing post to conquer it--and Beckford, I suppose, would have hada contract for remitting all the gold, of which Mr. Pitt neverthinks, unless to serve a city friend. It is serious that wehave discussions with Spain, who says France is humbled enough, but must not be ruined: Spanish gold is actually coining infrontier towns of France; and the privilege which Biscay and twoother provinces have of fishing on the coast of Newfoundland, hasbeen demanded for all Spain. It was refused peremptorily; andMr. Secretary Cortez(185) insisted yesterday se'nnight onrecalling Lord Bristol. (186) The rest of the council, who arecontent with the world they have to govern, without conqueringOthers, prevailed to defer this impetuosity. However, if Franceor Spain are the least untractable, a war is inevitable: nay, ifthey don't submit by the first day of the session, I have nodoubt but Mr. Pitt will declare it himself on the address. Ihave no opinion of Spain intending it: they give France money toprotract a war, from which they reap such advantages in theirpeaceful capacity; and I should think would not give their moneyif they were on the point of having occasion for it themselves. In spite of you, and all the old barons our ancestors, I praythat we may have done with glory, and would willingly burn everyRoman and Greek historian who have don nothing but transmitprecedents for cutting throats. 

The coronation is over: 'tis even a more gorgeous sight than Iimagined. I saw the procession and the hall; but the return wasin the dark. In the morning they had forgot the sword of state, the chairs for King and Queen, and their canopies. They used theLord Mayor's for the first, and made the last in the hall so theydid not set forth till noon; and then, by a childish complimentto the King, reserved the illumination of the hall till hisentry; by which means they arrived like a funeral, nothing beingdiscernible but the plumes of the knights of the Bath, whichseemed the hearse. Lady Kildare the Duchess of Richmond, andLady Pembroke were the capital beauties. Lady Harrington, thefinest figure at a distance; old Westmoreland, the most majestic. Lady Hertford could not walk, and indeed I think is in a way togive us great anxiety. She is going to Ragley to ride. LordBeauchamp was one of the King's train-bearers. Of all theincidents of the day, the most diverting was what happened to theQueen. She had a retiring-chamber, with all conveniences, prepared behind the altar. She went thither--in the mostconvenient what found she, but--the Duke of Newcastle! LadyHardwicke died three days before the Ceremony, Which kept awaythe whole house of Yorke. Some of the peeresses were dressedovernight, slept in armchairs, and were waked if they tumbledtheir heads. Your sister Harris's maid, Lady Peterborough, was acomely figure. My Lady Cowper refused, but was forced to walkwith Lady Macclesfield. Lady Falmouth was not there on whichGeorge Selwyn said, "that those peeresses who were most used towalk, did not. " I carried my Lady Townshend, Lady Hertford, LadyAnne Connolly, my Lady Hervey, and Mrs. Clive, to my deputy'shouse at the gate of Westminster-hall. My Lady Townshend saidshe should be very glad to see a coronation, as she never hadseen one. "Why, " said I, "Madam, you walked at the last?" "Yes, child, " said she, "but I saw nothing of it: I only looked to seewho looked at me. " The Duchess of Queensbury walked! heraffectation that day was to do nothing preposterous. The Queenhas been at the Opera, and says she will go once a week. This isa fresh disaster to our box, where we have lived so harmoniouslyfor three years. We can get no alternative but that over MissChudleigh's; and Lord Strafford and Lady Mary Coke will notsubscribe, unless we can. The Duke of Devonshire and I arenegotiating with all our -art to keep our party together. Thecrowds at the Opera and play when the King and Queen go, are alittle greater than what I remember. The late royalties went tothe Haymarket, when it was the fashion to frequent the otheropera in Lincoln's-inn-fields. Lord Chesterfield one night cameinto the latter, and was asked, if he had been at the otherhouse? "Yes, " said he, "but there was nobody but the King andQueen; and as I thought they might be talking business, I cameaway. "

Thank you for your journals: the best route you can send me inwould be of your Journey homewards. Adieu!

P. S. If you ever hear from, or write to, such a person as LadyAilesbury, pray tell her she is worse to me in point ofcorrespondence than ever you said I was to you, and that shesends 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 ofweddings and coronations, and had not jobs to be executed aboutmuslins, and a bit of china, and counterband goods, one shouldnever hear of you. When you don't want a body, you can friskabout with greffiers and burgomasters. And be as merry in a dykeas my lady frog herself. The moment your curiosity is agog, oryour cambric seized, you recollect a good cousin in England, and, as folks said two hundred years ago, begin to write "upon theknees of your heart. " Well! I am a sweet-tempered creature, Iforgive you. I have already writ to a little friend in thecustomhouse, and will try what can be done; however, by Mr. Amyand's report to the Duchess of Richmond, I fear your case isdesperate. For the genealogies, I have turned over all my booksto no purpose; I can meet with no Lady Howard that married aCarey, nor a Lady Seymour that married a Canfield. LetticeCanfield, who married Francis Staunton, was a daughter of Dr. James (not George) Canfield, younger brother of the first LordCharlemont. This is all I can ascertain. For the otherpedigree; I can inform your friend that there was a Sir NicholasThrockmorton, who married an Anne Carew, daughter of Sir NicholasCarew, knight of the garter, not Carey. But the Sir NicholasCarew married Joan Courtney--not a Howard: and besides, theCareys and Throckmortons you wot of were just the reverse, yourCarey was the cock, and Throckmorton the hen-mine are viceversa:--otherwise, let me tell your friend, Carews and Courtneysare 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 thepedigree as I have refitted it. However, I will cast a figureonce more, and try if I can conjure up the dames Howard andSeymour that he wants. 

My heraldry was much more offended at the coronation with theladies that did walk, than with those that walked out of theirplace; yet I was not so perilously angry as my Lady Cowper, whorefused to set a foot with my Lady Macclesfield; and when she wasat last obliged to associate with her, set out on a round trot, as if she designed to prove the antiquity of her family bymarching as lustily as a maid of honour of Queen Gwiniver. Itwas in truth a brave sight. The sea of heads in palace-yard, theguards, horse and foot, the scaffolds, balconies, and procession, exceeded imagination. The hall, when once illuminated, wasnoble; but they suffered the whole parade to return in the dark, that his Majesty might be surprised with the quickness with whichthe sconces catched fire. The champion acted well; the otherPaladins had neither the grace nor alertness of Rinaldo. LordEffingham and the Duke of Bedford were but untoward knightserrant; and Lord Talbot had not much more dignity than the figureof General Monk in the abbey. The habit of the peers isunbecoming to the last degree; but the peeresses made amends forall defects. Your daughter Richmond, Lady Kildare, and LadyPembroke were as handsome as the Graces. Lady Rochford, LadyHolderness, and Lady Lyttelton looked exceedingly well in thattheir day; and for those of the day before, the Duchess ofQueensbury, Lady Westmoreland, and Lady Albemarle weresurprising. Lady Harrington was noble at a distance, and socovered with diamonds, that you would have thought she had bidsomebody or other, like Falstaff, rob me the exchequer. LadyNorthampton was very magnificent too, and looked prettier than Ihave seen her of late. Lady Spencer and Lady Bolingbroke werenot the worst figures there. The Duchess of Ancaster marchedalone after the Queen with much majesty; and there were two newScotch peeresses that pleased every body, Lady Sutherland andLady Dunmore. Per contra, were Lady P * * *, who had put a wigon, and old E * * * *, who had scratched hers off, Lady S * * *, the Dowager E * * *, and a Lady Say and Sele, with her tressescoal-black, and her hair coal-white. Well! it was all delightful, but not half so charming as its being over. The gabble one heardabout it for six weeks before, and the fatigue of the day, couldnot well be compensated by a mere puppet-show; for puppet-show itwas, though it cost a million. The Queen is so gay that we shallnot want sights; she has been at the Opera, the Beggar's Operaand the Rehearsal, and two nights ago carried the King toRanelagh. In short, I am so miserable with losing myDuchess, (187) and you and Mr. Conway, that I believe, if youshould be another six weeks without writing to me, I should cometo the Hague and scold you in person--for, alas! my dear lady, Ihave no hopes of seeing you here. Stanley is recalled, isexpected every hour. Bussy goes tomorrow ; and Mr. Pitt is soimpatient to conquer Mexico, that I don't believe he will staytill my Lord Bristol can be ordered to leave Madrid. I tremblelest Mr. Conway should not get leave to come--nay, are we sure hewould like to ask it? he was so impatient to get to the army, that I should not be surprised if he stayed there till everysuttler and woman that follows the camp was come away. You askme if we are not in admiration of Prince Ferdinand. In truth, wehave thought very little of him. He may outwit Broglio tentimes, and not be half so much talked of as lord Talbot' backinghis horse down Westminster-hall. The generality are not struckwith any thing under a complete victory. If you have a mind tobe well with the mob of England, you must be knocked on the headlike Wolfe, or bring home as many diamonds as Clive. We live ina country where so many follies or novelties start forth everyday, that we have not time to try a (general's capacity by therules of Polybius. 

I have hardly left room for my obligations-to your ladyship, formy commissions at Amsterdam; to Mrs. Sally, (188) for her teapots, which are to stay so long at the Hague, that I fear they willhave begot a whole set of china; and to Miss Conway and LadyGeorge, for thinking of me. Pray assure them of my re-thinking. Adieu, dear Madam! Don't You think we had better write oftenerand 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 theplace for the coronation; but I was Confident I did, nay, I thinkso still: my proofs are, the place remained vacant, and I sent toold Richard to inquire if Mr. John was not arrived. He had nogreat loss, as the procession returned in the dark. 

Your King(189) will have heard that Mr. Pitt resigned lastMonday. (190) Greater pains have been taken to recover him thanwere used to drive him out. He is inflexible, but mightypeaceable. Lord Egremont is to have the seals to-morrow. It isa most unhappy event--France and Spain will soon let us know weought to think so. For your part, you will be invaded; a blackerrod than you will be sent to Ireland. Would you believe that thetown is a desert'! The wedding filled it, the coronation crammedit; Mr. Pitt's resignation has not brought six people to London. As they could not hire a window and crowd one another to death tosee him give up the seals, it seems a matter of perfectindifference. If he will accuse a single man of checking ourcareer of glory, all the world will come to see him hanged; butwhat signifies the ruin of a nation, if no particular man ruinsit?

The Duchess of Marlborough died the night before last. Thank youfor your descriptions; pray continue them. Mrs. Delany I know alittle, Lord Charlemont's villa is in Chambers's book. (191)

I have nothing new to tell you; but the grain of mustard seedsown on Monday will soon produce as large a tree as you can findin 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 thistransaction, in a letter to Alderman Beckford:--"A difference ofopinion with regard to measures to be taken against Spain, of thehighest importance to the Honour of the crown and to the mostessential national interests, and this founded on what Spain hadalready done, not on what that court may further intend to do, was the cause of my resigning, the seals. Lord Temple and Isubmitted in writing, and urged our most humble sentiments to hisMajesty; which being overruled by the united opinion of the restof the King's servants, I resigned, on Monday the 5th, in ordernot to remain responsible for measures which I was no longerallowed to guide. " Chatham Correspondence, vol. Ii. P. 158. -E. 

(191) Sir William Chambers's "Treatise on Civil Architecture, " awork which Walpole describes as "the most sensible book, and themost exempt from prejudices, that was ever written on thatscience. " It first appeared in 1759. A fourth edition, edited byMr. 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 aprovince they have now and then given large prices. Have you amind to know what the biggest virtue in the world is worth? IfCicero had been a drawcansir instead of a coward, and had carriedthe 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; hewould have trampled on sesterces like dirt, and provided thetribes did but erect statues enough for him, he was content witha bit of Sabine mutton; he would have preferred his littleTusculan villa, or the flattery of Caius Atticus at Baia, to thewealth 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 thedisinterestedness of my Lord Bath. Come, u tremble, you are soincorrupt yourself you will give the world Mr. Pitt was so too. You adore him for what he has done for us; you bless him forplacing England at the head of Europe, and you don't hate him forinfusing as much spirit into us, as if a Montague, Earl ofSalisbury, was still at the head of our enemies. Nothing couldbe more just. We owe the recovery of our affairs to him, thesplendour of our country, the conquest of Canada, Louisbourg, Guadaloupe, Africa, and the East. Nothing is too much for suchservices; accordingly, I hope you will not think the barony ofChatham, and three thousand pounds a-year for three lives toomuch for my Lady Hester. She has this pittance: good night!

P. S. I told you falsely in my last that Lady Mary Wortley wasarrived--I cannot help it if my Lady Denbigh cannot read Englishin 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: itwas out of' character. I wished for a thousand more drawings inthat sale at Amsterdam, but concluded they would be very dear;and not having seen them, I thought it too rash to trouble yourladyship with a large commission. I wish I could give you asgood an account of your commission; but it is absolutelyimpracticable. I employed one of the most sensible andexperienced men in the customhouse; and all the result was, hecould only recommend me to Mr. Amyand as the newest, andconsequently the most polite of the commissioners--but theDuchess of Richmond had tried him before--to no purpose. Thereis no way of recovering any of your goods, but purchasing themagain 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 poetswould say, is not only returned to heaven, but has carried hersister Virtue along with her!--Oh! no, peace will keep no suchcompany--Virtue is an errant strumpet, and loves diamonds as wellas my Lady Harrington, and is as fond of a coronet as my LordMelcombe. (192) Worse! worse! She will set men to cuttingthroats, and pick their pockets at the same time. I am in such apassion, I cannot tell you what I am angry about--why, aboutVirtue and Mr. Pitt; two errant cheats, gipsies! I believe hewas a comrade of Elizabeth Canning, when he lived atEnfield-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 Mondayresigned. The city breathed vengeance on his opposers, thecouncil quailed, and the Lord knows what would have happened; butyesterday, which was only Friday, as this giant was stalking toseize the tower of London, he stumbled over a silver penny, picked it up, carried it home to Lady Hester, and they are now asquiet, good sort of people, as my Lord and Lady Bath who lived inthe vinegar-bottle. In fact, Madam, this immaculate man hasaccepted the Barony of Chatham for his wife, with a pension ofthree thousand pounds a year for three lives; and though he hasnot quitted the House of Commons, I think my Lord Anson would nowbe as formidable there. The pension he has left us, is a war forthree thousand lives! perhaps, for twenty times three thousandlives!--But--

"Does this become a soldier? this becomeWhom armies follow'd, and a people loved?"

What! to sneak out of the scrape, prevent peace, and avoid thewar! blast one's character, and all for the comfort of a Paltryannuity, a long-necked peeress, and a couple of Grenvilles! Thecity looks mighty foolish, I believe, and possibly even Beckfordmay blush. Lord Temple resigned yesterday: I suppose his virtuepants for a dukedom. Lord Egremont has the seals; LordHardwicke, I fancy, the privy seal; and George Grenville, nolonger Speaker, is to be the cabinet minister in the House ofCommons. Oh! Madam, I am glad you are inconstant to Mr. Conway, though it is only with a Barbette! If you piqued yourself onyour virtue, I should expect you would sell it to the master of aTrechscoot. 

I told you a lie about the King's going to Ranelagh--No matter;there is no such thing as truth. Garrick exhibits thecoronation, and, opening the end of the stage, discovers a realbonfire and real mob: the houses in Drury-lane let their windowsat threepence a head. Rich is going to produce a finercoronation, nay, than the real one; for there is to be a dinnerfor 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 thefirst heralds upon earth, and who has the entire pedigree of theCareys; but he cannot find a drop of Howard or Seymour blood inthe least artery about them. Good night, Madam!

(192) Bubb Doddington, having for many years placed his ambitionon the acquisition of a coronet, obtained the long-wished-forprize 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 toRochfort. Perhaps you might have been made a peer; and asChatham is a naval title, it might have fallen to your share. But it was reserved to crown greater glory: and lest it shouldnot be substantial pay enough, three thousand pounds a year forthree lives go along with it. Not to Mr. Pitt--you can't supposeit. Why truly, not the title, but the annuity does, and LadyHester is the baroness; that, if he should please, he may earn anearldom himself. Don't believe me, if you have not a mind. Iknow I did not believe those who told me. But ask the gazettethat swears it--ask the King, who has kissed Lady Hester--ask thecity of London, who are ready to tear Mr. Pitt to pieces--askforty people I can name, who are overjoyed at it--and then ask meagain, who am mortified, and who have been the dupe of hisdisinterestedness. Oh, my dear Harry! I beg you on my knees, keep your virtue: do let me think there is still one man uponearth who despises money. I wrote you an account last week of hisresignation. Could you have believed that in four days he wouldhave tumbled from the conquest of Spain to receiving' a quarter'spension from Mr. West?(193) To-day he has advertised his sevencoach-horses to be sold--Three thousand a year for three lives, and fifty thousand pounds of his own, will not keep a coach andsix. I protest I believe he is mad, and Lord Temple thinks sotoo; for he resigned the same morning that Pitt accepted thepension. 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 anadmirable thing: he blames Pitt not as you and I do; but callshim fool; and says, if he had gone into the city, told them hehad a poor wife and children unprovided for, and had opened asubscription, he would have got five hundred thousand pounds, instead of three thousand pounds a year. In the mean time thegood man has saddled us with a war which we can neither carry onnor carry off. 'Tis pitiful! 'tis wondrous pitiful! Is thecommunication stopped, that we never hear from you? I own 'tisan Irish question. I am out of humour: my visions are dispelled, and you are still abroad. As I cannot put Mr. Pitt to death, atleast I have buried him: here is his epitaph:

Admire his eloquence--it mounted higherThan Attic purity or Roman fire:Adore his services-our lions viewRanging, 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 allhostility; and goes to the drawing-room to tell every body howangry he is with the court-but what is Sir Joseph Wittol, whenNol 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 thisacceptance of the title and the pension: "Oh!" he exclaim, "thatfoolishest of great men, that sold his inestimable diamond for apaltry peerage and pension! The very night it happened was Iswearing that it was a d-d lie, and never could be: but it wasfor want of reading Thomas `a Kempis, who knew mankind so muchbetter than I. " Works, vol. Iii. P. 265. Mr. Burke took a verydifferent view of Mr. Pitt's conduct on this occasion. "Withregard to the pension and title, it is a shame, " he says, "thatany defence should be necessary. What eye cannot distinguish, atthe first glance, between this and the exceptionable case oftitles and pensions? What Briton, with the smallest sense ofhonour and gratitude, but must blush for his country, if such aman retired unrewarded from the public service, let the motivesfor that retirement be what they would? It was not possible thathis sovereign could let his eminent services pass unrequited: thesum that was given was inadequate to his merits; and the quantumwas rather regulated by the moderation of the great mind thatreceived 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 withyour satisfaction. I love your cousin for his behaviour to you;he will never place his friendship better. His parts anddignity, I did not doubt, would bear him out. I fear nothing butyour spirits and the frank openness of your heart; keep themwithin bounds, and you will return in health, and with theserenity 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 beforeit had finished its work, we are running into all kinds ofconfusion. The city have bethought themselves, and have votedthat they will still admire Mr. Pitt; consequently, be, withoutthe cheek of seeming virtue, may do what he pleases. An addressof thanks to hit-() has been carried by one hundred and nineagainst fifteen, and the city are to instruct their members; thatis, because we are disappointed of a Spanish war, we must haveone at home. Merciful! how old I am grown! here am I, not likinga 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?" Inshort, I think I am always to be in contradiction; now I amloving my country. 

Worksop(195) is burnt down; I don't know the circumstances; theDuke and Duchess are at Bath; it has not been finished a month;the last furniture was brought in for the Duke of York; I havesome comfort that I had seen it, and, except the bare chambers, in which the Queen of Scots lodged, nothing remained of ancienttime. 

I am much obliged to Mr. Hamilton's civilities; but I don't taketoo much to myself; yet it is no drawback to think that he seesan compliments your friendship for me. I shall use hispermission of sending you any thing that I think will bear thesea; but how must I send it! by what conveyance to the sea, andwhere deliver it? Pamphlets swarm already; none very good, andchiefly grave; you would not have them. Mr. Glover has publishedhis long-hoarded Medea, (196) as an introduction to the House ofCommons; it had been more proper to usher him from school to theUniversity. There are a few good lines, not much conduct, and aquantity of iambics, and trochaics, that scarce speak English, and yet have no rhyme to keep one another in countenance. If hischariot is stopped at Temple-bar, I suppose he will take it forthe Straits of Thermopylae, and be delivered of his first speechbefore its time. 

The catalogue of the Duke of Devonshire's collection is only inthe six volumes of the Description of London. I did print abouta dozen, and gave them all away so totally that on searching, Ihad not reserved one for myself. When we are at leisure, I willreprint a few more, and you shall have one for your Speaker. Idon't know who is to be ours: Prowse, they say, has refused; SirJohn Cust was the last I heard named: but I am here and knownothing; 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 asnuff-box or toothpick-case, made of a bit of the Giant'sCauseway. 

My anecdotes of Painting will scarcely appear before Christmas. My gallery and cabinet are at a full stop till spring. But Ishall be sorry to leave it all in ten days; October, that scarceever deceived one before, has exhibited a deluge; but it wasrecovered, and promised to behave well as long as it lives, likea dying sinner. Good night!

P. S. My niece lost the coronation for only a daughter. It makesme 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. Thedamage was estimated at one hundred thousand pounds. When theDuke heard of it, he exclaimed, "God's will be done!" and theDuchess, "How many besides us are sufferers by the likecalamity!" Evelyn, who visited Worksop in 1654, says, "The manorbelongs to the Earle of Arundel, and has to it a faire house atthe foote of an hill, in a park that affords a delicateprospect. "-E. 

(196) Glover's tragedy of Medea was performed several times atDrury-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'swedding, while we are thinking of a civil war. Why, the King'swedding was a century ago, almost two months; even the coronationthings that happened half an age ago, is quite forgot. The postto Germany cannot keep pace with our revolutions. Who knows butyou may still be thinking that Mr. Pitt is the most disinterestedman in the world? Truly, as far as the votes of a common-councilcan make him so, he is. Like Cromwell, he has always promotedthe self-denying ordinance, and has contrived to be excused fromit himself. The city could no longer choose who should be theirman of virtue; there was not one left - by all rules they oughtnext to have pitched upon one who was the oldest offender:instead of that, they have reelected the most recent; and, as ifvirtue was a borough, Mr. Pitt is rechosen for it, on vacatinghis seat. Well, but all this is very serious: I shall offer aprophetic picture, and shall be very glad if I am not a truesoothsayer. The city have voted an address of thanks to Mr. Pitt, and given instructions to their members; the chief articlesof which are, to promote an inquiry into the disposal of themoney that has been granted, and to consent to no peace, unlesswe are to retain all, or near all, our conquests. Thus the cityof London usurp the right of making peace and war. But is thegovernment to be dictated to by one town? By no means. Butsuppose they are not -what is the consequence? How will themoney be raised? If it cannot be raised without them, Mr. Pittmust again be minister: that you think would be easilyaccommodated. Stay, stay; he and Lord Temple have declaredagainst the whole cabinet council. Why, that they have donebefore now, and yet have acted with them again. It is very true;but a little word has escaped Mr. Pitt, which never entered intohis former declarations; nay, nor into Cromwell's, nor HughCapet's, nor Julius Caesar's, nor any reformer's of ancient time. He has happened to say, he will guide. Now, though the cabinetcouncil are mighty willing to be guided, when they cannot helpit, yet they wish to have appearances saved: they cannot be fondof being told they are to be guided still less, that other peopleshould be told so. Here, then, is Mr. Pitt and thecommon-council on one hand, the great lords on the other. Iprotest, I do not see but it will come to this. Will it allaythe confusion, if Mr. Fox is retained on the side of the court?Here are no Whigs and Tories, harmless people, that are contentwith worrying one another for i hundred and fifty years together. The new parties are, I will, and you shall not; and theirprinciples do not admit delay. However, this age is of supplermould than some of its predecessors; and this may come roundagain, by a coup de baguette, when one least expects it. If itshould not, the honestest part one can take is to look on, andtry if one can do any good if matters go too far. 

I am charmed with the Castle of Hercules;(197) it is the boldestpile I have seen since I travelled in Fairyland. You ought tohave delivered a princess imprisoned by enchanters in his club:she, in gratitude, should have fallen in love with you; yourconstancy should have been immaculate. The devil knows how itwould have ended--I don't--and so I break off my romance. 

You need not beer the French any more this year: it cannot beascribed to Mr. Pitt; and the mob won't thank you. If we are tohave 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 LadyWaldegrave 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 tomarry the dowager Lady Northampton; she has two thousand poundsa-year, and twenty thousand in money. Old Dunch(198) is dead, and Mrs. Felton Hervey(199) was given over last night, but isstill alive. 

Sir John Cust is Speaker, and bating his nose, the chair seemswell 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 inthe right-hand corner--so ugly, and so satisfied: the Athenianhead was intended for Stewart; but was so like, that Hogarth wasforced to cut off the nose. Adieu!

(198) Widow of Edmund Dunch, Esq. Comptroller of the household ofGeorge the First. -E. 

(199) Wife of the Hon. Felton Hervey, ninth son of John, firstEarl 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 youcould send me word of peace too, I should be completely satisfiedon Mr. Conway's account. He has been in the late action, andescaped, at a time that, I flattered myself, the campaign -was atan end. However, I trust it is now. You will have beenconcerned for young Courtney. The war, we hear, is to betransferred to these islands; most probably to yours. Theblack-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, Ibelieve I can make you out a list of those that walked; but Ihave no memorandum in town. If Mr. Bentley's play is printed inIreland, I depend on your sending me two copies. 

There has been a very private ball at court, consisting of notabove twelve or thirteen couple; some of the lords of thebedchamber, most of the ladies, the maids of honour, and sixstrangers, Lady Caroline Russell, Lady Jane Stewart, LordSuffolk, Lord Northampton, Lord Mandeville, and Lord Grey. Nobody sat by, but the Princess, the Duchess of Bedford, and LadyBute. They began before seven, danced till one, and partedwithout a supper. 

Lady Sarah Lenox has refused Lord Errol; the Duke of Bedford isprivy seal; Lord Thomond cofferer; Lord George Cavendishcomptroller; George Pitt goes minister to Turin; and Mrs. Speedmust go thither, as she is marrying the Baron de Perrier, CountVirry's son. (200) Adieu! Commend me to your brother. 

(200) "My old friend Miss SPeed has done what the world calls avery foolish thing; she has married the Baron de la Poyri`ere, son to the Sardinian minister, the Count de Viry. He is abouttwenty-eight years old (ten years younger than herself), butlooks nearer This is not the effect of debauchery; for he is avery sober and good-natured man honest and no conjurer. " Gray toWliarton. 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 acommission, and you give Lady Cecilia(201) commissions fortrifles of my writing, in the most obliging manner. I have takenthe latter off her hands. - The Fugitive Pieces, and the Catalogueof Royal and Noble Authors shall be conveyed to you directly. Lady Cecilia and I agree how we lament the charming suppersthere, every time we pass the corner of Warwick Street! We havea little comfort for your sake and our own, in believing that thecampaign 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 dowith that. Our politics, I think, will soon be as warm as ourwar. Charles Townshend is to be lieutenant-general to Mr. Pitt. The Duke of Bedford is privy seal; Lord Thomond, cofferer; LordGeorge Cavendish, comptroller. 

Diversions, you know, Madam, are never at high watermark beforeChristmas: yet operas flourish pretty well: those on Tuesdays areremoved to Mondays, because the Queen likes the burlettas, andthe King cannot go on Tuesdays, his postdays. On those nights wehave the middle front box railed in, where Lady Mary(202) and Isit in triste state like a Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. Thenight before last there was a private ball at court, which beganat half an hour after six, lasted till one, and finished withouta supper. The King danced the whole time with the Queen, LadyAugusta with her four younger brothers. The other performerswere: the two Duchesses of Ancaster and Hamilton, who dancedlittle; Lady Effingham, and Lady Egremont who danced much; thesix maids of honour; Lady Susan Stewart, as attending LadyAugusta; and Lady Caroline Russel, and Lady Jane Stewart, theonly women not of the family. Lady Northumberland is at Bath;Lady Weymouth lies in; Lady Bolingbroke was there in Waiting, butin black gloves, so did not dance. The men, besides the royals, were Lords March and Lord Eglinton, of the bedchamber: LordCantalope, 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 LadyBute. 

If it had not been for this ball, I don't know how I should havefurnished a decent letter. Pamphlets on Mr. Pitt are the wholeconversation, and none of them worth sending cross the water: atleast I, who am said to write some of them, think so; by whichyou may perceive I am not much flattered with the imputation. There must be new personages at least, before I write on anyside. Mr. Pitt and the Duke of Newcastle! I should as soon thinkof informing the world that Miss Chudleigh is no vestal. Youwill like better to see some words which Mr. Gray has writ, atMiss Speed's request, to an old air of Geminiani: the thought isfrom the French. 

Thyrsis, when we parted, sworeEre 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 sereneSpeak 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 istouching, and the printing very beautiful. I am still morepleased with the design of the work; nothing gives so just anidea of an age as genuine letters; nay, history waits for itslast seal from them. I have an immense collection in my hands, chiefly of the very time on which you are engaged: but they arenot my own. 

If I had received your commands in summer when I was atStrawberry Hill, and at leisure, I might have picked you outsomething to your purpose; at present I have not time, fromParliament and business, to examine them: yet to show you, Sir, that I have great desire to oblige you and contribute to yourwork, I send you the following singular paper, which I haveobtained from Dr. Charles lyttelton, Dean of Exeter, whose name Iwill beg you to mention in testimony of his kindness, and asevidence for the authenticity of the letter, which he copied fromthe original in the hands of Bishop Tanner, in the year 1733. Itis from Anne of Denmark, to the Marquis of Buckingham. 

"Anna R. , "My kind dogge, if I have any power or credit with you, let mehave a trial of it at this time, in dealing sincerely andearnestly with the King, that Sir Walter Raleigh's life may notbe called in question. If you do it, so that the success answermy expectation, assure yourself that I will take itextraordinarily kindly at your hands, and rest one that wishethyou well, and desires you to continue still as you have been, atrue servant to your master. "

I have begun Mr. Hume's history, and got almost through the firstvolume. It is amusing to one who ]knows a little of his owncountry, but I fear would not teach much to a beginner; detailsare so much avoided by him, and the whole rather skimmed thanelucidated. 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, aChinese Tale, called Hau Kiou Choaan, (205) not very entertainingfrom the incidents, but I think extremely so from the novelty ofthe manner and the genuine representation of their customs. 

(203) Now first collected. 

(204) Probably Sir David's "Memorials and Letters relating to theHistory of Britain in the Reigns of James the First and Charlesthe First, " which were published in 1766, from the originals inthe Advocates' Library. -E. 

(205) This pleasing little novel, in which the manners of theChinese are painted to the life, was a translation from theChinese 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 bringme all to which I have affixed this mark X. The rest I have; yetthe expense of the whole list would not ruin me. Lord Farnham, who, I believe, departed this morning, brings you the list of theDuke of Devonshire's pictures. 

I have been told that Mr. Bourk's history was of England, not ofIreland; I am glad it is the latter, for I am now in Mr. Hume'sEngland, and would fain read no more. I not only know what hasbeen written, but what would be written. Our story is soexhausted, that to make it new, they really make it new. Mr. Hume has exalted Edward the Second and depressed Edward theThird. The next historian, I suppose, will make James the Firsta hero, and geld Charles the Second. 

Fingal is come out; I have not yet got through it; not but, it isvery fine-yet I cannot at once compass an epic poem now. Ittires me to death to read how many ways a warrior is like themoon, or the sun, or a rock, or a lion, or the ocean. Fingal isa brave collection of similes, and will serve all the boys atEton and Westminster for these twenty years. I will trust youwith a secret, but you must not disclose it; I should be ruinedwith my Scotch friends; in short, I cannot believe it genuine; Icannot believe a regular poem of six books has been preserved, uncorrupted, by oral tradition, from times before Christianitywas introduced into the island. What! preserved unadulterated bysavages dispersed among mountains, and so often driven from theirdens, so wasted by wars civil and foreign! alas one man ever gotall by heart? I doubt it; were parts preserved by some, otherparts by others? Mighty lucky, that the tradition was neverinterrupted, nor any part lost-not a verse, not a measure, notthe sense! luckier and luckier. I have been extremely qualifiedmyself lately for this Scotch memory; we have had nothing but acoagulation of rains, fogs, and frosts, and though they haveclouded all understanding, I suppose, if I had tried, I shouldhave found that they thickened, and gave great consistence to myremembrance. 

You want news--I must make it, if I send it. To change thedulness of the scene I went to the play, where I had not beenthis 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 init went really to Italy in every act, and came back again. Witha few pretty passages and a scene or two, it is so absurd andtiresome, 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 forpromising me the continuation. You will, I hope, find lesstrouble with printers than I have done. Just when my book was, Ithought, ready to appear, my printer ran away, and has left itvery imperfect. This is the fourth I have tried, and I own itdiscourages me. Our low people are so corrupt and such knaves, that being cheated and disappointed are all the fruits ofattempting to amuse oneself or others. Literature must strugglewith many difficulties. They who print for profit print only forprofit; we, who print to entertain or instruct others, are thebubbles of our designs, defrauded, abused, pirated--don't youthink, Sir, one need have resolution? Mine is very nearlyexhausted. 

(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 letterfrom you, that I cannot help answering it, and telling you sobefore I sleep. You need not affirm, that your ancient wit andpleasantry are revived; your letter is but five and twenty, and Iwill forgive any vanity, that is so honest, and so well founded. Ireland I see produces wonders of more sorts than one; if my LordAnson was to go lord-lieutenant, I suppose he would return aravisher. How different am I from this state of revivification!Even such talents as I had are far from blooming again; and whilemy friends, or contemporaries, or predecessors, are rising topreside 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 muchabout a world, whose faces I hardly know. You recover yourspirits and wit, Rigby is grown a speaker, Mr. Bentley a poet, while I am nursing one or two gouty friends, and sometimeslamenting that I am likely to survive the few I have left. Nothing tempts me to launch out again; every day teaches me howmuch I was mistaken in my own parts, and I am in no danger nowbut of thinking I am grown too wise; for every period of life hasits mistake. 

Mr. Bentley's relation to Lord Rochester by the St. Johns is notnew to me, and you had more reason to doubt of their affinity bythe former marrying his mistress, than to ascribe theirconsanguinity to it. I shall be glad to see the epistle: are not"The Wishes" to be acted? remember me, if they are printed; and Ishall thank you for this new list of prints. 

I have mentioned names enough in this letter to lead me naturallyto new ill usage I have received. Just when I thought my bookfinished, my printer ran away, and had left eighteen sheets inthe middle of the book untouched, having amused me with sendingproofs. He had got into debt, and two girls with child; beingtwo, he could not marry two Hannahs. You see my luck; I had beenkind to this fellow; in short, if the faults of my life had beenpunished as severely as my merits have been, I should be the mostunhappy of beings; but let us talk of something else. 

I have picked up at Mrs. Dunch's auction the sweetest Petitot inthe 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. Iwill not tell you how vast a commission I had given; but I willown, that about the hour of sale, I drove about the door to findwhat likely bidders there were. The first coach I saw was theChudleighs; could I help concluding, that a maid of honour, keptby a duke, would purchase the portrait of a duke kept by a maidof honour-but I was mistaken. The Oxendens reserved the bestpictures; the fine china, and even the diamonds, sold fornothing; for nobody has a shilling. We shall be beggars if wedon't conquer Peru within this half year. 

If you are acquainted with my lady Barrymore, pray tell her thatin less than two hours t'other night the Duke of Cumberland lostfour hundred and fifty pounds at loo; Miss Pelham won threehundred, and I the rest. However, in general, loo is extremelygone to decay; I am to play at Princess Emily's to-morrow for thefirst time this winter, and it is with difficulty she has made aparty. 

My Lady Pomfret is dead on the road to Bath; and unless thedeluge stops, and the fogs disperse, I think we shall all die. Afew days ago, on the cannon firing for the King going to theHouse, 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 linesthat I wrote t'other night on Lady Mary Coke having St. Anthony'sfire in her cheek! You will find nothing in them to contradictwhat I have said in the former part of my letter; they ratherconfirm it. 

No rouge you wear, nor can a dart>From Love's bright quiver wound your heart. And thought you, Cupid and his motherWould unrevenged their anger smother?No, no, from heaven they sent the fireThat 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 eyesWhile ruddier drops and baffled painEnhance the white they mean to stain. Ah! nymph, on that unfading faceWith fruitless pencil Time shall traceHis lines malignant, since diseaseBut gives you mightier power to please. 

Willis is dead, and Pratt is to be chief justice; Mr. Yorkeattorney general; solicitor, I don't know who. Good night! thewatchman cries past one!

(208) Arabella Churchill, sister of the great Duke ofMarlborough, was the mistress of James the Second while Duke ofYork, by whom she had four children; the celebrated Duke ofBerwick, the Duke of Albemarle, and two daughters. Sheafterwards became the wife of Colonel Charles Godfrey, master ofthe jewel office, and died in 1714, leaving by him two daughters, Charlotte Viscountess Falmouth, and Elizabeth, wife of EdmundDunch, 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 lastweek, and I like to find by them that you are so well and sohappy. As nothing has happened of change in my situation but afew more months passed, I have nothing to tell you new of myself. Time does not sharpen my passions or pursuits, and the experienceI have had by no means prompts me to make new connexions. 'Tis abusy world, and well adapted to those who love to bustle in it; Iloved it once, loved its very tempests--now I barely open mywindows to view what course the storm takes. The town, who, likethe devil, when one has once sold oneself' to him, never permitsone to have done playing the fool, believe I have a great hand intheir amusements; but to write pamphlets, I mean as a volunteer, one must love or hate, and I have the satisfaction of doingneither. I Would not be at the trouble of composing a distich toachieve a revolution. 'Tis equal to me what names are on thescene. In the general view, the prospect is very dark: theSpanish war, added to the load, almost oversets our most sanguineheroism: and now we have in opportunity of conquering all theworld, by being at war with all the world, we seem to doubt alittle of our abilities. On a surveyof our situation, I comfort myself with saying, "Well, what is itto me?" A selfishness that is far from anxious, when it is thefirst thought in one's constitution; not so agreeable when it isthe last, and adopted by necessity alone. 

You drive your expectations much too fast, in thinking myAnecdotes of Painting are ready to appear, in demanding threevolumes. You will see but two, and it will be February first. True, I have written three, but I question whether the third willbe published at all; certainly not soon; it is not a work ofmerit enough to cloy the town with a great deal at once. Myprinter ran away, and left a third part of the two first volumesunfinished. I suppose he is writing a tragedy himself, or anepistle to my Lord Melcomb, or a panegyric on my Lord Bute. 

Jemmy Pelham(209) is dead, and has left to his servants whatlittle his servants had left him. Lord Ligonier was killed bythe newspapers, and wanted to prosecute them; his lawyer told himit was impossible--a tradesman indeed might prosecute, as such areport 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 wasbut seventy-four; the newspapers have said I am eighty, and shewill not have me. "

Lord Charlemont's Queen Elizabeth I know perfectly; he outbid mefor it; is his villa finished? I am well pleased with the designin Chambers. I have been my out-of-town with Lord Waldecrave, Selwyn, and Williams; it was melancholy the missing poorEdgecombe, who was constantly of the Christmas and Easterparties. Did you see the charming picture Reynolds painted forme of him, Selwyn, and Gilly Williams? It is by far one of thebest things he has executed. He has just finished a prettywhole-length of Lady Elizabeth Keppel, (210) in the bridemaid'shabit, 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 chairsand 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 thanany where; pray bring me one book of their binding, as well as itcan be done, and I will not mind the price. If Mr. Bourk'shistory appear, -, before your return, let it be that. 

(209) The Hon. James Pelham, of Crowhurst, Sussex. He had beenprincipal secretary to Frederick Prince of Wales, and for nearlyforty years secretary to the several lords-chamberlain. -E. 

(210) She was daughter of the Earl of Albemarle, and married tothe 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. Ihave 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 muchmore. My health is so little subject to alteration, and sopreserved by temperance, that it is not worth repetition; thankGod you may conclude it is good, if I do not say to the contrary. 

Here is nothing new but preparations for conquest, and approachesto bankruptcy; and the worst is, the former will advance thelatter at least as much as impede it. You say the Irish willlive and die with your cousin: I am glad they are so welldisposed. I have lived long enough to doubt whether all, wholike to live with one, would be so ready to die with one. I knowit is not pleasant to have the time arrived when one looks aboutto see whether they would or not; but you are in a country ofmore sanguine complexion, and where I believe the clergy do notdeny 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 LordDacre's with the Chute. Our burlettas are gone out of fashion;do the Atnicis come hither next year, or go to Guadaloupe, as issaid? I have been told that a lady Kingsland(211) at Dublin hasa picture of Madame Grammont by Petitot; I don't know who LadyKingsland is, whether rich or poor, but I know there is nothing Iwould not give for such a picture. I wish you would hunt it; andif the dame is above temptation, do try if you could obtain acopy in water colours, if there is any body in Dublin couldexecute it. 

The Duchess of Portland has lately enriched me exceedingly; nineportraits of the court of Louis quatorze! Lord Portland broughtthem over; they hung in the nursery at Bulstrode, the childrenamused themselves with shooting at them. I have got them, but Iwill tell you no more, you don't deserve it; you write to me asif I were your godfather: "Honoured Sir, I am brave and well, mycousin George is well, we drink your health every night, and begyour blessing. " This is the sum total of all your letters. Ithought in a new country, and with your spirits and humour, youcould have found something to tell me. I shall only ask you nowwhen you return; but I declare I will not correspond with you: Idon't write letters to divert myself, but in expectation ofreturns; in short, you are extremely in disgrace with me; I havemeasured my letters for sometime, and for the future will answeryou paragraph for paragraph. You yourself don't seem to findletter-writing so amusing as to pay itself. Adieu!

(211) Nicholas Barnewall, third Viscount Kingsland, married Mary, daughter of Frances Jennings, sister to the celebrated SarahDuchess of Marlborough, by George Count Hamilton: "by whichmarriage, " says Walpole, "the pictures I saw at Tarvey, LordKingsland's house, came to him: I particularly recollect theportraits of Count Hamilton and his brother Anthony, and two ofMadame Grammont; one taken in her youth, the other in advancedage. "-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 returnsoon to England, as you talk of doing; for though you are anabominable correspondent, and only write to beg letters, you aregood company, and I have a notion I shall still be glad to seeYou. 

Lady Mary Wortley is arrived;(212) I have seen her; I think heravarice, her dirt, and her vivacity, are all increased. Herdress, like her languages, is a gralimatias of several countries;the groundwork rags, and the embroidery nastiness. She needs nocap, no handkerchief, no gown, no petticoat, no shoes. An oldblack-laced hood represents the first; the fur of a horseman'scoat, which replaces the third, serves for the second; a dimitypetticoat is deputy, and officiates for the fourth; and slippersact the part of the last. When I was at Florence, and she wasexpected there, we were drawing Sortes Virgili-anas for her; weliterally drew

Insanam vatem aspicies. 

It would have been a stronger prophecy now, even than it wasthen. 

You told me not a word of Mr. Macnaughton, (213) and I have agreat mind to be as coolly indolent about our famous ghost inCock-lane. Why should one steal half an hour from one'samusements to tell a story to a friend in another island? Icould send you volumes on the ghost, and I believe if I were tostay a little, I might send its life, dedicated to my LordDartmouth, by the ordinary of Newgate, its two great patrons. Adrunken parish clerk set it on foot out of revenge, theMethodists have adopted it, and the whole town of london think ofnothing else. Elizabeth Canning and the Rabbit-woman were modestimpostors in comparison of this, which goes on Without saving theleast appearances. The Archbishop, who would not suffer theMinor to be acted in ridicule of the Methodists, permits thisfarce to be played every night, and I shall not be surprised ifthey perform in the great hall at Lambeth. I went to hear it, for it is not an apparition, but an audition. We set out fromthe Opera, changed our clothes at Northumberland-house, the Dukeof York, Lady Northumberland, Lady Mary Coke, Lord Hertford, andI, all in one hackney coach, and drove to the spot: it rainedtorrents; yet the lane was full of mob, and the house so full wecould not get in; at last they discovered it was the Duke ofYork, and the company squeezed themselves into one another'spockets to make room for us. The house, which is borrowed, andto which the ghost has adjourned, is wretchedly small andmiserable; when we opened the chamber, in which were fiftypeople, with no light but one tallow candle at the end, wetumbled over the bed of the child to whom the ghost comes, and whom they are murdering by inches in such insufferable heatand stench. At the top of the room are ropes to dry clothes. Iasked, if we were to have rope-dancing between the acts? We hadnothing; they told us, as they would at a puppet-show, that itwould not come that night till seven in the morning, that is, when there are only 'prentices and old women. We stayed howevertill half an hour after one. The Methodists have promised themcontributions; provisions are sent in like forage, and all thetaverns and alehouses in the neighbourhood make fortunes. Themost diverting part is to hear people wondering when it will befound out--as if there was any thing to find out--as if theactors would make their noises when they can be discovered. However, as this pantomime cannot last much longer, I hope LadyFanny Shirley will set up a ghost of her own at Twickenham, andthen you shall hear one. The Methodists, as Lord Aylesfordassured Mr. Chute two nights ago at Lord Dacre's have attemptedghosts three times in Warwickshire. There, how good I am!

(212) Lady Mary Wortley Montagu remained at Venice till the deathof Mr. Wortley in this year when she yielded to the solicitationsof her daughter, the Countess of Bute, and, after an absence oftwo-and-twenty years, began her journey to England, where shearrived in October. -E. 

(213) john Macnaughton, Esq. Executed in December, 1761, for themurder of Miss Knox, daughter of Andrew Knox, Esq. Of Prehen, member of parliament for Donegal. Macnaughton, who had ruinedhimself by gambling, sought to replenish his fortune by marriagewith this young lady, who had considerable expectations; but asher friends would not consent to their union, and he failed bothin inveigling her into a secret marriage, and in compelling herby the suits which he commenced in the ecclesiastical courts toratify an alleged promise of marriage, he revenged himself byshooting 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; notonly in buying your ruffles, but in never mentioning them; but myjustification is most ample and verifiable. Your letters of Jan. 2d arrived but yesterday with the papers of Dec. 29. These arethe mails that have so long been missing, and were shipwrecked orsomething on the Isle of Man. Now you see it was impossible forme to buy you a pair of ruffles for the 18th of January, when Idid 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 ofCommons on the five regiments. We have no such miracles here;five regiments might work such prodigies, but I never knew mererhetoric gain above one or two proselytes at a time in all mypractice. 

We have a Prince Charles here, the Queen's brother; he is likeher, but more like the Hows; low, but well made, good eyes andteeth. Princess Emily is very ill, has been blistered, and beenblooded four times. 

My books appear on Monday se'nnight: if I can find any quickconveyance for them, you shall have them; if not, as you arereturning soon, I may as well keep them for you. Adieu! I grudgeevery 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 sayingvery few words in answer to your obliging letter, of which nopart 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'sbeads, by telling you that another person has actually done it, and designs to publish a new edition ranged in a differentmethod. I don't know the gentleman's name, but he is a friend ofSir William Musgrave, from whom I had this information somemonths 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 beeninured to abuse on him from my birth. It is not a quarter of anhour ago since, cutting the leaves of a new dab called Anecdotesof Polite Literature, I found myself abused for having defendedmy 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--andso I leave them to be forgotten together, Fortunati Ambo!

I sent your letter to Ducarel, who has promised me those poems--Iaccepted the promise to get rid of him t'other day, when he wouldhave talked me to death. 

(214) A distinguished antiquary, better known by the assistancehe gave to others than by publications of his own. He was vicarof 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 toyou, if I had not been constantly in hope of accompanying myletter with the Anecdotes of Painting, etc. ; but the tediousnessof engraving, and the roguery of a fourth printer, have delayedthe publication week after week- for months: truly I do notbelieve that there is such a being as an honest printer in theworld. 

I Sent the books to Mr. Whiston, who, I think you told me, wasemployed by you: he answered, he knew nothing of the matter. Mr. Dodsley has undertaken now to convey them to you, and I beg youracceptance of them: it will be a very kind acceptance if you willtell me of any faults, blunders, omissions, etc. As you observethem. In a first sketch of this nature, I cannot hope the workis any thing like complete. Excuse, Sir, the brevity Of this. Iam much hurried at this instant of publication, and have barelytime 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 throwaway on reading idle letters of compliment; yet as it would betoo great want of respect to your lordship, not to make some sortof 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 bywriting, than in troubling you with a visit, which might comeunseasonably, and a letter you may read at any moment when youare most idle. I have already, my lord, detained you too long bysending you a book, which I could not flatter myself you wouldturn over in such a season of business: by the manner in 'Whichyou have considered it, you have shown me that your very minutesof amusement you try to turn to the advantage of your country. It was this pleasing prospect of patronage to the arts thattempted me to offer you my pebble towards the new structure. Iam flattered that you have taken notice' of the only ambition Ihave: I should be more flattered if I could contribute to thesmallest of your lordship's designs for illustrating Britain. The hint your lordship is so good as to give me for a work likeMontfaucon's Monuments de la Monarchie Francaise, has long been asubject that I have wished to see executed, nor, in point ofmaterials, do I think it would be a very difficult one. Thechief impediment was the expense, too great for a privatefortune. The extravagant prices extorted by English artists is adiscouragement to all public undertakings. Drawings frompaintings, tombs, etc. Would be very dear. To have them engravedas they ought to be, would exceed the compass of a much amplerfortune than mine; which though equal to my largest wish, cannotmeasure 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 moreready than myself to give his assistance. I own I think I couldbe of use in it, in collecting or pointing out materials, and Iwould readily take any trouble in aiding, supervising, ordirecting such a plan. Pardon me, my lord, if I offer no more; Imean, that I do not undertake the part of composition. I havealready trespassed too much upon the indulgence of the public; Iwish not to disgust them with hearing of me, and reading me. Itis time for me to have done; and when I shall have completed, asI almost have, the History of the Arts on which I am now engaged, I did not purpose to tempt again the patience of mankind. Butthe case is very different with regard to my trouble. My wholefortune is from the bounty of the crown, and from the public: itwould ill become me to spare any pains for the King's glory, orfor the honour and satisfaction of my country; and give me leaveto add, my lord, it would be an ungrateful return for thedistinction with which your lordship has condescended to honourme if I withheld such trifling aid as mine, when it might in theleast tend to adorn your lordship's administration. From me, mylord, permit me to say, these are not words of course or ofcompliment, this is not the language of flattery; your lordshipknows I have no Views, perhaps knows that, insignificant as itis, my praise is never detached from my esteem: and when you haveraised, as I trust you will, real monuments of glory, the mostcontemptible characters in the inscription dedicated by yourcountry, may not be the testimony of, my lord, etc. (217)

(215) Now first collected. 

(216) This letter is in reply to the following note, whichWalpole had, a few days before, received from the Earl of Bute:--"Lord Bute presents his compliments to Mr. Walpole, and returnshim a thousand thanks for the very agreeable present he has madehim. In looking over it, Lord Bute observes Mr. Walpole hasmixed several curious remarks on the customs, etc. Of the timeshe treats of; a thing much wanted, and that has never yet beenexecuted, except in parts, by Peck, etc. Such a general workwould be not only very agreeable, but instructive: the Frenchhave attempted it; the Russians are about it; and Lord Bute hasbeen informed Mr. Walpole is well furnished with materials forsuch a noble work. "-E. 

(217) The following passage, in a letter from Gray to Walpole, ofthe 28th of February, has reference to that work projected byLord Bute:--"I rejoice in the good disposition of our court, andin the propriety of their application to you: the work is a thingso much to be wished; has so near a connexion with the turn ofyour studies and of your curiosity, and might find such amplematerials among your hoards and in your head, that it will be asin if you let it drop and come to nothing, or worse thannothing, for want of your assistance. The historical part shouldbe in the manner of Herault, a mere abridgment; a series of factsselected with judgment, that may serve as a clue to lead the mindalong in the midst of those ruins and scattered monuments of artthat time has spared. This would be sufficient, and better thanMontfaucon's more diffuse narrative. " Works, vol. Iii. P. 293. Before Walpole had received Gray's letter, he had already adoptedthe 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; begunFebruary 21, 1762, by Horace Walpole. " For a specimen of it, seehis 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 futurelecture you for the most trifling peccadillo. You have writtenme a very entertaining letter, and wiped out several debts; notthat I will forget one of them if you relapse. 

As we have never had a rainbow to assure us that the world shallnot be snowed to death, I thought last night was the generalconnixation. We had a tempest of wind and snow for two hoursbeyond any thing I remember: chairs were blown to pieces, thestreets covered with tassels and glasses and tiles, and coachesand chariots were filled like reservoirs. Lady Raymond's housein Berkeley-square is totally unroofed; and Lord Robert Bertie, who is going to marry her, may descend into it like a JupiterPluvius. It is a week of wonders, and worthy the note of analmanack-maker. Miss Draycott, within two days of matrimony, hasdismissed Mr. Beauclerc; but this is totally forgotten already inthe amazement of a new elopement. In all your reading, true orfalse, have you ever heard of a young Earl, married to the mostbeautiful woman in the world, a lord of the bedchamber, a generalofficer, and with a great estate, quitting every thing, resigningwife and world, and embarking for life in a pacquetboat with aMiss? I fear your connexions will but too readily lead you tothe name of the peer; it is Henry Earl of Pembroke, (218) thenymph Kitty Hunter. The town and Lady Pembroke were but too muchwitnesses to this intrigue, last Wednesday, at a great ball atLord Middleton's. On Thursday they decamped. However, that thewriter of their romance, or I, as he is a noble author, might notwant materials, the Earl has left a bushel of letters behind him;to his mother, to Lord Bute, to Lord Ligonier, (the two last toresign his employments, ) and to Mr. Stopford, whom he acquits ofall privity to his design. In none he justifies himself, unlessthis is a justification, that having long tried in vain to makehis wife hate and dislike him, he had no way left but this, andit is to be hoped will succeed; and then it may not be the worstevent that could have happened to her. You may easily conceivethe hubbub such an exploit must occasion. With ghosts, elopements, abortive motions, etc. , we can amuse ourselvestolerably well, till the season arrives for taking the field andconquering the Spanish West Indies. 

I have sent YOU my books by a messenger; Lord Barrington was sogood as to charge himself with them. They barely saved theirdistance; a week later, and no soul could have read a line inthem, unless I had changed the title-page, and called them theloves of the Earl of Pembroke and Miss Hunter. 

I am sorry Lady Kingsland is so rich. However, if the Papistsshould be likely to rise, pray disarm her of the enamel, andcommit it to safe custody in the round tower at Strawberry. Goodnight! mine is a life of letter-writing; I pray for a peace thatI may sheath my Pen. 

(218) Henry Herbert, tenth Earl of Pembroke, married, 13th March1756, Lady Elizabeth Spencer, second daughter of Charles, thirdDuke of Marlborough, by whom he had a son, George, eleventh Earl, born 19th September 1759: and some years afterwards, when he ranaway with her, which he actually did, after they had lived forsome 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 muchobliged to you for your notes and communications. Your thoughtof an English Montfaucon accords perfectly with a design I havelong had of attempting something of that kind, in which too Ihave been lately encouraged; and therefore I will beg you at yourleisure, 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, asevery thing you undertake is, and curious. --After the medals Ilent Mr. Perry, I have a little reason to take it ill, that hehas entirely neglected me; he has published a number, and sent itto several persons, -and never to me. (220) I wanted to see himtoo, because I know of two very curious medals, which I couldborrow for him. He does not deserve it at my hands, but I willnot defraud the public of any thing valuable; and therefore, ifhe will call on me any morning, but a Sunday or Monday, betweeneleven and twelve, I will speak to him of them. --With regard toone or two of your remarks, I have not said that real lions wereoriginally 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, coloursrightly prepared do not grow black. The art would be muchobliged for such a preparation. I have not said that oil-colourswould not endure with a glass; on the contrary, I believe theywould last the longer. 

I am much amazed at Vertue's blunder about my marriage of HenryVII. ; and afterwards, he said, "Sykes, knowing how to give namesto pictures to make them sell, " called this the marriage of HenryVII. ; and afterwards, he said, Sykes had the figures in an oldpicture of a church. He must have known little Indeed, Sir, ifhe had not known how to name a picture that he had painted onpurpose that he might call it so! That Vertue, on the strictestexamination, could not be convinced that the man was Henry VII. , not being like any of his pictures. Unluckily, he is extremelylike the shilling, which is much more authentic than any pictureof Henry VII. But here Sykes seems to have been extremelydeficient in his tricks. Did he order the figure to be paintedlike Henry VII. , and yet could not get it painted like him, whichwas the easiest part of the task? Yet how came he to get theQueen painted like, whose representations are much scarcer thanthose of her husband? and how came Sykes to have pomegranatespainted on her robe, only to puzzle the cause! It is not worthadding, that I should much sooner believe the church was paintedto the figures, than the figures to the church. They are hardand antique: the church in a better style, and at least morefresh. If Vertue had made no better criticisms than these, Iwould 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. Withthirteen 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 akind long letter I have received from you since. 

I have heard of my brother's play several years ago; but I neverunderstood that it was completed, or more than a few detachedscenes. What is become of Mr. Bentley's play and Mr. Bentley'sepistle?

When I go to Strawberry, I will look for where Lord Cutts wasburied; I think I can find it. I am disposed to prefer theyounger picture of Madame Grammont by Lely; but I stumbled at theprice; twelve guineas for a copy in enamel is very dear. Mrs. Vezey tells me, his originals cost sixteen, and are not so goodas his copies. I will certainly have none of his originals. His, what is his name'! I would fain resist his copy; I wouldmore fain excuse myself for having it. I say to myself, it Wouldbe rude not to have it, now Lady Kingsland and Mr. Montagu havehad so much trouble--well--"I think I must have it, " as my LadyWishfort says, "Why does not the fellow take me?" Do try if hewill not take ten; remember it is the younger picture: and, oh!now you are remembering, don't forget all my prints and a bookbound in vellum. There is-a thin folio too I want, called"Hibernica;"(221) it is a collection of curious papers, one atranslation by Carew Earl of Totness: I had forgot that you haveno books in Ireland; however, I must have this, and your pardonfor all the trouble I give you. 

No news yet of the runaways: but all that comes out antecedent tothe escape, is more and more extraordinary and absurd. The dayof the elopement he had invited his wife's family and other folkto dinner with her, but said he must himself dine at a tavern;but he dined privately in his own dressing-room, put on asailor's habit, and black wig, that he had brought home with himin a bundle, and threatened the servants he would murder them ifthey mentioned it to his wife. He left a letter for her, whichthe Duke 'of Marlborough was afraid to deliver to her, andopened. It desired that she would not write to him, as it wouldmake him completely mad. He desires the King would preserve hisrank of major-general, as some time or other he may serve again. Here is an indifferent epigram made on the occasion: I send it toyou, though I wonder any body could think it a subject to jokeupon. 

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 agoa very pretty medal from your ladyship. Amidst all your triumphsyou do not, I see, forget your English friends, and it makes meextremely happy. He pleased me still more, by assuring me thatyou return to England when the campaign opens. I can pay thisnews by none so good as by telling you that we talk of nothingbut peace. We are equally ready to give law to the world, orpeace. MartiniCO has not made us intractable. We and the newCzar are the best sort of people upon earth: I am sure, Madam, you must adore him; he is, to resign all his conquests, thatyou and Mr. Conway may be settled again at Park-place. My LordChesterfield, with the despondence of an old man and the wit of ayoung one, thinks the French and Spaniards must make some attemptupon these islands, and is frightened lest we should not be sowell prepared to repel invasions as to make them: he says, "Whatwill it avail us if we gain the whole world, and lose our ownsoul!"

I am here alone, Madam, and know nothing to tell you. I camefrom 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 hopeLord Chesterfield will not speak more truth in what I havequoted, than in his assertion, that one need not cough if one didnot please. It has pulled me extremely, and you may believe I donot look very plump, when I am more emaciated that usual. However, I have taken James's powder for four nights, and havefound great benefit from it; and if Miss Conway does not comeback with soixante et douze quartiers, and the hauteur of alandgravine, I think I shall still be able to run down theprecipices at Park-place with her-This is to be understood, supposing that we have any summer. Yesterday was the firstmoment that did not feel like Thule: not a glimpse of spring orgreen, except a miserable almond tree, half opening one bud, likemy Lord PowersCOurt'S eye. 

It will be warmer, I hope, by the King's birthday, or the oldladies will catch their deaths. There is a court dress to beinstituted--(to thin the drawing-rooms)--stiff-bodied gowns andbare shoulders. What dreadful discoveries will be made both onfat and lean! I recommend to you the idea of Mrs. Cavendish, when half-stark; and I might fill the rest of my paper with suchimages, but your imagination will supply them; and you shallexcuse me, though I leave this a short letter: but I wrote merelyto thank your ladyship for the medal, and, as you perceive, havevery little to say, besides that known and lasting truth, howmuch I am Mr. Conway's and your ladyship's faithful humbleservant. 

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 withthem. I have little idea of Mr. Bentley's; though hisimagination is sufficiently Pindaric, nay obscure, his numbersare not apt to be so tuneful as to excuse his flights. He shouldalways give his wit, both in verse and prose, to somebody else tomake up. If any of his things are printed at Dublin, let me havethem; I have no quarrel with his talents. Your cousin'sbehaviour has been handsome, and so was his speech, which isprinted in our papers. Advice is arrived to-day, that our troopshave made good their landing at Martinico; I don't know any ofthe incidents yet. 

You ask me for an epitaph for Lord Cutts;(222) I scratched outthe following lines last night as I was going to bed; if they arenot good enough, pray don't take them: they were written in aminute, 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 takecare to be certain that he was at the battle of the Boyne; Iconclude so; ind it should be specified the year, when you erectthe monument-The latter lines mean to own his having been but amoderate poet, and to cover that mediocrity under his valour; allwhich is true. Make the sculptor observe the steps. 

I have not been at Strawberry above a month, nor ever was so longabsent - but the weather has been cruelly cold and disagreeable. We have not had a single dry week since the beginning ofSeptember; a great variety of weather, all bad. Adieu!

(222) John Lord Cutts, a soldier of most hardy bravery in KingWilliam's wars. He died at Dublin in 1707. Swift's epigram on aSalamander alluded to this lord, who was called by the Duke ofMarlborough the Salamander, on account of his always being in thethickest of the fire. He published, in 1687, "PoeticalExercises, 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 Ihad the materials Collected. And I would not have the labours offorty years, which was Vertue's case, depreciated in complimentto the work of four months, which is almost my whole merit. Style is become, in a manner, a mechanical affair, --and if tomuch ancient lore our antiquaries would add a little modernreading, to polish their language and correct their prejudices, Ido not see why books of antiquities should not be made as amusingas writings on any other subject. If Tom Herne had lived in theworld, he might have writ an agreeable history of dancing; atleast, I am sure that many modern volumes are read for no reasonbut for their being penned in the dialect of the age. 

I am much beholden to you, dear Sir, for your remarks; they shallhave their due place whenever the work proceeds to a secondedition, 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 Imolapronounced 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, mentionsthe resemblance between Tiberius and Charles II. ; but, as far ascountenances went, there could not be a more ridiculousprepossession; Charles had a long face, with very strong lines, and a narrowish brow; Tiberius a very square face, and flatforehead, with features rather delicate in proportion. I haveexamined this imaginary likeness, and see no kind of foundationfor it. It is like Mr. Addison's travels, of which it was sotruly said, he might have composed them without stirring out ofEngland. There are a kind of naturalists who have sorted out thequalities of the mind, and allotted particular turns of featuresand complexions to them. It would be much easier to prove thatevery form has been endowed with every vice. One has heard muchof the vigour of Burnet himself; yet I dare to say, he did notthink himself like to Charles II. 

I am grieved, Sir, to hear that your eyes suffer; take care ofthem; nothing can replace the satisfaction they afford: oneshould hoard them, as the only friend that will not be tired ofone when one grows old, and when one should least choose todepend on others for entertainment. I most sincerely wish youhappiness 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 seemsto acquiesce), no alteration seem, - to have been made in thepassage about the Bishop of Imola. This curious picture is atStrawberry 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 arenot fixed upon Ireland. Because you have a little virtue, and alord-lieutenant(224) that refuses four thousand pounds a-year, and a chaplain(225) of a lord-lieutenant that declines a hugebishopric, and a secretary(226) whose eloquence can convince anation of blunderers, you imagine that nothing is talked of butthe castle of Dublin. In the first place, virtue may sound itsown praises, but it never is praised; and in the next place, there are other feats besides self-denials; and for eloquence, weoverflow with it. Why, the single eloquence of Mr. Pitt, like anannihilated star, can shine many months after it has set. I tellyou it has conquered Martinico. (227) If you will not believe me, read the Gazette; read Moncton's letter; there is more martialspirit in it than in half Thucydides, and in all the grand Cyrus. Do you think Demosthenes or Themistocles ever raised the Grecianstocks two per cent. In four-and-twenty hours? I shall burn allmy Greek and Latin books; they are histories of little people. The Romans never conquered the world, till they had conqueredthree parts of it, and were three hundred years about it; wesubdue the globe in three campaigns; and a globe, let me tellyou, as big again as It was in their days. Perhaps you may thinkme proud; but you don't know that I had some share in thereduction of Martinico; the express was brought to my godson, Mr. Horatio Gates; and I have a very good precedent for attributingsome of the glory to myself - I have by me a love-letter, writtenduring my father's administration, by a journeyman tailor to mybrother's second chambermaid; his offers Honourable; he proposedmatrimony, and to better his terms, informed her of hispretensions 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, bywhich means it came into my hands. I inquired what were themerits of Mr. Vice Crispin, was informed that he had made thesuit of clothes for a figure of Lord Marr, that was burned afterthe rebellion. I hope now you don't hold me too presumptuous forpluming myself on the reduction of Martinico. However, I shallnot aspire to a post, nor to marry my Lady Bute's Abigail. Ionly trust my services to you as a friend, and do not mean underyour temperate administration to get the list of Irish pensionsloaded with my name, though I am godfather to Mr. Horatio Gates. 

The Duchess of Grafton and the English have been miraculouslypreserved at Rome by being at loo, instead of going to a greatconcert, where the palace fell in, and killed ten persons andwounded several others. I shall send orders to have an altardedicated in the Capitol. 

Pammio O. M. CapitolinoAnnam Ducisam de GraftonMerito Incolumem. 

I tell you of it now, because I don't know whether it will beworth while to write another letter on purpose. Lord Albemarletakes up the victorious grenadiers at Martinico, and in six weekswill conquer the Havannah. - Adieu!

(224) The Irish House of Commons having voted an address to theKing to increase the salary of the lord-lieutenant, the Earl ofHalifax declined having any augmentation. 

(225) Dr. Crane, chaplain to the Earl of Halifax, had refused thebishopric of Elphin. 

(226) Single-speech Hamilton. 

(227) Sir Richard Lyttelton, in a letter to Mr. Pitt, writtenfrom Rome on the 14th of April, says, " I cannot forbearcongratulating 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 nobleperseverance and superior ability of the planner of this greatand decisive undertaking. His Holiness told Mr. Weld, that, werenot the information such as left no possibility of its beingdoubted, the news of our success could not have been credited;and that so great was the national glory and reputation all overthe world, that he esteemed it the highest honour to be born anEnglishman. If this, sir, be the end of your administration, Ishall 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 fromHankelow, where you talk of staying a week. However, not knowingthe exact day of your departure, I direct this to Greatworth, that it may rather wait for you, than you for it, if it should gointo Cheshire and not find you there. As I should ever be sorryto give you any pain, I hope I shall not be the first to tell youof the loss of poor Lady Charlotte Johnstone, (228) who, after aviolent fever of less than a week, was brought to bed yesterdaymorning of a dead child, and died herself at four in theafternoon. I heartily condole with you, as I know yourtenderness for all your family, and the regard you have forColonel Johnstone. The time is wonderfully sickly; nothing butsore throats, colds, and fevers. I got rid of one of the worstof these disorders, attended with a violent cough, by only takingseven grains of James's powder for six nights. It was the firstcough I ever had, and when coughs meet with so spare a body asmine, they are not apt to be so easily conquered. Take greatcare of yourself, and bring the fruits of your expedition inperfection to Strawberry. I shall be happy to see you therewhenever you please. I have no immediate purpose of settlingthere yet, as they are laying floors, which is very noisy, and asit is uncertain when the Parliament will rise, but I would gothere at any time to meet you. The town will empty instantlyafter the King's birthday; and consequently I shall then be lessbroken in upon, which I know you do not like. If, therefore, itsuits you, any time you will name after the 5th of June will beequally agreeable; but sooner if you like it better. 

We have little news at present, except a profusion of newpeerages, but are likely I think to have much greater shortly. The ministers disagree, and quarrel with as much alacrity asever; and the world expects a total rupture between Lord Bute andthe late King's servants. This comedy has been so oftenrepresented, it scarce interests one, especially one who takes nopart, 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, areLord 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 Newcastleis created Lord Pelham, with an entail to Tommy Pelham; and LordBrudenel is called to the House of lords, as Lord Montagu. TheDuchess of Manchester was to have had the peerage alone, andwanted the latter title: her sister, very impertinently, I think, as being the younger, objected and wished her husband Marquis ofMonthermer. This difference has been adjusted, by making SirEdward Montagu Lord Beaulieu, and giving the title of the familyto Lord Brudenel. With pardon of your Cu-blood, I hold, thatLord Cardigan makes a very trumpery figure by so meanlyrelinquishing all Brudenelhood. Adieu! let me know soon when youwill 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 theadmiralty, 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 Irishclaret, and not have even your heel vulnerable by the gout, thatsuch a Pythagorean as I am should yet be subject to it! It isnot two years since I had it last, and here am I with My footagain upon cushions. But I will not complain; the pain istrifling, and does little more than prevent my frisking about. If I can bear the motion of the chariot, I shall drive toStrawberry tomorrow, for I had rather only look at verdure andhear my nightingales from the bow-window, than receive visits andlisten to news. I can give you no certain satisfaction relativeto the viceroy, your cousin. It is universally said that he hasno mind to return to his dominions, and pretty much believed thathe will succeed to Lord Egremont's seals, who will not detainthem long from whoever is to be his successor. 

I am sorry you have lost another Montagu, the Duke ofManchester. (230) Your cousin Guilford is among the competitorsfor chamberlain to the Queen. The Duke of Chandos, LordNorthumberland, and even the Duke of Kingston, are named as othercandidates; but surely they will not turn the latter loose intoanother chamber of maids of honour! Lord Cantelupe has asked torise from vice-chamberlain, but met with little encouragement. It is odd, that there are now seventeen English and Scotch dukesunmarried, and but seven out of twenty-seven have the garter. It is comfortable to me to have a prospect of seeing Mr. Conwaysoon; the ruling part of the administration are disposed torecall our troops front Germany. In the mean time our officersand their wives are embarked for Portugal-what must Europe thinkof 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 makinga river-like piece of water, he has converted a very ugly spotinto a tolerable one. As I was so near, I went to see AudleyInn(231) once more; but it is only the monument now of its formergrandeur. The gallery is pulled down, and nothing remains butthe great hall, and an apartment like a tower at each end. Inthe church I found, still existing and quite fresh, theescutcheon of the famous Countess of Essex and Somerset. 

Adieu! I shall expect you with great pleasure the beginning ofnext month. 

(230) Robert Montagu, third Duke of Manchester, lord-chamberlainto the Queen, died on the 10th of May. -E. 

(231) In Essex; formerly the largest palace in England. It wasbuilt out of the ruins of a dissolved monastery, near SaffronWalden, by Thomas, second son of Thomas Duke of Norfolk, whomarried the only daughter and heir of Lord Audley, chancellor toKing Henry VIII. This Thomas was summoned to parliament in QueenElizabeth's time as Lord Audley of Walden, and was afterwardscreated Earl of Suffolk by James I. , to whom he was lordchancellor and lord high treasurer. It was intended for a royalpalace for that King, who, when it was finished, was invited tosee it, and lodged there one night on his way to Newmarket; when, after having viewed it with astonishment, he was asked how heapproved of it, he answered, "Very well; but troth, man, it istoo much for a king, but it may do for a lord high treasurer;"and so left it upon the Earl's hands. It was afterwardspurchased by Charles II. ; but, as he had never been able to paythe purchase-money, it was restored to the family by WilliamIII. -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 veryglad to have an opportunity of acknowledging it in person, byaccepting the agreeable visit you are so good as to offer me, andfor which I have long been impatient. I should name the earliest day possible; but besides having somevisits to make, I think it will bi more pleasant to you a fewweeks hence (I mean, any time in July, ) when the works, withwhich I am finishing my house, will be more advanced, and thenoisy part, as laying floors and fixing wainscots, at an end, andwhich now make me a deplorable litter. As you give me leave, Iwill send You notice. 

I am glad my books amused you;(232) yet you, who are so muchdeeper an antiquarian, must have found more faults and emissions, I fear, than your politeness suffers you to reprehend; yet youwill, I trust, be a little more severe. We both labour, I willnot say for the public (for the public troubles its head verylittle about our labours), . But for the few of posterity thatshall be curious; and therefore, for their sake, you must assistme in making my works as complete as possible. This soundsungrateful, after all the trouble you have given yourself; but Isay it to prove MY gratitude, and to show you how fond I am ofbeing corrected. 

For the faults of impression, they were owing to the knavery of aprinter, who, when I had corrected the sheets, amused me withrevised proofs, and never printed off the whole number, and thenran away. This accounts, too, for the difference of the ink invarious sheets, and for some other blemishes; though there arestill 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 Icannot think of robbing your collection, and am amply obliged bythe offer. The Anecdotes of Horatio Palavacini are extremelyentertaining. 

In an Itinerary of the late Mr. Smart Lethiullier, I met the verytomb of Gainsborough this winter that you mention; and, to besecure, sent to Lincoln for an exact draught of it. But whatvexed me then, and does still, is, that by the defect at the endof the inscription, one cannot be certain whether he lived inCCC. Or CCCC. As another C might have been there. Have you anycorroborating circumstance, Sir, to affix his existence to 1300more than 1400? Besides, I don't know any proof of his havingbeen architect of the church: his epitaph only calls himCaementarius, which, I suppose, means mason. 

I have observed, since my book was published, what you mention ofthe tapestry in Laud's trial; yet as the Journals were byauthority, and certainly cannot be mistaken, I have concludedthat Hollar engraved his print after the restoration. Mr. Wight, clerk of the House of Lords, says, that Oliver placed them in theHouse of Commons. I don't know on what grounds he says so. Iam, 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 reallysuppose that I think it any trouble to frank a few covers foryou? Had I been with you, I should have cured you and your wholefamily in two nights with James's powder. If you have anyremains of the disorder, let me beg you to take seven or eightgrains when you go to bed: if you have none, shall I send yousome? For my own part, I am released -again, though I have beentolerably bad, and one day had the gout for several hours in myhead. I do not like such speedy returns. I have been so muchconfined that I could not wait on Mrs. Osborn, and I do not takeit unkindly that she will not let me have the prints withoutfetching them. I met her, that is, passed her, t'other day asshe was going to Bushy, and was sorry to see her look much older. 

Well! tomorrow is fixed for that phenomenon, the Duke ofNewcastle's resignation. (233) He has had a parting lev`ee; andas I suppose all bishops are prophets, they foresee that he willnever come into place again, for there was but one that had thedecency to take leave of him after crowding his rooms for fortyyears together; it was Cornwallis. I hear not even Lord Lincolnresigns. Lord Bute succeeds to the treasury, and is to have thegarter too On Thursday with Prince William. Of your cousin I hearno more mention, but that he returns to his island. I cannottell you exactly even the few changes that are to be made, but Ican divert you with a bon-mot, which they give to my LordChesterfield. 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 becreated Duke Humphrey, and there is to be no table kept at courtbut his. " If you don't like this, what do you think of GeorgeSelwyn, who asked Charles Boone if it is true that he is going tobe married to the fat rich Crawley? Boone denied it. "Lord!"said Selwyn, "I thought you were to be Patrick Fleming on themountain, and that gold and silver you were counting!" * * * *

P. S. I cannot help telling you how comfortable the newdisposition of the court is to me-, the King and Queen aresettled for good and all at Buckingham-house, and are strippingthe other palaces to furnish it. In short, they have alreadyfetched pictures from Hampton Court, which indicates their neverliving there; consequently Strawberry Hill will remain inpossession of its own tranquillity, and not become a cheesecakehouse to the palace. All I ask of Princes is, not to live withinfive miles of me. 

(233) The Duke of Newcastle, finding himself, on the subject of apecuniary aid to the King of Prussia, only supported in thecouncil by the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Hardwicke, resigned onthe 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) hasbeaten Count Daun, and made the peace, but the benefits of eitherhave not been felt beyond Change Alley. Lord Melcomb isdying(234) of a dropsy in his stomach, ' and Lady Mary Wortley ofa cancer in her breast. (235)

Mr. Hamilton was here last night, and complained of your notvisiting him. He pumped me to know if Lord Hertford has notthoughts of the crown of Ireland, and was more than persuadedthat I should go with him: I told him what was true, that I knewnothing of the former; and for the latter, that I would as soonreturn with the King of the Cherokees. (236) When England hasnothing 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 wasthere, but I heard so at my Lady Suffolk's. 

We have tapped a little butt of rain to-night, but my lawn is farfrom being drunk yet. Did not you find the Vine in great beauty?My compliments to it, and to your society. I only write toenclose the enclosed. I have consigned your button to oldRichard. Adieu!

(234) Lord Melcombe died on the 28th of July: upon which eventthe title became extinct. -E. 

(235) Lady Mary Wortley Montagu died on the 21st August, in theseventy-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 toyou, for he insisted on enjoying all your ejaculations. He givesme a good account of your health and spirits, but does not saywhen you come hither. I hope the General, as well as yourbrother John, know how welcome they would be, if they wouldaccompany 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 toLord Ilchester, in Somersetshire, and I should not like not tosee you before the middle or end of next month. 

Mrs. Osborn has sent me the prints; they are woful; but that ismy fault and the engraver's, not yours, to whom I am equallyobliged; you don't tell me whether Mr. Bentley's play was actedor not, printed or not. 

There is another of the Queen's brothers come over. LadyNorthumberland made a pompous festino for him t'other night; notonly the whole house, but the garden, was illuminated, and wasquite a fairy scene. Arches and pyramids of lights alternatelysurrounded the enclosure; a diamond necklace of lamps edged therails 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 acard. The birthday was far from being such a show; empty andunfine as possible. In truth, popularity does not make greatpromises to the new administration, and for fear it shouldhereafter be taxed with changing sides, it lets Lord Bute beabused every day, though he has not had time to do the leastwrong. His first levee was crowded. Bothmer, the Danishminister, said, "La chaleur est excessive!" George Selwynreplied, "Pour se mettre au froid, il faut aller chez Monsieur leDuc de Newcastle!" There was another George not quite SO tender. George Brudenel was passing by; somebody in the mob said, "Whatis the matter here?" Brudenel answered, "Why, there is aScotchman got into the treasury, and they can't get him out. "The Archbishop, conscious of not having been at Newcastle's lastlevee, and ashamed of appearing at Lord Bute's, first pretendedhe 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 aswell go in-I am glad he thought he might as well tell it. 

The mob call Buckingham-house, Holyrood-house; in short, everything promises to be like times I can remember. Lord Anson isdead; poor Mrs. Osborn will not break her heart; I should thinkLord 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 wasso good as to offer me for a day or two at this place; the truthis, I have been in Somersetshire on a visit, which was protractedmuch longer than I intended. I am now returned, and shall beglad to see you as soon as you please, Sunday or Monday next, ifyou like either, or any other day you will name. I cannot deferthe pleasure of seeing you any longer, though to my mortificationyou will find Strawberry Hill with its worst looks-not a blade ofgrass! My workmen too have disappointed me; they have been in theassociation for forcing their masters to raise their wages, andbut 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 plaitedwith superabundanCe of Spartan fortitude, I felicitate my owngood fortune who can circle this epistle with branches of thegentle olive, as well as crown it with victorious laurel. Thispompous paragraph, Madam, which in compliment to my LadyLyttelton 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 morejoy on the peace, which I find every body thinks is concluded. In truth, I havestill my doubts; and yesterday came news, which, if my Lord Butedoes not make haste, may throw a little rub in the way. Inshort, the Czar is dethroned. Some give the honour to his wife;others, who add the little circumstance of his being murderedtoo, ascribe the revolution to the Archbishop of Novogorod, who, like other priests, thinks assassination a less affront to Heaventhan three Lutheran churches. I hope the latter is the truth;because, in the honeymoonhood of Lady Cecilia's tenderness, Idon't know but she might miscarry at the thought of a wifepreferring a crown, and scandal says a regiment of grenadiers, toher husband. 

I have a little meaning in naming Lady Lyttelton and LadyCecilia, who I think are at Park-place. Was not there a promisethat you all three would meet Mr. Churchill and Lady Mary here inthe beginning of August! Yes, indeed was there, and I put in myclaim. Not confining your heroic and musical ladyships to a dayor a week; my time is at your command: and I wish the rain was atmine; for, if you or it do not come soon, I shall not have a leafleft. 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 letme 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'tpretend to send you great events, and I know no small ones. Nobody talks of any thing under a revolution. That in Russiaalarms me, . Lest Lady Mary should fall in love with the Czarina, who has deposed her Lord Coke, and set out for Petersburgh. Wethrow away a whole summer in writing Britons and North Britons;the Russians change sovereigns faster than Mr. Wilkes can choosea motto for a paper. What years were spent here in controversyon the abdication of King James, and the legitimacy of thePretender! Commend me to the Czarina. They doubted, that is, her husband did, whether her children were of genuineblood-royal. She appealed to the Preobazinski guards, excellentcasuists; and, to prove Duke Paul heir to the crown, assumed itherself. The proof was compendious and unanswerable. 

I trust you know that Mr. Conway has made a figure by taking thecastle of Waldeck. There has been another action to PrinceFerdinand's advantage, but no English were engaged. 

You tantalize me by talking of the verdure of Yorkshire; we havenot had a teacupfull of rain till to-day for these six weeks. Corn has been reaped that never wet its lips; not a blade ofgrass; the leaves yellow and falling as in the end of October. In short, Twickenham is rueful; I don't believe Westphalia looksmore barren. Nay, we are forced to fortify ourselves too. Hanworth was broken open last night, though the family was allthere. Lord Vere lost a silver standish, an old watch, and hiswriting-box with fifty pounds in it. They broke it open in thepark, but missed a diamond ring which was found, and thetelescope, which by the weight of the case they had fancied fullof money. Another house in the middle of Sunbury has had thesame fate. I am mounting cannon on mybattlements. 

Your chateau, I hope, proceeds faster than mine. The carpentersare all associated for increase of wages; I have had but two menat work these five weeks. You know, to be sure, that Lady MaryWortley 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 cominghither, 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 thatI had not the pleasure of seeing you this week. Next week I amobliged to be in town on business. If you please, therefore, wewill postpone our meeting till the first of September; by whichtime, I flatter myself we shall be green, and I shall be able toshow you my additional apartment to more advantage. Unless youforbid me, I shall expect you, Sir, the very beginning of nextmonth. In the mean time, I will only thank you for the obligingand curious notes you have sent me, which will make a greatfigure 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 theVine, enclosing one directed for you: Mr. Chute says you didmention hearing from me there. I left your button too in townwith old Richard to be transmitted to you. Our droughtcontinues, though we have had one handsome storm. I have beenreading the story of Phaeton in the Metamorphoses; it is apicture of Twickenham. ArdetAthos, taurusque Cilix, etc. ; Mount Richmond burns, parched isPetersham: Parnassusque biceps, dry is Pope's grot, the nymphs ofClievden are burning to blackmoors, their faces are already asglowing as a cinder, Cycnus is changed into a swan: quodque suoTagus amne vehit, fluit ignibus aurum; my gold fishes are almostmolten. Yet this conflagration is nothing to that in Russia;what do you say to a czarina mounting her horse, and marching atthe head of fourteen thousand men, with a large train ofartillery, to dethrone her husband? Yet she is not the onlyvirago in that country; the conspiracy was conducted by thesister of the Czar's mistress, a heroine under twenty! They haveno fewer than two czars now in coops-that is, supposing thesegentle damsels have murdered neither of them. Turkey Will becomea moderate government; one must travel to frozen climates if onechooses to see revolutions in perfection. Here's room formeditation even to madness:" the deposed Emperor possessedMuscovy, was heir to Sweden, and the true heir of Denmark; allthe northern crowns centered in his person; one hopes he is in adungeon, that is, one hopes he is not assassinated. You cannotcrowd more matter into a lecture of morality, than iscomprehended in those few words. This is the fourth czarina thatyou and I have seen: to be sure, as historians, we have notpassed our time ill. Mrs. Anne Pitt, who, I suspect, envies theheroine of twenty a little, says, "The Czarina has only robbedPeter to pay Paul;" and I do not believe that her brother, Mr. William Pitt, feels very happy, that he cannot immediatelydespatch a squadron to the Baltic to reinstate the friend of' theKing of Prussia. I cannot afford to live less than fifty yearsmore; for so long, I suppose, at least, it will be before thecourt of Petersburgh will cease to produce amusing scenes. Thinkof old Count Biren, former master of that empire, returning toSiberia, and bowing to Bestucheff, whom he may meet on the roadfrom thence. I interest myself now about nothing but Russia;Lord Bute must be sent to the Orcades before I shall ask aquestion in English politics; at least I shall expect that Mr. Pitt, at the head of the Preobazinski guards, will seize theperson of the prime minister for giving up our conquests to thechief enemy of this nation. 

My pen is in such a sublime humour, that it can scarce condescendto tell you that Sir Edward Deering is going to marry Polly Hart, Danvers's old mistress; and three more baronets, whose namesnobody knows, but Collins, are treading in the same steps. 

My compliments to the House of' Montagu-upon my word Icongratulate the General and you, and your viceroy, that youescaped 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 willkindly be once more the channel of our correspondence; and thatyou will be so good as to convey to him an answer to what youcommunicated from him to me, and in particular my thanks for themost obliging offer he has made me of a picture of Henry VII. ; ofwhich I will by no means rob him. My view in publishing theAnecdotes was, to assist gentlemen in discovering the hands ofpictures they possess: and I am sufficiently rewarded when thatpurpose is answered. If there is another edition, the mistake inthe calculation of the tapestry shall be rectified, and anyothers, which any gentleman will be so good as to point out. With regard to the monument of Sir Nathaniel Bacon, Vertuecertainly describes it as at Culford; and in looking Into theplace to which I am referred, in Mr. Master's History of CorpusChristi College, I think he himself allows in the note, thatthere is such a monument at Culford. Of Sir Balthazar Gerberthere are several different prints. Nich. Lanicre purchasingpictures at the King's sale, is undoubtedly a mistake for one ofhis brothers--I cannot tell now whether Vertue's mistake or myown. At Longleafe is a whole-length of Frances Duchess ofRichmond, exactly such as Mr. Masters describes, but inoil. I have another whole-length of the same duchess, I believeby Mytins, but younger than that at Longleafe. But the bestpicture of her is in Wilson's life of King James, and verydiverting indeed. I Will not trouble you, Sir, or Mr. Masters, with any more at present; but, repeating my thanks to both, willassure 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 crineTempera cingebat de qualibet arbore Phoebus. (238)

This is a hint to you, that Phoebus, who was certainly yoursuperior, could take up with a chestnut garland, or any crown hefound, 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-gardenGermany, and by the way have made me shudder with your lastjournal: but you must be easy with qu`alibet other arbore; youmust come home to your own plantations. The Duke of Bedford isgone in a fury to make peace, for he cannot be even pacific withtemper; and by this time I suppose the Duke de Nivernois isunpacking his portion of olive dans la rue de Suffolk-street. Isay, I suppose- -for I do not, like my friends at Arthur's, whipinto my postchaise to see every novelty. My two sovereigns, theDuchess of Grafton and Lady Mary Coke, are arrived, and yet Ihave seen neither Polly nor Lucy. The former, I hear, isentirely French; the latter as absolutely English. 

Well! but if you insist on not doffing your cuirass, you may findan opportunity of wearing it. The storm thickens. The city ofLondon are ready to hoist their standard; treason is the bon-tonat that end of the town; seditious papers pasted up at everycorner: nay, my neighbourhood is not unfashionable; we have hadthem at Brentford and Kingston. The Peace is the cry; but tomake weight, they throw in all the abusive ingredients they cancollect. They talk of your friend the Duke of Devonshire'sresigning; and, for the Duke of Newcastle, it puts him so much inmind of the end of Queen Anne's time, that I believe he hopes tobe minister again for another forty years. 

In the mean time. There are but dark news from the Havannah; theGazette, who would not fib for the world, says, we have lost butfour officers; the World, who is not quite so scrupulous, says, our loss is heavy. But whit shocking notice to those who haveHarry Conways there! The Gazette breaks off with saying, thatthey were to storm the next day! Upon the whole, it is regardedas a preparative to worse news. 

Our next monarch was christened last night, George AugustusFrederick; the Princess, the Duke of Cumberland, and the Duke ofMecklenburgh, sponsors, ; the ceremony performed by the Bishop ofLondon. The Queen's bed, magnificent, and they say in taste, wasplaced in the great drawing-room: though she is not to seecompany in form, yet it looks as if they had intended peopleshould have been there, as all who presented themselves wereadmitted, which were very few, for it had not been notified; Isuppose to prevent too great a crowd: all I have heard named, besides those in waiting, were the Duchess of Queensbury, LadyDalkeith, Mrs. Grenville, and about four more ladies. 

My Lady Ailesbury is abominable: she settled a party to comehither, and Put it off a month; and now she has been here andseen my cabinet, she ought to tell you what good reason I had notto stir. If she has not told you that it is the finest, theprettiest, the newest and the oldest thing in the world, I willnot go to Park-place on the 20th, as I have promised. Oh! buttremble you may for me, though you will not for yourself--all myglories were on the point of vanishing last night in a flame!The chimney of the new gallery, which chimney is full ofdeal-boards, and which gallery is full of shavings was on fire ateight o'clock. Harry had quarrelled with the other servants, andwould not sit in thekitchen; and to keep up his anger, had lighted a vast fire in theservants' hall, which is under the gallery. The chimney tookfire; and if Margaret had not smelt it with the first nose thatever 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 arenot, I will never live in a panic for three or four years for youagain. 

I have had Lord March and the Rena(239) here for One night, whichdoes not raise my reputation in the neighbourhood, and may usherme again for a Scotchman into the North Briton. (240) I have hadtoo 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 meto get him a place. The North Briton first recommended me for anemployment, and has now given me interest -. It the backstairs. It is a notion, that whatever is said of one, has generally somekind of foundation: surely I am a contradiction to this maxim!yet, was I of consequence enough to be remembered, perhapsposterity would believe that I was a flatterer! Good night! Yoursever. 

(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 theabilities of the Scotch in the Royal and Noble Authors, firstdrew upon him the notice of the North Briton. ("The Scotch arethe most accomplished nation in Europe; the nation to which, ifany one country is endowed with a superior partition of sense, Ishould 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 Igo to town on Monday to restore the furniture of my house, whichhas been painted; and to stop the gaps as well as I can, which Ihave made by bringing away every thing hither; but as long asthere are auctions, and I have money or hoards, those wounds soonclose. 

I can tell you nothing of your dame Montagu and her arms; but Idare to swear Mr. Chute can. I did not doubt but you wouldapprove Mr. Bateman's, since it has changed its religion; Iconverted it from Chinese to Gothic. His cloister of founders, which by the way is Mr. Bentley's, is delightful; I envy him hisold chairs, and the tomb of Bishop Caducanus; but I do not agreewith you in preferring the Duke's to Stowe. The first is in agreater style, I grant, but one always perceives the mesalliance, the blood of Bagshot-heath will never let it be green, If Stowehad but half so many buildings as it has, there would be toomany; but that profusion that glut enriches, and makes it looklike a fine landscape of Albano; one figures oneself in Tempe orDaphne. I never saw St. Leonard's-hill; would you spokeseriously of buying it! one could stretch out the arm from one'spostchaise, and reach you when one would. 

I am here all in ignorance and rain, and have seen nobody thesetwo days since I returned from Park-place. I do not know whetherthe mob hissed my Lord Bute at his installation, (241) as theyintended, or whether my lord Talbot drubbed them for it. I knownothing of the peace, nor of the Havannah; but I could tell youmuch of old English engravers, whose lives occupy me at present. On Sunday I am to dine with your prime minister Hamilton; forthough I do not seek the world, and am best pleased when quiethere, I do not refuse its invitations, whet) it does not pressone 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. Thatfavour is only granted to the elect, to Greatworth, and a veryfew more spots. Adieu!

(241) The ceremony of the installation of Prince William and Lord Bute, as knights of the garter, tookplace 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 Monsieurde Nivernois will shut the temple of Janus. We do not believehim quite so much in earnest as the dove(242) we have sent, whohas summoned his turtle to Paris. She sets out the day afterto-morrow, escorted, to add gravity to the embassy, by GeorgeSelwyn. The stocks don't mind this journey of a rush, but drawin their horns every day. We can learn nothing of the Havannah, though the axis of which the whole treaty turns. We believe, forwe have never seen them, that the last letters thence broughtaccounts of great loss, especially by the sickness. ColonelBurgoyne(243) has given a little fillip to the Spaniards, andshown them, that though they can take Portugal from thePortuguese, it will not be entirely so easy to wrest it from theEnglish. Lord Pulteney, (244) and my nephew, (245) LadyWaldegrave's brother, distinguished themselves. I hope yourhereditary Prince is recovering of the wounds in his loins; forthey say he is to marry Princess Augusta. 

Lady Ailesbury has told you, to be sure, that I have been at Parkplace. Every thing there is in beauty; and, I should think, pleasanter than a campaign in Germany. Your Countess ishandsomer than Fame; your daughter improving every day; yourplantations more thriving than the poor woods about Marburg andCassel. Chinese pheasants swarm there. For Lady CeciliaJohnston, I assure you, she sits close upon her egg, and it willnot be her fault if she does not hatch a hero. We missed all theglories of the installation, and all the faults, and all thefrowning faces there. Not a knight was absent but the lame andthe deaf. 

Your brother, Lady Hertford, and Lord Beauchamp, are gone fromWindsor into Suffolk. Henry, (246) who has the genuineindifference of a Harry Conway, would not stir from Oxford forthose pageants. Lord Beauchamp showed me a couple of hisletters, which have more natural humour and cleverness than isconceivable. They have the ease and drollery of a man of partswho has lived long in the world--and he is scarce seventeen!

I am going to Lord Waldegrave's for a few days, and, when yourCountess 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 thewarmest declaimers at Arthur's against the present system. Abusecontinues in much plenty, but I have seen none that I thought hadwit enough to bear the sea. Good night. There are satiricprints 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 reverendmidwife, Thomas Secker, archbishop, did christen the babe, andnot the Bishop of London, as I had been told by matron authority. Apropos to babes: have you read Rousseau on Education? I almostgot through a volume at Park-place, though impatiently; it hasmor(-tautology than any of his works, and less eloquence. Surehe has writ more sense and more nonsense than ever any man did ofboth! All I have yet learned from this work is, that one shouldhave a tutor for one's son to teach him to have no ideas, inorder that he may begin to learn his alphabet as he loses hismaidenhead. 

Thursday noon, 30th. 

lo Havannah! Lo Albemarle! I had sealed my letter, and given itto Harry for the post, when my Lady Suffolk sent me a short notefrom Charles Townshend, to say the Havannah surrendered on the12th of August, and that we have taken twelve ships of the linein the harbour. The news came late last night. I do not know aparticular more. God grant no more blood be shed! I have hopesagain of the peace. My dearest Harry, now we have preserved youto the last moment, do take care of yourself. When one has awhole war to wade through, it is not worth while to be careful inany one battle; but it is silly to fling one's self away in thelast. Your character is established; Prince Ferdinand's lettersare full of encomiums on you; but what will weigh more with you, save yourself for another war, which I doubt you will live tosee, and in which you may be superior commander, and have spaceto display your talents. A second in service is neverremembered, whether the honour of the victory be owing to him -. Or be killed. Turenne would have a very short paragraph, if thePrince 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 deLippe, commanded the British troops sent to the relief ofPortugal. 

(244) Only son of William Pulteney, Earl of Bath. He died beforehis father. 

(245) Edward, only son of sir Edward Walpole. He died in 1771. 

(246), Henry Seymour Conway, second son of Francis, Earl andafterwards 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 youenough to make it a second visit. I could name the timeinstantly, but you threaten me with coming so loaded withpresents, that it will look mercenary, not friendly, to acceptyour visit. If your chaise is empty, to be sure I shall rejoiceto hear it at my gate about the 22d of this next month: if it iscrammed, though I have built a convent, I have not SO much of themonk in me as not to blush-nor can content myself with praying toour Lady of Strawberries to reward you. 

I am greatly obliged to you for the accounts from Gothurst. Whattreasures there are still in private seats, if one knew where tohunt them! The emblematic picture of Lady Digby is like that atWindsor, and the fine small one at Mr. Skinner's. I should becurious to see the portrait of Sir Kenelm's father; was not hethe remarkable Everard Digby?(247) How singular too is thepicture of young Joseph and Madam Potiphar! His Mujora--one hasheard of Josephs that did not find the lady's purse anyhinderance to Majora. 

You are exceedingly obliging, in offering to make an index to myprints, Sir; but that would be a sad way of entertaining you. Iam antiquary and virtuoso enough myself not to dislike suchemployment, but could never think it charming enough to troubleany body else with. Whenever you do me the favour of cominghither, you will find yourself entirely at liberty to choose yourown amusements--if you choose a bad one, and in truth there isnot very good, you must blame yourself, while you know I hopethat it would be my wish that you did not repent your favours to, Sir, etc. 

(247) Executed in 1605, as a conspirator in the GunpowderPlot. -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 arefull of joy. Nobody partakes more of your satisfaction for Mr. Hervey's(248) safe return; and now he is safe, I trust you enjoyhis glory: for this is a wicked age; you are one of thoseun-Lacedaemonian mothers, that are not content unless yourchildren come off with all their limbs. A Spartan countess wouldnot have had the confidence of my Lady Albemarle to appear in thedrawing-room without at least one of her sons being knocked onthe head. (249) However, pray, Madam, make my compliments to her;one must conform to the times, and congratulate people for beinghappy, if they like it. I know one matron, however, with whom Imay condole; who, I dare swear, is miserable that she has not oneof her acquaintance in affliction, and to whose door she mightdrive with all her sympathizing greyhounds to inquire after her, and then to Hawkins's, and then to Graham's, and then cry over aball 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 andmake you a visit. There is another ingredient I hope not quitedisagreeable that Mr. Hervey has brought with him, un-Lacedaemonian too, but admitted among the other vices of oursystem. If besides glory and riches they have brought us peace, I will make a bonfire myself, though it should be in themayoralty of that virtuous citizen Mr. Beckford. Adieu, Madam!

(248) General William Hervey, youngest son of Lady Hervey; whohad just returned from the Havannah. 

(249) Lady Anne Lenox, Countess of Albemarle, had three sonspresent at the taking of the Havannah. The eldest, LordAlbemarle, commanded the land forces; the second, afterwards LordKeppel, was then captain of a man of war; and the third wascolonel 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, butshould rejoice your sole command(250) disappointed you, if thislate cannonading business(251) did not destroy all my littleprospects. Can one believe the French negotiators are sincere, when their marshals are so false? What vexes me more is to hearyou seriously tell your brother that you are always unlucky, andlose 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, wouldforget you the first lord mayor's day, or for the first hyenathat 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 wishyou were as worthless and as great as the King of Prussia! Ifconscience is a punishment, is not it a reward too? Go to thatsilent tribunal, and be satisfied with its sentence. 

I have nothing new to tell you. The Havannah is more likely tobreak off the peace than to advance it. (252) We are not in ahumour to give up the world; anza, are much more disposed toconquer the rest of it. We shall have some commanding here, Ibelieve, if we sign the peace. Mr. Pitt, from the bosom of hisretreat, has made Beckford mayor. The Duke of Newcastle, if nottaken in again, will probably end his life as he began it-at thehead of a mob. Personalities and abuse, public and private, increase to the most outrageous degree, and yet the town is atthe emptiest. You may guess what will be the case in a month. Ido not see at all into the storm: I do not mean that there willnot be a great majority to vote any thing; but there are timeswhen even majorities cannot do all they are ready to do. LordBute has certainly great luck, which is something in politics, whatever it is in logic: but whether peace or war, I would notgive him much for the place he will have this day twelvemonth. Adieu! The watchman goes past one in the morning; and as I havenothing better than reflections and conjectures to send YOU, Imay as well go to bed. 

(250) During Lord Granby's absence from the army in Flanders, thecommand 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 struckwith the noble capture of the Havannah, which fell into our handson the Prince of Wales's birthday, as a just punishment upon theSpaniards for their unjust quarrel with us, and for the supposeddifficulties they have raised in the negotiation for peace. Bywhat I hear from Paris, my old acquaintance Grimaldi is the causeof the delay in signing the preliminaries, insisting upon pointsneither France nor England would ever consent to grant, such asthe liberty of fishing at Newfoundland; a point we should notdare to yield, as Mr. Pitt told them, though they were masters ofthe Tower of London. What effect the taking of the Havannah willhave is uncertain; for the Spaniards have nothing to give us inreturn. "-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; yourKing's cousin is to cross over and figure in with GeorgeGrenville; the latter takes the admiralty, Lord Halifax theseals--still, I believe, reserving Ireland for pocket-money; atleast no new viceroy is named. Mr. Fox undertakes the House ofCommons--and the peace--and the war--for if we have the first, wemay be pretty sure of the second. (253)

you see Lord Bute totters; reduced to shift hands so often, itdoes not look like much stability. The campaign at Westminsterwill be warm. When Mr. Pitt can have such a mouthful as LordBute, Mr. Fox, and the peace, I do not think three thousandpounds a year will stop it. Well, I shall go into my old cornerunder the window, and laugh I had rather sit by my fire here; butif there are to be bull-feasts, one would go and see them, whenone has a convenient box for nothing, and is very indifferentabout the cavalier combatants. Adieu!

(253) In a letter to Mr. Pitt, of this day's date, Mr. Nuthallgives the ex-minister the following account of these changes:--"Mr. Fox kissed hands yesterday, as one of the cabinet; LordHalifax, as secretary of state, and Mr. George Grenville, asfirst 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 LordBute, who opened to him this new system, and offered him thesecretaryship of the plantations and board of trade, which he notonly refused, but refused all connexion and intercourse whateverwith the new counsellor, and spoke out freely. He was afterwardsthree times in with the King, to whom be was more explicit, andsaid 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 Isuppose you smile a little in your sleeve to hear me turnmoralist. Yet why should not I? Must every absurd young manprove a foolish old one? Not that I intend, when the latter termis quite arrived, to profess preaching; nor should, I believe, have talked so gravely to you, if your situation had not made megrave. Till the campaign is ended, I shall be in no humour tosmile. For the war, when it will be over, I have no idea. Thepeace is a jack o' lanthorn that dances before one's eyes, isnever approached, and at best seems ready to lead some folliesinto 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 tellyou of this last resolution, which has brought Mr. Fox again uponthe scene. I have been in town but once since; yet learnedenough to confirm the opinion I had conceived, that the buildingtotters, and that this last buttress will but push on its fall. Besides the clamorous opposition already encamped, the worldtalks of another, composed of names not so often found in amutiny. What think you of the great Duke, (254) and the littleDuke, (255) and the old Duke, (256) and the Derbyshire Duke, (257)banded together against the favourite?(258) If so, it proves theCourt, as the late Lord G * * * wrote to the mayor of Litchfield, will have a majority in every thing but numbers. However, myletter is a week old before I write it: things may have changedsince last Tuesday. Then the prospect was des plus gloomy. Portugal at the eve of being conquered--Spain preferring a diademto the mural crown of the Havannah--a squadron taking horse forNaples, to see whether King Carlos has any more private bowelsthan public, whether he is a better father than brother. If whatI heard yesterday be true, that the Parliament is to be put offtill the 24th, it does not look as if they were ready in thegreen-room, and despised catcalls. 

You bid me send you the flower of brimstone, the best thingspublished in this season of outrage. I should not have waitedfor orders, if I had met with the least tolerable morsel. Butthis opposition ran stark mad at once, cursed, swore, callednames, and has not been one minute cool enough to have a grain ofwit. Their prints are gross, their papers scurrilous: indeed theauthors abuse one another more than any body else. I have notseen a single ballad or epigram. They are as seriously dull asif the controversy was religious. I do not take in a paper ofeither side; and being very indifferent, the only way of beingimpartial, they shall not make me pay till they make me laugh. Iam here quite' alone, and shall stay a fortnight longer, unlessthe Parliament prorogued lengthens my holidays. I do not pretendto be so indifferent, to have so little curiosity, as not to goand see the Duke of Newcastle frightened for his country--theonly thing that never yet gave him a panic. Then I am still sucha schoolboy, that though I could guess half their orations, andknow all their meaning, I must go and hear Caesar and Pompeyscold in the Temple of Concord. As this age is to make such afigure hereafter, how the Gronoviuses and Warburtons woulddespise a senator that deserted the forum when the masters of theworld harangued! For, as this age is to be historic, so ofcourse it will be a standard of virtue too; and we, like ourwicked predecessors the Romans, shall be quoted, till our veryghosts blush, as models of patriotism and magnanimity. Whatlectures will be read to poor children on this era! Europe taughtto tremble, the great King humbled, the treasures of Perudiverted into the Thames, Asia subdued by the gigantic Clive! forin that age men were near seven feet high; France suing for peaceat the gates of Buckingham-house, the steady wisdom of the Dukeof Bedford drawing a circle round the Gallic monarch, andforbidding him to pass it till he had signed the cession ofAmerica; Pitt more eloquent than Demosthenes, and trampling onproffered pensions like-I don't know who; Lord Temple sacrificinga brother to the love of his country; Wilkes as spotless asSallust, and the Flamen Churchill(259) knocking down the foes ofBritain with statues of the gods!-Oh! I am out of breath witheloquence and prophecy, and truth and lies; my narrow chest wasnot formed to hold inspiration! I must return to piddling withmy painters: those lofty subjects are too much for me. Goodnight!

P. S. I forgot to tell -you that Gideon, who is dead worth morethan the whole land of canaan, has left the reversion of all hismilk and honey, after his son and daughter and their children, tothe Duke of Devonshire, without insisting on his taking the name, or even being circumcised. Lord Albemarle is expected home inDecember. My nephew Keppel(260) is Bishop of Exeter, not of theHavannah, as you may imagine, for his mitre was promised the daybefore 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 ofAlbemarle, who commanded at taking the Havannah, had marriedLaura, 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 honourMadame de Chabot, (261) does me; and yet, if she is not gone, Iwould fain not appear ungrateful. I do not know where she lives, or I would not take the liberty again of making your ladyship mypenny-post. If she is gone, you will throw my note into thefire. 

Pray, Madam, blow your nose with a piece of flannel-not that Ibelieve it will do you the least good--but, as all wise folksthink it becomes them to recommend nursing and flannelling thegout, imitate them; and I don't know any other way of lapping itup, when it appears in the person of a running cold. I will makeit a visit on Tuesday next, and shall hope to find it tolerablyvented. 

P. S. You must tell me all the news when I arrive, for I knownothing of what is passing. I have only seen in the papers, thatthe cock and hen doves(262) that went to Paris not having beenable to make peace, there is a third dove(263) just flown thitherto 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. Thisday se'nnight the Duke of Devonshire came to town, was flatlyrefused an audience, and gave up his key. Yesterday LordRockingham resigned, and your cousin Manchester was named to thebedchamber. The King then in council called for the book, anddashed out the Duke of Devonshire's name. If you like spirit, enVoila! Do you know I am sorry for all this? You will notsuspect me of tenderness for his grace of Devonshire, nor, recollecting how the whole house of Cavendish treated me on mybreach with my uncle, will any affronts, that happen to them, call forth my tears. But I think the act too violent and tooserious, and dipped in a deeper dye than I like in politics. Squabbles, and speeches, and virtue, and prostitution, amuse onesometimes; less and less indeed every day; but measures, fromwhich 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 obligingletter, was solely owing to my not knowing whither to direct toyou. I waited till I thought you may be returned home. Thankyou for all the trouble you have given, and do give yourself forme; it is vastly more than I deserve. 

Duke Richard's portrait I willingly wave, at least for thepresent, till one can find out who he is. I have more curiosityabout the figures of Henry VII. At Christ's College. I shall beglad some time or other to visit them, to see how far either ofthem 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 noneof 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, mypostchaise points more and more to Naples. Yet Strawberry, likea mistress, As oft as I descend the hill of health, Washes myhold away. Your company would have made me decide much faster, but I see I have little hopes of that, nor can I blame you; Idon't use so rough a word with regard to myself, but to yourpursuing your amusement, which I am sure the journey Would be. Inever doubted your kindness to me one moment; the affectionatemanner in which you offered, three weeks ago, to accompany me toBath, Will never be forgotten. I do not think my complaint veryserious: for how can it be so, when it has never confined me awhole day? But my mornings are so bad, and I have had so muchmore pain this last week, with restless nights, that I amconvinced it must not be trifled with. Yet I think Italy wouldbe the last thing I would try, if it were 'not to avoid politics:yet I hear nothing else. The court and opposition both grow moreviolent every day from the same cause; the victory of the former. Both sides torment me with their affairs, though it is so plain Ido not care a straw about either. I wish I -were great enough tosay, as a French officer on the stage at Paris said to the pit, "Accordez vous, canaille!" Yet to a man without ambition orinterestedness, politicians are canaille. Nothing appears to memore ridiculous in my life than my having ever loved theirsquabbles, and that at an age when I loved better things too! Mypoor neutrality, which thing I signed with all the world, subjects me, like other insignificant monarchs on paralleloccasions, to affronts. On Thursday I was summoned to PrincessEmily's loo. Loo she called it, politics it was. The secondthing 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 atime-server! Well, we sat down. She said, "I hear Wilkinson isturned 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 likethat Winnington?" "I can't but say I did, Madam. " She shruggedher shoulders, and continued; "Winnington originally was a greatTory; what do you think he was when he died?" "Madam, I believewhat all people are in place. " Pray, Mr. Montagu, do youperceive any thing rude or offensive in this? Hear then: sheflew into the most outrageous passion, Coloured like scarlet, andsaid, "None of your wit; I don't understand joking on thosesubjects; what do you think your father would have said if he hadheard you say so? He Would have murdered you, and you would havedeserved it. " I was quite Confounded and amazed; it wasimpossible to explain myself across a loo-table, as she is sodeaf: there was no making a reply to a woman and a Princess, andparticularly for me, who have made it a rule, when I mustconverse with royalties, to treat them with the greatest respect, since it is all the court they will ever have from me. I said tothose on each side of me, "What can I do? I cannot explainmyself now. " Well, I held my peace, and so did she for a quarterof an hour. Then she began with me again, examined me on thewhole debate, and at last asked me directly, which I thought thebest speaker, my father or Mr. Pitt. If possible, this was moredistressing than her anger. I replied, it was impossible tocompare two men so different: that I believed my father was morea man of business than Mr. Pitt. "Well, but Mr. Pitt'slanguage?" "Madam, " said I, "I have always been remarkable foradmiring Mr. Pitt's language. " At last, this unpleasant sceneended; but as we were going away, I went close to her, and said, "Madam, I must beg leave to explain myself; your royal highnesshas seemed to be very angry with me, and I am sure I did not meanto offend you: all I intended to say was, that I supposed Torieswere Whigs when they got places!" "Oh!" said she, "I am verymuch obliged to you; indeed, I was very angry. " Why she wasangry, or what she thought I meaned, I do not know to thismoment, unless she supposed that I would have hinted that theDuke of Newcastle and the opposition were not men of consummatevirtue, and had lost their places out of principle. The veryreverse was at that time in my head; for I meaned that the Torieswould be just as loyal as the Whigs, when they got any thing byit. 

You will laugh at my distresses, and in truth they are littleserious yet they almost put me out of humour. If your cousinrealizes his fair words to you, I shall be very good-humouredagain. I am not so morose as to dislike my friends for being inplace; indeed, if they are in great place, my friendship goes tosleep like a paroli at pharaoh, and does not wake again tilltheir 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 ofthanking you. You do nothing but give yourself trouble and mepresents. My cousin Calthorpe is a great rarity, and I think Iought, therefore, to return him to you; but that would not betreating him like a relation, or you like afriend. My ancestor's epitaph, too, was very agreeable to me. 

I have not been at Strawberry Hill these three weeks. My maid isill there, and I have not been well myself with the same flyinggout in my stomach and breast, of which you heard me complain alittle in the summer. I am much persuaded to go to a warmerclimate, which often disperses these unsettled complaints. I donot care for it, nor can determine till I see I grow worse: if Ido (To, I hope it will not be for long; and you shall certainlyhear again before I set out. 

Letter 147To The Hon. H. S. Conway. 

Strawberry Hill, Feb. 28, 1763. (page 203)

Your letter of the 19th seems to postpone your arrival ratherthan advance it; yet Lady Ailesbury tells me that to her youtalk of being here in ten days. I wish devoutly to see you, though I am not departing myself; but I am impatient to haveyour disagreeable function(264) at an end, and to know that YOUenjoy Yourself after such fatigues, dangers, and ill-requitedservices. For any public satisfaction you will receive inbeing at home, you must not expect much. Your mind was notformed to float on the surface of a mercenary world. My prayer(and my belief) is, that you may always prefer what you alwayshave preferred, your integrity to success. You will thenlaugh, as I do, at the attacks and malice of faction orministers. I taste of both; but, as my health is recovered, and My Mind does not reproach me, they will perhaps only giveme an opportunity, which I should never have sought, of provingthat I have some virtue--and it will not be proved in the waythey probably expect. I have better evidence than by hangingout the tattered ensigns of patriotism. But this and athousand other things I shall reserve for our meeting. Yourbrother has pressed me much to go with him, if he goes, toParis. (265) I take it very kindly, but have excused myself, though I have promised either to accompany him for a short timeat first, or to go to him if he should have any particularoccasion for me: but my resolution against ever appearing inany public light is unalterable. When I wish to live less andless in the world here, I cannot think of mounting a new stageat Paris. At this moment I am alone here, while every body isballoting in the House of Commons. Sir John Philips proposed acommission of accounts, which has been converted into a selectcommittee of twenty-one, eligible by ballot. As the ministryis not predominant in the affections of mankind, some of themmay find a jury elected that will not be quite so complaisantas the House is in general when their votes are given openly. As many may be glad of this opportunity, I shun it; for Ishould scorn to do any thing in secret, though I have someenemies that are not quite so generous. 

You say you have seen the North Briton, in which I make acapital figure. Wilkes, the author, I hear, says, that if hehad thought I should have taken it so well, he would have beendamned before he would have written it-but I am not sore whereI am not sore. 

The theatre of Covent-garden has suffered more by riots thaneven Drury-lane. (266) A footman of Lord Dacre has been hangedfor murdering the butler. George Selwyn had great hand inbringing him to confess it. That Selwyn should be a capitalperformer in a scene of that kind is not extraordinary: I tellit you for the strange coolness which the young fellow, who wasbut nineteen, expressed: as he was writing his confession, "Imurd--" he stopped, and asked, "how do you spell murdered?"

Mr. Fox is much better than at the beginning of the winter; andboth his health and power seem to promise a longer durationthan people expected. Indeed, I think the latter is soestablished, that poor Lord Bute would find it more difficultto remove him, than he did his predecessors, and may even feelthe effects of the weight he has made over to him; for it isalready obvious that Lord Bute's lev`ee is not the present pathto fortune. Permanence is not the complexion of these times--adistressful circumstance to the votaries of a court, butamusing to us spectators. Adieu!

(264) The re-embarkation of the British troops from Flandersafter the peace. 

(265) An ambassador. 

(266. In January, there was a riot at Drury-lane, inconsequence of the managers refusing admittance at the end ofthe third act of a play for half-price; when the glass lustreswere broken and thrown upon the stage, the benches torn up, andthe performance put a stop to. The same scene was threatenedon the following evening, but was prevented by Garrick'sconsenting to give admittance at half-price after the thirdact, except during the first winter of a new pantomime. AtCovent-garden, the redress demanded having been acceded to, nodisturbance took place on that occasion; but a more seriousriot happened on the 24th of February, in consequence of ademand for full prices at the opera of Artaxerxes. Themischief done was estimated at not less than two thousandpounds. -E. 

Letter 148 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, March 29, 1763. (page 205)

Though you are a runaway, a fugitive, a thing without friendshipor feeling, though you grow tired of your acquaintance in halfthe time you intended, I will not quite give you up: I will writeto you once a quarter, just to keep up a connexion that grace maycatch at, if it ever proposes to visit you. This is my plan, forI have little or nothing to tell you. The ministers only cut oneanother's throats instead of ours. They growl over their preylike two curs over a bone, which neither can determine to quit;and the whelps in opposition are not strong enough to beat eitherway, though like the species, they will probably hunt the onethat shall be worsted. The saddest dog of all, Wilkes, showsmost spirit. The last North Briton is a masterpiece of mischief. He has written a dedication too to an old play, the Fall ofMortimer, that is wormwood; and he had the impudence t'other dayto 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 isusual to give dedicators something; I wish you would put hislordship in mind of it. " Lord and Lady Pembroke are reconciled, and live again together. (267) Mr. Hunter would have taken hisdaughter too, but upon condition she should give back hersettlement to Lord Pembroke and her child: she replied nobly, that she did not trouble herself about fortune, and wouldwillingly depend on her father; but for her child, she hadnothing left to do but to take care of that, and would not partwith it; so she keeps both, and I suppose will soon have herlover again too, for T'other sister(268) has been sitting toReynolds, who by her husband's direction has made a speakingpicture. Lord Bolingbroke said to him, "You must give the eyessomething of Nelly O'Brien, or it will not do. " As he has givenNelly something of his wife's, it was but fair to give hersomething of Nelly's, and my lady will not throw away thepresent!

I am going to Strawberry for a few days, pour faire mes piques. The gallery advances rapidly. The ceiling is Harry the Seventh'schapel in proprid persona; the canopies are all placed; I thinkthree months will quite complete it. - I have bought at LordGranville's sale the original picture of Charles Brandon and hisqueen; and have to-day received from France a copy of MadameMaintenon, which with my La Vali`ere, and copies of MadameGrammont, and of the charming portrait of the Mazarine at theDuke of St. Alban's, is to accompany Bianca Capello and NinonL'Enclos in the round tower. I hope now there will never beanother auction, for I have not an inch of space, or a farthingleft. As I have some remains of paper, I will fill it up with asong that I made t'other day in the postchaise, after aparticular conversation that I had with Miss Pelham the nightbefore 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 sexSuch 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 weresisters. -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 Waldegravehas got the smallpox, and a bad sort. This day se'nnight, in theevening, I met him at Arthur's: he complained to me of theheadache, 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 wellin the morning. " He thanked me, said he was glad I had put himin mind of it, and he would take my advice. I sent in themorning; my niece said he had taken the powder, and that Jamesthought he had no fever, but that she found him very low. As hehad no fever, I had no apprehension. At eight o'clock on Fridaynight, I was told abruptly at Arthur's, that Lord Waldegrave hadthe small-pox. I was excessively shocked, not knowing if thepowder was good or bad for it. I went instantly to the house; atthe door I was met by a servant of Lady Ailesbury, sent to tellme that Mr. Conway was arrived. These two opposite strokes ofterror 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 oftears. The next morning, Lord Waldegrave hearing I was there, desired to speak to me alone. I should tell you, that the momenthe knew it was the small-pox, he signed his will. This has beenthe unvaried tenor of his behaviour, doing just what is wise andnecessary, and nothing more. He told me, he knew how great thechance was against his living through that distemper at his age. That, to be sure, he should like to have lived a few yearslonger; but if he did not, he should submit patiently. That allhe desired was, that if he should fail, we would do our utmost tocomfort his wife, who, he feared was breeding, and who, he added, was the best woman in the world. I told him he could not doubtour attention to her, but that at present all our attention wasfixed on him. That the great difference between having thesmall-pox young, or more advanced in years, consisted in the fearof the latter; but that as I had so often heard him say, and nowsaw, that he had none of those fears, the danger of age wasconsiderably lessened. Dr. Wilmot says, that if any thing saveshim, it will be his tranquillity. To my comfort I am told, thatJames's powder has probably been a material ingredient towardshis recovery. In the mean time, the universal anxiety about himis incredible. Dr. Barnard, the master of Eton, who is in townfor the holidays, says, that, from his situation, he is naturallyinvited to houses of all ranks and parties, and that the concernis general in all. I cannot say so much of my lord, and not do alittle justice to my niece too. Her tenderness, fondness, attention, and courage are surprising. She has no fears tobecome her, nor heroism for parade. I could not help saying toher, "There never was a nurse of your age had such attention. "She replied, "There never was a nurse of my age had such anobject. " It is this astonishes one, to see so much beautysincerely devoted to a man so unlovely in his person; but ifAdonis was sick, she could not stir seldomer out of hisbedchamber. The physicians seem to have little hopes, but, astheir arguments are not near so strong as their alarms, I own Ido not give it up, and yet I look on it in a very dangerouslight. 

I know nothing of news and of the world, for I go toAlbemarle-Street early in the morning, and don't come home tilllate at night. Young Mr. Pitt has been dying of a fever inBedfordshire. The Bishop of Carlisle, (269) whom I have appointedvisiter of Strawberry, is gone down to him. You will be muchdisappointed if you expect to find the gallery near finished. They threaten me with three months before the gilding can bebegun. Twenty points are at a stand by my present confinement, and I have a melancholy prospect of being forced to carry myniece thither the next time I go. The Duc de Nivernois, inreturn for a set of the Strawberry editions, has sent me fourseasons, which, I conclude, he thought good, but they shall passtheir whole round in London, for they have not even the merit ofbeing badly old enough for Strawberry. Mr. Bentley's epistle toLord Melcomb has been published in a magazine. It has less witby far than I expected from him, and to the full as bad English. The thoughts are old Strawberry phrases; so are not thepanegyrics. 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 ifMr. Wilkes will turn patriot-hero, or patriot-incendiary inearnest, and put himself at their head, he may obtain a rope ofmartyrdom before the summer is over. Adieu! I tell you mysorrows, because, if I escape them, I am sure nobody will rejoicemore. 

(269) Dr. Charles Lyttelton, consecrated Bishop of Carlisle in1762, in the room of Dr. Osbaldiston, translated to the see ofLondon. -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 thismoment left, I cannot forget you, who have so long been my steadyand invariable friend. I cannot leave it to newspapers andcorrespondents to tell you my loss. Lord Waldegrave died to-day. Last night he had some glimmerings of hope. The most despondingof the faculty flattered us a little. He himself joked with thephysicians, and expressed himself in this engaging manner: askingwhat day of the week it was; they told him Thursday: "Sure, " saidhe, "it is Friday. " "No, my lord, indeed it is Thursday. ""Well, " said he, "see what a rogue this distemper makes one; Iwant to steal nothing but a day. " By the help of opiates, withwhich, for two or three days, they had numbed his sufferings, herested well. This morning he had no worse symptoms. I told LadyWaldegrave, that as no material alteration was expected beforeSunday, I would go to dine at Strawberry, and return in time tomeet the physicians in the evening; in truth, I was worn out withanxiety and attendance, and wanted an hour or two of fresh air. I left her at twelve, and had ordered dinner at three that Imight be back early. I had not risen from table when I receivedan express from Lady Betty Waldegrave, to tell me that a suddenchange had happened, that they had given him James's powder, butthat they feared it was too late, and that he probably would bedead before I could come to my niece, for whose sake she begged Iwould return immediately. It was indeed too late! too late forevery thing--late as it was given, the powder vomited him even inthe agonies--had I had power to direct, he should never havequitted James; but these are vain regrets! vain to recollect howparticularly kind he, who was kind to every body, was to me! Ifound Lady Waldegrave at my brother's; she weeps without ceasing, and talks of his virtues and goodness to her in a manner thatdistracts one. My brother bears this mortification with morecourage than I could have expected from his warm passions: butnothing 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 paidher, from that splendour of fortune, so much of which dies withhim, and from that consideration, which rebounded to her from thegreat deference which the world had for his character. Visionsperhaps. Yet who could expect that they would have passed awayeven before that fleeting thing, her beauty!

If I had time or command enough of my thoughts, I could give youas long a detail of as unexpected a revolution in the politicalworld. To-day has been as fatal to a whole nation, I mean to theScotch, as to our family. Lord Bute resigned this morning. Hisintention was not even suspected till Wednesday, nor at all knowna very few days before. In short, there is nothing, more orless, than a panic; a fortnight's opposition has demolished thatscandalous but vast majority, which a fortnight had purchased;and in five months a plan of absolute power has been demolishedby a panic. He pleads to the world bad health; to his friends, more truly, that the nation was set at him. He pretends tointend retiring absolutely, and giving no umbrage. In the meantime he is packing up a sort of ministerial legacy, which cannothold even till next session, and I should think would scarce takeplace at all. George Grenville is to be at the head of thetreasury and chancellor of the exchequer; Charles Townshend tosucceed him; and Lord Shelburne, Charles. Sir Francis Dashwoodto have his barony of Despencer and the great wardrobe, in theroom of Lord Gower, who takes the privy seal, if the Duke ofBedford takes the presidentship; but there are many ifs in thisarrangement; the principal if is, if they dare stand a tempestwhich has so terrified the pilot. You ask what becomes of Mr. Fox? Not at all pleased with this sudden determination, which hasblown up so many of his projects, and left him time to heat nomore furnaces, he goes to France by the way of the House ofLords, (270) but keeps his place and his tools till something elsehappens. The confusion I suppose will be enormous, and the nextact of the drama a quarrel among the opposition, who would beall-powerful if they could do what they cannot, hold together andnot quarrel for the plunder. As I shall beat a distance for some days, I shall be able to send you no moreparticulars of this interlude, but you will like a pun my brothermade when he was told of this explosion: "Then, " said he, "theymust turn the Jacks out of the drawing-room again, and again takethem into the kitchen. " Adieu! what a world to set one's hearton!

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 yourfriendly good heart would feel for us just as you do. The lossis irreparable, (271) and my poor niece is sensible it is. Shehas such a veneration for her lord's memory, that if her sisterand I make her cheerful for a moment, she accuses herself of itthe next day to the Bishop of Exeter, (272) as if he was herconfessor, and that she had committed a crime. She cried for twodays to such a degree, that if she had been a fountain it musthave stopped. Till yesterday she scarce eat enough to keep heralive, and looks accordingly; but at her age she must becomforted: her esteem will last, but her spirits will return inspite of herself. Her lord has made her sole executrix, andadded what little douceurs he could to her jointure, which is buta thousand pounds a-year, the estate being but three-and-twentyhundred. The little girls will have about eight thousand poundsapiece; for the teller's place was so great during the war, thatnotwithstanding his temper was a sluice of generosity, he hadsaved thirty thousand pounds since his marriage. 

Her sisters have been here with us the whole time. LadyHuntingtower is all mildness and tenderness; and by dint ofattention I have not displeased the other. Lord Huntingtower hasbeen here once; the Bishop most of the time: he is veryreasonable and good-natured, and has been of great assistance andcomfort to me in this melancholy office, which is to last heretill Monday or Tuesday. We have got the eldest little girl too, Lady Laura, who is just old enough to be amusing; and last nightmy nephew arrived here from Portugal. It was a terrible meetingat first; but as he is very soldierly and lively, he got intospirits, and diverted us much with his relations of the war andthe country. He confirms all we have heard of the villany, poltroonery, and ignorance of the Portuguese, and of theiraversion to the English; but I could perceive, even through hisrelation, that our flippancies and contempt of them must havegiven a good deal of play to their antipathy. 

You are admirably kind, as you always are in inviting me toGreatworth, and proposing Bath; but besides its being impossiblefor me to take any journey just at present, I am really very wellin health, and the tranquillity and air of Strawberry have donemuch good. The hurry of London, where I shall be glad to be justnow, will dissipate the gloom that this unhappy loss hasoccasioned; though a deep loss I shall always think it. The timepasses tolerably here; I have my painters and gilders andconstant packets of news from town, besides a thousand letters ofcondolence to answer; for both my niece and I have receivedinnumerable testimonies of the regard that was felt for LordWaldegrave. I have heard of but one man who ought to have knownhis worth, that has shown no concern; but I suppose his childishmind is too much occupied with the loss of his lastgovernor. (273) I have given up my own room to my niece, and havetaken myself to the Holbein chamber, where I am retired from therest of the family when I choose it, and nearer to overlook myworkmen. The chapel is quite finished except the carpet. Thesable mass of the altar gives it a very sober air; for, notwithstanding the solemnity of the painted windows, it had agaudiness that was a little profane. 

I can know no news here but by rebound; and yet, though they areto rebound again to you, they will be as fresh as any you canhave at Greatworth. A kind of administration is botched up forthe present, and even gave itself an air of that fierceness withwhich the winter set out. Lord Hardwicke -was told, that hissons must vote with the court, or be turned out; he replied, ashe meant to have them in place, he chose they should be removednow. It looks ill for the court when he is sturdy. They wished, too, to have had Pitt, if they could have had him Withoutconsequences; but they don't find any recruits repair to theirstandard. They brag that they should have had Lord Waldegrave; amost notorious falsehood, as he had refused every offer theycould invent the day before he was taken ill. The Duke of'Cumberland orders his servants to say, that so far from joiningthem, he believes if Lord Waldecrave could have been foretold ofhis death, he would have preferred it to an union with Bute andFox. The former's was a decisive panic; so sudden, that it issaid Lord Egremont was sent to break his resolution of retiringto the King. The other, whose journey to France does notindicate much less apprehension, affects to walk in the streetsat the most public hours to mark his not trembling. In the meantime the two chiefs have paid their bravoes magnificently: noless than fifty-two thousand pounds a-year are granted inreversion! Young Martin, (274) Who is older than I am, is namedmy successor; but I intend he shall wait some years: if they hada mind to serve me, they could not have selected a fitter tool toset my character in a fair light by the comparison. Lord Bute'sson has the reversion of an auditor of the imprest; this is allhe has done ostensibly for his family, but the great thingsbestowed on the most insignificant objects, make me suspect someprivate compacts. Yet I may wrong him, but I do not mean it. Lord Granby has refused Ireland, and the Northumberlands are totransport their magnificence thither. (275) I lament that youmade so little of that voyage, but is this the season ofunrewarded merit? One should blush to be preferred within thesame year. Do but think that Calcraft is to be an Irish lord!Fox's millions, or Calcraft's tythes of millions, cannot purchasea grain of your virtue or character. Adieu!

(271) In September 1766, Lady Waldegrave became the wife of hisRoyal Highness William Henry Duke of Gloucester; by whom she wasmother of Prince William and of the Princess Sophia ofGloucester. -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 jointsecretaries of the treasury, named to succeed Walpole as usher ofreceipts of the exchequer, comptroller of the great roll, andkeeper of the foreign receipts. -E. 

(275) The Earl of Northumberland was gazetted on the 20th ofApril lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and on the 14th of May theMarquis 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 thecommission 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 doany thing reasonable that has been desired of her. But the houseand the business have shocked her terribly; she still eatsnothing, sleeps worse than she did, and looks dreadfully; I beginto think she will miscarry. She said to me t'other day, "theytell me that if my lord had lived, he might have done greatservice to his country at this juncture, by the respect allparties had for him. This is very fine; but as he did not liveto do those services, it will never be mentioned in history!" Ithought this solicitude for his honour charming. But he will beknown by history; he has left a small volume of Memoirs, that area chef-d'oeuvre. (276) He twiceshowed them to me, but I kept his secret faithfully; now it isfor his glory to divulge it. 

I and glad you are going to Dr. Lewis After an Irish voyage I donot wonder you want careening. I have often preached toyou--nay, and lived to you too; but my sermons were flung awayand my example. 

This ridiculous administration is patched up for the present; thedetail is delightful, but that I shall reserve forStrawberry-tide. Lord Bath has complained to Fanshaw of LordPulteney's(277) extravagance, and added, "if he had lived hewould have spent my whole estate. " This almost comes up to SirRobert Brown, who, when his eldest daughter was given over, butstill alive, on that uncertainty sent for an undertaker, andbargained for her funeral in hopes of having it cheaper, as itwas possible she might recover. Lord Bath has purchased theHatton vault in Westminster-abbey, squeezed his wife, son, anddaughter into it, reserved room for himself, and has set the restto sale. Come; all this is not far short of Sir Robert Brown. 

To my great satisfaction, the new Lord Holland has not taken theleast friendly, or even formal notice of me, on Lord Waldegrave'sdeath. It dispenses me from the least farther connexion withhim, and saves explanations, which always entertain the worldmore than satisfy. 

Dr. Cumberland is an Irish bishop; I hope before the summer isover that some beam from your cousin's portion of the triumviratemay light on poor Bentley. If he wishes it till next winter, hewill be forced to try still new sunshine. I have taken Mrs. Pritchard's house for Lady Waldegrave; I offered her to live withme 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 anold fairy were to appear and offer to endow him with her choicestgifts, I should cry out, "Powerful Goody, give him any thing butparts!"(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 bedchamberand member for Westminster. He died on the 16th of February. -E. 

(278) Lord Barrington, in a letter to Mr. Mitchell of the 19th ofApril, says, --"Charles Townshend accepted the admiralty onThursday, and went to kiss hands the next day; but he broughtPeter Burrell with him to court, and insisted he likewise shouldbe one of the board. Being told that Lords Howe and Digby wereto fill up the vacant seats at the admiralty, he declinedaccepting the office destined for him, and the next day receiveda 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, yourvision 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 theweather makes me wonder how you can find the country tolerablenow. This is a May-day for the latitude of Siberia! Themilkmaids should be wrapped in @the motherly comforts of aswanskin petticoat. In short, such hard words have passedbetween me and the north wind to-day, that, according to thelanguage of the times, I was very near abusing it for coming fromScotland, and to imputing it to Lord Bute. I don't know whetherI should not have written a North Briton against it, if theprinters were not all sent to Newgate, and Mr. Wilkes to theTower--ay, to the Tower, tout de bon. (279) The new ministry aretrying to make up for their ridiculous insignificance by a coupd'`eclat. As I came hither yesterday, I do not know whether theparticulars I have heard are genuine--but in the Tower hecertainly is, taken up by Lord Halifax's warrant for treason;vide the North Briton of Saturday was se'nnight. It is said herefused to obey the warrant, of which he asked and got a copyfrom the two messengers, telling them he did not mean to make hisescape, but sending to demand his habeas corpus, which wasrefused. 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 amtold, finds great fault with the wording of the warrant. 

I don't know how to execute your commission for books ofarchitecture, nor care to put you to expense, which I know willnot answer. I have been consulting my neighbour young Mr. ThomasPitt, (280) my present architect: we have all books of that sorthere, but, cannot think of one which will help you to a cottageor 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; norwithout immoderate expense can it well be an agreeable object. Mr. Pitt thinks a mere portico without a pediment, and windowsretrievable in summer, would be the best plan you could have. Ifso, don't you remember something of that kind, which you liked atSir Charles Cotterel's at Rousham? But a fine greenhouse must beon 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 becompleted these ten days. Shall they be sent to you by water?Good night to her ladyship and you, and the infanta, (281) whoseprogress in waxen statuary I hope advances so fast, that by nextwinter she may rival Rackstrow's old man. Do you know that, though apprised of what I was going to see, it deceived me, andmade such impression on my mind, that, thinking on it as I camehome in my chariot. And seeing a woman steadfastly at work in awindow 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 warrantdirected the printer, and all concerned (unnamed) to be taken up. Consequently Wilkes had his habeas corpus of course, and wascommitted again; moved for another in the common pleas, and is toappear there to-morrow morning. Lord Temple, by another strainof power refused admittance to him, said, "I thought this was theTower, but find it the Bastille. " They found among Wilkes'spapers an unpublished North Briton. Designed for It containsadvice 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 GeorgeSackville carry the sword. There was a dialogue in it toobetween Fox and Calcraft: the former says to the latter, "I didnot think you would have served me so, Jemmy Twitcher. "

(279) For his strictures in the North Briton, No. 45, on theKing'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 knewwhether it was in my power to give you satisfaction. Uponinquiry, and having conversed with some who could inform me, Ifind it would be very difficult to obtain so peremptory an orderfor dismissing fictitious invalids (as I think they may properlybe called), as you seem to think the state of the case requires;by any interposition of mine, quite impossible. Very difficult Iam told it would be to get them dismissed from our hospitals whenonce admitted, and subject to a clamour which, in the presentunsettled state of government, nobody would care to risk. IndeedI believe it could not be done by any single authority. Thepower of admission, and consequently of dismission, does notdepend on the minister, but on the board who direct the affairsof the hospital, at which board preside the paymaster, secretaryat war, governor, etc. ; if I am not quite exact, I know it is soin general. I am advised to tell you, Sir, that if uponexamination it should be thought right to take the step youcounsel, still it could not be done without previous anddeliberate discussion. As I should grudge no trouble, and amvery desirous of executing anycommission, Sir, you will honour me with, if you will draw up amemorial in form, stating the abuses which have come to your]Knowledge, the advantages which would result to the community bymore rigorous examination of candidates for admission, and theusesto which the overflowings of the military might be put, I willengage to put it into the hands of Mr. Grenville, the presentheadof the treasury, and to employ all the little credit he is sogoodto let me have with him, in backing your request. I can answerforone thing and no more, that as long as he sits at that board, whichprobably will not be long, he will give all due attention to anyscheme of national utility. 

It is seldom, Sir, that political revolutions bring any man uponthe stage, with whom I have much connexion. The great actors arenot the class whom I much cultivate; consequently I am neitherelated with hopes on their advancement, nor mortified norrejoicedat their fall. As the scene has shifted often of late, and isfarfrom promising duration at present, one must, if one lives in thegreat world, have now and then an acquaintance concerned in thedrama. Whenever I happen to have one, I hope I am ready and gladto make use of such (however unsubstantial) interest to do goodorto oblige; Ind this being the case at present, and truly I cannotcall Mr. Grenville much more than an acquaintance, I shall behappy, Sir, if I can Contribute to your views, which I havereasonto believe are those of a benevolent man and good citizen; but Iadvertise you truly, that my interest depends more on Mr. Grenville's goodness and civility, than on any great connexionbetween Us, and still less on any Political connexion. I thinkhe would like to do public good, I know I should like tocontribute to it-but if it is to be done by this channel, Iapprehend there is not much time to be lost--you See, what Ithink of the permanence of the present system! Your ideas, Sir, on the hard fate of our brave soldiers concur with mine; Ilamented their sufferings, and have tried in vain to suggest somelittle plans for their relief. I only mention this, to prove toyou that I am not indifferent to the subject, nor undertake yourcommission from mere complaisance. You Understand the matterbetter 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 withhighwaymen, who have been heroes. We owe our safety to them, consequently we owe a return Of preservation to them, if we canfind 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 thebeginning of this last winter. Prerogation, that gave itselfsuch airs in November, and would speak to nothing but a Tory, hashad a rap this morning that will do it some good, unless it isweak enough to do itself more harm. The judges of the commonpleas have unanimously dismissed Wilkes from hisimprisonment, (283) as a breach ofprivilege; his offence not being a breach of peace, only tendingto it. The people are in transports; and it will require all thevanity and confidence of those able ministers, Lord Sandwich andMr. C * * * to keep up the spirits of the court. 

I must change this tone, to tell you of the most dismal calamitythat ever happened. Lady Molesworth's house, in Upper Brook-street was burned to the ground between four and five thismorning. She herself, two of her daughters, her brother, (284)and six servants Perished. Two other of the young ladies jumpedout of the two pair of stairs and garret windows: one broke herthigh, the other (the eldest of all) broke hers too, and has hadit cut off. The fifth daughter is much burnt. The Frenchgoverness leaped from the garret, and was dashed to pieces. Dr. Molesworth and his wife, who were there on a visit, escaped; thewife by jumping from the two pair of stairs, and saving herselfby a rail; he by hanging by his hands, till a second ladder wasbrought, after a first had proved too short. Nobody knows how orwhere the fire began; the catastrophe is shocking beyond what oneever heard: and poor Lady Molesworth whose character and conductwere 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 sevenbishops, calls himself the eighth--not quite improperly, when Oneremembers 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 tocut his throat, like Lord E * * * as it would be of infiniteservice to their cause. There are published, too, three volumesof Lady Mary Wortley's letters, which I believe are genuine, andare not unentertaining. But have you read Tom Hervey's letter tothe late King? That beats every thing for madness, horridindecency, and folly, and yet has some charming and strikingpassages. I have advised Mrs. Harris to informagainst Jack, as writing in the North Briton; he will then beshut up in the Tower, and may be shown for old Nero. (286) Adieu!

(283) Wilkes was discharged on the 6th of May, by Lord ChiefJustice Pratt, who decided that he was entitled to plead hisprivilege as a member of parliament; the crime of which he wasaccused, namely, a libel, being in the eyes of the law only ahigh misdemeanour, whereas the only three cases which couldaffect 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 thirdViscount Molesworth, who was aide-de-camp to the Duke ofMarlborough at the battle of Ramilies, and saved his grace's lifein that engagement. -E. 

(285) The King upon hearing of this calamity, immediately sentthe young ladies a handsome present; ordered a house to be takenand furnished for them at his expense; and not only continued thepension settled on the mother, but ordered it to be increased twohundred 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 Iflatter myself that you will not be sorry to know that I am muchbetter in health than I was at the beginning of the winter. Myjourney is quite laid aside, at least for this year; though asLord Hertford goes ambassador to Paris, I propose to make him avisit there next spring. As I shall be a good deal here thissummer, I hope you did not take a surfeit of Strawberry Hill, butwill bestow a visit on it while its beauty lasts; the galleryadvances fast now, and I think in a few weeks will make a figureworth 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 deStraberri: tout etoit tapiss`e de narcisses, de tulipes, et delilacs; des cors de chasse, des clarionettes; des petits versgalants 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, etforce 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, orrather, which I do not suppose will set out thither: for thoughthe narrative is circumstantially true, I don't believe theactors were pleased enough with the scene, to give so favourablean account of it. 

The French do not come hither to see. A l'Anglaise happened tobe the word in fashion; and half a dozen of the most fashionablepeople have been the dupes of it. I take for granted that theirnext mode will be `a l'Iroquaise, that they may be under noobligation of realizing their pretensions. Madame deBoufflers(287) I think will die a martyr to a taste, which shefancied she had, and finds she has not. Never having stirred tenmiles from Paris, and having only rolled in an easy coach fromone hotel to another on a gliding pavement, she is already wornout with being hurried from morning till night from one sight toanother. She rises every morning SO fatigued with the toils ofthe preceding day, that she has not strength, if she hadinclination, to observe the least, or the finest thing she sees!She came hither to-day to a great breakfast I made for her, withher eyes a foot deep in her head, her hands dangling, and scarceable to support her knitting-bag. She had been yesterday to seea ship launched, and went from Greenwich by water to Ranelagh. Madame Dusson, who is Dutch-built, and whose muscles arepleasure-proof, came with her; there were besides, Lady MaryCoke, 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 LouisOnze;(289) dresses like a dissenting minister, which I suppose isthe livery of le bel esprit, and is much more impetuous thanagreeable. We breakfasted in the great parlour, and I had filledthe hall and large cloister by turns with French horns andclarionettes. As the French ladies had never seen aprinting-house, I carried them into mine; they found somethingready set, and desiring to see what it was, it proved asfollows:--

 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 wearThe British diction's harsher air;Shall read her praise in every climeWhere types can speak or poets rhyme

For MADAME: DUSSON. 

Feign not an ignorance of what I speakYou 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 thesecond does not; that the second is handsome, and the first not;and that the second was born in Holland. This little gentilessepleased, and atoned for the popery of my house, which was notserious enough for Madame de Boufflers, who is Montmorency, et dusang du premier Chritien; and too serious for Madame Dusson, whois a Dutch Calvinist. The latter's husband was not here, norDrumgold, (290) who have both got fevers, nor the Duc deNivernois, who dined at Claremont. The gallery is not advancedenough to give them any idea at all, as they are not apt to goout of their way for one; but the cabinet, and the glory ofyellow glass at top, which had a charming sun for a foil, didsurmount their indifference, especially as they were animated bythe Duchess of Grafton, who had never happened to be here before, and who perfectly entered into the air of enchantment andfairyism, which is the tone of the place, and was peculiarly soto-day--a-propos, when do you design to come hither? Let me know, that I may have no measures to interfere with receiving you andyour grandsons. 

Before Lord Bute ran away, he made Mr. Bentley a commissioner ofthe lottery; I don't know whether a single or double one: thelatter, which I hope it is, is two hundred a-year. 

Thursday, 19th. 

I am ashamed of myself to have nothing but a journal of pleasuresto send you; I never passed a more agreeable day than yesterday. Miss Pelham gave the French an entertainment at Esher; but theyhave been so feasted and amused, that none of them were wellenough, or reposed enough. To come, but Nivernois and MadameDusson. The rest of the company were, the Graftons, LadyRockingham, 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; thetrees, lawns, concaves, all in the perfection in which the ghostof Kent would joy to see them. At twelve we made the tour of thefarm in chaises, and calashes, horsemen, and footmen, setting outlike 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 allin the style of the day, romantic, but political. We had amagnificent dinner, cloaked in the modesty of earthenware; Frenchhorns and hautboys On the lawn. We walked to the Belvidere onthe summit of the hill, where a theatrical storm only served toheighten the beauty Of the landscape, a rainbow on a dark cloudfalling precisely behind the tower of a neighbouring church, between another tower and the building at Claremont. Monsieur deNivernois, who had been absorbed all day, and lagging behind, translating my verses, was delivered of bis version, and of somemore lines which he wrote on Miss Pelham in the Belvedere, whilewe drank tea and coffee. From thence we passed into the wood, and the ladies formed a circle on chairs before the Mouth of thecave, which was overhung to a vast height with the woodbines, lilacs, and liburnums, and dignified by the tall shapelycypresses. On the descent of the hill were placed the Frenchhorns; the abigails, servants, and neighbours wandering below theriver; in short, it was Parnassus, as Watteau would have paintedit. Here we had a rural syllabub, and part of the companyreturned to town; but were replacedby Giardini and Onofrio, who, with Nivernois on he violin, anLord Pembroke on the bass, accompanied Mrs. Pelham, LadyRockingham, and the Duchess of Grafton, who sang. This littleconcert lasted till past ten; then there were minuets, and as wehad seven couple left, it concluded with a Country dance. Iblush again, for I danced, but was kept in countenance byNivernois, who has one wrinkle more than I have. A quarter aftertwelve they sat down to supper, and I came home by a charmingmoonlight. I am going to dine in town, and to a great ball withfireworks at Miss Chudleigh's, but I return hither on Sunday, tobid adieu to this abominable Arcadian life; for really when oneIS 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`cavoirFit braver le Nord et les glaces;Boufflers se plait en nos vergers, Et veut `a nos sons `etrangersPlier 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 entendreCc que vous inspirez, en Grec doit se comprendre. On vous l'a dit d'abord en Hollandois, Et dans on langage plus tendreParis 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 literarypretensions, and celebrated as the intimate friend of the Princede Conti, to whom she is said to have been united by a marriagede la main gauche. During her stay in England she paid a visitto Dr. Johnson, of which Mr. Beauclerk gave the following accountto Boswell:--"When Madame de Boufflers was first in England, shewas desirous to see Johnson; I accordingly went with her to hischambers in the Temple, where she was entertained with hisconversation for some time. When our visit was over, she and Ileft him, and were got into Inner-Temple-lane, when all at once Iheard a voice like thunder. This was occasioned by Johnson, who, it seem, ;, upon a little reflection, had taken it into his headthat he ought to have done the honours of his literary residenceto a foreign lady of quality, and, eager to show himself a man ofgallantry, was hurrying down the staircase in violent agitation. He overtook us before we reached the Temple gate, and brushing inbetween me and Madame de Boufflers, seized her hand and conductedher to her coach. His dress was a rusty-brown morning suit, apair of old shoes by way of slippers, a little shrivelled wigsticking on the top of his head, and the sleeves of his shirt andthe knees of his breeches hanging loose. A considerable crowd ofpeople gathered round, and were not a little struck by thissingular 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 Guerchybeing some time afterwards nominated ambassador, the Chevalierwas ordered to resume his secretaryship; at which he was so muchmortified that he libelled the Comte, for which he was indictedand found guilty in the court of king's bench, in July 1764. Fora 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 wasalso the author of several ingenious novels, and had a largeshare in the Dictionary of the Academy. After his death, whichtook place in 1772, his Secret Memoirs of the Courts of LouisXIV. And Louis XV. Appeared. Rousseau describes him as a man"droit et adroit;" and D'Alembert said of him, "De tons leshommes que je connais, c'est lui qui a le plus d'esprit dans untemps donn`e. "-E. 

(290) Secretary to the Duc de Nivernois. 

(291) Sister of Lord Chatham, whom she strikingly resembled infeatures as well as in talent. She was remarkable, even to oldage, 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 sayyou could in that short time perceive that she is agreeable, butI dare say too that you will agree with me that vivacity is by nomeans the partage of the French--bating the `etourderie of themousquetaires and of a high-dried petit-maitre or two, theyappear to me more lifeless than Germans. I cannot comprehend howthey came by the character of a lively people. Charles Townshendhas more sal volatile in him than the whole nation. Their Kingis taciturnity itself, Mirepoix was a walking mummy, Nivernoishis about as much life as a sick favourite child, and M. Dussonis a good-humoured country gentleman, who has been drunk the daybefore, and is upon his good behaviour. If I have the gout nextyear, 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 fouto keep them company. Mind, I do not insist that, to havespirits, a nation should be as frantic as poor Fanny Pelham, asabsurd as the Duchess of Queensbury, or as dashing as the VirginChudleigh. Oh, that you had been' at her ball t'other night!History could never describe it and keep its countenance. TheQueen's real birthday, you know, is not kept: this maid of honourkept it--nay, while the court is in mourning, expected people tobe out of mourning; the Queen's family really was so, LadyNorthumberland having desired leave for them. A scaffold waserected in Hyde-park for fireworks. To show the illuminationswithout to more advantage, the company were received in anapartment totally dark, where they remained for two hours. Ifthey gave rise to any more birthdays, who could help it? Thefireworks were fine, and succeeded well. On each side of thecourt were two large scaffolds for the Virgin's tradespeople. When the fireworks ceased, a large scene was lighted in thecourt, representing their majesties; on each side of which weresix obelisks, painted with emblems, and illuminated; mottoesbeneath 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, abird of paradise, Non habet paren--unluckily this was translated, I have no peer. People laughed out, considering where this wasexhibited. 5. The three younger princes, an orange tree, Promiiuit et dat. 6. The younger princesses, the flowercrown-imperial. I forget the Latin: the translation was sillyenough, Bashful in youth, graceful in age. The lady of the housemade many apologies for the poorness of the performance, whichshe said was only oil-paper, painted by one of her servants; butit really was fine and pretty. The Duke of Kingston was in afrock coat come chez lui. Behind the house was a cenotaph forthe Princess Elizabeth, a kind of illuminated cradle; the motto, All the honours the dead can receive. This burying-ground was astrange codicil to a festival, and, what was more strange, aboutone in the morning, this sarcophagus burst out into crackers andguns. 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 notyou come to the Duke of Richmond's masquerade, which is the 6thof June? I cannot well be with you till towards the end of thatmonth. 

The enclosed is a letter which I wish you to read attentively, togive me your opinion upon it, and return it. It is from asensible friend of mine in Scotland, (292) who has latelycorresponded with me on the enclosed subjects, which I littleunderstand; but I promised to communicate his ideas to GeorgeGrenville, if he would state them-are they practicable? I wishmuch that something could be done for those brave soldiers andsailors, who will all come to the gallows, unless some timelyprovision can be made for them. The former part of his letterrelates to a Grievance he complains of, that men who have notserved 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 dirtyPhilander. (293) Pink and white, and white and pink and both asgreasy as if you had gnawed a leg of a fowl on the stairs of theHaymarket with a bunter from the Cardigan's Head! For Heaven'ssake don't produce a tight rose-coloured thigh, unless you intendto prevent my Lord Bute's return from Harrowgate. Write, themoment you receive this, to your tailor to get you a sober purpledomino as I have done, and it will make you a couple ofsummer-waistcoats. 

In the next place, have your ideas a little more correct about usof times past. We did not furnish ou cottages with chairs of tenguineas apiece. Ebony for a farmhouse!(294) So, two hundredyears hence some man of taste will build a hamlet in the style ofGeorge the Third, and beg his cousin Tom Hearne to get him somechairs 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 6thof June at his house in Privy-garden. 

(294) Mr. Conway was at this time fitting up a little buildingat 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 oftwo days here. But I must set Out With owning, that I believe Iam the first man that ever went sixty miles to an auction. As Icame for ebony, I have been up to my chin in ebony; there isliterally nothing but ebony in the house; all the other goods. Ifthere were any, and I trust my Lady Convers did not sleep uponebony mattresses, are taken away. There are two tables andeighteen chairs, all made by the Hallet of two hundred years ago. These I intend to have; for mind, the auction does not begin tillThursday. There are more plebeian chairs of the same materials, but I have left commission for only the true black blood. ThenceI went to Kimbolton, (295) and asked to see the house. A kindfootman, who in his zeal to open the chaise pinched half myfinger off, said he would call the housekeeper: but a groom ofthe chambers insisted on my visiting their graces; and as I vowedI did not know them, he said they were in the great apartment, that all the rest was in disorder and altering, and would let mesee nothing. This was the reward of my first lie. I returned tomy inn or alehouse, and instantly received a message from theDuke to invite me to the castle. I was quite undressed, anddirty with my journey, and unacquainted with the Duchess--yet wasforced to go--Thank the god of dust, his grace was dirtier thanme. He was extremely civil, and detected me to the groom of thechambers--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 aformal supper by a circle of stranger-footmen, and protested Iwas to meet a gentleman at Huntingdon to-night. The Duchess andLady Caroline(296) came in from walking; and to disguise my nothaving dined, for it was past six, I drank tea with them. TheDuchess is much altered, and has a bad short cough. I pityCatherine of Arragon(297) for living at Kimbolton: I never saw anuglier spot. The fronts are not so bad as I expected, by notbeing so French as I expected; but have no pretensions to beauty, nor even to comely ancient ugliness. The great apartment istruly noble, and almost all the portraits good, of what I saw;for many are not hung up, and half of those that are, my lordDuke does not know. The Earl of Warwick is delightful; the LadyMandeville, attiring herself in her wedding garb, delicious. ThePrometheus is a glorious picture, the eagle as fine as my statue. Is not it by Vandyck? The Duke told me that Mr. Spence found outit was by Titian--but critics in poetry I see are none inpainting. This was all I was shown, for I was not even carriedinto the chapel. The walls round the house are levelling, and Isaw nothing without doors that tempted me to taste. So I made mybow, hurried to my inn, snapped up my dinner, lest I should againbe detected, and came hither, where I am writing by a great fire, and give up my friend the east wind, which I have long beenpartial to for the Southeast's sake, and in contradiction to thewest, for blowing perpetually and bending all one's plantations. To-morrow I see Hinchinbrook(298)--and London. Memento, Ipromised the Duke that you should come and write on all hisportraits. Do, as you honour the blood of Montagu! Who is theman in the picture with Sir Charles Goring, where a page is tyingthe latter's scarf? And who are the ladies in the doublehalf-lengths?

Arlington Street, May 31. 

Well! I saw Hinchinbrook this morning. Considering it is inHuntingdonshire, the situation is not so ugly nor melancholy as Iexpected; but I do not conceive what provoked so many of yourancestors to pitch their tents in that triste country, unless theCapulets(299) loved fine prospects. The house of Hinchinbrook ismost comfortable, and just what I like; old, spacious, irregular, yet not vast or forlorn. I believe much has been done since yousaw it--it now only wants an apartment, for in no part of it arethere above two chambers together. The furniture has muchsimplicity, not to say too much; some portraits tolerable, none Ithink fine. When this lord gave Blackwood the head of theAdmiral' that I have now, he left himself not one so good. Thehead he kept is very bad: the whole-length is fine, except theface of it. There is another of the Duke of Cumberland byReynolds, the colours of which are as much changed as theoriginal is to the proprietor. The garden is wondrous small, thepark almost smaller, and no appearance of territory. The wholehas a quiet decency that seems adapted to the Admiral after hisretirement, or to Cromwell before his exaltation. I returnedtime enough for the opera; observing all the way I came the proofof the duration of this east wind, for on the west side theblossoms were so covered with dust one could not distinguishthem; on the eastern hand the hedges were white in all the prideof May. Good night!

Wednesday, June 1. 

My letter is a perfect diary. There has been a sad alarm in thekingdom of white satin and muslin. The Duke of Richmond wasseized last night with a sore throat and fever; and though he ismuch better to-day, the masquerade of to-morrow night is put offtill Monday. Many a Queen of Scots, from sixty to sixteen, hasbeen ready to die of the fright. Adieu once more! I think I canhave 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 Henrythe Eighth, resided some time in this castle, and died there in1536. -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 fineclothes on, and by what have been tried, I think it will lookvery well. The fashion of the garments to be sure will beancient, but I have given them an air that is very becoming. Princess Amelia was here last night While I was abroad; and ifMargaret is not too much prejudiced by the guinea left, or bynatural partiality to what servants call our house, I think waspleased, particularly with the chapel. 

As Mountain-George will not come to Mahomet-me, Mahomet-I Mustcome to Greatworth. Mr. Chute and I think of visiting you aboutthe seventeenth of July, if you shall be at home, and nothinghappens to derange our scheme; possibly we may call at Horton; wecertainly 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 isthe health of my niece who is at present much out of order, wethink not breeding, and who was taken so ill on Monday, that Iwas forced to carry her suddenly to town, where I yesterday lefther better at her father's. 

There has been a report that the new Lord Holland was dead atParis, but I believe it is not true. I was very indifferentabout it: eight months ago it had been lucky. I saw his jackallt'other night in the meadows, the secretary at war, (301) soemptily-important and distilling paragraphs of old news with suchsolemnity, that I did not know whether it was a man or theUtrecht gazette. 

(300) Admiral Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich; by Sir Peter Lely. In early life he was distinguished as a military commander underthe parliamentary banner, and subsequently joint high-admiral ofEngland; in which capacity, having had sufficient influence toinduce the whole fleet to acknowledge the restored monarchy, hereceived the peerage as his reward. Having attained the highestrenown as a naval officer, he fell in the great sea-fight withthe Dutch, off Southwold-bay, on the 28th of May, 1672. Evelyn, in his diary of the 31st, gives the following high character ofthe Earl:--"Deplorable was the loss of that incomparable person, and my particular friend. He was learned in sea affairs, inpolitics, in mathematics, and in music: he had been on diversembassies, was of a sweet and obliging temper, sober, chaste, very ingenious, a true nobleman and ornament to the court and hisprince; nor has he left any behind him who approach his manyvirtues. "-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 oreighteenth; but as we are wandering swains, we do not drive onenail into one day of the almanack irremovably. Our first stage isto Bleckley, the parsonage of venerable Cole, the antiquarian ofCambridge. Bleckley lies by Fenny Stratford; now can you directus how to make Horton(302) in our way from Stratford toGreatworth? If this meander engrosses more time than we propose, do not be disappointed, and think we shall not come, for weshall. The journey you must accept as a great sacrifice eitherto you or to my promise, for I quit the gallery almost in thecritical minute of consummation. Gilders, carvers, upholsterers, and picture-cleaners are labouring at their several forges, and Ido not love to trust a hammer or a brush without my ownsupervision. This will make my stay very short, but it is agreater compliment than a month would be at another season andyet I am not profuse of months. Well, but I begin to be ashamedof my magnificence; Strawberry is growing Sumptuous in its latterday; it will scarce be any longer like the fruit of its name, orthe modesty of its ancient demeanour, both which seem to havebeen in spencer's prophetic eye when he sung of

"The blushing strawberriesWhich lurk, close-shrouded from high-looking eyes, Showing that sweetness low and hidden lies. "

In truth, my collection was too great already to be lodgedhumbly; it has extended my walls, and pomp followed. It was aneat, small house; it now will be a comfortable one, and exceptfor one fine apartment, does not deviate from its simplicity. Adieu! I know nothing about the world, and am only Strawberry'sand 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 beenso long silent about a scheme, (304) that called for despatch. The truth is I have had no success. Your wholeplan has been communicated to Mr. Grenville by one whose heartwent with it, going always with what is humane. Mr. Grenvillementions two objections; one, insuperable as to expedition; theother, totally so. No crown or public lands could be so disposedof without an act of parliament. In that case the scheme shouldbe digested during a war, to take place at the conclusion, andcannot be adjusted in time for receiving the disbanded. But whatis worse, he hints, Sir, that your good heart has only consideredthe practicability with regard to Scotland, where there are nopoor's rates. Here every parish would object to such settlers. This is the sum of his reply; I am not masterenough of the subject or the nature of it, as to answer eitherdifficulty. If you can, Sir, I am ready to continue theintermediate negotiator; but you must furnish me with answers tothese obstacles, before I could hope to make any way even withany private person. In truth, I am little versed in the subject;which I own, not to excuse myself from pursuing it if it can bemade feasible, but to prompt you, Sir, to instruct me. Except atthis place, which cannot be called the country, I have scarceever lived in the country, and am shamefully ignorant of thepolice 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 allcomplicated. Your knowledge, Sir, may supply my deficiencies; atleast you are sure of a solicitor for your good intentions, inyour, 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 willbe with you on the 16th of this month, and if it is notinconvenient, and you will tell me truly whether it is or not, I shall bring my friend Mr. Chute with me, who is destined tothe same place. I will beg you too to let me know how far itis to Bleckley, and what road I must take: that is, how farfrom London, or how far from Twickenham, and the road fromeach, as I am uncertain yet from which I shall set out. If anypart of this proposal does not suit You, I trust you will ownit, 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 bestway to call on Mr. Montagu first, before I come to you, or I mustgo the same road twice. This will make it a few days later thanI intended before I wait on you, and will leave you time tocomplete your hay-harvest, as I gladly embrace your offer ofbearing me company on the tour I meditate to Burleigh, Drayton, Peterborough, Ely, and twenty other places, of all which youshall 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 isthe 20th or 21st, and I fear I shall come alone; for Mr. Chute isconfined with the gout: but you shall hear again before I setout. Remember I am to see Sir Kenelm Digby's. 

I thank you much for your informations. The Countess ofCumberland is an acquisition, and quite new to me. With theCountess of Kent I am acquainted since my last edition. 

Addison certainly changed sides in the epitaph to indicabit toavoid the jingle with dies: though it is possible that thethought 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 itthe 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 loveto 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 fewmishaps, which will attend long marches like ours. We haveconquered as many towns as Louis Quatorze in the campaign ofseventy-two; that is, seen them, for he did little more, and intothe bargain he had much better roads, and a dryer summer. It hasrained perpetually till to-day, and made us experience the richsoil of Northamptonshire, which is a clay-pudding stuck full ofvillages. After we parted with you on Thursday, we saw CastleAshby(305) and Easton MaudUit. (306) The first is mostmagnificently 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 ofglass exclude all objects. Easton is miserable enough; there aremany modern portraits, and one I was glad to see of the Duchessof Shrewsbury. We lay at Wellingborough--pray never lie there--the beastliest inn upon earth is there! We were carried into avast bedchamber, which I suppose is the club-room, for it stunkof tobacco like a justice of peace. I desired some boiling waterfor tea; they brought me a sugar dish of hot water in a pewterplate. Yesterday morning we went to Boughton, (307) where we werescarce landed, before the Cardigans, in a coach and six and threechaises, arrived with a cold dinner in their pockets, on theirway to Deane; for as it is in dispute, they never reside atBoughton. This was most unlucky, that we should pitch on theonly hour in the year in which they are there. I was sodisconcerted, and so afraid, of falling foul of the Countess andher caprices, that I hurried from chamber to chamber, and scarceknew what I saw, but that the house is in the grand old Frenchstyle, that gods and goddesses lived over my head in every room, and that there was nothing but pedigrees all around me, and undermy feet, for there is literally a coat of arms at the end ofevery step of the stairs: did the Duke mean to pun, and intendthis for the descent of the Montagus? Well! we hurried away andgot to Drayton an hour before dinner. Oh! the dear old place!you would be transported with it. In the first place, it standsin as ugly a hole as Boughton: well! that is not its beauty. Thefront is a brave strong castle wall, embattled and loopholed fordefence. Passing the great gate, you come to a sumptuous butnarrow modern court, behind which rises the old mansion, alltowers and turrets. The house is excellent; has a vast hall, ditto dining-room, king's chamber, trunk gallery at the top ofthe house, handsome chapel, and seven or eight distinctapartments, besides closets and conveniences without end. Thenit is covered with portraits, crammed with old china, furnishedrichly, and not a rag in it under forty, fifty, or a thousandyears old; but not a bed or chair that has lost a tooth, or got agray hair, so well are they preserved. I rummaged it from headto foot, examined every spangled bed, and enamelled pair ofbellows, for such there are; in short, I do not believe the oldmansion was ever better pleased with an inhabitant, since thedays of Walter de Drayton, except when it has received its divineold mistress. (308) If one could honour her more than one didbefore, it would be to see with what religion she keeps up theold dwelling and customs, as well as old servants, who you mayimagine do not love her less than other people do. The garden isjust 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 aswe would, and the two last assisted us, informed us, and carriedus to every tomb in the neighbourhood. I have got everycircumstance by heart, and was pleased beyond my expectation, both with the place and the comfortable way of seeing it. Westayed here till after dinner to-day, and saw Fotheringhay in ourway hither. The castle is totally ruined. (311) The mount, onwhich the keep stood, two door-cases, and a piece of the moat, are all the remains. Near it is a front and two projections ofan ancient house, which, by the arms about it, I suppose was partof the palace of Richard and Cicely, Duke and Duchess of York. There are two pretty tombs for them and their uncle Duke of Yorkin the church, erected by order of Queen Elizabeth. The churchhas been very fine, but is now intolerably shabby; yet many largesaints remain in the windows, two entire, and all the heads wellpainted. You may imagine we were civil enough to the Queen ofScots, to feel a feel of pity for her, while we stood on the veryspot where she was put to death; my companion, (312) I believe, who is a better royalist than I am, felt a little more. There, Ihave obeyed you. To-morrow we see Burleigh and Peterborough, andlie @t Ely; on Monday I hope to be in town, and on Tuesday I hopemuch more to be in the gallery at Strawberry Hill, and to findthe 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 succeededto the dukedom of St. Albans, as fifth Duke, in 1787, and died in1802. -E. 

(310) Lady Catharine Ponsonby, daughter of the Earl ofDesborough. 

(311) James the First is said to have ordered it to be destroyed, in consequence of its having been the scene of the trial andexecution of his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, beheaded there inFebruary 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, asit did at Greatworth on Wednesday, all night and all nextmorning, so we could not look even at the outside of Burleigh;but we saw the inside pleasantly; for Lord Exeter, whom I hadprepared for our intentions, came to us, and made every door andevery lock fly open, even of his magazines, yet unranged. He isgoing through the house by decrees, furnishing a room every year, and has already made several most sumptuous. One is a littletired of Carlo Maratti and Lucca Jordano, yet still these aretreasures. The china and japan are of the finest; miniatures inplenty, and a shrine full of crystal vases, filigree, enamel, jewels, and the trinkets of taste, that have belonged to many anoble dame. In return for his civilities, I made my Lord Exetera present of a glorious cabinet, whose drawers and sides are allpainted by Rubens. This present you must know is his own, but heknew nothing of the hand or the value. Just so I have given LadyBetty Germain a very fine portrait, that I discovered, at Draytonin the Woodhouse. 

I was not much pleased with Peterborough; the front is adorable, but the inside has no more beauty than consists in vastness. Bythe way, I have a pen and ink that will not form a letter. Wewere now sent to Huntingdon in our way to Ely, as we found itimpracticable, from the rains and floods, to cross the countrythither. We landed in the heart of the assizes, and almost inthe middle of the races, both which, to the astonishment of thevirtuosi, we eagerly quitted this morning. We were hence sentsouth to Cambridge, still on our way north to Ely: but when wegot to Cambridge we were forced to abandon all thoughts of Ely, there being nothing but lamentable stories of inundations andescapes. However, I made myself amends at the university, whichI have not seen these four-and-twenty years, and which revivedmany youthful scenes, which, merely from their being youthful, are forty times pleasanter than any other ideas. You know Ialways long to live at Oxford: I felt that I could like to liveeven at Cambridge again. The colleges are much cleaned andimproved since my days, and the trees and groves more venerable;but the town is tumbling about their ears. We surprised Graywith our appearance, dined and drank tea with him, and are comehither within sight of land. I always find it worth my while tomake journeys, for the joy I have in getting home again. Asecond 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, sincehe is not Dr. Shorter. It has done nothing but rain since myreturn; whoever wants hay, must fish for it; it is all drowned, or swimming about the country. I am glad our tour gave you somuch pleasure; you was so very obliging, as you have always beento me, that I should have been grieved not to have had it giveyou satisfaction. I hope your servant is quite recovered. 

The painters and gilders quit my gallery this week, but I havenot got a chair or a table for it yet; however, I hope it willhave 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 longhave deferred to answer the favour of your letter. I thank youfor the notices in it, and have profited of them. I am muchobliged to you too for the drawings you intended me; but I havesince had a letter from Mr. Churchill, and he does not mentionthem. 

Letter 170 To The Hon. H. S. Conway. Strawberry Hill, Aug. 9, 1763. (page 232)

My gallery claims your promise; the painters and gilders finishto-morrow, and next day it washes its hands. You talked of the15th; shall I expect you then, and the Countess, (313) and theContessina, (314) and the Baroness?(315)

Lord Digby is to be married immediately to the pretty MissFielding; and Mr. Boothby, they say, to Lady Mary Douglas. Whatmore news I know I cannot send you; for I have had it from LadyDenbigh and Lady Blandford, who have so confounded names, genders, and circumstances, that I am not sure whether PrinceFerdinand 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 columnof abuse upon me in the Public Ledger of Thursday last; wherethey inform me that the Scotch cannot be so sensible @as theEnglish, because they have not such good writers. Alack! I amafraid the most sensible men in any country do not write. 

I had writ this last night. This morning I receive your paper ofevasions, perfide que vous `etes! You may let it alone, you willnever see any thing like my gallery--and then to ask me to leaveit the instant it is finished! I never heard such a request in mydays!--Why, all the earth is begging to come to see it: as Edgingsays, I have had offers enough from blue and green ribands tomake me a falbala-apron. Then I have just refused to let Mrs. Keppel and her Bishop be in the house with me, because I expectedall you--it is mighty well, mighty fine!-No, sir, no, I shall notcome; nor am I in a humour to do any thing else you desire:indeed, without your provoking me, I should not have come intothe proposal of paying Giardini. We have been duped and cheatedevery winter for these twenty years by the undertakers ofoperas, and I never will pay a farthing more till the lastmoment, nor can be terrified at their puffs; I am astonished youare. So far from frightening me. The kindest thing they could dowould be not to let one have a box to hear their old threadbarevoices and frippery thefts; and as for Giardini himself, I wouldnot go cross the room to hear him play to eternity. I shouldthink 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 worthtelling you: it will not, and I cannot stay any longer withoutasking you how you do, and hoping you have not quite forgot me. It has rained such deluges, that I had some thoughts of turningmy gallery into an ark, and began to pack up a pair of bantams, apair of cats, in short, a pair of every living creature about myhouse: but it is grown fine at last, and the workmen quit mygallery to-day without hoisting a sail in it. I know nothingupon earth but what the ancient ladies in my neighbourhood knewthreescore years ago; I write merely to pay you my pepper-corn ofaffection, and to inquire after my lady, who I hope is perfectlywell. A longer letter would not have half the merit: a line inreturn will however repay all the merit I can possibly have toone 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 thegallery is finished; that is, the workmen have quitted it. Forchairs and tables, not one is arrived yet. Well, how you willtramp up and down in it! Methinks I wish you would. We are inthe perfection of beauty; verdure itself was never green tillthis summer, thanks to the deluges of rain. Our complexion usedto be mahogany in August. Nightingales and roses indeed are outof blow, but the season is celestial. I don't know whether wehave not even had an earthquake to-day. Lady Buckingham, LadyWaldegrave, the Bishop of' Exeter, and Mrs. Keppel, and thelittle Hotham dined here; between six and seven we were sittingin the great parlour; I sat in the window looking at the river:on a sudden I saw it violently agitated, and, as it were, liftedup and down by a thousand hands. I called out, they all ran tothe window; it continued; we hurried into the garden, and all sawthe Thames in the same violent commotion for I suppose a hundredyards. We fancied at first there must be some barge rope; notone was in sight. It lasted in this manner, and at the fartherend, towards Teddington, even to dashing. It did not ceasebefore I got to the middle of the terrace, between the fence andthe hill. Yet this is nothing: to what is to come. The Bishopand I walked down to my meadow by the river. At this end weretwo fishermen in a boat, but their backs had been turned to theagitation, and they had seen nothing. At the farther end of thefield was a gentleman fishing, and a woman by him; I hadperceived him on the same spot at the time of the motion of thewaters, which was rather beyond where it was terminated. I nowthought myself sure of a witness, and concluded he could not haverecovered his surprise. I ran up to him. "Sir, " said I, "didyou see that strange agitation of the waters?" "When, Sir? when, Sir?" "Now, this very instant, not two minutes ago. " Hereplied, with the phlegm of a philosopher, or of a man that canlove fishing, "Stay, Sir, let me recollect if I remember nothingof it. " "Pray, Sir, " said I, scarce able to help laughing, "youmust remember whether you remember it or not, for it is scarceover. " "I am trying to recollect, " said he, with the samecoolness. "Why, Sir, " said I, "six of us saw it from my parlourwindow yonder. " "Perhaps, " answered he, "you might perceive itbetter where you were, but I suppose it was an earthquake. " Hisnymph had seen nothing neither, and so we returned as wise asmost who inquire into natural phenomena. We expect to hearto-morrow that there has been an earthquake somewhere; unlessthis appearance portended a state-quake. You see, my impetuositydoes not abate much; no, nor my youthfullity, which bears me outeven at a sabat. I dined last week at Lady Blandford's, withher, the old Denbigh, the old Litchfield, and Methuselah knowswho. I had stuck some sweet peas in my hair, was playing atquadrille, and singing to my sorci`eres. The Duchess of Argyleand Mrs. Young came in; you may guess how they stared; at lastthe Duchess asked what was the meaning of those flowers? "Lord, Madam, " said I, "don't you know it is the fashion? The Duke ofBedford is come over with his hair full. " Poor Mrs. Young tookthis in sober sadness, and has reported that the Duke of Bedfordwears flowers. You will not know me less by a precipitation ofthis 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, Idon't wonder at your being able to live so much alone. " I, whoshudder at the thought of any body's living With me, replied veryinnocently, but a little too quick, "No, only pity me when Idon't live alone. " Pitt was shocked, and said, "To be sure hewill never forgive you as long as he lives. " Mrs. Leneve usedoften to advise me never to begin being civil to people I did notcare for: For, " says she, "you grow weary of them, and can't helpshowing it, and so make it ten times worse than if you had neverattempted to please them. "

I suppose you have read in the papers the massacre of myinnocents. Every one of my Turkish sheep, that I have beennursing up these fourteen years, torn to pieces in one night bythree strange dogs! They killed sixteen outright, and mangledthe two others in such a manner that I was forced to have themknocked on the head. However, I bore this better than aninterruption. 

I have scrawled and blotted this letter so I don't know whetheryou can read it; but it is no matter, for I perceive it is allabout myself: but what has one else in the dead of summer? Inreturn, tell me as much as you please about yourself, which youknow is always a most welcome subject to me. One may preserveone's spirits with one's juniors, but I defy any body to care butabout their contemporaries. One wants to linger about one'spredecessors, but who has the least curiosity about theirsuccessors? This is abominable ingratitude: one takes wondrouspains to consign one's own memory to them at the same time thatone feels the most perfect indifference to whatever relates tothem 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 isfull of people, and has been so from the instant I breakfasted, and more are coming; in short, I keep an inn; the sign, theGothic Castle. Since my gallery was finished I have not been init a quarter of an hour together; my whole time is passed ingiving tickets for seeing it, and hiding myself while it is seen. Take my advice, never build a charming house for yourself betweenLondon and Hampton-court: every body will live in it but you. Ifear you must give up all thoughts of the Vine for this year, atleast for some time. The poor master is on the rack; I left himthe day before yesterday in bed, where he had been ever sinceMonday, with the gout in both knees and one foot, and sufferingmartyrdom every night. I go to see him again on Monday. He hasnot had so bad a fit these four years, and he has probably theother foot still to come. You must come to me at least in themean time, before he is well enough to receive you. After nextTuesday I am unengaged, except on Saturday, Sunday, and Mondayfollowing; that is, the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth, when thefamily 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 timeas you can spare. I flatter myself the General(316) and LadyGrandison will keep the kind promise they made me, and that Ishall see your brother John and Mr. Miller too. 

My niece is not breeding. You shall have the auction books assoon as I can get them, though I question if there is any thingin your way; however, I shall see you long before the sale, andwe will talk on it. 

There has been a revolution and a re-revolution, but I must deferthe history till I see you, for it is much too big for a letterwritten in such a hurry as this. Adieu!

(316) General Montagu, who, in the preceding February, hadmarried 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 beyondMonday next, I shall rejoice to see the house of Montagu this dayse'nnight (Wednesday), and shall think myself highly honoured bya visit from Lady Beaulieu;(317) I know nobody that has bettertaste, and it would flatter me exceedingly if she should happento like Strawberry. I knew you would be pleased with Mr. ThomasPitt; he is very amiable and very sensible, and one of the veryfew that I reckon quite worthy of being at home at Strawberry. 

I have again been in town to see Mr. Chute; he thinks the worstover, yet he gets no sleep, and is still confined to his bed 'buthis spirits keep up surprisingly. As to your gout, so far frompitying you, 'tis the best thing that can happen to you. Allthat claret and port are very kind to you, when they prefer theshape 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, thatI may pray to the sun to illuminate the cabinet. Adieu!

(317) Isabella, eldest daughter and co-heir of John Duke ofMontagu, and relict of William Duke of Manchester; married, in1763, 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 Ireceived your commission for Mrs. Crosby's pictures; but I didnot neglect it, though I might as well, for the old gentlewomanwas a little whimsical, and though I sent my own gardener andfarmer with my cart to fetch them on Friday, she would notdeliver them, she said, till Monday; so this morning they wereforced to go again. They are now all safely lodged in mycloister; when I say safely, you understand, that two of themhave large holes in them, as witness this bill of lading signedby 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 nowin the act of packing them, for we have changed our minds aboutsending them to London by water, as your wagoner told Louis lasttime 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 towardsyou next Saturday. 

I felt shocked, as you did, to think how suddenly the prospect ofjoy at Osterly was dashed after our seeing it. However the younglover(318) died handsomely. Fifty thousand pounds will drytears, that at most could be but two months old. His brother, Iheard, has behaved still more handsomely, and confirmed thelegacy, and added from himself the diamonds that had beenprepared for her. Here is a charming wife ready for any bodythat likes a sentimental situation, a pretty woman, and a largefortune. (319)

I have been often at Bulstrode from Chaffont, but I don't likeit. It is Dutch and triste. The pictures you mention in thegallery would be curious if they knew one from another; but thenames are lost, and they are only sure that they have so manypounds of ancestors in the lump. One or two of them indeed Iknow, as the Earl of Southampton, that was Lord Essex's friend. 

The works of Park-place go on bravely; the cottage will be verypretty, and the bridge sublime, composed of loose rocks, thatwill appear to have been tumbled together there the very wreck ofthe deluge. One stone is of fourteen hundred weight. It will beworth a hundred of Palladio's brigades, that are only fit to beused in an opera. 

I had a ridiculous adventure on my way hither. A Sir ThomasReeves wrote to me last year, that he had a great quantity ofheads of painters, drawn by himself from Dr. Mead's collection, of which many were English, and offered me the use of them. Thiswas one of the numerous unknown correspondents which my bookshave drawn upon me. I put it off then, but being to pass nearhis door, for he lives but two miles from Maidenhead, I sent himword I would call on my way to Park-place. After being carriedto three wrong houses, I was directed to a very ancient mansion, composed of timber, and looking as unlike modern habitations, asthe picture of Penderel's house in Clarendon. The garden wasoverrun with weeds, and with difficulty we found a bell. Louiscame riding back in great haste, and said, "Sir, the Gentleman isdead suddenly. " You may imagine I was surprised; however, as anacquaintance I had never seen was an endurable misfortune, I waspreparing to depart; but happening to ask some women, that werepassing by the chaise, if they knew any circumstance of SirThomas's death, I discovered that this was not Sir Thomas'shouse, but belonged to a Mr. Mecke, (320) fellow of a college atOxford, who was actually just dead, and that the antiquity itselfhad formerly been the residence of Nell Gwyn. Pray inquire afterit the next time you are at Frocmore. I went on, and after amistake or two more found Sir Thomas, a man about thirty in age, and twelve in understanding; his drawings very indifferent, evenfor the latter calculation. I did not know what to do or say, but commended them and his child, and his house; said I had allthe heads, hoped I should see him at Twickenham, was afraid ofbeing too late for dinner, and hurried out of his house before Ihad been there twenty minutes. It grieves one to receivecivilities when one feels obliged, and yet finds it impossible tobear the people that bestow them. 

I have given my assembly, to show my gallery, and it wasglorious; but happening to pitch upon the feast of tabernacles, none of my Jews could come, though Mrs. Clive proposed to them tochange their religion; so I am forced to exhibit once more. Forthe morning spectators, the crowd augments instead ofdiminishing. It is really true that Lady Hertford called heret'other morning, and I was reduced to bring her by the back gateinto the kitchen; the house was so full of company that came tosee the gallery, that I had no where else to carry her. Adieu!

P. S. I hope the least hint has never dropped from the Beaulieusof that terrible picture of Sir Charles Williams, that put meinto such confusion the morning they breakfasted here. If theydid observe the inscription, I am sure they must have seen toohow 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 fivecountesses, two bishops, fourteen Jews, five papists, a doctor ofphysic, and an actress; not to mention Scotch, Irish, East andWest Indians. 

I find that, to pack up your pictures, Louis has taken some paperout of a hamper of waste, into which I had cast some of theConway papers, perhaps only as useless, however, if you find anysuch in the packing, be so good as to lay them by for me. 

(318) Francis Child, Esq. The banker at Temple-bar, and memberfor Bishop's-Castle, who died on the @3d of September. He was tohave 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 the26th 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. Youdo not mention any thought of coming hither, which you had givenme cause to hope about this time, I flatter myself nothing hasintervened to deprive me of that visit. Lord Hertford goes toFrance the end of next week; I shall be in town to take leave ofhim; but after the 15th, that is, this day se'nnight, I shall bequite unengaged and the sooner I see you after the 15th, thebetter, for I should be sorry to drag you across the country inthe badness of November roads. 

I shall treasure up your notices against my second edition forthe volume of Engravers is printed off, and has been some time; Ionly wait for some of the plates. The book you mention I havenot seen, nor do you encourage me to buy it. Some time or otherhowever I will get you to let me turn it over. 

As I will trust that you will let me know soon when I shall havethe pleasure of seeing you here, I will make this a very shortletter 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 youroutset, and what my Lady Hertford thinks of the new world she isgot into, and whether it is better or worse than she expected. Pray tell me all: I mean of that sort, for I have no curiosityabout the family compact, nor the harbour of Dunkirk. It is yourprivate history--your audiences, reception, comforts ordistresses, your way of life, your company--that interests me; inshort, I care about my cousins and friends, not, like JackHarris, (322) about my lord ambassador. Consider you are in mypower. You, by this time, are longing to hear from England, and depend upon me for the newsof London. I shall not send you a tittle, if you are not verygood, and do not (one of you, at least) write to me punctually. 

This letter, I confess, will not give you much encouragement, forI can absolutely tell you nothing. I dined at Mr. Grenville'sto-day, if there had been any thing to hear, I should have heardit; but all consisted in what you will see in the papers--somediminutive(323) battles in America, and the death of the King ofPoland, (324) which you probably knew before we did. The town isa desert; it is like a vast plain, which, though abandoned atpresent, 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 Dukeof Devonshire. I came myself but this morning, but as I shallnot return to Strawberry till the day after to-morrow, I shallnot seal my letter till then. In the mean time, it is but fairto give you some more particular particulars of what I expect toknow. For instance, of Monsieur de Nivernois's cordiality; ofMadame Dusson's affection for England; of my Lord Holland's joyat seeing you in France, especially without your Secretary;(325)of all my Lady Hertford's(326) cousins at St. Germains; and Ishould not dislike a little anecdote or two of the lateembassy, (327) of which I do not doubt you will hear plenty. Imust trouble you with manycompliments to Madame de Boufflers, and with still more to theDuchesse de Mirepoix, (328) who is always so good as to rememberme. Her brother, Prince de Beauvau, (329) I doubt has forgottenme. Inthe disagreeableness of taking leave, I omitted these messages. Good night for to-night--OH! I forgot--pray send me some caff`eau lait: the Duc de Picquigny(33) (who by the way is somebody'sson, as I thought) takes it for snuff; and says it is the newfashion atParis; I suppose they drink rappee after dinner. 

Wednesday night. 

I might as well have finished last night; for I know nothing morethan I did then, but that Lady mary Coke arrived this evening. She has behaved very honourably, and not stolen the hereditaryPrince. (331)

Mr. Bowman(332) called on me yesterday before I came, and leftword that he would come again to-day, but did not. I wished tohear of you from him, and a little of my old acquaintance atRheims. Did you find Lord Beauchamp(333) much grown? Are allyour sons to be like those of the Amalekites? who were I forgethow many cubits high. 

Pray remind Mr. Hume(334) Of collecting the whole history of theexpulsion of the Jesuits. It is a subject worthy of his inquiryand pen. Adieu! my dear lord. 

(321) This is the first of the series of letters which Walpoleaddressed to his relation, the Earl of Hertford, during hislordship'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 containedthe following introductory notice:--

"No apology, it is presumed, is necessary for the followingpublication. The Letters of Mr. Walpole have already attainedthe highest rank in that department of English literature, andseem to deserve their popularity, whether they are regarded asobjects of mere amusement, or as a collection of anecdotesillustrative of the politics, literature, and manners of animportant and interesting period. 

"The following collection is composed of his letters to hiscousin, the Earl of Hertford, while ambassador at Paris, from1763 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 lettersthemselves, that Mr. Walpole wrote them in the intention and hopethat they might be preserved; and although they are enlivened byhis characteristic vivacity, and are not deficient in the lightermatters with which he was in the habit of amusing all hiscorrespondents, they are, on the whole, written in a more carefulstyle, and are employed on more important subjects than anyothers which have yet come to light. 

"Of the former collections, anecdote and chit-chat formed theprincipal topics, and politics were introduced Only as theyhappened to be the news of the day. Of the series now offered tothe public, politics are the groundwork, and the town-talk isonly the accidental embroidery. 

"Mr. Walpole's lately published Memoires have given proof of hisability in sketching parliamentary portraits and condensingparliamentary debates. In the following letters, powers of thesame class will, it is thought, be recognised; and as thepublished parliamentary debates are extremely imperfect for thewhole time to which this correspondence relates, Mr. Walpole'ssketches are additionally valuable. 

"These letters also give a near view of the proceedings ofpolitical parties during that interesting period; and althoughthe representation of so warm a partisan must be read with duecaution, a great deal of authentic information on this subjectwill be found, and even the very errors of the writer willsometimes tend to elucidate the state of parties during one ofthe busiest periods of our domestic dissensions. 

"Mr. Walpole's party feelings were, indeed, so warm, and hisjudgment of individuals was so often affected by the politicallights in which he viewed them, that the Editor has thought itdue to many eminent political characters to add a few notes, toendeavour to explain the prejudices and to correct themisapprehensions under which Mr. Walpole wrote. In doing so, theEditor has, he hopes, shown (what he certainly felt) a perfectimpartiality; and he flatters himself that he has onlyendeavoured to perform, (however imperfectly) what Mr. Walpolehimself, after the heat of party had subsided, would have beeninclined to do. "--To the notes here spoken of, the letter C. Is affixed. 

(322) John Harris, Esq. Of Hayne, in Devonshire, who marriedAnne, Lord Hertford's eldest sister. -E. 

(323) The actions at Detroit and Edge Hill, on the 31st of Julyand 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, underColonel 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 ofCommons, had been lately created Lord Holland, and was now inParis. Mr. Walpole insinuates, in his letter to Mr. Montagu ofthe 14th of April, that Lord Holland's visit to France arose fromapprehension of personal danger to himself, in consequence of hisshare in Lord Bute's administration--an absurd insinuation! Whatis meant by his joy at seeing Lord Hertford in France is notclear; but the allusion to the secretary probably refers to theabsence of Sir Charles, then Mr. Bunbury, who was nominatedsecretary to the embassy, but who had not accompanied LordHertford to Paris: as Mr. Bunbury had married Lady Holland's niece, there may have beenfamily reason for this allusion. -C. 

(326) Lady Hertford was a granddaughter of Charles II. , andtherefore cousin to the pretender, who, however, was at thisperiod in Italy; and the cousins alluded to were probably thefamily of Fitz-James. -C. 

(327) John, fourth Duke of Bedford, was Lord Hertford'spredecessor. Mr. Walpole had been on terms of personal andpolitical intimacy at Bedford-house; but political and privatedifferences had occurred to sharpen his resentment against theDuke, and even occasionally against the Duchess of Bedford. -C. 

(328) The Mar`eschale de Mirepoix was a clever woman, who was atthe head of one class of French society. She, however, quarrelled with her family, and lost the respect of the public bythe meanness of countenancing Madame du Barri. -C. 

(329) Son of the Prince de Craon: he was born in 1720; servedwith great distinction from the earliest age, and was created, in1782, marshal of France. His conduct in discountenancing thefavouritism of the last years of Louis XV. Was very honourable, as was his devotion to Louis XVI. In the first years of therevolution. The marshal survived his unfortunate sovereign butthree months. -C. 

(330) Son of the Duke de Chaulnes. -E. 

(331) The Hereditary Prince of Brunswick was at this timebetrothed to the King's eldest sister; and Mr. Walpole, aconstant friend and admirer of Lady Mary, affects to think thather beauty and vivacity might have seduced his Serene Highnessfrom his royal bride. Lady Mary lived till 1810. -C. 

(332) This gentleman was travelling tutor to Lord Hertford'seldest son, and had been lately residing with him at Rheims. -C. 

(333) Francis, afterwards second Marquis of Hertford, who died inthe year 1822. -E. 

(334) David Hume, the historian. He was at first privatesecretary to Lord Hertford, and afterwards secretary ofembassy. -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, youwill, I think, find nothing to your purpose: the present lordbought all the furniture at Navestock;(335) the few now to besold are the very fine ones of the best masters, and likely to goat vast prices, for there are several people determined to havesome one thing that belonged to Lord Waldegrave. I did not getthe catalogue till the night before last, too late to send by thepost, for I had dined with Sir Richard Lyttelton at Richmond, andwas forced to return by Kew-bridge, for the Thames was swelled soviolently that the ferry could not work. I am here quite alonein the midst of a deluge, without Mrs. Noah, but with half asmany animals. The waters are as much out as they were last year, when her vice-majesty of Ireland, (336) that now is sailed toNewmarket with both legs out at the fore glass, was here. Apropos, the Irish court goes on ill; they lost a question byforty the very first dayon the address. The Irish, not being so absurd or socomplimental as Mr. Allen, they would not suffer the word"adequate" to pass. (337) The prime minister is so unpopular thatthey think he must be sent back. His patent and Rigby's arecalled in question. You see the age is not favourable to prime ministers: well! I amgoing 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 mynightly feverhas returned; it comes like the bellman before Christmas, to putme in mind of my mortality. 

Sir Michael Foster(338) is dead, a Whig of the old rock: he is agreater 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 ofNovember, I give out a ticket to-day for seeing it. I see littleof it myself, for I cannot sit alone in such state; I shouldthink myself like the mad Duchess of Albemarle, (340) who fanciedherself 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 addressfrom the corporation of Bath, in favour of the peace, Mr. Allenhad secured the introduction of the word adequate, into the oneagreed to; which gave such offence to Mr. Pitt that he refused topresent 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 theDuke 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 willhave no reason to complain of the sterility of my letters. I donot saythis from the spirit of the House of Commons on the firstday, (341) which was the most fatiguing and dull debate I everheard, dull asI have heard many; and yet for the first quarter of an hour itlooked as if we were met to choose a King of Poland, (342) andthat all our names ended in zsky. Wilkes, the night before, hadpresented himself at the Cockpit: as he was listening to theSpeech, (343) George Selwyn said to him, in the words of theDunciad, "May Heaven preserve the ears you lend!"(344) We lostfour hours debating whether or not it was necessary to open thesession with reading a bill. The opposite sides, at the sametime, pushing to get the start, between the King's message, whichMr. Grenville stood at the bar to present, which was to acquaintus with the arrest of Wilkes and all that affair, and thecomplaint which Wilkes himself stood up to make. At six wedivided on the question of reading a bill. (345) Young ThomasTownshend(346) divided the House injudiciously, as the questionwas so idle; yet the whole argument of the day had been socomplicated with this question, that in effect it became thematerial question for tryingforces. This will be an interesting part to you, when you hearthat your brother(347) and I were in the minority. You know him, and therefore know he did what he thought right; and for me, mydear lord, you must know that I would die in the House for itsprivileges, and the liberty of the press. But come, don't bealarmed: this will have no Consequences. I don't think yourbrother is going into opposition; and for me, if I may namemyself to your affection after him, nothing but a question ofsuch magnitude can carry me to the House at all. I am sick ofparties and factions, and leave them to buy and sell one another. Bless me! I had forgot the numbers; they were 300, we 111. Wethen went upon the King's message; heard the North Briton read;and Lord North, (348) who took the prosecution upon him and did itvery well, moved to vote a scandalous libel, etc. Tending tofoment 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 littleenergy. He had a tough enemy too; I don't mean in parts orargument, but one that makes an excellent bulldog, thesolicitor-general Norton. Legge was, as usual, concise; and Charles Townshend, what is notusual, silent. We sat till within a few minutes of two, afterdividing again; we, our exact former number, 111; they, 273; andthen 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 whichhe himself had been so heavily abused; and he said, "whoeverstabs a reputation in the dark, without setting his name, is acowardly, malignant, and scandalous scoundrel. " This, looking atWilkes, herepeated twice, with such rage and violence, that he owned hispassion obliged him to sit down. Wilkes bore this with the sameindifference as he did all that passed in the day. The -House, too, who from Martin's choosing to take a public opportunity ofresentment, when he had so long declined any private notice, andafter Wilkes's courage was become so problematic, seemed to thinkthere was no danger of such champions going further; but the nextday, when we came into the House, the first thing we heard wasthat Martin had shot Wilkes: so he had; but Wilkes has six livesstill good. It seems Wilkes had writ, to avow the paper, toMartin, on which the latter challenged him. They went intoHyde-park about noon; Humphrey Coates, the wine-merchant, waitingin a postchaise to convey Wilkes away if triumphant. They firedat the distance offourteen yards: both missed. Then Martin fired and lodged a ballin the side of Wilkes; who was going to return it, but droppedhis pistol. He desired Martin to take care of securing himself, and assured him he would never say a word against him, and heallows that Martin behaved well. The wound yesterday was thoughtlittle more than a flesh-wound, and he was in his old spirits. To-day the account is worse, and he has been delirious: so youwill think whenyou hear what is to come. I think, from the agitation his mindmust be in, from his spirits, and from drinking, as I Suppose hewill, that he probably will end here. He puts me in mind of twolines of Hudibras, (350) which, by the arrangement of the wordscombined with Wilkes's story, are stronger than Butler intendedthem:--

"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, wherethe address was moved by Lord Hilsborough and Lord Suffolk, aftersome wrangling between Lord Temple, Lord Halifax, the Duke ofBedford, and Lord Gower; Lord Sandwich(353) laid before the Housethe most blasphemous and indecent poem that ever was composed, called "An Essay on Woman, With notes, by Dr. Warburton. "', Iwill tell you none of the particulars: they were so exceedinglybad, that Lord Lyttelton begged the reading might be stopped. The Housewas amazed; nobody ventured even to ask a question: so it waseasily voted every thing you please, and a breach of privilegeinto the bargain. Lord Sandwich then informed your Lordships, that Mr. Wilkes was the author. Fourteen copies alone were printed, oneof which the ministry had bribed the printer to give up. LordTemple then objected to the manner of obtaining it; and BishopWarburton, as much shocked at infidelity as Lord Sandwich hadbeen at obscenity, said, "the blackest fiends in hell would notkeep company with Wilkes when he should arrive there. " LordSandwich moved to vote Wilkes the author; but this Lord Mansfieldstopped, advertising the House that it was necessary first tohear what Wilkes could say in his defence. To-day, therefore, Was appointedfor that purpose; but it has been put off by Martin's lodging acaveat. (354) This bomb was certainly well conducted, and thesecret, though known to many, well kept. The management isworthy of Lord Sandwich, and like him. It may sound odd for me, with my principles, to admire Lord Sandwich; but besides that hehas in several instances been very obliging to me, there is agood humour and an industry about him that are very uncommon. Ido not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in theirway, one cannot help allowing them their due. Nobody but hecould have struck a stroke like this. 

Yesterday we sat till eight on the address, which yet passedwithout a negative - we had two very long speeches from Mr. Pittand Mr. Grenville; many fine parts in each. Mr. Pitt has giventhe latter some strong words, yet not so many as wereexpected. (355) To-morrow we go on the great question 'ofprivilege; but I must send this away, as we have no chance ofleaving the House before midnight, if before next morning. 

This long letter contains the history of but two days; yet if twodays furnish a history, it is not my fault. The ministry, Ithink, may do whatever they please. Three hundred, that willgive up their own privileges, may be depended upon for giving upany thing else. I have not time or room to ask a question, orsay a word more. 

Nov. 18, Friday. 

I have luckily got a holiday, and can continue my despatch, asyou know dinner time is my chief hour of business. The Speaker, unlike Mr. Onslow, who was immortal in the chair, is taken veryill, and our House is adjourned to Monday. Wilkes is thought ingreat danger: instead of keeping him quiet, his friends haveshown their zeal by him, and himself has been all spirits andriot, and sat in his bed the next morning to correct the pressfor to-morrow's North Briton. His bon-mots are all over thetown, but too gross, I think, to repeat; the chief' are at theexpense of poor Lord George. (356) Notwithstanding LordSandwich's masked battery, the tide runs violently for Wilkes, and I do not find people in general so inclined to excuse hislordship as I was. One hears nothing butstories of the latter's impiety, and of the concert he was Inwith Wilkes on that subject. Should this hero die, the Bishop ofGloucester may doom him whither he pleases, but Wilkes will passfor a saint and a martyr. 

Besides what I have mentioned, there were two or three passagesin the House of Lords that were diverting. Lord Temple dwelledmuch on the Spanish ministry being devoted to France. LordHalifax replied, "Can we help that? We can no more oblige theKing of Spain to change his ministers, than his lordship canforce his Majesty to change the present administration. " LordGower, too, attacking Lord Temple on want of respect to the King, the Earl replied, "he never had wanted respect for the King: heand his family had been attached to the house of Hanover full aslong as his lordship's family had. "(357)

You may imagine that little is talked of but Wilkes, and whatrelates to him. Indeed, I believe there is no other news, butthat Sir George Warren marries Miss Bishop, the maid of honour. The Duchess Of Grafton is at Euston, and hopes to stay there tillafter Christmas. Operas do not begin till tomorrow se'nnight;but the Mingotti is to sing, and that contents me. I forgot totell you, and you may Wonder at hearing nothing Of the ReverendMr. Charles Pylades, (358) while Mr. John Orestes is making such afigure: but Dr. Pylades, the poet, has forsaken his consort andthe Muses, and is gone off with a stonecutter's daughter. (359)If he should come and offer himself to you for chaplain to theembassy!

The Countess of Harrington was extremely alarmed last Sunday, onseeing the Duc de Prequigny enter her assembly: she forbade LadyCaroline(360) speaking to such a debauched young man, andcommunicated her fright to everybody. The Duchess of Bedfordobserved to me that as Lady Berkeley(361) and some other matronsof the same stamp were there, she thought there was no danger ofany violence being committed. For my part, the sisters are sodifferent, that I conclude my Lady Hertford has not found anyyoung man in France wild enough for her. Your counterpart, M. DeGuerchy, takes extremely. I have not yet seen his wife. 

I this minute receive your charming long letter of the 11th, andgive 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 sowithout your orders, for I could not bear to have you traducedand not advertise you to defend yourself. I have hitherto notheard asyllable; but the newspapers talk of your magnificence, and Iapprove extremely your intending to support their evidence; forthough I do not think it necessary to scatter pearls and diamondsabout the streets like their vice-majesties(362), of Ireland, oneowes it to one's self and to the King's choice to prove it waswell made. 

The colour given at Paris to Bunbury's(363) stay in England hasbeen given out here too. You need not, I think, trouble yourselfabout that; a majority of three hundred will soon show, that ifhe was detained, the reason at least no longer subsists. 

Hamilton is certainly returning from Ireland. LordShannon's(364) son is going to marry the Speaker's daughter, andthe Primate has begged to have the honour of Joining their hands. 

This letter is wofullv blotted and ill-written, yet I must say itis print compared to your lordship's. At first I thought you hadforgot that you was not writing to the secretary of state, andhad put it into cipher. Adieu! I am neither, dead of my fevernor apoplexy, nay, nor of the House of Commons. I rather thinkthe violent heat of the latter did me good. Lady Ailesbury wasat court yesterday, and benignly received;(365) a circumstanceyou 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 mindwas at this moment in a considerable ferment, and the King'sspeech invited Parliament "to discourage that licentious spiritwhich is repugnant to the true principles of liberty and of thishappy constitution. " It was expected that these words would, fromtheir being understood as a direct attack on Mr. Wilkes, haveopened a debate on his question, which was then uppermost inevery mind; but the opposition were unwilling to put themselvesunder the disadvantage of opposing the address and of exceptingagainst words, which, in their general meaning wereunexceptionable; they, therefore, had recourse to the proceedingsso well described in this letter. -C. 

(342) He means, that parties were so violent that the membersseemed inclined to come to blows. -C. 

(343) The King's speech, which is now read at the house of theminister, to a selection of the friends of government, wasformerly 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. Wilkesand Mr. Grenville then a chancellor of the exchequer, arose intheir places, the first to make a complaint of a breach ofprivilege in having been imprisoned, etc. ; and Mr. Grenville, tocommunicate to the House a message from the King, which relatedto the privileges of the House: the Speaker at the same timeacquainted the House, that the clerk had prepared a bill, andsubmitted it to them, whether, in point of form, the reading ofthe bill should not be the first proceeding towards opening thesession. A very long debate ensued, which of these three mattersought to have the precedence, -and at last it was carried infavour of the bill. " Hatsell's Precedents, vol. Ii. P. 77. -E. 

(346) Afterwards Lord Sydney. The Townshends were supposed to bevery unsteady, if not fickle, in their political conduct; acircumstance which gives point to Goldsmith's mention of this Mr. Townshend in his character of Burke:-

"----yet straining his throatTo persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote. "-C. 

(347) Henry Seymour Conway, only brother of Lord Hertford, atthis time a groom of the bedchamber, lieutenant-general in thearmy, and colonel of the first regiment of dragoons. He was, aswe will see, in consequence of his opposition to government onthese questions, dismissed both from court and his regiment: buthe became, on a change of ministers in 1765, secretary of state;and in 1772 was promoted to be a general; and in 1793 afield-marshal. -C. 

(348) Lord North was at this time one of the junior lords of thetreasury. -E. 

(349) Samuel Martin, Esq. Member for Camelford. He had beensecretary of the treasury during the Duke of Newcastle's and LordBute's administration. -E. 

(350) These lines, and two others, usually appended to them--

"He that is in battle slainCan 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, appearedon horseback in Westminster-hall. His horse had been, atnumerous rehearsals, so assiduously trained to perform what wasthought the most difficult part of his duty, namely, the retiringbackwards from the royal table, that, at the ceremony itself, noart of his rider could prevent the too docile animal from makinghis approaches to the royal presence tail foremost. Thisridiculous incident, was the occasion of some sarcastic remarksin the North Briton, of the 21st August, which led to acorrespondence between Lord Talbot and Mr. Wilkes, and ultimatelyto 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 fightingimmediately. This altercation, and some delay of Wilkes inwriting papers, which (not expecting, he said, to take the fieldbefore morning) he had left unfinished, delayed the affair tilldusk, and after the innocuous exchange of shots by moonlight, theparties shook hands, and supped together at the inn with a greatdeal of jollity. -C. 

(352) A young Scotch officer of the name of Forbes, fastened aquarrel on Mr. Wilkes, in Paris, for having written againstScotland, and insisted on his fighting him. Wilkes declineduntil he should have settled an engagement of the same naturewhich he had with Lord Egremont. Just at this time Lord Egremontdied, and Wilkes immediately offered to meet Captain Forbes atMenin, in Flanders. By some mistake Forbes did not appear, andthe affair blew over. A long controversy was kept up on thesubject by partisans in the newspapers; but on the whole it isimpossible to deny that Forbes's conduct was nasty and foolish, and that Wilkes behaved himself like a man of temper andhonour. -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 ofDecember, "that Mr. Wilkes, the intrepid defender of our rightsand liberties, is out of danger; and it is no less a mercy, thatGod hath raised up the Earl of Sandwich, to vindicate truereligion and morality. These two blessings will justly make anepocha in the annals affairs country. "-E. 

(354) The Bishop of Gloucester, whose laborious commentaries onPope's Essay on Man gave Wilkes the idea of fathering on him thenotes on the Essay on Woman. -C. 

(355) Dr. Birch, in a letter to Lord Royston, gives the followingaccount of what passed in the House of Lords on this occasion:--"The session commenced with a complaint made by Lord Sandwichagainst Mr. Wilkes for a breach of privilege in being the authorof a poem full of obscenity and blasphemy, intitled 'An Essay onWoman, ' with notes, under the name of the Bishop of Gloucester. His letters, which discovered the piece was his, had been seizedat Kearsley's the bookseller, when the latter was taken up forpublishing No. 45 of the North Briton. Lord Temple and LordSandys objected to the reading letters, till the secretary ofstate's warrant, by which Kearsley had been arrested, had beenproduced and shown to be a legal act; but this objection beingoverruled, the Lords voted the Essay a most scandalous, obscene, and impious libel, and adjourned the farther consideration of thesubject, as far as concerned the author, till the Thursdayfollowing. "-E. 

Lord Barrington, in a letter to Sir Andrew Mitchell, gives thefollowing account of Mr. Pitt's speech:--"He spoke with greatability, and the utmost degree of temper: he spoke civilly, andnot unfairly, of the ministers; but of the King he said everything which duty and affection could inspire. The effect of thiswas a vote for an address, nem. Con. I think, if fifty thousandpounds had been given for that speech, it would have been wellexpended. It secures us a quiet session. " See ChathamCorrespondence, Vol. Ii. P. 262. -E. 

(356) Probably Lord George Sackville, so disagreeably celebratedfor his conduct at Minden; afterwards a peer, by the title ofLord Sackville, and secretary of state. In the North Britonwhich was in preparation when Wilkes was taken up, he advisedthat Lord George should carry the sword before the King at anintended thanksgiving. Of all the persons suspected of being theauthor of Junius, Lord George Sackville seems the mostprobable. -C. ["It is peculiarly hostile to the opinion in favourof Lord George, that Junius should roundly have accused him ofwant of courage. " Woodfall's Junius, Vol. I. P. 161. ]

(357) Lord Gower had been reputed the head of the Jacobites. SirC. H. Williams sneeringly calls him "Hanoverian Gower;" and whenhe accepted office from the house of Brunswick, all the Jacobitesin England were mortified and enraged. Dr. Johnson, a steadyTory, was, when compiling his Dictionary, with difficultypersuaded not to add to his explanation of the worddeserter--"Sometimes it is called a Go'er. "-C. ["Talking, " saysBoswell, "upon this subject, Dr. Johnson mentioned to me astronger instance of the predominanceof his private feelings in the composition of this work than anynow to be found in it: 'You know, Sir, Lord Gower forsook the oldJacobite interest: when I came to the word renegades aftertelling what it meant, one who deserts to the enemy, a revolter, I added, sometimes we Say a GOWER: thus it went to the press; butthe printer had more wit than I, and struck it out. '" Croker'sBoswell. ]

(358) Churchill the satirist and Wilkes; of whom Mr. Southey, inhis Life of Cowper, relates the following anecdote:--"Churchillbecame Wilkes's coadjutor in the North Briton; and thepublishers, when examined before the privy council on thepublication of No. 45, having declared that Wilkes gave ordersfor the printing, and Churchill received the profits from thesale, orders were given for arresting Churchill under the generalwarrant. He was saved from arrest by Wilkes's presence of mind, who was in custody of the messenger when Churchill entered theroom. 'Good morning, Thompson, ' said Wilkes to him: 'how doesMrs. Thompson do? Does she dine in the country?' Churchill tookthe 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, andeluded all search. "-E. 

(359) Mr. Southey states, that "a fortnight had not elapsedbefore both parties were struck with sincere compunction, andthrough the intercession of a true friend, at their entreaty, theunhappy penitent was received by her father: it is said she wouldhave proved worthy of this parental forgiveness, if an eldersister had not, by continual taunt, ; and reproaches, rendered herlife so miserable, that, in absolute despair, she threw herselfupon Churchill for protection. Instead of making a justprovision forher, which his means would have allowed, he receivedher as his mistress. If all his other writings were forgotten, the lines in which he expressed his compunction for his conductwould 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, swellsEach 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 . Shedied in 1767, at the age of twenty. -E. 

(361) Elizabeth Drax, wife of Augustus, fourth Earl Berkeley; shehad been lady of the bedchamber to the Princess-dowager. -E. 

(362) Hugh Earl, and afterwards Duke of Northumberland, and hislady, Elizabeth Seymour, only surviving child of Algernon Duke ofSomerset, and heiress, by her grandmother, of the Percies. -E. 

(363) Sir Charles Bunbury, Bart. The reason evidently was, thathe 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 ofthe Right Hon. John Ponsonby, Speaker of the Irish House ofcommons, by Lady Ellen Cavendish, second daughter of the thirdDuke of Devonshire. Lord Shannon, Mr. Ponsonby, and the Primate, Dr. George Stone, Archbishop of Armagh, were the rulingtriumvirate of Ireland. Theywere four times declared lords justices of that kingdom. Somedifferences had, however, occurred between these great leaders, which Mr. Walpole insinuates that this marriage was likely toheal. -C. 

(365) the benignity of her reception at court is noticed becauseGeneral Conway's late votes against the ministry might naturallyhave displeased the King, to whom he was groom of thebedchamber. -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 inthe country; London never was so entertaining since it had asteeple or a madhouse. Cowards fight duels; secretaries of stateturn Methodists on the Tuesday, and are expelled the playhousefor 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 hissons resign their employments. I know my letter sounds asenigmatic as Merlin's almanack; but my events have reallyhappened. I had almost persuaded myself like you to quit theworld; thank my stars I did not. Why, I have done nothing butlaugh since last Sunday; though on Tuesday I was one of a hundredand eleven, who were outvoted by three hundred; no laughingmatter generally to a true patriot, whether he thinks his countryundone or himself. Nay, I am still: more absurd; even for mydear country's sake I cannot bring myself to connect with LordHardwicke, or the Duke of Newcastle, though they are in theminority-an unprecedented case, not to love every body onedespises, when they are of the same side. On the contrary, Ifear I resembled a fond woman, and dote on the dear betrayer. Inshort, and to write something that you can understand, you know Ihave long had a partiality for your cousin Sandwich, who hasout-Sandwiched himself. He has impeachedWilkes for a blasphemous poem, and has been expelled forblasphemy himself by the Beefsteak Club at Covent-garden. Wilkeshas been shot by Martin, and instead of being burnt at an auto dafe, as the Bishop of Gloucester intended, is reverenced as asaint by the mob, and if he dies, I suppose, the people willsquint themselves into convulsions at his tomb, in honour of hismemory. Now is not this better than feeding one's birds andone's bantams, poring one's eyes out over old histories, not halfso extraordinary as the present, or ambling to Squire Bencow's onone's padnag, and playingat cribbage with one's brother John and one's parson? Pritheecome to town, and let us put off taking the veil for anotheryear: besides by this time twelvemonth we are sure the world willbe a year older in wickedness, and we shall have more matter formeditation. One would not leave it methinks till it comes to theworst, and that time cannot be many months off. In the meantime, I have bespoken a dagger, in case the circumstances shouldgrow so classic as to make it becoming to kill oneself; however, though disposed to quit the world, as I have no mind to leave itentirely, I shall put off my death to the last minute, and donothing rashly, till I see Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple placethemselves in their curule chairs in St. James's-market, andresign their throats to the victors. I am determined to see themdead first, lest they should play me a trick, and be hobbling toBuckingham-house, while I am shivering and waiting for them onthe banks of Lethe. Adieu! Yours, Horatius. 

Letter 181To The Earl Of Hertford. Arlington Street, Nov. 25, 1763. (page 251)

You tell me, my dear lord, in a letter I have this momentreceived from you, that you have had a comfortable one from me; Ifear it was not the last: you will not have been fond of yourbrother's voting against the court. Since that, he has been toldby different channels that they think of taking away regimentsfrom opposers. He heard it, as he would the wind whistle: whilein the shape of a threat, he treats it with contempt; if put intoexecution his scorn would subside into indifference. You know hehas but one object--doing what is right; the rest may betide asit will. One or two of the ministers, (366) who are honest men, would, I have reason to believe, be heartily concerned to havesuch measures adopted; but they are not directors. The littlefavour they possess, and the desperateness of their situationoblige them to swallow many things they disapprove, and whichruin their character with the nation; while others, who have nocharacter to lose, and whose situation is no less desperate, carenot what inconveniences they bring on their master, nor whatconfusion on their country, in which they can never prosper, except when it is convulsed. The nation, indeed, seemsthoroughly sensible of this truth. They are unpopular beyondconception: even of those that vote with them there are numbersthat express their aversion without reserve. Indeed, onWednesday, the 23d, this went farther: we were to debate thegreat point of privilege: Wilbraham(367)objected, that Wilkes was involved in it, and ought to bepresent. On this, though, as you see, a question of slightmoment, fifty-seven left them at once: they were but 243 to166. (368) As we had sat, however, till eight at night, thedebate was postponed to next day. Mr. Pitt, who had a fever andthe gout, came on crutches, and wrapped in flannels: so he didyesterday, but was obliged to retire at ten at night, aftermaking 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 tillwithin ten minutes of two in the morning: yet we had but fewspeeches, all were so long. Hussey, (369) solicitor to thePrincess of Wales, was against the court, and spoke with greatspirit, and true Whig spirit. Charles Yorke(370) shoneexceedingly. He had spoke and voted with us the night before;but now maintained his opinion against Pratt's. (371) It was amost able and learned performance, and the latter part, which wasoratoric, uncommonly beautiful and eloquent. You find I don'tlet partiality to the Whig cause blind my judgment. That speechwas certainly the masterpiece of the day. Norton would not havemade a figure, even if Charles Yorke had not appeared; but givingway to his natural brutality, he got into an ugly scrape. Havingso little delicacy or decency as to mention a cause in which hehad prosecuted Sir John Rushout(372) (Who sat just under him) forperjury, the tough old knight (who had been honourably acquittedof the charge) gave the House an account of the affair; and thenadded, "I was assured the prosecution was set on foot by thatHonest gentleman; I hope I don't Call him out of his name--andthat it was in revenge for my having opposed him in an election. "Norton denied the charge upon his honour, which did not seem topersuade every body. Immediately after this we had anotherepisode. Rigby, (373) totally unprovoked either by any thing saidor by the complexion of the day, which was grave andargumentative, fell Upon Lord Temple, and described his behaviouron the commitment of Wilkes. James Grenville, (374) who satbeside him, rose in all the acrimony of resentment: drew a veryfavourable picture of his brother, and then one of Rigby, conjuring up the bitterest words, epithet, and circumstances thathe could amass together: told him how interested he was, and howignorant: painted his Journey to Ireland to get a law-place, forwhich he was so unqualified; and concluded with affirming he hadfled from thence to avoid the vengeance of the people. Thepassive Speaker suffered both painters to finish their words, andwould have let them carry their colours and brushes intoHyde-park the next morning, if other people had not representedthe necessity of demanding their paroles that it should go nofarther. They were both unwilling to rise: Rigby did at last, and put an end to it with humour(375) and good-humour. Thenumbers were 258 to 133. The best speech ofall those that were not spoken was Charles Townshend's. (376) Hehas for some time been informing the world that for the lastthree months he had constantly employed six clerks to search andtranscribe records, journals, precedents, etc. The production ofall this mountain of matter was a mouse, and that mousestillborn: 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 thismagnitude could easily have carried me to the House at all, ofwhich I have so long been sick. Wilkes will live, but is notlikely to be in a situation to come forth for some time. Theblasphemous book has fallen ten times heavier on Sandwich's ownhead than on Wilkes's: it has brought forth such a catalogue ofanecdotes as is incredible! Lord Hardwicke fluctuates betweenlife and death. Lord Effingham is dead suddenly, and LordCantelupe(377) has got his troop. 

These are all our news; I am glad yours go on so smoothly. Itake care to do you justice at M. De Guerchy's for all thejustice you do to France, and particularly to the house ofNivernois. D'Eon(378) is here still: I know nothing more of himbut that the honour of having a hand in the peace overset hispoor brain. This was evident on the fatal night(379) at LordHalifax's: when they told him his behaviour was a breach of thepeace, he was quite distracted, thinking it was the peace betweenhis country and this. 

Our operas begin to-morrow. The Duchess of Grafton is come for afortnight only. My compliments to the ambassadress, and all yourcourt. 

(366) There is reason to think that at this moment Mr. Grenvilleand Lord Halifax were those to whom Mr. Walpole gave credit forhonest intentions and a disposition to moderate and conciliate. This opinion, though probably correct, Walpole soon changed, asto Mr. Grenville. -C. 

(367) Randle Wilbraham, LL. D. A barrister, deputy steward of theUniversity of Oxford, and member for Newton, in Lancashire. -E. 

(368) The question was, "That Privilege of Parliament does notextend to the case of writing and publishing seditious libels, nor ought to be allowed to obstruct the ordinary course of thelaws in the speedy and effectual prosecution of so heinous anddangerous an offence. "-C. 

(369) Richard Hussey, member for St. Mawes. He was counsel tothe navy, as well as solicitor to the Queen, not, as Mr. Walpolesays, to the Princess. He was afterwards her majesty'sattorney-general. -C. 

(370) Charles Yorke, second son of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke. Hehad been attorney-general, but resigned on the 31st of October. He agreed with the ministry on the question of privilege, butdiffered from them on general warrants. This last difference mayhave accelerated his resignation; but the event itself had beendetermined on, ever since the failure of a negotiation which tookplace towards the end of the preceding August, through Mr. Pittand Lord Hardwicke, to form a new administration on a Whigbasis. -C. 

(371) Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, afterwards Lord Camden. He had discharged Wilkes out of confinement on the ground ofprivilege. -E. 

(372) Sir John Rushout, of Northwick, the fourth baronet. He hadsat in ten Parliaments; in the three first for Malmsbury, and inthe rest for Evesham. He had been a violent politician in SirRobert Walpole's administration. See vol. I. P. 222, letter53. -E. 

(373) The Right Hon. Richard Rigby, master of the rolls inIreland, afterwards paymaster of the forces; a statesman of thesecond class, and a bon vivant of the first. Mr. Rigby was at onetime a chief friend and favourite of Mr. Walpole's, but becameinvolved in Mr. Walpole's dislike to the Duke of Bedford, to whomMr. Rigby was sincerely and constantly attached, and over whom hewas 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 the29th of November, says, "Jemmy Grenville and Mr. Rigby were so violent against each other, one in his manner of treatingLord Temple, who was in the House, and the brother in hisjustification of his brother, that the House was obliged tointerfere to prevent mischief. Lord Temple comes to me; butpolitics is the bane of friendship, and when personal resentmentsjoin, the man becomes another creature. "-E. 

(376) As Mr. Walpole seems to impute Mr. Charles Townshend'ssilence on the question of privilege to fickleness, or some worsecause, it is but just to state that he never quite approved thatquestion. This will be seen from the following extract from someof his confidential letters to Dr. Brocklesby, written two monthsbefore Parliament met:--"You know I never approved of No. 45, orengaged in any of the consequential measures. As to the questionof privilege, it is an intricate matter; The authorities arecontradictory, and the distinctions to be reasonably made on theprecedents are plausible and endless. " Mr. Townshend gave a gooddeal of further consideration to the subject, and his silence inthe debate only proves that his first impressions were confirmed. Mr. Burke's beautiful, but, perhaps, too favourable character ofCharles Townshend will immortalize the writer and the subject. -C. 

(377) John, afterwards second Earl of Delawarr, vice-chamberlainto the Queen. -E. 

(378) This singular person had been secretary to the Duke deNivernois's embassy, and in the interval between thatambassador's departure and the arrival of M. De Guerchy, theFrench mission to our court devolved upon him. This honour, asMr. Walpole intimates, seems to have turned his head, and he wasso absurdly exasperated at being superseded by M. De Guerchy, that he refused to deliver his letters of recall, set his courtat defiance, and published a volume of libels on M. De Guerchyand the French ministers. As he persisted in withholding theletters of recall, the two courts were obliged to notify in theLondon Gazette that his mission was at an end; and the Frenchgovernment desired that he be given up to them. This, of course, could not be done: but he was proceeded against by criminalinformation, and finally convicted of the libels against M. DeGuerchy. D'Eon asserted, that the French ministry had a designto carry him off privately; and it has been said that he wasapprised of this scheme by Louis XV. Who, it seems, hadentertained some kind of secret and extra- official communicationwith this adventurer. He afterwards continued in obscurity until1777, when the public was astonished by the trial of an actionbefore Lord Mansfield, for money lost ona wager respecting his sex. On that trial it seemed provedbeyond all doubt, that the person was a female. Proceedings inthe Parliament of Paris had a similar result, and the soldier andthe minister was condemned to wear woman's attire, which d'Eondid for many years. He emigrated at the revolution, and died inLondon in May, 1810. On examination, after death, the bodyproved to be that of a male. This circumstance, attested by themost respectable authorities, is so strongly it variance with allthe former evidence, that the French biographers have beeninduced to doubt whether the original Chevalier D'Eon and theperson who died in 1810 were the same, and they even endeavour toshow that the real person, the Chevali`ere, as they term it, diedin 1790; but we cannot admit this solution of the difficulty, forone, at least, of the surgeons who examined the body in 1810, hadknown D'Eon in his habiliments, and he had for ten years livedunquestioned under the name of D'Eon. -C. 

(379) On the 26th of October, D'Eon, meeting M. De Guerchy and aM. De Vergy at Lord Halifax's, in Great George-street, burst outinto such violence on some observation made by De Vergy, that itbecame necessary to call in the guard. His whole behaviour inthis 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 Ihave generally received a letter from you, but it is not yetarrived and I begin mine without it. M. De Guerchy has given usa prosperous account of my Lady Hertford's audience still I amimpatient to hear it from yourselves. I want to know, too, whatyou say to your brother's being in the minority. I have alreadytold you that unless they use him ill, I do not think him likelyto take any warm part. With regard to dismission of officers, Ihear no more of it: such a violent step would but spread theflames. Which are already fierce enough. I will give you aninstance: last' Saturday, Lord Cornwallis(380) and LordAllen, (381) came drunk to the Opera: the former went up to Rigbyin the pit, and told him in direct words that Lord Sandwich was apickpocket. Then Lord Allen, with looks and gestures no lessexpressive, advanced close to him, and repeating this again inthe passage, would have provoked a quarrel, if George West(382)had not carried him away by force. Lord (Cornwallis, the nextmorning 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 LordTemple, so unprovoked, and so poorly performed. It was well thatwith his spirit and warmth he had the sense not to resent thebehaviour of those two drunken young fellows. 

On Tuesday your Lordship's House sat till ten at night, on theresolutions we had communicated to you; and you agreed to them by114 to 35: a puny minority indeed, considering of what greatnames it was composed! Even the Duke of Cumberland voted in it;but Mr. Yorke's speech in our House, and Lord Mansfield's inyours, for two hours, carried away many of the opposition, particularly Lord Lyttelton, and the greater part of the Duke ofNewcastle'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 sayspoke well, and against the court, and as his friends had votedin our House, has produced one, the great Mr. Calcraft(384) beingturned out yesterday, from some muster-mastership; I don't knowwhat. Lord Sandwich is canvassing to succeed LordHardwicke, as High Steward of Cambridge; another egg ofanimosity. We shall, however, I believe, be tolerably quiet tillafter Christmas, as Mr. Wilkes Will not be able to act before theholidays. I rejoice at it: I am heartily sick of all this folly, and shall be glad to get to Strawberry again, and hear nothing ofit. The ministry have bought off Lord Clive(385) with a bribethat would frighten the King of France himself: they have givenhim back his 25, 000 a year. Walsh(386) has behaved nobly: he said he could not in consciencevote with the administration, and would not Vote against LordClive, who chose him: he has therefore offered to resign hisseat. Lady Augusta's(387) fortune was to be voted to-day andLord Strange talked of opposing it; but I had not the curiosityto go down. This is all our politics, and indeed all our news;we have none of any other kind. So far you will not regretEngland. For my part, I wish myself with you. Being perfectlyindifferent who is minister and Who is not, and weary oflaughing(388) at both, I shall take hold of the first spring tomake you my visit. 

Our operas do not succeed. Girardini, now become minister andhaving no exchequer to buy an audience, is grown unpopular. TheMingotti, whom he has forced upon the town, is as much dislikedas if he had insisted on her being first lord of the treasury. The first man, though with sweet notes, has so weak a voice thathe might as well hold his tongue like Charles Townshend. Thefigurantes are very pretty, but can dance no more than TommyPelham. (389) The first man dancer is handsome, well made, andstrong 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 thesecond night. 

Lady Mary Coke has received her gown by the Prince de Masseran, and is exceedingly obliged to you, though much disappointed; thisbeing a slight gown made up, and not the one she expected, whichis a fine one bought for her by Lady Holland, (391) and which youmust send somehow or other: if you cannot, you must despatch anambassador on purpose. I dined with the Prince de Masseran, atGuerchy's, the day after his arrival; and if faces speak truth, he will not be our ruin. Oh! but there is a ten times moredelightful man--the Austrian minister:(392) he is so stiff andupright, that you would think all his mistress's diadems wereupon his head, and that he was afraid of their dropping off. 

I know so little of Irish politics, that I am afraid ofmisinforming you: but I hear that Hamilton, who has come off withhonour in a squabble with Lord Newton, (393) about the latter'swife, speaks and votes with the opposition against theCastle. (394) I don't know the meaning of it, nor, except it hadbeen 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 gooddeal out of town. I have been charming hitherto, but I cannotmake brick without straw. Encore, you are almost the only personI ever write a line to. I grow so old and so indolent that Ihate 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 Indiain 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. TheDuke of Newcastle after being nearly half a century in office, was now in opposition. -C. 

(384) John Calcraft, Esq. Was deputy commissary-general ofmusters: he was particularly attached to Mr. Fox; which is, perhaps, one reason why Mr. Walpole, who had now quarrelled withMr. Fox, speaks so slightingly of Mr. Calcraft. -C. 

(385) Robert Clive, who, for his extraordinary services andsuccess in India, was, at the age of thirty-five, created anIrish peer. It was of him that Mr. Pitt said, that he was "aheaven-born general, who without any experience in militaryaffairs, had surpassed all the officers of his time. " The wealthwhich this great man accumulated in India was, during his wholesubsequent life, a subject of popular jealousy and partyattack. -C. 

(386) John Walsh, Esq. Member for Worcester. -E. 

(387) Princess Augusta, eldest sister of George III. ; married inJanuary 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 toneof his correspondence does not quite justify the expression oflaughing at either party; he was warmly interested in the one, and bitterly hostile to the other, and for a considerable periodtook a deep and active interest in political party. -C. 

(389) Thomas Pelham, member for Sussex, afterwards comptroller ofthe 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 BaronessHolland in her own right. -C. 

(392) Probably the Count de Seleirn, minister from theEmpress-Queen, Maria Theresa. 

(393) Brinsley Lord Newton, afterwards second Earl ofLanesborough, married Lady Jane Rochfort, eldest daughter of thefirst Earl of Belvidere. In the affair here alluded to LordNewton exhibited at first an extreme jealousy, and subsequentlywhat was thought an extreme facility in admitting Mr. Hamilton'sexculpatory assurances. -C. 

(394) This is not quite true; but Mr. Hamilton was on very badterms with the Lord Lieutenant, and certainly did not take thatprominent part in the House of Commons of Ireland which hisstation 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 arecontinually giving me proofs of your kindness. I have now threepackets to thank you for, full of information, and have onlylamented the trouble you have given yourself. 

I am glad for the tomb's sake and my own, that Sir GilesAllington's monument is restored. The draught you have sent isvery perfect. The account of your ancestor Tuer(395) shall notbe forgotten in my next edition. The pedigree of Allington I hadfrom Collins before his death, but I think not as perfect asyours. You have made one little slip in it: my mother wasgranddaughter, not daughter of Sir John Shorter, and was notheiress, having three brothers, who all died after her, and weonly quarter the arms of Shorter, which I fancy occasioned themistake, by their leaving no children. The verses by Sir EdwardWalpole, and the translation by Bland, are published in mydescription of Houghton. 

I am come late from the House of Lords, and am just going to theOpera; so you will excuse me saying more than that I have a printof Archbishop Hutton for you (it @is Dr. Ducarel's), and alittle 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 themotherwise, 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 atUtrecht. -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 transactionwith Mr. Grenville(396) that it is not necessary for me to add asyllable, except, what your brother will not have said himself, that he has acted as usual with the strictest honour andfirmness, and has turned this negotiation entirely to his owncredit. He has learned the ill wishes of his enemies, and whatis more, knows who they are: he has laughed at them, and found atlast that their malice was much bigger than their power. Mr. Grenville, as you would wish, has proved how much he disliked theviolence of his associates, as I trust he will, whenever he hasan opportunity, and has at last contented himself with so littleor nothing, that I am sure you will feel yourself obliged to him. For the measure itself, of turning out the officers in generalwho oppose, it has been much pressed, and what is still sillier, openly threatened by one set; but they dare not do it, and havingnotified it without effect, are ridiculed by the whole town, aswell as by the persons threatened, particularly by LordAlbermarle, who has treated their menaces with the utmostcontempt and spirit. This mighty storm, like another I shalltell you of, has vented itself on Lord Shelburne and ColonelBarr`e, (397) who were yesterday turned out; the first fromaide-de-camp to the King, the latter from adjutant-general andgovernor of Stirling. Campbell, (398) to Whom it was promisedbefore, has got the last; Ned Harvey, (399) theformer. My present expectation is an oration from Barr`e(400 inhonour of Mr. Pitt; for those are scenes that make the world soentertaining. After that, I shall demand a satire on Mr. Pitt, from Mr. Wilkes; and I do not believe I shall be balked, forWilkes has already expressed his resentment on being given up byPitt, who, says Wilkes, ought to be expelled for animpostor. (401) I do not know whether the Duke of Newcastle doesnot expect a palinodia from me(402) T'other morning at the Duke'slev`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 gotfrom him as fast as I could. Do you think me very likely toforget that I have been laughing at him these twenty years?

Well! but we have had a prodigious riot: are not you impatient toknow the particulars? It was so prodigious a tumult, that Iverily thought half the administration would have run away toHarrowgate. The north Briton was ordered to be burned by thehangman at Cheapside, on Saturday last. The mob rose; thegreatest mob, says Mr. Sheriff Blunt, that he has known in fortyyears. They were armed with that most bloody instrument, the mudout of the kennels: they hissed in the most murderous manner:broke Mr. Sheriff Harley's coach-glass in the most frangentmanner; scratched his forehead, so that he is forced to wear alittle patch in the most becoming manner; and obliged the hangmanto burn the paper with a link, though fagots were prepared toexecute it in a more solemn manner. Numbers of gentlemen, fromwindows and balconies, encouraged the mob, who, in about an hourand a half, were so undutiful to the ministry, as to retirewithout doing any mischief, or giving Mr. Carteret Webb(403) theopportunity of a single information, except against an ignorantlad, who had been in town but ten days. 

This terrible uproar has employed us four days. The sheriffswere called before your House on Monday, and made theirnarrative. My brother Cholmondeley, (404) in the most patheticmanner, and suitably to the occasion, recommended it to yourlordships, to search for precedents of what he believed neverhappened since the world began. Lord Egmont, (405) who knows of aplot, which he keeps to himself, though It has been carrying onthese twenty years, thought more vigorous measures ought to betaken on such a crisis, and moved to summon the mistress of theUnion Coffee-house. The Duke of Bedford thought all this butpiddling, and at once attacked Lord Mayor, common council, andcharter of the city, whom, if he had been supported, I believe hewould have ordered to be all burned by the hangman next Saturday. Unfortunately for such national justice, Lord Mansfield, whodelights in every opportunity of exposing and mortifying the Dukeof Bedford, and Sandwich, interposed for the magistracy ofLondon, and after much squabbling, saved them from immediateexecution. The Duke of Grafton, with infinite shrewdness andcoolness, drew from the witnesses that the whole mob was of onemind; and the day ended in a vote of generalcensure on the rioters. This was communicated to us at aconference, and yesterday we acted the same farce; when Rigbytrying to revive the imputation on the Lord Mayor, etc. (who, bythe by, did sit most tranquilly at Guildhall during the wholetumult) the ministry disavowed and abandoned him to a man, vindicating the magistracy, and plainly discovering their ownfear and awe of the city, who feel the insult, and will fromhence feel their own strength. In short, to finish this foolishstory, I never saw a transaction in which appeared so littleparts, abilities, or conduct; nor do I think there can be anything weaker than the administration except it is the opposition:but an opposition, bedrid and tonguetied, is a most ridiculousbody. Mr. Pitt is laid up with the gout; Lord Hardwicke, thoughmuch relieved by a quack medicine, is still very ill; and Mr. Charles Townshend is as silent as my Lord Abercorn(406--that theytoo should ever be alike!

This is not all our political news; Wilkes is an inexhaustiblefund: on Monday was heard, in the common Pleas, his suit againstMr. Wood, (407) when, after a trial of fourteen hours, the jurygave him damages of one thousand pounds; but this was not theheaviest part of the blow. The Solicitor-general(408) tried toprove 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 apiece of coat or lining to come Out of the wound. The campaignis over for the present, and the troops going into countryquarters. In the mean time, the house of Hamilton has suppliedus with new matter of talk. My lord was robbed about threeo'clock in the night between Saturday and Sunday, of money, bills, watches, and snuff-boxes, to the amount of three thousandpounds. Nothing is yet discovered, but that theguard in the stable yard saw a man in a great coat and whitestockings come from thereabouts, at the time I have named. Theservants have all been examined over and over to no purpose. Fielding(409) is all day in the house, and a guard of his atnight. The bureau in my lord's dressing-room (the little redroom where the pictures are) was forced open. I fear you canguess who was at first suspected. (410)

I have received yours, my dear lord, of Nov. 30th, and am pleasedthat my Lady Hertford is so well reconciled to her ministry. Youforgot to give me an account of her audience, but I have heard ofthe Queen's good-natured attention to her. 

The anecdotes about Lord Sandwich are numerous; but I do notrepeat them to you, because I know nothing how true they are, andbecause he has, in several instances, been very obliging to me, and I have no reason to abuse him. Lord Hardwicke's illness, Ithink, is a rupture and consequences. 

I hope to hear that your little boy is recovered. Adieu! I havefilled my gazette, and exhausted my memory. I am glad suchgazettes please you - I can have no other excuse for sending suchtittle-tattle. 

(396) This transaction was an endeavour on the part of Mr. Grenville to obtain from General Conway a declaration that "hisdisposition was not averse from a general support of the personsand measures of those now employed, " and permission " to say somuch when he might have occasion to speak to him. " Thisdeclaration General Conway declined to give, although Mr. Grenville seemed to ask it only to enable him to save Conway fromdismissal on account of his late vote. There is reason tobelieve that at this conference (at which the Duke of Richmondwas present, as Conway's friend) some overtures of a moreintimate connexion with the administration were made; but Conwaydeclared his determination to adhere to the politics of hisfriends, the Dukes of Devonshire and Grafton. "At least, " hesaid, "if he should hereafter happen to differ from them, heshould so steer his conduct as not to be, in any way of office oremolument, the better for it. "-C. 

(397) Isaac Barr`e was a native of Ireland, and born in 1726: heentered the army early in life, and rose, gradually to the rankof colonel. He was in 1763 made adjutant-general and thegovernor of Stirling Castle, but was turned out on this occasion, and even resigned his half-pay. He continued to make aconsiderable figure in the House of Commons: in 1782 he became aprivy-councillor and treasurer of the navy, which latter officehe soon exchanged for paymaster of the forces; but on the changeof government he retired on a pension of 3200 pounds, which hispolitical friends had previously secured for him. From this timehis sight failed him, and he was quite blind for many yearsprevious to his death, which took place in 1802. -C. 

(398) Captain James, afterwards Sir James Campbell, ofArdkinglass: a captain in the army, and member for the county ofStirling. -E. 

(399) Major-General Edward Harvey, lieutenant-general in 1772. -E. 

(400) Colonel Barr`e, previous to his dismissal, haddistinguished himself by an attack on Mr. Pitt, which is notreported in the Parliamentary Debates. -C. [In the ChathamCorrespondence, vol. Ii. P. 171, will be found the followingpassage, in a letter from Mr. Symmers to Sir Andrew Mitchell, dated January 29, 1762:--"Would you know a little of the humourof Parliament, and particularly with regard to Mr. Pitt?' I musttell you that Colonel Barr`e, a soldier of fortune, a young manborn in Dublin, of a mean condition, his father and mother fromFrance, and established in a little grocer's shop by thepatronage of the Bishop of Clogher; a child of whom the mothernursed; this young man (a man of address and parts), foundout, pushed, and brought into Parliament by Lord Shelburne, hadnot sat two days in the House of Commons before he attacked Mr. Pitt. I shall give you a specimen of his philippics. Talking inthe manner of Mr. Pitt's speaking, he said, 'There he wouldstand, turning up his eyes to heaven, that witnessed hisperjuries, and laying his hand in a solemn manner upon the table, that sacrilegious hand, that hand that had been employed intearing out the bowels of his mother country!' Would you thinkthat Mr. Pitt would bear this and be silent; or would you thinkthat the House would suffer a respectable member to be sotreated? Yet so it Was. "]

(401) In the House of Commons, a few days before, Mr. Pitt hadcondemned the whole series of North Britons, and called themilliberal, unmanly, and detestable: "he abhorred, " he said, "allnational reflections: the King's subjects were one people;whoever divided them was guilty of sedition: his Majesty'scomplaint was well-founded; it was just; it was necessary: theauthor did not deserve to be ranked among the human species; hewas the blasphemer of his God and the libeller of the King. "-E. 

(402) This improbable event a few weeks brought about. We shallsee that Mr. Walpole did sing his Palinodia, and went down toClaremont to eat a bit of mutton with the man in the world whom(as all his writings, but especially his lately publishedMemoires, show) he had most heartily hated and despised. -C. 

(403) Philip Carteret Webb, Esq. Solicitor to the treasury andmember for Haslemere. -E. 

(404) George third Earl of Cholmondeley; born in 1703: marriedMr. Walpole's only legitimate sister, who died at Aix in 1731;and as all Sir Robert Walpole's sons died without issue, LordCholmondeley's family succeeded to Houghton, and the rest of theWalpole property, as heirs-at-law of Sir Robert. -C. 

(405) John, second Earl of Egmont, at this time first lord of theadmiralty. Lord Egmont had been in the House of Commons whatCoxe calls "a fluent and plausible debater;" but he had somepeculiarities of mind, to which Walpole here and elsewherealludes. -C. 

(406) James, eighth Earl of Abercorn, "a nobleman, " says hispanegyrist, "whose character was but little known, or rather butlittle understood; but who possessed singular vigour of mind, integrity of conduct, and patriotic views. " Mr. Walpole elsewherelaughs at his lordship's dignified aversion to throwing away hiswords. -C. 

(407) An action brought by Wilkes against Robert Wood, Esq. Lateunder-secretary of State for seizing Wilkes's papers, etc. Itwas tried before Chief Justice Pratt, and under his direction thejury found for the plaintiff. -C. 

(408) Sir Fletcher Norton was not made attorney-general tillafter this trial. -E. 

(409) Mr. John Fielding, chief police magistrate. -E. 

(410) The robbery was committed by one Bradley, a dischargedfootman, and one John Wisket. The former was admitted a witnessfor 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, anextraordinary event happened, which I did not then know. Amotion was made in the common council, to thank the sheriffs fortheir behaviour at the riot, and to prosecute the man who wasapprehended for it. This was opposed, and the previous questionbeing put, the numbers were equal; but the casting vote of theLord Mayor(411) was given against putting the firstquestion--pretty strong proceeding; for though, in consequenceand in resentment of the Duke of Bedford's speech, it seemed tojustify his grace, who had accused the mayor and magistracy ofnot trying to suppress the tumult; if they will not prosecute therioters, it is not very unfair to surmise that they did notdislike the riot. Indeed, the city is so inflamed, and theministry so obnoxious, that I am very apprehensive of someviolent commotion. The court have lost the Essex election(412)merely from Lord Sandwich interfering in it, and from the Duke ofBedford's speech; a great number of votes going from the city onthat account to vote for Luther. Sir John Griffin, (413) who wasdisobliged 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 LadyHertford: they have turned out her brother, Colonel Fitzroy:(414Fitzherbert, (415) too, is removed; and, they say, Sir JosephYorke recalled. (416) I must do Lord Halifax and Mr. Grenvillethe justice to say that these violences are not imputed to them. It is certain that the former was the warmest opposer of themeasure for breaking the officers; and Mr. Grenville's friendstake every opportunity of throwing the blame on the Duke ofBedford and Lord Sandwich. The Duchess of Bedford, who is toofond a Wife not to partake in all her husband's fortunes, hascontributed her portion of indiscretion. At a great dinner, lately, at Lord Halifax's, all the servants present, mentionbeing made of the Archbishop of Canterbury, (417) M. De Guerchyasked the Duchess, "Est-il de famille?" She replied, "Oh! monDieu, non, il a `et`e sage-femme. " The mistake of sage-femme foraccoucheur, and the strangeness of the proposition, confoundedGuerchy so much, that it was necessary to explain it: but thinkof a minister's wife telling a foreigner, and a Catholic, thatthe primate of her own church had been bred a man-midwife!

The day after my last, another verdict was given in the commonPleas, of four hundred pounds to the printers; and anotherepisode happened, relating to Wilkes; one Dunn, a mad Scotchman, was seized in Wilkes's house, whither he had gone intending toassassinate him. This was complained of in the House of Commons, but the man's phrensy was verified; it was even proved that hehad notified his design in a coffee-house, some days before. Themob, however, who are determined that Lord Sandwich shall answerfor every body's faults, as well as his own, believe that heemployed Dunn. I wish the recess, which begins next Monday, maycool matters a little, for indeed it grows very serious. 

Nothing is discovered of Lord Harrington's robbery, nor do I knowany other news, but that George West(418) is to marry lady MaryGrey. The Hereditary Prince's wound is broken out again, andwill defer his arrival. We have had a new comedy, (419) writtenby Mrs. Sheridan, and admirably acted; but there was no wit init, and it was so vulgar that it ran but three nights. 

Poor Lady Hervey desires you will tell Mr. Hume how incapable sheis of answering his letter. She has been terribly afflicted forthese six weeks with a complication of gout, rheumatism, and anervous complaint. She cannot lie down in her bed, nor rest twominutes in her chair. I never saw such continued suffering. 

You say in your last, of the 7th, that you have omitted to inviteno Englishman of rank or name. This gives me an opportunity, mydear lord, of mentioning one Englishman, not of great rank, butwho is very unhappy that you have taken no notice of him. Youknow how utterly averse I am to meddle, or give impertinentadvice; but the letter I saw was expressed with so much respectand esteem for you, that you would love the person. It is Mr. Selwyn, the banker. He says, he expected no favour; but thegreat regard he has for the amiableness of your character, makeshim miserable at being totally undistinguished by you. He has sogood a character himself and is so much beloved by many personshere that you know, that I think you will not dislike my puttingyou in mind of him. The letter was not to me, nor to any friendof mine; therefore, I am sure, unaffected. I saw the wholeletter, and he did not even hint at its being communicated to me. 

I have not mentioned Lady Holdernesse's presentation, though I byno means approve it, nor a Dutch woman's lowering the peerage ofEngland. Nothing of that sort could make me more angry, except acommoner's wife taking such a step; for you know I have all thepride of A citizen of Rome, while Rome survives: In that respectmy name is thoroughly Horatius. 

(411) William Bridgen, Esq. -E. 

(412) John Luther, Esq. Was returned for Essex, on the popularinterest, after a severe and most expensive contest. -C. 

(413) Sir john Griffin Griffin, K. B. , major-general and colonelof the 33d regiment; member for Andover. He established, in1784, a claim to the barony of Howard de Walden, and was created, in 1788, Baron Braybrook, with remainder to A. A. Neville, Esq. He diedin 1797. -C. 

(414) Colonel Charles Fitzroy, member for Bury, afterwards LordSouthampton. It seems strange that Mr. Walpole should bemistaken in such a point; but Colonel Fitzroy was not LadyHertford's brother, but her brother's son. -C. 

(415) William Fitzherbert, Esq. Member for Derby: a lord oftrade. -C. 

(416) the rumour mentioned in the text was unfounded, Sir Josephcontinued at the Hague till 1783. -C. 

(417) Archbishop Secker. The Grounds for this strange story(which Walpole was fond of repeating) was, that the Archbishophad, 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, in1776. -E. 

(419) "The Dupe, " by Mrs. Sheridan, mother of Richard BrinsleySheridan. The Biographia Dramatica says it was condemned, "onaccount of a few passages, which the audience thought twoindelicate. "-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 myletters must depend upon times and seasons. We are a very absurdnation (though the French are so good at present as to think us avery wise one, only because they themselves, are now a very weakone); but then that absurdity depends upon the almanac. Posterity, who will know nothing of our intervals, wilt concludethat this age was a succession of events. I could tell them thatwe know as well when an event, as when Easter will happen. Dobut recollect these last ten years. The beginning of October, one is certain that every body will be at Newmarket, and the Dukeof Cumberland will lose', and Shafto(420) win, two or threethousand pounds. After that, while people are preparing to cometo town for the winter, the ministry is suddenly changed, and allthe world comes to learn how it happened, a fortnight sooner thanthey intended; and fully persuaded that the new arrangementcannot 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 riothappens in one of the theatres. The Parliament meets again;taxes are warmly opposed; and some citizen makes a fortune by asubscription. (421) The opposition languishes; balls andassemblies begin; some master and miss begin to get together, aretalked of, and give occasion to forty more matches beinginvented; an unexpected debate starts up at the end of thesession, that makes more noise than any thing that was designedto make a noise, and subsides again in a new peerage or two. Ranelagh opens and Vauxhall; one produces scandal, and t'other adrunken quarrel. People separate, some to Tunbridge, and some toall the horseraces in England; and so the year comes again toOctober. I dare to prophesy, that if you keep this letter, YOUWill find that my future correspondence will be but anillustration of this text; at least, it is an excuse for myhaving very little to tell you at present, and was the reason ofMy not writing to you last week. 

Before the Parliament adjourned, there was nothing but a triflingdebate in an empty House, occasioned by a motion from theministry, to order another physician and surgeon to attendWilkes; it was carried by about seventy to thirty, and was onlymemorable by producing Mr. Charles Townshend, who having satsilent through the question of privilege, found himselfinterested in the defence of Dr. Brocklesby!(422) Charlesridiculed Lord North extremely, and had warm words with GeorgeGrenville. I do not look upon this as productive ofconsequential speaking for the opposition; on the contrary, Ishould expect him sooner in place, if the ministry could be foolsenough to restore weight to him and could be ignorant that he cannever hurt them so much as by being with them. Wilkes refused tosee Heberden and Hawkins, whom the House commissioned to visithim; and to laugh at us more, sent for two Scotchmen, Duncan andMiddleton. Well! but since that, he is gone off himself:however, as I (lid in D'Eon's case, I can now only ask news ofhim from you, and not tell you any; for You have got him. I donot believe you will invite him, and make so much of him, asthe Duke of Bedford did. Both sides pretend joy at his beinggone; and for once I can believe both. You will be diverted, asI was, at the cordial esteem the ministers have for one another;Lord Waldegrave(423) told my niece, this morning, that he hadoffered a shilling, to receive an hundred pounds when-@Sandwichshall lose his head! What a good opinion they have of oneanother! apropos to losing heads, is Lally beheaded?

The East India Company have come to an unanimous resolution ofnot paying Lord Clive the three hundred thousand pounds, whichthe ministry had promised him in lieu of his nabobical annuity. Just after the bargain was made, his old rustic of a father wasat the King's lev`ee; the King asked where his son was; hereplied, "Sire, he is coming to town, and their your Majesty willhave another vote. " If you like these franknesses, I can tellyou another. The Chancellor(424) is chosen a governor of St. Bartholomew's Hospital; a smart gentleman, who was sent with thestaff, carried it in the evening, when the Chancellor happened tobe drunk. "Well, Mr. Bartlemy, " said his lordship, snuffling, "what have you to say?" The man, who had prepared a formalharangue, was transported to have so fair opportunity given himof uttering it, and with much dapper gesticulation congratulatedhis lordship on his health, and the nation on enjoying such greatabilities. The Chancellor stopped him short, crying, "By God, itis a lie! I have neither health nor abilities my bad health hasdestroyed my abilities. " The late Chancellor(425) is muchbetter. 

The last time the King was at Drury-lane, the play given out forthe next night was "All in the Wrong:" the Galleries clapped, andthen 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 theHouse, there is not a single applause; to the Queen there is alittle: in short, Louis le bien-aim`e is not French at presentfor King George. 

The town, you may be sure, is very empty; the greatest party isat Woburn, whither the Comte de Guerchy and the Duc de Pecquignyare going. I have been three days at Strawberry, and had GeorgeSelwyn, Williams, and Lord Ashburnham;(426) but the weather wasintolerably bad. We have scarce had a moment's drought since youwent, no more than for so many months before. The towns and theroads 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 myhead to stop at one of the lottery offices, to inquire after asingle ticket I had, expecting to find it a blank, but it wasfive hundred pounds--Thank you! I know you wish me joy. It willbuy 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 butconfirm the cheap idea I have of you French: not to mention thepreposterous perversion of history in so known a story, theQueen's ridiculous preference of old Warwick to a young King; theomission of the only thing she ever said or did in her whole lifeworth recording, which was thinking herself too low for his wife, and too high for his mistress;(428) the romantic honour bestowedon two such savages as Edward and Warwick: besides these, andforty such glaring absurdities, there is but one scene that hasany merit, that between Edward and Warwick in the third act. Indeed, indeed, I don't honour the modern French: it is makingyour son but a slender compliment, with his knowledge, for themto say it is extraordinary. The best proof I think they give oftheir taste, is liking you all three. I rejoice that your littleboy 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 muchimpatience, I am sure it proceeded only from his great esteem foryou. 

I will endeavour to learn what you desire; and will answer, inanother letter, that and some other passages in your last. Dr. Hunter is very good, and calls on me sometimes. You may guesswhether we talk you over or not. Adieu!

P. S. There has not been a death, but Sir William Maynard's, whois come to life again: or a marriage, but Admiral Knollys's whohas married his divorced wife again. 

(420) Robert Shafto, Esq. Of Whitworth, member of Durham, wellknown on the turf. -C. 

(421) To a loan. -C. 

(422) Dr. Richard Brocklesby, an eminent physician. He had beenexamined before the House of Commons, as to Mr. Wilkes'sincapacity to attend in his place. His Whig politics, whichprobably induced Mr. Wilkes to sen@ for him, induced the majorityof the House to distrust his report, and to order two othermedical men to visit the patient. This proceeding implied adoubt of Dr. Brocklesby's veracity, which certainly called for, @the interference of Mr. Charles Townshend, who was a private aswell as a political friend of the doctor's. Dr. Brocklesby, besides being one of the first physicians of his time, was a manof literature and taste, and did not confine his society nor hisbeneficence to those who agreed with him in politics. He was thefriend and physician of Dr. Johnson, and when, towards the closeof this great man's life, it was supposed that his circumstanceswere not quite easy, Dr. Brocklesby generously pressed him toaccept an annuity of one hundred pounds, and he attended him tohis death with unremitted affection and care. -C. 

(423) John, third Earl of Waldegrave, a general in the army: in1770 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 thebedchamber, and keeper of the parks. -E. 

(427) By La Harpe. This play, written when the author was onlytwenty-three years old, raised him into great celebrity; and is, in the opinion of the French critics, his first work in merit aswell as date. -C. 

(428) This phrase has been also attributed to Mademoiselle deMontmorency, afterwards Princess de Cond`e, in reply to thesolicitations of Henry IV. ; and is told also of Mademoiselle deRohan, 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 toocontemptible 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 areindifferent whether Lord Bute, Lord Melcombe, or Maclean is theirhero, may swear they find diamonds on dunghills; but you willexcuse me, if I let our correspondence lie dormant rather thandeal in such trash. I am forced to send Lord Hertford and SirHorace Mann such garbage, because they are out of England, andthe sea softens and makes palatable any potion, as it doesclaret; but unless I can divert you, I had rather wait till wecan laugh together; the best employment for friends, who do notmean to pick one another's pocket, nor make a property ofeither's frankness. Instead of politics, therefore, I shallamuse 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 Hothamspied a small round box. She seized it with all the eagernessand curiosity of eleven years. In it was wrapped up aheart-diamond ring and a paper in which, in a hand as small asBuckinger's, who used to write the Lord's Prayer in the compassof a silver penny, were the following lines:--

Sent by a sylph, unheard, unseenA 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 faceThen 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, andthat we were delighted with the genteelness of the thought andexecution. The child, you may imagine, was less transported withthe poetry than the present. Her attention, however, was hurriedbackwards and forwards from the ring to a new coat, that she hadbeen trying on when sent for down; impatient to revisit her coat, and to show the ring to her maid, she whisked up stairs; when shecame down again, she found a letter sealed, and lying on thefloor--new exclamations! Lady Suffolk bade her open it: here itis:--

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 laidUnder 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 armAnd kindly stoppld the unfinish'd charmBut 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 lieIn ambuscade in either eye, >From thence to aim his keenest dartTo captivate each youthful heart:No more shall envious misses pineAt 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 patentfor appointing Lady Temple poet laureate to the fairies. I wasexcessively out of order with a pain in my stomach, which I hadhad for ten days, and was fitter to write verses like a poetlaureate, than for making one: however, I was going home todinner alone, and at six I sent her some lines, which you oughtto have seen how sick I was, to excuse; but first, I must tellyou my tale methodically. The next morning by nine o'clock MissHotham (she must forgive me twenty years hence for saying she waseleven, for I recollect she is but ten, ) arrived at LadyTemple's, her face and neck all spotted with saffron, andlimping. "Oh, Madam!" said she, "I am undone for ever if you donot assist me!" "Lord, child, " cried my Lady Temple, "what isthe matter?" thinking she had hurt herself, or lost the ring, andthat she was stolen out before her aunt was up. "Oh, Madam, "said the girl. "nobody but you can assist me!" My Lady Templeprotests the 'child acted her part so well as to deceive her. "What can I do for you?" "Dear Madam, take this load from myback; nobody but you can. " Lady Temple turned her round, andupon her back was tied a child's waggon. In it were three tinypurses of blue velvet; in one of them a silver cup, in another acrown of laurel, and in the third four new silver pennies, withthe patent, signed at top, Oberon Imperator; and two sheets ofwarrants strung together with blue silk according to form; and attop an office seal of wax and a chaplet of cut paper on it. Thewarrants were these:--

>From the Royal Mews:A waggon with the draught horses, delivered by command withoutfee. 

>From the Lord Chamberlain's Office:A warrant with the royal sign manual, delivered by commandwithout 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 orderfor 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 otherdeduction whatever, by command. 

>From the Jewel Office:A silver butt, a silver cup, a wreath of bays, by command withoutfee. 

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 islesThat lie in pretty maidans' smiles, Arch-treasurer of all the gracesDispersed 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 impartThe choicest secrets of our art, Taught her to tune the harmonious lineTo our own melody divine, Taught her the graceful negligence, Which, scorning art and veiling sense, Achieves that conquest o'er the heartSense seldom gains, and never art;This lady, 'tis our royal willOur laureate's vacant seat should fill:A chaplet of immortal baysShall crown her brow and guard her lays;Of nectar sack an acorn cupBe at her board each year fill'd up;And as each quarter feast comes roundA silver penny shall be foundWithin the compass of her shoe;And so we bid you all adieu!

Given at our palace of Cowslip-castle, the shortest night of theyear. Oberon. And underneath, Hothamina. 

How shall I tell you the greatest curiosity of the story? Thewhole plan and execution of the second act was laid and adjustedby my Lady Suffolk herself and Will. Chetwynd, master of themint, Lord Bolingbroke's Oroonoko-Chetwynd; he fourscore, shepast seventy-six; and, what is more, much worse than I was, for, added to her deafness, she has been confined these three weekswith the gout in her eyes, was actually then in misery, and hadbeen without sleep. What spirits, and cleverness, andimagination, at that age, and under those afflictingcircumstances! You reconnoitre her old court knowledge, howcharmingly she has applied it! Do you wonder I pass so manyhours and evenings with her? Alas! I had like tohave lost her this morning! They had poulticed her feet to drawthe gout downwards, and began to succeed yesterday, but to-day itflew up into the head, and she was almost in convulsions with theagony, and screamed dreadfully; proof enough how ill she was, forher patience and good breeding makes her for ever sink andconceal what she feels. This evening the gout has been drivenback to her foot, and I trust she is out of' danger. Her losswould be irreparable to me at Twickenham, where she is by far themost rational and agreeable company I have. 

I don't tell you that the Hereditary Prince(430) is stillexpected and not arrived. A royal wedding would be a flatepisode after a re(il fairy tale, though the bridegroom is ahero. I have not seen your brother General yet, but have calledon him. When come you yourself? Never mind the town and itsfilthy politics; we can go to the gallery at Strawberry--stay, Idon't know whether we can or not, my hill is almost drowned, Idon't know how your mountain is--well, we can take a boat, andalways be gay there; I wish we may be so at seventy-six andeighty! I abominate politics more and more; we had glories, andwould not keep them: well! content, that there was an end ofblood; then perks prerogative its ass's ears up; we are always tobe saving our liberties, and then staking themagain! 'Tis wearisome! I hate the discussion, and yet One cannotalways sit at a gaming-table and never make a bet. I wish fornothing, I care not a straw for the ins or the outs; I determinenever to think of them, yet the contagion catches one; can youtell any thing that will prevent infection? Well then, here Iswear, -no I won't swear, one always breaks one's oath. Oh, thatI had been born to love a court like Sir William Breton! I shouldhave lived and died with the comfort of thinking that courtsthere will be to all eternity, and the liberty of my countrywould never once have ruffled my smile, or spoiled my bow. Ienvy 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 EarlTemple. This lady was a woman of genius: it will hereafter beseen, that a small volume of her poems was printed at theStrawberry 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, isthe particular friend I mentioned in my last, (431) and is, indeed, no particular friend of mine at all, but I had a mind tomislead my Lord Sandwich, and send you one letter which he shouldnot open. This I write in peculiar confidence to you, and insistupon your keeping it entirely to yourself from every livingcreature. It will be an answer to several passages in yourletters, to which I did not care to reply by the post. 

Your brother was not pleased with your laying the stopping yourbills to his charge. (432) To tell you the truth, he thinks youare too much inclined to courts and ministers, as you think himtoo little so. So far from upbraiding him on that head, give meleave to say you have no reason to be concerned at it. You mustbe sensible, my dear lord, that you are far from standing wellwith the opposition, and should any change happen, your brother'sbeing well with them, would prevent any appearance that might bedisagreeable to you. In truth, I cannot think you have abundantreason to be fond of the administration. Lord Bute(433) nevergave you the least real mark of friendship. The Bedfordscertainly do not wish you well: Lord Holland has amply provedhimself your enemy: for a man of your morals, it would be adisgrace to you to be connected with Lord Sandwich; and forGeorge Grenville, (434) he has shown himself the falsest and mostcontemptible of mankind. He is now the intimate tool of theBedfords, and reconciled to Lord Bute, whom he has served anddisserved just as occasion or interest directed. In thissituation of things, can you wonder that particular marks offavour are withheld from you, or that the expenses of yourjourney are not granted to you as they were to theDuke of Bedford!

You ask me how your letters please; it is impossible for me tolearn, now I am so disconnected with every thing ministerial. Iwish YOU not to make them please too much. The negotiations withFrance must be the great point on which the nation will fix itseyes: with France we must break sooner or later. Your letterswill be strictly canvassed: I hope and firmly believe thatnothing will appear in them but attention to the honour andinterest of the nation; points, I doubt, little at the heart ofthe present administration, who have gone too far not to be inthe power of France, and who must bear any thing rather thanquarrel. 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 seriousaffairs grow, and how necessary it is for you to be upon yourguard. 

Another question you ask is, whether it is true that theopposition is disunited. I will give you one very necessarydirection, which is, not to credit any court stories. Sandwichis the father of lies, (435) and every report is tinctured by him. The administration give it out, and trust to this disunion. Iwill tell you very nearly what truth there is or is not in this. The party in general is as firmly and cordially united as everparty was. Consider, that without any heads or leaders at all, 102(436) men stuck to Wilkes, the worst cause they could havehad, and with all the weight of the Yorkes against them. Withregard to the leaders there is a difference. The old Chancelloris violent against the court: but, I believe, displeased that hisson was sacrificed(437) to Pratt, in the case of privilege. Charles Yorke(438) resigned, against his own and LordRoyston, S(439) inclination, is particularly angry with Newcastlefor complying with Pitt in the affair of privilege, and not lessdispleased that Pitt prefers Pratt to him for the seals; but thenNorton is attorney-general, and it would not be graceful toreturn to court, which he has quitted, while the presentministers remain there. In short, as soon as the affair ofWilkes and privilege is at an end, it is much expected that theYorkes will take part in the opposition. It is for thatdeclaration that Charles Townshend says he waits. He again brokeout strongly on Friday last against the ministry, attackingGeorge Grenville, who seems his object. However, the childishfluctuation of his temper, and the vehemence of his brotherGeorge(440) for the court, that is for himself, will for evermake Charles little to be depended on. For Mr. Pitt, you know, he never will act like any other man in the opposition, andto that George Grenville trusts: however, here are suchmaterials, that if they could once be put in operation for afortnight together, the present administration would be blown up. To this you may throw in dissensions among themselves: LordHalifax and Lord Talbot are greatly dissatisfied. Lord Bute isreconciled to the rest; sees the King continually; and will soonwant more power, or will have more jealousy than is consistentwith 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: thenation is unanimous against them: a disposition, which their ownfoolish conduct during the episode of the Prince ofBrunswick, (441) to which I am now coming, has sufficientlymanifested. The fourth question put to him on his arrival was, "When do you go?" The servants of the King and Queen were forbidto 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 intercoursewith any of the opposition, that he has done nothing but takenotice of them. He not only wrote to the Duke of Newcastle andMr. Pitt, but has been at Hayes to see the latter, and has dinedtwice 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 afterseven, to a concert. As the time drew near, F`e6ronce(442)pulled out his watch; the Duke took the hint, and said, "I amsorry to part with you, but I fear your time is come. " Hereplied "N'importe;" sat on, drank coffee, and it was half anhour after eight before he set out from Upper-Grosvenor streetfor St. James's. He and Princess Augusta have felt and showntheir disgusts so strongly, and his suite have complained so muchof the neglect and disregard of him, and of the very quickdismission of him, that the people have caught it, and onThursday, at the play, received the King and Queen without theleast symptom of applause, but repeated such outrageousacclamations to the Prince, as operated very visibly on theKing's countenance. Not a gun was fired for the marriage, andPrincess Augusta asking Lord Gower(443) about some ceremony, towhich he replied, it could not be, as no such thing had been donefor the Prince of Orange;(444) she said, it was extraordinary toquote that precedent to her in one case, which had been followedin no other. I could tell you ten more of these stories, but oneshall suffice. The Royal Family went to the Opera on Saturday:the crowd not to be described: the Duchess of Leeds, ]ladyDenbigh, Lady Scarborough, and others, sat on chairs between thescenes; the doors of the front boxes were thrown open, and thepassages were all filled to the back of the stoves; nay, women offashion stood on the very stairs till eight at night. In themiddle of the second act, the Hereditary Prince, who sat with hiswife and her brothers in their box, got up, turned his back tothe King and Queen, pretending to offer his place to LadyTankerville(445) and then to Lady Susan. You know enough ofGermans and their stiffness to etiquette, to be sure that thiscould not be done inadvertently: especially as he repeated this, only without standing up, with one of his own gentlemen, in thethird act. I saw him, without any difficulty, from the Duchessof Grafton's box. He is extremely slender, and looks many yearsolder than he is: in short, I suppose it is his manner with whichevery mortal is captivated, for though he is well enough for aman, he is far from having any thing striking in his person. To-day (this is Tuesday) there was a drawing-room atLeicester-house, and to-night there is a subscription ball forhim at Carlisle-house, Soho, made chiefly by the Dukes ofDevonshire and Grafton. I was invited to be of it, but nothaving been to wait on him, did not think it Civil to meet himthere. The Court, by accident or design, had forgot to have abill passed for naturalizing him. The Duke of Grafton Undertookit, on which they adopted it, and the Duke of Bedford moved it;but the Prince sent word to the Duke of Grafton, that he shouldnot have liked the compliment half so well, if he had not owed itto his grace. You may judge how he will report of us at hisreturn!

With regard to your behaviour to Wilkes, (446) I think youobserved the just medium: I have not heard it mentioned: if theyshould choose to blame it, it will not be to me, known as yourfriend and no friend of theirs. They very likely may say thatyou 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 thatscurrilous mortal, Bishop Warburton: an ill-drawn, thoughdeserved, character of Sandwich; and one, as much deserved, andbetter, of Norton. 

Wednesday, after dinner. 

The Lord knows when this letter will be finished; I have beenwriting it this week, and believe I shall continue it till oldMonin sets out. Encore, the Prince of Brunswick. At the ball, at Buckingham house, on Monday: it had begun two hours before hearrived. Except the King's and Queen's servants, nobody wasthere but the dukes of Marlborough and Ancaster, and Lord Bute'stwo daughters. No supper. On Sunday evening the Prince had beento Newcastle-house, to visit the Duchess. His speech to the Dukeof Bedford, at first, was by no means so strong as they gave itout; he only said, "Milord, nous avons fait deux m`etiers biendiff`erens; le v`otre a `et`e le plus agr`eable: j'ai fait coulerdu sang, vous l'avez fait cesser. " His whole behaviour, so much`a la minorit`e, makes this much more probable. His Princessthoroughly, agrees with him. When Mr. Grenville objected to thegreatness of her fortune, the King said, "Oh! it will not beopposed, for Augusta is in the opposition. "

The ball, last night, at Carlisle-house, Soho, was mostmagnificent: one hundred and fifty men subscribed, and fiveguineas each, and had each three tickets. All the beauties intown were there, that is, of rank, for there was no bad company. The Duke of Cumberland was there too; and the Hereditary Princeso pleased, and in such spirits, that he stayed till five in themorning. He is gone to-day, heartily sorry to leave every thingbut St. James's and Leicester-house. They lie to-night at LordAbercorn's, (448) at Witham, who does not step from his pedestalto meet them. Lady Strafford said to him, "Soh! my lord, I hearyour house is to be royal] v filled on Wednesday. "--"Andserenely, "(449) he replied, and closed his mouth again till nextday. 

Our politics have been as follow. Last Friday the oppositionmoved for Wilkes's complaint of breach of privilege to be heardto-day: Grenville objected to it, and at last yielded, afterreceiving some smart raps from Charles Townshend and Sir GeorgeSaville. On Tuesday the latter, and Sir William Meredith, proposed to put it off to the 13th of February, that Wilkes'sservant, the most material evidence might be here. GeorgeGrenville 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, withpowers to report the grievances of the bill, and suggestamendments and redress, but with no authority to repeal it. Thisthe administration carried but by 167 to 125. Indeed, many of their people were in the House of Lords, wherethe court triumphed still less. They were upon the "Essay onWoman. " Sandwich proposed two questions; 1st, that Wilkes wasthe author of it;(450) 2dly, to order the Black Rod to attachhim. It was much objected by the Dukes of Devonshire, Grafton, Newcastle, and even Richmond, that the first was not proved, andmight affect him in the courts below. Lord Mansfield tried toexplain this away, and Lord Marchmont and Lord Temple had warmwords. At last Sandwich, artfully, to get something, if not all, agreed to melt both questions into one, which was accepted; andthe vote passed, that it appearing Wilkes was the author, heshould be taken into custody by the usher. It appearing, wasallowed to mean as far as appears. Then a committee wasappointed to search for precedents how to proceed on his beingwithdrawn. That dirty dog Kidgel(451) had been summoned by theDuke of Grafton, but as they only went on the breach ofprivilege, he was not called. The new club, (452) at thehouse that was the late Lord Waldegrave's, in Albermarle-street, makes the ministry very uneasy; but they have worse grievances toapprehend!

Sir Robert Rich(453) is extremely angry with my nephew, theBishop of Exeter, who, like his own and wife's family, istolerably warm. They were talking together at St. James's, whenA'Court(454) came in, "There's poor A'Court, " said the Bishop. "Poor A, Court!" replied the Marshal, "I wish all those fellowsthat oppose the King were to be turned out of the army!" "Ihope, " said the Bishop, "they will first turn all the old womenout of it!"

The Duc de Pecquigny was on the point of a duel with LordGarlies, (455) at Lord Milton's(456) ball, the former handing thelatter's partner down to supper. I wish you had this Duke again, lest you should have trouble with him from hence: he seems agenius of the wrong sort. His behaviour on the visit to Woburnwas very wrong-headed, though their treatment of him was not moreright. Lord Sandwich flung him down in one of their horse-plays, and almost put his shoulder out. He said the next day there, atdinner, that for the rest of his life he should fear nothing somuch as a lettre de cachet from a French secretary of state, or acoup d'`epaule from an English one. After this he had a piquewith the Duchess, with whom he had been playing at whisk. Ashilling and sixpence were left on the table, which nobodyclaimed. He was asked if it was his, and said no. Then theysaid, let us put it to the cards: there was already a guinea. The Duchess, in an air of grandeur said, as there was gold forthe groom of the chambers, the sweeper of the room might have thesilver, and brushed it off the table. The Pecquigny took this tohimself, though I don't believe meaned; and complained to thewhole town of it, with large comments, at his return. It issilly to tell you Such silly stories, but in your situation itmay grow necessary for you to know the truth, if you should hearthem repeated. I am content to have you call me gossip, if Iprove but of the least use to you. 

Here have I tapped the ninth page! Well! I am this moment goingto M. De Guerchy's, to know when Monin sets out, that I mayfinish this eternal letter. If I tire you, tell me so: I am sureI do myself. If I speak with too much freedom to you, tell meso: I have done it in consequence of your questions, and mean itmost kindly. In short, I am ready to amend any thing youdisapprove; so don't take any thing ill, my dear lord, unless Icontinue after you have reprimanded me. The safe manner in whichthis goes, has made me, too, more explicit than you know I havebeen on any other occasion. Adieu!

Wednesday-night, late. 

Well, my letter will be finished at last. M. Monin sets out onFriday. So does my Lord Holland: but I affect not to know it, forhe is not just the person that you or I should choose to be thebearer of this. You will be diverted with a story they told meto-night at the French Ambassador's. When they went to supper, at Soho, last night, the Duke of Cumberland placed himself at thehead of the table. One of the waiters tapped him on theshoulder, and said, "Sir, your Royal Highness can't sit there;that place is designed for the Hereditary Prince. " You ought tohave seen how every body's head has been turned with this Prince, to make this story credible to you. My Lady Rockingham, atLeicester-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 journeyto Paris which had been allowed to his predecessors, but whichwere refused to him; he therefore may have expressed a suspicionthat his brother's opposition in Parliament rendered theministers at home less favourable to him; but there never was anydifference or coldness between the brothers in their privaterelations. This appears from their private letters at thisperiod. -C. 

(433) In April 1763, Lord Bute surprised both his friends and hisopponents by a sudden resignation. The motive of this resolutionis still a mystery. Some have said, that having concluded thepeace, his patriotic views and ambition were satisfied; othersthat he resigned in disgust at the falsehood and ingratitude ofpublic men; others that he was driven from his station by libelsand unpopularity. None of these reasons seem consistent with adesire which Lord Bute appears to have entertained, to return tooffice with a new administration. A clamour was long kept upagainst Lord Bute's secret and irresponsible influence; but it isnow generally admitted that no such influence existed, and thatLord Bute soon ceased to have any weight in public affairs. -C. 

(434) Mr. Walpole was so vehement in his party feelings, that allhis characters of political enemies must be read with greatdistrust. -C. 

(435) Lord Sandwich was an able minister, and so important amember of the administration to which Mr. Walpole was nowopposed, that we must read all that he says of this lord withsome "grains of allowance. "-C. 

(436) On the 19th of January, when the ministers were about toproceed to vote Wilkes in contempt, and expel him, a motion wasmade by Wilkes's friends to postpone the consideration of theaffair till next day; this was lost by 239 to 102. -C. 

(437) He means that the opposition had adopted Pratt's viewinstead of Mr. Yorke's. -C. 

(438) This is not true; the real cause of his resignation isstated ant`e, p. 251, letter 181; he certainly disagreed from theDuke of Newcastle and others of his friends, who made the matterof privilege a party question instead of treating it as a legalone, 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 amajor-general in the army. In the divisions on branches of theWilkes question, we sometimes find General Townshend a teller onone side, and Mr. Townshend on the other. -C. 

(441) The Hereditary Prince, who came to England to marry thePrincess Augusta, eldest sister of George III. He landed atHarwich on the 12th of January, and arrived the same evening atSomerset-house, where he was lodged. Lady Chatham, in a letterto Mr. Pitt, relates the following anecdotes Mrs. Boscawen tellsme, that while the Prince was at Harwich, the people almostpulled down the house in which he was, in order to see him. Asubstantial Quaker insisted so strongly upon seeing him, that hewas allowed to come into the room: he pulled off his hat to him, and said, 'Noble friend, give me thy hand!' which was given, andhe kissed it; 'although I do not fight myself, I love a brave manthat will fight: thou art a valiant Prince, and art to be marriedto a lovely Princess: love her, make her a good husband, and theLord 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'slittle attention to Lady Tankerville into a desire to insult theKing. -C. 

(446) Mr. Wilkes had thought it prudent to retire to Paris, undercircumstances which certainly rendered it unlikely that theKing'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 whichhe sees hemlock administered to his old friend Lord Holland, andby being charmed with the abuse of Bishop Warburton. -C. 

(448) Mr. Walpole, by one of those happy expressions which makethe chief charm of his writings, characterizes the statelyformality of this noble lord. His house at Witham is close tothe great road, a little beyond the town of Witham. Her lateMajesty, Queen Charlotte, slept there on her way to London, in1761. -C. 

(449) Mr. Walpole probably understood his lordship to mean that aSerene Highness was not sufficiently important to require hisattendance at Witham. -C. 

(450) Wilkes was convicted, in the Court of King's Bench, on the21st of January, the day before this letter was begun, of havingwritten the Essay on Woman. -C. 

(451) Mr. Kidgel, a clergyman, had obtained from a printer a copyof the Essay on Woman, which he said he felt it his duty todenounce. His own personal character turned out to be far fromrespectable. -C. 

(452) The opposition club was in Albemarle-street, and theministerial at the Cocoa-tree; and the papers of the day hadseveral 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, orrather been dismissed, for his parliamentary opposition, from thecommand 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 aprint of Strawberry Hill, and another of Archbishop Hutton. Imust now repeat the same request for two more volumes of myAnecdotes 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 itsafely. 

I do not know that history of my father, which you mention, bythe name of Musgrave. If it is the critical history of hisadministration, I have it; if not, I shall be obliged to you forit. 

Your kindness to your tenants is like yourself, and most humane. I am glad Your prize rewards you, and wish your fortune had beenas good as mine, who with a single ticket in this last lotterygot five hundred pounds. 

I have nothing new, that is, nothing old to tell you. You carenot about the present world, and are the only real philosopher, Iknow. 

I this winter met with a very large lot of English heads, chieflyof the reign of James I. , which very nearly perfects mycollection. There were several which I had in vain hunted forthese ten years. I have bought too, some very scarce, but moremodern ones out of Sir Charles Cotterell's collection. Except afew of Faithorne's, there are scarce any now that I much wishfor. 

With my Anecdotes I packed up for you the head of ArchbishopHutton, and a new little print of Strawberry. If the volumes, asI understand by your letter, stay in town to be bound, I hopeyour 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 myAnecdotes of Painting have come so late, that the first volume isactually reprinted. The second shall be the better for them. Iam now publishing the third volume, and another of Engravers. Iwish you would be so kind as to tell me how I may convey themspeedily to you: you waited too long the last time for thingsthat have little merit but novelty. These volumes are of stillless worth than the preceding; our latter painters notcompensating by excellence for the charms that antiquity hasbestowed 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'sprints, the impressions most beautiful, and of which Nanteuilmade the capital part. I do not know who particularly collectshis works now, but I have ordered my bookseller Bathoe, (458) whois much versed in those things, to inquire; and if I hear of anypurchaser, 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 init by never hearing them mentioned. Our booksellers here atLondon disgrace literature, by the trash they bespeak to bewritten, and at the same time prevent every thing else from beingsold. They are little more or less than upholsters, who sellsets or bodies of arts and sciences for furniture; and thepurchasers, for I am sure they are not readers, buy only in thatview. (460) I never thought there was much merit in reading: butyet it is too good a thing to be put upon no better footing thanIn damask and mahogany. 

Whenever I can be of the least use to your studies orcollections, 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 fivesmall volumes, very neatly printed. -E. 

(460 "I once said to Dr. Johnson, 'I am sorry, Sir, you did notget more for your Dictionary. ' His answer was, 'I am sorry too;but it was very well: the booksellers are generous liberal-mindedmen. ' He, upon all occasions, did ample justice to theircharacter in this respect. He considered them as the patrons ofliterature and, indeed, although they have eventually beenconsiderable gainers by his Dictionary, it is to them that we oweits having been undertaken and carried out at the risk of greatexpense 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 theimmense letter that I sent you by old Monin. It explained much, and announced most part of which has already happened; for youwill observe that when I tell you any thing, very positively, itis on good intelligence. I have another much bigger secret foryou, but that will be delivered to you by word of mouth. I amnot a little impatient for the long letter you promised me. Inthe mean time thank you for the account you give me of the King'sextreme civility to you. It is like yourself, to dwell on that, and to say little of M. De Chaulnes's dirty behaviour; butMonsieur and Madame de Guerchy have told your brother and me allthe particulars. 

I was but too good a prophet when I warned you to expect newextravagances from the Due de Chaulnes's son. Some weeks ago helost five hundred pounds to one Virette, an equivocal being, thatyou remember here. Paolucci, the Modenese minister, who is notin the odour of honesty, was of the party. The Duc de Pecquignysaid to the latter, "Monsieur, ne jouez plus avec lui, si vousn'`etes pas de moiti`e. " So far was very well. On Saturday atthe Maccaroni Club(461) (which is composed of all the travelledyoung men, men who wear long curls and spying-glasses, ) theyplayed again: the Duc lost, but not Much. In the passage at theOpera, the Duc saw Mr. Stuart talking to Virette, and told theformer that Virette was a coquin, a fripon, etc. Etc. Viretteretired, saying only, "Voil`a un fou. " The Duc then desired LordTavistock to come and see him fight Virette, but the Marquisdesired to be excused. After the Opera, Virette went to theDuc's lodgings, but found him gone to make his complaint toMonsieur de Guerchy, whither he followed him; and farther thisdeponent knoweth not. I pity the Count (de Guerchy, ) who is oneof the best-natured amiable men in the world, for having thisabsurd boy upon his hands!

Well! now for a little politics. The Cider-bill(462) has notanswered to the minority, though they ran the ministry hard;(463)but last Friday was extraordinary. George Grenville was pushedupon some Navy bills; I don't understand a syllable, you know ofmoney and accounts; but whatever was the matter, (464) he wasdriven from entrenchment to entrenchment by Baker, (465) andCharles Townshend. After that affair was over, and many goneaway, Sir W. Meredith moved for the depositions on which thewarrant against Wilkes had been granted. The ministerscomplained of the motion being made so late In the day; called ita surprise; and Rigby moved to adjourn, which was carried but by73 to 60. Had a surprise been intended, one may imagine theminority would have been better provided with numbers; but itcertainly had not been concerted: however, a majority, shrunk tothirteen, frightened them out of the small senses they possess. Heaven, earth, and the treasury, were moved to recover theirground to-day, when the question was renewed. For about twohours the debate hobbled on very lamely, when on a sudden yourbrother rose, and made such a speech(466)--but I wish any bodywas to give you the account except me, whom you will thinkpartial: but you will hear enough of it, to confirm any thing Ican say. Imagine fire, rapidity, argument, knowledge, wit, ridicule, grave, spirit; all pouring like a torrent, but withoutclashing. Imagine the House in a tumult of continued applauseimagine the ministers thunderstruck; lawyers abashed and almostblushing, for it was on their quibbles and evasions he fell mostheavily, at the same time answering a whole session of argumentson the side of the court. No, it was unique; you can neitherconceive it, nor the exclamations it occasioned. Ellis, theforlorn hope, Ellis presented himself in the gap, till theministers could recover themselves, when on a sudden Lord GeorgeSackville led up the Blues;(467) spoke with as much warmth asyour brother had, and with great force continued the attack whichhe had begun. Did not I tell you he would take this part? I wasmade privy to it; but this is far from all you are to expect. Lord North in vain rumbled about his mustard-bowl, andendeavoured alone to outroar a whole party: him and Forrester, Charles Townshend took up, but less well than usual. Hisjealousy of your brother's success, which was very evident, didnot help him to shine. There were several other speeches, and, upon the whole, it was a capital debate; but Plutus is so muchmore persuasive an orator than your brother or Lord George, thatwe divided but 122 against 217. Lord Strange, who had agreed tothe question, did not dare to vote for it, and declared off; andGeorge Townshend who had actually voted for it on Friday, nowvoted against it. Well! upon the whole, I heartily wish thisadministration may last: both their characters and abilities areso contemptible, @at I am sure we can be in no danger fromprerogative when trusted to such hands!

Before I have done with Charles Townshend, I must tell you one ofhis admirable bon-mots. Miss Draycote, (468) the great fortune, is grown very fat: he says her tonnage is become equal to herpoundage. 

There is the devil to pay in Nabob-land, but I understand Indianhistories no better than stocks. The council rebelled againstthe governors and sent a deputation, the Lord knows why, to theNabob, who cut off the said deputies' heads, and then, I think, was disnabob'd himself, and Clive's old friend reinstated. Thereis another rebellion in Minorca, where Johnson [has renounced hisallegiance 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 Iam sorry they should appear together in that cause, ) have triedto deprecate Sir Richard's wrath: but it was then too late. Thesilly fellow has brought himself' to a precipice. 

I forgot to tell you that Lord George Sackville carried into theminority with him his own brother(469) Lord Middlesex; LordMilton's brother;(470) young Beauclerc; Sir Thomas Hales; andColonel 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 canhope is, that they are driven to Norway. (471)

Good night, my dear lord; it is time to finish, for it is half anhour after one in the morning - I am forced to purloin such hoursto Write to you, for I get up so late, and then have such aperpetual succession Of nothings to do, such auctions, politics, visits, dinners, suppers, books to publish or revise, etc. That Ihave not a quarter of an hour without a call upon it: but I neednot tell you, who know my life, that I am forced to create newtime, if I will keep up my correspondence with you. You seem tolike I should, and I wish to give you every satisfaction in mypower. 

Tuesday, February 7, four o'clock. 

I tremble whilst I continue my letter, having just heard such adreadful story! A captain of a vessel has made oath before theLord Mayor, this morning, that he saw one of the yachts sunk onthe coast of Holland; and it is believed to be the one in whichthe Prince was. The city is in an uproar; nor need one point outall such an accident may produce, if true; which I most ferventlyhope it is not. My long letter will help you to comments enough, which will be made on this occasion. I wish you may know, atthis moment, that our fears are ill placed. The Princess was notin the same yacht with her husband. Poor Fanshawe, (472) as clerkof 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 wassent yesterday to put Virette under arrest. His servant disputedwith the officer on his orders, till his master made his escape. Virette sent a friend, whom he ordered to deliver his letter inperson, and see it read, with a challenge, appointing the Duc tomeet him at an hour after seven this morning, at Buckingham-gate, where he waited till ten to no purpose, though the Duc had notbeen put under arrest. Virette absconds, and has sent M. DePecquigny word, that he shall abscond till he can find a properopportunity of fighting him. Your discretion will naturallyprevent your talking of this; but I thought you would like to beprepared, if this affair should any how happen to become yourbusiness, though your late discussion With the Duc de Chaulneswill add to your disinclination from meddling with it. 

I must send this to the post before I go to the Opera, andtherefore shall not be able to tell you more of the Prince ofBrunswick 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 useof it by Lord Byron; who, in his story of Beppo, written in 1817, speaks of

----"the dynasty of Dandies, nowPerchance succeeded by some other classOf imitated imitators:--howIrreparably soon decline, alas!The demagogues of fashion: all belowIs frail; how easily the world is lostBy love, or war, and now and then by frost!"-E. 

(462) A bill, passed in the last session, for an additional dutyon cider and perry, which was violently opposed by the cidercounties, and taken up as a general opposition question. Thismeasure was considered as a great error on the part of Lord Bute, and the unpopularity consequent upon it is said to havecontributed to his resignation. 

(463) On a motion for a committee on the Cider-bill on the 24thof January. Mr. James Grenville, in a letter to his sister, LadyChatham, speaking of this debate says, "I should make you as olda woman as either Sandys or Rushout, if I were to state all thejargon that arose in this debate. It was plain the Court meantto preclude any repeal of the bill; the cider people coldlywished to obtain it. Sir Richard Bamfylde, at the head of them, spoke, not his own sentiments, as he declared, but those whichthe instructions and petitions of his constituents forced him tomaintain. We divided 127 with us: against us, 167. " ChathamCorrespondence, vol. Ii. P. 282. -E. 

(464) It was a proposal for converting certain outstandingnavy-bills into annuities at four per cent. -C. 

(465) Sir William Baker, member for Plympton; an alderman ofLondon. He married the eldest daughter of the second JacobTonson, the bookseller. -E. 

(466) There is no other account of this remarkable speech to befound; and indeed we have little notice of General Conway'sparliamentary efforts, except Mr. Burke's general and brilliantdescription of his conduct as leader of the House of Commons inthe Rockingham administration. As General Conway's reputation inthe House of Commons has been in some degree forgotten, it may beas well to cite the passage from Mr. Burke's speech, in 1774, onAmerican taxation, in support of what Mr. Walpole says of theGeneral's powers in debate:--"I will likewise do justice, I oughtto do it, to the honourable gentleman who led us in this House. Far from the duplicity wickedly charged on him, he acted his partwith alacrity and resolution. We all felt inspired by theexample he gave us, down even to myself, the weakest in thatphalanx. I declare for one, I knew well enough (it could not beconcealed from any body) the true state of things; but, in mylife I never came with so much spirits into this House. It was atime for a man to act in. We had powerful enemies; but we hadfaithful and determined friends and a glorious cause. We had agreat battle to fight, but we had the means of fighting; not asnow, when our arms are tied behind us. We did fight that day, and conquer. I remember, Sir, with a melancholy pleasure, thesituation of the Honourable gentleman (General Conway) who madethe motion for the repeal; in that crisis, when the whole tradinginterest of this empire, crammed into your lobbies with atrembling, and anxious expectation, waited, ,almost to a winter'sreturn of light, their fate from your resolution. When, atlength, you had determined in their favour, and your doors thrownopen, showed them the figure of their deliverer in thewell-earned triumph of his important victory, from the whole ofthat grave multitude there arose an involuntary burst ofgratitude and transport, They jumped upon him like children on along absent father. They clung about him like captives about theredeemer. All England, all America, joined in his applause. Nordid he seem insensible to the best of all earthly regards--thelove and admiration of his fellow-citizens. Hope elevated, andjoy brightened his crest. I stood near him; and his face, to usethe expression of the Scripture of the first martyr, 'his facewas as if it had been the face of an angel. ' I do not know howothers feel; but if I had Stood in that situation, I never wouldhave exchanged it for all that kings, in their profusion, couldbestow. I did hope, that that day's danger and honour would havebeen 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'spolitics 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 EarlPomfret. To taste Mr. Townshend's jest, one must recollect, thatin the finance of that day the duties of tonnage and poundageheld a principal place. -C. 

(469) Governor Vansittart, contrary to the advice of his council, had deposed the Nabob Meer Jaffier, and transferred thesovereignty to his son-in-law, Cossim Ali Cawn. The latter, however, soon forgot his obligations to the English; and inconsequence of some aggressions on his part, a deputation, consisting of Mesrs Amyatt and Hay, members of council, attendedby 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 thecity of Mor", Moreshedabad. About the same here the Englishcouncil at Patna and their attendants were made prisoners, andafterwards cruelly massacred. These events necessitated thedeposition of Cossim, and Jaffier was accordingly, after a shortcampaign, restored. -C. (468) Charles, afterwards second Duke ofDorset. -E. 

(470) John Damer, member for Dorchester. Lord Milton had marriedLord George's youngest sister, Lady Caroline. -E. 

(471) The Prince and Princess landed safely at Helvoet on the 2dof February. -E. 

(472) Simon Fanshawe, Esq. Member for Grampound. He had marrieda 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 youcan estimate the merit I have in being writing to you at thismoment. 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 addseventeen hours that I may possibly be there on Friday, and thencalculate if I am weary. (473) In short, yesterday was thelongest day ever known in the House of Commons--why, on theWestminster election at the end of my father's reign, (474) I wasat home by six. On Alexander Murray's(475) affair, I believe, byfive--on the militia, twenty people, I think, sat till six, butthen they were only among themselves, no heat, no noise, noroaring. It was half an hour after seven this morning before Iwas at home. Think of that, and then brag of your Frenchparliaments!(476)

What is ten times greater, Leonidas and the Spartan minority didnot make such a stand at Thermopylae, as we did. Do you know, wehad like to have been the majority? Xerxes(477) is frightenedout of his senses; Sysigambis(478) has sent an express to Lutonto forbid Phrates(479) coming to town to-morrow: Norton's(480)impudence has forsaken him; Bishop Warburton is at this momentreinstating Mr. Pitt's name in the dedication to his sermons, which he had expunged for Sandwich's;(481) and Sandwich himselfis--at Paris, perhaps, by this time, for the first thing I expectto hear to-morrow is, that he is gone off. 

Now are you mortally angry with me for trifling with you, and nottelling you at once the particulars of this almost-revolution. You may be angry, but I shall take my own time, and shall givemyself what airs I please both to you, my Lord Ambassador, and toyou, my Lord Secretary of State, who will, I suppose, open thisletter--if you have courage enough left. In the first place, Iassume all the impertinence of a prophet, aye, of that greatcuriosity, a prophet, who really prophesied before the event, andwhose predictions have been accomplished. Have I, or have I not, announced to you the unexpected blows that would be given to theadministration?--come, I will lay aside my dignity, and satisfyyour impatience. There's moderation. 

We sat all Monday hearing evidence against Mr. Wood, (482) thatdirty wretch Webb, (483) and the messengers, for their illegalproceedings against Mr. Wilkes. At midnight, Mr. Grenvilleoffered us to adjourn or proceed. Mr. Pitt humbly begged not toeat or sleep till so great a point should be decided. On adivision, in which though many said aye to adjourning, nobodywould go out for fear of losing their seats, it was carried by379 to 31, for proceeding--and then--half the House went away. The ministers representing the indecency of this, and Fitzherbertsaying that many were within call, Stanley observed, that aftervoting against adjournment, a third part had adjournedthemselves, when, instead of being within call, they ought tohave been within hearing: this was unanswerable, and weadjourned. 

Yesterday we fell to again. It was one in the morning before theevidence was closed. CarringTon, the messenger, was aloneexamined for seven hours. This old man, the cleverest of allministerial terriers, was pleased with recounting hisachievements, yet guarded and betraying nothing. However, thearcana imperia have been wofully laid open. 

I have heard Garrick, and other players, give themselves airs offatigue after a long part--think of the Speaker, nay, think ofthe clerks taking most correct minutes for sixteen hours, andreading them over to every witness; and then let me hear offatigue! Do you know, not only my Lord Temple, (484)--who you mayswear never budged as spectator, but old Will Chetwynd, (485) nowpast eighty, and who had walked to the House, did not stir asingle moment out of his place, from three in the afternoon tillthe division at seven in the morning. Nay, we had patriotesses, too, who stayed out the whole: Lady Rockingham and Lady Sondesthe first day; both again the second day, with Miss Mary Pelham, Mrs. Fitzroy, (486) and the Duchess of Richmond, as patriot as anyof us. Lady Mary Coke, Mrs. George Pitt, (487) and LadyPembroke(488) came after the Opera, but I think did not stayabove seven or eight hours at most. 

At one, Sir W. Meredith(489) moved a resolution of the illegalityof the warrant, and opened it well. He was seconded by oldDarlington's brother, (490) a convert to us. Mr. Wood, who hadshone the preceding day by great modesty, decency, and ingenuity, forfeited these merits a good deal by starting up (according to aministerial plan, ) and very arrogantly, and repeatedly in thenight, demanding justice and a previous acquittal, and tellingthe House he scorned to accept being merely excused; to which Mr. Pitt replied, that if he disdained to be excused, he woulddeserve to be censured. Mr. Charles Yorke (who, with his family, have come roundly to us for support against the Duke of Bedfordon the Marriage-bill(491)) proposed to adjourn. Grenville andthe Ministry would have agreed to adjourn the debate on the greatquestion itself, but declared they would push this acquittal. This they announced haughtily enough--for as yet, they did notdoubt of their strength. Lord Frederick Campbell(492) was themost impetuous of all, so little he foresaw how much wiser itwould be to follow your brother. Pitt made a short speech, excellently argumentative, and not bombast, nor tedious. Nordeviating from the question. He was supported by your brother, and Charles Townshend, and Lord George;(493) the two last of whomare strangely firm, now they are got under the cannon of yourbrother Charles, who, as he must be extraordinary, is now so inromantic nicety of honour. His father, (494) who is dying, ordead, at Bath, and from whom he hopes two thousand a year, hassent for him. He has refused to go--lest his steadiness shouldbe questioned. At a quarter after four we divided. Our cry wasso loud, that both we and the ministers thought we had carriedit. It is not to be painted, the dismay of the latter--in goodtruth not without reason, for we were 197, they but 207. Yourexperience can tell you, that a majority of but ten is a defeat. Amidst a great defection from them, was even a white staff, LordCharles Spencer(495)--now you know still more of what I told youwas preparing for them!

Crestfallen, the ministers then proposed simply to discharge thecomplaint; but the plumes which they had dropped, Pitt soonplaced in his own beaver. He broke out on liberty, and, indeed, on whatever he pleased, uninterrupted. Rigby sat feeling thevice-treasurership slipping from under him. Nugent was now lesspensive--Lord Strange, (496) though not interested, did not likeit. Every body was too much taken up with his own concerns ortoo much daunted, to give the least disturbance to the Pindaric. Grenville, however, dropped a few words, which did but heightenthe flame. Pitt, with less modesty than ever he showed, pronounced a panegyric, on his own administration, and fromthence broke out on the dismission of officers. This increasedthe roar from us. Grenville replied, and very finely, verypathetically, 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 --thinkwhat an impression such an incident must make, when passions, hopes, and fears, were all afloat--think, too, how your brotherand I, had we been ungenerous, could have added to thesesensations! There was a man not so delicate. Colonel Barr`erose--and this attended with a striking circumstance; Sir EdwardDeering, one of our noisy fools, called out, "Mr. Barr`e, "(498)The latter seized the thought with admirable quickness, and saidto 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 haveno right to, " and then made a very artful and pathetic speech onhis own services and dismission; with nothing bad but an awkwardattempt towards an excuse to Mr. Pitt for his former behaviour. Lord North, who will not lose his bellow, though he may lose hisplace, endeavoured to roar up the courage of his comrades, but itwould not do--the House grew tired, and we again divided at sevenfor adjournment; some of our people were gone, and we remainedbut 184, they 208; however, you will allow our affairs aremended, when we say, but 184. We then came away, and left theministers to satisfy Wood, Webb, and themselves, as well as theycould. It was eight in the morning before I was in bed; andconsidering that this is no very short letter, Mr. Pitt bore thefatigue with his usual spirit(499)--and even old Onslow, the lateSpeaker, was sitting up, anxious for the event. 

On Friday we are to have the great question, which would preventmy writing; and to-morrow I dine with Guerchy, at the Duke ofGrafton's, besides twenty other engagements. To-day I have shutmyself up; for with writing this, and taking notes yesterday allday, 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 mylast letter. The Prince and Princess of Brunswick are safelylanded, though they were in extreme danger. The Duc de Pecquignyhad not only been put in arrest late on the Sunday night, which Idid not know, but has retrieved his honour. Monsieur de Guerchysent him away, and at Dover Virette found him, and whispered himto steal from D'Allonville(500) and fight. The Duc first beggedhis pardon, owned himself in the wrong, and then fought him, andwas wounded, though slightly, in four places in the arm; and bothare returned to London with their honours as white as snow. 

Sir Jacob Downing(501) is dead, and has left every shilling tohis wife; id est, not sixpence to my Lord Holland;(502) a mishapwhich, being followed by a minority of 197, will not make apleasant week to him. 

now would you believe how I feel and how I wish? I wish we maycontinue the minority. The desires of some of my associates, perhaps, may not be satisfied, but mine are. Here is anopposition formidable enough to keep abler ministers thanMessieurs 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 partwith. I hate to have a camp to plunder; at least, I am so WhichI am so whig, I hate spoils but the opima spolia. I think it, too, much more creditable to control ministers, than to beministers--and much more creditable than to become mere ministersourselves. I have several other excellent reasons against oursuccess, though I could combat them with as many drawn from theinsufficience of the present folk, and the propriety of Mr. Pittbeing 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 receivingyours of the 13th, by the messenger. Though I am very sorry youhad not then got mine from Monin, which would have prepared youfor much of what has happened, I do not fear its miscarriage, asI think I can account for the delay. I had, for more security, put it into the parcel with two more volumes of my Anecdotes ofPainting; which, I suppose, remained in M. Monin's baggage; andhe 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 thesame delicacy is not necessary as for a letter. 

I thank Lord Beauchamp much for the paper, but should thank himmuch more for a letter from himself. I am going this minute tothe House, where I have already been to prayers, (503) to take aplace. It was very near full then, so critical a day it is! Iexpect we shall be beaten-but we shall not be so many times more. Lord Granby(504) I hear, is to move the previous question--theyare reduced to their heavy cannon. 

Sunday evening, 19th. 

Happening to hear of a gentleman who sets out for Paris in two orthree days, I stopped my letter, both out of prudence (prayadmire me!) and from thinking that it was as well to send you atonce the complete history of our Great Week. By the time youhave read the preceding pages, you may, perhaps, expect to find achange in the ministry in what I am going to say. You must havea little patience; our parliamentary war, like the last war inGermany, produces very considerable battles, that are notdecisive. Marshal Pitt has given another great blow to thesubsidiary army, but they remained masters of the field, and bothsides sing te Deum. I am not talking figuratively, when I assureyou that bells, bonfires, and an illumination from the Monument, were prepared in the city, in case we had the majority. LordTemple was so indiscreet and indecent as to have fagots ready fortwo bonfires, but was persuaded to lay aside the design, evenbefore it was abortive. 

It is impossible to give you the detail of so long a debate asFriday's. You will regret it the less when I tell you it was avery dull one. I never knew a day of expectation answer. Theimpromptus and the unexpected are ever the most shining. We loveto hear ourselves talk, and yet we must be formed of adamant tobe able to talk day and night on the same question for a weektogether. If you had seen how ill we looked, you would not havewondered we did not speak well. A company of colliers emergingfrom damps and darkness could not have appeared more ghastly anddirty than we did on Wednesday morning; and we had not recoveredmuch bloom on Friday. We spent two or three hours on correctionsof, and additions to, the question of pronouncing the warrantillegal, till the ministry had contracted it to fit scarce anything but the individual case of Wilkes, Pitt not opposing theamendments because Charles Yorke gave into them; for it iswonderful(505) what deference is paid by both sides to thathouse. The debate then began by Norton's moving to adjourn theconsideration of the question for four months, and holding out apromise of a bill, which neither they mean nor, for my part, should I like: I would not give prerogative so much as adefinition. You are a peer, and, therefore, perhaps, will hearit with patience--but think how our ears must have tingled, whenhe told us, that should we pass the resolution, and he were ajudge, he would mind it no more than the resolution of a drunkenporter! Had old Onslow been in the chair, I believe he wouldhave knocked him down with the mace. He did hear of it duringthe debate, though not severely enough; but the town rings withit. Charles Yorke replied, and was much admired. Me he did notplease; I require a little more than palliatives and sophistries. He excused the part he has taken by pleading that he had neverseen the warrant, till after Wilkes was taken up--yet he thenpronounced the No. 45 a libel, and advised the commitment ofWilkes to the Tower. If you advised me to knock a man down, would you excuse yourself by saying you had never seen the stickwith which I gave the blow Other speeches we had without end, butnone good, except from Lord George Sackville, a short one fromElliot, and one from Charles Townshend, so fine that it amazed, even from him. Your brother had spoken with excellent senseagainst the corrections, and began well again in the debate, butwith so much rapidity that he confounded himself first, and thenwas seized with such a hoarseness that he could not proceed. Pitt and George Grenville ran a match of silence, striving whichshould reply to the other. At last, Pitt, who had three times inthe debate retired with pain, (506) rose about three in themorning, but so languid, so exhausted, that, in his life, henever made less figure. Grenville answered him; and at five inthe morning we divided. The Noes were so loud, as it admits adeeper sound than Aye, that the Speaker, who has got a bit ofnose(507) since the opposition got numbers, gave it for us. Theywent forth; and when I heard our side counted to the amount of218, I did conclude we were victorious; but they returned 232. It is true we were beaten by fourteen, but we were increased bytwenty-one; and no ministry could stand on so slight anadvantage, if we could continue above two hundred. (508)

We may, and probably shall, fall off: this was our strongestquestion--but our troops will stand fast: their hopes and viewsdepend upon it, and their spirits are raised. But for the otherside it will not be the same. The lookers-on will be stayersaway, and their very subsidies will undo them. They bought twosingle votes that day with two peerages;(509) Sir R. Bampfylde(510) and Sir Charles Tynte(511)--and so are going tolight up the flame of two more county elections--and that in thewest, where surely nothing was wanting but a tinder-box!

You would have almost laughed to see the spectres produced byboth sides; one would have thought that they had sent asearch-warrant for members of parliament into every hospital. Votes were brought down in flannels and blankets, till the floorof the House looked like the pool of Bethesda. 'Tis wonderfulthat half of us are not dead--I should not say us; Herculean Ihave not suffered the least, except that from being a Hercules often grains, I don't believe I now weigh above eight. I felt fromnothing 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 ofTuesday--but on Friday we were forced to be unpolite. TheAmazons came down in such squadrons, that we were forced to bedenied. However, eight or nine of the patriotesses dined in oneof the Speaker's rooms, and stayed there till twelve--nay, worse, while their dear country was at stake, I am afraid they wereplaying at loo!

The Townshends, you perceive by this account, are returned; theirfather not dead. (512) Lord Howe(513) and the Colonel voted withus; so did Lord Newnham, (514) and is likely to be turned out ofdoors for it. A warrant to take up Lord Charles Spenser was sentto Blenheim from Bedford-house, (515) and signed by his brother, and returned for him; so he went thither--not a very kind officein the Duke of Marlborough to Lord Charles's character. LordGranby refused to make the motion, but spoke for it. LordHardwicke is relapsed; but we do not now fear any consequencesfrom his death. The Yorkes, who abandoned a triumphantadministration, are not so tender as to return and comfort themin their depression. 

The chief business now, I suppose, will lie in souterreins andintrigues. Lord Bute's panic will, probably, direct him to makeapplication to us. Sandwich will be manufacturing lies, andRigby, negotiations. Some change or other, whether partial orextensive, must arrive. The best that can happen for theministers, is to be able to ward off the blow till the recess, and they have time to treat at leisure; but in just the presentstate it is impossible things should remain. The opposition istoo strong, and their leaders too able to make no impression. 

Adieu! pray tell Mr. Hume that I am ashamed to be thus writingthe history of England, when he is with you!

P. S. The new baronies are contradicted, but may recover truth atthe end of the session. (516)

(473) the important debate on the question of General Warrants, which is the subject of the following able and interestingletter, has never been reported. There are, indeed, in theparliamentary history, a letter from Sir George Yonge, and twostatements by Sir William Meredith and Charles Townshend, on thesubject, but they relate chiefly to their own motives andreasonings, and give neither the names nor the arguments of thedebater, -, and fall very short indeed of the vigour and vivacityof Mr. Walpole's animated sketch. -C. 

(474) On the 22d December, 1741. This was one of the debatesthat terminated Sir Robert Walpole's administration: the numberson the division were 220 against 216. -C. 

(475) The proceedings of the 6th of February, 1751, against theHonourable A. Murray, for impeding the Westminster election; butWalpole, in his Memoires, states that the House adjourned at twoin the morning. -C. 

(476) The disputes between Louis XV. And his parliaments, whichprepared the revolution, were at this period assuming a seriousappearance. -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 evenlost his boldness; for in the further progress of the adjourneddebate, we shall find that he told the House that he would regardtheir resolution of no more value (in point of law, must beunderstood) than the vociferations of so many drunken porters. -C. 

(481) Lord Sandwich was an agreeable companion and an ableminister; but One whose moral character did not point him out asexactly the fittest patron for a volume of sermons; and he was atthis moment so unpopular, that Mr. Walpole affects to think hemay 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 appliesthese injurious terms to Mr. Webb, on account of a supposed errorin his evidence on the trial in the Common Pleas, for which hewas afterwards indicted for perjury, but he was fully acquitted. The point was of little importance --whether he had or had not akey in his hand. -C. 

(484) Lord Temple was, as every one knows, a very keenpolitician, and took in all this matter a most prominent part;indeed, he was the prime mover of the whole affair, and bore theexpense of all Wilkes's law proceedings out of his own pocket. -C. 

(485) William Chetwynd, brother of Lord Chetwynd: at this timemaster of the mint. He was in early life a friend of LordBolingbroke, and called, from the darkness of his complexion, Oroonoko Chetwynd: he sat out these debates with impunity, for hesurvived to succeed his brother as Lord Chetwynd, in 1767, anddid not die for some years after. -C. 

(486) Probably Anne, daughter of Admiral Sir Peter Warren;married, in 1758, to Colonel Charles Fitzroy, afterwards firstLord Southampton. -C. 

(487) Penelope, daughter of Sir H. Atkins, married, in 1746, toGeorge Pitt, first Lord Rivers. -C. 

(488) Elizabeth. Daughter of Charles Spenser, first Duke ofMarlborough of the Spenser branch, married, in 1756, to Henry, tenth Earl of Pembroke; she was celebrated for her beauty, whichhad even, it was said, captivated George III. When GeneralConway was dismissed for the vote of this very night, LordPembroke succeeded to his regiment. -C. 

(489) Sir William Meredith's motion was, "That a general warrantfor apprehending and securing the authors, printers, andpublishers of a seditious libel, together with their papers, isnot warranted by law. " This proposition the administration didnot venture to deny, but they attached to it an exculpatoryamendment to the Following effect:--"although such warrant hasbeen issued according to the usage of office, and has beenfrequently produced to, and never condemned by, courts ofjustice. "-C. 

(490) Gilbert, youngest brother of henry, first Earl ofDarlington, who was so well known in Sir Robert Walpole's and Mr. Pelham's time as " Harry Vane. " Mr. Gilbert Vane was deputytreasurer of Chelsea Hospital, but on this occasion abandoned theministerial 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 LordHardwicke; but as he, on the failure of one or two previousattempts at a bill on that subject, was requested by the House ofLords to prepare one, he, and of course his sons, must havecontinued interested in its maintenance; but Mr. Walpole'ssuspicion of a bargain and sale of sentiments between there andthe opposition is quite absurd. Even from Mr. Walpole's ownstatement, it would seem, that, on the subject of generalwarrants, mr. Charles Yorke acted with sincerity andmoderation, -anxious to have a great legal question properlydecided, and unwilling to prostitute its success to the purposesof party. -C. 

(492) Fourth son of John, third Duke of Argyle; afterwards keeperof the privy seal in Scotland, secretary to the Lord Lieutenantof Ireland, and finally, lord register of Scotland. As He wasthe brother-in-law of General Conway, Mr. Walpole seems to haveexpected him to have followed Conway's politics. -C. 

(493) Lord George Sackville. 

(494) Charles, third Lord Townshend, a peer, whose reputation islost between that of his father and his sons. -C. 

(495) Second son of the Duke of Marlborough; his white staff wasthat 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 ofitself in a day or two, and in 1765, when the party which he hadthis night assisted came into power, he was turned out. -C. 

(496) James, eldest son of the Earl of Derby, born in 1717; hedied in 1771, before his father. I know not why Walpole says hewas not interested; he was a very respectable man, but he wasalso chancellor of the duchy, and might naturally have felt asmuch 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 ofadjutant-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 thismorning, to give me an account of the glorious day we hadyesterday, and of the great obligations which every true lover ofthe liberties of his country and our present constitution owe toyou, for the superior ability, firmness, and resolution which youshowed during the longest attention that ever was known. Godforbid that your health should suffer by your zeal for yourcountry. " Chatham Correspondence, vol. Ii. P. 287. -E. 

(500) Probably the gentleman in whose charge M. De Guerchy hadsent away the giddy Duke. -C. 

(501) Sir Jacob Gerrard Downing, Bart. , member for Dunwich: hedied the 6th of February, and left his estate, as Mr. Walpolesays, to his wife; but only for her life, and afterwards to buildand endow Downing College at Cambridge. (502) The grounds of anyexpectation which Lord Holland may have entertained from SirJacob Downing have not reached us; but it is right to say, thatMr. Walpole had quarrelled with Lord Holland, and was glad on anyoccasion, just or otherwise, to sneer at him. -C. 

(503) It may be necessary to remark, that any member who attendsat the daily prayers of the House has a right, for that evening, to the place he occupies at prayers. On nights of greatinterest, when the House is expected to be crowded, there isconsequently a considerable attendance at prayers. -C. 

(504) Eldest son of the third Duke of Rutland, well known for hisgallant conduct at Minden, and still remembered for hispopularity with the army and the public. He was at this timecommander-in-chief and master-general of the ordnance. He diedbefore his father, in 1770. -C. 

(505) Wonderful to Mr. Walpole only, who had a private piqueagainst the Yorkes; no one else could wonder that deferenceshould 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 waseven suspected of sometimes acting a fit of the gout in the Houseof Commons. (A reference to the Chatham Correspondence will, itis believed, remove the illiberal suspicion, that Mr. Pitt, onthis, or any other occasion, was in the practice of "acting a fitof the gout. " On the morning after the debate, the Duke ofNewcastle thus wrote to Mr. Pitt "I shall not be easy till I hearyou have not increased your pain and disorder, by your attendanceand the great service you did yesterday to the public. I couldnot omit thanking you and congratulating you upon your great andglorious minority, before I went to Claremont. Such a minority, with such a leader, composed of gentlemen of the Greatest andmost independent fortunes in the kingdom, against a majority offourteen only, influenced by power and force, and fetched fromall corners of the kingdom, must have its weight, and produce themost happy consequences to the public. " Chatham Correspondence, vol. Ii. P. 288. -E. ]

(507) Sir John Cust's nose was rather short, as his picture byReynolds, as well as by Walpole, testify. -C. 

(508) In reference to this defeat of the ministry, Gray, in aletter to Dr. Wharton, says, "Their crests are much fallen andcountenances lengthened by the transactions of last week; for theministry, on Thursday last (after sitting till near eight in themorning), carried a small point by a majority of only forty, andon another previous division by one of ten only; and on Fridaylast, at five in the morning, there were 220 to 232; and by thisthe court only obtained to adjourn the debate for four months, and not to get a declaration in favour of their measures. Ifthey hold their ground many weeks after this, I shall wonder; butthe 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 forDevonshire. -E. 

(511) Sir Charles Kemeys Tynte, fifth baronet; member forSomersetshire. -E. 

(512) He died on the 13th of the ensuing month. -E. 

(513) Richard, fourth Viscount, and first Earl Howe, the hero ofthe 1st of June; and his brother, Colonel, afterwards General SirWilliam, who succeeded him as fifth Viscount Howe. -C. 

(514) George Simon, Viscount Newnham, afterwards second Earl ofHarcourt, remarkable for a somewhat exaggerated imitation ofFrench fashions. His father, the first Earl, was at this timechamberlain to the Queen. -C. 

(515) See ant`e, p. 286. The meaning of this passage is, thatthe Duke of Bedford (who was president of the council) wrote aletter, which he sent to Blenheim for the Duke of Marlborough tosign, desiring his brother, Lord Charles, to abstain from againvoting against the government. The Duke of Marlborough (who wasprivy seal) signed, as Walpole intimates, the letter; and LordCharles, instead of attending the House, and voting, as he haddone on the former night, against ministers, went down toBlenheim. -C. 

(516) They never took place, and probably never were incontemplation. -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 forbeing so. Men who go to bed at six and seven in the morning, andwho rise but to return to the same fatigue, have little leisurefor other most necessary duties. The severe attendance we havehad lately in the House of Commons cannot be unknown to you, andwill already, I trust, have pleaded my pardon. 

Mr. Bathoe has got the two volumes for you, and will send them bythe conveyance you prescribe. You will find in them much, Ifear, that will want your indulgence; and not only dryness, trifles, and, I conclude, many mistakes, but perhaps opinionsdifferent from your own. I can only plead my natural andconstant frankness, which always speaks indifferently, as itthinks, on all sides and subjects. I am bigoted to none: Charlesor Cromwell, Whigs or Tories, are all alike to me, but in what Ithink they deserve, applause or censure; and therefore, if' Isometimes commend, sometimes blame them, it is not for beinginconsistent, but from considering them in the single light inwhich I then speak of them: at the same time meaning to give onlymy private opinion, and not at all expecting to have it adoptedby any other man. Thus much, perhaps, it was necessary for @neto say, and I will trouble you no further about myself. 

Single portraits by Vandyck I shall avoid particularizing anyfarther, and also separate pieces by other masters, for a reasonI may trust you with. Many persons possess pictures which theybelieve or call originals, without their being so, and havewished to have them inserted in my lists. This I certainly donot care to do, nor, on the other hand, to assume theimpertinence of deciding from my own judgment. I shall, therefore, stop where I have stopped. The portraits which youmention, of the Earl of Warwick, Sir, is very famous andindubitable; but I believe you will assent to my prudence, whichdoes not trouble me too often. I have heard as much fame of theEarl of Denbigh. 

You will see in my next edition, that I have been so lucky as tofind and purchase both the drawings that were atBuckingham-house, of the Triumphs of Riches and Poverty. Theyhave raised even my ideas of Holbein. Could I afford it, and wehad engravers equal to the task, the public should be acquaintedwith their merit; but I am disgusted with paying great sums forwretched 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 Headsaccords, Sir, extremely with my own sentiments; but I own Idespair of that, and every work. Our artists get so much moneyby hasty, slovenly performances, that they will undertake nothingthat requires labour and time. I have never been able topersuade any one of them to engrave the beauties at Windsor, which are daily perishing for want of fires in that palace. Mostof them entered into a plan I had undertaken, of an edition ofGrammont with portraits. I had three executed; but after thefirst, which was well done, the others were so wretchedlyperformed, though even the best was much too dear, that I wasforced to drop the design. Walker, who has done much the bestheads in my new volumes, told me, when I pressed him to considerhis reputation, that, "he had got fame enough!" What hopes, Sir, can one entertain after so shameful an answer? I have hadnumerous schemes, but never could bring any to bear, but whatdepended solely on myself; and how little is it that a privateman, with a moderate fortune, and who has many other avocations, can accomplish alone? I flattered myself that this reign wouldhave given new life and views to the artists and the curious. Iam disappointed: Politics on one hand, and want of taste in thoseabout his Majesty on the other, have prevented my expectationsfrom being answered. 

The letters you tell me of, Sir, are indeed curious, both thoseof Atterbury and the rest; but I cannot flatter myself that Ishall be able to contribute to publication. My press, from thenarrowness of its extent, and having but one man and a boy, goesvery slow; nor have I room or fortune to carry it farther. WhatI 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 notallow them ridiculous profit, (518) they will do nothing topromote the sale; and when I do, they buy up the impression, andsell it for an advanced price before my face. This is the caseof my two first volumes of Anecdotes, for which people have beenmade to pay half a guinea, and more than the advertised price. In truth, the plague I have had in every shape with my ownprinters, engravers, the booksellers, besides my own trouble, have almost discouraged me from what I took up at first as anamusement, 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 andliterature. If an independent gentleman, though a private one, finds such obstacles, what must an ingenious man do, who isobliged to couple views of profit with zeal for the public? Or, do our artists and booksellers, cheat me the more because I am agentleman? Whatever is the cause, I am almost as sick of theprofession of editor, as of author. If I touch upon either more, it will be more idly, though chiefly because I never can be quiteidle. 

(517) Now first collected. 

(518) The following just and candid vindication of the Londonbooksellers 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 oftenpasses, before it comes into those of the reader; or what part ofthe profit each hand must retain, as a motive for transmitting itto the next, We will call our primary agent in London, Mr. Cadell, who receives our books from us, gives them room in hiswarehouse, 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 threeprofits to be paid between the printer and the reader, or, in thestyle of commerce, between the manufacturer and the consumer; andif any of these profits is too penuriously distributed, theprocess 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 letterof eleven pages, by a very safe conveyance, I shall say but a fewwords to-day; indeed, I have left nothing to say, but to thankyou for the answer I received from you this morning to mine byMonsieur Monin. I am very happy that you take so kindly thefreedom I used: the circumstances made me think it necessary; andI flatter myself, that you are persuaded I was not to blame inspeaking so openly, when two persons so dear to me wereconcerned. (519) Your 'Indulgence will not lead me to abuse it. What you say on the caution I mentioned, convinces me that I wasright, by finding your judgment correspond with my own-but enoughof that. 

My long letter, which, perhaps, you will not receive till afterthis (you will receive it from a lady), will give you a fulldetail of the last extraordinary week. Since that, there hasbeen an accidental suspension of arms. Not only Mr. Pitt is laidup with the gout, but the Speaker has it too. We have beenadjourned till to-day, and as he is not recovered, have againadjourned till next Wednesday. The events of the week have been, a complaint made by Lord Lyttelton in your House, of a bookcalled "Droit le Roy;"(520) a tract written in the highest strainof prerogative, and drawn from all the old obsolete law-books onthat question. (521) The ministers met this complaint with muchaffected indignation, and even on the complaint beingcommunicated to us, took it up themselves; and both Houses haveordered the book to be burned by the hangman. To comfortthemselves for this forced zeal for liberty, the North Briton, and the Essay on Woman have both been condemned(522) by Juries inthe King's Bench; but that triumph has been more than balancedagain, by the city giving their freedom to Lord Chief-JusticePratt, (523) ordering his picture to be placed in the King'sBench, thanking their members for their behaviour in Parliamenton the warrant, and giving orders for instructions to be drawnfor their future conduct. 

Lord Granby is made lord lieutenant of Derbyshire; but the vigourof this affront was wofully weakened by excuses to the Duke ofDevonshire, and by its being known that the measure wasdetermined two months ago. 

All this sounds very hostile; yet, don't be surprised if you hearof some sudden treaty. Don't you know a little busy squadronthat had the chief hand in the negotiation(524) last autumn?Well, I have reason to think that Phraates(525 is negotiatingwith Leonidas(526) by the same intervention. All the world seesthat the present ministers are between two fires. Would it beextraordinary if the artillery of' both should be discharged onthem at once? But this is not proper for the post: I growprudent the less prudence is necessary. 

We are in pain for the Duchess of Richmond, who, instead of thejaundice, has relapsed into a fever. She has blooded twice lastnight, and vet had a very bad night. I called at the door atthree o'clock, when they thought the fever rather diminished, butspoke of her as very ill. I have not seen your brother or LadyAylesbury to-day, but found they had been very much alarmedyesterday evening. (527) Lord Suffolk, (528) they say, is going tobe married to Miss Trevor Hampden. 

Your brother has told me, that among Lady Hertford's thingsseized at Dover, was a packet for me from you. Mr. Bowman hasundertaken 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. Therewere one hundred and four persons, of which number fifty-fivesupped. The supper-room was disposed with tables and benchesback to back in the manner of an alehouse. The idea sounds ill;but the fairies had so improved upon it, had so be-garlanded, sosweetmeated, and so desserted it, that it looked like a vision. I told her she Could only have fed and stowed so much company bya miracle, and that, when we were gone, she would take up twelvebasketsfull of people. The Duchess of Bedford asked me beforeMadame de Guerchy, if I would not give them a ball at Strawberry?Not for the universe! What! turn a ball, and dust, and dirt, anda million of candles, into my charming new gallery! I said, Icould not flatter myself that people would give themselves thetrouble of going eleven miles for a ball--(though I believe theywould go fifty)--"Well, then, " says she, "it shall be a dinner. "--"With all my heart, I have no objection; but no ball shall setits foot within my doors. "

(519) It related, as we have seen, to General Conway's vote inopposition to the government. -C. 

(520) "Droit le Roy, or the Rights and Prerogatives of theImperial Crown of Great Britain. " In the examination of Griffin, the printer, before the Peers, he stated that Timothy Becknockafterwards hanged in Ireland as an accomplice of George RobertFitzgerald, had sent the pamphlet to the press, and was, Griffinbelieved, the author of it. -C. 

(521) Gray writes to Dr. Wharton, on the 21st of February:--"TheHouse of Lords, I hear, will soon take in hand a book latelypublished, by some scoundrel lawyer, on the prerogative; in whichis scraped together all the flattery and blasphemy of our oldlaw-books in honour of kings. I presume it is understood, thatthe 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, forrepublishing the North Briton, No. 45, and for printing the Essayon Woman, and found guilty of both. -E. 

(523) The preamble of these resolutions is worthy ofobservation:--"Whereas the independency and uprightness of judgesis essential to the impartial administration of justice, etc. This court, in manifestation of their just sense of theinflexible firmness and integrity of the Right Honourable Sir C. Pratt, lord chief justice, etc. Gives him the freedom of thecity, and orders his picture to be placed in Guildhall;" as ifimpartiality could only be assailed from one side, and as if goldboxes and pictures, and addresses from the corporation of London, were not as likely to have influence on the human mind as thefavours 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, forMr. Pitt's coming into power. There is some reason to supposethat Mr. Calcraft was employed in the first steps of thisnegotiation, 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 firsthusband. -E. 

(528) Henry, twelfth Earl of Suffolk, married, May 1764, MissTrevor, who had been on the point of marriage with Mr. Child ofOsterley, 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 insome qualities of her mind. See ant`e, p. 220, letter 157. Mr. Walpole, when some foreigner, who could not see Pitt himself, hadasked him if he was like his sister, answered, in his usual happystyle of giving a portrait at a touch, "Ils se ressemblent commedeux gouttes de feu!" She was privy purse to the PrincessDowager. -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. Iwould not defer telling you so, that you may know it is safe. But I have additional reason to write to you immediately; for onopening the book, the first thing I saw was a new obligation toYou, the charming Faithorne of Sir Orlando Bridgman, whichaccording to your constantly obliging manner you have sent me, and I almost fear you think I begged it; but I can disculpatemyself, for I had discovered that it belongs to Dugdale'sOrigines -Judiciales, and had ordered my bookseller to try to getme that book, which when I accomplish, you shall command your ownprint again; for it is too fine an impression to rob you of. 

I have been so entertained with your book, that I have stayed athome on purpose, and gone through three parts of it. It makes mewish earnestly some time or other to go through all yourcollections, for I have already found twenty things of greatmoment to me. One Is particularly satisfactory to me; it is inMr. Baker's MSS. At Cambridge; the title of Eglesham's bookagainst the Duke of Bucks, (530) mentioned by me in the account ofGerbier, from Vertue, who fished out every thing, and alwaysproves in the right. This piece I must get transcribed by Mr. Gray's assistance. I fear I shall detain your manuscriptprisoner a little, for the notices I have found, but I will takeinfinite care of it, as it deserves. I have got among my new oldprints a most curious one of one Toole. It seems to be aburlesque. He lived in temp. Jac. I. And appears to have been anadventurer, like Sir Ant. Sherley:(531) can you tell me any thingof him?

I must repeat how infinitely I think myself obliged to you bothfor the print and the use of your manuscript, which is of thegreatest use and entertainment to me; but you frighten me aboutMr. Baker's MSS. From the neglect of them. I should lose allpatience if yours were to be treated so. Bind them in iron, andleave them in a chest of cedar. They are, I am sure, mostvaluable, from what I have found already. 

(530) This libellous book, written by a Scotch physician, andwhich is reprinted in the second volume of the HarleianMiscellany, and in the fifth volume of the Somers' Collection ofTracts, was considered by Sir Henry Wotton "as one of the allegedincentives which hurried Felton to become an assassin. "-E. 

(531) Sherley's various embassies will be found in thecollections of Hakluyt and Purchas. An article upon his travels, which were published in 1601, occurs likewise in the secondvolume of the Retrospective Review. The travels of the threebrothers, 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'stime to tell you of Lord Hardwicke's(532) death. I had so manyauctions, dinners, loo-parties, so many sick acquaintance, withthe addition of a long day in the House of Commons, (which, bythe way, I quitted for a sale of books, ) and a ball, that I leftthe common newspapers to inform you of an event, which two monthsago would have been of much consequence. The Yorkes are fixed, and the contest(533) at Cambridge will but make them strikedeeper root in opposition. I have not heard how their father hasportioned out his immense treasures. The election at Cambridgeis to be on Tuesday, 24th; Charles Townshend is gone thither, andI suppose, by this time, has ranted, and romanced, and turnedevery 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 ofbeing galled by reports, which he answered with more art thansincerity. There were a few more speeches, till nine o'clock, but no division. Our armistice, you see, continues. Lord Buteis, I believe, negotiating with both sides; I know he is with theopposition, and has a prospect of making very good terms forhimself, for patriots seldom have the gift of perseverance. Itis wonderful how soon their virtue thaws!

Last Thursday, the Duchess of Queensbury(534) gave a ball, openedit herself with a minuet, and danced two country dances; as shehad enjoined every body to be with her by six, to sup at twelve, and go away directly. Of the Campbell-sisters, all were left outbut, Lady Strafford, (535) Lady Rockingham and Lady Sondes, who, having had colds, deferred sending answers, received notice thattheir places were filled up, and that they must not come; butwere pardoned on submission. A card was sent to invite Lord andLady Cardigan, and Lord Beaulieu instead of Lord Montagu. (536)This, her grace protested, was by accident. Lady Cardigan wasvery angry, and yet went. Except these flights, the onlyextraordinary thing the Duchess did, was to do nothingextraordinary, for I do not call it very mad that some piquehappening between her and the Duchess of Bedford, the latter hadthis 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 bordera little upon Moorfields. (537) The gallery where they danced wasvery cold. Lord Lorn, (538) George Selwyn, and I, retired into alittle room, and sat (Comfortably by the fire. The Duchesslooked in, said nothing, and sent a smith to take the hinges ofthe door off We understood the hint, and left the room, and sodid the smith the door. This was pretty legible. 

My niece Waldegrave talks of accompanying me to Paris, but ten ortwelve weeks may make great alteration in a handsome youngwidow's plan: I even think I see Some(539) who will--not forbidbanns, but propose them. Indeed, I am almost afraid of coming toyou myself. The air of Paris works such miracles, that it is notsafe to trust oneself there. I hear of nothing but my LadyHertford's rakery, and Mr. Wilkes's religious deportment, andconstant 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, thatshe has seen Lady Massarene(542) at Bath, who is warm in praiseof you, and said that you had spent two thousand pounds out offriendship, to support her son in an election. She told thePrincess too, that she had found a rent-roll of your estate in afarmhouse, and that it is fourteen thousand a-year. This I wasordered, I know not why, to tell you. The Duchess of Bedford hasnot been asked to the loo-parties at Cavendish-house(543) thiswinter, and only once to whisk there, and that was one Fridaywhen she is at home herself. We have nothing at the Princess'sbut silver-loo, and her Bath and Tunbridge acquaintance. Thetrade at our gold-loo is as contraband as ever. I cannot helpsaying, 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 ofthe 8th) more than they deserve. There is no trouble in sendingyou news; as you excuse the careless manner in which I write anything I hear. Don't think yourself obliged to be punctual inanswering me: it would be paying too dear for such idle andtrifling despatches. Your picture of the attention paid toMadame Pompadour's illness, and of the ridicule attached to themission of that homage, is very striking. It would be still moreso by comparison. Think if the Duke of Cumberland was to set upwith my Lord Bute!

The East India Company, yesterday, elected Lord Clive--GreatMogul; that is, they have made him governor-general of Bengal, and restored his Jaghire. (544) I dare say he will put it out oftheir power ever to take it away again. We have had a deluge ofdisputes and pamphlets on the late events in that distantprovince of our empire, the Indies. The novelty of the mannersdivert me: our governors there, I think, have learned more oftheir treachery and injustice, than they have taught them of ourdiscipline. 

Monsieur Helvetius(545 arrived yesterday. I will take care toinform the Princess, that you could not do otherwise than you didabout 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 Sandwichand the new Lord Hardwicke. Gray, in a letter of the 21st ofFebruary, written from Cambridge, says, "This silly dirty placehas had all its thoughts taken up with choosing a new highsteward; and had not Lord Hardwicke surprisingly, and to theshame of the faculty, recovered by a quack medicine, I believe inmy conscience the noble Earl of Sandwich had been chosen, though, (let me do them the justice to say) not without a considerableopposition. " Works, vol. Iv. P. 29. -E. 

(534) Catharine Hyde, the granddaughter of the great LordClarendon; herself remarkable for some oddities of character, dress, and manners, to which the world became less indulgent asshe ceased to be young and handsome. -C. 

(535) the sisters omitted were, Lady Dalkeith, Lady ElizabethMackenzie, 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 thisunion, Lord Beaulieu. Mary, the younger sister, married LordCardigan, who was, in 1776, created Duke of Montagu: their eldestson having been in 1762, created Lord Montagu. The marriage ofthe elder sister with Mr. Hussey was considered, by her familyand the world, as a m`esalliance; and, therefore, the mistake oflord Beaulieu for Lord Montagu was likely to give offence. -C. 

(537) It is now almost necessary to remind the reader, that oldBedlam 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 ofMassarene; the latter being at this time a minor. The electionwas probably for the county of Antrim, in which both LordMassarene and Lord Hertford had considerable property. -C. 

(543) Princess Amelia's, the corner of Harley Street; since theresidence 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 wascharged by the East India Company, Lord Clive insisted that theCompany should continue to pay. It was about twenty-fivethousand pounds per annum. -C. 

(545) A French philosopher, the son of a Dutch Physician broughtinto France by Louis XIV. He was the author of a dull bookmis-named "De l'Esprit. " We cannot resist repeating a joke madeabout this period on the occasion of a requisition made by theFrench ministry to the government of Geneva, that it should seizecopies of this book "De l'Esprit, " and Voltaire's "Pucelled'Orl`eans, " which were supposed to be collected there in orderto be smuggled into France. The worthy magistrates were said tohave reported that, after the most diligent search, they couldfind in their whole town no trace "de l'Esprit, et pas unePucelle. "-C. [The following is Gibbon's character of Helvetius, in a letter of the 12th of February, 1763:--"Amongst myacquaintance I cannot help mentioning M. Helvetius, the author ofthe famous book 'De l'Esprit. ' I met him at dinner at MadameGeoffrin's, where he took great notice of me, made me a visitnext day, has ever since treated me, not in a polite but afriendly manner. Besides being a sensible man, an agreeablecompanion, and the worthiest creature in the world, he has a verypretty wife, an hundred thousand livres a-year, and one of thebest tables in Paris. " He died in 1771, at the age offifty-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 themuch greater affliction of poor Lady Malpas. My nephew(546) wentto his regiment in Ireland before Christmas, and returned butlast Monday. He had, I suppose, heated himself in thatbacchanalian country, and was taken ill the very day he set out, yet he came on, but grew much worse the night of his arrival; itturned to an inflammation in his bowels, and he died last Friday. You may imagine the distress where there was so much domesticfelicity, and where the deprivation is augmented by the veryslender circumstances in which he could but leave his family; ashis father--such an improvident father--is living! Lord Malpashimself was very amiable, and I had always loved him--but this isthe cruel tax one pays for living, to see one's friends takenaway before one! It has been a week of mortality. The night Iwrote to you last, and had sent away my letter, came an accountof my Lord Townshend's death. He had been ill treated by asurgeon in the country, then was carried improperly to the Bath, and then again to Rainham, tho Hawkins, and other surgeons andphysicians represented his danger to him. But the woman he kept, probably to prevent his seeing his family, persisted in theseextravagant journeys, and he died in exquisite torment the dayafter his arrival in Norfolk. He mentions none of his childrenin his will, but the present lord; to whom he gives 300 poundsa-year that he had bought, adjoining to his estate. But there issaid, or supposed to be, 50, 000 pounds in the funds in hismistress's name, who was his housemaid. I do not aver this, fortruth is not the staple commodity of that family. Charles ismuch disappointed and discontented--not so my lady, who has 2000pounds a-year already, another 1000 pounds in jointure, and 1500pounds her own estate in Hertfordshire. (547) We conclude, thatthe Duke of Argyle will abandon Mrs. Villiers(548) for thisricher widow; who will only be inconsolable, as she is toocunning, I believe, to let any body console her. LordMacclesfield(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 ourHouse, 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 ofhornets, that I do not see the prudence of attacking. 

I leave to your brother to tell you the particulars of animpertinent paragraph in the papers on you and your embassy; butI must tell you how instantly, warmly, and zealously, he resentedit. He went directly to the Duke of Somerset, to beg of him tocomplain of it to the Lords. His grace's bashfulness made himchoose rather to second the complaint, but he desired LordMarchmont to make it, who liked the office, and the printers areto attend your House to-morrow. (551)

I went a little too fast in my history of Lord Clive, and yet Ihad it from Mr. Grenville himself. The Jaghire is to be decidedby law, that is in the year 1000. Nor is it certain that hisOmrahship goes; that will depend on his obtaining a board ofdirectors to his mind, at the approaching election. (552) Iforgot, too, to answer your question about Luther;(553) and now Iremember it, I cannot answer it. Some said his wife had beengallant. Some, that he had been too gallant, and that shesuffered for it. Others laid it to his expenses at his election;others again, to political squabbles on that subject between himand his wife--but in short, as he sprung into the world by hiselection, so he withered when it was over, and has not beenthought on since. 

George Selwyn has had a frightful accident, that ended in a greatescape. He was at dinner at Lord Coventry's, and just as he wasdrinking a glass of wine, he was seized with a fit of coughing, the liquor went wrong, and suffocated him: he got up for somewater at the sideboard, but being strangled, and losing hissenses, he fell against the corner of the marble table with suchviolence, that they thought he had killed himself by a fractureof his skull. He lay senseless for some time, and was recoveredwith difficulty. He was immediately blooded, and had the chiefwound, which is just over the eye, sewed up--but you never saw sobattered a figure. All round his eye is as black as jet, andbesides the scar on his forehead, he has cut his nose at top andbottom. He is well off with his life, and we with his wit. 

P. S. Lord Macclesfield has left his wife(554) threescorethousand pounds. 

(546) George Viscount Malpas member for Corfe-Castle, and colonelof the 65th regiment of foot, the son of George, third Earl ofCholmondeley, and of Mary, only legitimate daughter of Sir RobertWalpole. Lord Malpas had married, in 1747, Hester daughter andheiress of Sir Francis Edwards, Bart. And by her was father ofthe 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 ofthe first Earl of Jersey. -C. 

(549) George, second Earl of Macclesfield, one of the tellers ofthe exchequer, and president of the Royal Society. -E. 

(550) George Hay, LL. D. Member for Sandwich, and one of thelords of the admiralty. -E. 

(551) We find in the Journals, that the printers of two papers inwhich the libellous paragraph appeared, were, after examinationat the bar, committed to Newgate. The libel itself is notrecorded. The proceedings in the House of Lords were notified toLord Hertford by the secretary of state, and the following is acopy of his reply to this communication:--"Paris, March 27th, 1764. I am informed by my friend, of the insult that has beenoffered to my character in two public papers, and of the zealshown by administration in seconding the resentment of the Houseof Peers in my favour. Perhaps my own inclination might have ledme to despise such indignities; but if others, and particularlymy friends, take the matter more warmly, I am not insensible totheir attention, and receive with gratitude such pledges of theirregard. I had indeed flattered myself, that my course of lifehad hitherto created me no enemy; but as I find that thisfelicity is too great for any man, I am pleased, at least, tofind that he is a very low one: and I am so far obliged to himfor discovering to me the share I have in the friendship of somany great persons, and for procuring me a testimony of esteemfrom so honourable an assembly as that of the Peers ofEngland. "-C. 

(552) Lord Clive made it a condition of his going to India, thatMr. Sullivan should be deprived of the lead he had in thedirection at home. -C. [Soon after the election of the directors, the court took the subject of the settlement of Lord Clive'sJaghire into consideration; and a proposition, made by himself, was, on the ]6th of May, agreed to, confirming his right for tenyears, if he lived so long, and provided the company continued, during that period, in possession of the lands from which therevenue was Paid. -E. ]

(553) John Luther, Esq. Of Myless, near Ongar, in Essex, who, onthe death of Mr. Harvey, of Chigwell, stood on the popularinterest, 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, thatColonel Keith, a friend of his, sets out for Paris on Thursday. I take that opportunity of saying a few things to you, whichwould be less proper than by the common post; and if I have nottime to write to Lord Beauchamp too, I will defer my answer tohim till Friday, as the post-office will be more welcome to readthat. 

Lord Bute is come to town, has been long with the King alone, andgoes publicly to court and the House of Lords, where the Baronyof Bottetourt((555) has engrossed them some days, and of whichthe town thinks much, and I not at all, so I can tell you nothingabout it. The first two days, I hear, Lord Bute was littlenoticed; but to-day much court was paid to him, even by the Dukeof Bedford. Why this difference, I don't know: that matters aresomehow adjusted between the favourite not minister, and theministers not favourites, I have no doubt. Pitt certainly hasbeen treating with him, and so threw away the great andunexpected progress which the opposition had made. They, goodpeople, are either not angry with him for this, or have not foundit out. The Sandwiches and rigbys, who feel another half yearcoming into their pockets, are not so blind. For my own part, Irejoice that the opposition are only fools, and by thus missingtheir treaty, will not appear knaves. In the mean time, I haveno doubt but the return of Lord Bute must produce confusion atcourt. He and Grenville are both too fond of being ministers, not to be jealous of one another. If what is said to be designedproves true, that the King will go to Hanover, and take the Queenwith him, I shall expect that clamour (which you see depends onvery few men, (556) for it has subsided during these privatenegotiations) will rise higher than ever. The Queen's absencemust be designed to leave the regency in the hands of anotherlady:(557) connect that with Lord Bute's return, and judge whatwill be the consequence! These are the present politics, atleast mine, who trouble myself little about them, and know less. I have not been at the House this month; the great points whichinterested me are over, and the very stand has shut the door. Imight like some folks out, but there are so few that I desire tosee in, that indifference is my present most predominatingprinciple. The busier world are attentive to the election atCambridge, which comes on next Friday; and I think, now, LordSandwich's friends have little hopes. Had I a vote, it would notbe given for the new Lord Hardwicke. 

But we have a more extraordinary affair to engage us, and ofwhich you particularly will hear much more, -indeed, I fear mustbe involved in. D'Eon has published (but to be sure you havealready heard so) a most scandalous quarto, abusing Monsieur deGuerchy outrageously, and most offensive to Messieurs de Praslinand Nivernois. (558) In truth, I think he will have made allthree irreconcilable enemies. The Duc de Praslin must beoutraged as to the Duke's carelessness and partiality to D'Eon, and will certainly grow to hate Guerchy, concluding the lattercan never forgive him. D'Eon, even by his own account, is asculpable as possible, mad with pride, insolent, abusive, ungrateful, and dishonest, in short, a complication ofabominations, yet originally ill used by his court, afterwardstoo well; above all, he has great malice, and great parts to putthe malice in play. Though there are even many bad puns in hisbook, a very uncommon fault in a French book, yet there is muchwit too. (559) Monsieur de Guerchy is extremely hurt, though withthe least reason of the three; for his character for bravery andgood-nature is so established, that here, at least, he will notsuffer. I could write pages to you upon this Subject, for I amfull of it--but I will send you the book. The council have metto-day to consider what to do upon it. Most people think itdifficult for them to do any thing. Lord Mansfield thinks theycan--but I fear he has a little alacrity on the severe side insuch cases. Yet I should be glad the law would allow severity inthe present case. I should be glad of it, as I was in your caselast week; and considering the present constitution of things, would put the severity of the law in execution. You will wonderat this sentence out of my mouth, (560) but not when you haveheard my reason. The liberty of the press has been so muchabused, that almost all men, especially such as have weight, Imean, grave hypocrites and men of arbitrary principles, are readyto demand a restraint. I would therefore show, that the law, asit already stands, is efficacious enough to repress enormities. I hope so, particularly in Monsieur de Guerchy's case, or I donot see how a foreign minister can come hither; if, while theirpersons are called sacred, their characters are at the mercy ofevery servant that can pick a lock and pay for printing a letter. It is an odd coincidence of accidents that has produced abuse onyou and your tally in the same week--but yours was a flea-bite. 

Thank you, my dear lord, for your anecdotes relative to MadamePompadour, her illness, and the pretenders to her succession. Ihope she may live till I see her; she is one of the greatestcuriosities 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. Itis now quite off, and with very extraordinary circumstances; butif I tell it you at all, it Must not be in a letter, especiallywhen D'Eons steal letters and print them. It is a secret, and solittle to the lover's advantage, that I, who have a great regardfor 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, iscrammed with fine things, pictures, china, japan, vases, andevery species of curiosities. These are much increased evensince I was in favour there, particularly by Lord Montagu'simportations. I was curious to see how many quarrels my ladymust have gulped before she could fill her house--truly, notmany, (though some, ) for there were very few of her ownacquaintance, chiefly recruits of her son and daughter. Therewas not the soup`con of a Bedford, though the town has marriedLord Tavistock and Lady Betty(563)--but he is coming to you toFrance. 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 bereconciled, should not be asked. "Oh, Madam, " said I, "be easy asto that point, for though she has invited me, she will scarcespeak to me but I let all such quarrels come and go as theyplease: if people, so indifferent to me, quarrel with me, it isno reason why I should quarrel with them, and they have my fullleave to be reconciled when they please. "

I must trouble you once more to know to what merchant youconsigned the Princess's trees, and Lady Hervey's biblioth`eque--I mean for the latter. I did not see the Princess last week, asthe loss of my nephew kept me from public places. Of all publicplaces, guess the most unlikely one for the most unlikely personto 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 instate. At night I met my Lady Milton(565) at the Duchess ofArgyle's, and said in joke, "Soh, to be sure, you have been tosee my Lord Macclesfield lie in state!" thinking it impossible--she burst out into a fit of laughter, and owned she had. She andmy Lady Temple had dined at Lady Betty's, (566) put on hats andcloaks, and literally waited on the steps of the house in thethick of the mob, while one posse was admitted and let out againfor 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 Inever heard of, with great encomiums on my taste and knowledge. To be sure, I am warranted to insert this certificate among thetestimonia authorum, before my next edition of the Painters. Now, I assure you, I am much more just--I have sent the gentlemanword what a perfect ignoramus I am, and did not treat my vanitywith a moment's respite. Your brother has laughed at me, orrather at the poor man who has so mistaken me, as much as ever Idid at his absence and flinging down every thing at breakfast. Tom, your brother's man, told him to-day, that MisterHelvoetsluys had been to wait on him--now you are guessing, --didyou find out this was Helvetius?

It is piteous late, and I must go to bed, only telling you abon-mot of Lady Bell Finch. (567) Lord Bath owed her half acrown; he sent it next day, with a wish that he could give her acrown. She replied, that though he could not give her a crown, he could give her a coronet, and she was very ready to acceptit. (568) I congratulate you on your new house; and am your verysleepy humble servant. 

(555) The ancient Barony of Bottetourt had been considered asextinct ever since the reign of Edward III. And was now claimedby Mr. Norborne Berkeley, member for Gloucestershire, and a groomof the bedchamber; the revival of a claim so long forgottencreated considerable interest. -C. 

(556) This is an important observation: it affords a clue to thecauses 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. DeNivernois had been lately ambassador in England. -C. 

(559) At this distance of time, D, Eon's book seems to us the mereravings of insane vanity; the puns poor, and the wit rare andforced. -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, buta 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 thethird Duke of Buccleuzh. This amiable and venerable lady isstill 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 ofWinchelsea. 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 morehis great wealth, for which, after his son's death, he had nodirect heir, subjected his lordship to views of the naturealluded to in Lady Bell's bon-mot. In the Suffolk Letters, lately published, is a proposition to this effect from Mrs. AnnePitt, made with all appearance of seriousness. -C. (The followingis the passage alluded to. It is contained in a letter from Mrs. Anne Pitt to Lady Suffolk, dated November 10, 1753:--"I hear myLord Bath is here very lively, but I have not seen him, which Iam very sorry for, because I want to offer myself to him. I amquite in earnest, and have set my heart upon it; so I begseriously you will carry it in your mind, and think if you couldfind any way to help me. Do not you think Lady Betty Germain andLord and Lady Vere would be ready to help me, if they knew howwilling I am? But I leave all this to your discretion, and repeatseriously, that I am quite in earnest. He can want nothing but acompanion that would like his company; and in my situation Ishould not desire to make the bargain without that circumstance. And though all I have been saying Puts me in mind of someadvertisements I have seen in the newspapers from gentlewoman indistress, I will not take that method; but I want to recollectwhether 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 athome, where I never was a favourite. I perceive that by thinkingaloud, as I am apt to do with you, this letter is grown veryimproper for the post, so I design to send it with a tea-box mysister 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 nottelling me of Robert's(570) arrival, and to acquaint you bothwith the loss of poor Lord Malpas, when I received your veryentertaining letter of the 19th. I had not then got the draughtof the Conqueror's kitchen, and the tiles you were so good as tosend me; and grew horribly afraid lest old Dr. Ducarel, who is anostrich of an antiquary, and can digest superannuated brickbats, should have gobbled them up. At my return from Strawberry Hillyesterday, I found the whole cargo safe, and am really muchobliged to you. I weep over the ruined kitchen, . But enjoy thetiles. They are exactly like a few which I obtained from thecathedral of Gloucester, when it was new paved; they are inlaidin the floor of my china-room. I would have got enough to paveit entirely; but the canons, who were flinging them away, had somuch devotion left, that they enjoined me not to pave a pagodawith them, nor put them to any profane use. As scruples Increasein a ratio to their decrease, I did not know but a china-roommight casuistically be interpreted a pagoda, and sued for nomore. My cloister is finished and consecrated but as I intend toconvert the old blue and white hall next to the china-room into aGothic columbarium, I should seriously be glad to finish thefloor with Norman tiles. However, as I shall certainly make youa visit in about two months, I will wait till then, and bring thedimensions with me. 

Depend upon it, I will pay some of your debts to M. DeLislebonne; that is, I will make as great entertainments for himas any one can, who almost always dines alone in hisdressing-room; I will show him every thing all the morning, asmuch as any one can, who lies abed till noon, and never getsdressed till two o'clock; and I will endeavour to amuse him withvariety of diversions every evening as much as any one can, whodoes nothing but play at loo till midnight, or sit behind LadyMary 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 andmy sister favours to me, and will make a point of adding the fewcivilities which his name, rank, and alliance with the Guerchyscan leave necessary. M. De Guerchy is adored here, and will findso, particularly at this Juncture, when he has been most cruellyand publicly insulted by a mad, but villanous fellow, one D'Eon, left here by the Duc de Nivernois, who in effect is still worsetreated. This creature, who had been made ministerplenipotentiary, which turned his brain, as you have alreadyheard, had stolen Nivernois's private letters, and has publishedthem, and a thousand scandals on M. De Guerchy, in a very thickquarto. The affair is much too long for a letter, makes a greatnoise, and gives great offence. The council have met to-day toconsider how to avenge Guerchy and punish D'Eon. I hope a legalremedy is in their power. 

I will say little on the subject of Robert; you know my opinionof his capacity, and I dare say think as I do. He is worthtaking pains with. I heartily wish those pains may have success. The cure performed by James's powder charms me more thansurprises me. I have long thought it could cure every thing butphysicians. 

Politics are all becalmed. Lord Bute's reappearance on thescene, though his name is in no play-bill, may chance to revivethe hurly-burly. 

My Lord Townshend has not named Charles in his will, who is asmuch disappointed as he has often disappointed others. We hadlast 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 haverumours of gout flying about me, and would fain coax them into myfoot. I have almost tried to make them drunk, and inveigle themthither in their cups; but as they are not at all familiar chezmoi, they formalize at wine, as much as a middle-aged woman whois beginning to just drink in private. 

Adieu, my dear Sir! my best love to all of' you. As Horace Isevidently descended from the Conqueror, I will desire him topluck up the pavement by the roots, when I want to transport ithither. 

(569) Now first collected. The above letter was privatelyprinted, in 1833, by the Rev. Robert Walpole, with the followingintroduction:--"The incomparable letters of Horace Walpole, asthey have been justly styled by Lord Byron, have long placed thewriter in the highest rank of those who have distinguishedthemselves in this line of composition. The playful wit andhumour with which they abound; the liveliness of hisdescriptions; the animation of his style; the shrewd and acuteobservations on the different topics which form the subjects ofthose letters, are not surpassed by any thing to be found in themost perfect models of epistolary writing, either in England orFrance. His correspondence extends over a period of more thanfifty years, and no subject of general interest seems to haveescaped his attention and curiosity. He not Only gives afaithful portraiture of the manners of the times, particularly ofthe highest circles of society in which he lived; but he presentsus with many striking sketches of various events and occurrences, illustrating the political history of this country during thelatter part of the last century. If any proof were required ofthe truth of this statement, in addition to what may be affordedby an attentive examination of Mr. Walpole's Correspondencealready published, it may be found in the three volumes ofLetters addressed to Sir Horace Mann, and recently given to theworld under the superintendence of Lord Dover. The letter (nowprinted for the first time with the consent of the possessor ofthe original) was addressed to Charles Churchill, Esq. , whomarried Lady Mary, daughter of Sir Robert, and sister of Mr. Walpole; and was written at the time when he was engaged incompleting the interior decorations of his villa, StrawberryHill. "

(570) Robert and Horace, both mentioned in this letter, were sonsof 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 beingconceived at Paris, (571) and transmitted hither, tallies exactlywith mine. I guessed that a satire on your whole establishmentmust come from thence: I said so immediately to two or threepersons; but I did not tell you I thought so, because I did notchoose to fill you with suggestions for which I had no ground, but in my own reasoning. Your arguments convince me I was in theright. Yet, were you master of proofs, the wisest thing you cando, is to act as if you had no suspicion; that is, to act as youhave done, civilly, but coolly. There are men whom one would, Ithink, no more acknowledge for enemies than friends. One'sresentment distinguishes them, and the only Gratitude they canpay for that distinction is, to double the abuse. Wilkes's mind, you see, is sufficiently volatile, when he can already forgetLord Sandwich and the Scotch, and can employ himself on you. Hewill soon flit to other prey, when you disregard him. It is myway: I never publish a sheet, but buzz! out fly a swarm ofhornets, insects that never settle upon you, if you don't strikeat them and whose venom is diverted to the next object thatpresents itself. 

We have divine weather. The Bishop of Carlisle has been with metwo days at Strawberry, where we saw the eclipse(572) toperfection: -not that there was much sight in it. The air wasvery chill at the time, and the light singular; but there was nota blackbird that left off singing for it. In the evening theDuke of Devonshire came with the Straffords from t'other end ofTwickenham, and drank tea with us. They had none of them seen thegallery since it was finished; even the chapel was new to theDuke, and he was so struck with it that he desired to offer atthe shrine an incense-pot of silver philigrain. (573)

The election at Cambridge has ended, for the present in strangeconfusion. (574) The proctors, who were of different sides, assumed each a majority; the votes, however, appear to have beenequal. The learned in university decision say, an equality is anegative: if so Lord Hardwicke is excluded. Yet the novelty ofthe case, it not having been very customary to solicit such atrifling honour, and the antiquated forms of proceeding retainedin colleges, leave the matter wide open for further contention, an advantage Lord Sandwich cherishes as much as success. Thegrave are highly scandalized:--popularity was still warmer. Theunder-graduates, who, having no votes had consequently been leftto their real opinions, were very near expressing their opinionsagainst Lord Sandwich's friends in the most Outrageous manner:hissed they were; and after the election, the juniors burst intothe Senate-house, elected a fictitious Lord Hardwicke, andchaired him. The indecent arts and applications which had beenused by the Twitcherites (as they are called, from LordSandwich's nickname, Jemmy Twitcher, ) had provoked this rage. Iwill give you but one instance:-A voter, who was blooded onpurpose that morning, was brought out of a madhouse with hiskeeper. This is the great and wise nation, which the philosopherHelvetius is come to study! When he says of us C'est un furieuxpais! he does not know that the literal translation is the truedescription 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 truthbut when I tell you what I know. How should I know any thing? Iam in no confidence; I think of both sides alike; I care forneither; I ask few questions. The King's journey to Hanover iscontradicted. The return of Lord Bute is still a mystery. Thezealous say, he declares for the administration; but some of thelatter do not trust too much to that security; and, perhaps, theyare in the right: I know what I think and why I think it; yetsome, who do not go on ill grounds, have a middle opinion, thatis not very reconcilable to mine. You will not wonder that thereis a mystery, doubt, or irresolotion. The scene will be openedfurther before I get to Paris. 

Lord Lyttelton and Lord Temple have dined with each other, andthe reconciliation of the former with Mr. Pitt is concluded. Itis 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, andof bad example, have determined the King, who left it to them, not to consent to it, though the Bishop himself still insists onit. As this decision disappoints Bishop Newton, Lord Bath hasobtained a consolatory promise for him of the mitre of London, tothe great discomfort of Terrick and Warburton. You see LordBath(575 does not hobble up the back-stairs for nothing. Oh, heis an excellent courtier! The Prince of Wales shoots him withplaything arrows, he falls down dead; and the child kisses him tolife again. Melancholy ambition I heard him, t'other night, propose himself to Lady Townshend as a rich widow. Such spiritsat fourscore are pleasing; but when one has lost all one'schildren, to be flattering those of Kings!

The Bishop of Carlisle told me, that t'other day in the House ofLords, Warburton said to another of the bench, "I was invited bymy Lord Mansfield to dine with that Helvetius, but he is aprofessed patron of atheism, a rascal, and a scoundrel, and Iwould not countenance him; besides, I should have worked him, andthat Lord Mansfield would not have liked. " No, in good truth:who can like such vulgarism! His French, too, I suppose, isequal to his wit and his piety. 

I dined, on Tuesday, with the imperial minister; we weretwo-and-twenty, collected from the four corners of the earth. Since it is become the fashion to banquet whole kingdoms byturns, I should pray, if I was minister to be sent to Lucca. Have you received D'Eon's very curious book, which I sent byColonel Keith? I do not find that the administration candiscover any method of attacking him. Monsieur de Guerchy veryproperly determines to take no notice Of it. In the mean time, the wit of it gains ground, and palliates theabomination, though it ought not. 

Princess Amelia asked me again about her trees. I gave her yourmessage. She does not blame you, but Madame de Boufflers, forsending them so large. Mr. Legge is in a very bad way; but notwithout hopes: his last night was better. Adieu! my dear lordsand ladies!

(571) See ant`e, p. 301, letter 197. Lord Hertford suspectedthis paragraph to have been written by Mr. Wilkes; whichcertainly would have been ungrateful, as Lord Hertford showed Mr. Wilkes more attention than most people thought proper to be shownby the King's ambassador to a person in Mr. Wilkes'scircumstances. -C. 

(572) A considerable eclipse of the sun, which took place on the1st of April. It was annular at Boulogne, in France, and ofcourse nearly so at Paris and London. -C. 

(573) Commonly called fillagree. -C. 

(574) The contest was between Lords Hardwicke and Sandwich; butaccording to University forms, the poll was taken on the firstname; 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 othermade placet 107, non-placet 101: on this a scrutiny was demanded, and refused, and a great confusion ensuing, the Vice-Chancelloradjourned the senate sine die. -E. 

(575) The once idolized patriot, William Pulteney. It must beborne in mind, that Mr. Walpole cherished a filial aversion tohis 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 andtheir tattle; they are not worth a moment's regard. In times ofparty it is impossible to avoid abuse. If attached to one side, one is pelted by the other; if to neither, by both. One canplace oneself above deserving invectives; and then it signifieslittle whether they are escaped or not. But when one isconscious 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 allowthat it is too sacred to be hurt by any thing but itself: does itdepend on others, or on its own existence? That character mustbe fictitious, and formed for man, which man can take away. Yourreputation does not depend on Mr. Wilkes, (576) like his own. Itis delightful to deserve popularity, and to despise it. 

You will have heard of the sad misfortune that has happened toLord Ilchester by his daughter's marriage(577) with O'Brien theactor. But, perhaps, you do not know the circumstances, and howmuch his grief must be aggravated by reflection on his owncredulity and negligence. The affair has been in train foreighteen months. The swain had learned to counterfeit Lady SarahBunbury's(578) hand so well that in the country Lord Ilchesterhas himself delivered several of O'Brien's letters to Lady Susan;but it was not till about a week before the catastrophe that thefamily was apprised of the intrigue. Lord Cathcart went to MissReade's, the paintress; she said softly to him, "My lord, thereis a couple in the next room that I am sure ought not to betogether; I wish your lordship would look in. " He did, shut thedoor again, and went directly and informed Lord Ilchester. LadySusan was examined, flung herself at her father's feet, confessedall, vowed to break off but--what a but!--desired to see theloved object, and take a last leave. You will be amazed-eventhis was granted. The parting scene happened the beginning ofthe week. On Friday she came of age, and on Saturday morning--instead of being under lock and key in the country--walked downstairs, took her footman, said she was going to breakfast withLady Sarah, but would call at Miss Reade's; in the street, pretended to recollect a particular cap in which she was to bedrawn, sent the footman back for it, whipped into a hackneychair, was married at Covent-garden church, and set out for Mr. O'Brien's villa at Dunstable. My Lady--my Lady Hertford! whatsay you to permitting young ladies to act plays, and go topainters by themselves?

Poor Lord Ilchester is almost distracted; indeed, it is thecompletion of disgrace, (579)--even a footman were preferable; thepublicity of the hero's profession perpetuates the Unification. Il ne sera pas milord, tout comme un autre. I could not havebelieved 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 BettyGallini(582)--the shopkeepers of next age will be mighty wellborn. If our genealogies had been so confused four hundred yearsago, Norborne Berkeley would have had still more difficulty withhis obsolete Barony of Bottelourt, which the House of Lords atlast has granted him. I have never attended the hearings, thoughit has been much the fashion, but nobody cares less than I aboutwhat they don't care for. I have been as indifferent about otherpoints, of which all the world is talking, as the restriction offranking, and the great cause of Hamilton and Douglas. I amalmost as tired of what is still more in vogue, our East Indiaaffairs. Mir Jaffeir(583) and Cossim Aly Cawn, and theirdeputies Clive and Sullivan, or rather their principals, employthe public attention, instead of Mogul Pitt and Nabob Bute; theformer of whom remains shut Up in Asiatic dignity at Hayes, whilethe 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 theHouse of Commons since the war of privilege. It must have beensomething he dropped in private. 

I was diverted just now with some old rhymes that Mr. Wilkeswould have been glad to have North-Britonized for our littlebishop of Osnaburgh. (585)

Eligimus puerum, puerorum testa colentes, Non nostrum morem, sed Regis jussa sequentes. 

They were literally composed on the election of a juvenilebishop. 

Young Dundas marries Lady Charlotte Fitzwilliam;(586) SirLawrence(587) settles four thousand per annum in present, and sixmore in future--compare these riches got in two years and a half, with D'Eon's account of French economy! Lord Garlies remarrieshimself with the Duchess of Manchester's(588) next sister, MissDashwood. The youngest is to have Mr. Knightly--a-propos toD'Eon, the foreign ministers had a meeting yesterday morning, atthe imperial minister's, and Monsieur de Guerchy went from thenceto the King, but on what result I do not know, nor can I findthat the lawyers agree that any thing can be done against him. There has been a plan of some changes among the Dii Minores, yourLord Norths, and Carysforts, and Ellises, and FrederickCampbellsl(589) and such like; but the supposition that LordHolland would be willing to accommodate the present ministerswith the paymaster's place, being the axle on which this projectturned, and his lordship not being in the accommodating humour, there are half a dozen abortions of new lords of the treasury andadmiralty--excuse me if I do not send you this list of embryos;(5I do not load my head with such fry. I am little more au fait ofthe confusion that happened yesterday at the East India House; Ionly know it was exactly like the jumble at Cambridge. Sullivan's list was chosen, all but himself-his own electionturns on one disputed vote. (590) Every thing is intricate--apresumption that we have few heads very clear. Good night, for Iam tired; since dinner I have been at an auction of prints, atthe Antiquarian Society in Chancery-lane, at Lady Dalkeith's(591)in Grosvenor-square, and at loo at my niece's in Pall Mall; Ileft them going to supper, that I might come home and finish thisletter; it is half @n hour after twelve, and now I am going tosupper 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 firstLord 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 thisaristocratical indignation is with the Roman sentiments expressedin page 262, letter 185, and signed so emphatically Horatius. -C. 

(580) Daughter of the seventh Earl of Thanet, married, inSeptember 1763, to Doctor Duncan, M. D. , soon after created abaronet. -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 JohnGallini. 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, electedBishop of Osnaburgh, 27th of February, 1764. -E. 

(586) Second daughter of the third Earl Fitzwilliam, born in1746. -E. 

(587) Sir Lawrence Dundas, father of the first Lord Dundas, issaid to have made his fortune in the commissariat, during theScotch rebellion of 1745. -C. 

(588) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir James Dashwood, Bart. And wifeof the fourth Duke of Manchester. -E. 

(589) Second son of the fourth Duke of Argyle. He wassuccessively keeper of the privy seal in Scotland, secretary tothe 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, andMr. 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 theattack of Lord Clive had so shaken the power of this latelypopular director, that his own election was only carried by onevote. " 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 ofBuccleugh, 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, andwith a thousand thanks. I ought to beg your pardon for havingdetained it so long. The truth is, I had not time till last weekto copy two or three little things at most. Do not let thisdelay discourage you from lending me more. If I have them insummer I shall keep them much less time than in winter. I do notsend my print with it as you ordered me, because I find it is toolarge to lie within the volume; and doubling a mezzotinto, youknow, 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 ofvarious sorts, and shall hope to show them to you at StrawberryHill. 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 theHouse of Lords, that you are turned out--he imagined, of yourregiment--but that I suppose is a mistake for thebedchamber. (593) I shall hear more to-night, and Lady Strafford, who brings you this, will tell you; though to be sure You willknow earlier by the post to-morrow. My only reason for writingis, to repeat to you, that whatever you do, I shall act withyou. (594) I resent any thing done to you as to myself. Myfortunes shall never be separated from yours--except that sometime or other I hope yours will be great, and I am content withmine. 

The Manns go on with the business. (595) The letter you receivedwas from Mr. Edward Mann, not from Gal. 's widow. Adieu! I wasgoing to say, my disgraced friend--How delightful to have acharacter so unspotted, that the word disgrace recoils on thosewho displace you! Yours unalterably. 

(592) Widow of John Campbell, Duke of Argyle. She was sister toGeneral Warburton, and had been maid of Honour to Queen Anne. -E. 

(593) Mr. Conway was dismissed from all his employments, civiland military, for having Opposed the ministry in the House ofCommons, on the question of the legality of warrants, at the timeof the prosecution of Mr. Wilkes for the publication of the NorthBriton. -C. 

(594) Mr. Walpole was then in the House of Commons, member forKing'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 thatyour brother is dismissed, not only from the bedchamber, but fromhis regiment, and that the latter is given to Lord Pembroke. Ido not believe it. Your brother went to Park-place but yesterdaymorning at ten: he certainly knew nothing of it the night beforewhen we parted, after one, at Grafton-house: nor would he havepassed my door yesterday without stopping to tell me Of it: noletter has been sent to his house since, nor were any ordersarrived at the War office at half an hour after three yesterday;nay, though I can give the ministry credit for much folly, andsome of them credit for even violence and folly, I do not believethey are so rash as this would amount to. For the bedchamber, you know, your brother never liked it, and would be glad to getrid of it. I should be sorry for his sake, and for yours too, ifit went farther;--gentle and indifferent as his nature is, hisresentment, if his profession were touched, would be as seriousas such spirit and such abilities could make it. I would not bethe man that advised provoking him; and one man(596) has puthimself wofully in his power! In my own opinion, this is one ofthe lies of which the time is so fruitful; I would not even swearthat it has not the same parent with the legend I sent you lastweek, relating to an intended disposition in consequence of LordHolland's resignation. The court confidently deny the wholeplan, and ascribe it to the fertility of Charles Townshend'sbrain. However, as they have their Charles Townshends too, I donot totally disbelieve it. 

The Parliament rose yesterday, -no new peers, not even Irish: LordNorthumberland's list is sent back ungranted. (597) The Duke ofMecklenbUrgh(598) and Lord Halifax are to have the garters. Bridgman(599) is turned out of the green cloth, which is given toDick Vernon; and his place of surveyor of the gardens, whichyoung Dickinson held for him, is bestowed on Cadogan. (600)Dyson(601) is made a lord of trade. These are all the changes Ihave heard--not of a complexion that indicates the removal ofyour brother. 

The foreign ministers agreed, as to be sure you have been told, to make Monsieur de Guerchy's cause commune; and theAttorney-general has filed an information against D'Eon: the poorlunatic was at the Opera on Saturday, looking like Bedlam. Hegoes armed, and threatens, what I dare say he would perform, tokill or be killed, if any attempt is made to seize him. 

The East Indian affairs have taken a new turn. Sullivan hadtwelve votes to ten: Lord Clive bribed off one. When they cameto the election of chairman, Sullivan desired to be placed in thechair, without the disgrace of a ballot; but it was denied. Onthe scrutiny, the votes appeared eleven and eleven. Sullivanunderstood the blow, and with three others left the room. Rous, his great enemy, was placed in the chair; since that, I thinkmatters are a little compromised, and Sullivan does not abdicatethe direction; but Lord Clive, it is supposed, will go to Bengalin the stead of Colonel Barr`e, as Sullivan and Lord Shelburnehad intended. 

Mr. Pitt is worse than ever with the gout. Legge's case isthought very dangerous:--thus stand our politics, and probablywill not fluctuate much for some months. At least-I expect tohave little more to tell you before I see you at Paris, exceptballs, weddings, and follies, of which, thank the moon! we neverhave a dearth: for one of the latter class, we are obliged to theArchbishop, (602) who, in remembrance, I suppose, of his originalprofession of midwifery, has ordered some decent alterations tobe made in King Henry's figure in the Tower. Poor Lady SusanO'Brien is in the most deplorable situation, for her Adonis is aRoman Catholic, and cannot be provided for out of his calling. Sir Francis Delaval, being touched with her calamity, has madeher a present--of what do you think?--of a rich gold stuff! Thedelightful charity! O'Brien comforts himself, and says it willmake 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 thenight: my lord(603 replied, "Oh, for my Part, there is nodisturbing be; If they don't wake me before I go to sleep, thereis 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 LadyBarrymore(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, bylaying out my journeys at the rate of travelling in England, thirty miles a-day; and did not find but that I could have gonein a third of the time! I shall not be such a snail the nexttime. It is said that on Lord Tavistock's return, he is todecide whom he will marry. Is it true that the Choiseuls totter, and that the Broglios are to succeed; or is there a CharlesTownshend 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 respectivetitles of Bellisle, Kingston, and Kilworth. -C. 

(598) Adolphus Frederick III. Duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, theQueen'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 wascelebrated for his taste in ornamental gardening. He died atLisbon, in 1767. -C. 

(600) Probably Charles Sloane Cadagan, son of the second LordCadogan, 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 lastViscount Mountcashel of that family, and widow of James Earl ofBarrymore. -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 passmany an uneasy one! Notwithstanding that I heard from every bodyI met, that your regiment, as well as bedchamber, were takenaway, I would not believe it, till last night the Duchess ofGrafton told me, that the night before the Duchess of Bedfordsaid to her, "Are not you sorry for Poor Mr. Conway? He has lostevery thing. " When the Witch of Endor pities, one knows she hasraised the devil. 

I am come hither alone to put my thoughts into some order, and toavoid showing the first sallies of my resentment, which I knowyou would disapprove; nor does it become your friend to rail. Myanger shall be a little more manly, and the plan of my revenge alittle deeper laid than in peevish bon-mots. You shall judge ofmy indignation by its duration. 

In the mean time, let me beg you, in the most earnest and mostsincere of all professions, to suffer me to make your loss aslight as it is in my power to make it: I have six thousand poundsin the funds; accept all, or what part you want. Do not imagineI will be put off with a refusal. The retrenchment of myexpenses, which I shall from this hour commence, will convinceyou that I mean to replace Your fortune as far as I can. When Ithought you did not want it, I had made another disposition. Youhave ever been the dearest person to me in the world. You haveshown that you deserve to be so. You suffer for your spotlessintegrity. Can I hesitate a moment to show that there is atleast one man who knows how to value you? The new will, which Iam going to make, will be a testimonial of my own sense ofvirtue. 

One circumstance has heightened my resentment. If it was not anaccident, it deserves to heighten it. The very day on which yourdismission was notified, I received an order from the treasuryfor the payment of what money was due to me there. Is itpossible that they could mean to make any distinction between us?Have I separated myself from you? Is there that spot on earthwhere I can be suspected of having paid court? Have I even leftmy name at a minister's door since you took your part? If theyhave dared to hint this, the pen that is now writing to you willbitterly undeceive them. 

I am impatient to see the letters you have received, and theanswers you have sent. Do you come to town? If you do not, Iwill come to you to-morrow se'nnight, that is, the 29th. I giveno advice on any thing, because you are cooler than I am--not socool, I hope, as to be insensible to this outrage, this villany, this injustice You owe it to your country to labour theextermination of such ministers!

I am so bad a hypocrite, that I am afraid of showing how deeply Ifeel this. Yet last night I received the account from theDuchess of Grafton with more temper than you believe me 'capableof: but the agitation of the night disordered me so much, thatLord John Cavendish, who was with me two hours this morning, doesnot, I believe, take me for a hero. As there are some who I knowwould enjoy my mortification, and who probably desired I shouldfeel my share of it, I wish to command myself-but that struggleshall be added to their bill. I saw nobody else before I cameaway but Legge, who sent for me and wrote the enclosed for you. He would have said more both to you and Lady Ailesbury, but Iwould not let him, as he is so ill: however, he thinks himselfthat he shall live. I hope be will! I would not lose a shadowthat 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, thoughI could write volumes. Adieu! Yours, as I ever have been andever 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 Ireceived yesterday, of my total dismission from his Majesty'sservice, both as groom of the bedchamber and colonel of aregiment. What makes it much stronger is, that I do not hearthat any of the many officers who voted with me on the samequestions in the minority, are turned out. It seems almostimpossible to conceive it should be so, and yet, so I suspect itis; and if it be, it seems to me upon the coolest reflection I amable to give it, the harshest and most unjust treatment everoffered to any man on the like occasion. I never gave a singlevote(606) against the ministry, but in the questions on thegreat constitutional point of the warrants. People are apt todignify with Such titles any question that serves their factiouspurpose to maintain; but what proved this to be really so, wasthe great number of persons who voted as I did, having noconnexion with the opposition, but determined friends of theministry in all their conduct, and in the government's service;such as Lord Howe and his brother, and several more. As to therest, I never gave another vote against the ministry. I refusedbeing of the opposition club, or to attend any one meeting of thekind, from a principle of not entering into a scheme ofopposition, but being free to follow my own sentiments upon anyquestion that should arise. On the Cider-act I even voted forthe court, in the only vote I gave on that subject; and inanother case, relative to the supposed assassination of Wilkes, Ieven took a part warmly in preventing that silly thing from beingan object of clamour. So that, undoubtedly, my overt acts havebeen only voting as any man might from judgment, only in a veryextraordinary and serious question of privilege and personalliberty; the avowing my friendship and obligation to some few nowin opposition, and my neglecting to pay court to those in theadministration; that seemed to me, both an honest and anhonourable part in my situation, which was something delicate. My poor judgment, at least, could point out no better for me totake, and I enter into so much detail upon this old story, thatyou may not think I have done any thing lightly or passionatelywhich might give just ground for this extraordinary usage; and Imust add to the account, that neither in nor out of the House canI, I think, be charged with a single act or expression of offenceto any one of his Majesty's ministers. This was, at least, amoderate part; and after this, what the ministry should find intheir judgment, their justice, or their prudence, from mysituation, my conduct, or my character, to single me out andstigmatize me as the proper object of disgrace, or how the meritof so many of my friends who are acting in their support, andwhom they might think it possible would feel hurt, did not, intheir prudential light, tend to soften the rigour of theiraversion towards me, does, I confess, puzzle me. I don't exactlyknow from what particular quarter the blow comes; but I mustthink Lord Bute has, at least, a share in it, as, since hisreturn, the countenance of the King, who used to speak to meafter all my votes, is visibly altered, and of late he has notspoke to me at all. 

So much for my political history: I wish it was as easy to myfortune 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 endof two German campaigns, which I felt the expense of with a muchlarger income, and have not yet recovered;(607) as, far fromhaving a reward, it was with great difficulty I got thereimbursement of the extraordinary money my last command throughHolland cost me, though the States-General, had, by a public act, represented my conduct so advantageously, to our court; so thaton the whole I think no man was ever more contemptuously used, who was not a wretch lost in character and reputation. Itrequires all the philosophy one can Master, not to show thestrongest resentment. I think I have as much as my neighbours, and I shall endeavour to use it; yet not so as to betray quite anunmanly insensibility to such extraordinary provocation. HoraceWalpole has, on this occasion, shown that warmth of friendshipthat you know him capable of, so strongly that I want words toexpress my sense of it. I have not yet had time to see or hearfrom any of the rest of my friends who are in the way of thisbustle; many of them have, I believe, taken their part, fordifferent reasons, another way, and I am sure I shall never say aword to make them abandon what they think their own interest formy petty cause. Nor am I anxious enough in the object of my ownfortune to wish for their taking any step that may endangertheirs in any degree. With retrenchments and economy I may beable to go on, and this great political wheel, that is always inmotion, may one day or other turn me up, that am but the fly uponit. (608)

I shall go to town for, i few days soon, and probably to court, Isuppose to be frowned upon, for I am not treated with the samecivility as others who are in determined opposition. Give mybest love and compliments to all with you, and believe me, dearbrother, ever most affectionately yours, H. S. C. 

(605) As two of Mr. Walpole's letters, relative to GeneralConway's dismissal, are wanting, the Editor is glad to be able tosupply their place by two letters on the subject from the Generalhimself; and as his dismissal was, both in its principle andconsequences, a very important political event, as well as aprincipal topic in Mr. Walpole's succeeding letters, it isthought that General Conway's own view of it cannot fail to beacceptable. 

(606) General Conway and Mr. Walpole seem to have taken theargument on too low a scale. Their anxiety seems to have been, to show that the General was not in decided opposition; therebyappearing to admit, that if he had been so, the dismissal wouldhave been justifiable. It is however clear from Mr. Walpole'sown accounts, that Conway was considered as not only inopposition, but as one of the most distinguished leaders of theparty, --and so the public thought: witness the following extractfrom "a letter" from Albemarle-street to the Cocoa-tree, published about this period:--"Amongst the foremost stands agallant general, pointed out for supreme command by the unanimousvoice of his grateful country: England has a Conway, the powersof whose eloquence, Inspired by his zeal for liberty, animated bythe fire of true genius, and furnished with a sound knowledge ofthe constitution, at once entertain, ravish, convince, conquer:--such noble examples are the riches of the present age, thetreasures 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 equivalentto what he had lost. -C. 

(608) Within little more than a year Mr. Conway was secretary ofstate, 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 withdignity and propriety does not surprise me. To have you behavein character, and with character, is my first of all wishes; forthen it will not be in the power of man to make you unhappy. Askyourself--is there a man in England with whom you would changecharacter? Is there a man in England who would not change withyou? Then think how little they have taken away!

For me, I shall certainly conduct myself as you prescribe. Yourfriend shall say and do nothing unworthy of your friend. Yougovern me in every thing but one: I mean, the disposition I havetold you I shall make. Nothing can alter that but a great changein 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 longbut 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 amsorry to find, does not set out till to-, day, having been givento M. Des Ardrets by Horace Walpole, as it was one I did notchoose to send by the post just at this time, though God knowsthere was less in it, I think, than almost any but myself wouldhave said on such an occasion. I am sorry it did not go, as itmust seem very strange to you to hear on that subject from anybody before me: had it been possible, at the same time, I shouldhave wished not to write to you upon it at all. It is asatisfaction, in most situations, certainly, to communicate evenone's griefs to those friends to whom one can do it inconfidence, but it is a pain where one thinks it must give themany; and I assure you, I feel this sincerely from the share Iknow your goodness will take in this, upon my account; as well asthat which, in some respects, it may give you on your own: as'the particular distinction with which I am honoured beyond somany of my brother officers who have so much more directly, declaredly, and long been in real opposition to the ministry, hasgreat unkindness in it to all those friends of mine who have beenacting in their support. However, I would not, on any account, that you or any of them should, for my sake, be drove a singlestep 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 notexactly know the grounds upon which the ministry made choice ofme as the object of their vengeance for a crime so general, Theonly one I have heard, has certainly no weight; it was, that if Iwas turned out of the bedchamber, and not my regiment, it wouldbe a sanction given for military men to oppose--that distinctionhad before been destroyed by the dismission of three militarymen; nor did my remaining in the army afterwards any moreestablish it, than any other man's; it was a paltry excuse for athing they had a mind to do: the real motives or authors I cannotyet quite ascertain. I hope, though they turned me out, theycannot disgrace me, as I presume they wish; at least, so (myfriends flatter me) the language of the world goes, and I have atleast the satisfaction of being really ignorant myself, by whatpart of the civil or military behaviour I could deserve so veryunkind a treatment. I am sure it was not for want of anyrespect, duty, or attachment to his Majesty. I shall at presentsay no more on the subject. 

I have heard from two or three different quarters, of adisagreeable accident you have had in your chaise, and calling bychance at the Duke of Grafton's this morning, he read me apostscript in a letter of yours, wherein you describe it as athing of no consequence. I was rejoiced to hear @it, and shouldhave been obliged for a line from any of your family to tell meso; 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, andnever mentioning M. De Pompadour's death; so that I flatlycontradicted it at first, to those that told me of it. I amobliged to you for your intention of showing civility to myfriend Colonel Keith; I think you will like him. 

I hear in town, that we have some little disputes stirring upwith our new friends on your side the water, about the limits oftheir 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 notintend to return among us, being too much hurt at the behaviourof his friends of the ministry in those letters so infamouslypublished by D'Eon. I hope it is only report. Adieu! dearbrother: give my love and compliments to all your family, as alsoLady Aylesbury's; and believe me ever sincerely andaffectionately yours, H. S. C. 

I am here only for a few days, having, as you will imagine, notmany temptations to keep me from the country at this time. 

I hope, by this time, your pheasants, etc. , are safe at the endof 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 contentwith the execution of your commission. I have bought you twopictures. No. 14, which is by no means a good picture, but itwent so cheap and looked so old-fashionably, that I ventured togive eighteen shillings for it. The other is very pretty, no, 17; two sweet children, undoubtedly by Sir Peter Lely. Thiscosts you four pounds ten shillings; what shall I do with them--how convey them to you? The picture of Lord Romney, which youare so fond of, was not in this sale, but I suppose remains withLady Sidney. I bought for myself much the best picture in theauction, a fine Vandyke of the famous Lady Carlisle and hersister Leicester in one piece: it cost me nine-and-twentyguineas. 

In general the pictures did not go high, which I was glad of;that the vulture, who sells them, may not be more enriched thancould be helped. There was a whole-length of Sir Henry Sidney, which I should have liked, but it went for fifteen guineas. Thusends half the glory of Penshurst! Not one of the miniatures wassold. 

I go to Strawberry to-morrow for a week. When do you come toFrogmore? I wish to know, because I shall go soon to Park-place, and would not miss the visit you have promised me. Adieu! Yoursever, 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 metoo much pain(609) to let me resist answering it directly thoughpast 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 yoursituation, and expressed with all the feeling which must possessyou. I will show it your brother, as there is nothing I wouldnot and will not, do to preserve the harmony and friendship whichhas so much distinguished your whole lives. 

You have guessed, give me leave to say, at my wishes, rather thananswered to any thing I have really expressed. The truth was, Ihad no right to deliver any opinion on so important a step as youhave taken, without being asked. Had you consulted me, whichcertainly was not proper for you to do, it would have been withthe utmost reluctance that I should have brought myself to uttermy sentiments, and only then, if I had been persuaded thatfriendship exacted it from me; for it would have been a greatdeal 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 ownmind, though you would have been too generous to have blamed mein any other way. Now, my dear lord, do me the justice to say, that the part I have acted was the most proper and mosthonourable one I could take. Did I, have I dropped a syllable, endeavouring to bias your judgment one way or the other? Myconstant language has been, that I could not think, when ayounger brother had taken a part disagreeable to his elder, andtotally opposite, even without consulting him, that the elder, was under any obligation to relinquish his own opinion, and adoptthe younger's. In my heart I undoubtedly wished, that even inparty your union should not be dissolved; for that Union would bethe strength of both. 

This is the summary of a text on which I have infinitely more tosay; but the post is so far from being a proper conveyance, thatI think the most private letter transmitted in the most securemanner is scarcely to be trusted. Should I resolve, if yourequire it, to be more explicit, (and I certainly shall not thinkof saying a word more, unless I know that it is strongly yourdesire I should, ) it must only be upon the most positiveassurance on your honour (and on their honour as strictly giventoo) that not a syllable of what I shall say shall becommunicated to any person living. I except nobody, except myLady and Lord Beauchamp. What I should say now is now Of noconsequence, but for your information. It can tend to nothingelse. It therefore does not signify, whether said now, or at anydistant time hereafter, or when we meet. If, as perhaps you mayat first suppose, it had the least view towards making you quityour embassy, you should not know it at all; for I think thatwould be the idlest and most unwise step you could take; andbelieve me, my affection for your brother will never make mesacrifice your honour to his interest . I have loved you bothunalterably, and without the smallest cloud between us, fromchildren. It is true, as you observe, that party, with manyother mischiefs, produces dissensions in families. I can by nomeans agree with you, that all party is founded in interest--surely, you cannot think that your brother's conduct was not theresult of the most unshaken honour and conscience, and as surelythe result of no interested motive? You are not less mistaken, if you believe that the present state of party in this country isnot of a most serious nature, and not a mere contention for powerand employments. (610) That topic, however, I shall pass over;the discussion, perhaps, would end where it began. As you know Inever tried to bring you to my opinion before, I am very unlikelyto aim at it now. Let this and the rest of this subject sleepfor the present. I trust I have convinced you that my behaviourhas been both honourable and respectful towards you: and that, though I think with your brother and am naturally very warm, Ihave acted in the most dispassionate manner, and had recourse tonothing but silence, when I was not so happy as to meet you inopinion. 

This subject has kept me so long, and it is so very late, thatyou will forgive me if I only skim over the gazette part of myletter--my next shall be more in my old gossiping style. 

Dr. Terrick and Dr. Lambe are made Bishops of London andPeterborough, without the nomination or approbation of theministers. The Duke of Bedford declared this warmly, for youknow his own administration(611) always allow him to declare hisgenuine opinion, that they may have the credit of making himalter it. He was still more surprised at the Chancellor's beingmade an earl(612) without his knowledge, after he had gone out oftown, blaming the Chancellor's coldness on D'Eon's affair, whichis now dropped. Three marquisates going to be given to LordsCardigan, Northumberland, and Townshend, may not please his gracemore, though they may his minister, (613) who may be glad hismaster is angry, as it may produce a good quieting draught forhimself. 

The Northumberlands are returned; Hamilton is dismissed, (614) andthe Earl of Drogheda(615) made secretary in his room. 

Michell(616) is recalled by desire of this court, who requestedto have it done without giving their reasons, as Sir CharlesWilliams(617) had been sent from Berlin in the same manner. 

Colonel Johnson is also recalled from Minorca. He had been verywrongheaded with his governors Sir Richard;(618) that wound wasclosed, when the judicious deputy chose to turn out abrother-in-law of Lord Bute. Lady Falkener's daughter is to bemarried to a young rich Mr. Crewe, (619) a maccarone, and of ourloo. Mr. Skreene has married Miss Sumner, and her brother givesher 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 somedecided manner, the dismissal of his brother: but he, in thecourse of this letter, recollects that as the younger brother hadacted not only without concert with Lord Hertford, but in directopposition to his opinion and advice, there was no kind of reasonwhy his lordship should take any extreme steps. -C. 

(610) Yet, in frequent preceding passages, Mr. Walpole representsthe conflicts of parties as only a contention for power andplace. -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 marriedLord 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 andSt. 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 ofthe 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 anysigns of life; yet, though not writing to you, I have beenemployed about you, as I have ever since the 21st of April; a dayyour enemies shall have some cause to remember. I had writ nineor ten sheets of an answer to the "Address to the Public, " when Ireceived the enclosed mandate. (620) You will see my mastersorder me, as a subaltern of the exchequer, to drop you and defendthem--but you will see too, that, instead of obeying, I havegiven warning. I would not communicate any part of thistransaction to you, till it was out of my hands, because I knewyour affection for me would not approve of in going so far--butit was necessary. My honour required that I should declare myadherence to you in the most authentic manner. I found that somepersons had dared to doubt whether I would risk every thing foryou. You see by these letters that Mr. Grenville himself hadpresumed so. Even a change in the administration, howeverunlikely, might happen before I had any opportunity of declaringmyself; and then those who should choose to put the worstconstruction, either on my actions or my silence, might say whatthey pleased. I was waiting for some opportunity: they have putit into my hands, and I took care not to let It slip. Indeedthey have put more into my hands, which I have not let slipneither. Could I expect they would give me so absurd an accountof Mr. Grenville's conduct, and give it to me in writing? Theycan only add to this obligation that of provocation to print myletter, which, however strong in facts, I have taken care to makevery decent in terms, because it imports us to have the candid(that is, . I fear, the mercenary) on our side;--no, that we mustnot expect, but at least disarmed. 

Lord Tavistock has flung his handkerchief to Lady ElizabethKeppel. They all go to Woburn on Thursday, and the ceremony isto be performed as soon as her brother, the bishop, can arrivefrom Exeter. I am heartily glad the Duchess of Bedford does notset her heart on marrying me to any body; I am sure she wouldbring it about. She has some small intention Of coupling myniece and Dick Vernon, but I have forbidden the banns. 

The birthday, I hear, was lamentably empty. We had a loo lastnight in the great chamber at Lady Bel Finch's: the Duke, Princess Emily, and the Duchess of Bedford were there. ThePrincess entertained her grace with the joy the Duke of Bedfordwill 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? LordTavistock has flung his handkerchief, and except a few jealoussultanas, and some sultanas valides who had marketable daughters, every body is pleased that the lot is fallen on Lady ElizabethKeppel. (621)

The house of Bedford came to town last Friday. I supped withthem 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 onLady Betty Montagu, (622) there were suspicions in her favour. The next morning Lady Elizabeth received a note from the Duchessof Marlborough, (623) insisting on seeing her that evening. Whenshe arrived at Marlborough-house, she found nobody but theDuchess and Lord Tavistock. The Duchess cried, "Lord! they haveleft the window open in the next room!"--went to shut it, andshut the lovers in too, where they remained for three hours. Thesame night all the town was at the Duchess of Richmond's. LadyAlbemarle(624) was at tredille; the Duke of Bedford came up tothe table, and told her he must speak to her as soon as the poolwas over. You may guess whether she knew a card more that sheplayed. When she had finished, the Duke told her he should waiton her the next morning, to make the demand in form. She told itdirectly to me and my niece Waldegrave, who was in such transportfor her friend, that she promised the Duke of Bedford to kisshim, and hurried home directly to write to her sisters. (625) TheDuke asked no questions about fortune, but has since slipped abit of paper into Lady Elizabeth's hand, telling her, he hopedhis son would live, but if he did not, there was something forher; it was a jointure of three thousand pounds a-year, and sixhundred pounds pin-money. I dined with her the next day, atMonsieur de Guerchy's, and as I hindered the company from wishingher joy, and yet joked with her myself, Madame de Guerchy said, she perceived I would let nobody else tease her, that I mighthave all the teasing to myself She has behaved in the prettiestmanner, in the world, and would not appear at a vast assembly atNorthumberland-house on Tuesday, nor at a great haymaking at Mrs. Pitt's on Wednesday. Yesterday they all went to Woburn, andtomorrow the ceremony is to be performed; for the Duke has not amoment's patience till she is breeding. 

You would have been diverted at Northumberland-house; Besides thesumptuous liveries, the illuminations in the garden, the pages, the two chaplains in waiting in their gowns and scarves, `al'Irlandaise, (626) and Dr. Hill and his wife, there was a mostdelightful Countess, who has Just imported herself fromMecklenburgh. She is an absolute princess of Monomotapa; but Ifancy you have seen her. For her hideousness and franticaccoutrements are so extraordinary, that they tell us she washissed in the Tuileries. She crossed the drawing-room on thebirthday to speak to the Queen en amie, after standing with herback to Princess Amelia. The queen was so ashamed of her, thatshe said cleverly, "This is not the dress at Strelitz; but thiswoman always dressed herself as capriciously there, as yourDuchess of Queensberry does here. "

The haymaking at Wandsworth-hill(627) did not succeed from theexcessive cold of the night; I proposed to bring one of the cocksinto the great room, and make a bonfire. All the beauties weredisappointed, and all the macaronies afraid of getting thetoothache. 

The Guerchys are gone to Goodwood, and were to have been carriedto Portsmouth, but Lord Egmont(628) refused to let the ambassadorsee the place. The Duke of Richmond was in a rage, and I do notknow how it has ended, for the Duke of Bedford defends therefusal, and says, they certainly would not let you see Brest. The Comte d'Ayen is going a longer tour. He is liked here. Thethree great ambassadors danced at court--the Prince of Masseranothey say well; he is extremely in fashion, and is a sensible verygood-humoured man, though his appearance is so deceitful. Theyhave given me the honour of a bon-mot, which, I assure you, doesnot belong to me, that I never saw a man so full of orders anddisorders. He and his suite, and the Guerchys and theirs, are todine here next week. Poor little Strawberry never thought ofsuch f`etes. I did invite them to breakfast, but they confoundedit, and understood that they were asked to dinner, so I must doas well as I can. Both the ambassadors are in love with myniece;(629) therefore, I trust they will not have unsentimentalstomachs. 

Shall I trouble you with a little commission? It is to send me abook that I cannot get here, nor am I quite sure of the exacttitle, but it is called "Origine des Moeurs, "(630) or somethingto that import. It is in three volumes, and has not been writtenabove two or three years. Adieu, my dear lord, from my fireside. 

P. S. Do you know that Madame de Yertzin, The MecklenburghCountess, has had the honour of giving the King of Prussia a boxof the ear?--I am sure he deserved it, if he could take libertieswith such a chimpanzee. Colonel Elliot died on Thursday. 

(621) the Daughter of the second Earl of Albemarle; she was bornin 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 LadyElizabeth's brother. -E. 

(626) Lord Northumberland was still lord-lieutenant ofIreland. -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 lesMoeurs. " I find a work of the latter title published in 1756anonymously, and under the date of Bruxelles. It was written bya M. Soret, but it seems to have been in only one volume. CanMr. Walpole have meant Duclos's celebrated "Considerations surles Moeurs, " published anonymously in 1750, but subsequentlyunder 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 youheard of me. In truth I had nothing to talk of but cold and hotweather, of rain and want Of rain, subjects that have been oursummer conversation for these twenty years. I am pleased thatyou was content with your pictures, and shall be glad if you haveancestors out of them. You may tell your uncle Algernon that Igo to-morrow, where he would not be ashamed to see me; as thereare not many such spots at present, you and he will guess it isto Park-place. 

Strawberry, whose glories perhaps verge towards their setting-, have been more sumptuous to-day than ordinary, and banquettedtheir representative majesties of France and Spain. I hadMonsieur and Madame de Guerchy, Mademoiselle de Nangis theirdaughter, two other French gentlemen, the Prince of Masserano, his brother and secretary, Lord March, George Selwyn, Mrs. ADDPitt, and my niece Waldegrave. The refectory never was socrowded; nor have any foreigners been here before thatcomprehended Strawberry. Indeed, every thing succeeded to ahair. A violent shower in the morning laid the dust, brightenedthe green, refreshed the roses, pinks, orange-flowers, and theblossoms with which the acacias are covered. A rich storm ofthunder and lightning gave a dignity of colouring to the heavens;and the sun appeared enough to illuminate the landscape, withoutbasking himself over it at his length. During dinner there wereFrench horns and clarionets in the cloister, and after coffee Itreated them with an English, and to them a very new collation, asyllabub milked Under the cows that were brought to the brow ofthe terrace. Thence they went to the printing-house, and saw anew fashionable French song printed. They drank tea in thegallery, and at eight went away to Vauxhall. 

They really seemed quite pleased with the place and the day; butI must tell you, the treasury of the abbey will feel it, forwithout magnificence, all was handsomely done. I must keepmaigre; at least till the interdict is taken off from my convent. I have kings and queens, I hear, in my neighbourhood, but this isno royal foundation. Adieu; your poor beadsman, The Abbot OfStrawberry. 

P. S. Mr. T***'s servile poem is rewarded with one hundred andsixty 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 looksouthwards. Do you know that in that case you will not set eyeson me the Lord knows when? My mind is pretty much fixed on goingto Paris the beginning of September. I think I shall go, if itis only to scold my Lord and Lady Hertford for sending me theircousins, the Duke and Duchess of Berwick, who say they are cometo see their relations. By their appearance, you would imaginethey were come to beg money of their family. He has just thesort of capacity which you would expect in a Stuart engrafted ona Spaniard. He asked me which way he was to come to Twickenham?I told him through Kensington, to which I supposed his geographymight reach. He replied, "Oh! du cot`e de la mer. " She, who issister of the Duke of Alva, is a decent kind of a body: but theytalk wicked French. I gave them a dinner here t'other day, withthe Marquis of Jamaica, their only child, and a fat tutor, andthe few Fitzroys I could amass at this season. They were verycivil, and seemed much pleased. To-day they arc gone to Blenheimby invitation. I want to send you something from the Strawberrypress; tell me how I shall convey it; it is nothing less than themost curious book that ever set its foot into the world. Iexpect to hear you scream hither: if you don't I shall bedisappointed, for I have kept it as a most profound secret fromyou, till I was ready to surprise you with it: I knew yourimpatience, and would not let you have it piecemeal. It is theLife of the great philosopher, Lord Herbert, written byhimself. (631) Now are you disappointed? Well, read it--not thefirst forty pages, of which you will be sick--I will notanticipate it, but I will tell you the history. I found it ayear ago at Lady Hertford's, to whom Lady Powis had lent it. Itook it up, and soon threw it down again, as the dullest thing Iever saw. She persuaded me to take it home. My Lady Waldegravewas here in all her grief; Gray and I read it to amuse her. Wecould not get on for laughing, and screaming. I begged to haveit to print: Lord Powis, sensible of the extravagance, refused--Ipersisted--he persisted. I told my Lady Hertford, it was nomatter, I would print it, I was determined. I sat down and wrotea flattering dedication to Lord Powis, which I knew he wouldswallow: he did, and gave up his ancestor. But this was notenough; I was resolved the world should not think I admired itseriously, though there are really fine passages in it, and goodsense too: I drew up an equivocal preface, in which you willdiscover my opinion, and sent it with the dedication. The Earlgulped down the one under the palliative of the other, and hereyou will have all. Pray take notice Of the pedigree, of which Iam exceedingly proud; observe how I have clearly arranged soinvolved a descent: one may boast at one's heraldry. I shallsend you too Lady Temple's poems. (632) Pray keep both under lockand 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 wehave had, turned into just such a watery season as the last. Even my excess of verdure, which used to comfort me for everything, does not satisfy me now, as I live entirely alone. I amheartily tired of my large neighbourhood, who do not furnish metwo or three rational beings at most, and the best of them haveno vivacity. London, Whither I go at least once a fortnight fora night, is a perfect desert. As the court is gone into aconvent at Richmond, the town is more abandoned than ever. Icannot, as you do, bring myself to be content without variety, without events; my mind is always wanting new food; summer doesnot suit me; but I will grow old some time or other. Adieu!

(631) Printed in quarto, This was the first edition of thiscelebrated piece of autobiography. It was reprinted at Edinburghin 1807, with a prefatory notice, understood to be by Sir WalterScott; and a third edition, which also contained his letterswritten during his residence at the French court, was publishedin 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 anynotice of your obliging offer of coming hither. The truth is, Ihave not been at all settled here for three days together: nay, nor do I know when I shall be. I go tomorrow into Sussex; inAugust into Yorkshire, and in September into France. If, in anyinterval of these jaunts, I Can be sure of remaining here a week, which I literally have not been this whole summer, I willcertainly let you know, and will claim your promise. 

Another reason for my writing now is, I want to know how I maysend you Lord Herbert's Life, which I have just printed. Did Iremember the favour you did me of asking for my own print? if Idid 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 hadfor this last week in the House of Commons. It will, I trust, have excused me to you for not having answered sooner your verykind letter. My books, I fear, have no merit over Mr. Harte'sGustavus, but by being much shorter. I read his work, and wassorry 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 notdwell upon them. To answer the demand, I am printing them withadditions, but must wait a little for assistance and correctionsto the two latter, as I have had for the former. 

You are exceedingly obliging, Sir, to offer me one of yourFergussons. I thank you for it, as I ought; but, in truth, Ihave more pictures than room to place them; both my houses arefull, and I have even been thinking of getting rid of some Ihave. That this is no declension of your civility, Sir, you willsee, when I gladly accept either of your medals of King Charles. I shall be proud to keep it as a mark of your friendship; butthen I will undoubtedly rob you of but one. 

I condole with you, Sir, for the loss of your friend andrelation, as I heartily take my share in whatever concerns you. The great and unmerited kindness I have received from you willever 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 realpresents in return. The beauty of the coin surprises me. Mr. White must be rich, when such are his duplicates. I amacquainted with him, and have often intended to visit hiscollection; but it is one of those things one never does, becauseone always may. I give you a thousand thanks in return, and whatare not worth more, my own print, Lord Herbert's Life, (this iscurious, though it cost me little, ) and some orange flowers. Iwish you had mentioned the latter sooner: I have had an amazingprofusion this year, and given them away to the right and left byhandfuls. These are all I could collect to-day, as I was comingto town; but you shall have more if you want them. 

I consign these things as you ordered - I wish the print mayarrive without being rumpled: it is difficult to conveymezzotintos; but if this is spoiled you shall have another. 

If I make any stay in France, which I do not think I shall, abovesix weeks at most, you shall certainly hear from me but I am abad commissioner for searching you out a hermitage. It is toomuch against my interest- and I had much rather find you one inthe 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 atany 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 filla mere gazette. I should be more sorry to have you think mesilent too long. You must be so good as to recollect, when thereis a large interval between my letters, that I have certainly oneready in my writing-box, and only wait for a messenger. I hopeto 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 yourbrother to Chatsworth and Wentworth Castle. 

I am under more distress about my visit to you--but I will tellyou the truth. As I think the Parliament Will not meet beforeChristmas, though they now talk of it for November, I would quitour Politics for a few weeks; but the expense frightens me, whichdid not use to be one of my fears. I cannot but expect, knowingthe enemies I have, that the treasury may distress me. (633) Ihad laid by a little sum which I intended to bawble away atParis; but I may have very serious occasion for it. The recentexample of Lord Holderness, (634) Who has had every rag seized atthe Custom-house, alarms my present prudence. I cannot afford tobuy even clothes, which I may lose in six weeks. Theseconsiderations dispose me to wait till I see a little fartherinto this chaos. You know enough of the present actors in thepolitical drama to believe that the present system is not apermanent one, nor likely to roll on till Christmas without somechange. The first moment that I can quit party with honour, Ishall seize. It neither suits my inclination nor the years Ihave lived in the world; for though I am not old, I have been inthe world so long, and seen so much of those who figure in it, that I am heartily sick of its commerce. My attachment to yourbrother, and the apprehension that fear of my own interest wouldbe thought the cause if I took no part for him, determined me torisk every thing rather than abandon him. I have done it, andcannot repent, whatever distresses may follow. One's good nameis of more consequence than all the rest, my dear lord. Do notthink I say this with the least disrespect to you; it is only toconvince you that I did not recommend any thing to you that Iwould avoid myself; nor engaged myself, nor wished to engage you, in party from pique, resentment, caprice, or choice. I am dippedin it much against my inclination. I can suffer by it infinitelymore than you could. But there are moments when one must takeone's part like a man. This I speak solely with regard tomyself. I allow fairly and honestly that you was notcircumstanced as I was. You had not voted with your brother as Idid; the world knew your inclinations were different. All thiscertainly composed serious reasons for you not to follow him, ifyou did not choose it. My motives for thinking you had betterhave espoused his cause were for your own sake - I detailed thosemotives to you in my last long letter; that opinion is as strongwithin me as ever. 

The affront to you, the malice that aimed that affront, theimportance that it gives one, upon the long-run to act steadilyand uniformly with one's friends, the enemies you make in theopposition, composed of so many great families, and of your ownprincipal allies, (635) and the little merit you gain with theministry by the contrary conduct, --all these were, to me, unanswerable reasons, and remain so, for what I advised; yet, asI told you before, I think the season is passed, and that youmust wait for an opportunity of disengaging yourself with credit. I am persuaded that occasion will be given you, from one or otherof the causes I mentioned in my last; and if the fairest is, Ientreat you by the good wishes which I am sure you know from mysoul 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 yourletters are so kind, that they encourage me to speak with afriendship which I am sensible is not discreet:--but you know youand your brother have ever been the objects of my warmestaffection and however partial you may think me to him, I mustlabour to have the world think as highly of you, and to unite youfirmly for your lives. If this was not my motive, you must besure I should not be earnest. It is not one vote in the House ofLords that imports us. Party is grown so Serious, (636) and will, I doubt, become every day more so, that one must make one'soption; and it will go to my soul to see you embarked against allyour friends, against the Whig principles you have everprofessed, and with men, amongst whom you have not onewell-wisher, and with whom you will not even be able to remainupon tolerable terms, unless you take a vigorous part against allyou love and esteem. 

In warm times lukewarmness is a crime with those on whose sideyou are ranged. Your good sense and experience will judgewhether what I say is not strictly the case. It is not yourbrother or I that have occasioned these circumstances. Lord Butehas thrown this country into a confusion which will not easily bedissipated without serious hours. Changes may, and, as I said inthe beginning of my letter, will probably happen but the seedsthat have been sown will not be rooted up by one or tworevolutions in the cabinet. It had taken an hundred and fiftyyears(637) to quiet the animosities of Whig and Tory; thatcontest is again set on foot, and though a struggle for placesmay be now, as has often been, the secret purpose of principals, the court and the nation are engaging on much deeper springs ofaction. I wish I could elucidate this truth, as I have the rest, but that is not fit for paper, nor to be comprised within thecompass of a letter;--I have said enough to furnish you withample reflections. I submit all to your own judgment:--I haveeven acted rightly by YOU, in laying before you what it was noteasy for you, my dear lord, to see or know at a distance. Itrust all to your indulgence, and your acquaintance with mycharacter, which surely is not artful or mysterious, and which, to you, has ever been, as it ever shall be, most cordial andwell-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 lieutenancyof Hampshire on Stanley being made governor of the Isle of Wight. 

I have been much distressed this morning. The royal familyreside chiefly at Richmond, whither scarce necessary servantsattend them, and no mortal else but Lord Bute. The King andQueen have taken to going about to see places; they have been atOatlands and Wanstead. A quarter before ten to-day, I heard thebell at the gate ring, --that is, I was not up, for my hours arenot reformed, either at night or in the morning, --I inquired whoit was? the Prince of Mecklenburgh and De Witz had called toknow 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 itwere the worst part! The Queen herself was behind, in a coach: Iam shocked to death, and know not what to do! It is ten timesworse just now than ever at any other time: it will certainly besaid, that I refused to let the Queen see my house. See what itis to have republican servants! When I made a tempest about it, Favre said, with the utmost sang froid, "Why could not he tell mehe was the Prince of Mecklenburgh?" I shall go this evening andconsult my oracle, Lady Suffolk. If she approves it, I willwrite to De Witz, and pretend I know nothing of any body but thePrince, and beg a thousand pardons, and assure him how proud Ishould be to have his master visit my castle at Thundertentronk. 

August 4th. 

I have dined to-day at Claremont, where I little thought I shoulddine, (639) but whither our affairs have pretty naturallyconducted me. It turned out a very melancholy day. Before I gotinto 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 thesymptoms, as Sir Edward Wilmot, who has been at Chatsworth, pronounces it. The Duke perceived it coming, and directed whatto have done, and it was over in four minutes. The next eventwas much more real. I had been half round the garden with theDuke in his one-horse chair; we were passing to the other side ofthe house, when George Onslow met us, arrived on purpose toadvertise the Duke of the sudden death of the Duchess ofLeeds, (641) who expired yesterday at dinner in a moment: hecalled it apoplectic; but as the Bishop of Oxford, (642) who is atClaremont, concluded, it was the gout flown up into the head. The Duke received the news as men do at seventy-one: but theterrible part was to break it to the Duchess, who is ill. GeorgeOnslow would have taken me away to dinner with him, but the Dukethought that would alarm the Duchess too abruptly, and she is notto know it yet: with her very low spirits it is likely to make adeep impression. It is a heavy stroke too for her father, poorold Lord Godolphin, who is eighty-six. For the Duke, hisspirits, under so many mortifications and calamities, aresurprising: the only effect they and his years seem to have madeon him is to have abated his ridicules. (643) Our first meetingto be sure was awkward, yet I never saw a man conduct any thingwith more sense than he did. There were no notices of what ispassed; nothing fulsome, no ceremony, civility enough, confidenceenough, and the greatest ease. You would only have thought thatI had been long abroad, and was treated like an old friend's sonwith whom he might make free. In truth, I never saw morerational behaviour: I expected a great deal of flattery, but wehad nothing but business while we were alone, and commonconversation while the Bishop and the Chaplain were present. TheDuke mentioned to me his having heard Lord Holland's inclinationto your embassy. He spoke very obligingly of you, and said that, next to his own children, he believed there was nobody the lateLord Hardwicke loved so much as you. I cannot say that the Dukespoke very affectionately of Sir Joseph Yorke. Who has neverwritten a single line to him since he was out. I told him thatdid not surprise me, for Sir Joseph has treated your brother inthe same manner, though the latter has written two letters to himsince his dismission. 

Arlington Street, Tuesday night, 10 o'clock. 

I am here alone in the most desolate of all towns. I came to-dayto visit my sovereign Duchess(644) in her lying-in, and have beenthere till this moment, not a sole else but Lady Jane Scott. (645)Lady Waldegrave came from Tunbridge yesterday en passant, andreported a new woful history of a fracas there--don't my LadyHertford's ears tingle? but she will not be surprised. Afootman--a very homely footman--to a Mrs. Craster, had been mostextremely impertinent to Lord Clanbrazil, Frederick Vane, and ason 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 imaginethat every thing one does in one's private family will be known:--yet so it happened that the morning after the fellow'sdismission, it was reported that he was hired by another lady, the Lord knows who. At night, that lady was playing at loo inthe rooms. Lord Clanbrazil told her of the report, and hoped shewould 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, stillmore. Vane whispered her--One should have thought that namewould have some weight--oh! worse and worse! the poor Englishlanguage was ransacked for terms that came up to her resentment:--the party broke up, and, I suppose, nobody went home to write anaccount of what happened to their acquaintance. 

O'Brien and Lady Susan are to be transported to the Ohio, andhave a grant of forty thousand acres. The Duchess of Graftonsays sixty thousand were bestowed; but a friend of yours, and arelation of Lady Susan, nibbled away twenty thousand for a Mr. Upton. 

By a letter from your brother to-day, I find our northern journeyis laid aside; the Duke of Devonshire is coming to town; thephysicians want him to go to Spa. This derangement makes me turnmy eyes eagerly towards Paris; though I shall be ashamed to comethither after the wise reasons I have given you against it in thebeginning of this letter; nous verrons--the temptation is strong, but patriots must resist temptations; it is not the etiquette toyield to them till a change happens. 

I enclose a letter, which your brother has sent me to convey toyou, and two pamphlets. (646) The former is said to be written byShebbeare, under George Grenville's direction: the latter, whichmakes rather more noise, is certainly composed by somebody whodoes not hate your brother--I even fancy you will guess the sameperson for the author that every body else does. I shall be ableto send you soon another pamphlet, written by Charles Townshend, on the subject of the warrants:-you see, at least, we do notransack Newgate and the pillory(647) for writers. We leave thoseto the administration. 

I wish you would be so kind as to tell me, what is become of mysister and Mr. Churchill. I received a letter from Lady Maryto-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 bethreatened from the Bedford quarter. The Duke and Duchess havebeen in town but for two days the whole summer, and are now goingto Trentham, whither Lord Gower, qui se donnoit pour favori, isretired for three months. This is very unlike the declaration inspring, that the Duke must reside at Streatham, (648) because theKing could not spare him for a day. 

The memorial(649) left by Guerchy at his departure, and the latearr`ets in France on our American histories, make much noise, andseem to say that I have not been a false prophet! If ourministers can stand so many difficulties from abroad, and so muchodium 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 itsoon. 

(633) He had the lucrative office of usher of the exchequer, anda couple of other less considerable sinecures. -C. 

(634) Robert, last Earl of Holderness, grandson of the great DukeSchomberg; he had been secretary of state at the accession. -C. 

(635) Lady Hertford was daughter of the late, and cousin of theexisting Duke of Grafton, who was one of the leaders of theopposition. -C. 

(636) The state of the public mind at this time is thus describedby Gray:--"Grumble, indeed, every one does; but, since Wilkes'saffair, they fall off their metal, and seem to shrink under thebrazen hand of Norton and his colleagues. I hear there will beno Parliament till after Christmas. If the French should be sounwise as to suffer the Spanish court to go on in their presentmeasures (for they refuse to pay the ransom of Manilla, and havedriven away our logwood cutters already, ) down go their friendsin the ministry, and all the schemes of right divine andprerogative; and this is perhaps the best chance we have. Areyou not struck with the great similarity there is between thefirst years of Charles the First and the present times? Whowould 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 healludes to; the contests of Whig and Tory were never so violentas in the last years of Queen Anne, just fifty years before thistime. -C. 

(638) The Marquis of Carnarvon, eldest son of the second Duke ofChandos. -E. 

(639) See ant`e, p. 258, letter 184. 

(640) Lord John and Lord Frederick Cavendish, his grace'sbrothers. -E. 

(641) Lady Mary, daughter of the second Lord Godolphin, granddaughter of the great Duke of Marlborough, and sister of theDuchess of Newcastle. -E. 

(642) Dr. John Hume. -E. 

(643) The reader will not fail to observe the sudden effect ofMr. Walpole's conversion to the Duke of Newcastle's politics, howit abates all ridicules and sweetens all acerbities. As nowriter has contributed so much as Mr. Walpole to depreciate thecharacter of the Duke of Newcastle, this kind of palinode is notunimportant. See ant`e, p. 258, letter 184. -C. 

(644) The Duchess of Grafton lay-in, on the 17th July 1764, ofher youngest son, Lord Charles. -E. 

(645) Eldest daughter of Francis, second Duke of Buccleugh, born1723, died in 1777, unmarried. -E. 

(646) They were called "An Address to the Public on the latedismission of a General Officer, " and "A Counter Address. " Thelatter was written by Mr. Walpole himself. -C. 

(647) Dr. Shebbeare had been convicted of a libel, and, Ibelieve, punished in the pillory-C. [By the indulgence of theunder-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 isnamed. -C. 

(649) The points in dispute between France and England at thisperiod arose out of the non-performance of certain articles ofthe treaty-the payment of the Canada bills, and the expense ofthe prisoners of war, and certain claims for compensation foreffects 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 hasprevented the first, and twenty reasons the second; whenevertherefore you are disposed to make a visit to Strawberry, it willrejoice to receive you in its old ruffs and fardingales, andwithout rouge, blonde, and run silks. 

You have not said a word to me, ingrate as you are, about LordHerbert; does not he deserve one line? Tell me when I shall seeyou, that I may make no appointments to interfere with it. Mr. Conway, Lady Ailesbury, and Lady Lyttelton, have been atStrawberry with me for four or five days, so I am come to town tohave my house washed, for you know I am a very Hollander in pointof 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 Isent you, above a fortnight ago, by Mr. Strange the engraver. Scarce any thing has happened since worth repeating, but what youknow already, the death of poor Legge, and the seizure of TurkIsland:(651) the latter event very consonant to all ideas. Itmakes much noise here especially in the city, where the ministrygrow every day more and more unpopular. Indeed, I think there isnot much probability of their standing their ground, even tillChristmas. Several defections are already known, and others areripe which they do not apprehend. 

Doctor Hunter, I conclude, has sent you Charles Townshend'spamphlet: it is well written, but does not sell much, as a notionprevails that it has been much altered and softened. 

The Duke of Devonshire is gone to Spa; he was stopped for a weekby 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 benefitfrom Spa, he is to go to Aix-la-Chapelle, in hopes that the warmbaths will supple his skin, and promote another eruption. 

I have been this evening to Sion, which is becoming another MountPalatine. Adam has displayed great taste, and the Earl matchesit with magnificence. The gallery is converting into a museum inthe style of a columbarium, according to an idea that I proposedto my Lord Northumberland. Mr. Boulby(652) and Lady Mary arethere, and the Primate, (653) who looks old and broken enough toaspire to the papacy. Lord Holland, I hear, advises what LordBute much wishes, the removal of George Grenville, to make roomfor Lord Northumberland at the head of the treasury. The Duchessof Grafton is gone to her father. I wish you may hear no more ofthis journey! If you should, this time, the Complaints will comefrom her side. 

You have got the Sposo(654) Coventry with you, have not you? Andyou are going to have the Duke of York. You will not want such anobody as me. When I have a good opportunity, I will tell yousome 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 beknouted. The murder of the young Czar Ivan has sluiced again allmy abhorrence of the czarina. What a devil in a diadem! Iwonder 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 privateconveyance, if I said more than was fit for the post. Being Justreturned from Park-place, where I have been for three days, I notonly find your extremely kind letter of August 21st, but a cardfrom Madame de Chabot, who tells me she sets out for Paris in aday or two. And offers to carry a letter to you, which gives methe opportunity I wished for. 

I must begin with what you conclude-your most friendlyoffer, (655) if I should be distressed by the treasury. I cannever thank you enough for this, nor the tender manner in whichyou clothe it: though, believe me, my dear lord, I could neverblush to be obliged to you. In truth, though I do not doubttheir disposition to hurt me, I have had prudence enough to makeit much longer than their reign Can last, before it could be intheir power to make me feel want. With all my extravagance, I ammuch beforehand, and having perfected and paid for what I wishedto do here, my common expenses are trifling, and nobody can livemore frugally than I, when I have a mind to it. What I said offearing temptations at Paris, was barely serious: I thought itimprudent, just now, to throw away my money; but thatconsideration, singly, would not keep me here. I am eager to bewith you, and my chief reason for delaying is, that I wish tomake a longer stay than I could just now. The advice I hintedat, in the former part of this letter, was Lady Suffolk's, and Iam sure you will think it very sensible. She told me, should Inow go to Paris, all the world would say I went to try topersuade you to resign; that even the report would be impertinentto you, to whom she knew and saw I wished so well; and that whenI 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 mypower to come to you on the foot I wish, --I mean, having donewith politics, which I have told you all along, and with greattruth, are as much my abhorrence as yours. I think thisadministration cannot last till Christmas, and I believe theythemselves think so. I am cautious when I say this, because Ipromise you faithfully, the last thing I will do shall be to giveyou any false lights knowingly. I am clear, I repeat it, againstyour resigning now; and there is no meaning in all I have takenthe liberty to say to you, and which you receive with so muchgoodness and sense, but to put you on your guard in such ticklishtimes, and to pave imperceptibly to the world the way to yourreunion with your friends. In your brother, I am persuaded, youwill never find any alteration; and whenever you find anopportunity proper, his credit with particular persons willremove any coldness that may have happened. I admire the forceand reasoning with which you have stated your own situation; andI think there are but two points in which we differ at all. I donot see how your brother could avoid the part he chose. It wasthe administration that made it--no inclination of his. Theother is a trifle; it regards Elliot, nor is it my opinion alonethat he is at Paris on business: every body believes it, andconsidering his abilities, and the present difficulties of LordBute, Elliot's absence would be very extraordinary, if merelyoccasioned by idleness or amusement, or even to place hischildren, when it lasts so long. 

The affair of Turk Island, and the late promotion of ColonelFletcher(656) over thirty-seven older officers, are the chiefcauses, added to the Canada bills, Logwood, and the Manillaaffairs, Which have ripened our heats to such a height. LordMansfield's violence against the press has contributed much--butthe great distress of all to the ministers, is the behaviour ofthe Duke of Bedford, who has twice or thrice peremptorily refusedto attend council. He has been at Trentham, and crossed thecountry back to Woburn, without coming to town. (657) Lord Gowerhas been in town but one day. Many causes are assigned for allthis; the refusal of making Lord Waldegrave of the bedchamber;Lord Tavistocl('s inclination to the minority; and above all, areversion, which it is believed Lord Bute has been so weak as toobtain, of Ampthill, a royal grant, in which the Duke has butsixteen years to come. You know enough of that court, to knowthat, in the article of Bedfordshire, no influence has any weightwith his grace. At present, indeed, I believe little is tried. The Duchess and Lady Bute are as hostile as possible. Rigby'sjourney convinces me of what I have long suspected, that hisreign is at an end. I have even heard, though I am far fromtrusting to the quarter from which I had my intelligence, thatthe Duke has been making overtures to Mr. Pitt, (658) which havenot been received unfavourably; I shall know more of this soon, as I am to go to Stowe in three or four days. Mr. Pitt isexceedingly well-disposed to your brother, talks highly of him, and of the injustice done to him, and they are to meet on thefirst convenient opportunity. Thus much for politics, which, however, I cannot quit, without again telling you how sensible Iam of all your goodness and friendly offers. 

The Court, independent of politics, makes a strange figure. Therecluse life led here at Richmond, which is carried to such anexcess of privacy and economy, that the Queen's friseur waits onthem at dinner, and that four pounds only of beef are allowed fortheir soup, disgusts all sorts of people. The drawing-rooms areabandoned: Lady Buckingham(659) was the only woman there onSunday se'nnight. The Duke of York was commanded home. Theystopped his remittances, (660) and then were alarmed on finding hestill was somehow or other supplied with money. The two nextPrinces(661) are at the Pavilions at Hampton Court, in veryprivate circumstances indeed; no household is to be establishedfor Prince William, who accedes nearer to the malcontents everyday. In short, one hears of nothing but dissatisfaction, whichin the city rises almost to treason. 

Mrs. Cornwallis(662) has found that her husband has beendismissed from the bedchamber this twelvemonth with no notice:his appointments were even paid; but on this discovery they arestopped. 

You ask about what I had mentioned in the beginning of my letter, the dissensions in the house of Grafton. The world says they areactually parted: I do not believe that; but I will tell youexactly all I know. His grace, it seems, for many months haskept one Nancy Parsons, (663) one of the commonest creatures inLondon, one much liked, but out of date. He is certainly grownimmoderately attached to her, so much, that it has put an end toall his decorum. She was publicly with him at Ascot races, andis now in the forest;(664) I do not know if actually in thehouse. At first, I concluded this was merely stratagem to piquethe Duchess; but it certainly goes further. Before the Duchesslaid in, she had a little house on Richmond-Hill, whither theDuke sometimes, though seldom, came to dine. During her month ofconfinement, he was scarcely in town at all, nor did he even comeup to see the Duke of Devonshire. The Duchess is certainly goneto her father. She affected to talk of the Duke familiarly, andsaid she would call in the forest as she went to LordRavensworth's. I suspect she is gone thither to recriminate andcomplain. She did not talk of returning till October. It wassaid 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 theCavendishes, know; nor have we heard one word from either Duke orDuchess of any rupture. I hope she will not be so weak as topart, and that her father and mother will prevent it. It is notunlucky that she has seen none of the Bedfords lately, who wouldbe 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 WilliamCampbell. (665) Old Sir John Barnard(666) is dead; for othernews, I have none. I beg you will always say a great deal for meto my lady. As I trouble you with such long letters, it would beunreasonable to overwhelm her too. You know my attachment toevery thing that is yours. My warmest wish is to see an end ofthe present unhappy posture of public affairs, which operate soshockingly even on our private. If I can once get quit of them, it will be no easy matter to involve me in them again, howeverdifficult it may be, as you have found, to escape them. Nobodyis more criminal in my eyes than George Grenville, who had it inhis power to prevent what has happened to your brother. Nothingcould be more repugnant to all the principles he has ever mostavowedly and publicly professed--but he has opened my eyes--sucha mixture of vanity and meanness, of falsehood(667) andhypocrisy, is not common even in this country! It is aridiculous embarras after all the rest, and yet you may conceivethe distress I am under about Lady Blandford, (668) and thenegotiations 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 someexcellent stories of a principal figure on our side; but they aretoo long and too many for a letter, especially of a letter soprolix as this. Adieu, my dear lord!

(651) A small island, also called Tortuga, near St. Domingo, ofwhich a French squadron had dispossessed some English settlers. This proceeding was, however, immediately disavowed by theFrench, and orders were immediately despatched for restitutionand compensation to the sufferers. We can easily gather from Mr. Walpole's own expressions why this affair was raised into suchmomentary importance. -C. 

(652) Thomas Bouldby, Esq. And his lady, sister of the first Dukeof 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 GeneralConway was turned out, Mr Walpole placed all his fortune at hisdisposal, in a very generous letter (p. 316, letter 205). Thisinduced Mr. Walpole to think of economy, and to state in a formerletter (p. 332, letter 218) some apprehension as to hiscircumstances; in reply to which, Lord Hertford, who had alreadymade a similar proposition to General Conway, now offers to placeMr. Walpole above the pecuniary difficulties which heapprehended. -C. 

(656) Colonel Fletcher of the 35th foot. -E. 

(657) Not very surprising, however, as London would have beenabout 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 ofthese overtures:--"As for my single self, I purpose to continueacting through life upon the best convictions I am able to form, and Under the obligation of principles, not by the force of anyparticular bargains. I presume not to judge for those who thinkthey see daylight to serve their country by such means: but shallcontinue myself, as often as I think it worth the while to go tothe House of Commons, to go there free from stipulation-, aboutevery question under consideration, as well as to come out of theHouse as free as I entered it. Having seen the close of lastsession, and the system of that great war, in which my share ofthe ministry was so largely arraigned, given up by silence in afull House, I have little thoughts of beginning the world againupon a new centre of union. Your grace will not, I trust, wonderif, after so recent and so strange a phenomenon in politics, Ihave no disposition to quit the free condition of a man standingsingle, and daring to appeal to his country at large, upon thesoundness 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 ofBuckinghamshire. -E. 

(660) Mr. Walpole gives an unfair turn to this circumstance. Thestopping the Duke of York's remittances, and ordering him home, was a measure of prudence, not to say of necessity, for thatyoung Prince's extravagance abroad had made a public clamour; somuch so, that a popular preacher delivered, about this time, asermon on the following text:--"The younger son gathered alltogether, and took his journey into a far country, and therewasted his substance with riotous living. " St. Luke, xv. 13. Theletters and even the publications of the day allude to thisextravagance, and surely it was the duty of his brother andsovereign to repress an indiscretion which occasioned suchobservations. -C. 

(661) William, created, in November, 1764, Duke of Gloucester;and Henry created, in 1766, Duke of cumberland. The injustice ofmr. Walpole's insinuations will be evident, when it isremembered that, at the date of this letter, the eldest of thesePrinces was but twenty, and the other eighteen years of age, andthat they were both created Dukes, and had households establishedfor them as soon as they respectively came of age-C. 

(662) Mary, daughter of Charles, second Viscount Townshend, wifeof Edward, sixth son of the third Lord Cornwallis. I suspectthat here again Mr. Walpole's accusation is not correct. GeneralCornwallis had been groom of the bedchamber to George II. , andwas continued in the same office by the successor, till he wasappointed Governor of Gibraltar, when Mr. Henry Seymour wasappointed 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 thirdbrother of the fifth Duke of Argyle; his wife was Sarah, daughterof W. Teard, Esq. Of Charleston. -E. 

(666) Father of the city, which he had represented in sixparliaments. He had been a very leading member of the House ofCommons, 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 WilliamGodolphin, Marquis of Blandford, and sister of Isabella Countessof Denbigh; they were near neighbours and intimate acquaintancesof 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 printedat my press, I am glad to have one to send you of a little moreconsequence than some in which I have had myself too great ashare. The singularity of the work I now trouble you with isgreater merit than its rarity; though there are but two hundredcopies, of which only half are mine. (670) If it amuses an houror two of your idle time, I am overpaid. My greatest ambition isto pay that respect which every Englishman owes to your characterand services; and therefore you must not wonder if aninconsiderable 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 newedition of my Anecdotes. It is not very reasonable to savemyself trouble at the expense of yours; but perhaps you can muchsooner turn to your notes, than I find your letter. Will you beso good as to send me soon all the particulars you recollect ofhim. I have a print of Sir Lionel Jenkins from his painting. 

I did not send you any more orange flowers, as you desired; forthe continued rains rotted all the latter blow: but I had made avast potpourri, from whence you shall have as much as you please, when I have the pleasure of seeing you here, which I should beglad might be in the beginning of October, if it suits yourconvenience. At the same time you shall have a print of LordHerbert, which I think I did not send you. 

P. S. I trust you will bring me a volume or two of your MSS. Ofwhich 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 thelowest of all Grub-street, and I hear is treated so. They havenothing better to say, than that I am in love with you, have beenso these twenty years, and am no giant. I am a very constant oldswain: they might have made the years above thirty; it is so longI have the same unalterable friendship for you, independent ofbeing near relations and bred up together. For arguments, so farfrom 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 defendthemselves, but to know the extent of their malice and revenge. They must be sorely hurt, to be reduced to such scurrility. Yetthere is one paragraph, however, which I think is of GeorgeGrenville's own inditing. It says, "I flattered, solicited, andthen basely deserted him. " I no more expected to hear myselfaccused of flattery, than of being in love with you; but I shallnot laugh at the former as I do at the latter. Nothing but hisown consummate vanity could suppose I had ever stooped to flatterhim! or that any man was connected with him, but who was lowenough to be paid for it. Where has he one such attachment?

You have your share too. The miscarriage at Rochfort nowdirectly laid at your door! repeated insinuations against yourcourage. 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 mostbeautiful of all pictures!(672) Don't imagine I can think itintended for me: or that, if it could be so, I would hear of sucha thing. It is far above what can be parted with, or accepted. I am serious--there is no letting such a picture, when one hasaccomplished it, go from where one can see it every day. Ishould take the thought equally kind and friendly, but she mustlet 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 ofwhat she must have such pleasure in seeing. I shall have moresatisfaction in seeing it at Park-place; where, in spite of theworst kind of malice, I shall persist in saying my heart isfixed. They may ruin me, but no calumny shall make me desertyou. Indeed your case would be completely cruel, if it was morehonourable for your relations and friends to abandon you than tostick to you. My option is made, and I scorn their abuse as muchas 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 aGeneral Officer. "

(672) A landscape executed in worsteds by Lady Ailesbury. It isnow 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, andthe enclosed curious one of Sir William Herbert. It would havemade a very valuable addition to Lord Herbert's Life, which isnow too late; as I have no hope that Lord Powis will permit anymore to be printed. There were indeed so very few, and but halfof those for my share, that I have not it in my power to offeryou a copy, having disposed of my part. It is really a pity thatso singular a curiosity should not be public; but I must notcomplain, as Lord Powis has been so good as to indulge my requestthus 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 withanother line now. Dr. Blanchard, a Cambridge divine, and who hasa good paternal estate in Yorkshire, is on his travels, which heperforms as a gentleman; and, therefore, wishes not to have hisprofession noticed. He is very desirous of paying his respectsto you, and of being countenanced by you while he stays at Paris. It will much oblige a particular friend of mine, and consequentlyme, if you will favour him with your attention. Every bodyexperiences your goodness, but in the present case I wish toattribute it a little to my request. 

I asked you about two books, ascribed to Madame de Boufflers. Ifthey are hers, I should be glad to know where she found, thatOliver Cromwell took orders and went over to Holland to fight theDutch. As she has been on the spot where he reigned (which isgenerally very strong evidence), her countrymen will believe herin spite of our teeth; and Voltaire, who loves all anecdotes thatnever happened, because they prove the manners of the times, willhurry it into the first history he publishes. I, therefore, enter my caveat against it; not as interested for Oliver'scharacter, but to save the world from one more fable. I knowMadame de Boufflers will attribute this scruple to my partialityto Cromwell (and, to be sure, if we must be ridden, there is somesatisfaction when the man knows how to ride). I remember onenight at the Duke of Grafton's, a bust of Cromwell was produced:Madame de Boufflers, without uttering a syllable, gave me themost speaking look imaginable, as much as to Say, Is it possibleyou can admire this man! Apropos: I am sorry to say the reportsdo not cease about the separation, (673) and yet I have heardnothing 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 amwofully in want of reading, and sick to death of all ourpolitical stuff; which, as the Parliament is happily at thedistance of three months, I would fain forget till I cannot helphearing of it. I am reduced to Guicciardin, and though theevenings are so long, I cannot get through one of his periodsbetween dinner and supper. They tell me Mr. Hume has had sightof King James's journal:(674) I Wish I could see all the triflingpassages that he will not deign to admit into history. I do notlove great folks till they have pulled off their buskins and puton their slippers, because I do not care sixpence for what theywould be thought, but for what they are. 

Mr. Elliot brings us woful accounts of the French ladies, of thedecency of their conversation, and the nastiness of theirbehaviour. 

Nobody is dead, married, or gone mad, since my last. Adieu!

P. S. I enclose an epitaph on Lord Waldegrave, written by mybrother, (675) which I think you will like, both for thecomposition and the strict truth of it. 

Arlington Street, Friday evening. 

I was getting into my postchaise this morning with this letter inmy pocket, and Coming to town for a day or two, when I heard theDuke of Cumberland was dead: I find it is not so. He had twofits yesterday at Newmarket, whither he would go. The PrincessAmelia, who had observed great alteration in his speech, entreated him against it. He has had too some touches of thegout, but they were gone off, or might have prevented thisattack. I hear since the fits yesterday, which are said to havebeen but slight, that his leg is broken out, and they hope willsave him. Still, I think, one cannot but expect the worst. 

The letters yesterday, from Spa, give a melancholy account of thepoor Duke of Devonshire as he cannot drink the waters they thinkof removing him; I suppose, to the baths at Aix-la-Chapelle; butI look on his case as a lost one. There's a chapter formoralizing! but five-and-forty, with forty thousand poundsa-year and happiness wherever he turned him! My reflection is, that it is folly to be unhappy at any thing, when felicity itselfis such a phantom. 

(673) Of the Duke and Duchess of Grafton. -E. 

(674) Since published, under the generous patronage of George theThird, by Dr. Clarke, his Majesty's librarian. The work is, however, not what Mr. Walpole contemplated: it is not a journalof private feelings, interests, and actions, but a relationrather of public affairs; and though the notes of James II. Wereundoubtedly the foundation of the work, it was, in truth, writtenby another hand, and that too a hand the least likely to havegiven us the kind of memoirs which Mr. Walpole justly thinkswould have been so valuable. When an eminent person writes hisown memoirs, we have, at least, the motives which he thinks itcreditable to assign to his conduct--he has, generally thecandour of vanity, and even when he has not that candour, he issometimes blinded into discovering truth unawares; but nothingcan be more futile and fastidious than the meagre notes of theoriginal actor, fresh woven and discoloured by the hands of anobsequious servant, who conceals all the facts he cannot explain, and all the motives he cannot justify. Such memoirs resemble thereal life as the skeleton does the living man. -C. 

(675) Sir Edward Walpole, K. B. , second son of Sir Robert, and thefather 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 wouldhave prepared you by degrees; but you are a man, and can hear theworst at once. The Duke of Cumberland is dead. I have heard itbut this instant. The Duke of Newcastle was come to breakfastwith me, and pulled out a letter from Lord Frederick, with ahopeless account of the poor Duke of Devonshire. Ere I couldread it, Colonel Schutz called at the door and told my servantthis fatal news! I know no more--it must be at Newmarket, andvery sudden; for the Duke of Newcastle had a letter from Hodgson, dated on Monday, which said the Duke was perfectly well, and hisgout gone:--Yes, to be sure, into his head. Princess Amelia hadendeavoured to prevent his going to Newmarket, having perceivedgreat 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 hewill not like as well, share in overturning its liberty--if theywill admit him; -which I question now if they will be foolsenough to do. 

You see I write in despair. I am for the whole, but perfectlytranquil. We have acted with honour, and have nothing toreproach ourselves with. We cannot combat fate. We shall beleft almost alone; but I think you will no more go with thetorrent than I will. Could I have foreseen this tide of illfortune, I would have done just as I have done; and my conductshall show I am satisfied I have done right. For the rest, comewhat come may, I am perfectly prepared and while there is a freespot of earth upon the globe, that shall be my country. I amsorry it will not be this, but to-morrow I shall be able to laughas usual. What signifies what happens when one isseven-and-forty, as I am to-day!

"They tell me 'tis my birthday"--but I will not go on withAntony, and say

----"and I'll keep itWith double pomp of sadness. "

No. When they can smile, who ruin a great country'. Sure thosewho would have saved it may indulge themselves in thatcheerfulness which conscious integrity bestows. I think I shallcome to you next week; and since we have no longer any plan ofoperations to settle, we will look over the map of Europe, andfix upon a pleasant corner for our exile--for take notice, I donot design to fall upon my dagger, in hopes that some Mr. Addisona thousand years hence may write a dull tragedy about me. I willwrite my own story a little more cheerfully than he would; but Ifear now I must not print it at my own press. Adieu! You was aphilosopher before you had any occasion to be so: pray continueso; 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 theDuke of Devonshire's(676) legacy to you. (677) You cannot doubtof the great joy this gives me; and yet it serves to aggravatethe loss of so worthy a man! And when I feel it thus, I amsensible how much more it will add to your concern, instead ofdiminishing 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, andbequeathed by a man so virtuous, it is a million. Measure itwith the riches of those who have basely injured you, and it isstill more! Why, it is glory, it is conscious innocence, it issatisfaction--it is affluence without guilt--Oh! the comfortablesound! It is a good name in the history of these corrupt days. There it will exist, when the wealth of your and their country'senemies will be wasted, or will be an indelible blemish on theirdescendants. 

My heart is full, and yet I will say no more. My best loves toall your opulent family. Who says virtue is not rewarded in thisworld? It is rewarded by virtue, and it is persecuted by thebad. Can greater honour be paid to it?

(676) William, fourth Duke of Devonshire. During hisadministration in Ireland, Mr. Conway had been secretary of statethere. He died at Spa on the 2d of October. -E. 

(677) The legacy was contained in the following codicil, writtenin the Duke's own hand. "I give to General Conway five thousandpounds as a testimony of my friendship to him, and of my sense ofhis 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 appearwithout your close mourning for the Duke of Devonshire upon anyaccount. I was once going to tell you of it, knowing yourinaccuracy in such matters; but thought it still impossible youshould be ignorant how necessary it is. Lord Strafford, who hasa legacy of only two hundred pounds, wrote to consult LadySuffolk. She told him, for such a sum, which only implies aring, it was sometimes not done but yet advised him to mourn. In your case it is indispensable; nor can you see any of hisfamily without it. Besides it is much better on such an occasionto over, than under do. I answer this paragraph first, because Iam so earnest not to have you blamed. 

Besides wishing to see you all, I have wanted exceedingly to cometo you, having much to say to you; but I am confined here, thatis, Mr. Chute is: he was seized with the gout last Wednesdayse'nnight, the day he came hither to meet George Montagu, andthis is the first day he has been out of his bedchamber. I musttherefore put off our meeting till Saturday, when you shallcertainly find me in town. 

We have a report here, but the authority bitter bad, that LordMarch is going to be married to Lady Conway. I don't believe itthe less for our knowing nothing of it; for unless their daughterwere breeding, and it were to save her character, neither yourbrother nor Lady Hertford would disclose a tittle about it. Yetin 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 fairadmirers. 

I am charmed with an answer I have just read in the papers of aman in Bedlam, who was ill-used by -, in apprentice because heWould not tell him why he was confined there. The unhappycreature said at last, "Because God has deprived me of a blessingwhich you never enjoyed. " There never was any thing finer or moremoving! Your sensibility will not be quite so much affected by astory I heard t'other day of Sir Fletcher Norton. He has amother--yes, a mother: perhaps you thought that, like that tenderurchin Love, ----duris in cotibus illumIsmarus, 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 thinknot suitable to the dignity of one who has the honour of beinghis parent. He cheapened a better, in which were two pictureswhich the proprietor valued at threescore pounds. Theattorney(678) insisted on having them for nothing, as fixtures--the landlord refused, the bargain was broken off, and thedowager Madam Norton remains in her original hut. I could tellyou another story which you would not dislike; but as it mighthurt the person concerned, if it was known, I shall not send itby the post; but will tell you when I see you. Adieu!

(678) Sir Fletcher Norton, afterwards Lord Grantley, had beenappointed 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 toannounce your brother's legacy to you, but I am glad whenever mynews reach you without being quite stale. I see but few personshere. I begin my letters without knowing when I shall be able tofill them, and then am to winnow a little what I hear, that I maynot send you absolute secondhand fables: for though I cannotwarrant all I tell you, I hate to send you every improbable talethat is vented. You like, as one always does in absence, to hearthe common occurrences of your own country; and you see I am veryglad to be your gazetteer, provided you do not rank my lettersupon any higher foot. I should be ashamed of such gossiping, ifI did not consider it as chatting with you en famille, as we usedto do at supper in Grosvenor-street. 

The Duke of Devonshire has made splendid provision for hisyounger children; to Lady Dorothy, (679) 30, 000 pounds; LordRichard and Lord George will have about 4, 000 pounds a-yearapiece: for, besides landed estates, he has left them his wholepersonal estate without exception, only obliging the present Duketo redeem Devonshire-house, and the entire collection in it, for20, 000 pounds: he gives 500 pounds to each of his brothers, and200 pounds to Lord Strafford, with some other inconsiderablelegacies. Lord Frederick carried the garter, and was treated bythe King with very gracious speeches of concern. 

The Duke of Cumberland is quite recovered, after an incision ofmany inches in his knee. Ranby(680) did not dare to propose thata hero should be tied, but was frightened out of his senses whenthe hero would hold the candle himself, which none of hisgenerals could bear to do: in the middle of the operation, theDuke said, "Hold!" Ranby said, "For God's sake, Sir, let meproceed now--it will be worse to renew it. " The Duke repeated, "Isay hold!" and then calmly bade them give Ranby a clean waistcoatand 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 romanceof the sort? Lord Rockingham's youngest sister, LadyHarriot, (681) has stooped even lower than a theatric swain, andmarried her footman; but still it is you Irish(682) that commitall the havoc. Lady Harriot, however, has mixed a wonderfuldegree of prudence with her potion, and considering how plain sheis, has not, I think, sweetened the draught too much for herlover: she settles a single hundred pound a-year upon him for hislife; entails her whole fortune on their children, if they haveany; and, if not, on her own family; nay, in the height of thenovel, provides for a separation, and insures the same pin-moneyto Damon, in case they part. This deed she has vested out of herpower, by sending it to Lord Mansfield, (683) whom she makes hertrustee; it is drawn up in her own hand, and Lord Mansfield saysis as binding as any lawyer could make it. Did one ever hear ofmore reflection in a delirium! Well, but hear more: she hasgiven away all her clothes, nay, and her ladyship, and says, linen gowns are properest for a footman's wife, and is gone tohis family in Ireland, plain Mrs. Henrietta Surgeon. I think itis not clear that she is mad, but I have no doubt but LadyBel(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 tobe succeeded at Kensington by Miss Floyd, who lives with LadyBolingbroke; but I beg you not to report this till you see it ina Gazette of better authority than mine, who have it only fromfame and Mrs. A. Pitt. 

I have not seen M. De Guerchy yet, having been in town but onenight since his return. You are very kind in accepting, on yourown account, his obliging expressions about me: I know nofoundation on which I should like better to receive them, : thetruth is he has distinguished me extremely, and when a person inhis situation shows much attention to a person so veryinsignificant as I am, one is apt to believe it exceeds commoncompliment: at least, I attribute it to the esteem which he couldnot but see I conceived for him. His civility is so natural, andhis good nature so strongly marked, that I connected much morewith him than I am apt to do with new acquaintances. I pitiedthe various disgusts he received, and I believe he saw I did. IfI felt for him, you may judge how much I am concerned that youhave your share. I foresaw it was unavoidable, from the swarmsof your countrymen that flock to Paris, and generally the worstpart; boys and governors are woful exports. I saw a great dealof it when I lived with poor Sir Horace Mann at Florence-but youhave the whole market. We are a wonderful people-I would not beour King, (686) our minister, or our ambassador, for the Indies. One comfort, however, I can truly give you; I have heard theircomplaints, if they have any, from nobody but yourself. Jesus!if they are not content now, I wish they knew how the Englishwere received at Paris twenty years ago--why, you and I know theywere not received at all. Ay, and when the fashion of admiringEnglish is past, it will be just so again; and very reasonably--who would open their house to every staring booby from anothercountry?

Arlington Street, Nov. 3. 

I came to town to-day to meet your brother, who is going toEuston and Thetford, (687) and hope he will bring back a goodaccount of the domestic history, (688) of which we can learnnothing authentic. Fitzroy(689) knows nothing. The town saysthe Duchess is going thither. 

We have been this evening with Duchess Hamilton, (690) who isarrived from Scotland, visibly promising another Lord Campbell. I shall take this opportunity of seeing M. De Guerchy, and thatopportunity, 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, alltriumphant, and all insolent. It does not appear to have doneso. They are, I believe, extremely ill among themselves, and notbetter in their affairs foreign or domestic. The cider countieshave instructed their members to join the minority. The house ofYorke seems to have laid aside their coldness and irresolution, and to look towards opposition. The unpopularity of the court isvery great indeed--still I shall not be surprised if theymaintain 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 ofNewcastle. (692) She had saved 20, 000 pounds which she leaves toher sister for life, and after her, to Tommy Pelham. NedFinch(693) has got an estate from an old Mrs. Hatton of 1500pounds 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-surgeonto 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 afortune there, and paid so much attention to the interests ofthat 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 PrincessAmelia, was Lady Harriot's aunt. The Mr. Milbank here mentionedhad married Lady Mary Wentworth, the elder sister of LadyHarriot. -C. 

(685) From being housekeeper at Kensington Palace, to the sameoffice at Windsor Castle; but Mr. Walpole is mistaken as to thename 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 solicitthe reader's attention to such passages as this, in which heimputes to others, and therefore implies in himself, an unfairdisposition 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 19thof October, says, "The many great losses, both public andprivate, which we have had this summer, have very greatlyaffected the Duchess; and the last of all, of her old friend andcompanion of above forty-five years, poor Mrs. Spence, has addedmuch 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 ViscountHatton. -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: moreso, as I fear it will be long before I shall, for I think ofgoing to paris early in February. I ought indeed to go directly, as the winter does not agree with me here. Without beingpositively ill, I am positively not well: about this time ofyear, I have little fevers every night, and pains in my breastand stomach, which bid me repair to a more flannel climate. These little complaints are already begun, and as soon as affairswill permit me, I mean to transport them southward. 

I am sorry it is out of my power to make the addition you wish toMr. Tuer's article: many of the following sheets are printed off, and there is no inserting any thing now, without shoving thewhole text forward, which you see is impossible. You promised tobring me a portrait of him: as I shall have four or five newplates, I can get his head into one of them: will you send it assoon as you can possibly to my house in Arlington-street; I willtake 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 dearlord, before one that I sent to you last week by a private hand, along with one from your brother. I write this by my LordChamberlain's order--you may interpret it as you please, eitheras by some new connexion of the Bedford squadron with theopposition, or as a commission to you, my lord ambassador. Asyet, I believe you had better take it upon the latter foundation, though the Duke of Bedford has crossed the country from Bath toWoburn, without coming to town. Be that as it may, here is thenegotiation intrusted to you. You are desired by my Lord Gowerto apply to the gentilhomme de la chambre for leave forDoberval(694) the dancer, who was here last year, to return anddance at our Opera forthwith. If the court of France -willcomply with this request, we will send them a discharge in full, for the Canada bills and the ransom of their prisoners, and wewill permit Monsieur D'Estain to command in the West Indies, whether we will or not. The city of London must not know a wordof this treaty, for they hate any mortal should be diverted butthemselves, especially by any thing relative to harmony. It is, I own, betraying my country and my patriotism to be concerned ina job of this kind. I am sensible that there is not a weaver inSpitalfields but can dance better than the first performer in theFrench Opera; and yet, how could I refuse this commission? Mrs. George Pitt delivered it to me just now, at Lord Holderness's atSion, and as my virtue has not yet been able to root out all mygood-breeding--though I trust it will in time--I could not helppromising that I would write to you--nay, and engaged that youwould undertake it. When I venture, sure you may, who are out ofthe reach of a mob!

I believe this letter will go by Monsieur Beaumont. Hebreakfasted here t'other morning, and pleased me exceedingly: hehas great spirit and good-humour. It is incredible what pains hehas taken to see. He has seen Oxford, Bath, Blenheim, Stowe, Jews, Quakers, Mr. Pitt, the Royal Society, the Robinhood, LordChief-Justice Pratt, the Arts-and-Sciences, has dined atWildman's, and, I think, with my Lord Mayor, or is to do. Monsieur de Guerchy is full of your praises; I am to go toPark-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 toretract as fast as I can. I fear I was too hasty in an article Isent 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 beexactly the event. 

The Duke of Cumberland has had a dangerous sore-throat, but isrecovered. In one of the bitterest days that could be felt, hewould go upon the course at Newmarket with the windows of hislandau down. Newmarket-heath, at no time of the year, is placedunder the torrid zone. I can conceive a hero welcoming death, orat least despising it; but if I was covered with more laurelsthan a boar's head at Christmas, I should hate pain, and Ranby, and an operation. His nephew of York has been at Blenheim, wherethey gave him a ball, but did not put themselves to much expensein dancers; the figurantes were the maid-servants. You will notdoubt my authority, when I tell you my Lady Bute was myintelligence. I heard to-day, at Sion, of some bitter versesmade at Bath, on both their graces of Bedford. I have not seenthem, nor, if I had them, would I send them to you before theyare in print, which I conclude they will be, for I am sorry tosay, scandalous abuse is not the commodity which either side issparing of. You can conceive nothing beyond the epigrams whichhave been in the papers, on a pair of doves and a parrot thatLord Bute has sent to the Princess. (696)

I hear-but this is another of my paragraphs that I am far fromgiving you for sterling--that Lord Sandwich is to have the Dukeof Devonshire's garter; Lord Northumberland stands against LordMorton, (697) for president of the Royal Society, in the room ofLord Macclesfield. As this latter article will have no badconsequences if it should prove true, you may believe it. EarlPoulet is dead, and Soame, who married Mrs. Naylor's sister. 

You will wonder more at what I am going to tell you in the lastplace: I am preparing, in earnest, to make you a visit-not nextweek, but seriously in February. After postponing it for sevenidle months, you will stare at my thinking of it just after themeeting Of the Parliament. Why, that is just one of my principalreasons. I will stay and see the opening and one or twodivisions; the minority will be able to be the majority, or theywill not: if they can, they will not want me, who want nothing ofthem: if they cannot, I am sure I can do them no good, and shalltake my leave of them;--I mean always, to be sure, if things donot turn on a few votes: they shall not call me a deserter. Inevery other case, I am so sick of politics, which I have longdetested, that I must bid adieu to them. I have acted the partby your brother that I thought right. He approves what I havedone, and what I mean to do; so do the few I esteem, for I havenotified my intention; and for the rest of the world, they maythink what they please. In truth, I have a better reason, whichwould prescribe my setting out directly, if it was consistentwith my honour. I have a return of those nightly fevers andpains in my breast, which have come for the three last years -, itthis season: change of air and a better climate are certainlynecessary to me in winter. I shall thus indulge my inclinationsevery way. I long to see you and my Lady Hertford, and amwofully sick of the follies and distractions of this country, towhich I see no end, come what changes will! Now, do you wonderany longer at my resolution? In the mean time adieu for thepresent!

(694) D'Auberval was not only a celebrated dancer, but a composerof 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 avery obliging thing. (698) But I won't thank you, and I won't beobliged. It is very hard one can't come into your house andcommend any thing, but you must recollect it and send it afterone! I will never dine in your house again; and, when I do, Iwill like nothing; and when I do, I will commend nothing; andwhen I do, you shan't remember it. You are very grateful indeedto Providence that give you so good a memory, to stuff it withnothing but bills of fare of what every body likes to eat anddrink! I wonder you are not ashamed! Do you think there is nosuch thing as gluttony of the memory?--You a Christian! A prettyaccount you will be able to give of yourself!-Your fine folks inFrance may call this friendship and attention, perhaps--but sure, if I was to go to the devil, it should be for thinking of nothingbut myself, not of others, from morning to night. I would sendback your temptations; but, as I will not be obliged to you forthem, verily I shall retain them to punish you; ingratitude beinga proper chastisement for sinful friendliness. Thine in thespirit, Pilchard Whitfield. 

(698) Lady Hervey, it is supposed, had sent Mr. Walpole somepotted 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 morecautious of giving recommendations to you, instead of drawingupon the credit you give me. I saw Mr. Stanley last night at theOpera, 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 finesinger, but his voice has been younger, and wants the touchingtones of Elisi. (700) However, the audience was not so nice, butapplauded him immoderately, and encored three of his songs. Thefirst 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 littlesmall person, and share of beauty, and does not act ill. Thereis Tenducci, a moderate tenor, and all the rest intolerable. Ifyou don't make haste and send us Doberval, I don't know what weshall do. The dances were not only hissed, as truly theydeserved 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, wasreduced to languish in the Duchess of Hamilton's box. MyDuchess(702) does not appear yet--I fear. 

Shall I tell you any thing about D'Eon? it is sending coals toParis: you must know his story better than me; so in two wordsVergy, his antagonist, is become his convert:(703) has wrote forhim and sworn for him, --nay, has made an affidavit before JudgeWilmot, that Monsieur de Guerchy had hired him to stab or poisonD'Eon. Did you ever see a man who had less of an assassin thanyour pendant, as Nivernois calls it! In short, the story is asclumsy, as abominable. The King's Bench cited D'Eon to receivehis sentence: he absconds: that court issued a warrant to searchfor him and a house in Scotland-yard, where he lodged, was brokenopen, but in vain. If there is any thing more, you know ityourself. This law transaction is buried in another. The Masterof the Rolls, Sir Thomas Clarke, is dead, and Norton succeeds. Who do you think succeeds him? his predecessor. (704) The houseof York is returned to the house of Lancaster: they could notkeep their white roses pure. I have not a little suspicion thatdisappointment has contributed to this faux-pas. Sir Thomas madea new will the day before he died, and gave his vast fortune, notto Mr. Yorke, as was expected, but to Lord Macclesfield, to whom, it is come out, he was natural brother. Norton, besides theRolls, which are for lite, and near 3, 000 pounds a-year, has apension of 1, 200 pounds. Mrs. Anne Pitt, too, has got a thirdpension: so you see we are not quite such beggars as youimagined!

Prince William, you know, is Duke of Gloucester, with the sameappanage 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 hisregiment; the Primate (Stone) is better, but I suppose, from hisdistemper, which is a dropsy in his breast, irrecoverable. YourIrish queen(708) exceeds the English Queen, and follows her withseven footmen before her chair--well! what trumperies I tell you!but I cannot help it--Wilkes is outlawed, D'Eon run away, andChurchill dead--till some new genius arises, you must take upwith the operas, and pensions, and seven footmen. But patience!your country is seldom sterile long. 

George Selwyn has written hither his lamentations about thatCossack Princess. I am glad of it, for I did but hint it to myLady Rervey, (though I give you my word, without quoting you, which I never do upon the most trifling occurrences, ) and I wascut very short, and told it was impossible. A la bonne heure!Pray, who is Lord March(709) going to marry? We hear so, butnobody named. I had not heard of your losses at whisk; but if Ihad, should not have been terrified: you know whisk gives nofatal ideas to any body that has been at Arthur's and seenhazard, Quinze, and Trente-et-Quarante. I beg you will prevailon the King of France to let Monsieur de Richelieu give as manyballs 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 tocut, and I insist upon being prodigiously entertained, like aSposa Monacha, whom they cram with this world for a twelvemonth, before she bids adieu to it for ever. I think, when I shutmyself up in my convent here, it will not be with the sameregret. I have for some time been glutted with the world, andregret the friends that drop away every day; those, at least, with whom I came into the world, already begin to make it appeara great void. Lord Edgecumbe, Lord Waldegrave, and the Duke ofDevonshire leave a very perceptible chasm. At the Opera lastnight, I felt almost ashamed to be there. Except Lady Townshend, Lady Schaub, Lady Albemarle, and Lady Northumberland, I scarcesaw a creature whose debut there I could not remember: nay, thegreater part were maccaronies. You see I am not likely, like mybrother Cholmondeley (who, by the way, was there too), to totterinto a solitaire at threescore. The Duke de Richelieu(710) isone of the persons I am curious to see--oh! am I to find Madamede Boufflers, Princess of Conti? Your brother and Lady Aylesburyare to be in town the day after to-morrow to hear Manzoli, and ontheir way to Mrs. Cornwallis, who is acting l'agonisante; butthat would be treason to Lady Ailesbury. I was at Park-placelast week: the bridge is finished, and a noble object. 

I shall come to you as soon as ever I have my cong`e, which Itrust will be early in February. I will let you know the momentI can fix my time, because I shall beg you to order a smalllodging to be taken for me at no great distance from your palace, and only for a short time, because, if I should like Franceenough to stay some months I can afterwards accommodate myself tomy mind. I should like to be so near you that I could see youwhenever it would not be inconvenient to you, and without beingobliged to that intercourse with my countrymen, which I by nomeans design to cultivate. If I leave the best company here, itshall not be for the worst. I am getting out of the world, notcoming into it, and shall therefore be most indifferent abouttheir acquaintance, or what they think of my avoiding it. I cometo see you and my Lady Hertford, to escape from politics, and toamuse myself with seeing, which I intend to do with all my eyes. I abhor show, am not passionately fond of literati, don't want toknow people for a few months, and really think of nothing butsome comfortable hours with you, and indulging my curiosity. Excuse almost a page about myself, but it was to tell you howlittle trouble I hope to give you. 

(699) "Manzoli's voice was the most powerful and voluminoussoprano that had been heard on our stage since the time ofFarinelli; and his manner of singing was grand and full of tasteand dignity. The lovers of music in London were more unanimousin approving his voice and talents, than those of any othersinger 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 ofvoice. " Ibid. -E. 

(701) Probably Mrs. George Pitt. -C. 

(702) Of Grafton. 

(703) This is altogether a very mysterious affair: M. De Vergywas the cause of D'Eon's violent behaviour at Lord Halifax's (seeant`e, p. 254, letter 181, ); he afterwards took D'Eon's part, andhad the effrontery and the infamy to say, that he was suborned bythe 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 wasfalse. -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 inAmerica, 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, whosubsequently, 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 in1696, and died in 1788. The whole of his long life was full ofadventures so extraordinary as to justify Mr. Walpole'scuriosity. The most remarkable, however, of all, had not at thisperiod occurred. In the year 1780, and at the age ofeighty-four, he married his third wife, and was severelyafflicted that a miscarriage of the Duchess destroyed his hopesof another Cardinal de Richelieu; for to that eminence hedestined the child of his age. His biographer adds, that theDuchess was an affectionate and attentive wife, notwithstandingthat her octogenarian husband tried her patience by reiteratedinfidelities. -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 youa lie, lest you should take me for a chambermaid, or CharlesTownshend. But how can I help it? Is this a consistent age?How should I know people's minds, if they don't know themthemselves? In short, Charles Yorke is not attorney-general, norNorton master of the rolls. A qualm came across the first, andmy Lord lorn across the second, who would not have Norton in hiscourt. I cannot imagine why; it is so gentle, amiable, honest abeing! But I think the Chancellor says, Norton does notunderstand equity, so he remains prosecutor-general. Yorke wouldhave taken the rolls, if they would have made it much moreconsiderable; but as they would not, he has recollected that itwill be clever for one Yorke to have the air of beingdisinterested, so he only disgraces himself, (711) and takes apatent of precedence over the Solicitor-General:--but do notdepend upon this--he was to have kissed hands on Friday, but hasput it off till Wednesday next--between this and that, his Virtuemay have another fit. The court ridicule him even more than theopposition. What diverts me most, is, that the pious and dutifulhouse of Yorke, who cried and roared over their father's memory, now throw all the blame on him, and say, he forced them intoopposition--amorent nummi expellas furc`a, licet usquerecurret. (712) Sewell(713) is master of the rolls. 

Well! I may grow a little more explicit to you; besides, thisletter goes to you by a private hand. I gave you little hints, to prepare you for the separation of the house of Grafton. It isso, and I am heartily sorry for it. Your brother is chosen bythe Duke, and General Ellison by the Duchess, to adjust theterms, which are not yet settled. The Duke takes all on himself, and assigns no reason but disagreement of tempers. He leavesLady Georgina' with her mother, who, he says, is the properestperson to educate her, and Lord Charles, till he is old enough tobe 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 ofKingston(714) has taken a pretty milliner from Cranborn-alley, and carried her to Thoresby. Miss Chudleigh, at the Princess'sbirthday on Friday, beat her side till she could not help havinga real pain in it, that people might inquire what was the matter;on which she notified a pleurisy, and that she is going to thebaths of Carlsbad, in Bohemia. I hope she will not meet with theBulgares that demolished the Castle of Thundertentronck. (715y) My Lady Harrington's robbery is at last come to light, andwas committed by the porter, (716) who is in Newgate. 

Lady Northumberland (who, by the way, has added an eighth footmansince I wrote to you last) told Me this Morning that the Queen isvery impatient to receive an answer from Lady Hertford, aboutPrince George's letters coming through your hands, as she desiredthey might. 

A correspondence between Legge and Lord Bute about the Hampshireelection is published to-day, by the express desire of theformer, When he was dying. (717) He showed the letters to me inthe spring, and I then did not-think them so strong or importantas he did. I am very clear it does no honour to his memory tohave them printed now. It implies want of resolution to publishthem in his lifetime, and that he died with more resentment thanI think one should care to own. I would Send them to you, but Iknow Dr. Hunter takes care of such things. I hope he will sendyou, too, the finest piece that I think has been written forliberty since Lord Somers. It is called an Inquiry into the lateDoctrine on Libels, and is said to be written by oneDunning, (718) a lawyer lately started up, who makes a greatnoise. He is a sharp thorn in the sides of Lord Mansfield andNorton, and, in truth, this book is no plaster to their pain. Itis bitter, has much unaffected wit, and is the Only tract thatever made me understand law. (719) If Dr. Hunter does not sendyou these things, I suppose he will convey them himself, as Ihear there will be a fourteenth occasion for him. CharlesFitzroy says, Lord Halifax told Mrs. Crosby that you are to go toIreland. I said he l(nows you are not the most communicativeperson in the world, and that you had not mentioned it--nor do Inow, by way of asking impertinent questions; but I thought youwould like to know what was said. 

I return to Strawberry Hill to-morrow, but must return onThursday, as there is to be something at the Duke of York's thatevening, for which I have received a card. He and his brotherare most exceedingly civil and good-humoured--but I assure youevery place is like one of Shakspeare's plays:--Flourish, enterthe 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 fivehundred pounds a year? It was entertaining to see the Duchess ofBedford and Lady Bute with their respective forces, drawn up ondifferent sides of the room; the latter's were most numerous. MyLord Gower seemed very willing to promote a parley between thetwo armies. It would have made you shrug up your shoulders atdirty humanity, to see the two Miss Pelhams sit neglected, without being asked to dance. You may imagine this could notescape me, who have passed through the several grradations inwhich Lady Jane Stuart and Miss Pelham are and have been; but Ifear poor Miss Pelham feels hers a little more than ever Idid. (721) The Duke of York's is to be a dinner and a ball forPrincess Amelia. 

Lady Mary Bowlby(722) gave me a commission, a genealogical one, from my Lady Hertford, which I will execute to the best of mypower. I am glad my part is not to prove eighteen generations Ofnobility for the Bruces. I fear they have made somemes-alliances since the days of King Robert-at least, the presentScotch nobility are not less apt to go into Lombard-street thanthe English. 

My Lady Suffolk was at the ball; I asked the Prince of Masseranowhom he thought the oldest woman in the room, as I concluded hewould not guess she was. He did not know my reason for asking, and would not tell me. At last, he said very cleverly, his ownwife. 

Mr. Sarjent has sent me this evening from Les Consid`erations surles Moeurs, " and "Le Testament Politique, "(723) for which I giveyou, my dear lord, a thousand thanks. Good night!

P. S. Manzoli(724) has come a little too late, or I think he wouldhave as many diamond watches and snuff-boxes as Farinelli. 

(711) We can venture to state, that there never was any idea ofMr. Yorke's accepting the rolls; and it is believed that theynever were offered to him; certainly, be himself never thought oftaking that office. The patent of precedence which he didaccept, was an arrangement, which, though convenient for theconduct of the business in court, could give no addition ofeither rank or profit to a person in Mr. Yorke's circumstances. The facts were as follow: when Mr. Yorke, in 1756, was madesolicitor-general, he was not a King's counsel; he succeeded tobe attorney-general, but on his resignation in October 1763, helost the precedence which his offices had given him, and hereturned to the outer bar and a stuff gown. It was a novel andanomalous sight to see a man who had led the Chancery bar solong, and filled the greatest office of the law, retire tocomparatively, so humble a rank in the court in which he might beevery day expected to preside; and accordingly, on his firstappearance after his resignation, the Chancellor, with theconcurrence (indeed, it has been said on the suggestion) of thebar, called to Mr. Yorke, out of his turn, next after the King'scounsel: this irregular pre-audience had lasted above a year, when it was thought more proper and more convenient for thebusiness of the court to give Mr. Yorke that formal patent ofprecedence, the value and circumstances of which Mr Walpole somuch misunderstands. We have heard from old lawyers, that Mr. Yorke's business at this period was more extensive and lesslucrative than any other man ever possessed in Chancery, and wefind no less than four other barristers had at this time patentsof 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 LordHardwickc's death, and even before his illness--that "the oldChancellor was violent against the court, and that Mr. CharlesYorke had resigned, contrary to his own; and Lord Royston'sinclination. " The fact was in no way true; for it is well knownthat there never was the slightest difference of opinion betweenthe old Lord Hardwicke and his son Charles upon their politicalconduct. -C. 

(713) Sir Thomas Sewell, Knight. -E. 

(714) Evelyn, last Duke of Kingston: he soon after married MissChudleigh, 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 exchequerto George II. Been requested by Lord Bute, in the name of thePrince of Wales, to pledge himself to support a Mr. Stuart at thenext election for Hampshire: this Mr. Legge, for very sufficientreasons, refused to do; and for this refusal (as he thought, andwished to persuade the public) he was turned out of office at theaccession of the young King. -C. 

(718) Mr. Dunning soon rose into great practice and eminence; in1767 he was made solicitor-general, which office he held till1770. He then made a considerable figure in the opposition, tillthe accession to the ministry, in 1782, of his friend LordShelburne, when he was created Lord Ashburton; he died nextyear. -C. 

(719) Mr. Dunning's pamphlet was intituled "Inquiry into theDoctrine lately propagated concerning Juries, Libels, etc. Uponthe principles of the Law and the Constitution. " Gray, in aletter to Walpole of the 30th, thus characterizes it:--"Yourcanonical book I have been reading with great satisfaction. Hespeaketh as one having authority. If Englishmen have anyfeeling, methinks they must feel now; and if the ministry haveany feeling (Whom nobody will suspect of insensibility) they mustcut off the author's ears; for if is in all the forms a mostwicked libel. Is the old man and the lawyer put on, or is itreal? or has some real lawyer furnished a good part of thematerials, and another person employed them? This I guess. "Works, vol. Iv. P. 40. -E. 

(720) Anne Howard, daughter of the third Earl of Carlisle, andwidow of the third Viscount Irwin. She was lady of thebedchamber to the Princess Dowager. Mr. Park has introduced herinto his edition of the Noble Authors. -C. 

(721) Mr. Walpole means that he was courted during his father'spower, and neglected after his fall, as the daughters of asucceeding prime minister, Mr. Henry Pelham, now were; but asLady Jane Stuart was but two-and-twenty years old, and MissPelham was thirty-six, we may account for the preference given toher ladyship at a ball, without any reference to the meanness andpolitical time-serving of mankind. Both the Misses Pelham diedunmarried. -C. 

(722) Sister of the Duke of Montagu. 

(723) A French forgery called "Le Testament Politique duChevalier Robert Walpole, " of which Mr. Walpole drew up anexposure, which is to be found in the second volume of hisworks. -C. 

(724) The enthusiasm, however, ran pretty high, as we learn fromthe following passage, in one of the periodical papers of theday:--"Signor Manzoli, the Italian singer at the Haymarket, gotno less, after paying all charges of every kind, by his benefitlast week (March, 1765), than 1000 guineas. This added to a sumof 1, 500 which he has already saved, and the remaining profits ofthe season, is surely an undoubted proof of British generosity. One particular lady complimented the singer with a 200 pound billfor 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 atGreatworth, in Northamptonshire, nor have met with any Montagu orTrevor 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 donot seem to have the same curiosity about my existence, you maygather from my handwriting that I am still in being; which beingperhaps full as much as you want to know of me, I will troubleyou with no farther particulars about myself--nay, nor about anybody else; your curiosity seeming to be pretty much the sameabout all the world. News there are certainly none; nobody iseven dead, as the Bishop of Carlisle told me to-day, which Irepeat to you in general, though I apprehend in his own mind hemeant no possessor of a better bishopric. 

If you like to know the state of the town, here it is. In thefirst place, it is very empty; in the next, there are morediversions than the week will hold. A charming Italian opera, with no dances and no company, at least on Tuesdays; to supplywhich defect, the subscribers are to have a ball and supper--aplan that in my humble opinion will fill the Tuesdays and emptythe Saturdays. At both playhouses are woful English operas;which, however, fill better than the Italian, patriotism beingentirely confined to our ears: how long the sages of the law mayleave us those I cannot say. Mrs Cornelis, apprehending thefuture assembly at Almack's, has enlarged her vast room, and hungit with blue satin, and another with yellow satin; but Almack'sroom, which is to be ninety feet long, proposes to swallow upboth hers, as easy as Moses's rod gobbled down those Of themagicians. Well, but there are more joys; a dinner and assemblyevery Tuesday at the Austrian minister's; ditto on Thursdays atthe Spaniard's; ditto on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Frenchambassador's; besides Madame de Welderen's on Wednesdays, LadyHarrington's Sundays, and occasional private mobs at my ladyNorthumberland's. Then for the mornings, there are lev`ees anddrawing-rooms without end. Not to mention the maccaroni-club, which has quite absorbed Arthur's; for you know old fools willhobble after young ones. Of all these pleasures, I prescribemyself a very small pittance, --my dark corner in my own box atthe Opera, and now and then an ambassador, to keep my Frenchgoing till my journey to Paris. Politics are gone to sleep, likea paroli at pharaoh, though there is the finest tract latelypublished that ever was written, called an Inquiry into theDoctrine of Libels. It would warm your old Algernon blood; butfor what any body cares, might as well have been written aboutthe wars of York and Lancaster. The thing most in fashion is myedition of Lord Herbert's Life; people are mad after it, Ibelieve because only two hundred were printed; and, by thenumbers that admire it, I am convinced that if I had kept hislordship's counsel, very few would have found out the absurdityof it. The caution with which I hinted at its extravagance, haspassed with several for approbation, and drawn on theirs. Thisis nothing new to me; it is when one laughs out at their idolsthat one angers people. I do not wonder now that Sir PhilipSydney was the darling hero, when Lord Herbert, who followed himso close and trod in his steps, is at this time of day within anace of rivalling him. I wish I had let him; it was contradictingone of my own maxims, which I hold to be very just; that it isidle to endeavour to cure the world of any folly, unless We Couldcure 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 soindifferent about me. I live in the world, and yet love nothing, care a straw for nothing, but two or three old friends, that Ihave loved these thirty years. You have buried yourself withhalf a dozen parsons and isquires, and Yet never cast a thoughtupon those you have always lived with. You come to town for twoMonths, grow tired in six weeks, hurry away, and then one hearsno more of you till next winter. I don't want you to like theworld, 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 itup one grows angry with it; and I hold it to be much wiser tolaugh than to be out of humour. You cannot imagine how much illblood this perseverance has cured me of; I used to say to myself, "Lord! this person is so bad, that person is so bad, I hatethem. " I have now found out that they are all pretty much alike, and I hate nobody. Having never found you out, but for integrityand sincerity, I am much disposed to persist in a friendship withyou; but if I am to be at all the pains of keeping it up, I shallimitate my neighbours (I don't mean those at next door, but inthe Scripture sense of my neighbour, any body, ) and say "That isa very good man, but I don't care a farthing for him. " Till Ihave taken my final resolution on that head, I am yours mostcordially. 

Letter 236 To George Montagu, Esq. Christmas-eve, 1764. (page 364)

You are grown so good, and I delight so much in your letters whenyou please to write them, that though it is past midnight, and Iam to go out of town tomorrow morning, I must thank you. 

I shall put your letter to Rheims into the foreign post with aproper penny, and it will go much safer and quicker than if Isent it to Lord Hertford, for his letters lie very often tillenough are assembled to compose a jolly caravan. I love yourgood brother John, as I always do, for keeping your birthday; I, who hate ceremonious customs, approve of what I know comes somuch from the heart as all he and you do and say. The Generalsurely 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) whichyour old antagonist has quitted. Keene has refused it; Newtonhesitates, 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 Ibelieve would not dislike to be her Grace. 

This comes with your muff, my Anecdotes of Painting, the finepamphlet on libels, and the Castle of Otranto, which came outto-day. All this will make some food for your fireside. Sinceyou will not come and see me before I go, I hope not to be gonebefore you come, though I am not quite in charity with you aboutit. Oh! I had forgot; don't lend your Lord Herbert, it will growas dirty as the street; and as there are so few, and They havebeen so lent about, and so dirtied, the few clean copies will bevery valuable. What signifies whether they read it or not?there will be a new bishop, or a new separation, or a newsomething or other, that will do just as well, before you canconvey your copy to them; and seriously, if you lose it, I havenot another to give you; and I would fain have you keep myeditions together, as you had the complete set. As I want tomake you an economist of my books, I will inform you that thissecond' set of Anecdotes sells for three guineas. Adieu!

P. S. I send you a decent smallish muff, that you may put in yourpocket, and it costs but fourteen shillings. 

(7250 Dr. John Stone, Archbishop of Armagh and primate of allIreland, 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 mypredictions are seldom verified. I thought the present sessionlikely to be a very supine one, but unless the evening variesextremely from the morning, it will be a tempestuous day--and yetit was a very southerly and calm wind that began the hurricane. The King's Speech was so tame, that, as George Montagu said ofthe earthquake, you might have stroked it. (726) Beckford (whom Icertainly did not mean by the gentle gale) touched onDraper'S(727) Letter about the Manilla money. George Grenvilletook up the defence of the Spaniards, though he said he onlystated their arguments. This roused your brother, who toldGrenville he had adopted the reasoning of Spain; and showed thefallacy of their pretensions. He exhorted every body to supportthe King's government, "which I, " said he, "ill-used as I havebeen, wish and mean to support-not that of ministers, when I seethe laws and independence of Parliament struck at in the mostprofligate manner. " You may guess how deeply this wounded. Grenville took it to himself, and asserted that his own life andcharacter were as pure, uniform, and little profligate as yourbrother's. The silence of the House did not seem to ratify thisdeclaration. Your brother replied with infinite spirit, that hecertainly could not have meant Mr. Grenville, for he did not takehim for the minister-(I do not believe this was the leastmortifying part)--that he spoke of public acts that were in everybody's mouth, as the warrants, and the disgrace thrown on thearmy by dismissions for parliamentary reasons; that for himselfhe was an open enemy, and detested men who smiled in his face andstabbed him I do not believe he meant this personally, butunfortunately the whole House applied it to Mr. Grenville'sgrimace); that for his own disgrace, he did not know where toimpute it, for every minister had disavowed it. It was to thewarrants, he said, he owed what had happened; he had fallen forvoting against them, but had he had ten regiments, he would haveparted with them all to obey his conscience; that he now couldfall no lower, and would speak as he did then, and would not behindered nor intimidated from speaking the language ofParliament. Grenville answered, that he had never avowed nordisavowed the measure of dismissing Mr. Conway--(he disavowed itto Mr. Harris, )(728) that he himself had been turned out forvoting against German connexions; that he had never approvedinquiring into the King's prerogative on that head-(I can name aperson who can repeat volumes of what he has said on thesubject, ) and that the King had as much right to dismiss militaryas civil officers, and then drew a ridiculous parallel betwixtthe two, in which he seemed to give himself the rank of a civillieutenant-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 allmankind to the conduct on the warrants. It was not the mostagreeable circumstance to Grenville, that Lord Granby closed thedebate, by declaring how much he disapproved the dismission ofofficers for civil reasons, and the more, as he was persuaded itwould not prevent officers from acting according to theirconsciences; and he spoke of your brother with many encomiums. Sir W. Meredith then notified his intention of taking up theaffair of the warrants on Monday se'nnight. Mr. Pitt was notthere, nor Lord Temple in the House of Lords; but the latter isill. I should have told you that Lord Warkworth(729) and ThomasPitt(730) moved our addresses; as Lord Townshend and LordBotetourt did those of the Lords. Lord Townshend said, though itwas grown unpopular to praise the King, yet he should, and he wasviolent against libels; forgetting that the most ill-naturedbranch of them, caricatures, his own invention, are left off. Nobody thought it worth while to answer him, at which he was muchoffended. 

So much for the opening of Parliament, which does not promiseserenity. Your brother is likely to make a very great figure:they have given him the warmth he wanted, and may thankThemselves for it. Had Mr. Grenville taken my advice, @e hadavoided an opponent that he will find a tough one, and mustalready repent having drawn upon him. 

With regard to yourself, my dear lord, you may be sure I did notintend to ask you any impertinent question. You requested me totell you whatever I heard said about you; you was talked of forIreland, and are still; and Lord Holland within this week toldme, that you had solicited it warmly. Don't think yourself underany obligation to reply to me on these occasions. It is tocomply with your desires that I repeat any thing I hear of you, not to make use of them to draw any explanation from you, towhich I have no title; nor have I, you know, any troublesomecuriosity. I mentioned Ireland with the same indifference that Itell you that the town here has bestowed Lady Anne, (731) first onLord March, and now on Stephen Fox(732)--tattle not worth youranswering. 

You have lost another of your Lords Justices, Lord Shannon, ofwhose death an account came yesterday. 

Lady Harrington's porter was executed yesterday, and went toTyburn with a white cockade in his hat, as an emblem of hisinnocence. 

All the rest Of My news I exhausted in my letter to Lady Hertfordthree days ago. The King's Speech, as I told her it was to do, announced the contract between Princess Caroline(733) and thePrince Royal of Denmark. I don't think the tone the session hastaken will expedite my visit to you; however, I shall be able tojudge when a few of the great questions are over. The Americanaffairs are expected to occasion much discussion; but as Iunderstand them no more than Hebrew, they will throw noimpediment in my way. Adieu! my dear lord; you will probablyhear no more politics these ten days. Yours ever, HoraceWalpole. 

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 giveyou an account of it till this day fortnight. 

(726) Gray, in a letter to Dr. Wharton, written in July 1764, ingiving an account of an illness, says, "Towards the end of myconfinement, during which I lived on nothing, came, the gout inone foot, but so tame you might have stroked it. " To thispassage, the learned editor of the last edition of his works hassub-joined this note:--"I have mentioned several coincidences ofthought and expression of this kind in the letters of Gray andWalpole, which I conceived to be a kind of common property; thereader, indeed, will recognise much of that species of humourwhich distinguishes Gray's correspondence in the letters ofWalpole, inferior, I think, in its comic force; sometimesdeviating too far from propriety in search of subjects for thedisplay 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 withJunius. The letter here alluded to was entitled, "An Answer tothe Spanish Arguments for Refusing the Payment of the RansomBills. "-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 divorcedand 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 soonerthan I said I would. Our important day on the warrants is putoff for a week, in compliment to Mr. Pitt's gout--can it resistsuch attention I shall expect in it a prodigious quantity ofblack ribands. You have heard, to be sure, of the great fortunethat is bequeathed to him by a Sir William Pynsent, an old man ofnear ninety, who quitted the world on the peace of Utrecht; and, luckily for Mr. Pitt, lived to be as angry with its pendant, thetreaty of Paris. I did not send you the first report, whichmounted it to an enormous sum: I think the medium account is twothousand pounds a-year, and thirty thousand pounds in money. This Sir William Pynsent, whose fame, like an aloe, did not blowtill near an hundred, was a singularity. The scandalouschronicle of Somersetshire talks terribly of his morals(734)*****. Lady North was nearly related to Lady Pynsent, whichencouraged Lord North to flatter himself that Sir William'sextreme propensity to him would recommend even his wife'sparentage for heirs; but the uncomeliness of Lady North, and avote my lord gave against the Cider-bill, offended the oldgentleman 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. Onher death and revival. I was dreadfully alarmed at it for amoment; my servant was so absurd as to wake me, and bid me not befrightened--an excellent precaution! Of all moments, that betweensleeping and waking is the most subject to terror. I started up, and my first thought was to send for Dr. Hunter; but, in twominutes, I recollected that it was impossible to be true, as yourporter had the very day before been with me to tell me a courierwas arrived from you, was to return that evening. Your poor sonHenry, whom you will doat upon for it, was not tranquillized sosoon. He instantly sent away a courier to your brother, whoarrived in the middle of the night. Lady Milton, (735) LadyGeorge SackVille, (736) and I, agreed this evening to tell my LadyHertford, that we ought to have believed the news, and to haveimputed it to the gaming rakehelly life my lady leads at Paris, which scandalizes all us prudes, her old friends. In truth, Ihave not much right to rail at any body to. - living in ahurricane. I found myself with a violent cold on Wednesday, andtill then had not once reflected on all the hot and cold climatesI have passed through the day before: I had been at the Duke ofCumberland's levee; then at the Princess Amelia's drawing-room;from thence to a crowded House of Commons; to dinner at yourbrother's; to the Opera; to Madame Seillern's; to Arthur's; andto supper at Mrs. George Pitt's;--it is scandalous; but, who doesless? The Duke looked much better than I expected; is gone toWindsor, 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 smallhouse, that Lord Harcourt has been forced to take their familyinto his own house. Poor Lady Digby(738) is dead too, of afever, and was with child. They were extremely happy, and -herown 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 whenyou have done with the English newspapers, to put them in acover, and send them to Mr. Churchill, au Chateau de Nubecourt, pr`es de Clermont, en Argone; they cannot get a gazette that doesnot cost them six livres. 

Monday evening. 

We have had a sort of a day in the House of Commons. Theproposition for accepting the six hundred and seventy thousandpounds for the French prisoners passed easily. Then came theNavy: Dowdeswell, in a long and very sensible speech, proposed toreduce the number of sailors to ten thousand. He was answeredby--Charles Townshend--oh! yes!--are you surprised? Nobody herewas: no, not even at his assertion, that he had always applaudedthe peace, though the whole House and the whole town knew that, on the Preliminaries, he came down prepared to speak againstthem; but that on Mr. Pitt's retiring, he plucked up courage, andspoke 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 hehas some one; for I am sure he will always do most hurt to theside on which he professes to be; consequently, I wish him withthe administration, and I wish so well to both sides, that Iwould have him more decried, if that be possible, than he is. Colonel Barr`e spoke against Dowdeswell's proposal, though notsetting himself up at auction, like Charles, nor friendly to theministry, but temperately and sensibly. There was no division. You know my opinion of Charles Townshend is neither new norsingular. When Charles Yorke left us, (739) I hoped for thisevent, 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! mydear lord. Yours ever, H. W. 

Tuesday, 4 o'clock. 

I had sealed my letter and given it to my sister, who sets outto-morrow, and will put it into the post at Calais; but havingreceived 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 tome. Indeed, if you think it necessary to explain to me, I shallbe more cautious Of telling you what I hear. If I had anycuriosity, I should have nothing to do but to pretend I had heardsome report, and so draw from you what you might not have a mindto mention: I do tell you when I hear any, for your information, but insist on your not replying. The vice-admiral of America isa mere feather; but there is more substance in the notion of theViceroy's quitting Ireland. Lord Bute and George Grenville areso ill together, that decency is scarce observed between theiradherents: and the moment the former has an opportunity orresolution enough, he will remove the latter, and place hisson-in-law(740) in the treasury. This goes so far, that CharlesTownshend, who is openly dedicated to Grenville, may possiblyfind himself disappointed, and get no place at last. However, Irejoice that we have got rid of him. It will tear up allconnexion between him and your brother, root and branch: acircumstance you will not be more sorry for than I am. In themean time, the opposition is so staunch that, I think, after thethree questions on Warrants, DismisSion of officers, and theManilla-money, I shall be at liberty to come to you, when I shallhave a great deal to tell you. If Charles Townshend gets aplace, Lord George Sackville expects another, by the samechannel, interest, and connexion; but if Charles may bedisappointed 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 disorderedmind. -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 thefirst 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. Walpolethus 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 (afterwardsDuke of Northumberland), who had lately married Lord Bute's thirddaughter, was, at this period, a very young man, little known butfor his attachment to his profession--the army, and the idea ofhis being placed at the head of the treasury must have beenabsurd. His father, Lord Northumberland, indeed, had been spokenof for that office: and, perhaps, Mr. Walpole, in hisepigrammatic way, has taken this mode of explaining the motivewhich might have induced Lord Bute to advance his son-in-law'sfather. -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 isgoing to Paris, and I believe will not be sorry to be introducedto you, gives me an opportunity which I cannot resist, of sendingyou 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 threedays ago. 

We had a very remarkable day on Wednesday in the House ofCommons--very glorious for us, and very mortifying to theadministration, especially to the principal performer, who wasseverely galled by our troops, and abandoned by his own. Thebusiness of the day was the Army, and, as nothing was expected, the House was not full. The very circumstance of nothing beingexpected, had encouraged Charles Townshend to soften a littlewhat had passed on Monday; he grew profuse of' his whispers andpromises to us, and offered your brother to move the question onthe Dismission of officers: the debate began; Beckford fell foulon the dismissions, and dropped some words on America. Charles, who had placed himself again under the wing of Grenville, repliedon American affairs; but totally forgot your brother. Beckford, in his boisterous Indian style, told Charles, that on a singleidea he had poured forth a diarrhoea of words. He could notstand it, and in two minutes fairly stole out of the House. Thisbattery being dismounted, the whole attack fell on Grenville, andwould have put you in mind of former days. You never heard anyminister worse treated than he was for two hours together, byTommy Townshend, Sir George Saville, and George Onslow--and whatwas worse, no soul stepped forth in his defence, but Rigby andLord Strange, the latter of whom was almost as much abashed asCharles Townshend; conscience flew in his black face, and almostturned it red. T. Townshend was still more bitter on LordSandwich, whom he called a profligate fellow--hoped he waspresent, (741) and added, if he is not, I am ready to call him soto his face in any private company: even Rigby, his accomplice, said not a word in behalf of his brother culprit. You willwonder how all this ended--what would be the most ridiculousconclusion to such a scene'! as you cannot imagine, I will tellyou. Lord Harry Paulet(742) telling Grenville, that if LordCobham was to rise from the dead, he would, if he could beashamed of any thing, be ashamed of him; by the way, every bodybelieves he meant the apostrophe stronger than he expressed it:Grenville rose in a rage, like a basket-woman, and told Lordharry that if he chose to use such language, he knew where tofind him. Did you ever hear of a prime minister, even soi-disanttel, challenging an opponent, when he could not answer him? PoorLord Harry, too, was an unfortunate subject to exercise hisvalour upon! The House interposed; Lord Harry declared he shouldhave expected Grenville to breakfast with him next morning;Grenville explained off and on two or three times, the Scotchlaughed, the opposition roared, and the treasury-bench sat asmute as fishes. Thus ended that wise Hudibrastic encounter. Grenville however, attended by every bad omen, provoked yourbrother, who had not intended to speak, by saying that somepeople had a good opinion of the dismissed officers, others hadnot. Your brother rose, and surpassed himself: he was very warm, though less so than on the first day; very decent in terms, butmost severe in effect; he more than hinted at the threats thathad 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 theofficers to assert their own freedom and independence. In short, made such a speech as silenced all his adversaries, but hasfilled the whole town with his praises: I believe, as soon as hisspeech reaches Hayes, it will contribute extremely to expel thegout, and bring Mr. Pitt to town, lest his presence should be nolonger missed. Princess Amelia told Me the next night, that ifshe had heard nothing of Mr. Conway's speech, she should haveknown how well he had done by my spirits. I was not sorry shemade this reflection, as I knew she would repeat it to Lady(Betty) Waldegrave; and as I was willing that the Duchess ofBedford, who, when your brother was dismissed, asked the Duchessof Grafton if she was not sorry for poor Mr. Conway, who has lostevery thing, should recollect that it is they who have cause tolament that dismission, not we. 

There was a paragraph in Rigby's speech, and taken up, andadopted by Goody Grenville, which makes much noise, and, Isuppose, has not given less offence; they talked of "arbitraryStuart principles, " which are supposed to have been aimed at theStuart favourite: that breach is wider than ever: not one of LordBute's adherents have opened their lips this session. I concludea few of them will be ordered to speak on Friday; but unless wego on too triumphantly and reconcile them, I think this sessionwill terminate Mr. Grenville's reign, and that of the Bedfordstoo, unless they make great submissions. 

Do you know that Sir W. Pynsent had your brother in his eye! Hesaid to his lawyer, "I know Mr. Pitt is much younger than I buthe has very bad health: as you will hear it before me, if he diesfirst, draw up another will with mr. Conway's name instead of Mr. Pitt's, and bring it down to me directly. " I beg Britannia'spardon, but I fear I could have supported the loss on thesegrounds. 

A very unhappy affair happened last night at the Star and Garter;Lord Byron(743) killed a Mr. Chaworth there in a duel. I knownone of the particulars, and never believe the first reports. 

My Lady Townshend was arrested two days ago in the street, at thesuit of a house painter, who, having brought her a bill doublethe estimate he had given in, she would not pay it. As this is abreach of Privilege, I should think the man would hear of it. 

There is no date set for our intended motion on the Dismission ofofficers; but, I believe, Lord John Cavendish and Fitzroy will bethe movers and seconders. Charles Townshend, we conclude, Willbe very ill that day; if one could pity the poor toad, oneshould: there is jealousy of your brother, --fear of yourbrother, --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 andCharles Yorke, all tearing him or impelling him a thousand ways, with the addition of his own vanity and irresolution, and thecontempt of every body else. I dined with him yesterday at Mr. Mackinsy's, where his whole discourse was in ridicule of GeorgeGrenville. 

The enclosed novel(744) is much in vogue; the author is notknown, but if you should not happen to like it, I could give youa reason why you need not say so. There is nothing else now, buta play called the Matonic Wife, written by an Irish Mrs. Griffiths, Which in charity to her was suffered to run threenights. (745)

Since I wrote my letter, the following, is the account nearestthe truth that I can learn of the fatal duel last night: a clubof Nottinghamshire gentlemen had dined at the Star and Garter, and there had been a dispute between the combatants, whether LordByron, who took no care of his game, or Mr. Chaworth, who wasactive in the association, had most game on their manor. Thecompany, however, had apprehended no consequences, and parted ateight o'clock; but Lord Byron stepping into an empty chamber, andsending the drawer for Mr. Chaworth, or calling him hitherhimself, took the candle from the waiter, and bidding Mr. Chaworth defend himself, drew his sword. Mr. Chaworth, who wasan excellent fencer, ran Lord Byron through the sleeve of hiscoat, and then received a wound fourteen inches deep into hisbody. He was carried to his house in Berkeley-street, --made hiswill with the greatest composure, and dictated a paper, whichthey say, allows it was a fair duel, and died at nine thismorning. Lord Byron is not gone off, but says he will take histrial, which, if the Coroner brings in a verdict of manslaughter, may, according to precedent, be in the House of Lords, andwithout the ceremonial of Westminster Hall. George Selwyn ismuch missed on this occasion, but we conclude it will bring himover. (746) I feel for both families, though I know none ofeither, but poor Lady Carlisle, (747) Whom I am sure you willpity. 

Our last three Saturdays at the Opera have been prodigious. And anew opera by Bach(748) last night, was so crowded, that therewere ladies standing behind the scenes during the wholeperformance. Adieu! my dear lord: as this goes by a privatehand, you may possibly receive its successor before it. 

(741) It seems, from a subsequent letter, that Lord Sandwich waspresent. See post, p. 375, letter 240. 

(742) Lord Henry Paulet, member for Hampshire, vice-admiral ofthe White, brother of the Duke of Bolton; to which dignity hehimself succeeded on the 5th July, 1764. -E. 

(743) William, fifth Lord Byron, born in 1722, died in 1798. TheStar 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. Thehint of it was taken from Marmontel's "Heureux Divorce. "

(746) Mr. Selwyn's morbid curiosity after trials and executionsis well known. -C. 

(747) Isabella, only sister of Lord Byron, wife of the fourthEarl of Carlisle. -E. 

(748) Adriano in Siria. " The expectations of the public the firstnight this drama was performed occasioned such a crowd at theKing's theatre as has seldom been seen there before; but whetherfrom 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 thetheatre 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 thinkthey are almost all of my writing. I have not heard from youthis age. I sent you two packets together by Mr. Freeman, withan account of our chief debates. Since the long day, I have beenmuch out of order with a cold and cough, that turned to a fever:I am now taking James's powder, not without apprehensions of thegout, which it gave me two or three years ago. 

There has been nothing of note in Parliament but one slight dayon the American taxes, (749) which Charles Townshend supporting, received a pretty heavy thump from Barr`e, who is the presentPitt, and the dread of all the vociferous Norths and Rigbys, onwhose lungs depended so much of Mr. Grenville's power. Do younever hear them to Paris?

The operations of the opposition are suspended in compliment toMr. Pitt, who has declared himself so warmly for the question onthe Dismission of officers, that that motion waits for hisrecovery. A call of the house is appointed for next Wednesday, but as he has had a relapse, the motion will probably bedeferred. I should be very glad if it was to be dropped entirelyfor this session, but the young men are warm and not easilybridled. 

If it was not too long to transcribe, I would send you anentertaining petition(750) of the periwig-makers to the King, inwhich they complain that men will wear their own hair. Shouldone almost wonder if carpenters were to remonstrate, that sincethe peace their trade decays, and that there is no demand forwooden legs Apropos, my Lady Hertford's friend, Lady HarriotVernon, (751) has quarrelled with me for smiling at the enormoushead-gear of her daughter, Lady Grosvenor. She came one night toNorthumberland-house with such a display of friz, that itliterally spread beyond her shoulders. I happened to say itlooked 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 toLady Harriot, and has occasioned my disgrace. As she never foundfault with any body herself, I excuse her! You will be lesssurprised to hear that the Duchess of Queensberry has not yetdone dressing herself marvellously: she was at court on Sunday ina gown and petticoat of red flannel. The same day the Guerchysmade a dinner for her, and invited Lord and Lady Hyde, (752) theForbes's and her other particular friends: in the morning shesent word she was to go out of town, but as soon as dinner wasover, arrived at Madame de Guerchy's, and said she had been atcourt. 

Poor Madame de Seillern, the imperial ambassadress, has lost heronly daughter and favourite child, a young widow of twenty-two, whom she was expecting from Vienna. The news Came this dayse'nnight; and the ambassador, who is as brutal as she is gentleand amiable, has insisted on her having company at dinner to-day, and her assembly as usual. The town says that Lord and LadyAbergavenny(753) are parted, and that he has not been much milderthan Monsieur de Seillern on the chapter of a mistress he hastaken. 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 asmall commission. It is to send me for her twelve little bottlesof "le Baume de Vie, compos`e par le Sieur Lievre, apoticairedistillateur du Roi. " If George Selwyn or Lord March are not setout, they would bring it with pleasure, especially as she livesat the Duke of Queensberry's. 

We have not a new book, play, intrigue, marriage, elopement, orquarrel; in short, we are very dull. For politics, unless theministers wantonly thrust their hands into some fire, I thinkthere will not even be a smoke. I am glad of it, for my heart isset on my journey to Paris, and I hate every thing that stops me. Lord Byron's foolish trial is likely to protract the session alittle; but unless there is any particular business, I shall notstay for a puppet-show. Indeed, I can defend my staying here bynothing but my ties to your brother. My health, I am sure, wouldbe better in another climate in winter. Long days in the Housekill me, and weary me into the bargain. The individuals of eachparty are alike indifferent to me; nor can I at this time of daygrow to love men whom I have laughed at all my lifetime--no, Icannot alter;--Charles Yorke or Charles Townshend are alike tome, whether ministers or patriots. Men do not change in my eyes, because they quit a black livery for a white one. When one hasseen the whole scene shifted round and round so often, one onlysmiles, 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 beforelast, and they say is very magnificent, but it was empty; halfthe town is ill With colds, and many were afraid to go, as thehouse is scarcely built yet. Almack advertised that it was builtwith hot brick and boiling water--think what a rage there must befor public places, If this notice, instead of terrifying, coulddraw any body thither. They tell me the ceilings were droppingwith wet--but can you believe me, when I assure you the Duke ofCumberland was there?--Nay, had had a levee in the morning, andwent to the Opera before the assembly! There is a vast flight ofsteps, and he was forced to rest two or three times. If he diesof it--and how should he not?--it will sound very silly whenHercules or Theseus ask him what he died of, to reply, "I caughtmy death on a damp staircase at a new club-room. "

Williams, the reprinter of the North Briton, stood in the pilloryto-day in Palace-yard. He went in a hackney-coach, the number ofwhich was 45. The mob erected a gallows opposite to him, onwhich they hung a boot(755) with a bonnet of straw. Then acollection was made for Williams, which amounted to near 200pounds. (756) In short, every event informs the administrationhow thoroughly they are detested, and that they have not a friendwhom they do not buy. Who can wonder, when every man of virtueis proscribed, and they have neither parts nor characters toimpose 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 mancan open his lips in his defence. Sure power must have somestrange unknown charm, when it can compensate for such contempt!I see many who triumph in these bitter pills which the ministryare so often forced to swallow; I own I do not; it is moremortifying to me to reflect how great and respectable we werethree years ago, than satisfactory to see those insulted who havebrought such shame upon us. 'Tis moor amends to national honourto know, that if a printer is set in the pillory, his countrywishes it was my Lord This, or Mr. That. They will be gatheredto the Oxfords, and Bolingbrokes, and ignominious(758) of formerdays; but the wound they have inflicted is perhaps indelible. That goes to my heart, who had felt all the Roman pride of beingone of the first nations upon earth!--Good night!--I will go tobed, and dream of Kings drawn in triumph; and then I will go toparis, and dream I am proconsul there; pray, take care not to letme be wakened with an account of an invasion having taken placefrom Dunkirk!(759) Yours ever, H. W. 

(749) The resolutions which were the foundation of the famousStamp-act. -E. 

(750) The substance of this petition, and the grave answer whichthe King was advised to give to such a ludicrous appeal, arepreserved in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1765, p. 95; where alsowe learn that Mr. Walpole's idea of the Carpenters' petition wasput in practice, and his Majesty was humbly entreated to wear awooden leg himself, and to enjoin all his servants to do thesame. It may, therefore, be presumed that this jeu d'esprit wasfrom 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, whoseintrigue with the Duke of Cumberland made so much noise. -C. 

(752) Thomas Villers, second son of Lord Jersey, first Lord Hydeof his family: his lady was Charlotte, daughter of Lady JaneHyde, wife of William Earl of Essex, daughter of Henry, secondEarl of clarendon, and sister of the Duchess of Queensberry. -C. 

(753) George, fifteenth Lord Abergavenny; and his lady, HenrietaPelham, sister of the first Earl of Chichester: she died in1768. -E. 

(754) Lady Sophia Keppel, daughter of the first Earl ofAlbemarle, and wife of Colonel Thomas. -E. 

(755) A Jack-boot, in allusion to the Christian name and title ofLord Bute. -C. 

(756) In a blue purse trimmed with orange, the colour of therevolution, 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'staste and judgment, describing Harley and St. John asignominious, if we did not recollect, that during theiradministration his father had been sent to the Tower, andexpelled the House of commons for alleged official corruptions. It were to be wished that Mr. Walpole's personal prejudices couldalways be traced to so amiable a source. -C. 

(759) The demolition of Dunkirk was one of the articles of thelate treaty of peace, on which discussions were stilldepending. -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 youmake but a bad use of them, when you destine them to a tristehouse in a country solitude. If you were condemned toretirement, 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 bestowso little of your cheerfulness on your friends? I do not wishyou to parade your rubicundity and gray hairs through the mobsand assemblies of London; I should think you bestowed them as illas on Greatworth; but you might find a few rational creatureshere, who are heartily tired of what are called our pleasures, and who would be glad to have you in their chimney-corner. Thereyou might have found me any time this fortnight; I have beendying of the worst and longest cold I ever had in my days, andhave been blooded, and taken James's powder to no purpose. Ilook almost like the skeleton that Frederick found in theoratory;(760) my only comfort was, that I should have owed mydeath to the long day in the House of Commons, and have perishedwith Our liberties; but I think I am getting the better of mymartyrdom, and shall live to See you; nay, I shall not be gone toParis. As I design that journey for the term of my figuring inthe world, I would fain wind up my politics too, and quit allpublic ties together. As I am not old yet, and have an excellentthough delicate constitution, I may promise myself some agreeableyears, if I could detach myself from all connexions, but with avery few persons that I value. Oh, with what joy I could bidadieu to loving and hating; to crowds, public places, greatdinners, visits; and above all, to the House of Commons; but praymind when I retire, it shall only be to London and StrawberryHill--in London one can live as one will, and at Strawberry Iwill live as I will. Apropos, my good old tenant Franklin isdead, and I am in possession of his cottage, which will be adelightfully additional plaything at Strawberry. I shall beviolently tempted to stick in a few cypresses and lilacs therebefore I go to Paris. I don't know a jot of news: I have been aperfect hermit this fortnight, and buried in Runic poetry andDanish wars. In short, I have been deep in a late history ofDenmark, written by one Mallet, a Frenchman, (761) a sensible man, but I cannot say he has the art of making a very tiresome subjectagreeable. There are six volumes, and I am stuck fast in thefourth. 

Lord Byron's trial I hear is to be in May. If you are curiousabout it, I can secure you a ticket for Lord Lincoln's gallery. The Antiquarian Society have got Goody Carlisle(762) for theirpresident, and I suppose she will sit upon a Saxon chalkstonetill the return of King Arthur. Adieu!

(760) An allusion to the scene in the last chapter of his Castleof Otranto. - E. 

(761) Paul Henry Mallet was born at Geneva in 1731, and was forsome time professor of history in his native city. He afterwardsbecame professor royal of the belles lettres at Copenhagen. Theintroduction to his History of Denmark was afterwards translatedby Dr. Percy, under the title of Northern Antiquities, includingthe 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 valuablebequest 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 withoccurrences of modern times, you may perhaps conclude from what Ihave told you, and from my silence, that I am in France. Thiswill tell you that I am not; though I have been long thinking ofit, and still intend it, though not exactly yet. My silence Imust lay on this uncertainty, and from having been much out oforder above a month with a very bad cold and cough, for which Iam come hither to try change of air. Your brother Apthorpe, whowas 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 anotherthe same question--news of you?

I have lately had an accession to my territory here, by the deathof good old Franklin, to whom I had given for his life the leaseof the cottage and garden cross the road. Besides a littlepleasure in planting, and in crowding it with flowers, I intendto make, what I am sure you are antiquarian enough to approve, abower, though your friends the abbots did not indulge in suchretreats, at least not under that appellation: but though we lovethe same ages, you must excuse worldly me for preferring theromantic scenes of antiquity. If you will tell me how to sendit, and are partial enough to me to read a profane work in thestyle of former centuries, I shall convey to you a littlestory-book, which I published some time ago, though not boldlywith my own name: but it has succeeded so well, that I do not anylonger entirely keep the secret. Does the title, The Castle ofOtranto(763) tempt you? I shall be glad to hear you are well andhappy. 

(763) In the first edition of this work, of which but very fewcopies were printed, the title ran thus:--"The Castle of Otranto, a Story, translated by William Marshal, Gent. , from the originalItalian of onuphrio Muralto, Canon of the church of St. Nicholasat 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 togo abroad. Your partiality to me and Strawberry have, I hope, inclined you to excuse the wildness of the story. You will evenhave found some traits to put you in mind of thisplace. (764)--When you read of the Picture quitting itspanel, (765) did not you recollect the portrait of Lord Falkland, all in white, in my gallery? Shall I even confess to you, whatwas the origin of this romance! I waked one morning, in thebeginning of last June, from a dream, of which, all I couldrecover was, that I had thought myself in an ancient castle, (avery natural dream for a head filled like mine with Gothicstory, ) and that on the uppermost bannister of a great staircaseI saw a gigantic hand in armour. In the evening I sat down, andbegan to write, without knowing in the least what I intended tosay or relate. The work grew on my hands, and I grew fond ofit--add, that. I was very glad to think of any thing, ratherthan politics. In short, I was so engrossed with my tale, whichI completed in less than two months, that one evening, I wrotefrom the time I had drunk my tea, about six o'clock, till afterone in the morning when my hand and fingers were so weary, thatI- could not hold my pen to finish the sentence, but left Matildaand Isabella talking, in the middle of a paragraph. You willlaugh at my earnestness; but if I have amused you by retracingwith any fidelity the manners of ancient days, I am content, andgive you leave to think me as idle as you please. 

You are, as you have long been to me, exceedingly kind, and Ishould, with great satisfaction, embrace your offer of visitingthe solitude of Bleckely, though my cold is in a manner gone, andmy cough quite, if I was at liberty: but as I am preparing for myFrench journey, and have forty businesses upon my hands, and canonly 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 notdissuade what may suit your inclination and circumstances. Onething, however, has struck me, which I must mention, though itwould depend on a circumstance, that would give me the most realconcern. It was suggested to me by that real fondness I have foryour MSS. For your kindness about which I feel the utmostgratitude. You would not, I think, leave them behind you: andare you aware of the danger you would run, If, you settledentirely in France? Do You know that the King of France is heirto all strangers who die in his dominions, by what they call theDroit d'Aubaine. Sometimes by great interest and favour, personshave obtained a remission of this right in their lifetime: andyet that, even that, has not secured their effects from beingembezzled. Old Lady Sandwich(766) had obtained this remission, and yet, though she left every thing to the present lord, hergrandson, a man for whose rank one should have thought they wouldhave had regard, the King's officers forced themselves into herhouse, after her death, and plundered. You see, if you go, Ishall expect to have your MSS. Deposited with me. Seriously, youmust leave them in safe custody behind you. 

Lord Essex's trial is printed with the State Trials. In returnfor your obliging offer, I can acquaint you with a delightfulpublication of this winter, a Collection of Old Ballads andPoetry, in three volumes, many from Pepys's Collection atCambridge. (767) There were three such published between thirtyand forty years ago, but very carelessly, and wanting many inthis set: indeed, there were others, a looser sort, (768) whichthe present editor, who is a clergyman, thought it decent toomit. 

When you go into Cheshire, and upon your ramble, may I troubleyou with a commission? but about which you must promise me not togo a Step Out of your way. Mr. Bateman has got a cloister at OldWindsor, furnished with ancient wooden chairs, most of themtriangular, but all of various patterns, and carved and turned inthe most uncouth and whimsical forms. He picked them up one byone, for two, three, five, or six shillings apiece from differentfarmhouses in Herefordshire. I have long envied and covetedthem. There may be such in poor cottages, in so neighbouring acounty as Cheshire. I should not grudge any expense for purchaseor carriage; and should be glad even of a couple such for mycloister here. When you are copying inscriptions in a churchyardin any village, think of me, and step into the first cottage yousee--but don't take further trouble than that. 

I long to know what your bundle of manuscripts from Cheshirecontains. 

My bower is determined, but not at all what it is to be. ThoughI write romances, I cannot tell how to build all that belongs tothem. Madame Danois, in the Fairy Tales, used to tapestry themwith jonquils; but as that furniture will not last above afortnight 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 oldLouis's old-fashioned Galanteries at Versailles. Rosamond'sbower, you, and I, and Tom Hearne know, was a labyrinth:(769) butas my territory will admit of a very short clew, I lay aside allthoughts of a mazy habitation: though a bower is very differentfrom an arbour, and must have more chambers than one. In short, I both know, and don't know, what it should be. I am almostafraid I must go and read Spenser, and wade through hisallegories, and drawling stanzas, to get at a picture. But, goodnight! you see how one gossips, when one is alone, and at quieton one's own dunghill!--Well! it may be trifling; yet it is suchtrifling as Ambition never is happy enough to know! Ambitionorders palaces, but it is Content that chats for a page or twoover a bower. Yours ever. 

(764) "As, in his model of a Gothic modern mansion, Mr. Walpolehad studiously endeavoured to fit to the purpose of modernconvenience or luxury the rich, varied, and complicated traceryand carving of the ancient cathedral, so, in the Castle ofOtranto, it was his object to unite the marvellous turn ofincident and imposing tone of chivalry exhibited in the ancientromance, with that accurate display of human character andcontrast 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 saintLook living in the moon; and as you turnBackward and forward, to the echoes faintOf your own footsteps--voices from the urnAppear to wake, and shadows wild and quaintStart from the frames which fence their aspects stern, As if to ask how you can dare to keepA vigil there, where all but death should sleep. "Don Juan, c. Xvi. St. 18. -E. 

(766) Elizabeth, second daughter of John Wilmot Earl ofRochester, and sister and co-heiress of Charles third Earl, andwidow of Edward Montagu third Earl of Sandwich, who died 20th ofOctober, 1729. -E. 

(767) Edited by the Rev. Thomas Percy, fellow of St. John'sCollege, Oxford, and afterwards Bishop of Dromore. "The reviverof minstrel poetry in Scotland was the venerable Bishop ofDromore, who, in 1765, published his elegant collection of heroicballads, songs, and pieces of early poetry under the title of'Reliques Of Ancient English Poetry. ' The plan of the work wasadjusted in concert with Mr. Shenstone, but we own we cannotregret that the execution of it devolved upon Dr. Percy alone; ofwhose labours, as an editor, it might be said, 'Nihil quodtetigit 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, withIntroductions, historical, critical, or humorous. " Sir WalterScott observes, that the editor was an enthusiast in the cause ofold poetry, and selected his matter without much regard todecency, as will appear from the following singular preface toone or two indelicate pieces of humour:--"One of the greatestcomplaints made by the ladies against the first volume of ourcollection, and, indeed, the only one which has reached my ears, is the want of merry songs. I believe I may give a pretty goodguess at what they call mirth in such pieces as These, and shallendeavour to satisfy them. " Prose Works, vol. Xvii. P. 122. -E. 

(769) The Bower of Rosamond is said, or rather fabled, to havebeen a retreat built at Woodstock by Henry II. For the saferesidence of his mistress, Rosamond Clifford; the approaches ofwhich were so intricate, that it could not be entered without theguidance of a thread, which the King always kept in his ownpossession. His Queen, Eleanor, having, however, gainedpossession of the thread, obtained access to, and speedilydestroyed 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 youthat I had written a novel, in which I was flattered to find thatI had touched an effusion of the heart in a manner similar to apassage in the charming letters of the Marquis de Roselle. (771) Ihave since that time published my little story, but was sodiffident of its merit, that I gave it as a translation from theItalian. Still I should not have ventured to offer it to sogreat a mistress of the passions as Madame de Beaumont, if theapprobation of London, that is, of a country to which she andyou, Sir, are so good as to be partial, had not encouraged me tosend it to you. After I have talked of the passions, and thenatural effusion-, of the heart, how will you be surprised tofind a narrative of the most improbable and absurd adventures!How will you be amazed to hear that a country of whose good senseyou have an opinion should have applauded so wild a tale! Butyou must remember, Sir, that whatever good sense we have, we arenot yet in any light chained down to precepts and inviolablelaws. All that Aristotle or his superior commentators, yourauthors, have taught us, has not yet subdued us to regularity: westill prefer the extravagant beauties of Shakspeare and Milton tothe cold and well-disciplined merit of Addison, and even to thesober and correct march of Pope. Nay, it was but t'other daythat we were transported to hear Churchill rave in numbers lesschastised than Dryden's, but still in numbers like Dryden's. (772)You will not, I hope, think I apply these mighty names to my owncase with any vanity, when it is only their enormities that Iquote, and that in defence, not of myself' but of my countrymen, who have good-humour enough to approve the visionary scenes andactors in the Castle of Otranto. 

To tell you the truth, it was not so much my intention to recallthe exploded marvels of ancient romance, as to blend thewonderful of old stories with the natural of modern novels. Theworld is apt to wear out any plan whatever; and if the Marquis deRoselle had not appeared, I should have been inclined to say, that that species had been exhausted. Madame de Beaumont mustforgive me if I add, that Richardson had, to me at least, madethat kind of writing insupportable. I thought the nodus wasbecome dignus vindice, and that a god, at least a ghost, wasabsolutely necessary to frighten us out of too much senses. WhenI had so wicked a design, no wonder if the execution wasanswerable. If I make you laugh, for I cannot flatter myselfthat I shall make you cry, I shall be content; at least I shallbe satisfied, till I have the pleasure of seeing you, withputting you in mind of, Sir, your, etc. 

P. S. The passage I alluded to in the beginning of my letter iswhere Matilda owns her passion to Hippolita. I mention it, as Ifear so unequal a similitude would not strike Madame de Beaumont. 

(770) M. Elie de Beaumont wasadmitted an advocate at the French bar in 1762. The weakness ofhis voice militated against his success as a pleader, but thebeauty and eloquence with which he drew up his M`emoires, andespecially the one in favour of the unfortunate Calas family, gained him great reputation. He was born in 1732, and died in1786. -E. 

(771) A French epistolary novel written by Madame Elie deBeaumont. She also wrote the third part of "Anecdotes de la Couret du R`egne de Edouard II. " She was born at Caen in 1729, anddied in 1783. -E. 

(772) "Churchill, " observes Mr. Campbell, in his Specimens of theBritish Poets, " may be ranked as a satirist immediately afterPope and Dryden, with perhaps a greater share of humour thaneither. He has the bitterness of Pope, with less wit to atonefor it; but no mean share of the free manner and energeticplainness 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 beenwithout writing to you; but besides that I have passed many daysat Strawberry, to cure my cold (which it has done), there hasnothing happened worth sending across the sea. Politics havedozed, and common events been fast asleep. Of Guerchy'saffair, (773) you probably know more than I do; it is nowforgotten. I told him I had absolute proof of his innocence, forI was sure, that if he had offered money for assassination, themen who swear against him would have taken it. 

The King has been very seriously ill, ; and in great danger. Iwould not alarm you, as there were hopes when he was at theworst. I doubt he is not free yet from his complaint, as thehumour fallen on his breast still oppresses him. They talk ofhis having a levee next week, but he has not appeared in public, and the bills are passed by commission; but he rides out. TheRoyal Family have suffered like us mortals; the Duke ofGloucester has had a fever, but I believe his chief complaint isof a youthful kind. Prince Frederick is thought to be in a deepconsumption; and for the Duke of Cumberland, next post willprobably certify you of his death, as he is relapsed, and thereare no hopes Of him. He fell into his lethargy again, and whenthey waked him, he said he did not know whether he could callhimself obliged to them. 

I dined two days ago at Monsieur de Guerchy's, with the Comte deCaraman, (774) who brought me your letter. He seems a veryagreeable Man, and you may be sure, for Your sake, and Madame deMirepoix's, no civilities in my power shall be wanting. I havenot yet seen Schouvaloff, (775) about whom one has morecuriosity--it is an opportunity of gratifying that passion whichone can so seldom do in Personages of his historic nature, especially remote foreigners. I wish M. De Caraman had broughtthe "Siege of Calais, "(776) which he tells me is printed, thoughyour account has a little abated my impatience. They tell us theFrench comedians are to act at Calais this summer--is it possiblethey can be so absurd, or think us so absurd as to go thither, ifwe would not go further? I remember, at Rheims, they believedthat English ladies went to Calais to drink champagne!--is thisthe suite of that belief? I was mightily pleased with the Duc deChoiseul's answer to the Clairon;(777) but when I hear of theFrench admiration of Garrick, it takes off something of my wonderat the prodigious admiration of him at home. I never couldconceive the marvellous merit of repeating the words of other'sin one's own language with propriety, however well delivered. Shakspeare is not more admired for writing his plays, thanGarrick for acting them. I think him a very good and veryvarious player--but several have pleased me more, though I allownot in so many parts. Quin in Falstaff, was as excellent asGarrick in Lear. Old Johnson far more natural in every thing heattempted. Mrs. Porter and your Dumesnil surpassed him inpassionate tragedy; Cibber and O'Brien were what Garrick couldnever reach, coxcombs, and men of fashion. (778) Mrs. Clive is atleast as perfect in low comedy--and Yet to me, Ranger was thepart that suited Garrick the best of all he ever performed. Hewas a poor Lothario, a ridiculous Othello, inferior to Quin(779)in Sir John Brute and Macbeth, and to Cibber in Bayes, and awoful Lord Hastings and Lord Townley. Indeed, his Bayes wasoriginal, but not the true part: Cibber was the burlesque of agreat poet, as the part was designed, but Garrick made it aGarretteer. The town did not like him in Hotspur, and yet I don'tknow whether he did not succeed in it beyond all the rest. SirCharles Williams and Lord Holland thought so too, and they wereno bad judges. I am impatient to see the Clairon, and certainlywill, as I have promised, though I have not fixed my day. But doyou know you alarm me! There was a time when I was a match forMadame de Mirepoix at pharaoh, to any hour of the night, andbelieve did play, with her five nights in a week till three andfour in the morning--but till eleven o'clock to-morrow morning--Oh! that is a little too much even at loo. Besides, I shall notgo to Paris for pharaoh--if I play all night, how shall I seeevery thing all day?

Lady Sophia Thomas has received the Baume de vie, for she givesyou a thousand thanks, and I ten thousand. 

We are extremely amused with the wonderful histories of yourhyena(780) in the Gevaudan: but our fox-hunters despise you: itis exactly the enchanted monster of old romances. If I had knownits history a few months ago, I believe it would have appeared inthe Castle of Otranto, --the success of which has, at last, brought me to own it, though the wildness of it made me terriblyafraid: but it was comfortable to have it please so much, beforeany mortal suspected the author: indeed, it met with too muchhonour far, for at first it was universally believed to be Mr. Gray's. As all the first impression is sold, I am hurrying outanother, with a new preface, which I will send you. 

There is not so much delicacy of wit as in M. De Choiseul'sspeech to the Clairon, but I think the story I am going to tellyou in return, will divert you as much: there was a vast assemblyat Marlborough-house, and a throng in the doorway. My LadyTalbot said, "Bless me! I think this is like the Straits ofThermopylae!" My Lady Northumberland replied, "I don't know whatStreet that is, but I wish I could get my - through. " I hope youadmire the contrast. Adieu! my dear lord! Yours ever. 

(773) This alludes, it is presumed, to a bill of indictment whichwas found in the beginning of March, at the sessions at Hick'sHall, against the Count de Guerchy, for the absurd charge of aconspiracy to murder D'Eon. -C. 

(774) Probably fran`cois Joseph, Count de Caraman, who married aPrincess de Chimay, heiress of the house of Benin, niece ofMadame 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 meritthan its anti-Anglicism, (which, in all times, has passed inFrance for patriotism, ) "faisait fureur" at this time. -C. 

(777) Mademoiselle Clairon was at this moment in such vogue onthe French stage, that her admirers struck a medal in honour ofher, and wore it as a kind of order. A critic of the name ofFr`eron, however, did not partake these sentiments, and drew, inhis journal, an injurious character of Mademoiselle Clairon. This insult so outraged the tragedy queen, that she and heradmirers moved heaven and earth to have Fr`ron sent to theBastile, and, failing in her solicitation to the inferiordepartments, she at last had recourse to the prime-minister, theDuke of Choiseul, himself. His answer, which Lord Hertford, nodoubt, had communicated to Mr. Walpole, was admired for itspolite persiflage of her theatric Majesty. "I am, " said the Duke, "like yourself, a public performer, with this difference in yourfavour, that you choose the parts you please, and are sure to becrowned with the applause of the public (for I reckon as nothingthe bad taste of one or two wretched individuals who have themisfortune of not admiring you). I, on the other hand, amobliged to act the parts imposed on me by necessity. I am sure toplease nobody; I am satirized, criticised, libelled, hissed, --yetI continue to do my best. Let us both, then, sacrifice ourlittle resentments and enmities to the public service, and serveour country each in our own station. Besides, " he added, "theQueen has condescended to forgive Fr`eron, and you may, therefore, without compromising your dignity, imitate herMajesty's clemency. " M`emoires de Bachaumont, t. I. P. 61. Suchwere the miserable intrigues and squabbles, and such the examplesof ministerial pleasantry and prudence which occupied and amusedthe Parisian public!--this; is but a straw to show which way thewind blew; but such instances moderate our surprise and oursorrow at the storm which followed. -C. 

(778) There was some little personal pique in Mr. Walpole'sopinion of Garrick; yet it would be difficult to imagine a moreforcible eulogium on that great actor than is here inadvertentlypronounced, when, in order to find an equivalent for him, Mr. Walpole is obliged to bring together old Johnson and ColleyCibber, Quin and Clive, Porter and Dumesnil--two nations, twogenerations, and both sexes. -C. 

(779) "In Brute he shone unequalled; all agreeGarrick's not half so great a brute as he. " Rosciad. -E. 

(780) A wolf of enormous size, and, in some respects, irregularconformation, which for a long time ravaged the Gevaudan; it was, soon after the date of this letter, killed, and Mr. Walpole sawit 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 aswell have written then as now, for I have nothing to tell you. Mr. Chute has quitted his bed to-day the first time for abovefive weeks, but is still swathed like a mummy. He was nearrelapsing; for old Mildmay, whose lungs, and memory, and tongue, will never wear out, talked to him t'other night from eight tillhalf an hour after ten, on the Poor-bill; but he has been morecomfortable with Lord Dacre and me this evening. 

I have read the Siege of Calais, and dislike it extremely, thoughthere are fine lines, but the conduct is woful. The outrageousapplause it has received, it Paris was certainly Political, andintended to stir up their spirit and animosity against us, theirgood, merciful, and forgiving allies. They will have no occasionfor this ardour; they may smite one cheek, and we shall turnt'other. 

Though I have little to say, it is worth while to write, only totell you two bon-mots of Quin, to that turncoat hypocriteinfidel, Bishop Warburton. That saucy priest was haranguing atBath in behalf of prerogative: Quin said, "Pray, my lord, spareme, you are not acquainted with my principles, I am a republican;and perhaps I even think that the execution of Charles the Firstmight be justified. " "AY!" said Warburton, "by what law?" Quinreplied, "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 nomatter. "I would not advise your lordship, " said Quin, "to makeuse of that inference; for, if I am not mistaken, that was thecase of the twelve apostles. " There was great wit ad hominem inthe latter reply, but I think the former equal to any thing Iever heard. It is the sum of the whole controversy couched ineight monosyllables, and comprehends at once the King's guilt andthe justice of punishing it. The more one examines it, the finerit proves. One can say nothing after it: so good night! Yoursever. 

(781) Gray, in a letter of the 29th, relates the followinganecdote:--"Now I am talking of bishops, I must tell you that, not long ago, Bishop Warburton, in a sermon at court, assertedthat all preferments were bestowed on the most illiterate andworthless objects; and, in speaking, turned himself about andstared at the Bishop of London: he added, that if any one arosedistinguished for merit and learning, there was a combination ofdunces to keep him down. I need not tell you that he expectedthe bishopric of London when Terrick got it: so ends myecclesiastical 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 toRichmond last Monday for a week; but appeared suddenly andunexpected at his lev`ee at St. James's last Wednesday; this wasmanaged 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 isthe 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 thehealth of princes as of their prisons, that there is littledistance between each and their graves. (783) There has been afire at Gunnersbury, which burned four rooms: her servantsannounced 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 hadconcluded my brother was dead. "--So much for royalties!

Lord March and George Selwyn are arrived, after being wind-boundfor nine days, at Calais. George is so charmed with my LadyHertford, that I believe it was she detained him at Paris, notLord March. I am full as much transported with Schouvaloff--Inever saw so amiable a man! so much good breeding, humility, andmodesty, with sense and dignity! an air of melancholy, withoutany thing abject. Monsieur de Caraman is agreeable too, informedand intelligent; he supped at your brother's t'other night, afterbeing at Mrs. Anne Pitt's. As the first curiosity of foreignersis to see Mr. Pitt, and as that curiosity is one of the mostdifficult points in the world to satisfy, he asked me if Mr. Pittwas like his sister? I told him, "Qu'ils se ressembloient commedeux gouttes de feu. "

The Parliament is adjourned till after the holidays, and thetrial. (784) There have been two very long days in our own House, on a complaint from Newfoundland merchants on Frenchencroachments. The ministry made a woful piece of work of it thefirst day, and we the second. Your brother, Sir George Savile, and Barr`e shone; but on the second night, they popped a suddendivision upon us about nothing; some went out, and some stayedin; they were 161, we but 44, and then they flung pillows uponthe question, and stifled it, --and so the French have notencroached. 

There has been more serious work in the Lords, upon much lessimportant matter; a bill for regulating the poor, --(don't ask mehow, for you know I am a perfect goose about details ofbusiness, ) formed by one Gilbert, (785) a member, and steward tothe Duke of Bridgewater, or Lord Gower, or both, --had passedpacifically through the Commons, but Lord Egmont set fire to itin the Lords. On the second reading, he opposed it again, andmade a most admired speech; however it passed on. But again, last Tuesday, when it was to be in the committee, such forceswere mustered against the bill, that behold all the worldregarded it as a pitched battle between Lord Bute and LordHolland 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 thebill, and Lord Holland went away. Still politicians do not giveup the mystery. Lord Denbigh and Lord Pomfret, especially thelatter, were the most personal against his Grace of Bedford. Heand his friends, they say, (for I was not there, as you will findpresently, ) kept their temper well. At ten at night the Housedivided, and, to be sure, the minority was dignified; itconsisted 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 aSecretary of State. Lord Halifax, the other Secretary, was ill. The numbers were 44 to 58. Lord Pomfret then moved to put offthe bill for four months; but the cabinet rallied, and rejectedthe motion by a majority of one. So it is to come on again afterthe holidays. The Duke of Newcastle, Lord Temple, and theopposition, had once more the pleasure, which, I believe, theydon't dislike, of being in a majority. 

Now, for my disaster; you will laugh at it, though it was wofulto me. I was to dine at Northumberland-house, and went a littleafter four: there I found the Countess, Lady Betty Mekinsy, LadyStrafford; my Lady Finlater, (787) who was never out of Scotlandbefore; a tall lad of fifteen, her son; Lord Drogheda, and Mr. Worseley. (788) At five, (789) arrived Mr. Mitchell, (790) who saidthe Lords had begun to read the Poor-bill, which would take atleast two hours, and perhaps would debate it afterwards. Weconcluded dinner would be called for, it not being Veryprecedented 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 theCountess's heart did not relent, nor uttered a syllable ofapology. We wore out the wind and the weather, the opera and theplay, Mrs. Cornelys's and Almack's, and every topic that would doin a formal circle. We hinted, represented--in vain. The clockstruck eight: my lady, at last, said, she would go and orderdinner; but it was a good half hour before it appeared. We thensat down to a table for fourteen covers; but instead ofsubstantials, there was nothing but a profusion of plates stripedred, green, and yellow, gilt plate, blacks and uniforms! My LadyFinlater, who had never seen these embroidered dinners, nor dinedafter three, was famished. The first course stayed as long aspossible, in hopes of the lords: so did the second. The dessertat last arrived, and the middle dish was actually set on whenLord Finlater and Mr. Mackay(791) arrived!--would you believeit?--the dessert was remanded, and the whole first course broughtback again!--Stay, I have not done:--just as this second firstcourse had done its duty, Lord Northumberland, Lord Strafford, and Mekinsy came in, and the whole began a third time! Then thesecond course, and the dessert! I thought we should have droppedfrom our chairs with fatigue and fumes! When the clock struckeleven, we were asked to return to the drawing-room, and drinktea and coffee, but I said I was engaged to supper, and came hometo bed. My dear lord, think of four hours and a half in a circleof 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 wasthen unknown, but we have the best authority for believing thatit was of the nature of those which thrice after afflicted hisMajesty, and finally incapacitated him for the duties ofgovernment. "-E. 

(783) The French express this thought very dramatically;"Monseigneur est malade--Monscigneur est mieux--Monseigneur estmort!"-C. 

(784) See ant`e, p. 296, letter 194. -E. 

(785) Of Lord Byron. 

(786) Thomas Gilbert, Esq. At this time member forNewcastle-under-Line, and comptroller of the King's wardrobe. -E. 

(787) Lady Mary Murray, daughter of John first Duke of Athol, andwife of James sixth Earl of Finlater: her son, afterwards seventhEarl, was born in 1750. -E. 

(788) Probably Thomas Worseley, Esq. Member for Oxford, andsurveyor-general of the board of works. -C. 

(789) This was probably the hour of extreme fashion at thistime. -C. 

(790) Afterwards Sir Andrew Mitchell, K. B. He was at this timeour 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 beenaide-de-camp to George II. -E. 

(793) Catherine, heiress of Edward Watson, Viscount Sondes, byLady Catherine Tufton, coheiress of the sixth Earl of Thanet, theson of Lady margaret Sackville, the heiress of the De Cliffords:she was the mother of Edward Southwell, Esq. , member forGloucestershire, who, on the death of the great-aunt, MargaretTufton, Baroness de Clifford, was confirmed in that barony. -C. 

(794) Mary, another daughter and coheiress of the sixth EarlThanet, widow of Anthony Grey, Earl of harold, and third wife ofJohn first Earl Gower. -C. 

(795) Dr. Young died on the 5th of April, in his eighty-fourthyear. -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 littlemore explicitly than I have been able to do lately. The King hasbeen in the utmost danger; the humour in his face having fallenupon his breast. He now appears constantly; yet, I fear, hislife is very precarious, and that there is even apprehension of aconsumption. After many difficulties from different quarters, aRegency-bill is determined; the King named it first to theministers, who said, they intended to mention it to him as soonas he was well; yet they are not thought to be fond of it. TheKing is to come to the House on Tuesday, and recommend theprovision to the Parliament. (796) Yet, if what is whisperedproves true, that the nomination of the Regent is to be reservedto the King's will, it is likely to cause great uneasiness. Ifthe ministers propose such a clause, it is strong evidence oftheir own instability, and, I should think, would not save them, at least, some of them. The world expects changes Soon, thoughnot a thorough alteration; yet, if any takes place shortly, Ishould think It would be a material One than not. The enmitybetween 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 thatthe last has expressed wishes that the opposition may lie stillfor the remainder of the session. This, at least, puts an end tothe question on your brother, (797) of which I am glad for thepresent. The common town-talk is, that Lord Northumberland doesnot care to return to Ireland, --that you are to succeed himthere, Lord Rochford you, and that Sandwich is to go to Spain. My belief is, that there will be no change, except, perhaps, asingle one for Lord Northumberland, unless there are capitalremovals indeed. 

The Chancellor, Grenville, the Bedfords, and the two Secretariesare one body; at least, they pass for such: yet it is verylately, if one of them has dropped his prudent management withLord Bute. There seems an unwillingness to discard the Bedfords, though their graces themselves keep little terms of civility toLord Bute, none to the Princess (Dowager). Lord Gower is abetter courtier, and Rigby would do any thing to save his place. 

This is the present state, which every day may alter: evento-morrow is a day of expectation, as the last struggle of thePoor-bill. If the Bedfords carry it, either by force orsufferance, (though Lord Bute has constantly denied being theauthor of the opposition to it, ) I shall less expect any greatchange soon. In those less important, I shall not wonder to findthe 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 thetime seems so critical. I am not so philosophic; as I almostwish for any thing that may put an end to my being concerned inthe m`el`ee--for any end to a most gloomy prospect for thecountry: alas! I see it not. 

Lord Byron's trial lasted two days, and he was acquitted totallyby four lords, Beaulieu, Falmouth, Despenser, (798) andOrford, (799) and found guilty of manslaughter by one hundred andtwenty. The Dukes of York and Gloucester were present in theirplaces. The prisoner behaved with great decorum, and seemedthoroughly shocked and mortified. Indeed, the bitterness of theworld against him has been great, and the stories they haverevived or invented to load him, very grievous. The Chancellorhas behaved with his usual, or, rather greater vulgarness andblunders. Lord Pomfret(800) kept away decently, from thesimilitude of his own story. 

I have been to wait on Messrs. Choiseul(801) and DeLauragais, (802) as you desired, but have not seen then yet. Theformer is lodged with my Lord Pembroke, and the Guerchys are interrible apprehensions of his exhibiting some scene. 

The Duke of Cumberland bore the journey to Newmarket extremelywell, but has been lethargic Since, ; yet they have found out thatDaffy's Elixir agrees with, and does him good. Prince Frederickis very bad. There is no private news at all. As I shall notdeliver this till the day after to-morrow, I shall be able togive you an account of the fate of the Poor-bill. 

The medals that came for me from Geneva, I forgot to mention toyou, and to beg you to be troubled with them till I see you. Ihad desired Lord Stanhope(803) to send them; and will beg youtoo, 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 ofmy affairs makes it impossible for me to fix. I long for everyreason upon earth to be with you. 

April 20th, Saturday. 

The Poor-bill is put off till Monday; is then to be amended, andthen dropped: a confession of weakness, in a set of people notfamous for being moderate! I was assured, last night, thatIreland had been twice offered to you, and that it hung on theirinsisting upon giving you a secretary, either Wood or Bunbury. Ireplied very truly that I knew nothing of it, that you had nevermentioned it to me and I believed not even to your brother. Theanswer was, Oh! his particular friends are always the last thatknow any thing about him. Princess Amalie loves this topic, andis for ever teasing us about your mystery. I defend myself bypleading that I have desired you never to tell me any thing tillit 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 remainingdaughter of Lord Halifax; that her fortune is to be divided intothree shares, of which each father is to take one, and the thirdis to be the provision for the victims. I don't think this themost unlikely part of the story. Adieu! my dear lord. 

(796) In a letter to his son, of the 22d of April, Chesterfieldsays:--"Apropos of a minority: the King is to come to the Housetomorrow, to recommend a bill to settle a regency, in case of hisdemise while his successor is a minor. Upon his late illness, which was no trifling one, the whole nation cried out aloud forsuch a bill, for reasons which will readily occur to you, whoknow situations, persons, and characters here. I do not know theprovisions of this intended bill; but I wish it may b(@ copiedexactly from that which was passed in the late King's reign, whenthe present King was a minor. I am sure there cannot be abetter. "-E. 

(797) As to his dismissal. -C. 

(798) Sir Francis Dashwood, lately confirmed in this barony, asthe heir of the Fanes by his mother. He had been chancellor ofthe exchequer in Lord Bute's administration. -E. 

(799) George, third Earl of Orford, Mr. Walpole's nephew; onwhose death, in 1791, he succeeded to the title. -E. 

(800) George, second Earl of Pomfret, while Lord Lempster, hadthe misfortune to kill Captain Grey, of the Guards, in a duel: hewas tried at the Old Bailey in April 1752, and found guilty ofmanslaughter 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 deVillars Brancas: he was, during his father's life, known as theComte, and afterwards Duc, de Lauragais, and was a very singularand eccentric person. He was a great Anglomane, and was thefirst introducer into France of horseraces `a l'Anglaise; it wasto him that Louis XV. --not pleased at his insolent Anglomanie--made so excellent a retort. The King had asked him after one ofhis journeys, what he had learned in England? Lauragaisanswered, 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: "Hewas, " says M. De Segur, who knew him well, "one of the mostsingular men of the long period in which he lived; he united inhis person a combination of great qualities and great faults, thesmallest portion of which would have marked any other man with astriking originality. " He died in 1823, at the age ofninety-one--his youthful name and follies forgotten in therespectable old age of the Duc de Brancas. -C. 

(803) Philip, second Earl Stanhope; for a character of whom, byhis great-grandson, Lord Mahon, see vol. I. P. 308, letter 96, note 771. -E. 

(804) Afterwards fifth Earl of sandwich. The match with ladyEliza 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 hadtime to enter seriously, I am sorry I have nothing at presentthat would answer your purpose. Lately, indeed, I have hadlittle leisure, to attend to literary pursuits. I have been muchout of order with a violent cold and cough for great part of thewinter; and the distractions of this country, which reach eventhose who mean the least to profit by their country, have notleft even me, who hate politics, without some share in them. Yetas what one does not love, cannot engross one entirely, I haveamused myself a little with writing. Our friend Lord Finlaterwill perhaps show you the fruit of that trifling, though I hadnot the confidence to trouble you with such a strange thing as amiraculous story, of which I fear the greatest merit is thenovelty. 

I have lately perused with much pleasure a collection of oldballads, to which I see, Sir, you have contributed with yourusual benevolence. Continue this kindness to the public, andsmile as I do, when the pains you take for them are misunderstoodor perverted. Authors must content themselves with hoping thattwo or three Intelligent persons in an age will understand themerit of their writings, and those authors are bound in goodbreeding to Suppose that the public in general is enlightened. They who arc in the secret know how few of that public they haveany reason to wish should read their works. I beg pardon of mymasters the public, and am confident, Sir, YOU Will not betrayme; but let me beg you not to defraud the few that deserve yourinformation, in compliment to those who are not capable ofreceiving it. Do as I do about my small house here. Every bodythat comes to see it or me, are so good as to wonder that I don'tmake this or that alteration. I never haggle with them; butalways say I intend it. They are satisfied with the attentionand themselves, and I remain with the enjoyment of my house as Ilike 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 knowhow to tell you in the compass of a letter, what is matter for ahistory, and it is the more difficult, as we are but just in themiddle. 

During the recess, the King acquainted the ministry that he wouldhave a Bill of Regency, and told them the particulars of hisintention. The town gives Lord Holland the honour of themeasure;(806) certain it is, the ministry, who are not the court, did not taste some of the items: such as the Regent to be inpetto, the Princes(807) to be omitted, and four secretnominations to which the Princes might be applied. However, thinking it was better to lose their share of future power thantheir present places, the ministers gave a gulp and swallowed thewhole potion; still it lay so heavy at their stomachs, that theybrought up part of it again, and obtained the Queen's name to beplaced, as one that might be regent. Mankind laughed, andproclaimed their Wisdoms bit. Upon this, their Wisdoms beat upfor opponents, and set fire to the old stubble(808) of thePrincess and Lord Bute. Every body took the alarm; and suchuneasiness was raised, that after the King had notified the billto both Houses, a new message was sent, and instead of foursecret nominations, the five Princes were named, with power tothe crown of supplying their places if they died off. 

Last Tuesday the bill was read a second time in the Lords. LordLyttelton opposed an unknown Regent, Lord Temple the whole bill, seconded by Lord Shelburne. The firstdivision came on the commitment of the whole bill. The Duke ofNewcastle and almost all The opposition were with the majority, for his grace could not decently oppose so great a likeness ofhis own child, the former bill, and so they were one hundred andtwenty. Lord Temple, Lord Shelburne, the Duke of Grafton, andsix more, composed the minority; the Slenderness of which soenraged Lord Temple, though he had declared himself of no party, and connected with no party, that he and the Duke of Bolton cameno more to the House. Next day Lord Lyttelton moved an addressto the King, to name the person he would recommend for Regent. In the midst of this debate, the Duke of Richmond started twoquestions; whether the Queen was naturalized, and if not, whethercapable of being Regent: and he added a third much more puzzling;who are the Royal Family? Lord Denbigh answeredflippantly, all who are prayed for: the Duke of Bedford, moresignificantly, those, only who are in the order ofsuccession--a direct exclusion of the Princess; for the Queen isnamed in the bill. The Duke of Richmond moved to consult thejudges; Lord Mansfield fought this off, declared he had hisopinion, but would not tell it--and stayed away next day! Theythen proceeded on Lord Lyttelton's motion, which was rejected byeighty-nine to thirty-one; after which, the Duke of Newcastlecame no more; and Grafton, Rockingham, and many others, went toNewmarket: for that rage is so strong, that I cease to wonder atthe gentleman who was going out to hunt as the battle of Edgehillbegan. 

The third day was a scene of folly and confusion, for when LordMansfield is absent, "Lost is the nation's sense, nor can be found. "

The Duke of Richmond moved an amendment, that the persons capableof the Regency should be theQueen, the Princess Dowager, and all thedescendants of the late King usually resident in England. LordHalifax endeavoured to jockey this, by a previous amendment ofnow for usually. The Duke persisted with great firmness andcleverness; Lord Halifax, with as much peevishness and absurdity;in truth, he made a woful figure. The Duke of Bedford supportedt'other Duke against the Secretary, but would not yield to namethe Princess, though the Chancellor declared her of the RoyalFamily. (809) This droll personage is exactly what Woodward wouldbe, if there was such a farce as Trappolin Chancellor. You willwant a key to all this, but who has a key to chaos? Afterpuzzling on for two hours how to adjust these motions, while thespectators 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 thejudges to attend next day on the questions of naturalization. 

Now comes the marvellous transaction, and I defy Mr. Hume, anhistorian as he is, to parallel it. The judges had decided forthe Queen's capability, when Lord Halifax rose, by the King'spermission, desired to have the bill recommitted, and then movedthe Duke of Richmond's own words, with the single omission of thePrincess Dowager's name, and thus she alone is rendered incapableof the Regency--and stigmatized by act of parliament! Theastonishment of the world is not to be described. Lord Bute'sfriends are thunderstruck. The Duke of Bedford almost dancedabout the House for joy. Comments there are, various; and somepalliate it, by saying it was done at the Princess's desire; butthe most inquisitive say, the King was taken by surprise, thatLord Halifax proposed the amendment to him, and hurried with itto the House of Lords, before it could be recalled; and they evensurmise that he did not observe to the King the omission of hismother's name. Be that as it may, open war seems to be declaredbetween the court and the administration, and men are gazing tosee which side will be victorious. 

To-morrow the bill comes to us, and Mr. Pitt, too, violentagainst the whole bill, unless this wonderful event has alteredhis tone. - For my part I shall not be surprised, if he affects tobe in astonishment at missing "a great and most respectableman!"(810) This is the sum total--but what a sum total! It isthe worst of North Britons published by act of parliament!

I took the liberty, in my last, of telling you what I heard aboutyour going to Ireland. It was from one you know very well, andone 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, ifany thing is probable at this strange juncture. You will scarcebelieve me when I tell you, what I know is true, that theBedfords pressed strongly for Lord Weymouth--Yes, for LordWeymouth. Is any thing extraordinary in them?

Will it be presuming, too much upon your friendship andindulgence, if I hint another point to you, which, I own, seemsto me right to mention to you? You know how eagerly the ministryhave laboured to deprive Mr. Thomas Walpole of the Frenchcommerce of tobacco. His correspondent sends him word, that youwas so persuaded it was taken away, that you had recommendedanother person. You know enough, my dear lord, of the littleconnexion I have With that part of my family, (812) though we dovisit again; and therefore will, I hope, be convinced, that it isfor your sake I principally mention it. If Mr. Walpole losesthis vast branch of trade, he and sir Joshua Vanneck must shut upshop. Judge the noise that would make in the city! Mr. Walpole's(813) alliance with the Cavendishes (for I will saynothing of our family) would interest them deeply in his cause, and I think you would be sorry to have them think youinstrumental to his ruin. Your brother knows of my writing toyou and giving this information, and we are both solicitous thatyour name should not appear in this transaction. This lettergoes to you by a private hand, or I would not have spoken soplainly throughout. Whenever you please to recall your positiveorder, that I should always tell you whatever I hear that relatesto you, I shall willingly forbear, for I am sensible this is notthe most agreeable province of friendship; yet, as it iscertainly due whenever demanded, Idon't consider myself, but sacrifice the more agreeable task ofpleasing you to that of serving you, that I may show myself Yoursmost sincerely, H. W. 

(806) It was certainly the result of his Majesty's own goodsense, directed to the subject by his late serious indisposition;but the details, and the mismanagement of these details, were, nodoubt, the acts of the ministers. -C. 

(807) The King, 's uncle and brothers. -E. 

(808) These hints as to the modes by which the extraordinaryprejudices and clamours which disturbed the first years of thereign of George III. Were excited and maintained at the pleasureof a faction, are very valuable: and the spirit of the times wasin nothing more evident than in the intrigues and violence whichmarked the progress of so simple and necessary a measure as theRegency-bill. -C. 

(809) This opinion of the Chancellor's appears to have beenconsidered by Mr. Walpole as very absurd, and he seems inclinedto come to the same conclusion which Sterne has treated with suchadmirable ridicule in the case of the Duchess of Suffolk, viz. That "the mother was not of kin to her own child. " See TristramShandy, part 4. Nothing in the debate of Didius and Triptolemusat the visitation dinner, is more absurd than this gravediscussion in the House of Lords, whether the King's mother isone of the Royal Family. -C. 

(810) This was Mr. Pitt's expression on not finding Lord Anson'sname in the list of the ministry formed in 1757. Mr. Walpole, disliked Lord Anson, and on more than one occasion amuses himselfwith allusions to this phrase. -C. 

(811) Simon, first Earl of Harcourt: he was, in 1768, ambassadorto Paris, and in 1769, lord-lieutenant of Ireland. -C. 

(812) This coolness between Mr. Walpole and his uncle should beremembered, when we read that portion of the Memoires whichrelates to Lord Walpole. -C. 

(813) Mr. Thomas Walpole's elder brother (second Lord Walpole, and first Lord Orford of his branch) married the youngestdaughter 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 bedispersed by this; nor will the Bill of Regency, as long as ithas a day's breath left (and it has but one to come) cease, Isuppose, to produce extraordinary events. For agreeable events, it has not produced one to any Set Or side, except in gratifyingmalice; every other passion has received, or probably willreceive, a box on the ear. 

In my last I left the Princess Dowager in the mire. The nextincident was of a negative kind. Mr. Pitt, who, if he had beenwise, would have come to help her out, chose to wait to see ifshe was to be left there, and gave himself a terrible fit of thegout. As nobody was ready to read his part to the audience, (though I assure you we do not want a genius or two who thinkthemselves born to dictate, ) the first day in our House did notlast two minutes. The next, which was Tuesday, we rallied ourunderstandings (mine, indeed, did not go beyond being quiet, whenthe administration had done for us what we could not do forourselves), 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 concludedwithout deliberating. However, we broke up without a division. 

Can you devise what happened next? A buzz spread itself, that theTories would move to reinstate the Princess. You will perhaps beso absurd as to think with me, that when theadministration had excluded her, it was our business to pay her acompliment. Alas! that was my opinion, but I was soon given tounderstand thatpatriots must be men of virtue, must be pharisees, and notcountenance naughty women; and that when the Duchess of Bedfordhad thrown the first stone, we had nothing to do but continuepelting. Unluckily I was not convinced; I could neither see themorality nor prudence of branding the King's mother upon no otherauthority than public fame: yet, willing to get something when Icould not get all, I endeavoured to obtain that we should stayaway. Even this was warmly contested with me, and, though Ipersuaded several, particularly the two oldest Cavendishes, (815)the Townshends, (816) and your nephew Fitzroy, (817) whom I trustyou 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 oldsimpleton the Duke of Newcastle, who had the impudence to talk tome of character, and that we should be ruined with the public ifwe did not divide against the Princess. You will be impatient, and wonder I do not name your brother. You know how much herespects virtue and honour, even in their names; Lord John, who, I really believe, respects them too, has got cunning enough tosee their empire over yourbrother, and had fascinated him to agree to this outrageous, provoking, and most unjustifiable of all acts. Still Mr. Conwaywas so good as to yield to my earnest and vehement entreaties, and it was at last agreed to propose the name of the Queen; whenwe did not carry it, as we did not expect to do, to retire beforethe question came on the Princess. But even this measure was notstrictly observed. We divided 67 for the nomination of theQueen, against 157. Then Morton(818) moved to reinstate thePrincess. Martin, her treasurer, made a most indiscreet andoffensive speech in her behalf; said she had been stigmatized bythe House of Lords, and had lived long enough in this country toknow the hearts and falsehood of those who had professed the mostto her. Grenville vows publicly he will never forgive this, andwas not more discreet, declaring, though he agreed to therestoration of her name, that he thought the omission would havebeen universally acceptable. George Onslow and all theCavendishes, gained over by Lord John, and the most attached ofthe Newcastle band, opposed the motion; but your brother, SirWilliam Meredith, and I, and others, came away, which reduced thenumbers so much that there was no division;(819) but now tounfold all this black scene;(820) it comes out as I had guessed, and very plainly told them, that the Bedfords had stirred up ourfools to do what they did not dare to do themselves. OldNewcastle had even told me, that unless we opposed the Princess, the Duke of Bedford would not. It wassedulously given out. That Forrester, (821) the latter duke'slawyer, would speak against her; and after the question hadpassed, he told our people that we had given up the game when itwas in our hands, for there had been many more noes than ayes. It was Very true, many did not wish well enough to the Princessto 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 notdoubt but the Bedfords had taken care--well! duped by these grossarts, the Cavendishes and Pelhams determined to divide the nextday on the report. I did not learn this mad resolution till fouro'clock, when it was too late, and your brother in the House, andthe report actually made; so I turned back and came away, learningafterwards to my great mortification, that he had voted withthem. If any thing could comfort me, it would be, that even soearly as last night, and only this happened on Friday night, itwas generally allowed how much I had been in the right, andforetold exactly all that had happened. They had vaunted to mehow strong they should be. I had replied, "When you were but 76on the most inoffensive question, do you think you will be halfthat number on the most personal and indecent that can bedevised?" Accordingly, they were but 37 to 167; and to show howmuch the Bedfords were at the bottom of all, Rigby, theyForrester, and Lord Charles Spencer, went up into the Speaker'schamber, and would not vote for the Princess! At first I was notquite so well treated. Sir William Meredith, who, by the way, voted in the second question against his opinion, told me Onslowhad said that he, Sir William, yourbrother, and Lord Townshend, had stayed away from conscience, butall the others from interest. I replied, "Then I am included inthe latter predicament. (822) but you may tell Mr. Onslow that hewill take a place before I shall, and that I had rather besuspected of beingmercenary, than stand up in my place and call God to witness thatI meant nothing personal, when I was doing the most personalthing in the world. " I beg your pardon, my dear lord, fortalking so much about myself, but the detail was necessary andimportant to you; who I wish should see that I can act with alittle common sense, and will not be governed by all the frenzyof party. 

The rest of the bill was contested inch by inch, and by divisionon division, till eleven at night, after our wise leaders hadwhittled down the minority to twenty-four. (823) CharlesTownshend, they say, surpassed all he had ever done, in a wranglewith Onslow, and was so lucky as to have Barr`e absent, who haslong lain in wait for him. When they told me how well Charleshad spoken on himself, I replied, "That is conformable to what Ialways thought of his parts, that he speaks best on what heunderstands the least. "

We have done with the bill, and to-morrow our correction goes tothe Lords. It will be a day of wonderful expectation.. To see inwhat manner they will swallow their vomit. The Duke of Bedford, it is conjectured, will stay away:--but what will thatscape-goose, Lord Halifax, do, who is already convicted of havingtold the King a most notorious lie, that if the Princess was notgiven up by the Lords, she would beunanimously excluded by the Commons! The Duke of Bedford, whohad broke the ground, is little less blamable; but Sandwich, whowas present, has, with his usual address, contrived not to betalked of, since the first hour. 

When the bill shall be passed, the eyes of mankind will turn tosee what will be the consequence. The Princess, and Lord Bute, and the Scotch, do not affect to conceal their indignation. IfLord Halifax is even reprieved, the King is moreenslaved to a cabal than ever his grandfather was: yet howreplace them! Newcastle and the most desirable of theopposition have rendered themselves more obnoxious than ever, andeven seem, or must seem to Lord Bute, in league with those hewishes to remove. The want of a proper person for chancellor ofthe exchequer is another difficulty, though I think easilyremovable by clapping a tied wig on Ellis, Barrington, or anyother block, and calling it GeorgeGrenville. One remedy is obvious, and at which, after suchinsults and provocations, were I Lord Bute, I should not stick; Iwould deliver myself up, bound hand and foot, to Mr. Pitt, ratherthan not punish such traitors and wretches, who murmur, submit, affront, and swallow in the mostignominious manner, --"Oh! il faudra qu'il y vienne, "--as L`eonorsays in the Marquis de Roselle, --"il y viendra. " For myself, Ihave another little comfort, which is seeing that when theministry encourage the Opposition, they do butlessen our numbers. 

You may be easy about this letter, for Monsieur de Guerchy sendsit for me by a private hand, as I did the last. I wish, by someSuch conveyance, you would tell me a little of your mind on allthis embroil, and whether you approve or disapprove my conduct. After the liberties you have permitted me to take with you, mydear lord, and without them, as you know my openness, and howmuch I am accustomed to hear of my faults, I think you cannothesitate. Indeed, I must, I have done, or tried to do, just whatyou would have wished. Could I, who have at least someexperience and knowledge of the world, have directed, our partyhad not been in the contemptible and ridiculoussituation it is. Had I had more weight, things still moreagreeable to you had happened. Now, I could almost despair; butI have still perseverance, and some resources left. Whenever Ican get to you, I will unfold a great deal; but in this criticalsituation, I cannot trust what I can leave to no management butmy own. 

Your brother would have writ, if I had not: he is gone toPark-place to-day, with his usual phlegm, but returns tomorrow. What would I give you were here yourself; perhaps you do notthank 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 asingle other thought these three weeks. Though in all the bloomof my passion, lilac-tide, I have not been at Strawberry thisfortnight. I saw things arrive at the point(825) I wished, andto which I had singularly contributed to bring them, as you shallknow hereafter, and then I saw all my Work kicked down by two orthree frantic boys, and I see what I most dread, likely tohappen, unless I can prevent it, --but I have said enough for youto understand me. I think we agree. However, this is for no earor breast but your own. Remember Monsieur de Nivernois, (826) andtake care of the letters you receive. Adieu!

(814) It seems from the next letter, that this alludes to CharlesTownshend. -C. 

(815) Lord George and Lord Frederick. -E. 

(816) Probably Messrs. Thomas Townshend, senior and junior, andCharles Townshend, a cousin of the great Charles Townshend's, whosat 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 ofChester. -E. 

(819) The following is Lord Temple's account of this debate, in aletter of the 10th, to his sister, Lady Chatham: "Inability andmeanness are the characteristics of this whole proceeding, . Ishall pass over the very uninteresting parts of this matter, andrelate only the phenomenon of Morton's motion yesterday, secondedby Kynaston, without a speech, and thirded by the illustrious SamMartin. The speech of the first was dull, and of the latter veryinjudicious; saying that the House of Lords had passed a stigmaon the Princess of Wales; disclaiming all knowledge of herwishes, but concluding, with a strong affirmative. George Onslowopposed the motion, with very bad reasons; Lord Palmerston, withmuch better. George Grenville seemed to convey, that thealteration made in the Lords was not without the King'sknowledge; but that, to be sure, in his opinion, such a testimonyof zeal and affection which now manifested itself in the House ofCommons in favour of his royal mother, could not but proveagreeable to his Majesty, and that therefore he should concur init. The Cocoa-tree have thus her Royal Highness to be regent; itis well they have not given us a king, if they have not; for manythink Lord Bute is king. No division: many noes. " ChathamCorrespondence, vol. Ii. P. 309. -E. 

(820) It was, indeed, a black and scandalous intrigue, by whichthe character of the Sovereign's mother, and the peace andcomfort of the Royal Family, were thus made the counters withwhich contending factions played their game; and if we maybelieve Mr. Walpole himself, the motives which actuated those whoattacked, and those who seemed to defend the PrincessDowager, were equally selfish and unworthy. -C. 

(821) Probably Brook Forrester, Esq. Of Lincoln's Inn, member forGreat Wenlock, a barrister-at-law. See ante, p. 281, letter191. -C. 

(822) It certainly does seem, from the foregoing account of hisown motives, that conscience had little to do with Mr. Walpole'sconduct on this affair: as to his pledge, that Mr. Onslow wouldtake a place before him, we must observe that it is not quite sogenerous as it may seem; for Mr. Walpole was already, by theprovident care of his father, supplied with three sinecureplaces, and two rent-charges on two others, producing himaltogether about 6300 pounds per annum. See Quarterly Review, Vol. Xxvii. P. 198. -C. 

(823) On the question for the third reading of the bill, thenumbers were 150 and 24. -E. 

(824) De la Destruction desJ`esuites. "-E. 

(825 This seems to imply that Mr. Walpole thought, that if theOpposition had taken up the cause of the Princess Dowager whenshe had been abandoned by the ministers, the latter might havebeen removed, and the former brought into power. -C. 

(826) He alludes to the infidelity of D'Eon to the Duke ofNivernois. 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 shallend. I had comforted myself with getting over all mydifficulties: 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 ministerswent to him last Thursday, 16th, to receive his commands for hisspeech at the end of the sessions which was to have been the dayafter to-morrow, the 22d, --forbid the Parliament to be prorogued, which he said he would only have adjourned: they werethunderstruck, and asked if he intended to make any change in hisadministration? he replied, certainly; he could not bear it asit was. His uncle(828) was sent for, was ordered to form a newadministration, and treat with Mr. Pitt. This negotiationproceeded for four days, and got wind in two. The town, moreaccommodating than Mr. Pitt, settled the whole list ofemployments. The facilities, however, were so few. Thatyesterday the hero of Culloden went down in person to theConqueror ofAmerica, at Hayes, and though tendering almost carte blanche, --blanchissime for the constitution, and little short of it for thewhole red-book of places, --brought back nothing but a flatrefusal. Words cannot paint the confusion into which every thingis thrown. The four ministers, I mean the Duke of Bedford, Grenville, and the two Secretaries, acquainted their masteryesterday, that they adhere to one another, and shall all resignto-morrow, and, perhaps, must be recalled on Wednesday, --musthave a carte noire, not blanche, and will certainly not expectany stipulations to be offered for the constitution, by no meansthe object of their care!

You are not likely to tell in Gath, nor publish in Ascalon, thealternative of humiliation to which the crown is reduced. Butalas! this is far from being the lightest evil to which we are atthe eve of being exposed. I mentioned the mob of weavers whichhad besieged the Parliament, and attacked the Duke of Bedford, and I thought no more of it; but on Friday, a welldisciplined, and, I fear too well conducted amultitude, repaired again to Westminster with red and blackflags; the House of Lords, where not thirty were present, actedwith no spirit;--examined Justice Fielding, and the magistrates, and adjourned till to-day. At seven that evening, a prodigiousmultitude assaulted Bedford-house, and began to pull down thewalls, and another party surrounded the garden, where there werebut fifty men on guard, and had forced their way, if anotherparty of Guards that had been sent for had arrived five minuteslater. At last, after reading theproclamation, the gates of the court were thrown open, and sixtyfoot-soldiers marched out; the mob fled, but, being met by aparty of horse, were much cut andtrampled, but no lives lost. Lady Tavistock, and every thingvaluable in the house, have been sent out of town. On Saturday, all was pretty quiet; the Duchesswas blooded, and every body went to visit them. I hesitated, being afraid of an air of triumph: -however, lest it should beconstrued the other way, I went last night at eight o'clock; inthe square I found a great multitude, not of weavers, butseemingly of Sunday-passengers. At the gate, guarded bygrenadiers, I found so large a throng, that I had not onlydifficulty to make my way, though in my chariot, but was hissedand pelted; and in two minutes after, the glass of LadyGrosvenor's coach was broken, as those of Lady Cork's chair wereentirely demolished afterwards. I found Bedford-house a perfectgarrison, sustaining a siege, the court full of horse-guards, constables, and gentlemen. I told the Duke that however I mighthappen to differ with him in politics, this was a common cause, and that every body must feel equal indignation at it. In themean time the mob grew so riotous, that they were forced to makeboth horse and foot parade the square before the tumult wasdispersed. 

To-morrow we expect much worse. The weavers have declared theywill come down to the House of Lords for redress, which they saythey have been promised. A body of five hundred sailors were onthe road from Portsmouth to join them, but luckily the admiraltyhad notice of their intention, and stopped them. (829) A largebody of weavers are on the road from Norwich, and it is said havebeen joined by numbers in Essex; guards are posted to prevent, ifpossible, theirapproaching the city. Another troop of manufacturers are comingfrom Manchester; and what is worst of' all, there is such ageneral spirit of mutiny and dissatisfaction in the lower people, that I think we are in danger of a rebellion in the heart of thecapital in a week. In the mean time, there is neitheradministration nor government. The King is out of town, and thisis 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 Butecannot escape his share of it. The Bedfords may triumph overhim, the Princess, and still higher, if they are fortunate enoughto avoid the present ugly appearances; and yet how the load ofodium will be increased, if they return to power! One can namemany in whose situation one would not be, -not one who is notsituated unpleasantly. 

Adieu my dear lord; you shall hear as often as I can find aconveyance but these are not topics for the post! Poor Mrs. Fitzroy has lost her eldest girl. I forgot to tell you that theyoung 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 tillSaturday, and I choose rather to defer my despatch than trust itto Guerchy's courier, though he offered me that conveyanceyesterday, but it is too serious to venture to their inspection. 

Such precautions have been taken, and so many troops brought intotown, that there has been no rising, though the sheriffs ofLondon acquainted the Lords on Monday that a veryformidable one was preparing for five o'clock the next morning. There was another tumult, indeed, at three o'clock yesterday, atBedford-house, but it was dispersed by reading the Riot-act. Inthe mean time, the revolution has turned round again. Theministers desired the King to commission Lord Granby, the Duke ofRichmond, and Lord Waldegrave, to suppress the riots, which, intruth, was little short of asking for the power of the swordagainst himself. On this, his Majesty determined to name theDuke of Cumberland captain-general but the tranquillity of therioters happily gave H. R. H. Occasion to persuade the King tosuspend that resolution. Thank God! From eleven o'clockyesterday, when I heard it, till nine at night, when I learnedthat the resolution had dropped, I think I never passed suchanxious hours! nay, I heard it was done, and looked upon thecivil war as commenced. During these events, the Duke wasendeavouring to form a ministry, but, luckily, nobody wouldundertake it when Mr. Pitt had refused so the King is reduced tothe mortification, and it is extreme, of taking his old ministersagain. They are insolent enough, you may believe. Grenville hastreated his master in the most impertinent manner, and they arenow actually digesting the terms that they mean to impose ontheir captive, and Lord Bute is the chief object of their rage;though I think Lord Holland will not escape, nor LordNorthumberland, whom they treat as an encourager of the rioters. Both he and my lady went on Monday night to Bedford-house, andwere received with every mark of insult. (831) The Duke turnedhis back on the Earl, without speaking to him, and he was keptstanding an hour exposed to all their railery. Still I have amore extraordinary event to tell you than all I have related. Lord Temple and George Grenville were reconciled yesterdaymorning, by the intervention of Augustus Hervey; and, perhaps, the next thing you wilt hear, may be that Lord Temple is sent bythis ministry to Ireland, though Lord Weymouth is again muchtalked of for it. 

The report of Norwich and Manchester weavers on the road is nowdoubted. If Lord Bute is banished, I suppose the Duke of Bedfordwill become the hero of this very mob, and every act of powerwhich they (the ministers] have executed, let who will have beenthe adviser, will be forgotten. It will be entertaining to seeLord Temple supporting Lord Halifax on general warrants!

You have more than once seen your old master(832) reduced tosurrender up his closet to a cabal--but never with suchcircumstances of insult, indignity, and humiliation! For ourlittle party, it is more humbled than ever. Still I prefer thatstate to what I dread; I mean, seeing your brother embarked in adesperate administration. It was proposed first to make himsecretary at war, then secretary of state, but he declined both. Yet I trembled, lest he should think bound in honour to obey thecommands of the King and Duke of Cumberland; but, to my greatjoy, that alarm is over, unless the triumphant faction exact morethan the King can possibly suffer. It will rejoice you, however, my dear lord, to hear that Mr. Conway is perfectly restored tothe King's favour; and that if he continues in opposition, itwill not be against the King, but a most abominable faction, who, having raged against the constitution and their country to paycourt to Lord Bute, have even thrown off that paltry mask, andavowedly hoisted the standard of their own power. Till the Kinghas signed their demands, one cannot look upon this scene asclosed. 

Friday evening. 

You will think, my dear lord, and it is natural you should, thatI write my letters at once, and compose one part with myprophecies, and the other with the completion of them; but youmust recollect that I understand this country pretty well, --attend closely to what passes, --have very good intelligence, --andknow the characters of the actors thoroughly. A little sagacityadded to such foundation, easily carries one's sight a good way;but you will care for my narrative more than my reflections, so Iproceed. 

On Wednesday, the ministers dictated their terms; you will notexpect 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 ofScotland; thirdly, and lastly, for they could go no further, thecrown itself--or, in their words the immediate nomination of LordGranby to be captain-general. You may figure the King'sindignation--for himself, for his favourite, for his uncle. Inmy own opinion, the proposal of grounds for taxing his majestyhimself hereafter with breaking his word, (833) was the bitterestaffront of all. He expressed his anger and astonishment, andbade them return at ten at night for his answer; but, beforethat, he sent the Chancellor to the junta, consenting to displaceMekinsy, (834) refusing to promise not to consult Lord Bute, though acquiescing to his not interfering in business, but with aperemptory refusal to the article of Lord Granby. The rebelstook till next morning to advise on their answer; when they gaveup the point of Lord Granby, and contented themselves with themodification on the chapter of Lord Bute. However, not to be toocomplimentary, they demanded Mekinsy's place for Lord Lorn, (835)and the instant removal of Lord Holland; both of which have beengranted. Charles Townshend is paymaster, and Lord Weymouthviceroy of Ireland; so Lord Northumberland remains on the pav`e, which, as there is no place vacant for him, it was not necessaryto stipulate. The Duchess of bedford, with colours flying, issued out of her garrison yesterday, and took possession of thedrawing-room. To-day their majesties are gone to Woburn; but asthe Duchess is a perfect Methodist against all suspiciouscharacters, it is said, to-day, that Lord Talbot is to be addedto the list of proscriptions, and now they think themselvesestablished for ever. --Do they so? Lord Temple declares himselfthe warmest friend of the present administration;--there is amystery still to be cleared up, --and, perhaps, a little to themortification of Bedford-house. --We shall see. 

The Duke of Cumberland is retired to Windsor: your brother goneto Park-place: I go to Strawberry to-morrow, lest people shouldnot think me a great man too. I don't know whether I shall noteven think it necessary to order myself a fit of the gout. (836)I have received your short letter of the 16th, with the memorialof the family of Brebeuf;--now my head will have a littleleisure, I will examine it, . And see if I can do any thing in theaffair. In that letter you say, you have been a month withouthearing from any of your friends. I little expected to be taxedon that head: I have written you volumes almost every day; mylast dates have been of April 11th, 20th, May 5th, 12th, and16th. 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 shouldcontain nothing which it signified whether seen or not on t'otherside of the water, though I did not care they should be perusedon this. I had the caution not to let him have this, though bythe eagerness with which he proffered both to-day and yesterday, to send any thing by his couriers, I suspected he wished to helpthem to better intelligence than he could give them himself. Heeven told me he should have another courier depart on Tuesdaynext; but I excused myself, on the pretence of having too much towrite at once, and shall send this, and a letter your brother hasleft 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 deChoiseul. Pray commend my discretion--you see I grow aconsummate politician; but don't approve of it too much, lest Ionly send you letters as prudent as your own. 

You may acquaint Lady Holland with the dismission of her lord, ifshe has not heard it, he being at Kingsgate. Your secretary(837)is likely to be prime minister in Ireland. Two months ago thenew Viceroy himself was going to France for debt, leaving hiswife and children to be maintained by her mother. (838)

I will be much obliged to you, my dear lord, if you will contriveto pay Lady Stanhope for the medals; they cost, I think, but 4pounds 7 shillings or thereabout--but I have lost the note. 

Adieu! here ends volume the first. Omnia mutantur, sed nonmutamur in illis. Princess Amelia, who has a little veered roundto northwest, and by Bedford, does not speak tenderly of herbrother--but if some families are reconciled, others aredisunited. The Keppels are at open war with the Keppels, andLady Mary Coke weeps with one eye over Lady Betty Mackinsy, andsmiles with t'other on Lady Dalkeith;(839) but the first eye isthe sincerest. The Duke of Richmond, in exactly the sameproportion, is divided between his sisters, Holland and Bunbury. 

Thank you much for your kindness about Mr. T. Walpole-I have nothad a moment's time to see him, but will do full justice to yourgoodness. Yours ever, H. W. 

Pray remember the dates of my letters--you will be strangelypuzzled for a clue, if one of them has miscarried. Sir CharlesBunbury is not to be secretary for Ireland, but Thurlow thelawyer:(840) they are to stay five years without returning. LordLorn has declined, and Lord Frederic Campbell is to be lord privyseal for Scotland. Lord Waldegrave, they say, chamberlain to theQueen. (841)

(831) From the family, not from the rioters. -C. 

(832) George the Second. 

(833) This alludes to the required promise not to consult LordBute. 

(834) The Following is from Mr. Stuart Mackenzie's own account ofhis removal, in the Mitchell MSS:--"They demanded certain terms, without which they declined coming in; the principal of whichwas, that I should be dismissed from the administration of theaffairs of Scotland, and likewise from the office of privy seal. His Majesty answered, that as to the first, it would be no greatpunishment, he believed, to me, as I had never been very fond ofthe employment; but as to the second, I had his promise tocontinue it for life. Grenville replied to this purpose: 'Inthat 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 howthat matter stands --that he has my royal word to continue in theoffice; and if you force me, from the situation of things, toviolate my royal word, remember you are responsible for it, andnot I. ' Upon that very solemn charge, Grenville answered, 'Sir, we must make some arrangement for Mr. Mackenzie. ' The Kinganswered, 'If I know any thing of him, he will give himself verylittle trouble about your arrangements for him. ' His Majestyafterwards sent for me to his closet, where I was a veryconsiderable time with him; and if it were possible for me tolove my excellent prince now better than I ever did before, Ishould certainly do it; for I have every reason that can induce agenerous mind to feel his goodness for me; but such was hisMajesty's situation at this time, that, had he absolutelyrejected my dismission, he would have put me in the mostdisagreeable situation in the world; and, what was of much higherconsequence, he would leave greatly distressed his affairs. "-E. 

(835) John Marquis of Lorn, afterwards fifth Duke of Argyle; alieutenant-general in the army: he was brother of (GeneralConway's lady. -C. 

(836) An allusion to Mr. Pitt. -C. 

(837) Sir Charles Bunbury, secretary of embassy at Paris, wasnominated secretary to Lord Weymouth, and held that office forabout two months. -E. 

(838) The straitened circumstances of Lord Weymouth made hisnomination very unpopular in Ireland: he never went over. -C. 

(839) In the recent arrangement, Lady Betty's husband was, as wehave seen, dismissed from, and Lady Dalkeith's (CharlesTownshend) acceded to, office. -C. 

(840) This was a mistake. -E. 

(841) This is the last of the series of letters written byWalpole to Lord Hertford: to the publication is subjoined thefollowing postscript:-"The state of the administration, asdescribed in the foregoing letters, could evidently not last; andafter the failure of several attempts to induce Mr. Pitt to takethe government on terms which the King could grant, the Duke ofCumberland, at his Majesty's desire, succeeded in forming theRockingham administration, in which General Conway was secretaryof state and leader of the House of Commons, and Lord Hertford, lord lieutenant of Ireland. There can be little doubt, thatduring these transactions, Mr. Walpole (although he had in theinterval a severe fit Of the gout) wrote to Lord Hertford, but noother letter of this series has been discovered; which is themore to be regretted, as the state of parties was it that momentparticularly interesting. The refusal of Mr. Pitt raised theministers to a pitch of confidence, (perhaps@, we might say, -arrogance, ) which, as Mr. Walpole foresaw, accelerated theirfall. 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 thetruth, that we were in any danger from this last political cloud. The Duke of Cumberland's political system, grafted upon the Earlof Bute's stock, seems, of all others, the least capable ofsucceeding. ' This letter was written on the 7th of July, and onthe 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 theone hundred thousand reports that have passed, and been spread inthis last month, have reached your solitary hill, you must besurprised at not a single word from me during that period. Thenumber of events is my excuse. Though mine is the pen of apretty ready writer, I could not keep pace with the revolution ofeach day, each hour. I had not time to begin the narrative, muchless 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 crowdedinto a nutshell. 

For your part, you will be content though the house of Montaguhas not made an advantageous figure in this political warfare;yet it is crowned with victory, and laurels you know compensatefor every scar. You went out of town frightened out of yoursenses at the giant prerogative: alack! he is grown so tame, that, as you said of our earthquake, you may stroke him. (842) TheRegency-bill, not quite calculated with that intent, has producedfour regents, King Bedford, king Grenville, King Halifax, andking Twitcher. (843) Lord Holland is turned out, and StuartMackenzie. Charles Townshend is paymaster, and Lord Buteannihilated; and all done without the help of the Whigs. Youlove to guess what one is going to say. Now you may what I amnot going to say. Your newspapers perhaps have given you a longroll of opposition names, who were coming into place, and so allthe world thought; but the Wind turned quite round, and left themon the strand, and just where they were, except in oppositionwhich 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 anadministration. In the mean time we have family reconciliationswithout end. The King and the Duke of Cumberland have been shutup together day and night; Lord Temple and George Grenville aresworn brothers; well, but Mr. Pitt, where is he? In the clouds, for aught I know; in one of which he may descend like the kingsof Bantam, and take quiet possession of the throne again. 

As a thorough-bass to these squabbles, we have had aninsurrection and a siege. Bedford-house, though garrisoned byhorse and foot guards, was on the point of being taken. Thebesieged are in their turn triumphant; and, if any body now wasto publish "Droit le Duc, "(844) I do not think the House of Lordswould censure his book. Indeed the regents may do what theyplease, and turn out whom they will; I see nothing to resistthem. Lord Bute will not easily be tempted to rebel when thelast 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 theysucceeded. It is satisfaction enough to me to be delivered frompolitics; which you know I have long detested. When I wastranquil enough to write Castles of Otranto in the midst of gravenonsense and foolish councils of war, I am not likely to disturbmyself with the diversions of the court where I am not connectedwith a soul. As it has proved to be the interest of the presentministers, however contrary to their torturer views, to lower thecrown, they will scarce be in a hurry to aggrandize it again. That will satisfy you; and I, you know, am satisfied if I haveany thing to laugh at--'tis a lucky age for a man who is soeasily 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 amind I should wait for him, I don't know whether it will takeplace before the autumn. I will by no means release you fromyour promise of making me a visit here before I go. 

Poor Mr. Bentley, I doubt, is under the greatest difficulties ofany body. His poem, which he modestly delivered over toimmortality, must be cut and turned; for Lord Halifax and LordBute cannot sit in the same canto together; then the horns andhoofs that he had bestowed on Lord Temple must be pared away, andbeams of glory distributed over his whole person. 'Tis adangerous thing to write political panegyrics or satires; itdraws the unhappy bard into a thousand scrapes andcontradictions. The edifices and inscriptions at Stowe should bea lesson not to erect monuments to the living. I will not placean ossuarium in my garden for my cat, before her bones are readyto be placed in it. I hold contradictions to be as essential tothe definition of a political man, as any visible or featherlessquality can be to man in general. Good night!

28th. 

I shall send this by the coach; so whatever comes with it is onlyto make bundle. Here are some lines that came into my headyesterday in the postchaise, as I was reading in the AnnualRegister an account of a fountain-tree in one of the CanaryIslands, which never dies, and supplies the inhabitants withwater. I don't warrant the longevity though the hypostatic unionof 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 handCan 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 ofSandwich 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 allevenings, and from breathing odours beyond those of Araby. Theacacias, which the Arabians have the sense to worship, arecovered with blossoms, the honeysuckles dangle from every tree infestoons, the seringas are thickets of sweets, and the new-cuthay in the field tempers the balmy gales with simple freshness;while a thousand sky-rockets launched into the air at Ranelagh orMarybone illuminate the scene, and give it an air of HarounAlraschid'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 rainthis month to cool the tip of our daisies. My company was LadyLyttelton, Lady Schaub, a Madame de Juliac from the Pyreneans, very handsome, not a girl, and of Lady Schaub's mould; the Comtede Caraman, nephew of Madame de Mirepoix, a Monsieur deClausonnette, and General Schouallow, (845) the favourite of thelate Czarina; absolute favourite for a dozen years, withoutmaking an enemy. In truth, he is very amiable, humble, andmodest. Had he been ambitious, he might have mounted the throne:as he was not, you may imagine they have plucked his plumes agood deal. There is a little air of melancholy about him, and, if I am not mistaken, Some secret wishes for the fall of thepresent Empress; which, if it were civil to suppose, I couldheartily join with him in hoping for. As we have still libertyenough left to dazzle a Russian, he seems charmed with England, and perhaps liked even this place the more as belonging to theson of one that, like himself, had been prime minister. If hehas no more ambition left than I have, he must taste the felicityof being a private man. What has Lord Bute gained, but theknowledge of how many ungrateful sycophants favour and power cancreate?

If you have received the parcel that I consined to Richard Brownfor 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 insuspense; Lord Hertford talks of coming over for a fortnight;perhaps I may go back with him; but I have determined nothingyet, till I see farther into the present chase, that somehow orother I may take my leave of politics for ever; for can any thingbe so wearisome as politics on the account of others? Goodnight! 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 ofthe 19th of April, 1766, "Il fut IC favori, l'on croit le mari, de la Czarine Elizabeth de Russie, et pendant douze ans de faveuril 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 myfaults towards your ladyship, as to have been guilty of anyneglect. It is scandalous, at my age, to have been carriedbackwards and forwards to balls and suppers and parties by veryyoung people, as I was all last week. My resolutions of growingold and staid are admirable: I wake with a sober plan, and intendto pass the day with my friends--then comes the Duke of Richmond, and hurries me down to Whitehall to dinner-then the Duchess ofGrafton sends for me to loo in Upper Grosvenor-street--before Ican 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 tomarch back to Whitehall to supper-and after that, am to walk withMiss Pelham on the terrace till two in the morning, because it ismoonlight and her chair is not come. All this does not help mymorning laziness; and, by the time I have breakfasted, fed mybirds and my squirrels, and dressed, there is an auction ready. In short, Madam, this was my life last week, and is I think everyweek, with the addition of forty episodes. Yet, ridiculous as itis, I send it your ladyship, because I had rather you shouldlaugh at me than be angry. I cannot offend you in intention, butI fear my sins of omission are equal to many a good Christian's. Pray forgive me. I really will begin to be between forty andfifty by the time I am fourscore; and I truly believe I shallbring my resolutions within compass; for I have not chalked outany particular business that will take me above forty years more;so that, if I do not get acquainted with the grandchildren of allthe present age, I shall lead a quiet sober life yet before Idie. 

As Mr. Bateman's is the kingdom of flowers, I must not wish tosend you any; else, Madam, I should load wagons with acacias, honeysuckles, and seringas. Madame de Juliac, who dined hereowned that the climate and odours equalled Languedoc. I fear thewant of rain made the turf put her in mind of it, too. Monsieurde Caraman entered into the gothic spirit of the place, andreally seemed pleased, which was more than I expected; for, between you and me, Madam, our friends the French have seldomeyes for any thing they have not been used to see all theirlives. I beg my warmest compliments to your host and LordIlchester. I wish your ladyship all pleasure and health, and am, notwithstanding my idleness, your most faithful and devotedhumble 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 theChronicle that I am dangerously ill; and as I know you take inthat paper, and are one of the very, very few, of whosetenderness and friendship I have not the smallest doubt, I givemyself pain, rather than let you feel a moment's unnecessarily. It is true, I have had a terrible attack of the gout in mystomach, head, and both feet, but have truly never been in dangerany more than one must be in such a situation. My head andstomach are perfectly well; my feet far from it. I have kept myroom since this day se'nnight, and my bed these three days, buthope 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 notbe so easy to reconnoitre it, for I question whether any of itwill 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 isalmost over. I had little pain there this last night, and got, at twice, about three hours' sleep; but, whenever I waked, foundmy head very bad, which Mr. Graham thinks gouty too. The feveris still very high: but the same sage is of opinion, with my LadyLOndonderry, that if it was a fever from death, I should die; butas it is only a fever from the gout, I shall live. I think sotoo, 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 beable to compass all your terraces again. The weather is veryhot, and I have the (comfort of a window open all day. I havegot a bushel of roses too, and a new scarlet nightingale, whichdoes not sing Nancy Dawson from morning to night. Perhaps youthink all these poor pleasures; but you are ignorant what aprovocative the gout is, and what charms it can bestow on amoment's amusement! Oh! it beats all the refinements of a Romansensualist. It has made even my watch a darling plaything; Istrike it as often as a child does. Then the disorder of mysleep diverts me when I am awake. I dreamt that I went to seeMadame de Bentheim at Paris, and that she had the prettiestpalace in the world, built like a pavilion, of yellow laced withblue; that I made love to her daughter, whom I calledMademoiselle Bleue et Jaune, and thought it very clever. 

My next reverie was very serious, and lasted half an hour after Iwas awake; which you will perhaps think a little light-headed, and so do I. I thought Mr. Pitt had had a conference with Madamede Bentheim, and granted all her demands. I rung for Louis atsix in the morning, and wanted to get up and inform myself ofwhat had been kept so secret from me. You must know, that allthese visions of Madame de Bentheim flowed from George Selwyntelling me last night, that she had carried most of her points, and was returning. What stuff I tell you! But alas! I havenothing better to do, sitting on my bed, and wishing to forgethow 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 flattermyself that I am not doing an impertinence in telling you I amalive; though, after what I have suffered, you may be sure therecannot be much of me left. The gout has been a little in mystomach, much more in my head, but luckily never out of my rightfoot, and for twelve, thirteen, and seventeen hours together, insisting upon having its way as absolutely as ever my LadyBlandford(847) did. The extremity of pain seems to be over, though I sometimes think my tyrant puts in his claim to t'otherfoot; 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 ashis master, and makes use of this hot day to plague me more; yet, as I was sending a servant to Twickenham, I could not helpscrawling out a few lines to ask how your ladyship does, to tellyou how I am, and to lament the roses, strawberries, and banks ofthe river. I know nothing, Madam, of, any kings or ministers butthose I have mentioned; and this administration I fervently hopewill be changed soon, and for all others I shall be veryindifferent. Had a (, real prince come to my bedside yesterday, Ishould 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. Seeant`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 asI give audience here in my bed to new ministers and foreignministers, I think it full as much my duty to give an account ofmyself to those who are so good as to wish me well. I am reducedto nothing but bones and spirits; but the latter make me bear theinconvenience of the former, though they (I mean my bones) lie ina heap over one another like the bits of ivory at the game ofstraws. 

It is very melancholy, at the instant I was getting quit ofpolitics, to be visited with the only thing that is still moreplaguing. However, I believe the fit of politics going off makesme support the new-comer better. Neither of them indeed willleave me plumper;(849) but if they will both leave me at peace, your ladyship knows it is all I have ever desired. The chiefsof' the new ministry were to have kissed hands to-day; but Mr. Charles Townshend, who, besides not knowing either of his ownminds, has his brother's minds to know too, could not determinelast night. Both brothers are gone to the King to-day. I wasmuch concerned to hear so bad an account of your ladyship'shealth. Other people would wish you a severe fit, which is avery cheap wish to them who do not feel it: I, who do, advise youto be content with it in detail. Adieu! Madam. Pray keep alittle summer for me. I will give You a bushel of politics, whenI come to Marble Hill, for a teacup of strawberries and cream. 

Mr. Chetwynd, (851) I suppose, is making the utmost advantage ofany absence, frisking and cutting capers before Miss Hotham, andadvising her not to throw herself away on a decrepit old man. --Well, fifty years hence he may begin to be an old man too; andthen I shall not pity him, though I own he is the best-humouredlad 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? Hisfortune from his father, we know from himself, was veryinconsiderable;-but from his childhood he held sinecure officeswhich, during the greater part of his life, produced him betweensix and seven thousand pounds per annum. -C. 

(851) William Chetwynd, brother of the two first Viscounts, andhimself, in 1767, third Viscount Chetwynd. He was at this timenearly 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 willexcuse My not writing many, my posture is so uncomfortable, lyingon a couch by the side of my bed, and writing on the bed. I havein this manner been what they call out of bed for two days, but Imend 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 nogood but what you always do me, in coming to see me. Ishould hope that would be before I go to France, whither Icertainly go the beginning of September, if not sooner. Thegreat and happy change-happy, I hope, for this country--isactually begun. The Duke of Bedford, George Grenville, and thetwo Secretaries are discarded. Lord Rockingham is first lord ofthe treasury, Dowdeswell chancellor of the exchequer, the Duke ofGrafton and Mr. Conway secretaries of state. You need not wishme joy, for I know you do. There is a good deal more tocome, (852) and what is better, regulation of general warrants, and of undoing at least some of the mischiefs these - have beencommitting; some, indeed, is past recovery! I long to talk itall over with you; though it is hard that when I may write what Iwill, I am not able. The poor Chute is relapsed again, and weare no comfort to one another but by messages. An offer fromIreland was sent to Lord Hertford last night from his brother'soffice. Adieu!

(852) "There has been pretty clean sweeping already, " wrote LordChesterfield on the 15th; and I do not remember, in my time, tohave seen so much at once, as an entire new board of treasury, and two new secretaries, etc. Here is a new political archbuilt; but of materials of so different a nature, and without akeystone, that it does not, in my opinion, indicate eitherstrength or duration. It will certainly require repairs and akeystone next winter, and that keystone will and must necessarilybe 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 forthe concern that the death of Lady Bab. Montagu(854) Will giveyou. 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 wouldhave still more reason to complain of your retirement. Yoursolitude prevents your filling up the places of those that aregone. In the world, new acquaintances slide into our habits, butyou keep so strict a separation between your old friends and newfaces, that the loss of any of the former must be more Sensibleto you than to most people. I heartily condole with you, and yetI must make you smile. The second Miss Jefferies was to go to aball yesterday at Hampton-court with Lady Sophia Thomas'sdaughters. The news came, and your aunt Cosby said the girl mustnot go to it. The poor child then cried in earnest. Lady Sophiawent to intercede for her, and found her grandmother atbackgammon, who would hear no entreaties. Lady Sophiarepresented that Miss Jefferies was but a second cousin, andcould not have been acquainted. "Oh! Madam, if there is notenderness left in the world-cinq ace--Sir, you are to throw. "

We have a strange story come from London. Lord Fortescue wasdead suddenly; there was a great mob about his house inGrosvenor-square, and a buzz that my lady had thrown up the sashand cried murder, and that he then shot himself. How true allthis I don't know: at least it is not so false as if it was inthe newspapers. However, these sultry summers do not suit Englishheads: this last month puts even the month of November's nose outof joint for self-murders. If it was not for the Queen thepeerage would be extinct: she has given us another Duke. (855)

My two months are up, and yet I recover my feet very slowly. Ihave crawled once round my garden; but it sent me to my couch forthe rest of the day. This duration of weakness makes me veryimpatient, as I wish much to be at Paris before the fine seasonis quite gone. This will probably be the last time I shalltravel to finish my education, and I should be glad to look oncemore at their gardens and villas: nay, churches and palaces arebut uncomfortable sights in cold weather, and I have much morecuriosity for their habitations than their company. They havescarce a man or a woman of note that one wants to see; and, fortheir authors, their style is grown so dull in imitation of us, they are si philosophes, si g`eom`etres, si moraux, that Icertainly should not cross the sea in search of ennui, that I canhave in such perfection at home. However, the change of scene ismy chief inducement, and to get out of politics. There is nogoing through another course of patriotism in your cousinSandwich and George Grenville. I think of setting out by themiddle of September; have I any chance of seeing you here beforethat? Won't you come and commission me to offer up yourdevotions to Notre Dame de Livry?(8 or chez nos filles de SainteMarie. If I don't make haste, the reformation in France willdemolish half that I want to see. I tremble for the Val de Graceand St. Cyr. The devil take Luther for putting it into the headsof his methodists to pull down the churches! I believe in twentyyears there Will not be a convent left in Europe but this atStrawberry. I wished for you to-day; Mr. Chute and Cowsladedined here; the day was divine: the sun gleamed down into thechapel in all the glory of popery; the gallery was all radiance;we drank our coffee on the bench under the great ash-tree; theverdure was delicious; our tea in the Holbein room, by which athousand chaises and barges passed; and I showed them my newcottage and garden over the way, which they had never seen, andwith which they were enchanted. It is so retired, so modest, andyet so cheerful and trim, that I expect you to fall in love withit. I intend to bring it a handful of treillage and agr`emensfrom Paris; for being cross the road, and quite detached, it isto have nothing gothic about it, nor pretend to call cousins withthe mansion-house. 

I know no more of the big world at London, than if I had not arelation in the ministry. To be free from pain and politics issuch a relief to me, that I enjoy my little comforts andamusements here beyond expression. No mortal ever entered thegate of ambition with such transport as I took leave of them allat the threshold. Oh! if my Lord Temple knew what pleasures hecould create for himself at Stowe, he would not harass ashattered carcass, and sigh to be insolent at St. James's! For mypart, I say with the bastard in King John, though with a littlemore reverence, and only as touching his ambition, Oh! old Sir Robert, father, on my kneeI give Heaven thanks I was not like to thee. 

Adieu! Yours most cordially. 

(854) Lady Barbara Montagu, daughter of George second Earl ofHalifax. -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 tounder 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 ofoneself to people that inquire only out of compliment, and do notlisten to the answer, the more satisfaction one feels inindulging a self-complacency, by Sighing to those that reallysympathize with our griefs. Do not think it is pain that makesme give this low-spirited air to my letter. No, it is theprospect of what is to come, not the sensation of what ispassing, that affects me. The loss of youth is melancholyenough; but to enter into old age through the gate of infirmityis most disheartening. My health and spirits make me take butslight notice of the transition, and under the persuasion oftemperance being a talisman, I marched boldly on towards thedescent of the hill, knowing I must fall at last, but notsuspecting that I should stumble by the way. This confessionexplains the mortification I feel. A month's confinement to onewho never kept his bed a day is a stinging lesson, and hashumbled my insolence to almost indifference. Judge, then, howlittle I interest myself about public events. I know nothing ofthem since I came hither, where I had not only the disappointmentof not growing better, but a bad return In one of my feet, sothat I am still wrapped up and upon a couch. It was the moreunlucky as Lord Hertford is come to England for a few days. Hehas offered to come to me; but as I then should see him only forsome minutes, I propose being carried to town tomorrow. It willbe SO long before I can expect to be able to travel, that myFrench journey will certainly not take place so soon as Iintended, and if Lord Hertford goes to Ireland, I shall be stillmore fluctuating; for though the Duke and Duchess of Richmondwill replace them at Paris, and are as eager to have me withthem, I have had so many more years heaped upon me within thismonth, that I have not the conscience to trouble young people, when I can no longer be as juvenile as they are. Indeed I shallthink myself decrepit till I again saunter into the garden in myslippers and without my hat in all weathers--a point I amdetermined to regain, if possible; for even this experiencecannot make me resign my temperance and my hardiness. I am tiredof the world, its politics, its pursuits, and its pleasures; butit will cost me some struggles before I submit to be tender andcareful. Christ! can I ever stoop to the regimen of old age? Ido not wish to dress up a withered person, nor drag it about topublic places; but to sit in one's room, clothed warmly, expecting visits from folk-, I don't wish to see, and tended andflattered by relations impatient for one's death let the gout doits worst as expeditiously as it can; it would be more welcome inmy stomach than in my limbs. I am not made to bear a course ofnonsense and advice, but must play the fool in my own way to thelast, alone with all my heart, if I cannot be with the very few Iwish to see: but, to depend for comfort on others, who would beno comfort to me; this surely is not a state to be preferred todeath: and nobody can have truly enjoyed the advantages of youth, health, and spirits, who is content to exist without the twolast, which alone bear any resemblance to the first. (853)

You see how difficult it is to conquer my proud spirit: low andweak as I am, I think my resolution and perseverance will get mebetter, and that I shall still be a gay shadow; at least, I willimpose any severity upon myself, rather than humour the gout, andsink into that indulgence with which most people treat it. Bodily liberty is as dear to me as mental, and I would as soonflatter any other tyrant as the gout, my Whiggism extending asmuch to my health as to my principles, and being as willing topart with life, when I cannot preserve it, as your uncle Algernonwhen his freedom was at stake. Adieu!

(853) Upon this passage the Quarterly Review observes: "Walpole'sreflections on human life are marked by strong sense andknowledge of mankind; but our most useful lesson will perhaps bederived from considering this man of the world, full ofinformation and sparkling with vivacity, stretched on a sick bed, and apprehending all the tedious languor of helpless decrepitudeand 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 Ileft England! Indeed, I may as well give you quite up, for everyyear reduces our Intercourse. I am prepared, because it musthappen, if I live, to see my friends drop off; but my mind wasnot turned to see them entirely separated from me while theylive. This is very uncomfortable, but so are many things!--well!I will go and try to forget you all--all! God knows that all thatI have left to forget is small enough; but the warm heart, thatgave me affections, is not so easily laid aside. If I coulddivest myself of that, I should not, I think, find much forfriendship remaining; you, against whom I have no complaint, butthat you satisfy yourself with loving me without any desire ofseeing me, are one of the very last that I wish to preserve; butI 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 believethat I am glad to go, and yet this will be my chief joy, for Ipromise myself little pleasure in arriving. Can you think me boyenough to be fond of a new world at my time of life! If I did nothate the world I know, I should not seek another. My greatestamusement will be in reviving old ideas. The memory of what madeimpressions on one's youth is ten times dearer than any newpleasure can be. I shall probably write to you often, for I amnot disposed to communicate myself' to any thing that I have notknown these thirty years. My mind is such a compound from thevast variety that I have seen, acted, pursued, that it would costme too much pains to be intelligible to young persons, if I had amind to open myself to them. They certainly do not desire Ishould. You like my gossiping to you, though you seldom gossipwith me. The trifles that amuse my mind are the only points Ivalue now. I have seen the vanity of every thing serious, andthe falsehood of every thing that pretended to be serious. I goto see French plays and buy French china, not to know theirministers, to look into their government, or think of theinterests of nations--in short, unlike most people that aregrowing old, I am convinced that nothing is charming but whatappeared important in one's youth, which afterwards passes forfollies. Oh! but those follies were sincere; if the pursuits ofage are so, they are sincere alone to self-interest. Thus Ithink, and have no other care but not to think aloud. I wouldnot have respectable youth think me an old fool. For the oldknaves, they may suppose me one of their number if they please; Ishall not be so--but neither the one nor the other shall knowwhat I am. I have done with them all, shall amuse myself as wellas I can, and think as little as I can; a pretty hard task for anactive mind!

Direct your letters to Arlington-street, whence Favre will takecare 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 entirelyincompatible with my present system to leave even a postern-dooropen to any feeling which would steal in if I did not double-boltevery avenue. 

If you send me any parcel to Arlington-street before Monday. Se'nnight I will take care of it. Many English books I concludeare to be bought at Paris. I am sure Richardson's works are, forthey have stupefied the whole French nation:(857) I will notanswer for our best authors. You may send me your list, and, ifI do not find them, I can send you word, and you may convey themto me by Favre's means, who will know of messengers, etc. , comingto Paris. 

I have fixed no precise time for my absence. My wish is to likeit enough to stay till February, which may happen, if I cansupport the first launching into new society. I know four orfive 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 severalothers that have been here. Then the Richmonds will follow me ina fortnight or three weeks, and their house will be a sort ofhome. I actually go into it at first, till I can suit myselfwith an -, apartment; but I shall take care to quit it before theycome, for, though they are in a manner my children, I do notintend to adopt the rest of my countrymen; nor, when I quit thebest company here, to live in the worst there; such @are youngtravelling boys, and, what is still worse, old travelling boys, governors. 

Adieu! remember you have defrauded me of this summer; I will beamply 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, whoseimaginations are more easily excited, and their passions moreeasily moved, by tales of fictitious distress, than are the cold-blooded English. Foreigners of distinction have been known tovisit Hampstead, and to inquire for the Flask Walk, distinguishedas a scene in Clarissa's history, just as travellers visit therocks of Meillerie to view the localities of Rousseau's tale ofpassion. Diderot vied with Rousseau in heaping incense upon theshrine of the English author. The former compares him to Homer, and predicts for his memory the same honours which are renderedto the father of epic poetry; and the last, besides hiswell-known burst of eloquent panegyric, records his opinion in aletter to D'Alembert:--'On n'a jamais fait encore, en quelquelangue que ce soit, de roman `egal `a Clarisse, ni m`emeapprochant. '" 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 somuch as your lordship and Lady Strafford, without taking a sortof leave of you. I shall set out for Paris on Monday next the9th, and shall be happy if I can execute any commission for youthere. 

A journey to Paris Sounds youthful and healthy. I have certainlymended much this last week, though with no pretensions to arecovery of youth. Half the view of my journey is tore-establish my health--the other half, to wash my hands ofpolitics, which I have long determined to do whenever a changeshould happen. I would not abandon my friends while they weremartyrs; but, now they have gained their crown of glory, they arewell able to shift for themselves; and it was no part of mycompact to go to that heaven, St. James's, with them. Unless Idislike Paris very much, I shall stay some time; but I make nodeclarations, lest I should be soon tired of it, and coming backagain. At first, I must like it, for Lady Mary Coke will bethere, as if by assignation. The Countesses of Carlisle andBerkeley, too, I hear, will set up their staves there for sometime; but as my heart is faithful to Lady Mary, they would notcharm me if they were forty times more Disposed to it. 

The Emperor' is dead, (858)--but so are all the Maximilians andLeopolds his predecessors, and with no more influence on thepresent state of things. The EmpressQueen will still bemaster-Dowager unless she marries an Irishman, as I wish with allmy soul she may. 

The Duke and Duchess of Richmond will follow me in about afortnight: Lord and Lady George Lennox go with them; and SirCharles Banbury and Lady Sarah are to be at Paris, too, for sometime: so the English court there will be very juvenile andblooming. This set is rather younger than the dowagers with whomI pass so much of my summers and autumns; but this is to be mylast sally into the world and when I return, I intend to be assober as my cat, and purr quietly in my own chimney corner. 

Adieu, my dear lord! May every happiness attend you both, and mayI pass some agreeable days next summer with you at WentworthCastle!

(858) Francis the First, Emperor of Germany, died at Inspruck, onSunday the 18th of August. He was in good health the greater partof the day, and assisted at divine service; but, between nine andten in the evening, he was attacked by a fit of apoplexy, andexpired in a few minutes afterwards in the arms of his son, theKing 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. Thereis no persuading you to oblige moderately. Do you know, Madam, that I shall tremble to deliver the letters you have been so goodas 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 Iknow myself, and hampered in bad French, how shall I keep up toany character at all? Madame d'Aiguillon and Madame Geoffrinwill never believe that I am the true messenger, but willconclude that I have picked Mr. Walpole's portmanteau's pocket. I wish only to present myself to them as one devoted to yourladyship; 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 morethan mine; and, if they find me a simpleton that don't know howto express myself, it will all fall upon you at last. ' If yourladyship will risk that, I will, if you please, thank you for aletter to Madame d'Egmont, too: I long to know your friends, though at the hazard of their knowing yours. Would I were ajolly old man, to match, at least, in that respect, your jollyold 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 pretendthat I have had the gout in my understanding. My spirits, suchas they are, will not bear translating; and I don't know whetherI shall not find it the wisest part I can take to fling myselfinto geometry, or commerce, or agriculture, which the French nowesteem, don't understand, and think we do. They took GeorgeSelwyn for a poet, and a judge of planting and dancing-. Why mayI not pass for a learned man and a philosopher? If the worstcomes to the worst, I will admire Clarissa and Sir CharlesGrandison; and declare I have not a friend in the world that isnot like my Lord Edward Bomston, though I never knew a characterlike it in my days, and hope I never shall; nor do I thinkRousseau need to have gone so far out of his way to paint adisagreeable Englishman. 

If you think, Madam, this sally is not very favourable to thecountry I am going to, recollect, that all I object to them istheir quitting their own agreeable style, to take up the worst ofours. Heaven knows, we are unpleasing enough; but, in the firstplace, they don't understand us; and in the next, if they did, somuch the worse for them. What have they gained by leavingMoli`ere, Boileau, Corneille, Racine, La Rochefucault, Crebillon, Marivaux, Voltaire, etc. ? No nation can be another nation. Wehave been clumsily copying them for these hundred years, and arenot we grown wonderfully like them? Come, madam, you like what Ilike of them? I am going thither, and you have no aversion togoing thither--but own the truth; had not we both rather gothither fourscore years ago? Had you rather be acquainted withthe charming madame Scarron, or the canting Madame de Maintenon?with Louis XIV. When the Montespan governed him, or when P`ere leTellier? I am very glad when folks go to heaven, though it isafter another body's fashion; but I 'wish to converse with themwhen they are themselves. I abominate a conqueror; but I do notthink he makes the world much compensation, by cutting thethroats of his Protestant subjects to atone for the massacrescaused by his ambition. 

The result of all this dissertation, Madam--for I don't know howto call it a letter--is, that I shall look for Paris in the midstof Paris, and shall think more of the French that have been thanthe 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 toyour ladyship's taste for the others; and if they had no othermerit, I can but like those that will talk to me of you. Theywill find more sentiment in me on that chapter, than they canmiss parts; and I flatter myself that the one will atone for theother. 

(859) la Duchesse Douairi`ere d'Aiguillon, n`ee Chabot, mother ofthe Duc d'Aiguillon, who succeeded the Duc de Choiseul asminister for foreign affairs. She was a correspondent of LadyHervey's. In a letter to Walpole, of the 20th of November 1766, madame du Deffand says:--"Je soupai Iiier chez Madamed'Aiguillon: elle nous lut la traduction de la Lettre d'H`eloysede Pope, et d'un chant du po`eme de Salomon, de Prior; elle`ecrit admirablement bien; j'en `etais r`eellement dansl'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 howluckily it was timed. I thought you in Cheshire, and did notknow 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 mybed a fortnight in the most sultry part of this summer; and fornine weeks could not say I was recovered. Though I am stillweak, and very soon tired with the least walk, I am in otherrespects quite well. However, to promote my entirereestablishment, I shall set out for Paris next Monday. Thusyour letter came luckily. To hear you talk of going thither, too, made it most agreeable. Why should you not advance yourjourney? Why defer it till the winter is coming on? It wouldmake me quite happy to visit churches and convents with you: butthey are not comfortable in cold weather. Do, I beseech you, follow me as soon as possible. The thought of your being thereat the same time makes me much more pleased with my journey; youwill not, I hope, like it the less; and, if our meeting thereshould tempt you to stay longer, it will make me still morehappy. 

If, in the mean time, I can be of any use to you, I shall be gladeither in taking a lodging for you, Or any thing else. Let meknow, and direct to me in Arlington-street, whence my servantWill convey it to me. Tell me above all things that you will setout sooner. 

If I have any money left when I return, and can find a place forit, I shall be very glad to purchase the ebony cabinet youmention, and will make it a visit with you next summer if youplease--but first let us go to Paris. I don't give up my passionfor ebony; but, since the destruction of the Jesuits, I hear onecan pick up so many of their spoils that I am impatient for theopportunity. 

I must finish, as I have so much business before I set out; but Imust repeat, how lucky the arrival of your letter was, how glad Iwas to hear of your intended journey, and how much I wish it maytake place directly. I will only add that the court goes toFontainbleau, the last week in September, or first in October, and therefore it is the season in the world for seeing allVersailles quietly, and at one's ease. Adieu! dear sir, yoursmost 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 thiscity. I escaped a Prince of Nassau at Dover, and sickness atsea, though the voyage lasted seven hours and a half. I haverecovered my strength surprisingly in the time; though almostfamished for want of clean victuals, and comfortable tea andbread and butter. Half a mile from hence I met a coach and fourwith an equipage of French, and a lady in pea-green and silver, asmart hat and feather. , and two suivantes. My reason told me itwas the Archbishop's concubine; but luckily my heart whisperedthat it was Lady Mary Coke. I Jumped out of my chaise--yes, jumped, as Mrs. Nugent said of herself, fell on my knees, andsaid my first ave Maria, grati`a plena. We just shot a fewpolitics flying--heard that Madame de Mirepoix had toasted met'other day in tea--shook hands, forgot to weep, and parted; sheto the Hereditary Princess, I to this inn, where is actuallyresident the Duchess of Douglas. We are not likely to have anintercourse, or I would declare myself' a Hamilton. (860)

I find this country wonderfully enriched since I saw itfour-and-twenty years ago. Boulogne is grown quite a plump snugtown, with a number Of new houses. The worst villages are tight, and wooden shoes have disappeared. Mr. Pitt and the city ofLondon may fancy what they will, but France will not comea-begging to the Mansion-house this year or two. In truth. Iimpute this air of opulence a little to ourselves. The crumbsthat fall from the chaises of the swarms of English that visitParis, must have contributed to fatten this province. It isplain I must have little to do when I turn my hand tocalculating: but here is my observation. From Boulogne to Parisit will cost me near ten guineas; but then consider, I travelalone, and carry Louis most part of the way in the chaise withme. Nous autres milords Anglais are not often so frugal. Yourbrother, last year, had ninety-nine English to dinner on theKing's birthday. How many of them do you think dropped so littleas ten guineas on this road? In short, there are the seeds of acalculation for you, and if you will water them with a torrent ofwords, they will produce such a dissertation, that you will beable to vie with George Grenville next session in plans ofnational economy-only be sure not to tax travelling till I comeback, loaded with purchases; nor, till then, propagate my ideas. It will be time enough for me to be thrifty of the nation'smoney, when I have spent all my own. 

Clermont, 12th. 

While they are getting my dinner, I continue my journal. TheDuchess of Douglas (for English are generally the mostextraordinary persons that we meet with even out of England) leftAmiens before me, on her way home. You will not guess what shecarries with her--Oh! nothing that will hurt our manufactures;nor what George Grenville himself would seize. One of herservants died at Paris: she had him embalmed, and the body istied before her chaise: a droll way of being chief mourner. 

For a French absurdity, I have observed that along the greatroads they plant walnut-trees, but strip them up for firing. Itis like the owl that bit off the feet of mice, that they mightlie still and fatten. 

At the foot of this hill is an old-fashioned ch`ateau belongingto the Duke of Fitz-James, with a parc en quincunx and clippedhedges. We saw him walking in his waistcoat and riband, verywell powdered; a figure like Guerchy. I cannot say his seatrivals Goodwood or Euston. (861) I shall lie at Chantillyto-night, for I did not Set Out till ten this morning--notbecause I could not, as you will suspect, get up sooner--butbecause all the horses in the country have attended the Queen toNancy. (862) Besides, I have a little Underplot of seeingChantilly and St. Denis in my way: which you know one could notdo 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 LadyAnne(863) will not come out of her burrow: so I have just time tofinish this before Madame returns; and Brian sets out to-nightand 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 hatewith forty. Adieu! yours ever. 

(860) The memorable cause between the houses of Douglas andHamilton was then pending. -E. 

(861) The Duc de Fitzjames's father, Mareschal Berwick, was anatural son of James II. Mr. Walpole therefore compares hiscountry-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 ofDrogheda. -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 wasreally so, and had my life to begin, to live it here. You seehow just I am, and ready to make amende honorable to yourladyship. Yet I have seen very little. My Lady Hertford has cutme to pieces, and thrown me into a caldron with tailors, periwig-makers, snuff-box-wrights, milliners, etc. Which reallytook up but little time; and I am come out quite new, with everything 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 ofmy spirits, which are indecently juvenile, and not less improperfor my age than for the country where I am; which, if you willgive me leave to say it, has a thought too much gravity. I don'tventure to laugh Or talk nonsense, but in English. 

Madame Geoffrin came to town but last night, and is not visibleon Sundays; but I hope to deliver your ladyship's letter andpacket to-morrow. Mesdames d'Aiguillon, d'Egmont, and Chabot, and the Duc de Nivernois are all in the country. Madame deBouttlers is at l'Isle Adam, whither my Lady Hertford is goneto-night to sup, for the first time, being no longer chained downto the incivility of an ambassadress. She returns after supper;an irregularity that frightens me, who have not got rid of all mybarbarisms. There is one, alas! I never shall get over--the dirtof this country: it is melancholy, after the purity ofStrawberry! The narrowness of the streets, trees clipped toresemble brooms, and planted on pedestals of chalk, and a fewother points, do not edify me. The French Opera, which I haveheard to-night, disgusted me as much as ever; and the more forbeing followed by the Devin de Village, which shows that they cansing without cracking the drum of one's ear. The scenes anddances are delightful; the Italian comedy charming. Then I am inlove with treillage and fountains, and will prove it atStrawberry. Chantilly is so exactly what it was when I saw itabove twenty years ago, that I recollected the very position ofMonsieur le Duc's chair and the gallery. The latter gave me thefirst idea of mine; but, presumption apart, mine is a thousandtimes prettier. I gave my Lord Herbert's compliments to thestatue of his friend the Constable -, (864) and, waiting some timefor the concierge, I called out, O`u est Vatel?(865)

In short, Madam, being as tired as one can be of one's owncountry, --I don't say whether that is much or little, --I findmyself wonderfully disposed to like this. Indeed I wish I Couldwash it. Madame de Guerchy is all goodness to me; but that isnot new. I have already been prevented by great civilities fromMadame de Bentheim and my old friend Madame de Mirepoix; but amnot likely to see the latter much, who is grown a most particularfavourite of the King, and seldom from him. The Dauphin is ill, and thought in a very bad way. I hope he will live, lest thetheatres should be shut up. Your ladyship knows I never troublemy head about royalties, farther than it affects my own interest. In truth, the way that princes affect my interest is not thecommon way. 

I have not yet tapped the chapter of baubles, being desirous ofmaking my revenues maintain me here as long as possible, It willbe 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) Ihear, disputes the palm with her: and Madame de Brionne(869) isnot left without partisans. The nymphs of the theatres arelaides `a faire peur which at my age is a piece of luck, likegoing into a shop of curiosities, and finding nothing to temptone to throw away one's money. 

There are several English here, whether I will or not. Icertainly did not come for them, and shall connect with them aslittle as possible. The few I value, I hope sometimes to hearof. Your ladyship guesses how far that wish extends. Considertoo, Madam, that one of my unworthinesses is washed and doneaway, 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 LouisXIV. Made to the grand Cond`e at Chantilly, put an end to hisexistence, because he feared the sea-fish would not arrive intime 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 wascomplete without his attendance. At the Opera, his broad, unmeaning face was usually seen entre deux jolis minois: theladies 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. Seevol. Iii. P. 358, letter 233, note 710. She was one of thehandsomest women in France. -E. 

(869) Madame de Brionne, n`ee Rohan Rochefort, wife of M. DeBrionne of the house of Lorraine, and mother of the Prince deLambesc; known by his imprudent conduct at the head of hisregiment in the garden of the Tuileries, at the commencement ofthe 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 justsetting out, I had rather take the opportunity of writing to youa short letter than defer it for a longer. 

I had a very good passage, and pleasant journey, and find myselfsurprisingly recovered for the time. Thank you for the good newsyou tell me of your coming: it gives me great joy. 

To the end of this week I shall be in Lord Hertford's house; sohave not yet got a lodging: but when I do, you will easily findme. I have no banker, but credit on a merchant who is a privatefriend of ]lord Hertford; consequently, I cannot give you crediton him: but you shall have the use of my credit, which will bethe same thing; and we can settle our accounts together. Ibrought about a hundred pounds with me, as I would advise you todo. Guineas you may change into louis or French crowns at Calaisand Boulogne; and even small bank-bills will be taken here. Inany shape I will assist you. Be careful on the road. Myportmanteau, with part of my linen, was stolen from before mychaise at noon, while I went to see Chantilly. If you stir outof your room, lock the door of it in the inn, or leave your manin it. If you arrive near the time you propose, you will find mehere, 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, mightmake me express myself warmly, but I assure you it was nothingbut concern, nor was mixed with a grain of pouting. I knew someof your reasons, and guessed others. The latter grieve meheartily; but I advise you to do as I do - when I meet withingratitude, 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 reparationgenerally proved a second evil of the same sort, I am content nowto skin over such wounds with amusements, which at least have noscars. It is true, amusements do not always amuse when we bidthem. I find it so here; nothing strikes me; every thing I do isindifferent to me. I like the people very well, and their way oflife very well; but as neither were my object, I should not muchcare if they were any other people, or it was any other way oflife. I am out of England and my purpose is answered. 

Nothing can be more obliging than the reception I meet with everywhere. It may not be more sincere (and why should it?) than ourcold and bare civility; but it is better dressed, and looksnatural: one asks no more. I have begun to sup in French houses, and as Lady Hertford has left Paris to-day, shall increase myintimacies. There are swarms of English here, but most of themare going, to my great satisfaction. As the greatest part arevery young, they can no more be entertaining to me than I tothem, and it certainly was not my countrymen that I came to livewith. Suppers please me extremely; I love to rise and breakfastlate, and to trifle away the day as I like. There are sightsenough to answer that end, and shops you know are an endlessfield for me The city appears much worse to me than I thought Iremembered it. The French music as shocking as I knew it was. The French stage is fallen off though in the only part I haveseen Le Kain(870) I admire him extremely. He is very ugly andill made, (871) and yet has an heroic dignity which Garrick wants, and great fire. The Dumenil I have not seen yet, but shall in aday or two. It is a mortification that I cannot compare her withthe Clairon, (872) who has left the stage. Grandval I saw througha whole play without suspecting it was he. Alas! four-and-twentyyears make strange havoc with us mortals! You cannot imagine howthis struck me! The Italian comedy, now united with their Operacomique, is their most perfect diversion; but alas! Harlequin, mydear favourite harlequin, my passion, makes me more melancholythan cheerful. Instead of laughing, I sit silently reflectinghow every thing loses charms when one's own youth does not lend. Its gilding! When we are divested of that eagerness and illusionwith which our youth presents objects to us, we are but the caputmortuum of pleasure. 

Grave as these ideas are, they do not unfit me for Frenchcompany. The present tone is serious enough in conscience. Unluckily, the subjects of their conversation are duller to methan my own thoughts, which may be tinged with melancholyreflections, but I doubt from my constitution will never beinsipid. 

The French affect philosophy, literature, and freethinking: thefirst never did, and never will possess me; of the two others Ihave long been tired. Freethinking is for one's self, surely notfor society; besides one has settled one's way of thinking, orknows it cannot be settled, and for others I do not see why thereis not as much bigotry in attempting conversions from anyreligion as to it. I dined to-day with a dozen savans, andthough all the servants were waiting, the conversation was muchmore unrestrained, even on the Old Testament, than I would sufferat my own table in England, if a single footman was present. Forliterature, it is very amusing when one has nothing else to do. I think it rather pedantic in society; tiresome when displayedprofessedly; and, besides, in this country one is sure, it isonly the fashion of the day. Their taste in it is worst ofall: could one believe that when they read our authors, Richardson and Mr. Hume should be their favourites? The latter istreated here with perfect veneration. His history, so falsifiedin many points, so partial in as many, so very unequal in itsparts, is thought the standard of writing. 

In their dress and equipages they are grown very simple. WeEnglish are living upon their old gods and goddesses; I rollabout in a chariot decorated with cupids, and look like thegrandfather of Adonis. 

Of their parliaments and clergy I hear a good deal, and attendvery little - I cannot take up any history in the middle, and wastoo 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 adesert, like you. Few men can bear absolute retirement, and weEnglish worst of all. We grow so humoursome, so obstinate andcapricious, and so prejudiced, that it requires a fund ofgood-nature like yours not to grow morose. Company keeps ourrind from growing too coarse and rough; and though at my return Idesign not to mix in public, I do not intend to be quite arecluse. My absence will put it in my power to take up or dropas much as I please. Adieu! I shall inquire about yourcommission of books, but having been arrived but ten days, havenot yet had time. Need I say?--no I need not--that nobody can bemore 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 hisdramatic talents having been made known to Voltaire, he took himunder his instructions, and secured him an engagement at theFran`cais, where he performed for the first time in 1750. -E. 

(871) "Cet acteur, " says Baron de Grimm, "n'est presque jamaisfaux, mais malheureusement il a voix, figure, tout, contre lui. Une sensibilit`e forte et profonde, qui faisait disparaitre lalaideur de ses traits sous le charme de l'expression dont elleles rendait susceptible, et ne laissait aper`cevoir que leacaract`ere et la passion dont son `ame `etait remplie, et luidonnait @ chaque instant de nouvelles formes et nouvel `etre. "-E. 

(872) See ant`e, p. 383, letter 245. Mademoiselle Clairon wasborn in 1723, and made her first appearance at Paris in 1743, inthe character of Ph`edre. She died at Paris in 1803. Several ofher letters to the British Roscius will be found in the GarrickCorrespondence. On her acting, when in the Zenith of herreputation, Dr. Grimm passes the following judgment:--"BelleClairon, vous avez beaucoup d'esprit: votre jeu est profond`ementraisonn`e; mais la passion a-t-elle le temps de raisoner? Vousn'avez ni naturel ni entrailles; vous ne d`echirez jamais lesmiennes; vous ne faites jamais couler mes pleurs; vous mettez dessilences `a tout; vous voulez faire sentir chaque hemistiche; etlorsque tout fait effet dans votre jeu, je vois que la totalit`ede 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 Duchessd'Aiguillon, who are in the country; but the latter comes toParis to-morrow. Madame Chabot I called on last night. She Wasnot at home, but the H`otel de Carnavalet;(873) was; and Istopped on purpose to say an ave-maria before it. It is a verysingular building, not at all in the French style, and looks likean ex voto raised to her honour by some of her foreign votaries. I don't think her honoured half enough in her own country. Ishall 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 hasone of the best understandings I ever met, and more knowledge ofthe world. I may be charmed with the French, but your ladyshipmust not expect that they will fall in love with me. Withoutaffecting to lower myself, the disadvantage of speaking alanguage worse than any idiot one meets, is insurmountable: thesilliest Frenchman is eloquent to me, and leaves me embarrassedand obscure. I could name twenty other reasons, if this one wasnot sufficient. As it is, my own defects are the sole cause ofmy not liking Paris entirely: the constraint I am under from notbeing perfectly master of their language, and from being so muchin the dark, as one necessarily must be, on half the subjects oftheir conversation, prevents me enjoying that ease for whichtheir society is calculated. I am much amused, but notcomfortable. 

The Duc de Nivernois is extremely good to me; he inquired muchafter your ladyship. So does Colonel Drumgold. (875) The lattercomplains; but both of them, especially the Duc, seem better thanwhen in England. I met the Duchesse de COSS`e, (876) this eveningat Madame Geoffrin's. She is pretty, with a great resemblance toher 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 anhour's time, instead of being sacrificed one week atLeicester-house, another in Grosvenor-street, a third inCavendish-square, etc. Etc. Etc. La Reine is le plus grand roidu monde, (877) and talked much to me, and would have said more ifI would have let her; but I was awkward and shrunk back into thecrowd. None of the rest spoke to me. The King is still muchhandsomer than his pictures, and has great sweetness in hiscountenance, instead of that farouche look which they give him. The Mesdames are not beauties, and yet have something Bourbon intheir faces. The Dauphiness I approve the least of all: withnothing good-humoured in her countenance, she has a look andaccent that made me dread lest I should be invited to a privateparty at loo with her. (878) The poor Dauphin is ghastly, andperishing before one's eyes. 

Fortune bestowed on me a much more curious sight than a set ofprinces; the wild beast of the Govaudan, (879) which is killed, and actually is in the Queen's antechamber. It is a thought lessthan a leviathan, and the beast in the Revelations, and has nothalf so many wings, and yes, and talons, as I believe they have, or will have some time or other; this being possessed but of twoeyes, four feet, and no wings at all. It is as fine a wolf' as acommissary in the late war, except, notwithstanding all thestories, that it has not devoured near so many persons. Inshort, Madam, now it is dead and come, a wolf it certainly was, and not more above the common size than Mrs. Cavendish is. It hasleft a dowager and four young princes. 

Mr. Stanley, who I hope will trouble himself with this, has beenmost exceedingly kind and obliging to me. I wish that, insteadof my being so much in your ladyship's debt, you were a little inMine, and then I would beg you to thank him for me. Well, but asit is, why should not you, Madam? He will be charmed to be sopaid, and you will not dislike to please him. In short, I wouldfain have him know my gratitude; and it is hearing it in the mostagreeable 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 therein 1786. Dr. Johnson, in giving Boswell an account of his visitto Paris in 1775, made the following mention of him: "I was justbeginning to creep into acquaintance, by means of ColonelDrumgold, a very high man, Sir, head of l, 'Ecole Militaire, and amost complete character, for he had first been a professor ofrhetoric, and then became a soldier. " He was The author of "LaGaiet`e, " a poem, and several other pieces. -E. 

(876) wife of the Duc de Coss`e Brisac, governor of Paris. Shewas 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 thePrincess Amelia. -E. 

(879) This enormous wolf, for wolf it proved to be, gave rise tomany extraordinary reports. The following account of it is fromthe Gentleman's Magazine for 1764: "A very strange description isgiven in the Paris Gazette of a wild beast that has appeared inthe neighbourhood of Langagne and the forest of Mercoire, and hasoccasioned great consternation. It has already devoured twentypersons, chiefly Children, and particularly young, girls; andscarce a day passes without some accidents. The terror itoccasions prevents the woodcutters from working in the forest. Those who have seen him say he is much higher than a wolf, lowbefore, and his feet are armed with talons. His hair is reddish, his head large, and the muzzle of it shaped like that of agreyhound; his ears are small and straight, his breast wide andof a gray colour; his back streaked with black; and his mouthwhich is large, is provided with a set of teeth so very sharpthat they have taken off several heads as clean as a razor couldhave done. He is of amazing swiftness; but when he aims at hisprey, he couches so close to the ground that he hardly appears tobe bigger than a large fox, and at the distance of one or twofathoms he rises upon his hind legs and springs upon his prey, which he always seizes by the neck or throat. The consternationis universal throughout the districts where he commits hisravages, and public prayers are offered up upon this occasion. The Marquis de Morangis has sent out four hundred peasants todestroy this fierce beast; but they have not been able to do it. He has since been killed by a soldier, and appears to be ahyena. " 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 comesinto my pen. 

I am, as you certainly conclude, much more amused than pleased. At a certain time of life, sights and new objects may entertainone, but new people cannot find any place in one's affection. New faces with some name or other belonging to them, catch myattention for a minute--I cannot say many preserve it. Five orsix of the women that I have seen already are very sensible. Themen are in general much inferior, and not even agreeable. Theysent us their best, I believe, at first, the Duc de Nivernois. Their authors, who by the way are every where, are worse thantheir own writings, which I don't mean as a compliment to either. In general, the style of conversation is solemn, pedantic, andseldom animated, but by a dispute. I was expressing my aversionto disputes Mr. Hume, who very gratefully admires the tone ofParis, having never known any other tone, said with greatsurprise, "Why, what do you like, if you hate both disputes andwhisk?" What strikes me the most upon the whole is, the totaldifference of manners between them and us, from the greatestobject to the least. There is not the smallest similitude in thetwenty-four hours. It is, obvious in every trifle. Servantscarry their lady's train, and put her into her coach with theirhat on. They walk about the streets in the rain with umbrellasto avoid putting on their hats - driving themselves in openchaises in the country without hats, in the rain too, and yetoften wear them in a chariot in Paris when it does not rain. Thevery footmen are powdered from the break of day, and yet waitbehind their master, as I saw the Duc of Praslin's do, with a redpocket handkerchief about their necks. Versailles, like everything else, is a mixture of parade and poverty, and in everyinstance exhibits something most dissonant from our manners. Inthe colonnades, upon the staircases, nay in the antechambers ofthe royal family, there are people selling all sorts of wares. While we were waiting in the Dauphin's sumptuous bedchamber, tillhis dressing-room door should be opened, two fellows weresweeping it, and dancing about in sabots to rub the floor. 

You perceive that I have been presented. The Queen took greatnotice of me; none of the rest said a syllable. You are let intothe King's bedchamber just as he has put on his shirt; he dressesand talks good-humouredly to a few, glares at strangers, goes tomass--to dinner, and a-hunting. The good old Queen, who is likeLady Primrose in the face, and Queen Caroline in the immensity ofher cap, is at her dressing-table, attended by two or three oldladies, who are languishing to be in Abraham's bosom, as the onlyman's bosom to whom they can hope for admittance. Thence you goto the Dauphin, for all is done in an hour. He scarce stays aminute; indeed, poor creature, he is a ghost, and cannot possiblylast three months. The Dauphiness is in her bedchamber, butdressed and standing; looks cross, is not civil, and has the trueWestphalian grace and accents. The four Mesdames, who are clumsyplump old wenches, with a bad likeness to their father, stand ina bedchamber in a row, with black cloaks and knotting-bags, looking good-humoured, not knowing what to say, and wriggling asif they wanted to make water. This ceremony too is very short:then you are carried to the Dauphin's three boys, who you may besure only bow and stare. The Duke of Berry(880) looks weak, andweak-eyed: the Count de ProvenCe(881) is a fine boy; the Countd'Artois(882) well enough. The whole concludes with seeing theDauphin's little girl dine, who is as round and as fat as apudding. 

the Queen's antechamber we foreigners and the foreign ministerswere shown the famous beast of the Govaudan, just arrived, andcovered with a cloth, which two chasseurs lifted up. It is anabsolute wolf, but uncommonly large, and the expression of agonyand fierceness remains strongly imprinted on its dead jaws. 

I dined at the Duc of Praslin's with four-and-twenty ambassadorsand envoys, who never go out but on Tuesdays to court. He doesthe honours sadly, and I believe nothing else well, lookingimportant and empty. The Duc de Choiseul's face, which is quitethe reverse of gravity, does not promise much more. His wife isgentle, pretty, and very agreeable. The Duchess of Praslin, jolly, red-faced, looking very vulgar, and being very attentiveand civil. I saw the Duc de Richelieu in waiting, who is pale, except his nose, which is red, much wrinkled, and exactly aremnant of that age which produced General Churchill, Wilkes theplayer, 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 atlast, that I could do better than stay in England for politics. "Tenez, mon enfant, " as the Duchesse de la Fert`e said to MadameStaal;(883) "comme il n'y a que moi au monde qui aie toujoursraison, " I will be very reasonable; as you have made thisconcession to me, who knew I was in the right I will not expectyou to answer all my reasonable letters. If you send a bullyingletter to the King of Spain, (884) or to Chose, my neighbourhere, (885) I will consider them as written to myself, andsubtract so much from your bill. Nay, I will accept a line fromLady Ailesbury now and then in part of payment. I shall continueto write as the wind sets in my pen; and do own my babble doesnot demand much reply. 

For so reasonable a person as I am, I have changed my mind veryoften about this country. The first five days I was in violentspirits; then came a dismal cloud of whisk and literature, and Icould not bear it. At present I begin, very englishly indeed, toestablish a right to my own way. I laugh, and talk nonsense, andmake them hear me. There are two or three houses where I goquite at my ease, am never asked to touch a card, nor holddissertations. Nay, I don't pay homage to their authors. Everywoman has one or two planted in her house, and God knows how theywater them. The old President HainaUlt(886) is the pagod atMadame du Deffand's, an old blind debauch`ee of wit, where Isupped last night. The President is very near deaf, and muchnearer superannuated. He sits by the table: the mistress of thehouse, who formerly was his, inquires after every dish on thetable, is told who has eaten of which, and then bawls the bill offare of every individual into the President's ears. In short, every mouthful is proclaimed, and so is every blunder I makeagainst grammar. Some that I make on purpose, succeed: and oneof them is to be reported to the Queen to-day by Hainault, who isher great favourite. I had been at Versailles and having beenmuch taken notice of by her Majesty, I said, alluding to madameS`evign`e, La Reine est le plus grand roi du monde. You mayjudge if I am in possession by a scene that passed after supper. Sir James macdonald(887) had been mimicking Hume: I told thewomen, who, besides the mistress, were the Duchess de laVali`ere, (888) Madame de Forcalquier, (889) a demoiselle, that tobe sure they would be glad to have a specimen of Mr. Pitt'smanner of speaking; and that nobody mimicked him so well asElliot. (890) They firmly believed it, teased him for an hour, and at last said he was the rudest man in the world not to obligethem. It appeared the more strange, because here every bodysings, reads their own works in public, or attempts any one thingwithout hesitation or capacity. Elliot speaks miserable French;which added to the diversion. 

I had had my share of distress in the morning, by going throughthe operation of being presented to the royal family, down to thelittle Madame's pap-dinner, and had behaved as sillily as youwill easily believe; hiding myself behind every mortal. TheQueen called me up to her dressing-table, and seemed mightilydisposed to gossip with me; but instead of enjoying my glory likeMadame de S`evign`e, I slunk back into the crowd after a fewquestions. She told Monsieur de Guerchy of it afterwards, andthat I had run away from her, but said she would have her revengeat Fontainbleau. So I must go thither, which I do not intend. The King, Dauphin, Dauphiness, Mesdames, and the wild beasts didnot say a word to me. Yes, the wild beast, he of the Gevaudan. He is killed, and actually in the Queen's antechamber, where hewas exhibited to us with as much parade as if it was Mr. Pitt. It is an exceedingly large wolf, and, the connoisseurs say, hastwelve teeth more than any wolf ever had since the days ofRomulus's wet nurse. The critics deny it to be the true beast;and I find most people think the beast's name is legion, --forthere are many. He was covered with a sheet, which two chasseurslifted up for the foreign ministers and strangers. I dined atthe Duke of Praslin's with five-and-twenty tomes of the corpsdiplomatique; and after dinner was presented, by Monsieur deGuerchy, to the Duc de Choiseul. The Duc de Praslin is as likehis own letters in D'Eon's book as he can stare; that is, Ibelieve a very silly fellow. His wisdom is of the grave kind. His cousin, the first minister, is a little volatile being, whosecountenance and manner had nothing to frighten me for my country. I saw him but for three seconds, which is as much as he allows toany one body or thing. Monsieur de Guerchy, whose goodness to meis inexpressible, took the trouble of walking every where withme, and carried me particularly to see the new office for statepapers. I wish I could send it you. It is a large building, disposed like an hospital, with the most admirable order andmethod. Lodgings for every officer; his name and businesswritten over his door. In the body is a perspective of seven oreight large chambers: each is painted with emblems, andwainscoted with presses with wired doors and crimson curtains. Over each press, in golden letters, the country to which thepieces relate, as Angleterre, Allemagne, etc. Each room has alarge funnel of bronze with or moulu, like a column to air thepapers and preserve them. In short, it is as magnificent asuseful. 

Prom thence I went to see the reservoir of pictures at M. DeMarigny's. They are what are not disposed of in the palaces, though sometimes changed with others. This refuse, which fillsmany rooms from top to bottom, is composed of the most gloriousworks 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 suppedat Madame de Bentheim's, who has a very fine house and a wofulhusband. She is much livelier than any Frenchwoman. Theliveliest I have seen is the Duc de Duras:(891) he is shorter andplumper Lord Halifax, but very like him in the face. I am to supwith the Dussons(892) on Sunday. In short, all that have been inEngland are exceedingly disposed to repay any civilities theyreceived there. Monsieur de Caraman wrote from the country toexcuse his not coming to see me, as his Wife is On the point ofbeing brought to bed, but begged I would come to them. So Iwould, if I was a man-midwife: but though they are easy On Suchheads, I am not used to it, and cannot make a party of pleasureof a labour. 

Wilkes arrived here two days ago, and announced that he was goingminister to Constantinople. (893) To-day I hear he has loweredhis credentials, and talks of going to England, if he can makehis peace. (894) I thought by the manner in which this wasmentioned to me, that the person meant to Sound me: but I made noanswer: for, having given up politics in England, I certainly didnot come to transact them here. He has not been to make me thefirst visit, which, as the last arrived, depends on him: so, never having spoken to him in my life, I have no call to seekhim. I avoid all politics so much, that I had not heard one wordhere about Spain. I suppose my silence passes for very artfulmystery, and puzzles the ministers who keep spies on the mostinsignificant foreigner. It would have been lucky if I had beenas watchful. At Chantilly I lost my portmanteau with half mylinen; and the night before last I was robbed of a new frock, waistcoat, and breeches, laced with gold, a white and silverwaistcoat, black velvet breeches, a knife, and a book. These areexpenses I did not expect, and by no means entering into mysystem 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 seemedextremely good-natured. What the Duke of Richmond will do for ahotel, I cannot conceive. Adieu!

(883) See M`emoires de Madame de Staal (the first authoress ofthat name) published with the rest of her works, in three smallvolumes. -E. 

(884) Mr. Conway was now secretary of state for the foreigndepartment. -E. 

(885) Louis XV. -E. 

(886) Le Pr`esident Hainault, surintendant de la maison deMademoiselle la Dauphine, membre de l'Acad`emie Fran`caise et del'Acad`emie des Inscriptions, known by his celebrated work, theAbr`eg`e Chronologique de l'Histoire, de France, and from theexcellent table which he kept, and which was the resort of allthe wits and savans of the day. His cook was considered the bestin Paris, and the master was worthy of his cook; a fact whichVoltaire celebrates in the opening lines of the epitaph which hewrote for him--

"Hainault, fameux par vos soupers, Et votre Chronologic, " etc. -E. 

(887) Sir James Macdonald of Macdonald, the eighth baronet, whodied at Rome on the 26th of July 1766, in the twenty-fifth yearof his age, regretted by all who knew him. In the inscription onhis monument, executed at Rome and erected in the church ofSlate, his character is thus drawn by his friend LordLyttelton:--"He had attained to so eminent a degree of knowledgein mathematics, philosophy, languages, and in every branch ofuseful and polite learning, as few have acquired in a long lifewholly devoted to study; yet to this erudition he joined, whatcan rarely be found with it, great talents for business, greatpropriety of behaviour, great politeness of manners: hiseloquence was sweet, correct and flowing; his memory vast andexact; his judgment strong and acute. " On visiting Slate, in1773, Dr. Johnson observed to Boswell, that this inscription"should have been in Latin, as every thing intended to beuniversal and permanent should be. " Upon this mr. Crokerremarks, --"What a strange Perversion of language!--universal!Why, if it had been in Latin, so far from being universallyunderstood, 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 inLatin. Something may be said for epitaphs and inscriptionsaddressed, 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 PeregrinePickle, 'after the manner of the ancients. ' A mortal may surelybe well satisfied if his fame lasts as long as the language inwhich 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 herbeauty even to old age. She died about the year 1792, at the ageof eighty. -E. 

(889) The Comtesse de Forcalquier, n`ee Canizy. She had benfirst married to the Comte d'Antin, son to the Comtesse deToulouse, by a marriage previous to that with the Comte deToulouse, one of the natural children of Louis Quatorze, whom helegitimated. -E. 

(890) Sir Gilbert Elliot Of Minto. He was appointed a lord ofthe admiralty in 1756, treasurer of the chamber in 1762, keeperof the signets for Scotland in 1767, and treasurer of the navy in1770. He died in 1777. -E. 

(891) Le Duc de Duras, one of the gentlemen of the bedchamber atthe court of France. -E. 

(892) M. D'Usson, who had formerly been in England in adiplomatic capacity; see ant`e p. 219, letter 157. He wasbrother to the Marquis de Bonnac, the French ambassador at theHague. -E. 

(893) Wilkes's application for the embassy to Constantinople wasan unsuccessful one. It will be seen in the ChathamCorrespondence, that in February 1761, he had solicited of Mr. Pitt a seat at the board of trade. "I wish, " he says, "the boardof trade might be thought a place in which I could be of anyservice: whatever the scene is, I shall endeavour to have thereputation of acting in a manner worthy of the connexion I havethe honour to be in; and, among all the chances and changes of apolitical world, I will never have an obligation in aparliamentary 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 Ducde Richelieu as two peas; but then they are two old withered graypeas. Do you remember the fable of Cupid and Death, and what apiece of work they made with hustling their arrows together?This is just my case: Love might shoot at me, but it was with agouty arrow. I have had a relapse in both feet, and kept my bedsix days but the fit seems to be going off; my heart can alreadygo alone, and my feet promise themselves the mighty luxury of acloth shoe in two or three days. Mr. And Mrs. Ramsay, (895) whoare here, and are, alas! to carry this, have been of greatcomfort to me, and have brought their delightful little daughter, who is as quick as Ariel. Mr. Ramsay could want no assistancefrom me: what do we both exist upon here, Madam, but your bountyand charity? When did you ever leave one of your friends in wantof another? Madame Geotrrin came and sat two hours last night bymy 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 andvanities and impositions so quick, that explains them to one soclearly, and convinces one so easily. I never liked to be setright before! You cannot imagine how I taste it! I make her bothmy confessor and director, and beam to think I shall be areasonable creature at last, which I had never intended to be. The next time I see her, I believe I shall say, "Oh! CommonSense, sit down: I have been thinking so and so; is not itabsurd?" for t'other sense and wisdom, I never liked them; Ishall now hate them for her sake. If it was worth her while, Iassure 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. Yourtwo other friends have been in Paris; but I was confined, andcould not wait on them. I passed a whole evening with Lady MaryChabot most agreeably: she charged me over and over with athousand compliments to your ladyship. For sights, alas! andpilgrimages, they have been cut short! I had destined the finedays of October to excursions; but you know, Madam, what it is toreckon without one's host, the gout. It makes such a coward ofme, that I shall be afraid almost of entering a church. I havelost, too, the Dumenil in Ph`edre and Merope, two of herprincipal parts, but I hope not irrecoverably. 

Thank you, Madam, for the Taliacotian extract: it diverted memuch. It is true, in general I neither see nor desire to see ourwretched political trash: I am sick of it up to thefountain-head. It was my principal motive for coming hither; andhad long been my determination, the first moment I should be atliberty, to abandon it all. I have acted from no views ofinterest; I have shown I did not; I have not disgraced myself--and I must be free. My comfort is, that, if I am blamed, itwill be by all parties. A little peace of mind for the rest ofmy 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 youreceived. The uncomfortable posture in which I write will excusemy saying any more; but it is no excuse against my trying to doany thing to please one, who always forgets pain when her friendsare 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 twoprinciples: the one, to do the greatest quantity of good in herpower; the other, to respect scrupulously all established forms, and even to lend herself, with great complaisance, to all thedifferent movements of public opinion. "-E. 

(897) Gibbon, in a letter to his father, of the 24th of February1763, says:--"Lady Hervey's recommendation to Madame Geoffrin wasa most excellent one: her house is a very good one; regulardinners there every Wednesday, and the best company in Paris, inmen of letters and people of fashion. It was at her house Iconnected myself with M. Helvetius, who, from his heart, hishead, 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, tristeenough; hearing from nobody in England, and again confined withthe 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 itscaresses, I think the violence of its passion this time will bewasted within the fortnight. Indeed, a stick and a great shoe donot commonly compose the dress which the English come hither tolearn; but I shall content myself if I can limp about enough toamuse my eyes; my ears have already had their fill, and are notat all edified. My confinement preserves me from the journey toFontainbleau, to which I had no great appetite; but then I losethe opportunity of seeing Versailles and St. Cloud at my leisure. 

I wrote to you soon after my arrival; did you receive it? All theEnglish books you named to me are to be had here at the followingprices. Shakspeare in eight volumes unbound for twenty-onelivres; in larger paper for twenty-seven. Congreve, in threevolumes for nine livres. Swift, in twelve volumes for twenty-fourlivres, another edition for twenty-seven. So you see I do notforget your commissions: if you have farther orders, let me know. 

Wilkes is here, and has been twice to see me in my illness. Hewas very civil, but I cannot say entertained me much. I saw nowit; his conversation shows how little he has lived in goodcompany, and the chief turn of it is the grossest bawdy. (898) Hehas certainly one merit, notwithstanding the bitterness of hispen, that is, he has no rancour; not even against Sandwich, ofwhom he talked with the utmost temper. He showed me some of hisnotes on Churchill's works, but they contain little more than onenote on each poem to explain the subject of it. 

The Dumenil is still the Dumenil, and nothing but curiosity couldmake me want the Clairon. Grandval is grown so fat and old, thatI saw him through a whole play and did not guess him. Not oneother, that you remember on the stage, remains there. 

It is not a season for novelty in any way, as both the court andthe world are out of town. The few that I know are almost alldispersed. The old president Henault made me a visit yesterday:he is extremely amiable, but has the appearance of asuperannuated bacchanal; superannuated, poor soul! indeed he is!The Duc de Richelieu is a lean old resemblance of old GeneralChurchill, and like him affects still to have his Boothbies. Alas! poor Boothbies!

I hope, by the time I am convalescent, to have the Richmondshere. One of the miseries of chronical illnesses is, that youare a prey to every fool, who, not knowing what to do withhimself, brings his ennui to you, and calls it charity. Tell mea little the intended dates of your motions, that I may knowwhere to write at you. Commend me kindly to Mr. John, and wishme a good night, of which I have had but one these ten days. 

(898) "I scarcely ever, " says Gibbon, who happened to dine in thecompany of Wilkes in September 1762, "met with a bettercompanion; he has inexhaustible spirits, infinite wit and humour, and a great deal of knowledge; but a thorough profligate inprinciple as in practice; his life stained with every vice, andhis 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 finishedand set out these four days; but serving a tyrant who does notallow me many holiday-minutes, I am forced to seize the firstthat offer. Even now when I am writing upon the table, he isgiving me malicious pinches under it. I was exceedingly obligedto Miss Hotham for her letter, though it did not give me so goodan account of your ladyship as I wished. I will not advise youto come to Paris, where, I assure you, one has not a nip less ofthe gout than at London, and where it is rather more difficult tokeep one's chamber pure; water not being reckoned here one of theelements of cleanliness. If ever my Lady Blandford and I make amatch, I shall insist on her coming hither for a month first, tolearn patience. I need have a great stock, who have onlytravelled from one sick bed to another; who have seen nothing;and who hear of nothing but the braveries of Fontainbleau, wherethe Duc de Richelieu, whose year it is, has ordered seven newoperas besides other shows. However, if I cannot be diverted, myruin 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 isagain gone into the country till November, but charged me overand over to say a great deal for her to your ladyship, for whomshe expresses the highest regard. Lady Brown is still in thecountry too; but as she loves laughing more than is fashionablehere, I expect her return with great impatience. As I neitherdesire to change their religion or government, I am tired oftheir perpetual dissertations on those subjects. As when I washere last, which, alas! is four-and-twenty ears ago, I was muchat Mrs. Hayes's, I thought it but civil to wait on her now thather situation is a little less brilliant. She was not at home, but invited me to supper next night. The moment she saw me Ithought I had done very right not to neglect her; for sheoverwhelmed me with professions of her fondness for me and all myfamily. When the first torrent was over, she asked me if I wasson of the Horace Walpole who had been ambassador here. I saidno, he was my uncle. Oh! then you are he I used to call myNeddy! 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, hermemory of me would not have reproached me much. 

Lord and Lady Fife are expected here every day from Spa; but wehear nothing certain yet of their graces of Richmond, for whom Iam a little impatient; and for pam too, who I hope comes withthem. In French houses it is impossible to meet with any thingbut whist, which I am determined never to learn again. I sit byand 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 Ihave had sharp pain and terrible nights, this codicil to my goutpromises to be of much shorter duration than what I had inEngland, and has kept entirely to my feet. My diet sounds likean English farmer's, being nothing but beef and pudding; in truththe beef' is bouilli, and the pudding bread. This last night hasbeen the first in which I have got a wink of sleep before six inthe morning: but skeletons can live very well without eating orsleeping; nay, they can laugh too, when they meet with a jollymortal of this world. 

Mr. Chetwynd, I conclude, is dancing at country balls andhorseraces. It is charming to be so young;(900) but I do notenvy one whose youth is so good-humoured and good-natured. Whenhe gallops post to town, or swims his horse through a MillpODd InNovember, pray make my compliments to him, and to Lady Blandfordand Lady Denbigh. The joys of the gout do not put one's oldfriends 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 toold Mariette this evening, who says he has got one of them, butnever could meet with the other, and that it will be impossiblefor me to find either at Paris. You know, I suppose, that hewould as soon part with an eye as with any thing in his owncollection. 

You may, if you please, suppose me extremely diverted here, Oh!exceedingly. In the first place, I have seen nothing; in thesecond, I have been confined this fortnight with a return of thegout in both feet; and in the third, I have not laughed since myLady Hertford went away. I assure you, you may come hither verysafely, and be in no danger from mirth. Laughing is as much outof fashion as pantins or bilboquets. Good folks, they have notime to laugh. There is God and the King to be pulled downfirst; and men and women, one and all, are devoutly employed inthe demolition. They think me quite profane, for having anybelief 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 thetwo dullest things we had, whisk and Richardson. It is verytrue, and they -want nothing but George Grenville to make theirconversations, or rather dissertations, the most tiresome uponearth. For Lord Lyttelton, if he would come hither, and turnfreethinker once more, he would be reckoned the most -, agreeableman in France--next to Mr. Hume, who is the only thing in theworld that they believe implicitly; which they must do, for Idefy them to understand any language that he speaks. 

If I could divest myself of my wicked--and unphilosophic bent tolaughing, I should do very well. They are very civil andobliging to me, and several of the women are very agreeable, andsome of the men. The Duc de Nivernois has been beyond measurekind to me, and scarce missed a day without coming to see meduring my confinement. The Guerchys are. As usual, allfriendship. I had given entirely into supping, as I do not loverising 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 fiveshillings when I have a mind he should divert me. Besides, Icertainly did not come in search of English: and yet the man Ihave liked the best in Paris is an Englishman, Lord Ossory, whois one of the most sensible young men I ever saw, with a greatdeal of Lord Tavistock in his manner. 

The joys of Fontainbleau I miss by my illness--Patienza! If thegout deprived me of nothing better than a court. 

The papers say the Duke of Dorset(902) is dead; what has he donefor Lord George? You cannot be so unconscionable as not toanswer me. I don't ask who is to have his riband; nor how manybushels of fruit the Duke of Newcastle's dessert for theHereditary Prince contained, nor how often he kissed him for thesake of "the dear house of Brunswick"--No, keep your politics toyourselves; I want to know none of them:-when I do, andauthentically, I will write to my Lady * * * * or CharlesTownshend. 

Mrs. Pit's friend, Madame de Rochefort, is one of my principalattachments, and very agreeable indeed. Madame de Mirepoixanother. For my admiration, Madame de Monaco--but I believe youdon't doubt my Lord Hertford's taste in sensualities. March'spassion, Marechalle d'Estr`ees, is affected, cross, and not allhandsome. The Princes of the blood are pretty much retired, donot go to Portsmouth and Salisbury once a week, nor furnish everyother paragraph to the newspapers. Their campaigns are confinedto killing boars and stags, two or three hundred in a year. Adieu! Mr. Foley is my banker; or it is still more sure if yousend your letter to Mr. Conway's office. 

(901) Of the Hoo, in Hertfordshire. See vol. Ii. P. 211, letter103. -E. 

(902) Lionel Cranfield Sackville, seventh Earl and first Duke ofDorset: he died on the 10th of October. Lord George Sackvillewas 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, sometime in the spring of 1764, transmitted to the English ministry apretty exact and very authentic account of the French finances;"these are his words: and "that it will be easily found among hislordship's despatches of that period. " To the other question Ihave received no answer: I suppose he has not yet been able toinform himself. 

This goes by an English coachman of Count Lauragais, sent over tobuy more horses; therefore I shall write a little ministerially, and, perhaps, surprise you, if you are not already apprised ofthings 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 thegreatest joy, as it was feared he would endeavour the restorationof the Jesuits. You will think the sentiments of thephilosophers very odd stale news --but do you know who thephilosophers are, or what the term means here? In the firstplace, it comprehends almost every body; and in the next, meansmen, who, avowing war against popery, aim, many of them, at asubversion of all religion, and still many more, at thedestruction of regal power. How do you know this? you will say;you, who have been but six weeks in France, three of which youhave been confined to your chamber? True: but in the first periodI went every where, and heard nothing else: in the latter, I havebeen extremely visited, and have had long and explicitconversations with many, who think as I tell you, and with a fewof the other side, who are no less persuaded that there are suchintentions. In particular. I had two officers here t'othernight, neither of them young, whom I had difficulty to keep froma serious quarrel, and who, in the heat of the dispute, informedme 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 mostcurious paper;(903) such as I believe no magistrate would havepronounced in the time of Charles 1. I should not like to have itknown to come from me, nor any part of the intelligence I sendyou; with regard to which, if you think it necessary tocommunicate it to particular persons, I desire my name may besuppressed. I tell it for your satisfaction and information, butwould not have any body else think that I do any thing here butamuse myself; my amusements indeed are triste enough, and consistwholly in trying to get well; but my recovery moves very slowly. I have not yet had any thing but cloth shoes on, live sometimes awhole day on warm water, and am never tolerably well till twelveor one o'clock. 

I have had another letter from Sir Horace Mann, who has much atheart his riband and increase of character. Consequently youknow, as I love him so much, I must have them at heart too. Count Lorenzi is recalled, because here they think it necessaryto send a Frenchman of higher rank to the new grand ducal court. I wish Sir Horace could be raised on this occasion. For hisriband, his promise is so old and so positive, that it is quite ahardship. 

Pray put the colonies in good-humour: I see they are violentlyDisposed 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 youreceive this, and how soon: it goes the day after to-morrow. Various reports say the Duke of Richmond comes this week. I sentyou a letter by Monsieur de Guerchy. Dusson, I hear, goesambassador to Poland. Tell Lady Ailesbury that I have five orsix little parcels, though not above one for her, of laces andribands, which Lady Cecilic left Wit me: but how to convey themthe 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. Iwish I may not be so circumstantial in my answer: but you havetapped a dangerous topic; I can talk gout by the hour. It is mygreat mortification, and has disappointed all the hopes that Ihad built on temperance and hardiness. I have resisted like ahermit, and exposed myself to all weathers and seasons like asmuggler; and in vain. I have, however, still so much of theobstinacy of both professions left, that I think I shallcontinue, and cannot obey you in keeping myself warm. I havegone through my second fit under one blanket, and already goabout in a silk waistcoat with my bosom unbuttoned. In short, Iam as prejudiced to try regimen, though so ineffectual, as Icould have been to all I expected from it. The truth is, I amalmost 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 Iwill, or I cannot have the least satisfaction. This willconvince you how readily I comply with another of your precepts, walking as soon as am able. --For receipts, you may trust me formaking use of none; I would not see a physician at the worst, buthave quacked as boldly as quacks treat others. I laughed at youridea of quality receipts, it came so apropos. There is not a manor woman here that is not a perfect old nurse, and who does nottalk gruel and anatomy with equal fluency and ignorance. Oneinstance shall serve: Madame de Bouzols, Marshal Berwick'sdaughter, assured me there was nothing so good for the gout, asto preserve the parings of my nails in a bottle close stopped. When I try any illustrious nostrum, I shall give the preferenceto this. 

So much for the gout!(904) I told you what was coming. As tothe ministry, I know and care very little about them. I told youand told them long ago, that if ever a change happened I wouldbid adieu to politics for ever. Do me the Justice to allow thatI have not altered with the time. I was so impatient to put thisresolution in execution that I hurried out of England before Iwas sufficiently recovered. I shall not run the same hazard againin haste; but will stay here till I am perfectly well, and theseason of warm weather coming on or arrived; though the charms ofParis have not the least attraction for me, nor would keep me anhour on their own account. For the city itself, I cannotconceive where my eyes were: it Is the ugliest beastliest town inthe universe. I have not seen a mouthful of verdure out of it, nor have they any thing green but their treillage andwindow-shutters. Trees cut into fire-shovels, and stuck intopedestals of chalk, Compose their country. Their boastedknowledge of society is reduced to talking of their suppers, andevery malady they have about them, or know of. The Dauphin is atthe point of death; every morning the physicians frame in accountof him; and happy is he or she who can produce a copy of thislie, called a bulletin. The night before last, one of these wasproduced at supper where I was; it was read, and said he had uneevacuation foetide. I beg your pardon, though you are not atsupper. The old lady of the house(905) (who by the way is quiteblind, was the Regent's mistress for a fortnight, and is veryagreeable) called out, "Oh! they have forgot to mention that hethrew down his chamber-pot, and was forced to change his bed. "There were present several women of the first rank; as Madame dela Vali`ere, whom you remember Duchesse de Vaujour, and who isstill miraculously pretty, though fifty-three; a very handsomeMadame de Forcalquier, and others--nor was this conversation atall particular to that evening. 

Their gaiety is not greater than their delicacy--but I will notexpatiate. In short, they are another people from what theywere. They may be growing wise, but the intermediate passage isdulness. Several of the women are agreeable, and some of themen; but the latter are in general vain and ignorant. Thesavans--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 howopenly--Don't wonder, therefore, if I should return a Jesuit. Voltaire himself does not satisfy them. One of their ladydevotees said of him, "Il est bigot, c'est un d`eiste. "

I am as little pleased with their taste in trifles. Cr`ebillonis entirely out of fashion, and Marivaux a proverb: marivauderand marivaudage are established terms for being prolix andtiresome. I thought that we were fallen, but they are ten timeslower. 

Notwithstanding all I have said, I have found two or threesocieties that please me; am amused with the novelty of thewhole, and should be sorry not to have come. The Dumenil is, ifpossible, superior to what you remember. I am sorry not to seethe Clairon; but several persons whose judgments seem thesoundest 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, andgets the better both of their operas and French comedy; thelatter of which is seldom full, with all its merit. Petit-maitres are obsolete, like our Lords Foppington--but lemonde est philosophe--When I grow very sick of this lastnonsense, I go and compose myself at the Chartreuse, where I amalmost tempted to prefer Le Soeur to every painter I know. Yetwhat new old treasures are come to light, routed out of theLouvre, and thrown into new lumber-rooms at Versailles!--But Ihave not room to tell you what I have seen! I will keep this andother chapters for Strawberry. Adieu! and thank you. 

Old Mariette has shown me a print by Diepenbecke of the Duke andDuchess of Newcastle(906) at dinner with their family. You wouldoblige me, if you would look into all their graces' folios, andsee if it is not a frontispiece to some one of them. Then he hassuch a Petitot of Madame d'Olonne! The Pompadour offered himfifty 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, andhardiness. On the first point we are agreed; the second hastotally disappointed you, and therefore you will persist in it byall means. But then, be sure to persist too in being young, instopping the course of time, and making the shadow return backupon your sun-dial. If you find this not so easy, acquiesce witha good grace in my anilities; put on your understockings of yarn, or woollen, even in the night-time. Don't provoke me, or I shallorder you two nightcaps, (which, by the way, would do your eyesgood, ) and put a little of any French liqueur into your water;they are nothing but brandy and sugar; and among their variousflavours, some of them may surely be palatable enough, The painin your feet I can bear; but shudder at the sickness of yourstomach and the weakness that still continues. I conjure you, asyou love yourself--I conjure you by Strawberry, not to triflewith these edge-tools. There is no cure for the gout, when inthe stomach, but to throw it into the limbs; There is no relieffor gout in the limbs, but in gentle warmth and gradualperspiration. " 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 tothe life, " (folio, London, 1653, ) is a print, Diepenbeck, del. , P. Clouvet sc. , half sheet, containing portraits of WilliamCavendish, Duke of Newcastle, (celebrated as a Cavalier generalduring the civil wars, and commonly styled the loyal Duke ofNewcastle, ) his Duchess, and their family. -E. 

(907) This miniature eventually became his property. In a letterfrom madame du Deffand of the 12th of December 1775, she says:--"J'ai Madame d'Olonne entre les mains; vous voil`a au comble dela joie; mais moderez-en la, en apprenant que ses galans ne lapayaient pas plus cher de son vivant que vous ne la payez apr`essa 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 twoknotting-bags, which I will send by the first opportunity thatseems safe:'--but I hear of nothing but difficulties; and shall, I believe, be saved from ruin myself, from not being able toconvey any purchases into England. Thus I shall have made analmost fruitless journey to France, if I can neither fling awaymy money, nor preserve my health. At present, indeed, the goutis gone. I have had my house swept, and made as clean as Icould-no very easy matter in this country; but I live in dread ofseven worse spirits entering in. The terror I am under of a newfit has kept me from almost seeing any thing. The damps and fogsare full as great and frequent here as in London; but there is alittle frost to-day, and I shall begin my devotions tomorrow. Itis not being fashionable to visit churches: but I am de lavieille cour; and I beg your ladyship to believe that I have noyouthful pretensions. The Duchess of Richmond tells me that theyhave made twenty foolish stories about me in England; and saythat my person is admired here. I cannot help what is saidwithout foundation; but the French have neither lost their eyes, nor I my senses. A skeleton I was born--skeleton I am--and deathwill have no trouble in making me one. I have not made anyalteration in my dress, and certainly did not study it InEngland. Had I had any such ridiculous thoughts, the gout is toosincere a monitor to leave one under any such error. Pray, Madam, tell Lord and Lady Holland what I say: they have heardthese idle tales; and they know so many of my follies, that Ishould be sorry they believed more of me than are true. If allarose from madame Geoffrin calling me in Joke le nouveauRichelieu, I give it under my hand that I resemble him in nothingbut wrinkles. 

Your ladyship is much in the right to forbear reading politics. I never look at the political letters that come hither in theChronicles. I was sick to death of them before I set out; andperhaps should not have stirred from home, if I had not been sickof them and all they relate to. If any body could write balladsand epigrams, `a la bonne heure! But dull personal abuse in proseis tiresome indeed. A serious invective against a pickpocket, orwritten by a pickpocket, who has so little to do as to read?

The Dauphin continues languishing to his exit, and keeps everybody at Fontainbleau. There is a little bustle now about theparliament of Bretagne; but you may believe, Madam, that when Iwas tired of the squabbles at London, I did not propose tointerest myself in quarrels at Hull or Liverpool. Indeed, if theDuc de Chaulnes(908) commanded at Rennes, or Pomenars(909) wassent to prison, I might have a little curiosity. You wrong me inthinking I quoted a text from my Saint(910) ludicrously. On thecontrary I am so true a bigot, that if she could have talkednonsense, I should, like any other bigot, believe she wasinspired. 

The season and the emptiness of Paris, prevent any thing new fromappearing. All I can send your ladyship is a very prettylogogriphe, made by the old blind Madame du Deffand, whom perhapsyou know--certainly must have heard of. I sup there veryoften;(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 othertwo friends are not yet returned to Paris; but I have had severalobliging messages from the Duchess d'Aiguillon. 

It pleased me extremely, Madam, to find no mention of your owngout in your letter. I always apprehend it for you, as you tryits temper to the utmost, especially by staying late in thecountry, which you know it hates. Lord! it has broken my spiritso, that I believe it might make me leave Strawberry at aminute's warning. It has forbidden me tea, and been obeyed; andI 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! Iam 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 houseevery 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 theirdate. I write them at my leisure, and send them when I find anyEnglishman going to London, that I may not be kept in check, ifthey were to pass through both French and English posts. Yourletter to Madame Roland, and the books for her, will Set Out verysecurely in a day or two. My bookseller here happens to be ofRheims, and knows Madame Roland, comme deux gouttes d'eau. Thisperhaps is not a well-placed simile, but the French always useone, 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, itis true, but I trust shall be able to whisk about at Strawberryas well almost as ever. When that hour strikes, to be sure Ishall not be very sorry. The sameness of the life here is worsethan 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 notventure, as the situation is very damp, and the lodgingsabominable. Sights, too, I have scarce seen any yet; and I mustsatisfy my curiosity; for hither, I think, I shall never comeagain. No, let us sit down quietly and comfortably, and enjoyour coming old age. Oh! if you are in earnest, and willtransplant yourself to Roehampton, how happy I shall be! Youknow, if you believe an experience of above thirty years, thatyou are one of the very, very few, for whom I really care astraw. You know how long I have been vexed at seeing so littleof 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 wastethe remains of life with the friends with whom one began it!Young and happy people will have no regard for us and our oldstories, and they are in the right: but we shall not tire oneanother; we shall laugh together when nobody is by to laugh atus, and we may think ourselves young enough when we see nobodyyounger. Roehampton is a delightful spot, at once cheerful andretired. You will amble in your chaise about Richmond-park: weshall see one another as often as we like; I shall frequentlypeep at London, and bring you tales of it, and we shall sometimestouch a card with the Clive, and laugh our fill; for I must tellyou, I desire to die when I have nobody left to laugh with me. Ihave never yet seen or heard any thing serious, that was notridiculous. Jesuits, Methodists, philosophers, politicians, thehypocrite Rousseau, the scoffer Voltaire, the encyclopedists, theHumes, the Lytteltons, the Grenvilles, the atheist tyrant ofPrussia, and the mountebank of history, Mr. Pitt, all are to mebut impostors in their various ways. Fame or interest is theirobject; and after all their parade, I think a ploughman who sows, reads his almanack, and believes the stars but so many farthingcandles, created to prevent his falling into a ditch as he goeshome at night, a wiser and more rational being, and I am sure anhonester than any of them. Oh! I am sick of visions and systems, that shove one another aside, and come over again, like thefigures in a moving picture. Rabelais brightens up to me as Isee more of the world; he treated it as it deserved, laughed atit all, and, as I judge from myself, ceased to hate it; for Ifind 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, Imust try to make my thanks keep up with your favours: for anyother return, you have quite distanced me. This is toacknowledge the receipt of the Duchess d'Aiguillon--you may setwhat sum you please against the debt. She is delightful, and hasmuch the most of a woman of quality of any I have seen, and morecheerfulness too: for, to show your ladyship that I am sincere, that my head is not turned, and that I retain some of myprejudices still, I avow that gaiety, whatever it was formerly, is no longer the growth of this country, and I will own too thatParis can produce women of quality that I should not call womenof fashion; I will not use so ungentle a term as vulgar; but fromtheir indelicacy, I could call it still worse. Yet with thesefaults, and the latter is an enormous one in my English eyes, many of the women are exceedingly agreeable. I cannot say somuch for the men--always excepting the Duc de Nivernois. Youwould be entertained, for a quarter of an hour, with hisDuchess--she is the Duke of Newcastle properly placed, that is, chattering incessantly out of devotion, and making interestagainst the devil, that she may dispose of bishoprics in the nextworld. 

Madame d'Egmont is expected to-day, which will run me again intoarrears. I don't l(now how it is. Yes, I do: it is natural toimpose on bounty, and I am like the rest of the world; I am goingto abuse your goodness because I know nobody's so great. Besidesbeing the best friend in the world, you are the bestcommissionnaire in the world, Madam - you understand fromfriendship to scissors. The enclosed model was trusted to me, tohave two pair made as well as possible--but I really blush at myimpertinence. However, all the trouble I mean to give yourladyship 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 aspossible, for the honour of England's steel. 

The two knotting-bags from Madame Geoffrin went away by aclergyman two days ago; and I concerted all the tricks the doctorand I could think of, to elude the vigilance of the customhouseofficers. 

With this, I send your ladyship the Orpheline Legu`ee: itsintended name was the Anglomanie, my only reason for sending it;for it has little merit, and had as slender success, being actedbut 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'otherday "The Preparation for Death:"(913) he said, "C'est la nouvelledu 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 yourladyship'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 Iwrote my letter this morning? I am out of my wits! Never wasany thing like my luck; it never forsakes me! I have found CountGrammont's picture! I believe I shall see company upon it, certainly keep the day holy. I went to the Grand Augustins tosee the pictures of the reception of' the knights of the HolyGhost: they carried me into a chamber full of their portraits; Iwas looking for Bassompierre; my laquais de louage opened a door, and said, "Here are more. " One of the first that struck me wasPhilibert Comte de Grammont!(914) It is old, not at allhandsome, but has a great deal of finesse in the countenance. Ishall think of nothing now but having it copied. If I had seenor 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 Earlof Abercorn, by Mary, third sister of James first Duke of Ormond. Tradition reports, that Grammont, who is not recorded to havebeen a men of personal courage, having attached, if not engagedhimself to Hamilton, went off abruptly for France: the CountGeorge Hamilton pursued and overtook him at Dover, when he thusaddressed him: "My dear friend, I believe you have forgot acircumstance that should take place before you return to France. "To which Grammont answered, "True, my dear friend; what a memoryI have! I quite forgot that I was to marry your sister; but Iwill instantly accompany you back to London and rectify thatforgetfulness. " His celebrated Memoirs were written by hisbrother-in-law, Anthony, generally called Count Hamilton, whofollowed the fortunes of James the Second, and afterwards enteredthe 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 beshorter in answer to your long, which I received late last nightfrom Fontainbleau: it is not very necessary: but as Lord WilliamGordon sets out for England on Monday, I take that opportunity. 

The Duke of' Richmond tells me that Choiseul has promised everything. I wish it may be performed, and speedily, as it will giveyou an opportunity of opening the Parliament with great `eclat. My opinion you know is, that this is the moment for pushing themand obtaining. 

Thank you for all you say about my gout. We have had a week ofvery hard frost, that has done me great good, and rebraced me. The swelling of my legs is quite gone. What has done me moregood, is having entirely left off tea, to which I believe theweakness of my stomach was owing, having had no sickness since. In short, I think I am cured of every thing but my fears. Youtalk coolly of going as far as Naples, and propose my going withyou. I would not go so far, if Naples was the direct road to thenew Jerusalem. I have no thought or wish but to get home, and bequiet for the rest of my days, which I shall most certainly dothe first moment the season will let me; and if I once get toLondon 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 onenight on the road. You may guess what I have suffered, when I amgrown so timorous about my health, However, I am again revertedto my system of water, and trying to recover my hardiness--butnothing has at all softened me towards physicians. 

You see I have given you a serious answer, though I am ratherdisposed to smile at your proposal. Go to Italy! for what?--Oh!to quit--do you know, I think that as idle a thought as theother. Pray stay where you are, and do some good to yourcountry, or retire when you cannot--but don't put your finger inyour eye and cry after the holidays and sugar-plums ofPark-place. You have engaged and must go through or be hindered. Could you tell the world the reason? Would not all men say youhad found yourself incapable of what you had undertaken? I haveno patience with your thinking so idly. It would be a reflectionon your understanding and character, and a want of resolutionunworthy of you. 

My advice is, to ask for the first great government that falls, if you will not take your regiment again; to continue actingvigorously and honestly where you are. Things are never stableenough in our country to give you a prospect of a long slavery. Your defect is irresolution. When you have taken your post, actup to it; and if you are driven from it, your retirement willthen be as Honourable, and more satisfactory than youradministration. I speak frankly, as my friendship for youdirects. My way of acting (though a private instance) isagreeable to my doctrine. I determined, whenever our oppositionshould be over, to have done with politics; and you see I haveadhered to my resolution by coming hither; and therefore you maybe 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 youwhat I think the best for you. You have life and Park-placeenough to come, and you have not had five months of gout. Makeyourself independent honourably, which you may do by agovernment. But if you will take my advice, don't accept aministerial place when you cease to be a minister. The former isa reward due to your profession and services; the latter is adegradation. You know the haughtiness of my spirit; I give youno advice but what I would follow. 

I sent Lady Ailesbury the "Orpheline Legu`ee:" a poorperformance; but the subject made me think she would like to seeit. I am over head and ears at Count Caylus's(915) auction, andhave bought half of it for a song--but I am still in greaterfelicity and luck, having discovered, by mere accident, aportrait of Count Grammont, after having been in search of' onethese fifteen years, and assured there was no such thing. Apropos, I promised you my but besides that there is nobody herethat excels in painting skeletons, seriously, their painters arebitter bad, and as much inferior to Reynolds and Ramsay, asHudson to Vandyck. I had rather stay till my return. Adieu!

(915) The Count de Caylus, member of the Royal Academy ofInscriptions and Belles-lettre, honorary member of the RoyalAcademy of Painting and Sculpture, and author of the "Recueild'Antiquit`es Egyptiennes, Etrusques, Grecques, Romaines, etGauloises, " in seven volumes, 4to. , died at Paris in September1765, in the sixty-third year of his age. He was said to be theprotector of the arts and the torment of the artists; for thoughhe assisted them with his advice, and, better still, with hispurse, he exacted from them, in return, the greatest deference tohis opinion. Gibbon, in his Journal for May, 1763, thus speaksof the Count:--"Je le vis trois ou quatre fois, et je vis unhomme simple, uni, bon, et qui me temoignoit une bont`e Extreme. Si je n'en ai point profits, je l'attribue moins `a soncharact`ere qu'`a son genre de vie. Il se l`eve de grand matin, court les atteliers des artistes pendant tout le jour, et rentrechez 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 setsout to-morrow, I just send you a line. The Dauphin, if he isstill alive, which some folks doubt, is kept so only by cordials;though the Bishop of Glandeve has assured the Queen that he hadGod'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 dissolutionof that of Bretagne, is very decent; they are to have an audiencenext week. They do not touch on Chalotais, because theaccusation against him is for treason. What do you think thattreason Is? A correspondence with Mr. Pitt, to whom he is madeto say, that "Rennes is nearer to London than Paris. " It is nowbelieved that the anonymous letters, supposed to be written byChalotais, were forged by a Jesuit--those to Mr. Pitt could nothave even so good an author. 

The Duke of Richmond is still at Aubign`e: I wonder he stays, forit is the hardest frost alive. Mr. Hume does not go to Ireland;where your brother finds he would by no means be welcome. I havea notion he will stay here till Your brother's return. 

The Duc de Praslin, it is said, will retire at Christmas. As LaBorde, the great banker of the court, is trying to retire too, myconsul, who is much connected with La Borde, suspects thatChoiseul is not very firm himself. I have supped with Monsieurde Maurepas, and another night, with Marshal Richelieu: the firstis extremely agreeable and sensible; and, I am glad, notminister. The other is an old piece of tawdry, worn out, butendeavouring to brush itself up; and put me in mind of LordChesterfield, for they laugh before they know what he has said--and are in the right, for I think they would not laughafterwards. 

I send Lady Ailesbury the words and music of the prettiest operacomique 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, andit will now go by Mr. Andrew Stuart. 

The face of things is changed here; which I am impatient to tellyou, that you may see it is truth, not system, which I piquemyself on sending you. The vigour of the court has frightenedthe Parliaments. That of Pau has submitted. The procureurs, etcof Rennes, who, it was said, would not plead before the newcommission, were told, that if they did not plead the next daythey should be hanged without a trial. No bribe ever operatedfaster! I heard t'other day, that some Spanish minister, Iforget his name, being dead, Squillace would take his department, and Grimaldi have that of the West Indies. He is the worst thatcould have it, as we have no greater enemy. 

The Dauphin is certainly alive, but in the most shocking waypossible; his bones worn through his skin, a great swellingbehind, and so relaxed, that his intestines appear from thatpart; and yesterday the mortification was suspected. 

I have received a long letter from Lady Ailesbury, for which Igive her a thousand thanks; and would answer it directly, if Ihad not told you every thing I know. The Duke and Duchess ofRichmond are, I hear, at Fontainbleau: the moment they return, Iwill 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 mean account of your ladyship; which is all the trouble I thoughtof giving her. If she could make those accounts more favourable, I should be better pleased; but I know what an untractable brutethe gout is, and the joy it takes in plaguing every body that isconnected with it. We have the sharpest frost here that everlived; it has done me great good; and, if it has the same effecton your ladyship, I hope you are starved to death. Since Parishas begun to fill in spite of Fontainbleau, I am much reconciledto it, and, have seen several people I like. I am established intwo or three societies, where I sup every night; though I havestill resisted whist, and am more constant to my old flame looduring its absence than I doubt I have been to my other passion. There is a young Comtesse d'Egmont, daughter of MarshalRichelieu, so pretty and pleasing, that, if I thought it wouldbreak 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 twentyyears 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. TheQueen and Dauphiness have no doubt of his recovery, having theBishop of Glandeve's word for it, who got a promise from a visionunder its own hand and seal. The Dauphin has certainly behavedwith great courage and tranquillity, but is so touched with thetenderness and attention of his family, that he now expresses awish to live. 

If there is no talk in England of politics and parliaments, I cansend your ladyship as much as you please from hence; or If youwant English themselves, I can send you about fifty head; and Iassure you, we shall still be well stocked. There were threecard-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. Therehave not been two good days together since the middle of October;however, I do not complain, as I am both well and pleased, thoughI wish for a little of your sultry English weather, all French asI am. I have entirely left off dinners, and the life I alwaysliked, of lying late in bed, and sitting up late. I am told ofnothing but how contradictory this is to your ladyship's orders;but as I shall have dull dinners and triste evenings enough whenI return to England, all your kindness cannot persuade me tosacrifice my pleasures here, too. Many of my opinions arefantastic; perhaps this is one, that nothing produces gout likedoing any thing one dislikes. I believe the gouts like a nearrelation, always visits one when one has some other plague. Yourladyship's dependence on the waters of Sunning-hill is, I hope, better founded; but in the mean time my system is full aspleasant. 

Madame d'Aiguillon's goodness to me does not abate, nor MadameGeoffrin's. I have seen but little of Madame d'Egmont, who seemsvery good, and is universally in esteem. She is now in greataffliction, having lost suddenly Monsieur Pignatelli, theminister at Parma, whom she bred up, and whom she and her familyhad generously destined for her grand-daughter, an immenseheiress. It was very delicate and touching what Madame d'Egmontsaid to her daughter-in-law on this occasion:--"Vous voyez, mach`ere, combien j'aime mes enfans d'adoption!" Thisdaughter-in-law is delightfully pretty, and civil, and gay, andconversable, though not a regular beauty like Madame de Monaco. 

The bitterness of the frost deters me, Madam, from all sights; Iconsole myself with good company, and still more, with beingabsent from bad. Negative as this satisfaction is, it isincredibly great, to me in a town like this, and to be sure everyday of not meeting one face one hates! I never know a positivepleasure equal to it. 

Your ladyship and Lord Holland shall laugh at me as Much as youplease for by dread of being thought charming; yet I shall notdeny my panic, for surely nothing is so formidable as to haveone's limbs on crutches and one's understanding inleading-strings. The Prince of Conti laughed at me t'other dayon the same account. I was complaining to the old blind charmingMadame 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) Iwish the former may not repent having engaged with the latter, who contradicts and quarrels with all mankind, in order to obtaintheir admiration. I think both his means and his end below sucha genius. If I had talents like his, I should despise anysuffrage below my own standard, and should blush to owe any partof my fame to singularities and affectations. But great partsseem like high towers erected on high mountains, the moreexpose(] to every wind, and readier to tumble. Charles Townshendis blown round the compass; Rousseau insists that the north andSouth blow at the same time; and Voltaire demolishes the Bible toerect fatalism in its stead:--so compatible are the greatestabilities 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 newbooks, 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 againstRousseau, on account of his opinions, Mr. Hume was applied to bya 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, byhis interest with the Government, obtained for him a pension ofone hundred pounds a-year. On his arrival in London, he appearedin public in his Armenian dress, and excited much generalnotice. -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 haveSuch a mind to it--nay, I must. Yes, You that will not lie anight at Strawberry in autumn for fear of the gout, to stay inthe country till this time, and till you caught it! I know youwill 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 yourwife, and had wanted to come to town two months ago. 

I am perfectly well, though to be sure Lapland is the torrid zonein comparison of Paris. We have had such a frost for thisfortnight, that I went nine miles to dine in the country to-day, in a villa exactly like a green-house, except that there was nofire but in one room. We were four in a coach, and all ourchinks stopped with furs, and yet all the glasses were frozen. We dined in a paved hall painted in fresco, with a fountain atone end; for in this country they live in a perpetual opera, andpersist in being young when they are old, and hot when they arefrozen. At the end of the hall sat shivering three gloriousmaccaws, a vast cockatoo, and two poor parroquets, who squalledlike the children in the wood after their nursery-fire! I amcome home, and blowing my billets between every paragraph, butcan scarce move my fingers. However, I must be dressedpresently, and go to the Comtesse de la Marche, (918) who hasappointed nine at night for my audience. It seems a little oddto 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 mannersresemble one another; I was presented to her father-in-law thePrince of Conti last Friday. In the middle of the lev`ee entereda young woman, too plain I thought to be any thing but his nearrelation. I was confirmed in my opinion, by seeing her, after hehad 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 laMarche? He burst into a violent laughter, and then told me itwas 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 timethat I see all their ridicules, there is a douceur in the societyof the women of fashion that captivates me. I like the way oflife, though not lively; though the men are posts, and apt to bearrogant, and though there are twenty ingredients wanting to makethe style perfect. I have totally washed my hands of theirsavans and Philosophers, and do not even envy you Rousseau, whohas all the charlatanerie of Count St. Germain(919 to makehimself singular and talked of. I suppose Mrs. Montagu, my LordLyttelton, and a certain lady friend of mine, will be in raptureswith him, especially as conducted by Mr. Hume. But, however Iadmire his parts, neither he nor any genius I have known has hadcommon sense enough to balance the impertinence of theirpretensions. They hate priests, but love dearly to have an altarat their feet; for which reason it is much pleasanter to readthem than to know them. Adieu! my dear Sir!

Jan. 15. 

This has been writ this week, and waiting for a conveyance, andas yet has got none. Favre tells me you are recovered, but youdon't tell me so yourself. I enclose a trifle that I wrotelately, (920) which got about and has made enormous noise in acity where they run and cackle after an event, like a parcel ofhens after an accidental husk of a grape. It has made me thefashion, and made Madame de Boufflers and the Prince of Contivery angry with me; the former intending to be rapt to the Templeof Fame by clinging to Rousseau's Armenian robe. I am peevishthat with his parts he should be such a mountebank: but what mademe more peevish was, that after receiving Wilkes with thegreatest civilities, he paid court to Mr. Hume by complaining ofWilkes's visit and intrusion. (921) Upon the whole, I would notbut have come hither; for, since I am doomed to live in England, it is some comfort to have seen that the French are ten timesmore contemptible than we are. I am a little ungrateful; but Icannot help seeing with my eyes, though I find other people makenothing of seeing without theirs. I have endless histories toamuse you with when we meet, which shall be at the end of March. It is much more tiresome to be fashionable than unpopular; I amused to the latter, and know how to behave under it: but I cannotstand for member of parliament of Paris. Adieu!

(918) La Comtesse de la Marche, princess of Modena, married tothe only son of the Prince de Conti. Le Comte de la Marche wasthe only one of the princes of the blood who uniformly sided withthe court in the disputes with the Parliament of Paris. -E. 

(919) The Comte de St. Germain had acquired a considerablemilitary reputation in France by his conduct at Corbach in 1760;when he commanded the reserve, and saved the army by supportingthe rear-guard and allowing the whole body to retire upon Cassel. Considering himself ill-used by the Marshal de Broglio, hiscommander-in-chief, he obtained leave to retire from the Frenchservice, and entered that of Denmark, from which he retired intoprivate life in 1774. From this retirement he was summoned byLouis 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 tome, 'It seems, Sir, you have kept very good company abroad--Rousseau and Wilkes!' I answered with a smile, 'My dear Sir, youdon't call Rousseau bad company: do you r(@ally think him a f badman?' Johnson. 'Sir, if you are talking jestingly of this, Idon't talk with you. If you mean to be serious, I think him oneof the worst of men; a rascal, who ought to be hunted out ofsociety, as he has been. Three or four nations have expelledhim, and it is a shame that he is protected in this country. Rousseau, Sir, is a very bad man. I would sooner sign a sentencefor his transportation than that of any felon who has gone fromthe Old Bailey these many years. Yes, I should like to have himwork 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 persuadedthat nobody will feel any satisfaction that comes to you withmore transport than I do; you deserve her friendship, because youare more sensible to the grace of the action than to the thingitself; of which, besides approving the sentiment, I am glad, forif my Lady Cardigan(922) is as happy in drawing a straw, as inpicking straws, you will certainly miss your green coat. Yetmethinks you would make an excellent Robin Hood reform`e, withlittle John your brother. How you would carol Mr. Percy's oldballads under the greenwood tree! I had rather have you in mymerry Sherwood than at Greatworth, and should delight in yourpicture drawn as a bold forester, in a green frock, with yourrosy hue, gray locks, and comely belly. In short, the favouritself, and the manner are so agreeable, that I shall be at leastas much disappointed as you can be, if it fails. One is notashamed to wear a feather from the hand of a friend. We bothscorn to ask or accept boons; but it is pleasing to have lifepainted with images by the pencil of friendship. Visions youknow have always been my pasture; and so far from growing oldenough to quarrel with their emptiness, I almost think there isno wisdom comparable to that of exchanging what is called therealities of life for dreams. Old castles, old pictures, oldhistories, and the babble of old people, make one live back intocenturies, that cannot disappoint one. One holds fast and surelywhat is past. The dead have exhausted their power of deceiving;one can trust Catherine of Medicis now. In short, you haveopened a new landscape to my fancy; and my Lady Beaulieu willoblige me as much as you, if she puts the long bow into yourhands. I don't know but the idea may produce some other Castleof Otranto. 

The victorious arms of the present ministry in Parliament willmake me protract my stay here, lest it should be thought Iawaited the decision of the event; next to successful enemies, Idread triumphant friends. To be sure, Lord Temple and GeorgeGrenville are very proper to be tied to a conqueror's car, and todrag then, slow lengths along;" but it is too ridiculous to seeGoody Newcastle exulting like old Marius in a seventh consulship. Don't tell it, but as far as I can calculate my own intention, Ishall not set out before the twenty-fifth of March. That willmeet your abode in London; and I shall get a day or two out ofyou for some chat at Strawberry on all I have seen and done here. For this reason I will anticipate nothing now, but bid yougood-morrow, after telling you a little story. The canton ofBerne ordered all the impressions of Helvetius's Esprit andVoltaire's Pucelle to be seized. The officer of justice employedby them came into the council and said, "Magnifiques seigneurs, apr`es toutes les recherches possibles, on n'a p`u trouver danstoute 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 amessenger, and now receive yours of December the thirtieth. Myhouse is most heartily at your service, and I shall write toFavre to have it ready for You. You will see by the former partof this letter, that I do not think of being in England beforethe 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 oftown; and as you will find, I have not a bed to offer you but myown, and Favre's, in which your servant will lie, for I havestripped Arlington-street to furnish Strawberry. In the meantime you will be comfortable in my bed, and need have no troubleabout Favre, as he lodges at his wife's while I am absent. Letthem know in time to have the beds aired. 

I don't understand one syllable of your paragraph about MissTalbot, Admiral Cornish, and Mr. Hampden's son. I thought shewas married, and I forget to whom. 

(922) Lady Mary Montagu, third daughter and coheiress of Johnsecond Duke of Montagu, and last of that creation; married, 7thJuly 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 yourladyship's notification of them sooner, for want of a conveyance, and I wrote to my servant to inquire of yours how they had beensent; which I fear may have added a little trouble to all you hadbeen so good as to take, and for which I give you ten thousandthanks: but your ladyship is so exact and friendly, that italmost discourages rather than encourages me. I cannot bringmyself to think that ten thousand obligations are new letters ofcredit. I have -seen Mrs. F *****, and her husband may be ashappy as he will: I cannot help pitying him. She told me it iscoulder here than in England; and in truth I believe so: I blowthe fire between every paragraph, and am quite cut off from allsights. The agreeableness of the evenings makes me some amends. I am just going to sup at Madame d'Aiguillon's with Madamed'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 newpassion, 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 proprietyof expression, and greatest quickness of reason and judgment, youwould take her for the queen of an allegory: one dreads itsfinishing, as much as a lover, if she would admit one, would wishit should finish. In short, Madam, though you are the lastperson that will believe it, France is so agreeable, and Englandso much the reverse, that I don't know when I shall return. Thecivilities, the kindnesses, the honours I receive, are so manyand so great, that I am continually forced to put myself in mindhow little I am entitled to them, and how many of them I owe toyour ladyship. I shall talk you to death at my return. Shallyou bear to hear me tell you a thousand times over, that MadameGeoffrin is the most rational woman in the world, and Madamed'Aiguillon the most animated and most obliging? I think youwill. Your ladyship can endure the panegyric of your friends. If you should grow impatient to hear them commended, you havenothing to do but to come over. The best air in the world isthat where one is pleased: Sunning waters are nothing to it. Thefrost is so hard, it is impossible to have the gout; and thoughthe fountain of youth is not here, the fountain of age is, whichcomes to just the same thing. One is never old here, or neverthought so. One makes verses as if one was but seventccn-forexample:-

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 lookCan 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; theywere intended only to run smoothly, and to be easily comprehendedby the fair scholar who is learning our language. Still lessmust you show them: they are not calculated for the meridian ofLondon, where you know I dread being represented as a shepherd. Pray let them think that I am wrapped up in Canada bills, andhave all the pamphlets sent over about the colonies and thestamp-act. 

I am very sorry for the accounts your ladyship gives me of LordHolland. He talks, I am told, of going to Naples: one would do agreat deal for health, but I question if I could buy it at thatexpense. If Paris would answer his purpose, I should not wonderif he came hither; but to live with Italians must be woful, andwould ipso facto make me ill. It is true I am a bad judge: Inever tasted illness but the gout, which, tormenting as it is, Iprefer to all other distempers: one knows the fit will end, willleave one quite well, and dispenses with the nonsense ofphysicians, and absurdity is more painful than pain: at least thepain of the gout never takes away my spirits, which the otherdoes. 

I have never heard from Mr. Chute this century, but am glad thegout is rather his excuse than the cause, and that it lies onlyin his pen. I am in too good humour to quarrel with any body, and consequently cannot be in haste to see England, where atleast one is sure of being quarrelled with. If they vex me, Iwill come back hither directly; and I shall have the satisfactionof 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. Towhich I have writ an answer, but was disappointed of a conveyanceI expected. You shall have it with additions, by the firstmessenger that goes; but I cannot send it by the post, as I havespoken very freely of some persons you name, in which we agreethoroughly. These few lines are only to tell you that I am notidle in writing to you. 

I almost repent having come hither: for I like the way of lifeand many of the people so well, that I doubt I shall feel moreregret at leaving Paris than I expected. It would sound vain totell you the honours and distinctions I receive, and how much Iam in fashion; yet when they come from the handsomest women inFrance, and the most respectable in point of character, can onehelp being a little proud? If I was twenty years younger, Ishould wish they were not quite so respectable. Madame deBrionne, whom I have never seen, and who was to have met me atsupper last night at the charming Madame d'Egmont's, sent me aninvitation by the latter for Wednesday next. I was engaged, andhesitated. I was told, "Comment! savez-vous que c'est qu'ellene feroit pas pour toute la France?" However, lest you shoulddread my returning a perfect old swain, I study my wrinkles, compare myself and my limbs to every plate of larks I see, andtreat my understanding with at least as little mercy. Yet, doyou know, my present fame is owing to a very triflingcomposition, but which has made incredible noise. I was oneevening at Madame Geoffrin's joking on Rousseau's affectationsand contradictions, and said some things that diverted them. When I came home, I Put them into a letter, and showed it nextday to Helvetius and the Duc de Nivernois-, who were so pleasedwith it, that, after telling me some faults in the language, which you may be sure there were, they encouraged me to let it beseen. As you know I willingly laugh at mountebanks, political orliterary, let their talents be ever so great, I was not averse. The copies have spread like wildfire; et me voici `a la mode! Iexpect the end of my reign at the end of the week with greatcomposure. 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 faitchasser de la Suisse, pays tant vant`e dans vos `ecrits; laFrance vous a d`ecret`e. Venez done chez moi; j'admire vostalens; je m'amuse de vos r`everies, qui (soit dit en passant)vous occupent trop, et trop long tems. Il faut `a la fin `etresage et heureux. Vous avez fait assez parler de vous par dessingularit`es peu convenables `a un v`eritable grand homme. D`emontrez `a vos ennemis que vous pouvez avoir quelquefois lesens commun: cela les fachera, sans vous faire- tort. Mes `etatsvous offrent Une retraite paisible; je vous veux du bien, et jevous en ferai, si vous le trouvez bon. Mais si vous vousobstiniez `a rejetter mon secours, attendez-vous que je ne ledirai `a personne. Si vous persistez @ vous creuser l'espritpour trouver de nouveaux malheurs, choisissez les tels que vousvoudrez. Je suis roi, je puis vous en procurer au gr`e de vossouhaits: et ce qui s`urement ne vous arrivera pas vis `a vis devos ennemis, je cesserai de vous pers`ecuter quand vous cesserezde mettre votre gloire `a l'`etre. Votre bon ami, Frederic. 

The Princesse de Ligne, (924) whose mother was an Englishwomanmade a good observation to me last night. She said, "Je suisroi, je puis vous procurer de malheurs, " was plainly the strokeof an English pen. I said, then I had certainly not wellimitated the character in which I wrote. You will say I am anold man to attack both Voltaire and Rousseau. It is true; but Ishoot 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 ofRichmond to her audience;(925) I have got my cravat and shammyshoes. Adieu!

(923) How much Rousseau, who was naturally disposed to believe inplots and conspiracies against him, was annoyed by this jeud'esprit, the reader will readily learn from the followingletter, which he addressed to the editor of the London Chronicleshortly after his arrival in England:--

Wootton, 3d March 1766. 

You have failed, Sir, in the respect which every private personowes to a crowned head, in attributing publicly to the King ofPrussia a letter full of extravagance and malignity, of which, for these very reasons, you ought to have known be could not bethe author. You have even dared to transcribe his signature, asif 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 theKing of Prussia, to truth, and to me, to print the letter which Iwrite to you, and which I sign, as an atonement for a fault withwhich you would doubtless reproach yourself severely, if you knewto 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 deMegi`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 beenin great pain about you, and not knowing where to direct aletter. Favre(926) told me, you had had an accident, did not saywhat it was, but that you was not come to town. (927) He receivedall the letters and parcels safe; for which I give you manythanks, and a thousand more for your kindness in thinking ofthem, when you was suffering so much. It was a dreadfulconclusion of your travels; but I trust will leave noconsequences behind it. The weather is by no means favourablefor a recovery, if it is as severe in England as at Paris. Wehave had two or three days of fog, rather than thaw; but thefrost is set in again as sharp as ever. I persisted in goingabout to churches and convents, till I thought I should have lostmy nose and fingers. I have submitted at last to the season, andlie a-bed all the morning; but I hope in February and March torecover the time I have lost. I shall not return to Englandbefore the end of March, being determined not to hazard anything. I continue perfectly well, and few things could tempt meto risk five months more of gout. 

I will certainly bring you some pastils, and have them betterpacked, if it is possible. You know how happy I should be if youwould send me any other commission. As you say nothing of theEton living, I fear that prospect has failed you; which gives megreat regret, as it would give me very sensible pleasure to haveyou fixed somewhere (and not far from me) for your ease andsatisfaction. 

I am glad the cathedral of Amiens answered your expectation; sohas the Sainte Chapelle mine; you did not tell me what charmingenamels I should find in the ante-chapel. I have seen anothervast piece, and very fine, of the Constable Montmorenci, at theMar`echale Duchesse de Luxembourg's. Rousseau is gone to Englandwith Mr. Hume. You will very probably see a letter to Rousseau, in the name of the King of Prussia, writ to laugh at hisaffectations. It has made excessive noise here, and I believequite ruined the author with many philosophers. When I tell youI 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 Iflatter 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; andthough it is late to thank you for it, it is at least a strongerproof that I do not forget it. However, I am a little obstinate, as you know, on the chapter of health, and have persisted throughthis Siberian winter in not adding a grain to my clothes, and ingoing open-breasted without an under waistcoat. In short, thoughI like extremely to live, it must be in my own way, as long as Ican: it is not youth I court, but liberty; and I think makingoneself tender is issuing a general warrant against one's ownperson. I suppose I shall submit to confinement when I cannothelp it; but I am indifferent enough to life not to care if itends soon after my prison begins. I have not delayed so long toanswer your letter, from not thinking of you, or from want ofmatter, but from want of time. I am constantly occupied, engaged, amused, till I cannot bring a hundredth part of what Ihave to say into the compass of a letter. You will lose nothingby this: you know my volubility, when I am full of new subjects;and I have at least many hours of conversation for you at myreturn. One does not learn a whole nation in four or fivemonths; but, for the time, few, I believe, have seen, studied, orgot 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 capableof going so far into thinking. They assent to a great deal, because it is the fashion, and because they don't know how tocontradict. They are ashamed to defend the Roman Catholicreligion, because it is quite exploded; but I am convinced theybelieve it in their hearts. They hate the Parliaments and thephilosophers, and are rejoiced that they may still idolizeroyalty. At present, too, they are a little triumphant: thecourt 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 theParliament of Bretagne, the Parliaments might venture out again, if, as I fancy will be the case, they are not glad to drop acause, of which they began to be a little weary of theinconvenience. 

The generality of the men, and more than the generality, are dulland empty. They have taken up gravity, thinking it wasphilosophy and English, and so have acquired nothing in the roomof their natural levity and cheerfulness. However, as their highopinion of their own country remains, for which they can nolonger assign any reason, they are contemptuous and reserved, instead of being ridiculously, consequently pardonably, impertinent. I have wondered, knowing my own countrymen, that wehad attained such a superiority. I wonder no longer, and have alittle more respect for English heads than I had. 

The women do not seem of the same country: if they are less gaythan they were, they are more informed, enough to make them veryconversable. I know six or seven with very superiorunderstandings. Some of them with wit, or with softness, or verygood sense. 

Madame Geoffrin, of whom you have heard much, is an extraordinarywoman, with more common sense than I almost ever met with. Greatquickness in discovering characters, penetration in going to thebottom of them, and a pencil that never fails in a likeness--seldom a favourable One. She exacts and preserves, spite of herbirth and their nonsensical prejudices about nobility, greatcourt and attention. This she acquires by a thousand little artsand offices of friendship: and by a freedom and severity, whichseem to be her sole end of drawing a concourse to her; for sheinsists on scolding those she inveigles to her. She has littletaste and less knowledge, but protects artisans and authors, andcourts a few people to have the credit of serving her dependents. She was bred under the famous Madame Tencin, who advised hernever to refuse any man; for, said her mistress, though nine inten should not care a farthing for you, the tenth may live to bea useful friend. She did not adopt or reject the whole plan, butfully retained the purport of the maxim. In short, she is anepitome' of empire, subsisting by rewards and punishments. Hergreat enemy, Madame du Deffand, was for a short time mistress ofthe Regent, is now very old and stoneblind, but retains all hervivacity, wit, memory, judgment, passions, and agreeableness. She goes to operas, plays, suppers, and Versailles; gives supperstwice a-week; has every thing new read to her; makes new songsand epigrams, admirably, and remembers every one that has beenmade these fourscore years. She corresponds with Voltaire, dictates charming letters to him, contradicts him, is no bigot tohim or any body, and laughs both at the clergy and thephilosophers. In a Dispute, into which she easily falls, she isvery warm, and yet scarce ever in the wrong: her judgment onevery subject, is as just as possible; on every point of conductas wrong as possible: for she is all love and hatred, passionatefor her friends to enthusiasm, still anxious to be loved, I don'tmean by lovers, and a vehement enemy, but openly. As she canhave no amusement but conversation, the least solitude and ennuiare insupportable to her, and put her into the power of severalworthless people, who eat her suppers when they can eat nobody'sof higher rank; wink to one another and laugh at her; hate herbecause she has forty times more parts--and venture to hate herbecause she is not rich. (928) She has an old friend whom I mustmention, a Monsieur Pondeveyle, (929) author of the Fat puni, andthe Complaisant, and of those pretty novels, the Comte deCominge, the Siege of Calais, and Les Malheurs de l'Amour. (930)Would not you expect this old man to be very agreeable? He canbe so, but seldom is yet he has another very different and veryamusing talent, the art of parody, and is unique in his kind. Hecomposes tales to the tunes of long dances -. For instance, hehas adapted the Regent's Daphnis and Chloe to one, and made itten times more indecent; but is so old, and sings it so well, that it is permitted in all companies. He has succeeded stillbetter in les caract`eres de la danse, to which he has adaptedwords that express all the characters of love. With all this hehas not the least idea of cheerfulness in conversation; seldomspeaks but on grave subjects, and not often on them; is ahumourist, very supercilious, and wrapt up in admiration of hisown country, as the only judge of his merit. His air and lookare cold and forbidding; but ask him to sing, or praise hisworks, his eyes and smiles open, and brighten up. In short, Ican show him to you: the self-applauding poet in Hogarth's Rake'sProgress, the second print, is so like his very features and verywig, that you would know him by it, if you came hither--for hecertainly will not go to you. 

Madame de Mirepoix's understanding is excellent of the usefulkind, and can be so when she pleases of the agreeable kind. Shehas read, but seldom shows it, and has perfect taste. Her manneris cold, but very civil; and she conceals even the blood ofLorrain, without ever forgetting it. Nobody in France knows theworld better, and nobody is personally so well with the King. She is false, artful, and insinuating beyond measure when it isher interest, (931) but indolent and a coward. She never had anypassion but gaming, and always loses. For ever paying court, thesole produce of a life of art is to get money from the King tocarry on a course of paying debts or contracting new ones, whichshe discharges as fast as she is able. She advertised devotion, to get made dame du palais to the Queen; and the very next daythis Princess of Lorrain was seen riding backwards with MadamePompadour in the latter's coach. When the King was stabbed, andheartily frightened, the mistress took a panic too, and consultedD'Argenson, (932) whether she had not best make off in time. Hehated her, and said, By all means. Madame de Mirepoix advisedher to stay. The King recovered his spirits, D'Argenson wasbanished, and La Mar`echale inherited part of the mistress'scredit. I must interrupt my history of illustrious women with ananecdote of Monsieur de Maurepas, with whom I am much acquainted, and who has one of the few heads which approach to good ones, andwho luckily for us was disgraced, and the marine dropped, becauseit was his favourite object and province. He employed Pondeveyleto make a song on the Pompadour:(933) it was clever and bitter, and did not spare Majesty. This was Maurepas absurd enough tosing at supper at Versailles. (934) Banishment ensued; and lesthe should ever be restored, the mistress persuaded the King thathe had poisoned her predecessor Madame de Chateauroux. Maurepasis very agreeable, and exceedingly cheerful; yet I have seen atransient silent cloud when politics are talked of. 

Madame de Boufflers, who was in England(935) is a savantsmistress of the Prince of Conti, and very desirous of being hiswife. She is two women, the upper and the lower. I need nottell you that the lower is gallant, and still has pretensions. The upper is very sensible, too, and has a measured eloquencethat is just and pleasing--but all is spoiled by an unrelaxedattention to applause. You would think she was always sittingfor her picture to her biographer. Madame de Rochfort(936) isdifferent from all the rest. Her understanding is just anddelicate; with a finesse of wit that is the result of reflection. Her manner is soft and feminine, and though a savants, withoutany declared pretensions. She is the decent friend of Monsieurde Nivernois; for you must not believe a syllable of what youread in their novels. It requires the greatest curiosity, or thegreatest habitude, to discover the smallest connexion between thesexes here. No familiarity, but under the veil of friendship, ispermitted, and love's dictionary is as much prohibited, as atfirst sight one should think his ritual was. All you hear, andthat pronounced with nonchalance, is, that Monsieur un tel hashad Madame un telle. The Duc de Nivernois has parts, and writesat the top of the mediocre, but, as Madame Geoffrin says, ismanqu`e par tout; guerrier manqu`e, ambassadeur manqu`e, hommed'affaires manqu`e and auteur manqu`e--no, he is not homme denaissance manqu`e. He would think freely, but has some ambitionof being governor to the Dauphin, and is more afraid of his wifeand daughter, who are ecclesiastic fagots. The formeroutchatters the Duke of Newcastle; and the latter Madame deGisors, exhausts Mr. Pitt's eloquence in defense of theArchbishop of Paris. Monsieur de Nivernois lives in a smallcircle of dependent admirers, and Madame de Rochfort ishigh-priestess for a small salary of credit. 

The Duchess of Choiseul, (937) the only young one of theseheroines, is not very pretty, but has fine eyes, and is a littlemodel in wax-work, which not being allowed to speak for some timeas incapable, has a hesitation and modesty, the latter of whichthe court has not cured, and the former of which is atoned for bythe most interesting sound of voice, and forgotten in the mostelegant turn and propriety of expression. Oh! it is thegentlest, amiable, civil little creature that ever came out of afairy egg! So just in its phrases and thoughts, so attentive andgood-natured! Every body loves it but its husband, who prefershis own sister the Duchess de Grammont, (938) an Amazonian, fierce, haughty dame, who loves and hates arbitrarily, and isdetested. Madame de Choiseul, passionately fond of her husband, was the martyr of this union, but at last submitted with a goodgrace; has gained a little credit with him, and is still believedto idolize him. But I doubt it--she takes too much pains toprofess it. 

I cannot finish my list without adding a much more commoncharacter--but more complete in its kind than any of theforegoing, the Mar`echale de Luxembourg. (939) She has been veryhandsome, very abandoned, and very mischievous. Her beauty isgone, her lovers are gone, and she thinks the devil is coming. This dejection has softened her into being rather agreeable, forshe has wit and good-breeding; but you would swear, by therestlessness of her person and the horrors she cannot conceal, that she had signed the compact, and expected to be called uponin a week for the performance. 

I could add many pictures, but none so remarkable. In those Isend you, there is not a feature bestowed gratis or exaggerated. For the beauties, of which there are a few considerable, asMesdames de Brionne, de Monaco, et d'Egmont, they have not yetlost 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 thinkwas that fashion? I myself. Yes, like Queen Elinor in theballad, I sunk at Charing-cross, and have risen in the FauxbourgSt. Germain. A plaisanterie on Rousseau, whose arrival here inhis way to you brought me acquainted with many anecdotesconformable to the idea I had conceived of him, got about, wasliked much more than it deserved, spread like wildfire, and mademe the subject of conversation. Rousseau's devotees wereoffended. Madame de Boufflers, with a tone of sentiment, and theaccents of lamenting humanity, abused me heartily, and thencomplained to myself with the utmost softness. I actedcontrition, but had like to have spoiled all, by growingdreadfully tired of a second lecture from the Prince of Conti, who took up the ball, and made himself the hero of a historywherein he had nothing to do. I listened, did not understandhalf he said (nor he neither), forgot the rest, said Yes when Ishould have said No, yawned when I should have smiled, and wasvery penitent when I should have rejoiced at my pardon. Madamede Boufflers was more distressed, for he owned twenty times morethan I had said: she frowned and made him signs: but she hadwound up his clack, and there was no stopping it. -The moment shegrew angry, the lord of the house grew charmed, and it has beenmy fault if I am not at the head of a numerous sect:--but, when Ileft a triumphant party in England, I did not come hither to beat the head of a fashion. However, I have been sent for aboutlike an African prince or a learned canary-bird, and was, inparticular, carried by force to the Princess of Talmond, (940) theQueen's cousin, who lives in a charitable apartment in theLuxembourg, and was sitting on a small bed hung with saints andSobieskis, in a corner of one of those vast chambers, by twoblinking tapers. I stumbled over a cat, a footstool, and achamber-pot in my journey to her presence. She could not find asyllable to say to me, and the visit ended with her begging alap-dog. Thank the Lord! though this is the first month, it isthe last week, of my reign; and I shall resign my crown withgreat satisfaction to a bouillie of chestnuts, which is justinvented and whose annals will be illustrated by so manyindigestions, that Paris will not want any thing else for threeweeks. I will enclose the fatal letter after I have finishedthis enormous one; to which I will only add, that nothing hasinterrupted my S`evign`e researches but the frost. The Abb`e deMalherbes has given me full power to ransack I did not tell you, that by great accident, when I thought on nothing less, Istumbled on an original picture of the Comte de Grammont, Adieu!You are generally in London in March: I shall be there by the endof it. (941)

(928) To the above portrait of Madame du Deffand it may be usefulto subjoin the able development of her character which appearedin the Quarterly Review for May 1811, in its critique on herLetters to Walpole:--"This lady seems to have united thelightness of the French character with thesolidity of the English. She was easy and volatile, yetjudicious and acute; sometimes profound and sometimessuperficial. She had a wit playful, abundant, and well-toned; anadmirable conception of the ridiculous, and great skill inexposing it; a turn for satire, which she indulged, not always inthe best-natured manner, yet with irresistible effect; powers ofexpression varied, appropriate, flowing from the source, andcurious without research; a refined taste for letters, and ajudgment both of men and books in a high degree: enlightened andaccurate. As her parts had been happily thrown together bynature, they were no less happy in the circumstances whichattended their progress and development. They were refined, notby a course of solitary study, but by desultory reading, andchiefly by living intercourse with the brightest geniuses of herage. Thus trained, they acquired a pliability of movement, whichgave to all their exertions a bewitching air of freedom andnegligence. And made even their last efforts seem only theexuberances or flowering-off of a mind capable of higherexcellencies, but unambitious to attain them. There was nothingto alarm or overpower. On whatever topic she touched, trivial orsevere, it was alike en badinant; but in the midst of thissportiveness, her genius poured itself forth in a thousanddelightful fancies, and scattered new graces and ornaments onevery object within its sphere. In its wanderings from thetrifles of the day to grave questions of morals or philosophy, itcarelessly struck out, and as carelessly abandoned, the mostprofound truths; and while it sought only to amuse, suddenlyastonished and electrified by rapid traits of illumination, whichopened the depths of difficult subjects, and roused theresearches of more systematic reasoners. To these qualificationswere added an independence in forming opinions, and a boldness inavowing them, which wore at least the semblance of honesty; aperfect knowledge of the world, and that facility of manners, which in the commerce of society supplies the place ofbenevolence. "-E. 

(929) m. De Pontdeveyle, the younger brother of the Marquisd'Argental, the friend of Voltaire and of the King of Prussia. Their mother, Madame do Ferioles, was sister to the celebratedmadame de Tencin and to the Cardinal of the same name. He diedin 1774. -E. 

(930) Madame du Deffand, in a letter to Walpole of the 17th ofMarch 1776, states the Malheurs de l'Amour to be the productionof 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 ofconsequence who countenanced and appeared in public at Versailleswith Madame du Barri; while, on the other hand, her brother, thePrince de Beauvau and his wife, gave great offence by refusing tosee her or be of any of her parties. Her person is thusdescribed by Madame du Deffand:--"Sa figure est charmante, sonteint est `eblouissant; ses traits, sans `etre parfaits, sont Sibien assortis, que personne n'a l'air plus jeune et n'est plusjolie. "-E. 

(932) Le Comte d'Argenson was minister-at-war, and, afterDamien's attempt upon the life of the King of France in 1757, wasdisgraced, and exiled to his country-house at Ormes in Poitou. He was brother to the Marquis d'Argenson, who had been ministerof foreign affairs, and died in 1756. He it was who is said tohave 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 alludedto 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 SiExcite dans tout Paris, ris, ris, ris. "

(934) Le Comte de Maurepas, who was married to a sister of theDuc 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 wasimmediately summoned to assist in the formation of the ministryof 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 husbandappears to have been more attached to her than Walpole supposed;at least if we may judge from his will, in which he desires to beburied in the same grave, and expresses his gratification at theidea of reposing by the side of one whom he had, during hislifetime, 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 hashere given of her. She was thus described, in 1761, by Mr. HansStanley, in a letter to Mr. Pitt:--"The Duchess is the onlyperson who has any weight with her brother, the Duc de Choiseul. She never dissembles her contempt or dislike of any man, inwhatever degree of elevation. It is said she might have suppliedthe place of Madame de Pompadour, if she had pleased. She treatsthe ceremonies and pageants of courts as things beneath her: shepossesses a most uncommon share of understanding, and has veryhigh notions of honour and reputation. " The crowning act of herlife militates strongly against Walpole's views. When broughtbefore the Revolutionary tribunal, in April 1794, after havingbeen seized by order of Robespierre, she astonished her judges bythe grace and dignity of her demeanour; and pleaded, not for herown life, but eloquently for that of her friend, the Duchesse duChatelet: "Que ma mmort soit d`ecid`ee, " she said; "cela nem'`etonne pas; mais, " pointing to her friend, "pour cet ange, enquoi vous a-t-elle offens`e; elle qui n'a jamais fait tort `apersonne; et dont la vie enti`ere n'offre qu'un tableau de vertuet de bienfaisance. " Both suffered upon the same scaffold. Itwas this lady who was selected to be made an example of, fromamong many others who slighted Madame du Barri; and for this shewas exiled to the distance of fifteen leagues from Paris, or fromwheresoever the court was assembled. -E. 

(939) La Mar`echale Duchesse de Luxembourg, sister to the Duc deVilleroi, Her first husband was the Duc de Boufflers, by whom shehad a son, the Duc de Boufflers, who died at Genoa of thesmall-pox. She afterwards married the Mar`echal Duc deLuxembourg, at whose country-seat, Montmorency, Jean JacquesRousseau was long an inmate. -E. 

(940) The Princess of Talmond was born in Poland, and said to beallied to the Queen, Maria Leczinska, with whom she came toFrance, 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 andthen a long and lively letter from Paris, to which place he wentthe last summer, with the gout upon him; sometimes in his limbs;often in his stomach and head. He has got somehow well, (not bymeans of the climate, one would think, ) goes to all publicplaces, sees all the best company, and is very much in fashion. He says he sunk like Queen Eleanor, at Charing-cross, and hasrisen again at Paris. He returns again in April; but his healthis 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 12thof last month, which I only mention, because the latter went bythe post, which I have found is not always a safe conveyance. 

I am sorry to inform you, Madam, that you will not see MadameGeoffrin this year, as she goes to Poland in May. The King hasinvited her, promised her an apartment exactly in her own way, and that she shall see nobody but whom) she chooses to see. Thiswill not surprise you, Madam; but what I shall add, will: thoughI must beg your ladyship not to mention it even to her, as it isan absolute secret here, as she does not know that I know it, andas it was trusted to me by a friend of yours. In short, thereare thoughts of sending her with a public character, or at leastwith a commission from hence--a very extraordinary honour, and Ithink never bestowed but on the Mar`echale de Gu`ebriant. As theDussons have been talked of, and as Madame Geoffrin has enemies, its being known might make her uneasy that it was known. Ishould have told it to no mortal but your ladyship; but I couldnot resist giving you such a pleasure. In your answer, Madam, Ineed 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 beentreasuring up regret. At worst I have filled my mind with a newset of ideas; some resource to a man who was heartily tired ofhis old ones. When I tell your ladyship that I play at whisk, and bear even French music, you will not wonder at any change inme. Yet I am far from pretending to like every body, or everything I see. There are some chapters on which I still fear weshall not agree; but I will do your ladyship the justice to own, that you have never said a syllable too much in behalf of thefriends to whom you was so good as to recommend me. Madamed'Egmont, whom I have mentioned but little, is one of the bestwomen in the world, and, though not at all striking at first, _fair)s upon one much. Colonel Gordon, with this letter, bringsyou, Madam, some more seeds from her. I have a box of pomatumsfor you from Madame de Boufflers, which shall go by the nextconveyance that offers. As he waits for my parcel, I can onlyrepeat how much I am your ladyship's most obliged and faithfulhumble 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 looklike a letter, Paris, that supplies tine with diversions, affordsme no news. England sends me none, on which I care to talk bythe post. All seems in confusion; but I have done with politics!

The marriage of your cousin puts me in mind of the two owls, whomthe Vizier in some Eastern tale told the Sultan were treating ona match between their children, on whom they were to settle Idon't know how many ruined villages. Trouble not your head aboutit. Our ancestors were rogues, and so will our posterity be. 

Madame Roland has sent to me, by Lady Jerningham, (942) to beg myworks. She shall certainly have them when I return to England;but how comes she to forget that you and I are friends? or doesshe think that all Englishmen quarrel on party? If she does, methinks she is a good deal in the right, and it is one of thereasons why I have bid adieu to politics, that I may not beexpected to love those I hate, and hate those I love. I suppedlast night with the Duchess de Choiseul, and saw a magnificentrobe she is to wear to-day for a great wedding between aBiron(943) and a Boufflers. It is of blue satin, embroidered allover in mosaic, diamond-wise, with gold: in every diamond is asilver star edged with gold, and surrounded with spangles in thesame way; it is trimmed with double sables, crossed with frogsand tassels of gold; her head, neck, breast, and arms, coveredwith diamonds. She will be quite the fairy queen, for it is theprettiest little reasonable amiable Titania you ever saw; butOberon does not love it. He prefers a great mortal Hermione hissister. I long to hear that you are lodged in Arlington-street, and invested with your green livery; and I love Lord Beaulieu forhis cudom. Adieu!

(942) Mary, eldest daughter, and eventually heiress, of FrancisPlowden, Esq. By Mary eldest daughter of the Hon. John StaffordHoward, younger son of the unfortunate Lord Stafford, wife of sirGeorge Jerningham. -E. 

(943) The Duc de Lauzun, who upon the death of his uncle, theMar`echal de Biron, became Duc de Biron, married the heiress andonly child of the Duc de Boufflers, who died at Genoa. Themarriage proved an unhappy one, and the Duchess twice took refugein England at the breaking out of the French revolution; buthaving, in 1793, unadvisedly returned to Paris, she perished onthe scaffold in one of the bloody proscriptions of Robespierre. At the beginning of that revolution, the Duke espoused thepopular cause, and even commanded an army under the orders of thelegislative assembly; but in the storms that succeeded, beingaltogether unequal to stem the torrent of popular fury or directits 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 arewelcome. Indeed you are, and I am heartily glad you are pleasedthere. I have neither matter nor time for more, as I have heardof an opportunity of sending this away immediately with someother letters. News do not happen here as in London; theParliaments meet, draw up a remonstrance, ask a day forpresenting it, have the day named a week after, and so forth. Attheir rate of going on, if Methusalem was first president, hewould not see the end of a single question. As your historiesare somewhat more precipitate, I wait for their coming to somesettlement, and then will return; but, if the old ministers areto be replaced, Bastille for Bastille, I think I had rather staywhere I am. I am not half so much afraid of any power, as theFrench 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 itwill not answer your expectation. It is no answer to any of hisworks, and is only a laugh at his affectations. I hear he doesnot succeed in England, where his singularities are no curiosity. Yet he must stay there, or give up all his pretensions. To quita country where he may live at ease, and unpersecuted, will beowning that tranquillity is not what he seeks. If he again seekspersecution, who will pity him? I should think even bigots wouldlet him alone out of contempt. 

I have executed your commission in a way that I hope will pleaseyou. As you tell me you have a blue cup and saucer, and a redone, and would have them completed to six, without being allalike, I have bought one other blue, one other red, and twosprigged, in the same manner, with colours; so you will have justthree pair, which seems preferable to six odd ones; and which, indeed, at nineteen livres a-piece, I think I could not havefound. 

I shall keep very near the time I proposed returning; though I ama little tempted to wait for the appearance of' leaves. As I maynever come hither again, I am disposed to see a little of theirvillas and gardens, though it will vex me to lose spring andlilac-tide at Strawberry. The weather has been so bad, andcontinues so cold, that I have not yet seen all I intended inParis. To-day, I have been to the Plaine de Sablon, by the Boisde Boulogne, to see a horserace rid in person by the CountLauragais and Lord Forbes. (944) All Paris was in motion by nineo'clock this morning, and the coaches and crowds were innumerableat so novel a sight. Would you believe it, that there was anEnglishman to whom it was quite as new? That Englishman was I:though I live within two miles of Hounslow, have been fifty timesin my life at Newmarket, and have passed through it at the timeof the races, I never before saw a complete one. I once wentfrom Cambridge on purpose; saw the beginning, was tired, and wentaway. If there was to be a review in Lapland, perhaps I mightsee a review, too; which yet I have never seen. Lauragais wasdistanced at the second circuit. What added to the singularitywas, that at the same instant his brother was gone to church tobe married. But, as Lauragais is at variance with his father andwife, 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 wasDeputy-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 Iwould, and because I have an opportunity by Monsieur deLillebonne, and in spite of a better reason for being silent, which is, that I have nothing to say. People marry, die, and arepromoted here about whom neither you nor I care a straw. No, truly, and I am heartily tired of them, as you may believe when Iam preparing to return. There is a man in the next room actuallynailing my boxes; yet it will be the beginning of April before Iam at home. I have not had so much as a cold in all thisSiberian winter, and I will not venture the tempting the gout bylying in a bad inn, till the weather is warmer. I wish, too, tosee a few leaves out at Versailles, etc. If I stayed till AugustI 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 thatbeggars thrust into coaches to excite charity and miscarriages. 

I am going this evening in search of Madame Roland; I doubt weshall both miss each other's lilies and roses: she may have gotsome pionies in their room, but mine are replaced with crocuses. 

I love Lord Harcourt for his civility, to you; and I would fainsee you situated under the greenwood-tree, even by a compromise. You may imagine I am pleased with the defeat, hisses, andmortification of George Grenville, and The more by thedisappointment it has occasioned here. If you have a mind to vexthem thoroughly, you must make Mr. Pitt minister. (945) They havenot forgot him, whatever we have done. 

The King has suddenly been here this morning to hold a lit dejustice: I don't yet know the particulars, except that it wasoccasioned by some bold remonstrances of the Parliament on thesubject of That of Bretagne. Louis told me when I waked, thatthe Duke de Chevreuil, the governor of Paris, was just gone by ingreat state. I long to chat with Mr. Chute and you in the blueroom at Strawberry: though I have little to write, I have a greatdeal to say. How do you like his new house? has he no gout?Are your cousins Cortez and Pizarro heartily mortified that theyare not to roast and plunder the Americans? Is Goody CarlisleDisappointed at not being appointed grand inquisitor? Adieu! Iwill not seal this till I have seen or missed Madame Roland. Yours ever. 

P. S. I have been prevented going to madame Roland, and defergiving an account of her by this letter. 

(945) Mr. Gerard Hamilton, in a letter to Mr. Calcraft, of the7th, says:--"Grenville and the Duke of Bedford's people continueto oppose, in every stage, the passage of the bill for the repealof the Stamp-act. The reports of the day are, that Mr. Pitt willgo into the House of lords, and form an arrangement, which hewill 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 yourladyship, though I have been confined these three or four Dayswith an inflammation in my eyes. My watchings and revellingshad, I doubt, heated my blood, and prepared it to receive astroke of cold, which in truth was amply administered. We weretwo-and-twenty at Mar`echale du Luxembourg's, and supped in atemple rather than in a hall. It is vaulted at top with gods andgoddesses, and paved with marble; but the god of fire was not ofthe number. HOWever, as this is neither of my points, I shallsay no more of it. 

I send your ladyship Lady Albemarle's box, which Madame Geoffrinbrought to me herself yesterday. I think it very neat andcharming, and it exceeds the commission but by a guinea and ahalf. It is lined with wood between the two golds, as the priceand necessary size would not admit metal enough without, to leaveit of any solidity. 

The other point I am indeed ashamed to mention so late. I ammore guilty than even about the scissors. Lord Hertford sent meword a fortnight ago, that an ensigncy was vacant, to which heshould recommend Mr. Fitzgerald. I forgot both to thank him andto acquaint your ladyship, who probably know it without mycommunication. I have certainly lost my memory! This is so idleand young, that I begin to fear I have acquired something of theFashionable man, which I so much dreaded. It is to England thenthat I must return to recover friendship and attention? Iliterally wrote to Lord Hertford, and forgot to thank him. SureI did not use to be so abominable! I cannot account for it; I amas black as ink, and must turn Methodist, to fancy thatrepentance can wash me white again. No, I will not; for then Imay sin again, and trust to the same nostrum. 

I had the honour of sending your ladyship the funeral sermon onthe Dauphin, and a tract to laugh at sermons: "Your bane andantidote are both before you. " The first is by the Archbishop ofToulouse, (946) who is thought the first man of the clergy. Ithas some sense, no pathetic, no eloquence, and, I think, clearlyno belief in his own doctrine. The latter is by the Abb`eCoyer, (947) written livelily, upon a single idea; and, though Iagree upon the inutility of the remedy he rejects, I have nobetter opinion of that he would substitute. Preaching has notfailed from the beginning of the world till to-day, not becauseinadequate to the disease, but because the disease is incurable. If one preached to lions and tigers, would it cure them ofthirsting for blood, and sucking it when they have an opportunityNo; but when they are whelped in the Tower, and both caressed andbeaten, 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 apair of scissors or an ensigncy. 

Adieu, Madam! and pray don't forgive me, till I have forgivenmyself. I dare not close my letter with any professions; forcould you believe them in one that had so much reason to thinkhimself Your most obedient humble servant?

(946) Brionne de Lomenie, Archbishop of Toulouse, and afterwardsCardinal de Lomenie or as he was nicknamed by the populace ofParis, "Cardinal de l'Ignominie, " was great-nephew to Madame duDeffand. The spirit of political intrigue raised him to theadministration of affairs during the last struggles of the oldr`egime, and exposed him to the contempt he deserved for aspiringto such a situation at such a moment. He was arrested at thecommencement of the Revolution, and escaped the guillotine bydying in one of the prisons at Paris in 1794. -E. 

(947) This pamphlet of the Abb`e Coyer, which was entitled "OnPreaching, " produced a great sensation in Paris at the time ofits publication. Its object is to prove, that those who haveoccupied themselves in preaching to others, ever since the worldbegan, whether poets, priests, or philosophers, have been but aparcel of prattlers, listened to if eloquent, laughed at if dull;but who have never corrected any body: the true preacher beingthe government, which joins to the moral maxims which itinculcates the force of example and the power of execution. Baron de Grimm characterizes the Abb`e as being "l'homme du mondele plus lourd, l'ennui personnifi`e, " and relates the followinganecdote of him during his visit to Voltaire at the Chateau deFerney:-" "The first day, the philosopher bore his company withtolerable politeness; but the next morning he interrupted him ina long prosing narrative of his travels, by this question:'Savez-vous bien, M. L'Abb`e, la difference qu'il y a entre DonQuichotte et vous? c'est que Don Quichotte prenait toutes lesauberges pour des chateaux; et vous, vous prenez tous lesch`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 orfive days with a violent inflammation in my eyes, and which hasprevented my returning to Madame Roland. I did not find her athome, but left your letter. My right eye is well again, and Ihave been to take air. 

How can you ask leave to carry any body to Strawberry? May notyou do what you please with me and mine? Does notArlington-street comprehend Strawberry? why don't you go and liethere if you like it'? It will be, I think, the middle of April, before I return; I have lost a week by this confinement, andwould fain satisfy my curiosity entirely, now I am here. I haveseen enough, and too much, of the people. I am glad you are uponcivil terms with Habiculeo. The less I esteem folks, the less Iwould 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 theClive shines. Adieu! Commend me to Charles-street. Kiss Fanny, and Mufti, and Ponto for me, when you go to Strawberry: dearsouls, I long to kiss them myself. 

(948) The popular comedy of The Clandestine Marriage, the jointproduction of Garrick and Colman, had just been brought out atDrury-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 socomfortable in my house. If you would set up a bed there, youneed never go out of it. I want to invite you, not to expel you. April the tenth my pilgrimage will end, and the fifteenth, orsixteenth, you may expect to see me, not much fattened with theflesh-pots of Egypt, but almost as glad to come amongst you againas I was to leave you. 

Your Madame Roland is not half so fond of me as she tells me; Ihave been twice at her door, left your letter and my owndirection, but have not received so much as a message to tell meshe is sorry she was not at home. Perhaps this is her firstvision of Paris, and it is natural for a Frenchwoman to have herhead turned with it; though what she takes for rivers of emerald, and hotels of ruby and topaz, are to my eyes, that have beenpurged with euphrasy and rue, a filthy stream, in which everything is washed without being cleaned, and dirty houses, uglystreets, worse shops, and churches loaded with bad pictures. (949)Such is the material part of this paradise; for the corporeal, ifMadame Roland admires it, I have nothing to say; however, I shallnot be sorry to make one at Lady Frances Elliot's. Thank you foradmiring my deaf old woman; if I could bring my old blind onewith me, I should resign this paradise as willingly as if it wasbuilt of opal, and designed by a fisherman, who thought that whatmakes a fine necklace would make a finer habitation. 

We did not want your sun; it has shone here for a fortnight withall its lustre but yesterday a north wind, blown by the Czarinaherself I believe, arrived, and declared a month of March of fullage. This morning it snowed; and now, clouds of dust arewhisking about the streets and quays, edged with an east wind, that gets under one's very shirt. I should not be quite sorry ifa little of it tapped my lilacs on their green noses, and badethem wait for their master. 

The Princess of Talmond sent me this morning a picture of twopup-dogs, and a black and white greyhound, wretchedly painted. Icould not conceive what I was to do with this daub, but in hernote she warned me not to hope to keep it. It was only toimprint on my memory the size, and features, and spots of Diana, her departed greyhound, in order that I might get her exactlysuch another. Don't you think my memory will return well stored, if it is littered with defunct lapdogs. She is so devout, that Idid not dare send her word, that I am not possessed of a twig ofJacob'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 deliveredits mite with a grace, and a twirl of the hand. I don't thinkyour cousin's first grandson will be so well bred. Adieu! Yoursever. 

(949) Walpole's picture of Paris, in 1766, is not much morefavourable than that of Peter Heylin, who visited that city inthe preceding century:--"This I am confident of, " says Peter, "that the nastiest lane in London is frankincense and juniper tothe sweetest street in this city. The ancient by-word was (andthere is good reason for it) 'il destaient comme la fange deParis:' had I the power of making proverbs, I would only changedestaient' into 'il put, ' and make the by-word ten times moreorthodox. That which most amazed me is, that in such aperpetuated constancy of stinks, there should yet be variety--avariety so special and distinct, that my chemical nose (I darelay my life on it), after two or three perambulations, would huntout blindfold each several street by the smell, as perfectly asanother 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, hasbeen in the country, and at Versailles, and was so obliging as tocall on me this morning, but I was so disobliging as not to beawake. 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 Iam acquainted, and who had given me a general invitation. I putit off to the last moment, that the bois and all`ees might setoff the scene a little, and contribute to the vision; but it didnot want it. Livry is situated in the For`et de Bondi, veryagreeably on a flat, but with hills near it, and in prospect. There is a great air of simplicity and rural about it, moreregular than our taste, but with an old-fashioned tranquillity, and nothing of coligichet. Not a tree exists that remembers thecharming woman, because in this country an old tree is a traitor, and forfeits its head to the crown; but the plantations are notyoung, and might very well be as they were in her time. TheAbb`e's house is decent and snug; a few paces from it is thesacred pavilion built for Madame de S`evign`e by her uncle, andmuch as it was in her day; a small saloon below for dinner, thenan arcade, but the niches now closed, and painted in fresco withmedallions of her, the Grignan, the Fayette, and theRochefoucauld. Above, a handsome large room, with achimney-piece in the best taste of Louis the Fourteenth's time; aholy family in good relief over it, and the cipher of her uncleCoulanges; a neat little bedchamber within, and two or threeclean little chambers over them. On one side of the garden, leading to the great road, is a little bridge of wood, on whichthe dear woman used to wait for the courier that brought herdaughter's letters. Judge with what veneration and satisfactionI set my foot upon it! If you will come to France with Me nextyear, we will go and sacrifice on that sacred spot together. 

On the road to Livry I passed a new house on the pilasters of thegate to which were two sphinxes in stone, with their headscoquetly reclined, straw hats, and French cloaks slightly pinned, and not hiding their bosoms. I don't know whether I or Memphiswould have been more diverted. I shall set out this dayse'nnight, the tenth, and be in London about the fifteenth orsixteenth, 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 wearslouched hats, long cloaks, and high capes. Scandal and thegovernment called this dress going in mask, and pretended that itcontributed 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 theevening a tumult arose, and cries of, "God bless the King! Godbless the kingdom! but confusion to Squillaci, the primeminister. "(951) The word was no sooner given, but his house wasbeset, the windows broken, and the gates attempted. The guardscame and fired on the weavers(952) of cloaks. The weaversreturned the fire, and many fell on each side. As the hour ofsupper approached and the mob grew hungry, they recollected a taxupon bread, and demanded the repeal. The King yielded to bothrequests, and hats and loaves were set at liberty. The peoplewere not contented, and still insisted on the permission ofmurdering the first minister; though his Majesty assured hisfaithful commons that the minister was never consulted on acts ofgovernment, and was only his private friend, who sometimes calledupon him in an evening to drink a glass of wine and talk botany. The people were incredulous, and continued in mutiny when thelast letters came away. If you should happen to suppose, as Idid, that this history arrived in London, do not be alarmed; forit was at Madrid; and a nation who has borne the Inquisitioncannot support a cocked hat. So necessary it is for governors toknow when lead or a feather will turn the balance of humanunderstandings, or will not!

I should not have entrenched on Lord George's(953) province ofsending you news of revolutions, but he is at Aubign`e; and Ithought it right to advertise you in time, in case you shouldhave a mind to send a bale of slouched hats to the support of themutineers. As I have worn a flapped hat all my life, when I haveworn any at all, I think myself qualified, and would offer myservice to command them; but, being persuaded that you are afaithful observer of treaties, though a friend to repeals, Ishall come and receive your commands in person. In the mean timeI cannot help figuring what a pompous protest my Lord Lytteltonmight draw up in the character of an old grandee against therevocation of the act for cocked hats. 

Lady Ailesbury forgot to send me word of your recovery, as shepromised; but I was so lucky as to hear it from other hands. Pray take care of yourself, and do not imagine that you are asweak 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, stepinto the street and ask the first man you meet. 

This is Sunday, and Thursday is fixed for my departure, unlessthe Clairon should return to the stage on Tuesday se'nnight, asit is said; and I do not know whether I should not be tempted toborrow two or three days more, having never seen her; yet mylilacs pull hard, and I have not a farthing left in the world. Be sure you do not leave a cranny open for George Grenville towriggle it), till I have got all my things out of thecustomhouse. Adieu! Yours ever. 

(950) This account alludes to the insurrection at Madrid, on theattempt 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 placein 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 ofthe insurrection at Madrid. I have since seen Stahremberg, (954)the imperial minister, who has had a courier from thence; and ifLord Rochford(955) has not sent one, you will not be sorry toknow more particulars. The mob disarmed the Invalids; stoppedall coaches, to prevent Squillaci's flight; and meeting the Dukede Medina Celi, forced him and the Duke d'Arcos to carry theirdemands to the King. His most frightened Majesty granted themdirectly; on which his highness the people despatched a monk withtheir demands in writing, couched in four articles; thediminution of the gabel on bread and oil; the revocation of theordonnance on hats and cloaks; the banishment of Squillaci; andthe abolition of some other tax, I don't know what. The Kingsigned all; yet was still forced to appear at a balcony, andpromise to observe what he had granted. Squillaci was sent withan escort to Carthagena, to embark for Naples, and the firstcommissioner of the treasury appointed to succeed him; which doesnot look much like observation of the conditions. Some sayEnsenada is recalled, and that Grimaldi is in no good odour withthe people. If the latter and Squillaci are dismissed, we getrid of two enemies. 

The tumult ceased on the grant of the demands; but the Kingretiring that night to Aranjuez, the insurrection was renewed thenext morning on pretence that this flight was a breach of thecapitulation The people seized the gates of the capital, andpermitted nobody to go out. In this state were things when thecourier came away. The ordonnance against going in disguiselooks as if some suspicions had been conceived; and yet theirconfidence was so great as not to have two thousand guards in thetown. The pitiful behaviour of the court makes one think thatthe Italians were frightened, and that the Spanish part of theministry were not sorry it took that turn. As I suppose there isno great city in Spain which has not at least a bigger bundle ofgrievances than the capital, one shall not wonder if thepusillanimous behaviour of the King encourages them to redressthemselves too. 

There is what is called a change of the ministry here; but it isonly a crossing over and figuring in. The Duc de Praslin haswished to retire for some time; and for this last fortnight therehas been talk of his being replaced by the Duc d'Aiguillon. TheDuc de Nivernois, etc. ; but it is plain, though not believed tillnow, that the Duc de Choiseul is all-powerful. To purchase thestay of his cousin Praslin, on whom he can depend, and to leaveno cranny open, he has ceded the marine and colonies to the Duede Praslin, and taken the foreign and military departmenthimself. His cousin is, besides, named chef du conseil desfinances; a very honourable, very dignified, and very idle place, and never filled since the Duc de Bethune had it. Praslin'shopeful 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, whichre-assembles. A mousquetaire, his piece loaded with a lettre decachet, went about a fortnight ago to the notary who keeps theparliamentary registers, and demanded them. They were refused--but given up, on the lettre de cachet being produced. TheParliament intends to try the notary for breach of trust, which Isuppose will make his fortune; though he has not the merit ofperjury, like Carteret Webb. 

There have been insurrections at Bordeaux and Tailless, on themilitia, and twenty-seven persons were killed at the latter: butboth are appeased. These things are so much in vogue, that Iwonder the French do not dress `a la r`evolte. The Queen is in avery dangerous way. This will be my last letter; but I am notsure I shall set out before the middle of next week. Yours ever. 

(954) Prince Stahremberg: he had married a daughter of the Ducd'Arembert, by his Duchess, nee la Marche. 

(955) William Henry Zuleistein de Nassau, Earl of Rochford, whowas at this time the English ambassador extraordinary at thecourt 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 havebrought you four cups and saucers, one red and white, one blueand white, and two coloured; and a little box of pastils. Tellme whether and how I shall convey them to you; or whether youwill, as I hope, come to Strawberry this summer, and fetch themyourself; but if you are in the least hurry, I will send them. 

I flatter myself you have quite recovered your accident, and haveno remains of lameness. The spring is very wet and cold, butStrawberry alone contains more verdure than all France. 

I scrambled very well through the custom-house at Dover, and havegot all my china safe from that here in town. You will see thefruits 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 ofyour letters, and, what is still worse, opened. The case wasthis: I received your two at dinner, opened one and laid theother in my lap; but forgetting that I had taken one out of thefirst, I took up the wrong 'Hand broke it open, . Withoutperceiving my mistake, till I saw the words, Dear Sister. I giveyou my honour I read no farther, but had torn it too much to sendit away. Pray excuse me; and another time I beg you will put anenvelope, for you write just where the seal comes; and besides, place the seals so together that though I did not quite open thefourth letter, yet it stuck so to the outer seal, that I couldnot 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, Iwill call upon you to perform your promise; but I cannot inconscience invite you to a fireside. The Guerchys and Frenchdined here last Monday, and it rained so that we could no morewalk in the garden than Noah could. I came again, to-day, butshall 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 ofstate, (956) and that your cousin North has refused thevice-treasurer of Ireland. It cost him bitter pangs, not topreserve his virtue, but his vicious connexions. He goggled hiseyes, and groped in his money-pocket; more than half consented;nay, so much more, that when he got home he wrote an excuse toLord Rockingham, which made it plain that he thought he hadaccepted. As nobody was dipped deeper in the warrants andprosecution of Wilkes, there is no condoling with the ministerson missing so foul a bargain. They are only to be pitied, thatthey can purchase nothing but damaged goods. 

So, my Lord Grandison(957) is dead! Does the General inheritmuch? Have you heard the great loss the church of England hashad? It is not avowed; but hear the evidence and judge. OnSunday last, George Selwyn was strolling home to dinner at halfan hour after four. He saw my Lady Townshend's coach stop atCaraccioli's(958) chapel. He watched, saw her go in; her footmanlaughed; he followed. She Went up to the altar, a woman broughther a cushion; she knelt, crossed herself, and prayed. He stoleup, and knelt by her. Conceive her face, if you can, when sheturned and found his close to her. In his demure voice, he said, "Pray, Madam, how long has your ladyship left the pale of ourchurch!" She looked furies, and made no answer. Next day hewent to her, and she turned it off upon curiosity; but is anything more natural? No, she certainly means to go armed withevery viaticum, the church of England in one hand, Methodism inthe other, and the Host in her mouth. 

Have you ranged your forest, and seen your lodge yourself? Icould almost wish it may not answer, and that you may cast an eyetowards our neighbourhood. My Lady Shelburne(959) has taken ahouse here, and it has produced a bon-mot from Mrs. Clive. Youknow my Lady Suffolk is deaf, and I have talked much of acharming old passion I have at Paris, who is blind; "Well, " saidthe Clive, "if the new Countess is but lame, I shall have nochance of ever seeing you. " Good night!

(956) When the Duke of Grafton quitted the seals, they wereoffered first to Lord Egmont, then to Lord Hardwicke, who bothdeclined them; "but, after their going a-begging for some time, "says Lord Chesterfield, " the Duke of Richmond begged them, andhas them, faute de mieux. "-E. 

(957) John Villiers, fifth Viscount Grandison. He had been 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 ofNaples. -E

(959) Mary Countess of Shelburne, widow of the Hon. JohnFitzmaurice, first Earl of Shelburne. She was likewise his firstcousin, being the daughter of the Hon. William Fitzmaurice, ofGailane, 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 writeto you? Yet I have as little to say as may be. I could crythrough a whole page over the bad weather. I have but a lock ofhay, you know; and I cannot get it dry, unless I bring it to thefire. I would give half-a-crown for a pennyworth of sun. It isabominable 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 calledthe New Bath Guide. (960) It stole into the world, and for afortnight no soul looked into it, concluding its name was thetrue name. No such thing. It is a set of letters in verse, inall kind of verses, describing the life at Bath, and incidentallyevery thing else; but so much wit, so much humour, fun, andpoetry, so much originality, never met together before. Then theman has a better ear than Dryden or Handel. Apropos to Dryden, he has burlesqued his St. Cecilia, that you will never read itagain without laughing. There is a description of a milliner'sbox in all the terms of landscape, painted lawns and chequeredshades, a Moravian ode, and a Methodist ditty, that areincomparable, and the best names that ever were composed. I cansay it by heart, though a quarto, and if I had time would writeit you down; for it is not yet reprinted, and not one to be had. 

There are two volumes, too, of Swift's Correspondence, that willnot amuse you less in another way, though abominable, for thereare letters of twenty persons now alive; fifty of Lady BettyGermain, one that does her great honour in which she defends herfriend Lady Suffolk, with all the spirit in the world, (961)against that brute, who hated every body that he hoped would gethim a mitre, and did not. His own Journal sent to Stella duringthe four last years of the Queen, is a fund of entertainment. You will see his insolence in full colours, and, at the sametime, how daily vain he was of being noticed by the ministers heaffected to treat arrogantly. His panic, at the Mohocks iscomical; but what strikes one, is bringing before one's eyes theincidents of a curious period. He goes to the rehearsal of Cato, and says the drab that acted Cato's daughter could not say herpart. This was only Mrs. Oldfield. I was saying before GeorgeSelwyn, 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, " saidSelwyn, "nor under the grandson. "

My Lord Chesterfield has done me much honour: he told Mrs. AnnePitt that he would subscribe to any politics that I should laydown. When she repeated this to me, I said, "Pray tell him Ihave laid down politics. "

I am got into puns and will tell you an excellent one of the Kingof France, though it does not spell any better than Selwyn's. You must have heard of Count Lauragais, and his horserace, andhis quacking his horse till he killed it. At his return the Kingasked him what he had been doing in England? "Sire, j'ai appris`a Penser"--"Des chevaux?" replied the King. (962) Good night! Iam tired, and going to bed. Yours ever. 

(960) By Christopher Anstey. This production became highlypopular for its pointed and original humour, and led to numerousimitations. Gray, in a letter to Dr. Wharton, says--"Have youread the New Bath Guide? It is the only thing in fashion, and isa new and original kind of humour. Miss Prue's conversation Idoubt you will paste down, as Sir W. St. Quintyn did before hecarried it to his daughter; yet I remember you all read CrazyTales without pasting. " Works, vol. Iv. P. 84. -E. 

(961) The letter in question is dated Feb. 8, 1732-3, and thefollowing is the passage to which Walpole refers;--"Those out ofpower and place always see the faults of those in, with dreadfullarge spectacles. The strongest in my memory is Sir RobertWalpole, being first pulled to pieces in the year 1720, becausethe South Sea did not rise high enough; and since that, he hasbeen to the full as well banged about, because it did rise toohigh. I am determined never wholly to believe any side or partyagainst@ the other; so my house receives them altogether, andthose people meet here that have, and would fight in any otherplace. Those of them that have great and good qualities andvirtues, I love and admire; in which number is Lady Suffolk, because I know her to be a wise, discreet, honest, and sincerecourtier. "-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, toremove my error as soon as you could. In fact, the same postthat brought Madame d'Aiguillon's letter to you, brought me aconfession from Madame du Deffand of her guilt. (963) I am notthe less obliged to your ladyship for informing against the truecriminal. It is well forme, however, that I hesitated, and did not, as Monsieur Guerchypressed me to do, constitute myself prisoner. What a ridiculousvainglorious figure I should have made at Versailles, with alaboured letter and my present! I still shudder when I think ofit, and have scolded(964) Madame du Deffand black and blue. However, I feel verycomfortable; and though it will be imputed to my own vanity, thatI showed the box as Madam de Choiseul's present, I resign theglory, and submit to the Shame with great satisfaction. I haveno pain in receiving this present from Madame du Deffand; andmust own have great pleasure that nobody but she could write thatmost charming of all letters. Did not Lord Chesterfield think itso, Madam? I doubt our friend Mr. Hume must allow that not onlyMadame de Boufflers, but Voltaire himself, could not have writtenso well. When I give up Madame de S`evign`e herself, I think hissacrifices will be trifling. 

Pray, Madam, continue your waters; and, if possible, wash awaythat original sin, the gout. What would one give for a littlerainbow to tell one one should never have it again! Well, butthen one should have a burning fever--for I think the greatestcomfort that good-natured divines give us IS, that we are not tobe drowned any more, in order that we may be burned. It will notat least be this summer. Here is nothing but haycocks swimminground me. If it should cease raining by Monday se'nnight, Ithink 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, Ihave a mind to fill it with a translation of a tale that I foundlately in the Dictionnaire d'Anecdotes, taken from a Germanauthor. 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 alie, 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 JoveSend three new Furies from above. "To Mercury thus Pluto said:The winged deity obey'd. 

It was about the self same seasonThat 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 pureCan 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 boreThree sisters, whom yourself would ownThe 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 writeas they do aux Champs Elys`ees. Adieu, Madam!

(963) Madame du Deffand had sent Mr. Walpole a snuff-box, on thelid of which was a portrait of Madame de S`evign`e, accompaniedby a letter written in her name from the Elysian Fields, andaddressed to Mr. Walpole; who did not at first suspect Madame duDeffand as the author, but thought both the present and theletter had come from the Duchess of Choiseul. ("One of theprincipal features, and it must be called, when carried to suchexcess, one of the principal weaknesses of Mr. Walpole'scharacter, was a fear of ridicule--a fear which, , like mostothers, often leads to greater dangers than that which it seeksto avoid. At the commencement of his acquaintance with madame duDeffand, he was near fifty, and she above seventy years of age, and entirely blind. She had already long passed the first epochin the life of a Frenchwoman, that of gallantry, and had as longbeen established as a bel esprit; and it is to be rememberedthat, in the ante-revolutionary world of paris, these epochs inlife were as determined, and as strictly observed, as the changesof dress on a particular day of the different seasons; and that awoman endeavouring to attract lovers after she ceased to begalante, would have been not less ridiculous as her wearingvelvet when the rest of the world were in demi-soisons. Madamedu Deffand, therefore, old and blind, had no more idea ofattracting Mr. Walpole to her as a lover than she had of thepossibility of any one suspecting her of such an intention; andindeed her lively feelings, and the violent fancy she had takenfor his conversation and character, in every expression ofadmiration and attachment which she really felt, and which shenever supposed capable of misinterpretation. By himself theywere not misinterpreted; but he seems to have had ever before hiseyes a very unnecessary dread of that being so by others--a fearlest madame du Deffand's extreme partiality and high opinionshould expose him to suspicions of entertaining the same opinionof himself, or of its leading her to some extravagant mark ofattachment; and all this, he persuaded himself, was to be exposedin their letters to all the clerks of the post-office at parisand all the idlers at Versailles. This accounts for theungracious language in which he often replied to theimportunities of her anxious affection; a language so foreign tohis heart, and so contrary to his own habits in friendship: thistoo accounts for his constantly repressing on her part alleffusions of sentiment, all disquisitions on the human heart, andall 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 vole`cons, vos pr`eceptes, vos gronderies, et, le pis do tous, parvos 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 tolast? One, who at least can remove them, though he cannot makethem, thinks so; and, accordingly, yesterday notified that he hadsent for Mr. Pitt. (965) Not a jot more is known; but as this setis sacrificed to their resolution to have nothing to do with LordBute, the new list will probably not be composed Of such hostileingredients. The arrangement I believe settled in the outlines;if it is not, it may still never take place: it will not be thefirst time this egg has been addled. One is very sure that manypeople on all sides will be displeased, and I think no side quitecontented. Your cousins, the house of Yorke, Lord GeorgeSackville, Newcastle, and Lord Rockingham, will certainly not beof the elect. What Lord Temple will do, or if any thing will bedone for George Grenville, are great points of curiosity. Theplan will probably be, to pick and cull from all quarters, andbreak all parties as much as possible. (966) From this moment Idate the wane of Mr. Pitt's glory; he will want the thorough-bassof drums and trumpets, and is not made for peace. The dismissionof a most popular administration, a leaven of Lord Bute, whom, too, he can never trust, and the numbers he will discontent, willbe considerable objects against him. 

For my own part, I am much pleased, and much diverted. I havenothing to do but to sit by and laugh; a humour you know I am aptto 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 anddignified ministry might be formed, and requesting him to come totown for that salutary purpose. The letter will be found in theChatham Correspondence, vol. Ii. P. 436. -E. 

(966) "Here are great bustles at court, " writes LordChesterfield, on the 11th, "and a great change of persons iscertainly very near. My conjecture is, that, be the newsettlement what it will, Mr. Pitt will be at the head of it. Ifhe is, I presume, qu'il aura mis de l'eau dans son vin parrapport `a My lord Bute: when that shall come to be known, asknown it certainly Will soon be, he may bid adieu to hispopularity. "-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 amore welcome affirmative or negative? My sackbut is not verysweet, 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 chooseBut 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 thewhole herd of vipers; his brother Demogorcon and all. 'Tis ablessed deliverance. 

The changes I should think now would be few. They are not yetknown; but I am content already, and shall go to Strawberryto-morrow, where I shall be happy to receive you and Mr. John anyday after Sunday next, the twenty-seventh, and for as many daysas ever you will afford me. Let me know your mind by the returnof the post. Strawberry is in perfection: the verdure has allthe 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 gazettecontained the notification of his appointment as lord privy sealin the room of the Duke of Newcastle. "What shall I say to youabout the ministry?" writes Gray to Wharton: "I am as angry as acommon-councilman of London about my Lord Chatham, but a littlemore 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 quitthe House of Commons, his natural strength, to sap his ownpopularity and grandeur, (which no man but himself could havedone, ) by assuming a foolish title; and to hope that he could winby it, and attach him to a court that hate him, and will dismisshim as soon as ever they dare, was the weakest thing that everwas done by so great a man. Had it not been for this, I shouldhave rejoiced at the breach between him and Lord Temple, and atthe union between him and the Duke of Grafton and Mr. Conway: butpatience! 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 areapt to be, exceedingly absurd. They hold a consistory to consulthow to argue with a madman; and they think it very necessary foryour character to give them the pleasure of seeing Rousseauexposed, not because he has provoked you, but them. If Rousseauprints, you must; but I certainly would not till he does. (969)

I cannot be precise as to the time of my writing the King ofPrussia's letter; but I do assure you with the utmost truth thatit was several days before you left Paris, and before Rousseau'sarrival there, of which I can give you a strong proof; for I notonly suppressed the letter while you stayed there, out ofdelicacy to you, but it was the reason why, out of delicacy tomyself, 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 aletter in my pocket to laugh at him. You are at full liberty, dear Sir, to make use of what I say in your justification, eitherto Rousseau or any body else. I should be very sorry to have youblamed on my account; I have a hearty contempt of Rousseau, andam perfectly indifferent what the literati of Paris think of thematter. If there is any fault, which I am far from thinking, letit lie on me. No parts can hinder my laughing at theirpossessor, if he is a mountebank. If he has a bad and mostungrateful heart, as Rousseau has shown in your case, into thebargain, he will have my scorn likewise, as he will of all goodand sensible men. You may trust your sentence to such who are asrespectable judges as any that have pored over ten thousand morevolumes. 

P. S. I will look out the letter and the dates as soon as I go toStrawberry Hill. 

(968) On the celebrated quarrel between Hume and Rousseau, D'Alembert, and the other literary friends of the former, met atParis, and were unanimous in advising him to publish theparticulars. This Hume at first refused, but determined tocollect them and for that purpose had written to Mr. Walpolerespecting 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 DavidHume, and writes him letters of fourteen pages folio, upbraidinghim with all his noirceurs; take one only as a specimen. He saysthat 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, forwant of persecution and admiration (for these are his realcomplaints), 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 thealarm. Sure I am not of consequence enough to be lied about! Itis true I am ill, have been extremely so, and have been ill long, but with nothing like paralytic, as they have reported me. Ithas been this long disorder alone that has prevented my profitingof your company at Strawberry, according to the leave you gave meof asking it. I have lived upon the road between that place andthis, never settled there, and uncertain whether I should go toBath or abroad. Yesterday se'nnight I grew exceedingly illindeed, with what they say has been the gout in my stomach, bowels, back, and kidneys. The worst seems over, and I have beento take the air to-day for the first time, but bore it so illthat 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 itvery uncertain when I shall be at Strawberry again, and as youmust want your cups and pastils, will you tell me if I can conveythem to you any way safely? Excuse my saying more to-day, as Iam so faint and weak; but it was impossible not to acknowledgeyour 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 meyour most kind and friendly letter, for which I give you athousand thanks. It did not surprise me, for you cannot alter. I have been most extremely ill; indeed, never well since I sawyou. However, I think it is over, and that the gout is gonewithout leaving a codicil in my foot. Weak I am to the greatestdegree, and no wonder. Such explosions make terrible havoc in abody of paper. I shall go to the Bath in a few days. Which theytell me will make my quire of paper hold out a vast while! as tothat, I am neither credulous nor earnest. If it can keep me frompain and preserve me the power of motion, I shall be content. Mr. Chute, who has been good beyond measure, goes with me for afew days. A thousand thanks and compliments to Mr. And Mrs. Whetenhall and Mr. John, and excuse me writing more, as I am alittle 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 goneto-day, or at least made way for a little giddiness which thewater gave me this morning at first. If it does not do me goodvery soon, I shall leave it; for I dislike the place exceedingly, and am disappointed in it. Their new buildings that are soadmired, look like a collection of little hospitals; the rest isdetestable; and all crammed together, and surrounded withperpendicular hills that have no beauty. The river is paltryenough to be the Seine or Tiber. Oh! how unlike my lovelyThames!

I met my Lord Chatham's coach yesterday full of suchGrenville-looking children, that I shall not go to see him thisday or two; and to-day I spoke to Lady Rockingham in the street. My Lords Chancellor and President are here, and Lord and LadyPowis. Lady Malpas arrived yesterday. I shall visit Miss Richto-morrow. In the next apartment to [nine lodges *****. I havenot seen him some years; and he is grown either mad orsuperannuated, and talks without cessation or coherence: youwould think all the articles in a dictionary were pratingtogether at once. The Bedfords are expected this week. Thereare 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 italready. 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 tocontinue so, I would not remain here a day longer, for I am tiredto death of the place. I sit down by the waters of Babylon andweep, when I think of thee, oh Strawberry! The elementscertainly agree with me, but I shun the gnomes and salamanders, and have not once been at the rooms. Mr. Chute stays with metill Tuesday; when he is gone, I do not know what I shall do; forI cannot play at cribbage by myself, and the alternative is tosee my Lady Vane open the ball, and glimmer at fifty-four. Allmy comfort is, that I lodge close to the cross bath, by whichmeans I avoid the pump-room and all its works. We go to dine andsee Bristol to-morrow, which will terminate our sights, for weare afraid of your noble cousins at Badminton; and, as Mrs. Allenis dead and Warburton entered upon the premises, you may swear weshall not go thither. 

Lord Chatham, the late and present Chancellors, and sundry more, are here; and their graces of Bedford expected. I think I shallmake your Mrs. Trevor and Lady Lucy a visit; but it is such anage since we met, that I suppose we shall not know one another bysight. Adieu! These watering places, that mimic a capital, andadd vulgarisms and familiarities of their own, seem to me likeabigails in cast gowns, and I am not young enough to take up witheither. 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 inthe gout to yourself--all my comfort is, if you have it, that youhave good Lady Brown to nurse you. 

My health advances faster than my amusement. However, I havebeen at one opera, Mr. Wesley's. (970) They have boys and girlswith charming voices, that sing hymns, in parts, to Scotch balladtunes but indeed so long, that one would think they were alreadyin eternity, and knew how much time they had before them. Thechapel is very neat, with true Gothic windows (yet I am notconverted); but I was glad to see that luxury is creeping in uponthem before persecution: they have very neat mahogany stands forbranches, and brackets of the same in taste. At the upper end isa broad hautpas of four steps, advancing in the middle: at eachend of the broadest part are two of my eagles, with red cushionsfor the parson and clerk. Behind them rise three more steps, inthe midst of which is a third eagle for pulpit. Scarlet armedchairs to all three. On either hand, a balcony for elect ladies. The rest of the congregation sit on forms. Behind the pit, in adark niche, is a plain table within rails; so you see the throneis for the apostle. Wesley is a lean elderly man, fresh-coloured, his hair smoothly combed, but with a soup`con ofcurls at the ends. Wondrous clean, but as evidently an actor asGarrick. He spoke his sermon, but so fast, and with so littleaccent, that I am sure he has often uttered it, for it was like alesson. There were parts and eloquence in it; but towards theend he exalted his voice, and acted very ugly enthusiasm; decriedlearning, and told stories, like Latimer, of the fool of hiscollege, who said, "I thanks God for every thing. " Except a fewfrom curiosity, and some honourable women, the congregation wasvery mean. There was a Scotch Countess Of Buchan, (971) who iscarrying a pure rosy vulgar face to heaven, and who asked MissRich, if that was the author of the poets. I believe she meantme and the Noble Authors. 

The Bedfords came last night. Lord Chatham was with me yesterdaytwo hours; looks and walks well, and is in excellent politicalspirits. Yours ever. 

(970) The idea of adapting the psalms of the church to seculartunes had been put in practice long before Wesley's day. Thecelebrated Clement Marot wrote a number of psalms to sing to thepopular airs of his time, for the accommodation of the ladies ofthe French court who were devoutly inclined; but he left it toWesley to assign as a reason for doing so, that there were nojust grounds for letting the devil have all the best tuneshimself. -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 letin, and received with great kindness. I found them littlealtered; Lady Lucy was much undressed, but looks better than whenI saw her last, and as well as one could expect; no shyness norsingularity, but very easy and conversable. They have a verypretty house, with two excellent rooms on a floor, and extremelywell furnished. You may be sure your name was much in request. If I had not been engaged, I could have staved much longer withsatisfaction; and if I am doomed, as probably I shall be, to comehither again, they would be a great resource to me; for I findmuch more pleasure now in renewing old acquaintances than informing new. 

The waters do not benefit me so much as at firs, ; the pains in mystomach return almost every morning, but do not seem the leastallied to the gout. This decrease of their virtue is not near sogreat a disappointment to me as you might imagine; for I am sochildish as not to think health itself a compensation for passingmy time very disagreeably. I can bear the loss of youthheroically, provided I am comfortable, and can amuse myself as Ilike. But health does not give one the sort of spirits that makeone like diversions, public places, and mixed company. Livinghere is being a shopkeeper, who is glad of all kinds ofcustomers; but does not suit me, who am leaving Off trade. Ishall depart on Wednesday, even on the penalty of coming again. To have lived three weeks in a fair appears to me a century! Iam not at all in love with their country, which so charms everybody. Mountains are very good frames to a prospect, but herethey run against one's nose, nor can one stir out of the townwithout clambering. It is true one may live as retired as onepleases, and may always have a small society. The place ishealthy, every thing is cheap, and the provisions better thanever I tasted. Still I have taken an insupportable aversion toit, which I feel rather than can account for; I do not think youwould dislike it: so you see I am just in general, though verypartial as to my own particular. 

You have raised my curiosity about Lord Scarsdale's, yet Iquestion whether I shall ever take the trouble of visiting it. Igrow every year more averse to stirring from home, and puttingmyself out of my way. If I can but be tolerably well atStrawberry, my wishes bounded. If I am to live atwatering-places, and keep what is called good hours, life itselfwill be very indifferent to me. I do not talk very sensibly, butI have a contempt for that fictitious character styledphilosophy; 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. Howcan one wonder at any thing he does, when he knows so little ofthe world? I suppose the next step will be to propose me forgroom of the bedchamber to the new Duke of Cumberland. But whyme? Here is that hopeful young fellow, Sir John Rushout, theoldest member of the House, and, as extremes meet, very proper tobegin again; why overlook him? However, as the secret is keptfrom me myself, I am perfectly easy about it. I shall callto-day or to-morrow to ask his commands, but certainly shall notobey those you mention. (972)

The waters certainly are not so beneficial to me as at first: Ihave almost every morning my pain in my stomach. I do notpretend this to be the cause of my leaving Bath. The truth is, Icannot bear it any longer. You laugh at my regularity; but thecontrary habit is so strong in me, that I cannot continue suchsobriety. The public rooms, and the loo, where we play in acircle, like the hazard on Twelfth-night, are insupportable. This coming into the world again, when I am so weary of it, is asbad and ridiculous as moving an address would be. I have noaffectation; for affectation is a monster at nine-and-forty; butif 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 drivevery near, before I submit to do any thing I do not like. Inshort, I must be as foolish as I please, as long as I can keepwithout the limits of absurdity. What has an old man to do butto preserve himself from parade on one hand, and ridicule on theother?(973) Charming youth may indulge itself in either, may becensured, will be envied, and has time to correct. Adieu

Monday evening. 

You are a delightful manager of the House of Commons, to reckon540, instead of 565! Sandwich was more accurate In lists, andwould not have miscounted 25, which are something in a division. 

(972) Mr. Conway had intimated to Walpole, that it was the wishof Lord Chatham, that he should move the address on the King'sspeech 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 yavoit longtemps avant la date de notre connaissance, que cettecrainte de ridicule s'`etoit plant`ee dans mon esprit, et vousdevez assur`ement vous ressouvenir a quel point elle meposs`edoit, et combien de fois je vous en ai entretenu. N'allezpas lui chercher une naissance r`ecente. D`es le moment que jecessais d'`etre jeune, j'ai eu une peur horrible de devenir unveillard ridicule. " To this the lady replied--"Vos craintes surle ridicule sont des terreurs paniques, mais on ne gu`erit pointde la peur; je n'ai point une semblable foiblesse; je sais qu'`amon age on est `a l'abri de donner du scandale: si l'on aime, onn'a point `a s'en cacher; l'amiti`e ne sera jamais un sentimentridicule, quand elle ne fait pas faire des folies; maisgardons-nous d'en prof`erer le nom, puisque vous avez de sibonnes 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 goodto leave Bath than to go to it. I may sometimes drink thewaters, as Mr. Bentley used to say I invited company hither thatI did not care for, that I might enjoy the pleasure of theirgoing away. My health is certainly amended, but I did not feelthe satisfaction of it till I got home. I have still a littlerheumatism in one shoulder, which was not dipped in Styx, and isstill mortal; but, while I went to the rooms, or stayed in mychambers in a dull court, I thought I had twenty complaints. Idon't perceive one of them. 

Having no companion but such as the place afforded, and which Idid not accept, my excursions were very few; besides that thecity is so guarded with mountains, that I had not patience to bejolted like a pea in a drum, in my chaise alone. I did go toBristol, the dirtiest great shop I ever saw, with so foul ariver, that, had I seen the least appearance of cleanliness, Ishould have concluded they washed all their linen in it, as theydo at Paris. Going into the town, I was struck with a largeGothic building, coal-black, and striped with white; I took itfor the devil's cathedral. When I came nearer, I found it was auniform castle, lately built, and serving for stables and officesto a smart false Gothic house on the other side of the road. 

The real cathedral is very neat and has pretty tombs, besides thetwo windows of painted glass, given by Mrs. Ellen Gwyn. There isa new church besides of' St. Nicholas, neat and truly Gothic, besides a charming old church at the other end of the town. Thecathedral, or abbey, at Bath, is glaring and crowded with moderntablet-monuments; among others, I found two, of my cousin SirErasmus Phillips, and of Colonel Madan. Your cousin BishopMontagu, decked it much. I dined one day with an agreeablefamily, 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 awide cascade, a church behind it in a vale, into which twomountains descend, leaving an opening into the distant country. A large village, with houses of gentry, is on one of the hills tothe left. Their garden is little, but pretty, and watered withseveral small rivulets among the bushes. Meadows fall down tothe road; and above, the garden is terminated by another view ofthe river, the city, and the mountains. 'Tis a very diminutiveprincipality, with large Pretensions. 

I must tell you a quotation I lighted upon t'other day fromPersius, the application of which has much diverted Mr. Chute. You know my Lord Milton, (975) from nephew of the old usurerDamer, of Dublin, has endeavoured to erect himself into therepresentative of the ancient Barons Damory--

"----Momento turbinis exitMarcus Dama. "

Apropos, or rather not `apropos, I wish you joy of therestoration of the dukedom in your house, though I believe weboth think it very hard upon my Lady Beaulieu. 

I made a second visit to Lady Lucy and Mrs. Trevor, and saw thelatter One night at the rooms. She did not appear to me solittle altered as in the dusk of her own chamber. Adieu! Yoursever. 

(974) Captain John Miller, of Ballicasy, in the county of Clare. In the preceding year he had married Anne, the only daughter ofEdward Riggs, Esq. In 1778, he was created an Irish baronet, andin 1784, chosen representative for Newport in parliament. Seepost, Walpole's letter to General Conway, of the 15th of January1775. -E. 

(975) Joseph Damer Lord Milton, of Shrone Hill, in the kingdom ofIreland, was created a baron of Great Britain in May 1762, by thetitle 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 agreeablepresent of the papers in King Charles's time;(977) for which andall your other obliging favours I give you a thousand thanks. 

I was particularly pleased with your just and sensible prefaceagainst the squeamish or bigoted persons who would bury inoblivion the faults and follies of princes, and who thencecontribute to their guilt; for if princes, who living are abovecontrol, should think that no censure is to attend them whendead, it would be new encouragement to them to play the fool andact the tyrant. When they are so kind as to specify their crimesunder their own hands, it would be foppish delicacy indeed tosuppress them. I hope you will proceed, Sir, and with the sameimpartiality. It was justice due to Charles to publish theextravagancies of his enemies too. The comparison can never befairly made, but when we see the evidence on both sides. I havedone so in the trifles I have published, and have as muchoffended some by what I have said of the Presbyterians at thebeginning of my third volume of the Painters, as I had others bycondemnation of King Charles in my Noble Authors. In the secondvolume of my Anecdotes I praised him where he deserved praise;for truth is my sole object, and it is some proof, when oneoffends both. I am, Sir, your most obliged and obedient servant. 

(976) Now first collected. In the March of this year, Sir DavidDalrymple was made a judge of the Court of session, when heassumed the name of lord Hailes, by which he is best known. -E. 

(977) "The Memorials and Letters relating to the History ofBritain in the Reigns of James the First and Charles the First, published from the originals in the Advocates' Library atEdinburgh, " 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 withRousseau to be printed, contrary to your determination when youleft London, and against the advice of all your best friendshere; I may add, contrary to your own nature, which has alwaysinclined you to despise literary squabbles, the jest and scorn ofall men of sense. Indeed, I am sorry you have let yourself beover-persuaded, and so are all that I have seen who wish youwell: I ought rather to use your own word extorted. You say yourParisian friends extorted your consent to this publication. Ibelieve so. Your good sense would not approve what your goodheart could not refuse. You add, that they told you Rousseau hadsent letters of defiance against you all over Europe? Good God!my dear Sir, could you pay any regard to such fustian? AllEurope laughs at being dragged every day into these idlequarrels, with which Europe only ***. Your friends talk asloftily as of a challenge between Charles the Fifth and Francisthe First. What are become of all the controversies since thedays of Scaliger and Scioppius, of Billingsgate memory? Why, they sleep in oblivion, till some Bayle drags them out of theirdust, and takes mighty pains to ascertain the date of eachauthor's death, which is of no more consequence to the world thanthe day of his birth. Many a country squire quarrels with hisneighbour about game and manors; yet they never print theirwrangles, though as much abuse passes between them as if theycould 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 usualmodesty. I cannot say so much for your editors. But editors andcommentators are seldom modest. Even to this day that race apethe dictatorial tone Of the commentators at the restoration oflearning, when the mob thought that Greek and Latin could givemen the sense which they wanted in their native languages. ButEurope is now grown a little wiser, and holds these magnificentpretensions in proper contempt. 

What I have said is to explain why I am sorry my letter makes apart of this controversy. When I sent it to you, it was for yourjustification; and, had it been necessary, I could have added asmuch more, having been witness to your anxious and boundlessfriendship for Rousseau. I told you, you might make what use ofit you pleased. Indeed, at that time I did not-could not thinkof its being printed, you seeming so averse to any publication onthat head. However, I by no means take it ill, nor regret mypart, if it tends to vindicate your honour. 

I must confess that I am more concerned that you have suffered myletter to be curtailed; nor should I have consented to that ifyou had asked me. I guessed that your friends consulted yourinterest less than their own inclination to expose Rousseau; andI think their omission of what I said on that subject proves Iwas not mistaken in my guess. My letters hinted, too, mycontempt of learned men and their miserable conduct. Since I wasto appear in print, I should not have been sorry that thatopinion should have appeared at the same \time. In truth, thereis nothing I hold so cheap as the generality of learned men; andI have often thought that young men ought to be made scholars, lest they should grow to reverence learned blockheads, and thinkthere is any merit in having read more foolish books than otherfolks; which, as there are a thousand nonsensical books for onegood one, must be the case of any man who has read much more thanother people. 

Your friend D'Alembert, who, I suppose, has read a vast deal, is, it seems, offended with my letter to Rousseau. (978) He iscertainly as much at liberty to blame it, as I was to write it. Unfortunately he does not convince me; nor can I think but thatif Rousseau may attack all governments and all religions, I mightattack him: especially on his affectation and affectedmisfortunes; which you and your editors have proved are affected. D'Alembert might be offended at Rousseau's ascribing my letter tohim; and he is in the right. I am a very indifferent author; andthere is nothing so vexatious to an indifferent author as to beconfounded with another of the same class. I should be sorry tohave his eloges and translations of scraps of Tacitus laid to me. However, I can forgive him any thing, provided he nevertranslates me. Adieu! my dear Sir. I am apt to laugh, you know, and therefore you will excuse me, though I do not treat yourfriends up to the pomp of their claims. They may treat me asfreely: I shall not laugh the less, and I promise you I willnever enter into a controversy with them. Yours ever. 

(978) For writing the pretended letter from the King of Prussiato Rousseau, Walpole was severely censured by Warburton, in aletter to Hurd:--"As to Rousseau, " says the Bishop, "I entirelyagree with you, that his long letter to his brother philosopher, Hume, shows him to be a frank lunatic. His passion of tears, hissuspicion of his friends in the midst of their services, and hisincapacity of being set right, all consign him to Monro. Walpole's pleasantry upon him had baseness in its veryconception. It was written when the poor man had determined toseek an asylum in England; and is, therefore, justly andgenerously condemned by D'Alembert. This considered, Hume failedboth in honour and friendship not to show his dislike; whichneglect seems to have kindled the first spark of combustion inthis madman's brain. However, the contestation is very amusing, and I shall be very sorry if it stops, now it is in so good atrain. I should be well pleased, particularly, to see soseraphic 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 mewhat he says. But how can you be surprised at his printing athing that he sent you so long ago? All my surprise consists inyour suffering him to Curtail my letter to you, when you might besure be would print his own at length. I am glad, however, thathe has mangled mine: it not only shows his equity, but is thestrongest proof that he was conscious I guessed right, when Isupposed he urged you to publish, from his own private pique toRousseau. 

What you surmise of his censuring my letter because I am a friendof Madame du Deffand, is astonishing indeed, and not to becredited, unless you had suggested it. Having never thought himany thing like a superior genius, (979) as you term him, Iconcluded his vanity was hurt by Rousseau's ascribing my letterto him; but, to carry resentment to a woman, to an old and blindwoman, so far as to hate a friend of hers qui ne lui avoit faitde mal is strangely weak and lamentable. I thought he was aphilosopher, and that philosophers were virtuous, upright men, who loved wisdom, and were above the little passions and foiblesof humanity. I thought they assumed that proud title as anearnest to the world, that they intended to be something morethan mortal; that they engaged themselves to be patterns ofexcellence, and would utter no opinion, would pronounce nodecision, but what they believed the quintessence of' truth; thatthey always acted without prejudice and respect of persons. Indeed, we know that the ancient philosophers were a ridiculouscomposition of arrogance, disputation, and contradictions; thatsome of them acted against all ideas of decency; that othersaffected to doubt of their own senses; that some, for ventingunintelligible nonsense, pretended to think themselves superiorto kings; that they gave themselves airs of accounting for allthat we do and do not see-and yet, that no two of them agreed ina single hypothesis; that one thought fire, another water, theorigin of all things; and that some were even so absurd andimpious, as to displace God, and enthrone matter in his place. Ido not mean to disparage such wise men, for we are really obligedto them: they anticipated and helped us off with an exceedingdeal of nonsense, through which we might possibly have passed, ifthey had not prevented us. But, when in this enlightened age, asit is called, I saw the term philosophers revived, I concludedthe jargon would be omitted, and that we should be blessed withonly the cream of sapience; and one had more reason still toexpect 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 Aristophanesridiculed Socrates, Plato had condemned the former, not formaking sport with a great man in distress, but because Platohated some blind old woman with whom Aristophanes was acquainted!

D'Alembert's conduct is the More Unjust, as I never heard Madamedu Deffand talk of him above three times in the seven months thatI passed at Paris; and never, though she does not love him, withany reflection to his prejudice. I remember the first time Iever heard her mention his name, I said I have been told he was agood man but could not think him a good writer. (Craufurd(980)remembers this, and it is a proof that I always thought ofD'Alembert as I do now. ) She took it up with warmth, defendedhis parts, and said he was extremely amusing. For her quarrelwith him, I never troubled my head about it one way or other;which you will not wonder at. You know in England we read theirworks, but seldom or never take any notice of authors. We thinkthem sufficiently paid if their books sell, and of course leavethem to their colleges and obscurity, by which means we are nottroubled with their variety and impertinence. In France, theyspoil us; but that was no business of mine. I, who am an authormust own this conduct very sensible; for in truth we are a mostuseless tribe. 

That D'Alembert should have omitted passages in which you was sogood as to mention me with approbation, agrees with hispeevishness, not with his philosophy. However, for God's sake, do not state the passages. I do not love compliments, and willnever give my consent to receive any. I have no doubt of yourkind intentions to me, but beg they may rest there. I am muchmore diverted with the philosopher D'Alembert's underhanddealings, than I should have been pleased with panegyric evenfrom you. 

Allow me to make one more remark, and I have done with thistrifling business for ever. Your moral friend pronounces meill-natured for laughing at an unhappy man who had never offendedme. Rousseau certainly never did offend me. I believed, frommany symptoms in his writings, and from what I heard of him, thathis love of singularity made him choose to invite misfortunes, and that he hung out many more than he felt. I, who affect nophilosophy, 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 toappear in print. The sage D'Alembert reprehends this--and where?In a book published to expose Rousseau, and which confirms byserious proofs what I had hinted at in jest. What! does aphilosopher condemn me, and in the very same, breath, only withten times more ill-nature, act exactly as I had done? Oh! butyou will say, Rousseau had offended D'Alembert by ascribing theKing of Prussia's letter to him. Worse and worse: if Rousseau isunhappy, a philosopher should have pardoned. Revenge is sounbecoming the rex regum, the man who is precipue sanus--nisi cumpituita molesta est. If Rousseau's misfortunes are affected, what becomes of my ill-nature? In short, my dear Sir, toconclude as D'Alembert concludes his book, I do believe in thevirtue 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 beingindiscreet enough to let D'Alembert learn your suspicions of himon Madame du Deffand's account! but you may be perfectly easy onthat head. Though I like such an advantage over him, and shouldbe glad he saw this letter, and knew how little formidable Ithink him, I shall certainly not make an ill use of a privateletter, and had much rather wave my triumph, than give a friend amoment's pain. I love to laugh at an impertinent savant, butrespect learning when Joined to such goodness as yours, and neverconfound 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 asuperior genius; words, if I mistake not, of a very differentimport. " 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 youthis century; nay, nor you from me. In truth, we have had a busymonth, and many grumbles of a state-quake; but the session hashowever ended very triumphantly for the great Earl. I mean, weare adjourned for the holidays for above a month, after twodivisions of one hundred and sixty-six to forty-eight, and onehundred and forty to fifty-six. (983) The Earl chaffered for theBedfords, and who so willing as they?(984) However, the bargainwent off, and they are forced to return to George Grenville. Lord Rockingham and the Cavendishes have made a jaunt to the samequarter, but could carry only eight along with them, whichswelled that little minority to fifty-six. I trust and I hope itwill not rise higher in haste. Your cousin, I hear, has been twohours with the Earl, but to what purpose I know not. Nugent ismade Lord Clare, I think to no purpose at all. I came hitherto-day for two or three days, and to empty my head. The weatheris very warm and comfortable. When do you move your tentssouthward? I left little news in town, except politics. Thatpretty young woman, Lady Fortrose, (985) Lady Harrington's eldestdaughter, is at the point of death, killed, like Coventry andothers, by white lead, of which nothing could break her. LordBeauchamp is going to marry the second Miss Windsor. (986) It isodd that those two ugly girls, though such great fortunes, shouldget the two best figures in England, him and Lord Mount-Stuart. 

The Duke of York is erecting a theatre at his own palace, and isto play Lothario in the Fair Penitent himself. Apropos, have youseen that delightful paper composed out of scraps in thenewspapers! I laughed till I cried, and literally burst out soloud, 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 Ihave 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 embargoon the exportation of corn. -E. 

(984) The following is Lord Chesterfield's account of thisnegotiation:--"No mortal can comprehend the present state ofaffairs. Eight or nine persons, of some consequence, haveresigned their employments; upon which, Lord Chatham madeovertures to the Duke of Bedford and his people; but they couldby no means agree, and his grace went the next day, full ofwrath, to Woburn; so that negotiation is entirely at an end. People wait to see who Lord Chatham will take in, for some hemust have; even he cannot be alone, contra mundum. Such a stateof things, to be sure, was never seen before, in this or in anyother country. When this ministry shall be settled, it will bethe sixth in six years' time. "-E. 

(985) Caroline, eldest daughter of William second Earl ofHarrington; married, on the 7th of October 1765, to KennethM'Kenzie, created Baron of Andelon, Viscount Fortrose and Earl ofSeaforth in the peerage of Ireland. Her ladyship died on the 9thof February 1767. -E. 

(986) Francis Lord Beauchamp, son of the first Marquis ofHertford. His first wife, by whom he had no issue, was AliceElizabeth, youngest daughter and coheiress of Herbert secondViscount Windsor. This lady died in 1772; when his lordshipmarried, secondly, in 1776, Isabella Anne, daughter and heiressof Charles Ingram, Viscount Irvine of Scotland. -E. 

(987) Cross-readings from the Public Advertiser, by CalebWhitefoord. [The paper was entitled, "A New Method of readingthe Newspapers, " and was subscribed, "Papyrius Cursor;" asignature which Dr. Johnson thought singularly happy, it beingthe real name of an ancient Roman, and expressive of the thingdone in this lively conceit--of which the following may serve asa specimen:--

"Yesterday Dr. Jones preached at St. James's and performed itwith ease in less than 15 minutes. The sword of state was carried before Sir J. Fielding, andcommitted to Newgate. There was a numerous and brilliant court; a down look, and castwith one eye. Last night the Princess Royal was baptized; Mary, alias MollHacket, alias Black Nell. This morning the Right Hon. The Speaker--was convicted of keepinga disorderly house. This day his Majesty will go in state to fifteen notorious commonprostitutes. Their R. H. The Dukes of York and Gloucester were bound over totheir 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 triplebob-majors. At a very full meeting of common council, the greatest show ofhorned cattle this season. An indictment for murder is preferred against the worshipfulcompany of Apothecaries. Yesterday the new Lord Mayor was sworn in, and afterwards tossedand gored several persons. This morning will be married the Lord Viscount and afterwardshung 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 receivedyours; but being at Strawberry, did not get it in time. Thankyou 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, ashalf of it is designed for dimidium animae meae Mrs. Clive (apretty round half), I must not refuse it; venison will make sucha figure at her Christmas gambols! only let me know when and howI 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 inthe 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 isvery good; I am sure you are, and thank you for it. Catherine, Ido not doubt, is up to the elbows in currant jelly and Gratitude. I have lost poor Louis, who died last week at Strawberry. He hadno fault but what has fallen upon himself, poor. Soul! drinking:his honesty and good-nature were complete; and I am heartilyconcerned for him, which I shall seldom say so sincerely. 

There has been printed a dull complimentary letter to me on thequarrel of Hume and Rousseau. In one of the reviews they are soobliging as to say I wrote it myself: it is so dull, that Ishould think they wrote it themselves--a kind Of abuse I shoulddislike much more than their criticism. 

Are not you frozen, perished? How do you keep yourself alive onyour mountain! I scarce stir from my fireside. I have scarcebeen at Strawberry for a day this whole Christmas, and there isless appearance of a thaw to-day than ever. There has beendreadful havoc at Margate and Aldborough, and along the coast. At Calais, the sea rose above sixty feet perpendicular, whichmakes people conclude there has been an earthquake somewhere orother. I shall not think of my journey to France yet; I sufferedtoo much with the cold last year at Paris, where they have notthe least idea of comfortable, but sup in stone halls, with allthe doors open. Adieu! I must go dress for the drawing-room ofthe 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 andvaluable work, (988) which Mr. Walpole has read with the greatestpleasure 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 ofEnglish Heads; and shall be happy to have an opportunity ofreturning these obligations. 

(988) Entitled "Anglo-Norman Antiquities considered, in a Tourthrough 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 youand Lady Strafforct concern; an essential loss to me, who amdeprived of a most agreeable friend, with whom I passed here manyhours. I need not say I mean poor Lady Suffolk. (989) I was withher two hours on Saturday night; and, indeed, found her muchchanged, though I did not apprehend her in danger. I was goingto say she complained--but you know she never did complain--ofthe gout and rheumatism all over her, particularly in her face. It was a cold night, and she sat below stairs when she shouldhave been in bed; and I doubt this want of care was prejudicial. I sent next morning. She had a bad night; but grew much betterin the evening. Lady Dalkeith came to her; and, when she wasgone, Lady Suffolk said to Lord Chetwynd, "She would eat hersupper in her bedchamber. " He went up with her, and thought theappearances promised a good night: but she was scarce sat down inher chair, before she pressed her hand to her side, and died inhalf an hour. 

I believe both your lordship and Lady Strafford will be surprisedto hear that she was by no means in the situation that mostpeople thought. Lord Chetwynd and myself were the only personsat all acquainted with her affairs, and they were far from beingeven easy to her. It is due to her memory to say, that I neversaw more strict honour and justice. She bore knowingly theimputation of being covetous, at a time that the strictesteconomy could by no means prevent her exceeding her incomeconsiderably. The anguish of the last years of her life, thoughconcealed, flowed from the apprehension of not satisfying her fewwishes, which were, not to be in debt, and to make a provisionfor Miss Hotham. (990) I can give your lordship strong instancesof the sacrifices she tried to make to her principles. I havenot yet heard if her will is opened; but it will surprise thosewho thought her rich. Lord Chetwynd's friendship to her has beenunalterably kind and zealous, and has not ceased. He stays inthe house with Miss Hotham till some of her family come to takeher away. I have perhaps dwelt too long on this subject; but, asit was not permitted me to do her justice when alive, I own Icannot help wishing that those who had a regard for her, may atleast know how much more she deserved it than even theysuspected. In truth, I never knew a woman more respectable forher honour and principles, and have lost few persons in my lifewhom I shall miss so much. I am, etc. 

(989) Henrietta Hobart, Countess of Suffolk. She died at MarbleHall, 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 ofyou. You would drop one with all your heart, if one would letyou alone. Did not you talk of passing by Strawberry in June, ona visit to the Bishop? I did not summon you, because I have notbeen sure of my own motions for two days together for these threemonths. At last all is subsided; the administration will go onpretty much as it was, with Mr. Conway for part of it. The foolsand the rogues, or, if you like proper names, the Rockinghams andthe Grenvilles, have bungled their own game, quarrelled, andthrown it away. 

Where are you? What are you doing? Where are you going orstaying? I shall trip to Paris in about a fortnight, for a monthor six weeks. Indeed, I have had such a loss in poor LadySuffolk, (991) that my autumns at Strawberry will sufferexceedingly, and will not be repaired by my Lord Buckingham. Ihave 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 intoLord Lyttelton?(992) How dull one may be, if one will but takepains for six or seven-and-twenty years together! Except oneday's gout, which I cured with the boolikins, I have been quitewell since I saw you: nay, with a microscope you would perceive Iam fatter. Mr. Hawkins saw it with his naked eye, and told meit was common for lean people to grow fat when they grow old. Iam afraid the latter is more certain than the former, I submit toit with a good grace. There is no keeping off age by stickingroses and sweet peas in one's hair, as Miss Chudleigh does still. 

If you are not totally abandoned, you will send me a line beforeI go. The Clive has been desperately nervous; but I haveconvinced her it did not become her, and she has recovered herrubicundity. 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'ellev`ecut; j'aimais son amiti`e pour vous; j'aimais votreattachement pour elle: tout cela, ce me semble, m'`etait bon. "-E. 

(992) His "History of the Life of King Henry the Second, and ofthe 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 oldfairy, (993) I will certainly transport your enchanted casket, andwill endeavour to procure some talisman, that may secrete it fromthe eyes of those unheroic harpies, the officers of thecustomhouse, YOU must take care to let me have it beforeto-morrow se'nnight. 

The house at Twickenham with which you fell in love, is stillunmarried; but they ask a hundred and thirty pounds a-year forit. If they asked one hundred and thirty thousand pounds for it, perhaps my Lord Clive might snap it up; but that not being thecase, I don't doubt but it will fall, and I flatter myself, thatyou and it may meet at last upon reasonable terms. That ofGeneral Trapaud is to be had at fifty pounds a-year, but with afine on entrance of five hundred pounds. As I propose to returnby the beginning of October, perhaps I may see you, and then youmay review both. Since the loss of poor Lady Suffolk, I am moredesirous than ever of having you in my neighbourhood, as I havenot a rational acquaintance left. Adieu!

(993) Madame du Deffand. The following passages from her lettersto Walpole will best explain the reasons which induced him toundertake the journey:--"Paris, 5 Juillet. Je crois entrevoirque votre s`ejour ici vous inqui`ete, et que la complaisance quivous am`ene vous coute beaucoup; mais, mon Tuteur, songez auplaisir que vous me ferez, quelle sera ma reconnaissance. Je nevous dirai point combien cette visite m'est necessaire; vousjugerez par vous-m`eme si je vous en ai impose sur rien, et sivous pourrez jamais vous repentir des marques d'amiti`e que vousm'avez donn`ees. Mon Dieu! que nous aurons de sujets deconversations!"--"Dimanche, 23 Ao`ut. Enfin, enfin, il n'y a plusde mer qui nous s`epare; j'ai l'esperance de vous voir d`eesaujoqrd'hui. J'ai pri`e hier Madame Simonetti d'envoyer chez moiau moment de votre arriv`ee; si vous voulez venir chez MOi, commej'esp`ere, vous aurez sur le champ mon carrosse. Je me flatteque demain vous dinerez et souperez avec moi t`ete-`a-t`ete; nousen aurons bien `a dire. Sans cette maudite compagnie que j'ai sisottement rassembl`ee, vous m'auriez trouv`ee chez vous `a lad`escente de votre chaise; cela vous auroit fort d`eplu, mais jem'en serois mocqu`ee. " Madame Simonetti kept the H`otel garni duParc Royal, Rue du Colombie. In a journal which Walpole kept ofthis journey to Paris, is the following entry:--"August 23. Arrived at Paris a quarter before seven; at eight, to Madame duDeffand's; found the Clairon acting Agrippine and Ph`edre. Nottall; but I liked her acting better than I expected. Suppedthere 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'sdeath;(995) for which indeed your letter had prepared me. As aman of incomparable parts, and most entertaining to a spectator, I regret his death. His good-humour prevented one from hatinghim, and his levity from loving him; but, in a political light, Iown I cannot look upon it as a misfortune. His treachery alarmedme, and I apprehended every thing from it. It was not advisableto throw him into the arms of the Opposition. His death avoidsboth kinds of mischief. I take for granted you will have LordNorth for chancellor of the exchequer. (996) He is very inferiorto Charles in parts; but what he wants in those, will be suppliedby firmness and spirit. 

With regard to my brother, I should apprehend nothing, were helike other men; but I shall not be astonished, if he throws hislife away; and I have seen so much of the precariousness of itlately, that I am prepared for the event, if it shall happen. Iwill say nothing about Mr. Harris; he is an old man, and hisdeath will be natural. For Lord Chatham, he is really orintentionally mad, --but I still doubt which of the two. ThomasWalpole has writ to his brother here, that the day before LordChatham set out for Pynsent, he executed a letter of attorney, with full powers to his wife, and the moment it was signed hebegan singing. (997)

You may depend upon it I shall only stay here to the end of themonth: but if you should want me sooner, I will set out at amoment's warning, on your sending me a line by Lord Rochf'ord'scourier. This goes by Lady Mary Coke, who sets out to-morrowmorning early, on notice of Mr. Townshend's death, or she wouldhave stayed ten days longer. I sent you a letter by Mr. Fletcher, but I fear he did not go away till the day beforeyesterday. 

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) whodined there too. I imagine this gratitude to the peacemakers. Imust finish; for I am going to Lady Mary, and then return to supwith the Duchess de Choiseul, who is not civiller to any bodythan to me. Adieu! Yours ever. 

(994) Now first printed. 

(995) Mr. Charles Townshend died very unexpectedly, on the 4th ofSeptember; he being then only in his forty-second year. -E. 

(996) "The chancellorship of the exchequer, " says Adolphus, "wasfilled up ad interim by Lord Mansfield. It was offered to LordNorth, who, for some reasons which are not precisely known, declined accepting it. The offer was subsequently made to LordBarrington; who declared his readiness to undertake the office, if a renewed application to Lord North should fail: a freshnegotiation was attempted with the Duke of Bedford, but withouteffect, and at length Lord North was prevailed on to accept theoffice. Mr. Thomas Townshend succeeded Lord North as paymaster, and Mr. Jenkinson was appointed a lord of the treasury; LordNorthington and General Conway resigning, Lord Gower was madepresident of the council; Lord Weymouth, secretary of state; andLord Sandwich, joint postmaster-general. These promotionsindicated an accommodation between the ministry and the Bedfordparty; and the cabinet was further strengthened by theappointment of Lord Hillsborough to the office of secretary ofstate for America. The ministry, thus modelled, was called theDuke of Grafton's administration; for, although Lord Chathamstill retained his place, he was incapable of transactingbusiness. "-E. 

(997) Lord Chatham's enemies were constantly insinuating, thathis illness was a political one. For the real state of hishealth 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 thetime 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 anddangerous illness last year, with my journey to Bath; my longattendance in Parliament all winter, spring, and to the beginningof summer: and my journey to France since, from whence I returnedbut last week, (999) prevented my asking the pleasure Of Seeingyou at Strawberry Hill. 

I wish to hear that you have enjoyed your health, and shall beglad of any news of you. The season is too late, and theParliament too near opening, for me to propose a winter journeyto you. If you should happen to think at all of London, I trustyou would do me the favour to call on me. In short, this is onlya letter of inquiry after YOU, and to show you that I am alwaysmost truly yours. 

(999) Walpole left Paris the 9th of October; on the morning ofwhich Madame du Deffand thus resumes her correspondence withhim:--"Que de lachet`e, de faiblesse, et de ridicules je vous ailaiss`e voir! Je m'`etais bien promis le contrire; mais, mais--oubliez tout cela, pardonnez-le moi, mon Tuteur, et ne pensezplus `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, sontendre mais s`erieux attachement, feront jusqu'`a son derniermoment le bonheur de sa vie. Qu'importe d'`etre vielle, d'`etreaveugle; qu'importe le lieu qu'on habite; qu'importe que tout cequi environne soit sot ou Extravagant: quand l'`ame est fortementoccup`ee, il ne lui manque rien que l'objet qui l'occupe; etquand cet objet repond `a ce qu'on sent pour lui, on n'a plusrien 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 haveGeneral Trapaud's for fifty pounds a-year, and a fine of twohundred and fifty, which is less by half, look you, than you wastold at first. A jury of matrons, composed of Lady Frances, myDame Bramston, Lady Pembroke, and Lady Carberry, and the merryCatholic Lady Brown, have sat upon it, and decide that you shouldtake it. But you must come and treat in person, and may hold thecongress here. I hear Lord Guildford is much better, so that theexchequer will still find you in funds. You will not dislike tohear, shall you, that Mr Conway does not take the appointments ofsecretary of state. If it grows the fashion to give up abovefive thousand pounds a-year, this ministry will last for ever;for I do not think the Opposition will struggle for placeswithout salaries. If my Lord Ligonier does not go to heaven, orSir Robert Rich to the devil soon, our General will runconsiderably in debt; but he had better be too poor than toorich. I would not have him die like old Pulteney, loaded withthe spoils of other families and the crimes of his own. Adieu! Iwill not write to you any more, so you may as well come. Yoursever. 

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) Iwould not interrupt you in your journeyings, dear Sir, but am notat all pleased that you are seated so little to your mind; andyet I think you will stay there. Cambridge and Ely areneighbourhoods to your taste, and if you do not again shift yourquarters, I shall make them and you a visit: Ely I have neverseen. I Could have wished that you had preferred this part of theworld; and yet, I trust, I shall see you here oftener than I havedone of late. This, to my great satisfaction, is my last sessionof Parliament; to which, and to politics, I shall ever bid adieu!

I did not go to Paris for my health, though I found the journeyand the seasickness, which I had never experienced before, contributed to it greatly. I have not been so well for someyears as I am at present, and if I continue to plump up as I doat present, I do not know but by the time we may meet, whetheryou may not discover, without a microscope, that I am reallyfatter. I went to make a visit to my dear old blind woman, andto see some things I could not see in winter. 

For the Catholic religion, I think it very consumptive. With alittle patience, if Whitfield, Wesley, my Lady Huntingdon, andthat rogue Madan(1001) live, I do not doubt but we shall havesomething very like it here. And yet I had rather live at theend of a tawdry religion, than at the beginning; which is alwaysmore stern and hypocritic. 

I shall be very glad to see your laborious work of the maps; youare indefatigable, I know: I think mapping would try my patiencemore than any thing. 

My Richard the Third will go to press this week, and you shallhave one of the first copies, which I think will be in about amonth, if you will tell me how to convey it: direct to Arlingtonstreet. Mr. Gray went to Cambridge yesterday se'nnight: I waitfor some papers from him for my purpose. I grieve for yoursufferings by the inundation; but you are not only an hermit, but, what is better, a real philosopher. Let me hear from yousoon. Yours ever. 

(1000) Mr. Cole had lately removed from Bleckeley, Bucks, toWaterbeach, near Cambridge. 

(1001) The Rev. Martin Madan, author of "Thelypthora, " a defenceof a plurality of wives. In 1767, he subjected himself to muchobloquy, by dissuading a clerical friend from giving up abenefice, which he had accepted under a solemn promise ofeventual 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. Sherriffand his son. The father desired my opinion on sending his son toItaly. I own I could by no means advise it. Where a genius isindubitable and has already made much progress, the study ofantique and the works of the great masters may improve a youngman extremely, and open lights to him which he might neverdiscover of himself: but it is very different sending a young manto Rome to try whether he has genius or not; which may beascertained with infinitely less trouble and expense at home. Young Mr. Sherriff has certainly a disposition to drawing; butthat may not be genius. His misfortune may have made him embraceit as a resource in his melancholy hours. Labouring under themisfortune of deafness, his friends should consider to whatunhappiness they may expose him. His family have naturallyapplied to alleviate his misfortune, and to cultivate the partsthey saw in him: but who, in so long a journey and at such adistance, is to attend him in the same affectionate manner? Canhe shift for himself, especially without the language? who willtake the trouble at Rome of assisting him, instructing him, pointing out to him what he should study? who will facilitatethe means to him of gaining access to palaces and churches, andobtain permission for him to work there? I felt so much for thedistresses he must undergo, that I could not see the benefits toaccrue, and those eventual, as a compensation. Surely, Sir, itwere better to place him here with some painter for a year ortwo. He does not seem to me to be grounded enough for such anexpedition. 

I will beg to know how I may convey my Richard to you, which willbe published to-morrow fortnight. I do not wonder you could notguess the discovery I have made. It is one of the mostmarvellous that ever was made. In short, it is the originalcoronation roll of Richard the Third, by which it appears thatvery magnificent robes were ordered for Edward the Fifth, andthat 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 muchsurprise you in my work. But I will not anticipate what littleamusement 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 thewhole parcel together. This moment I have conveyed to Mr. Cartwright a large bundle for you, containing Richard theThird, (1003) the four volumes of the new edition of theAnecdotes, and six prints of your relation Tuer. You will findhis head very small: but the original was too inconsiderable toallow 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; andtell me sincerely, for I did not know it had made any noise. 

I shall be much obliged to you for the extract relating to theAcademy of which a Walpole was president. I doubt if he was ofour branch; and rather think he was of the younger and RomanCatholic branch. 

Are you reconciled to your new habitation? Don't you find it toodamp? and if you do, don't deceive yourself, and try to surmountit, but remove immediately. Health is the most important of allconsiderations. Adieu! dear Sir. 

(1003) "Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard theThird, by Mr. Horace Walpole;" London, 1768, 4to. Two editionsof this work, which occasioned a good deal of historicalcontroversy, were published during the year. -E. 

(1004) "An Account of the Giants lately discovered; in a letterto a friend in the country. " London, 1766, 8vo. It wasafterwards translated into French by the Chevalier Redmond, anIrish 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. Ihope they may draw forth more materials, which I shall be veryready either to subscribe to or to adopt. In this view I mustbeg you, Sir, to look into Speed's History of England, and in hisaccount of Perkin Warbeck you will find Bishop Leslie oftenquoted. May I trouble you to ask, to what work that alludes, andwhether in print or MS. ? Bishop Leslie lived under QueenElizabeth, and though he could know nothing of Perkin Warbeck, was yet near enough to the time to have had much better materialsthan we have. May I ask, too, if Perkin Warbeck's Proclamationexists any where authentically? You will see in my book thereason of all these questions. 

I am so much hurried with it just now, that you will excuse mybeing so brief. I can attribute to nothing but the curiosity ofthe subject, the great demand for it; though it was sold publiclybut yesterday, and twelve hundred and fifty copies were printed, Dodsley has been with me this morning to tell me he must prepareanother 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 amextremely out of humour with you. I saw Poems by Mr. Grayadvertised: I called directly at Dodsley's to know if this was tobe more than a new edition? He was not at home himself, but hisforeman told me he thought there were some new pieces, and notesto the whole. It was very unkind, not only to go out of townwithout mentioning them to me, without showing them to me, butnot to say a word of them in this letter. Do you think I amindifferent, or not curious, about what you write? I have ceasedto ask you, because you have so long refused to show me anything. You could not suppose I thought that you never write. No; but I concluded you did not intend, at least yet, to publishwhat you had written. As you did intend it, I might haveexpected a month's preference. You will do me the Justice to ownthat I had always rather have seen your writings than have shownyou mine; which you know are the most hasty trifles in the world, and which, though I may be fond of the subject when fresh, Iconstantly 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 tofame. I certainly am not, but I am indifferent to almost anything I have done to acquire it. The greater part are merecompilations; and no wonder they are, as you say, incorrect, whenthey are commonly written with people in the room, as Richard andthe Noble Authors were. But I doubt there is a more intrinsicfault in them: which is, that I cannot correct them. If I writetolerably, it must be -, it once; I can neither mend nor add. Thearticles of Lord Capel and Lord Peterborough, in the secondedition of the Noble Authors, cost me more trouble than all therest together: and you may perceive that the worst part ofRichard, in point of ease and style, is what relates to thepapers you gave me on Jane Shore, because it was taken on so longafterwards, and when my impetus was chilled. If some time orother you will take the trouble of pointing out the inaccuraciesof' 'It, I shall be much obliged to you: at present I shallmeddle no more with it. It has taken its fate; nor did I mean tocomplain. I found it was Condemned indeed beforehand, which waswhat I alluded to. Since publication (as has happened to mebefore) the success has gone beyond my expectation. 

Not only at Cambridge, but here there have been people wiseenough to think me too free with the King of Prussia!(1006) Anewspaper has talked of my known inveteracy to him. Truly, Ilove him as well as I do most kings. The greater offence is myreflection on Lord Clarendon. It is forgotten that I hadoverpraised him before. Pray turn to the new State Papers, fromwhich, it is said, he composed his history. You will find theyare the papers from which he did not compose his history. Andyet I admire my Lord Clarendon more than these pretended admirersdo. But I do not intend to justify myself. I can as littlesatisfy those who complain that I do not let them know whatreally did happen. If this inquiry can ferret out any truth, Ishall be glad. I have picked up a few more circumstances. I nowwant to know what Perkin Warbeck's Proclamation was, which Speedin his history says is preserved by Bishop Leslie. If you lookin Speed, perhaps you will be able to assist me. 

The Duke of Richmond and Lord Lyttelton agree with you, that Ihave not disculpated Richard of the murder of Henry VI. I own toyou, it is the crime of which in my own mind I believe him mostguiltless. Had I thought he committed it, I should never havetaken the trouble to apologize-for the rest. I am not at allpositive or obstinate on your other objections, nor know exactlywhat I believe on many points of this story. And I am sosincere, that, except a few notes hereafter, I shall leave thematter to be settled or discussed by others. As you have writtenmuch too little, I have written a great deal too much, and thinkonly of finishing the two or three other things I have begun--andof those, nothing but the last volume of Painters is designed forthe present public. What has one to do when turned fifty, butreally think of finishing?(1007)

I am much obliged and flattered by Mr. Mason's approbation, andparticularly by having had almost the same thought with him. Isaid, "People need not be angry at my excusing Richard; I havenot diminished their fund of hatred, I have only transferred itfrom Richard to Henry. " Well, but I have found you close withMason--No doubt, cry Prating I, something will come out. (1008)--Oh! no--leave us, both of you, to Annabellas and Epistles toFerney, (1009) that give Voltaire an account of his own tragedies, to +Macarony fables that are more unintelligible than Pilpay'sare in the original, to Mr. Thornton's hurdy-gurdy poetry'(1010)and to Mr. ***** who has imitated himself worse than any fop ina magazine would have done. In truth, if you should abandon us, I could not wonder--When Garrick's prologues and epilogues, hisown Cymons and farces, and the comedies of the fools that paycourt to him, are the delight of the age, it does not deserve anything better. Pray read the new account of Corsica. Whatrelates to Paoli will amuse you much. There is a deal about theisland and its divisions that one does not care a straw for. Theauthor, Boswell, (1011) is a strange being, and, like Cambridge, has a rage of knowing any body that ever was talked of. Heforced himself upon me at Paris in spite of my teeth and mydoors, and I see has given a foolish account of all he could pickup from me about King Theodore. He then took an antipathy to meon Rousseau's account, abused me in the newspapers, and exhortedRousseau to do so too: but as he came to see me no more, Iforgave all the rest. I see he now is a little sick of Rousseauhimself; 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 theexpression tinker up in the preface. Is this one of those thatyou object to? I own I think such a low expression, placed toridicule an absurd instance of wise folly, very forcible. Replace it with an elevated word or phrase, and to my conceptionit becomes as flat as possible. 

George Selwyn says I may, if I please, write historic doubts onthe 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, andsee if Perkin's Proclamation is there, and if there, howauthenticated. You will find in Speed my reason for asking this. I have written in such a hurry, I believe you will scarce be ableto 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 anddifficulties, and do not satisfy them by telling us what isreally the case. I have heard you charged with disrespect to theKing of Prussia; and above all, to King William and theRevolution. My own objections are little more essential: theyrelate chiefly to inaccuracies of style, which either debase theexpression or obscure the meaning. As to your argument@ most ofthe principal parts are made out with a clearness and evidencethat no one would expect, where materials are so scarce. Yet Istill 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 meso civilly, that I ought to write more, I answer in your ownwords, (like the Pamphleteer, who is going to refute you out ofyour own mouth, ) what has one to do, when turned fifty, butreally to think of finishing? However, I will be candid (for youseem to be so with me), and avow to you, that, till fourscore andten, whenever the humour takes me, I will write, because I likeit; and because I like myself better when I do so. If I do notwrite 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 ofwhich Dr. Johnson was much diverted, and used to repeat thispassage--

"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 likeother histories, but your journal is, in a very high degree, curious and delightful: there is between them that differencewhich there will always be found between notions borrowed fromwithout and notions generated within. Your history was copiedfrom books; your journal rose out of your own experience andobservation. I know not whether I could name any narrative bywhich curiosity is better excited or better gratified. "-E. 

(1012) To this Gray replies--, 'Mr. Boswell's book has pleased andmoved me strangely; all, I mean, that relates to Paoli. He is aman born two thousand years after his time! The pamphlet proveswhat I have always maintained, that any fool may write a mostvaluable book by chance, if he will only tell us what he heardand saw with veracity. Of Mr. Boswell's truth I have not theleast suspicion, because I am sure be could invent nothing ofthis kind. The true title of this part of his work is a Dialoguebetween 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. Ishall be very glad to see in print, and to have those that areworthy, see your ancient Odes; but I was in hopes there were somepieces. Too, that I had not seen. I am sorry there arenot. (1013)

I troubled you about Perkin's Proclamation. Because Mr. Hume laysgreat stress upon it, and insists, that if Perkin affirmed thathis brother was killed, it must have been true, if he was trueDuke of York. Mr. Hume would have persuaded me that theProclamation is in Stowe, but I can find no such thing there;nor, what is more, in Casley's Catalogue, which I have twicelooked over carefully. I wrote to Sir David Dalrymple InScotland, to inquire after it; because I would produce it if Icould, 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 inScotland. Whether he is displeased that I have plucked a hairfrom the tresses of their great historian; or whether, as Isuspect, he is offended for King William; this reply was all thenotice he took of my letter and book. I only smiled; as I mustdo when I find one party is angry with me on King William's, andthe other on Lord Clarendon's account. 

The answer advertised is Guthrie's, who is furious that I havetaken no notice of his History. I shall take as little of hispamphlet; but his end will be answered, if he sells that and oneor two copies of his History. (1014) Mr. Hume, I am told, hasdrawn up an answer too, which I shall see, and, if I can, willget him to publish; for, if I should ever choose to say any thingmore on this subject, I had rather reply to him than tohackney-writers:--to the latter, indeed, I never will reply. Afew notes I have to add that will be very material; and I wish toget some account of a book that was once sold at Osborn's, thatexists perhaps at Cambridge, and of which I found a memorandumt'other day in my note-book. It is called A Paradox, or Apologyfor Richard the Third, by Sir William Cornwallis. (1015) If youcould discover it, I should be much obliged to you. 

Lord Sandwich, with whom I have not exchanged a syllable sincethe general warrants, very obligingly sent me an account of theroll at Kimbolton; and has since, at my desire, borrowed it forme and sent it to town. (1016) It is as long as my LordLyttelton's History; but by what I can read of it (for it is bothill written and much decayed), it is not a roll of kings, but ofall that have been possessed of, or been Earls of Warwick: orhave not--for one of the first earls is Aeneas. How, orwherefore, I do not know, but amongst the first is Richard theThird, in whose reign it was finished, and with whom itconcludes. He is there again with his wife and son, and Edwardthe Fourth, and Clarence and his wife, and Edward their son (whounluckily is a little old man), and Margaret Countess ofSalisbury, their daughter. --But why do I say with these? Thereis every body else too and what is most meritorious, the habitsof all the times are admirably well observed from the most savageages. Each figure is tricked with a pen, well drawn, but neitherColoured nor shaded. Richard is straight, but thinner than myprint; his hair short, and exactly curled in the same manner; notso handsome as mine, but what one might really believe intendedfor the same countenance, as drawn by a different painter, especially when so small; for the figures in general are not solong as one's finger. His queen is ugly, and with just such asquare forehead as in my print, but I cannot say like it. Nor, indeed, where forty-five figures out of fifty (I have not countedthe number) must have been imaginary, can one lay great stress onthe five. I shall, however, have these figures copied, especially as I know Of no other image of the son. Mr. Astle isto 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 makeamende honorable. Thank you for the notes on the Noble Authors. They shall be inserted when I make a new edition, for the sake ofthe trouble the person has taken, though they are of littleconsequence. Dodsley has asked me for a new edition; but I havehad little heart to undertake such work, no more than to mend myold linen. It is pity one cannot be born an ancient, and havecommentators to do such jobs for one! Adieu! Yours ever. 

Saturday morning. 

On reading over your letter again this morning, I do find the agein which the friars lived--I read and write in such a hurry, thatI think I neither know what I read or say. 

(1013) Gray, in his letter of the 25th, had said:--"The LongStory was to be totally omitted, as its only use (that ofexplaining the plates) was gone; but, to supply the place of itin bulk, lest my works should be mistaken for the works of a fleaor a pismire I promised to send him an equal weight of poetry orprose; so I put up about two ounces of stuff, viz. The FatalSisters; 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 notOliver Cromwell, nor Queen Elizabeth the Witch of Endor. This isliterally all; and with all this, I shall be but a shrimp of anauthor. " 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 HistoryI never saw, nor is it here, nor do I know any one that ever sawit. He is a rascal; but rascals may chance to meet with curiousrecords. " Works, vol. Iv. P. 116. -E. 

(1015) "The Praise of King Richard the Third, " which waspublished by Sir William Cornwallis, Knight, the celebrated"Essayist, " in 1617, is reprinted in the third volume of theSomers' Collection of Tracts. -E. 

(1016) From this roll were taken the two plates of portraits inthe Historic Doubts. 

Letter 339 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, March 12, 1768. (page 514)

The house, etc. Described in the enclosed advertisement I Shouldthink might suit you; I am sure its being in my neighbourhoodwould make me glad, if it did. I know no more than what you willfind in this scrap of paper, nor what the rent is, nor whether ithas a chamber as big as Westminster-hall; but as you have flownabout the world, and are returned to your ark without finding aplace to rest your foot, I should think you might as well inquireabout the house I notify to you, as set out with your caravan toGreatworth, like a Tartar chief; especially as the laws of thiscountry 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 nameis no longer worth threepence, I shall not put you to the expenseof a cover, and I hope the advertisement will not be taxed, as Iseal it to the paper. In short, I retain so much iniquity fromthe last infamous Parliament that you see I would still cheat thepublic. The comfort I feel in sitting peaceably here, instead ofbeing at Lynn in the high fever of a contested election, which atbest would end in my being carried about that large town like thefigure 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 sameknaveries, that I have seen their fathers and Grandfathers act?Could I hear oratory beyond my Lord Chatham's? Will there everbe parts equal to Charles Townshend's? Will George Grenvillecease to be the most tiresome of beings? Will he not beconstantly whining, and droning, and interrupting, like acigala(1018) in a sultry day in Italy. 

Guthrie has published two criticisms on my Richard;(1019) oneabusive in the Critical Review; t'other very civil and evenflattering in a pamphlet; both so stupid and contemptible, that Irather prefer the first, as making some attempt at vivacity; butin point of argument, nay, and of humour, at which he makes aneffort too, both things are below scorn. As an instance of theformer, 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 lattersort, are his calling the Lady Bridget Lady Biddy, and the Dukeof York poor little fellow! I will weary you with no more suchstuff!

The weather is so very March, that I cannot enjoy my new holidaysat Strawberry yet; I sit reading and writing close to the fire. 

Sterne has published two little volumes, called SentimentalTravels. They are very pleasing, though too much dilated, andinfinitely preferable to his tiresome Tristram Shandy, of which Inever could get through three volumes. In these there is a greatgood-nature and strokes of delicacy. Gray has added to his poemsthree ancient Odes from Norway and Wales. The subjects of thetwo first are grand and picturesque, and there is his genuinevein in them; but they are not interesting, and do not, like hisother poems, touch any passion. Our human feelings, which hemasters at will in his former pieces, are here notaffected. (1020) Who can care through what horrors a Runic savagearrived at all the joys and glories they could conceive, thesupreme felicity of boozing ale out of the skull of an enemy inOdin's hall? Oh! yes, just now perhaps these odes would betoasted at many a contested election. Adieu! Yours ever. 

(1017) Walpole had retired from Parliament at the generalelection 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 howminute antiquarian research may shake our faith in the facts mostpointedly averred by general history. It is remarkable also toobserve how, in defending a system, which was probably at firstadopted as a mere literary exercise, Mr. Walpole's doubtsacquired, in his own eyes, the respectability of certainties, inwhich he could not brook controversy. " Prose Works; vol. Iii. P. 304. -E. 

(1020) "They strike, rather than please; the images are magnifiedby affectation; the language is laboured into harshness. Themind of the writer seems to work with unnatural violence. Double, double, toil and trouble! There is too little appearanceof 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 andparsons. I am very angry, and resign you to the works of thedevil or the church, I don't care which. You will get the gout, turn Methodist, and expect to ride to heaven upon your own greatfoe. I was happy with your telling me how well you love me, andthough I don't love loving, I could have poured out all thefullness of my heart to such an old and true friend; but what amI the better for it, if I am to see you but two or three days inthe year? I thought you would at last come and while away theremainder of life on the banks of the Thames in gaiety and oldtales. I have quitted the stage, and the Clive is preparing toleave it. We shall neither of us ever be grave: dowagers roostall round us and you could never want cards or mirth. Will youend like a fat farmer, repeating annually the price of oats, anddiscussing stale newspapers? There have you got, I hear into anold gallery that has not been glazed since Queen Elizabeth, andunder the nose of an infant Duke and Duchess, that willunderstand you no more than if you wore a ruff and a coif, andtalked to them of a call of serjeants the year of the Spanisharmada! Your wit and humour will be as much lost upon them, asif you talked the dialect of Chaucer; for with all the divinityof wit, it grows out of fashion like a fardingale. I amconvinced that the young men at White's already laugh at GeorgeSelwyn's bon-mots only by tradition. I avoid talking before theyouth of the age as I would dancing before them; for if one'stongue don't move in the steps of the day, and thinks to pleaseby its old graces, it is only an object of ridicule, like Mrs. Hobart in her cotilion. I tell you we should get together, andcomfort ourselves with reflecting on the brave days that we haveknown--not that I think people were a jot more clever or wise inour youth than now, are now; but as my system is always to livein a vision as much as I can, and as visions don't increase withyears, there is nothing so natural as to think one remembers whatone does not remember. 

I have finished my tragedy, (1021) but as you would not bear thesubject, I will say no more of it, but that Mr. Chute, who is noteasily pleased, likes it, and Gray, who is still more difficult, approves it. (1022) I am not yet intoxicated enough with it tothink it would do for the stage, though I wish to see it acted;but, as Mrs. Pritchard(1023) leaves the stage next month, I knownobody could play the Countess; nor am I disposed to exposemyself to the impertinent eyes of that jackanapes Garrick, wholets nothing appear but his own wretched stuff, or that ofcreatures still duller, who suffer him to alter their pieces ashe pleases. I have written an epilogue in character for theClive, which she would speak admirably; but I am not so sure thatshe would like to speak it. Mr. Conway, Lady Aylesbury, LadyLyttelton, and Miss Rich, are to come hither the day afterto-morrow, and Mr. Conway and I are to read my play to them; forI have not strength enough to go through the whole alone. (1024)

My press is revived, and is printing a French play written by theold President Henault. (1025) It was damned many years ago atParis, and yet I think it is better than some that havesucceeded, and much better than any of our modern tragedies. Iprint it to please the old man, as he was exceedingly kind to meat Paris; but I doubt whether he will live till it isfinished. (1026) He is to have a hundred copies, and there are tobe but a hundred more, Of Which You shall have one. 

Adieu! though I am very angry with you, I deserve all yourfriendship, by that I have for you, witness my anger anddisappointment. Yours ever. 

P. S. Send me your new direction, and tell me when I must beginto use it. 

(1021) The Mysterious Mother. See vol. I. P. 57. -E. 

(1022) Of this tragedy Lord Byron was also an approver: "It isthe fashion, " he says, "to underrate Horace Walpole; firstly, because he was a nobleman; and secondly, because he was agentleman; but, to say nothing of the composition of hisincomparable Letters, and of the Castle of Otranto, he is theultimus Romanorum, the author of the Mysterious Mother; a tragedyof the highest order, and not a puling love. Play. "-E. 

(1023) This celebrated actress, who excelled alike in tragedy andcomedy, took leave of the stage in May, in the part of LadyMacbeth, and died at Bath in the following August. -E. 

(1024) Walpole, in a letter to Madame du Deffand, of the 11th ofMarch, speaking of the "Honn`ete Criminel, " a copy of which shehad sent him, gives her the following account of his owntragedy:--"L'Honn`ete Criminel me paroit assez m`ediocre. Mapropre trag`edie a de bien plus grands d`efauts, mais au moinselle 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 beauxSentiments: il n'y a que des passions sans envelope, des crimes, des repentis, et des horreurs. Je crois qu'il y a beaucoup plusde mauvais que de bon, et je sais s`urement que depuis le premieracte jusqu'a la derni`ere sc`ene l'int`er`et languit au lieud'augmenter: peut-il avoir on plus grand d`efaut?"-E. 

(1025) Corn`elie, a manuscript tragedy, written by the Pr`esidentHenault 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 springadvances? There has been dry weather and east wind enough toparch the fens. We find that the severe beginning of this lastwinter has made terrible havoc among the evergreens, though ofold standing. Half my cypresses have been bewitched, and turnedinto brooms; and the laurustinus is every where perished. I amGoth enough to choose now and then to believe in prognostics; andI hope this destruction imports, that, though foreigners shouldtake root here, they cannot last in this climate. I would fainpersuade myself, that we are to be our own empire to eternity. 

The Duke of Manchester has lent me an invaluable curiosity; Imean invaluable to us antiquaries: but perhaps I have alreadymentioned it to you; I forgot whether I have or no. It is theoriginal roll of the Earls of Warwick, as long as my gallery, anddrawn by John Rous(1027) himself. Ay, and what is more, thereare portraits of Richard III. , his Queen, and son; the two formercorresponding almost exactly with my print; and a panegyric onthe virtues of Richard, and a satire, upwards and downwards, onthe illegal marriage of Edward IV. , and on the extortions ofHenry VII. I have had these and seven other portraits copied, and shall, some time or other, give plates of them. But I waitfor an excuse; I mean till Mr. Hume shall publish a few remarkshe has made on my book: they are very far from substantial; yetstill better than any other trash that has been written againstit, nothing of which deserves an answer. 

I have long had thoughts of drawing up something for London likeSt. Foix's Rues de Paris, (1028) and have made some collections. I wish You Would be so good, in the course of your reading, tomark down any passage to that end: as where any great houses ofnobility were situated; or in what street any memorable eventhappened. I fear the subject will not furnish much till latertimes, as our princes kept their courts up and down the countryin such a vagrant manner. 

I expect Mr. Gray and Mr. Mason to pass the day with me hereto-morrow. When I am more settled here I shall put you in mindof your promise to bestow more than one day on me. 

I hope the Methodist, your neighbour, does not, like hispatriarch 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 assurethem Gibson was now in heaven, and that another fellow, executedat the same time, had the happiness of touching Gibson's coat ashe was turned off. As little as you and I agree about a hundredyears ago, I don't desire a reign of fanatics. Oxford has begunwith these rascals, and I hope Cambridge will wake. I don't meanthat I would have them persecuted, which is what they wish; but Iwould have the clergy fight them and ridicule them. Adieu! dearSir. Yours ever. 

(1027) John Rous, the historian of Warwickshire, "who, " accordingto Walpole in his Anecdotes of Painting, "drew his own portrait, and other semblances, but in too rude a style to be calledpainting. "-E. 

(1028) Essais Historiques sur Paris, parGermain-Fran`cois-Poulain de Saint Foix; of which an Englishtranslation 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) Longhave I expected the appearance of Ely, and thought it at the eveof coming forth. Now you tell me it is not half written; butthen I am rejoiced you are to write it. Pray do; the author isvery much in the right to make you author for him. I cannot sayyou have addressed yourself quite so judiciously as he has. Inever heard of Cardinal Lewis de Luxembourg in my days, nor havea scrap of the history of Normandy, but Ducarel's tour to theConqueror's kitchen. But the best way will be to come andrummage my library yourself: not to set me to writing the livesof prelates: I shall strip them stark, and you will have them toreconsecrate. Cardinal Morton is at your service: pray say forhim, and of me, what you please. I have very slender opinion ofhis integrity; but as I am not spiteful, It would be hard toexact from you a less favourable account of him than I concludeyour piety will bestow on all his predecessors and successors. Seriously, you know how little I take contradiction to heart, andbeg you will have no scruples about defending Morton. When Ibestow but a momentary smile on the abuse of any answerers, I amnot likely to stint a friend in a fair and obliging remark. 

The man that you mention, who calls himself "Impartialis, " is, Isuppose some hackney historian, I shall never inquire, whom, angry at being censured in the jump, and not named. I foretold hewould drop his criticisms before he entered on Perkin Warbeck, which I knew he could not answer; and so it happened. Good nightto him!

Unfortunately, I am no culinary antiquary - the Bishop ofCarlisle, who is, I have oft heard talk of a sotelle, as anancient dish. He is rambling between London, flagley, andCarlisle, that I do not know where to consult him: but, if thebook is not printed before winter, I am sure he could translateyour bill of fare into modern phrase. As I trust I shall see yousome time this summer, you might bring your papers with you, andwe will try what we can make of them. Tell me, do, when it willbe most convenient for you to come, from now to the end ofOctober. At the same time, I will beg to see the letters of theuniversity to King Richard; and shall be still more obliged toyou for the print of Jane Shore. (1030) I have a very badmezzotinto of her, either from the picture at Cambridge or Eton. I wish I could return these favours by contributing to thedecoration of your new old house: but, as you know, I erected anold house, not demolished one. I had no windows, or frames forwindows, but what I bespoke on purpose for the places where theyare. My painted glass was so exhausted, before I got through mydesign, that I was forced to have the windows in the Batterypainted on purpose by Pecket. What scraps I have remaining areso bad I cannot make you pay for the carriage of them, as I thinkthere is not one whole piece; but you shall see them when youcome hither, and I will search if I can find any thing for yourpurpose. I am sure I owe it you. Adieu! Yours ever. 

(1029) This is in reply to one of Mr. Cole's letters, wherein hehad informed Mr. Walpole, that he had undertaken to write thehistory of some of' the Bishops of Ely for the History of ElyCathedral, and requested some particulars relating to CardinalLewis de Luxembourg; and to be informed the meaning of the Frenchword sotalle or sotelle. Mr. Cole also proposed to controvert anopinion of Mr. Walpole's respecting Cardinal Morton. 

(1030) This appears, from the copy of Cole's previous letter, tohave 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 withyour situation. You are so apt to take root, that it requiresten years to dig you out again when you once begin to settle. Asyou go pitching your tent up and down, I wish you were still morea Tartar, and shifted your quarters perpetually. Yes, I willcome and see you, but tell me first, when do your Duke andDuchess travel to the north? I know that he is a very amiablelad, and I do not know that she is not as amiable a laddess, butI had rather see their house comfortably when they are not there. 

I perceive the deluge fell upon you before it reached us. Itbegan here but on Monday last, and then rained neareight-and-forty hours without intermission. My poor hay has nota 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 havea summer, and we have no title to any such thing. Our poetslearnt their trade of the Romans, and so adopted the terms oftheir masters. They talk of shady groves, purling streams, andcooling breezes, and we get sore throats and agues withattempting to realize these visions. Master Damon writes a song, and invites Miss Chloe to enjoy the cool of the evening, and thedeuce a bit have we of any such thing as a cool evening. Zephyris a northeast wind, that makes Damon button up to the chin, andpinches 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 sunwe have is made of Newcastle coal, and I am determined never toreckon upon any other. We ruin ourselves with inviting overforeign trees and make our houses clamber up hills to look atprospects. How our ancestors would laugh at us, who knew therewas no being comfortable, unless you had a high hill before yournose, and a thick warm wood at your back! Taste is too freezinga commodity for us, and, depend upon it, will go out of fashionagain. 

There is indeed a natural warmth in this country, which, as yousay, I am very glad not to enjoy any longer; I mean the hothousein St. Stephen's chapel. My own sagacity makes me very vain, though there was very little merit in it. I had seen so much ofall parties, that I had little esteem left for any; it is mostindifferent to me who is in or -who is out, or which is set inthe pillory, Mr. Wilkes or my Lord Mansfield. I see the countrygoing to ruin, and no man with brains enough to save it. That ismortifying ; but what signifies who has the undoing it? I seldomsuffer myself to think on this subject: my patriotism could do nogood, and my philosophy can make me be at peace. 

I am sorry you are likely to lose your poor cousin LadyHinchinbrook;(1031) I heard a very bad account of her when I waslast in town. Your letter to Madame Roland shall be taken careof; but as you are so scrupulous of making me pay postage, I mustremember not to overcharge you, as I can frank my idle letters nolonger; therefore, good night!

P. S. I was in town last week, and found Mr. Chute stillconfined. He had a return in his shoulder, but I think it morerheumatism than gout. 

(1031) Elizabeth, wife of John Viscount Hinchinbroke, afterwardsfifth Earl of Sandwich, was the only surviving daughter ofGeorge, second and last Earl of Halifax. Her ladyship died onthe 1st of July 1768, leaving a son, George ViscountHinchinbroke, 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, anddid 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 todeath, and of T. Townshend, the truth of whose story I did notknow; and indeed the tone of the age has made me so uncharitable, that I concluded his ill-humour was put on, in order to bemollified with the reversion of his father's place, which I knowhe has long wanted; and the destination of the Pay-office hasbeen so long notified, that I had no notion of his not liking thearrangement. For the new Paymaster, (1033) I could not think himworth writing a letter on purpose. By your letter and theenclosed I find Townshend has been very ill-treated, and I likehis spirit in not bearing such neglect and contempt, thoughwrapped up in 2700 pounds a-year. 

What can one say of the Duke of Grafton, but that his wholeconduct is childish, insolent, inconstant, and absurd--nay, ruinous? Because we are not in confusion enough, he makes everything as bad as possible, neglecting on one hand, and taking noprecaution on the other. I neither see how it is possible forhim to remain minister, nor whom to put in his place. Nogovernment, no police, London and Middlesex distracted, thecolonies in rebellion, Ireland ready to be so, and Francearrogant, and on the point of being hostile! Lord Bute accused ofall and dying of a panic; George Grenville wanting to make ragedesperate; Lord Rockingham the Duke of Portland, and theCavendishes 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 shouldbe postponed to a whore and a horserace; and the Bedfords notcaring what disgraces we undergo, while each of them has 3000pounds a-year and three thousand bottles of claret and champagne!Not but that I believe these last good folks are still notsatisfied with the satisfaction of their wishes. They have thefavour of the Duke of Grafton, but neither his confidence nor hiscompany; so that they can neither sell the places in his gift norhis secrets. Indeed, they, ' have not the same reasons to bedispleased with him as you have; for they were his enemies andyou his friend--and therefore he embraced them and dropped you, and I believe would be puzzled to give a tolerable reason foreither. 

As this is the light in which I see our present situation, youwill not wonder that I am happy to have nothing to do with it. Not that, were it more flourishing, I would ever meddle again. Ihave no good opinion of any of our factions, nor think highly ofeither their heads or their hearts. I can amuse myself much moreto my satisfaction; and, had I not lived to see my country at theperiod of its greatest glory, I should bear our present statemuch better. I cannot mend it, and therefore will think aslittle of it as I can. The Duke of Northumberland asked me todine at Sion to-morrow; but, as his vanity of governing Middlesexmakes him absurdly meditate to contest the county, I concluded hewanted my interest here, and therefore excused myself; for I willhave nothing to do with it. 

I shall like much to come to Park-place, if your present companystays, or if the Fitzroys or the Richmonds are there; but Idesire to be excused from the Cavendishes, who have in a mannerleft me off, because I am so unlucky as not to think LordRockingham as great a man as my Lord Chatham, and Lord John moreable 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 Iof theirs. 

My hay and I are drowned; I comfort myself with a fire, but Icannot treat the other with any sun, at least not with one thathas more warm than the sun in a harlequin-farce. 

I went this morning to see the Duchess of Grafton, who has got anexcellent house and fine prospect, but melancholy enough, and soI thought was she herself: I did not ask wherefore. 

I go to town to-morrow to see the Devil upon Two Sticks, (1034) asI did last week, but could not get in. I have now secured aplace in my niece Cholmondeley's box, and am to have theadditional entertainment of Mrs. Macauley in the same company;who goes to see herself represented, and I suppose figuresherself very like Socrates. 

I shall send this letter by the coach, as it is rather freespoken, and Sandwich may be prying. 

Mr. Chute has found the subject of my tragedy, which I thoughthappened in Tillotson's time, in the Queen of Navarre's Tales;and what is very remarkable, I had laid my plot at Narbonne andabout the beginning of the Reformation, and it really did happenin Languedoc and in the time of Francis the First. Is not thissingular?(1035)

I hope your canary hen was really with egg by the blue-bird, andthat he will not plead that they are none of his and sue for adivorce. Adieu!

(1032) Now first printed. In the preceding January Mr. Conwayhad resigned his situation of secretary of state for the northerndepartment. -E. 

(1033) Mr. Rigby. 

(1034) Foote's successful comedy of The Devil upon Two Sticks wasfirst 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 writeFrench, that I hope you will excuse my making use of my owntongue to thank you for the honour of your letter. If I employedyour language, my ignorance in it might betray me intoexpressions that would not do justice to the sentiments I feel atbeing so distinguished. 

It is true, Sir, I have ventured to contest the history ofRichard the Third, as it has been delivered down to us; and Ishall obey your commands, and send it to you, though with fearand trembling; for though I have given it to the world, as it iscalled, yet, as you have justly observed, that world is comprisedwithin a very small circle of readers--and Undoubtedly I couldnot expect that you would do me the Honour of being one of thenumber. Nor do I fear you, Sir, only as the first genius inEurope, who has illustrated every science; I have a more intimatedependence on you than YOU Suspect. Without knowing it, you havebeen my master, and perhaps the sole merit that may be found inmy writings is owing to my having studied yours; so far, Sir, amI from living in that state of barbarism and ignorance with whichyou tax me when you say que vous m'`etes peut-`etre inconnu. Iwas not a stranger to your reputation very many years ago, butremember to have then thought you honoured our house by diningwith my mother--though I was at school, and had not the happinessof seeing you: and yet my father was in a situation that mighthave dazzled eyes older than mine. The plain name of thatfather, and the pride of having had so excellent a father, towhose virtues truth at last does justice, is all I have toboast. I am a very private man, distinguished by neitherdignities nor titles, which I have never done any thing todeserve--but as I am certain that titles alone would not haveprocured me the honour of your notice, I am content withoutthem. (1036)

But, Sir, if I can tell you nothing good of myself, I can atleast tell you something bad; and, after the obligation you haveconferred on me by your letter, I should blush if you heard itfrom any body but myself. I had rather incur your indignationthan deceive you. Some time ago I took the liberty to find faultin print with the criticisms you had made on our Shakspeare. This freedom, and no wonder, never came to your knowledge. Itwas in a preface to a trifling romance, much unworthy of yourregard, but which I shall send you, because I cannot accept eventhe honour of your correspondence, without making you judgewhether I deserve it. I might retract, I might beg your pardon;but having said nothing but what I thought, nothing illiberal orunbecoming a gentleman, it would be treating you with ingratitudeand impertinence, to suppose that you would either be offendedwith my remarks, or pleased with my recantation. You are as muchabove wanting flattery, as I am above offering it to you. Youwould despise me, and I should despise myself--a sacrifice Icannot make, Sir, even to you. 

Though it is impossible not to know you, Sir, I must confess myignorance on the other part of your letter. I know nothing ofthe history of Monsieur de Jumonville, nor can tell whether it istrue or false, as this is the first time I ever heard of it. ButI will take care to inform myself as well as I can, and, if youallow me to trouble you again, will send you the exact account asfar as I can obtain It. I love my country, but I do not love anyof my countrymen that have been capable, if they have been so, ofa foul assassination. I should have made this inquiry directly, and informed you of the result of it in this letter, had I beenin London; but the respect I owe you, Sir, and my impatience tothank you for so unexpected a mark of your favour, made me choosenot to delay my gratitude for a single post. I have the honourto be, Sir, your most obliged and most obedient humble servant. 

(1036) Voltaire had said, "Vous pardonnerez encore plus `a monignorance de vos titres; je n'en respecte pas moins votrepersonne; je connais plus votre m`erite que les dignit`es dont ildoit `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 toobey you, and to give you every proof of attachment in my power:but it is a very barren season for all but cabalists, who cancompound, divide, multiply No. 45 forty-five thousand differentways. I saw in the papers to-day, that somehow or other thisfamous number and the number of the beast in the Revelations isthe same--an observation from which different persons will drawvarious conclusions. For my part, who have no ill wishes toWilkes, I wish he was in Patmos, or the New Jerusalem, for I amexceedingly tired of his name. The only good thing I have heardin 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 towaters and races till his Majesty of Denmark arrives. He isextremely amorous; but stays so short a time, that the ladies whoIntended to be undone must not hagle. They must do theirbusiness in the twinkling of an allemande, or he will be flown. Don't you think he will be a little surprised, when he inquiresfor the seriglio in Buckingham-house, to find, in full of allaccounts, two old Mecklenburgheresses?

Is it true that Lady Rockingham is turned Methodist? It will be agreat acquisition to the sect to have their hymns set byGiardini. I hope Joan Huntingdon will be deposed, if the husbandbecomes first minister. I doubt, too, the saints will like tocall at Canterbury and Winchester in their way to heaven. Mycharity is so small, that I do not think their virtue a jot moreobdurate 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 shallhave no riots on their account. Those black dogs the whiteboysor coal-heavers are dispersed or taken; and I really- see noreason to think we shall have another rebellion this fortnight. The most comfortable event to me is, that we shall have no civilwar all the summer at Brentford. I dreaded two kings there; butthe writ for Middlesex will not be issued till the Parliamentmeets; so there will be no pretender against King Glynn. (1037)As I love peace, and have done with politics, I quietlyacknowledge the King de facto; and hope to pass and repassunmolested through his Majesty's long, lazy, lousy capital. (1038)

My humble duty to my Lady Strafford and all her pheasants. Ihave just made two cascades; but my naiads are fools to Mrs. Chetwynd or my Lady Sondes, and don't give me a gallon of waterin a week. --Well, this is a very silly letter! But you must takethe will for the deed. Adieu, my dear Lord! Your most faithfulservant. 

(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, whenone's errors are pointed out to one in so obliging and masterly amanner. Whatever opinion I may have of Shakspeare, I shouldthink him to blame, if he could have seen the letter you havedone me the honour to -write to me, and yet not conform to therules you have there laid down. When he lived, there had notbeen a Voltaire both to give laws to the stage, and to show onwhat good sense those laws were founded. Your art, Sir, goesstill farther: for you have supported your arguments, withouthaving recourse to the best authority, your own words. It was Myinterest perhaps to defend barbarism and irregularity. A greatgenius is in the right, on the contrary, to show that whencorrectness, nay, when perfection is demanded, he can stillshine, and be himself, whatever fetters are imposed on him. ButI will say no more on this head; for I am neither so unpolishedas to tell you to your face how much I admire you, nor, though Ihave taken the liberty to vindicate Shakspeare against yourcriticisms, am I vain enough to think myself an adversary worthyof you. I am much more proud of receiving laws from you, than ofcontesting them. It was bold in me to dispute with you evenbefore I had the honour of your acquaintance; it would beungrateful now when you have not only taken notice of me, butforgiven me. The admirable letter you have been so good as tosend me, is a proof that you are one of those truly great andrare men who know at once how to conquer and to pardon. 

I have made all the inquiry I could into the story of M. DeJumonville; and though your and our accounts disagree, I own I donot think, Sir, that the strongest evidence is in our favour. Iam told we allow he was killed by a party of our men, going tothe Ohio. Your countrymen say he was going with a flag of truce. The commanding officer of our party said M. De Jumonville wasgoing with hostile intentions; and that very hostile orders werefound after his death in his pocket. Unless that officer hadproved that he had previous intelligence of those orders, I doubthe will not be justified by finding them afterwards; for I am notat all disposed to believe that he had the foreknowledge of yourhermit, (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 twonations who have every thing in themselves to create happiness, and who may find enough in each other to love and admire. It isyour benevolence, Sir, and your zeal for softening the manners ofmankind; it is the doctrine of peace and amity which You preachwhich have raised my esteem for you even more than the brightnessof your genius. France may claim you in the latter light, butall nations have a right to call you their countryman du c`ot`edu coeur. It is on the strength of that connexion that I begyou, Sir, to accept the homage of, Sir, your most obedient humbleservant. (1040)

(1039) An allusion to the fable in Zadig, which is said to havebeen founded on Parnell's Hermit, but which was most probablytaken from one of the Contes Devots, "De l'Hermite qu'un angeconduisit dans le Si`ecle, " and of which a translation, or rathermodernization, is to be found in the fifth volume of Le Grandd'Aussy, Fabliaux (p. 165, ed. 1829). The original old Frenchversion has been printed by Meou, in his Nouveau Recueil deFabliaux 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, delire votre Richard Trois. Vous seriez un excellent attorneigeneral; vous pesez toutes les probabilit`es; mais il paroit quevous avez une inclination secrette pour ce bossu. Vous voulezqu'il ait `et`e beau gar`con, et m`eme galant homme. Leb`en`edictin Calmet a fait une dissertation pour prouver queJesus Christ avait un fort beau visage. Je veux croire avecvous, 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 lisantl'histoire des York et des Lancastre, et de bien d'autres, oncroit lire l'histoire des voleurs de grand chemin. Pour votreHenri Sept, il n'`etait que coupeur de bourses. Be a minister oran anti-minister, a lord or a philosopher, I will be, with anequal 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 Ihave been thinking of writing to you, but had not a penfull ofmatter. True, I have been in town, but I am more likely to learnnews here; where at least we have it like fish, that could notfind vent in London. I saw nothing there but the ruins of loo, Lady Hertford's cribbage, and Lord Botetourt, like patience on amonument, smiling in grief. He is totally ruined, and quitecharmed. Yet I heartily pity him. To Virginia he cannot beindifferent: he must turn their heads somehow or other. If hisgraces do not captivate them, he will enrage them to fury; for Itake all his douceur to be enamelled on iron. 

My life is most uniform and void of events, and has nothing worthrepeating. I have not had a soul with me, but accidental companynow and then at dinner. Lady Holderness, . Lady Ancram, LadyMary Coke, Mrs. Ann Pitt, and Mr. Hume, dined here the day beforeyesterday. They were but just gone, when George Selwyn, LordBolingbroke, and Sir William Musgrave, who had been atHampton-court, came in, at nine at night, to drink tea. Theytold me, what I was very glad to hear, and what I could notdoubt, as they had it from the Duke of Grafton himself, thatBishop Cornwallis(1041) goes to Canterbury. I feared it would be****; but it seems he had secured all the backstairs, and not thegreat stairs. As the last head of the church had been in themidwife line, I supposed Goody Lyttelton(1042) had hopes; and ashe had been president of an atheistical club, to be SureWarburton did not despair. I was thinking it would make a goodarticle in the papers, that three bishops had supped with NancyParsons at Vauxhall, in their way to Lambeth. I am sure ****, would have been of the number; and **** who told the Duke ofNewcastle, that if his grace had commanded the Blues at Minden, they would have behaved better, would make no scruple to cry upher chastity. 

The King of Denmark comes on Thursday; and I go to-morrow to seehim. It has cost three thousand pounds to new furnish anapartment 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 ownminister Dieden's. 

Augustus Hervey, thinking it the bel air, is going to sue for adivorce from the Chudleigh. (1043) He asked Lord Bolingbroket'other day, who was his proctor'! as he would have asked for histailor. The nymph has sent him word, that if he proves her hiswife he must pay her debts; and she owes sixteen thousand pounds. This obstacle thrown in the way, looks as if she was not sure ofbeing Duchess of Kingston. The lawyers say, it will be no validplea; it not appearing that she was Hervey's wife, and thereforethe tradesmen could not reckon on his paying them. 

Yes, it is my Gray, Gray the poet, who is made professor ofmodern history, and I believe it is worth five hundred a-year. Iknew nothing of it till I saw it in the papers; but believe //itwas Stonehewer that obtained it for him. (1044)

Yes, again; I use a bit of alum half as big as my nail, Once ortwice a-week, and let it dissolve in my mouth. I should notthink that using it oftener could be prejudicial. You shouldinquire; but as you are in more hurry than I am, you shouldcertainly use it oftener than I do. I wish I could cure my LadyAilesbury too. Ice-water has astonishing effect on my stomach, and removes all pain like a charm. Pray, though the one's teethmay not be so white as formerly, nor t'other look in perfecthealth, let the Danish King see such good specimens of the lastage--though, by what I hear, he likes nothing but the verypresent age. However, sure you will both come and look at him:not that I believe he is a jot better than the apprentices thatflirt 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 mystairs, that are come to see the house; Margaret is chattering, and the dogs barking; and this I call retirement! and yet I thinkit preferable to your visit at Becket. Adieu! Let me knowsomething more of your motions before you go to Ireland, which Ithink a strange journey, and better compounded for: and when Isee you in town I will settle with you another visit toPark-place. Yours ever. 

(1041) The Hon. Frederick Cornwallis, seventh son of Charlesfourth Baron Cornwallis, was translated from the see of Lichfieldand Coventry to that of Canterbury, on the death of ArchbishopSecker. -E. 

(1042) Bishop of Carlisle. He died in December following; uponwhich event, Warburton wrote to Dr. Hurd--"A bishop, more orless, in the world, is nothing; and perhaps of as small accountin the next. I used to despise him for his antiquarianism, butof late, since I grow old and dull myself, I cultivated anacquaintance with him for the sake of what formerly kept usasunder. "-E. 

(1043) On the 8th of March, 1769, the lady publicly espousedEvelyn Pierrepoint. , Duke of Kingston; for which offence she wasimpeached before the House of Peers, and the marriage declaredillegal. She subsequently retired to the continent, where shedied in 1788. -E. 

(1044) The following is Gray's own account, in a letter of the1st of August:--"I write chiefly to tell you, that on Sundayse'nnight Brocket died by a fall from his horse, being, as Ihear, drunk: that on the Wednesday following I received a letterfrom the Duke of Grafton, saying he had the King's command tooffer me the vacant professorship; and he adds, that from privateas well as public considerations, he must take the warmest partin approving so well-judged a measure, etc. There's for you!"--In a letter to Dr. Beattie, of the 31st of October, he says--"Itis the best thing the Crown has to bestow (on a layman) here; thesalary is four hundred pounds per annum; but what enhances thevalue 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, notonly 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 solong ago, and you did not accept my bill; and now it is payableat such short notice, that as I cannot find Mr. Chute, nor knowwhere he is, whether at your brother's or the Vine, I think I hadbetter defer my visit till the autumn, when you say you will beless hurried, and more at leisure. I believe I shall go toRagley beginning of September, and possibly on to LordStrafford's, and therefore I may call on you, if it will not beinconvenient to you, on my return. 

I came to town to see the Danish King. He is as diminutive as ifhe 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 anddelicate, it is not at all ugly, yet has a strong cast of thelate King, and enough of the late Prince of Wales to put one uponone's guard not to be prejudiced in his favour. Still he hasmore royalty than folly in his air; and, considering he is nottwenty, is as well as one expects any king in a puppet-show tobe. He arrived on Thursday, supped and lay at St. James's. Yesterday evening he was at the Queen's and Carlton-house, and atnight at Lady Hertford's assembly. He only takes the title ofaltesse, an absurd mezzotermine, but acts king exceedingly;struts in the circle like a cock-sparrow, and does the honours ofhimself very civilly. There is a favourite too, who seems acomplete jackanapes; a young fellow called Holke, well enough inhis figure, and about three-and-twenty, but who will be tumbleddown long before he is prepared for it. Bernsdorff, aHanoverian, his first minister, is a decent sensible man; I pityhim, though I suppose he is envied. From Lady Hertford's theywent to Ranelagh, and to-night go to the opera. There had liketo have been an untoward circumstance: the last new opera in thespring, which was exceedingly pretty, was called "I ViaggiatoriRidicoli, " and\ they were on the point of acting it for thisroyal traveller. 

I am sure you are not sorry that Cornwallis is archbishop. He isno hypocrite, time-server, nor high-priest. I little expected sogood 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 noticeof my letter, I am bound in conscience and gratitude to try toamuse you with any thing new. A royal visiter, quite fresh, is areal curiosity--by the reception of him, I do not think many moreof the breed will come hither. He came from Dover inhackney-chaises; for somehow or other the master of the horsehappened to be in Lincolnshire; and the King's coaches havingreceived no orders, were too good subjects to go and fetch astranger King of their own heads. However, as his Danish Majestytravels to improve himself for the good of his people, he will goback extremely enlightened in the arts of government andmorality, by having learned that crowned heads may be reduced toride in a hired chaise. 

By another mistake, King George happened to go to Richmond aboutan hour before King Christiern arrived in London. An hour Isexceedingly long; and the distance to Richmond Still longer: sowith all the despatch that could possibly be made, King Georgecould 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 ofDenmark's apartment on t'other side of the palace is about thirtymiles, which posterity, having no conception of the prodigiousextent and magnificence of St. James's, will never believe, itwas half an hour after three before his Danish Majesty's couriercould go, and return to let him know that his good brother andally was leaving the palace in which they both were, in order toreceive him at the Queen's palace, which you know is about amillion of snail's paces from St. James's. Notwithstanding thesedifficulties and unavoidable delays, Woden, Thor, Fria, and allthe gods that watch over the Kings of the North, did bring thesetwo invincible monarchs to each other's embraces about half anhour after five that same evening. They passed an hour inprojecting a family compact that will regulate the destiny ofEurope to latest posterity: and then, the Fates so willing it, the British Prince departed for Richmond, and the Danishpotentate repaired to the widowed mansion of his royalmother-in-law, where he poured forth the fulness of his heart inpraises on the lovely bride she had bestowed on him, from whomnothing but the benefit of his subjects could ever have torn him. And here let Calumny blush, who has aspersed so chaste andfaithful a monarch with low amours; pretending that he has raisedto the honour of a seat in his sublime council, an artisan ofHamburgh, known only by repairing the soles of buskins, becausethat mechanic would, on no other terms, consent to his fairdaughter's being honoured with majestic embraces. So victoriousover his passions is this young Scipio from the Pole, that thoughon Shooter's-hill he fell into an ambush laid for him by anillustrious Countess, of blood-royal herself, his Majesty, afterdescending from his car, and courteously greeting her, againmounted his vehicle, without being one moment eclipsed from theeyes of the surrounding multitude. Oh! mercy on me! I am out ofbreath--pray let me descend from my stilts, or I shall send youas 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. Hehas 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 oftravelling for I cannot say he takes notice of any thing inparticular. His manner is cold and dignified, but very civil andgracious and proper. The mob adore him and huzza him; and sothey 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 ofthe week I do not doubt but they will want to choose him forMiddlesex. His court is extremely well ordered; for they bow aslow to him at every word as if his name was Sultan Amurat. Youwould take his first minister for only the first of his slaves. I hope this example, which they have been so good as to exhibitat the opera, will contribute to civilize us. There is indeed apert young gentleman, who a little discomposes this augustceremonial. His name is Count Holke, his age three-and-twentyand his post answers to one that we had formerly in England, manyages ago, and which in our tongue was called the lord highfavourite. Before the Danish monarchs became absolute, the mostrefractory of that country used to write libels, called NorthDanes, against this great officer; but that practice has longsince ceased. Count Holke seems rather proud of his favour, thanshy of displaying it. 

I hope, my dear lord, you will be content with my Danishpolitics, for I trouble myself with no other. There is a longhistory about the Baron de Bottetourt and Sir Jeffery Amherst, who has resigned his regiment but it is nothing to me, nor do Icare a straw about it. I am deep in the anecdotes of the newcourt; and if you want to know more of Count Holke or CountMolke, 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 CountBernsdorff, or out of all shape in the person of the Duchess ofNorthumberland, is to conduct Telemachus to York races; for can amonarch be perfectly accomplished in the mysteries of king-craft, as our Solomon James I. Called it, unless he is initiated in thearts of jockeyship? When this northern star travels towards itsown sphere, Lord Hertford will go to Ragley. I shall go withhim; and, if I can avoid running foul of the magi that will bethronging from all parts to worship that star, I will endeavourto call at Wentworth Castle for a day or two, if it will not beinconvenient; I should think it would be about the second week inSeptember, but your lordship shall hear again, unless you shouldforbid me, who am ever Lady Strafford's and your lordship's mostfaithful 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 theDuke of Bedford, who, as George Selwyn says, is going to be madea mamamouchi. Your brother sets out for Ragley on Wednesdaynext, and that day I intend to be at Park--place, and from thenceshall 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 callon George Montagu on my return, so as to be at home in afortnight, an infinite absence in my account. I wish you couldjoin in with any part of this progress, before you go to worshipthe treasures that are pouring in upon your daughter by the oldDamer's death. (1046)

You ask me about the harvest--you might as well ask me about thefunds. I thought the land flowed with milk and honey. We havehad forty showers, but they have not lasted a minute each; and asthe 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 readsuch things. I am happy to have nothing to do with them, andglad you have not much more. When one can do no good, I have nonotion of sorrowing oneself for every calamity that happens ingeneral. One should lead the life of a coffee-house politician, the most real patriots that I know, who amble out every morningto gather matter for lamenting over their country. I leave mine, like the King of Denmark, to ministers and Providence; the latterof which, like an able chancellor of the exchequer to an ignorantor idle first lord, luckily does the business. That little Kinghas had the gripes, which have addled his journey to York. Iknow nothing more of his motions. His favourite is fallen inlove with Lady Bel Stanhope, (1047) and the monarch himselfdemanded her for him. The mother was not averse, but Lady Belvery sensibly refused--so unfortunate are favourites the instantthey set their foot in England! He is jealous ofSackville, (1048) and says, "ce gros noir n'est pas beau;" whichimplies 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 thefirst 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, Ithink I must break off all acquaintance with you, unless I canfind some way of returning them. The print of the Countess ofExeter Is the greatest present to me in the world. I have beentrying for years to no purpose to get one. Reynolds the painterpromised to beg one for me of a person he knows, but I have neverhad it. I wanted it for four different purposes. 1. As agrandmother (in law, by the Cranes and Allingtons): 2. For mycollection of heads: 3. For the volumes of prints after pieces inmy collection: and, above all, for my collection of Faithornes, which though so fine, wanted such a capital print: and to thislast I have preferred it. I give you unbounded thanks for it:and yet I feel exceedingly ashamed to rob you. The print of JaneShore I had: but as I have such various uses for prints I easilybestowed it. It is inserted in my Anecdotes, where her pictureis mentioned. 

Thank you, too, for all your notices. I intend next summer toset about the last volume of my Anecdotes, and to make stillfurther additions to my former volumes, in which these notes findtheir place. I am going to reprint all my pieces together, and, to my shame be it spoken, find they will at least make two largequartos. You, I know, will be partial enough to give them aplace on a shelf, but as I doubt many persons will not be sofavourable, I Only think of leaving the edition behind me. 

Methinks I should like for your amusement and my own, that yousettled 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 meknow on which you fix; and if you do fix this summer, rememberthe hopes you have given me of a visit. My summer, that is, myfixed residence here, lasts till November. My gallery is notonly finished, but I am going on with the round chamber at theend of it; and am besides playing with the little garden on theother side of the road, which was old Franklin's, and by hisdeath came into my hands. When the round tower is finished, Ipropose to draw up a description and catalogue of the whole houseand collection, and I think you will not dislike lending me yourassistance. 

Mr. Granger, (1049) of Shiplake, is printing his laborious andcurious Catalogue of English heads, with an accurate thoughsuccinct account of almost all the persons. It will be a veryvaluable and useful work, and I heartily wish may succeed; thoughI have some fears. There are of late a small number of personswho collect English heads but not enough to encourage such awork: I hope the anecdotic part will make it more known andtasted. It is essential to us, who shall love the performance, that it should sell: for he prints no farther at first than tothe end of the first Charles: and, if this part does not sellwell, 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. Ido not compare it with Dr. Robertson's writings, who has anexcellent genius, with admirable style and manner; and yet Icannot help thinking, that there is a good deal of Scotch puffingand partiality, when the booksellers have given the Doctor threethousand pounds for his Life of Charles V. , for composing whichhe does not pretend to have obtained any new materials. 

I am going into Warwickshire; and I think shall go on to LordStrafford'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 ofthe ball at Welbeck. I shall not be able to repay it with arelation of the masquerade to-night;(1050) for I have beenconfined here this week with the gout in my foot, and have notstirred off my bed or couch since Tuesday. I was to have gone tothe great ball at Sion on Friday, for which a new road, paddock, and bridge were made, as other folks make a dessert. Iconclude Lady Mary Coke has, and will tell you of all thesepomps, which Health thinks so serious, and Sickness with hergrave face tells one are so idle. Sickness may make me moralize, but I assure you she does not want humour. She has diverted meextremely with drawing a comparison between the repose (to callneglect by its dignified name) which I have enjoyed in this fit, and the great anxiety in which the whole world was when I had thelast gout, three years ago--you remember my friends were thencoming into power. Lord Weymouth was so good as to call at leastonce every day, and inquire after me; and the foreign ministersinsisted that I should give them the satisfaction of seeing me, that they might tranquillize their sovereigns with the certaintyof My not being in any danger. The Duke and Duchess of Newcastlewere So kind, though very nervous themselves, as to sendmessengers and long messages every day from Claremont. I cannotsay this fit has alarmed Europe quite so much. I heard the bellring at the gate, and asked with much majesty if it was the Dukeof 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 underthe 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 Imight choose their dresses!

'When I have the honour of seeing Lady Strafford, I shall beseechher to tell me all the news: for I am too nigh and too far toknow any. Adieu, my dear Lord!

(1050) A masquerade given at the Opera-house by the King ofDenmark; one of the most magnificent which had ever been given inEngland. The jewels worn on the occasion by the maskers wereestimated 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 muchbeforehand. I have been laid up with a fit of the gout in bothfeet and a knee; at Strawberry for an entire month, and eightdays here: I took the air for the first time the day beforeyesterday, and am, considering, surprisingly recovered by theassistance of the bootikins and my own perseverance in drinkingwater. I moulted my stick to-day, and have no complaint butweakness left. The fit came just in time to augment my felicityin having quitted Parliament. I do not find it so uncomfortableto grow old, when One is not obliged to expose oneself in public. 

I neither rejoice nor am sorry at your being accommodated in yournew habitation. It has long been plain to me that you choose tobury yourself in the ugliest spot you can find, at a distancefrom almost all your acquaintance; so I give it up; and then I amglad you are pleased. 

Nothing is stirring but politics, and chiefly the worst kind ofpolitics, elections. I trouble myself with no sort, but seek topass what days the gout leaves me or bestows on me, as quietly asI can. I do not wonder at others, because I doubt I am moresingular than they are; and what makes me happy would probablynot make them so. My best compliments to your brother; I shallbe glad to see you both when you come; though for you, you don'tcare how little time you pass with your friends. Yet I am, andever 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, thatI am vexed our intimacy should be reduced almost to thoseletters. It is selfish to complain, when you give me such goodreasons for your system: but I grow old; and the less time wehave to live together, the more I feel a separation from a personI love so well; and that reflection furnishes me with argumentsin vindication of my peevishness. Methinks, though the contraryis true in practice, prudence should be the attribute of youth, not of years. When we approach to the last gate of life, whatdoes it signify to provide for new furnishing one's house? Youthshould have all those cares; indeed, charming youth is betteremployed. It leaves foresight to those that have little occasionfor 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 seenof it, and luckily we can smile both, for we have quitted itwillingly, not from disgust nor mortifications. However, I donot pretend to combat your reasons, much less would I draw you totown a moment sooner than it is convenient to you, though I shallnever forget your offering it. Nay, it is not so much in townthat I wish we were nearer, as in the country. Unless one livesexactly in the same set of company, one is not much the betterfor one's friends being in London. I that talk of giving up theworld, have only given up the troubles of it, as far as that ispossible. I should speak more properly in saying, that I haveretired out of the world into London. I always intend to placesome months between me and the moroseness of retirement. We arenot made for Solitude. It gives us prejudices, it indulges us inour own humours, and at last we cannot live without them. 

My gout is quite gone; and if I had a mind to disguise itsremains, I could walk very gracefully, except on going downstairs. Happily, it is not the fashion to hand any body; thenymph and I should soon be at the bottom. 

Your old cousin Newcastle is going; he has had a stroke of thepalsy, and they think will not last two days. (1051) I hope he isnot sensible, as I doubt he would be too averse to his situation. Poor man! he is not like my late amiable friend, LadyHervey;(1052) two days before She died, she wrote to her SonBristol these words: "I feel my dissolution coming on, but I haveno pain; what can an old woman desire more?" This was consonantto her usual propriety--yes, propriety IS grace, and thus everybody may be graceful, when other graces are fled. Oh! but youwill cry, is not this a contradiction to the former part of yourletter? Prudence is one of the graces of age;-why--yes, I do notknow 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 onlylike that one of the graces that hides her face. In Short, Ihave ever been so imprudent, that though I have much correctedmyself, I am not at all vain of such merit. I have purchased itfor much more than it was worth. I wish you joy of LordGuildford's amendment; and always take a full part in yoursatisfaction 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 thesixty-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 butone. The ground-story is built, and the side walls willcertainly be raised another floor, before you think of arriving. I fear nothing for you but the noise of workmen, and of thisstreet in front and Picadilly on the other side. If you can bearsuch a constant hammering and hurricane, it will rejoice me tohave you so near me; and then I think I must see you oftener thanI have done these ten years. Nothing can be more dignified thanthis position. From my earliest memory Arlington-street has beenthe ministerial street. The Duke of Grafton is actually cominginto the house of Mr. Pelham, which my Lord president isquitting, and which occupies too the ground on which my fatherlived; and Lord Weymouth has just taken the Duke of Dorset's; yetyou and I, I doubt, shall always live on the wrong side of theway. 

Lord Chatham is reconciled to Lord Temple and GeorgeGrenville. (1053) The second is in great spirits on the occasion;and yet gives out that Lord Chatham earnestly solicited it. Theinsignificant Lepidus patronizes Antony, and is sued to byAugustus! Still do I doubt whether Augustus will ever come forthagain. Is this a peace patched up by Livia for the sake of herchildren, seeing the imbecility of her husband? or is Augustusto own he has been acting changeling, like the first Brutus, fornear two years? I do not know, I remain in doubt. 

Wilkes has struck an artful stroke. (1054) The ministers, devoidof all management in the House of Commons, consented that heshould be heard at the bar of the House, and appointed to-morrow, forgetting the election for Middlesex is to come on nextThursday: one would think they were impatient to advance riots. Last Monday Wilkes demanded to examine Lord Temple: when that wasgranted, he asked for Lord Sandwich and Lord March. As the firsthad not been refused, the others could not. The Lords wereadjourned 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 theothers desire to be excused, it will be difficult for the Lordsto know what to do. Sandwich is frightened out of hissenses, (1055) and March does not like it. Well! this will cureministers 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 onthe Cumberland election between Sir James Lowther and the Duke ofPortland. Oh! how delightful and comfortable to be sittingquietly here a scribbling to you, perfectly indifferent aboutboth houses! You will Just escape having your brains beaten out, by not coming this fortnight. The Middlesex election will beover. Adieu! Yours ever. 

(1053) Through the mediation of their mutual friend, Mr. Calcraft, a reconciliation between Lord Chatham and Earl Templetook 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 apetition to the House of Commons, praying for a redress of hisgrievances. -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 wasexamined 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 quiteforgot that we have had a rebellion; at least, the Duke ofBedford says so. Six or eight hundred merchants, English, Dutch, Jews, Gentiles, had been entreated to protect the Protestantsuccession, and consented. (1056) They set out on Wednesday noonin their coaches and chariots, chariots not armed with scytheslike our Gothic ancestors. At Temple-bar they met severalregiments of foot dreadfully armed with mud, who discharged asleet of dirt on the royal troop. Minerva, who had forgotten herdreadful Egis, and who, in the shape of Mr. Boehm, carried theaddress, was forced to take shelter under a Cloud in Nando'scoffeehouse, being more afraid of Buckhorse than ever Venus wasof Diomed; in short, it was a dismal day; and if Lord Talbot hadnot recollected the patriot feats of his youth, (1057) andrecommenced bruiser, I don't know but the Duchess ofKingston, (1058) who has so long preserved her modesty, from bothher husbands, might not have been ravished in the drawing-room. Peace is at present restored, and the rebellion adjourned to thethirteenth of April; when Wilkes and Colonel Luttrell are tofight a pitched battle at Brentford, the Phillippi of antoninus. Tityre, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fogi, know nothing ofthese broils. You don't convert your ploughshares intofalchions, nor the mud of Adderbury into gunpowder. I tremble formy painted windows, and write talismans of number forty-five onevery gate and postern of my castle. Mr. Hume is writing theRevolutions of Middlesex, and a troop of barnacle geese arelevied 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 awittenagemoot on horseback at Newmarket. Lord Chatham, we aretold, is to come forth after the holidays and place himself atthe head of the discontented. When I see it I shall believe it. Lord Frederick Campbell is, at last, to be married this eveningto the Dowager-countess of Ferrers. (1059) The Duchess of Graftonis 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 acavalcade of the merchants and tradesmen of the city of London, who were proceeding to St. James's with a loyal address, was somaltreated by the populace, that Mr. Boehm, the gentleman to whomthe address was entrusted, was obliged to take refuge in Nando'scoffeehouse. His coach was rifled; but the address escaped thesearch of the rioters, and was, after considerable delay, duringwhich a second had been voted and prepared, eventually presentedat St. James's. -E. 

(1057) Lord Talbot behaved with great intrepidity upon thisoccasion: though he had his staff of office broken in his hand, and was deserted by his servants, he secured two of the mostactive of the rioters. His example recalled the military totheir duty, who, without employing either guns or bayonets, captured fifteen more. -E. 

(1058) The Duke of Kingston had married Miss Chudleigh on the 8thof this instant; the Consistory Court of London having declared, on the 11th of February previous, that the lady was free from anymatrimonial contract with the Hon. Augustus John Hervey. On the19th, she was presented, upon her marriage, to their Majesties;who honoured her by wearing her favours, as did all the greatofficers of state. -E. 

(1059) See vol. Iii. P. 58, letter 24. This unfortunate lady wasburnt to death at Lord Frederick's seat at Combe Bank, in July1807. -E. 

(1060) Lady Anne Liddel, only daughter of Henry Liddel, LordRavensworth, married, in 1756, to Augustus Henry, third Duke ofGrafton; from whom being divorced by act of parliament, she wasmarried 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 amheartily grieved for the vacancy that has happened in your mouth, though you describe it so comically. As the only physic Ibelieve in is prevention, you shall let me prescribe to you. Usea little bit of alum twice or thrice in a week, no bigger thanhalf your nail, till it has all dissolved in your mouth, and thenspit out. This has fortified my teeth, that they are as strongas the pen of Junius. (1061) I learned it of Mrs. Grosvenor, whohad not a speck in her teeth to her death. For your othercomplaints, I revert to my old sermon, temperance. If you willlive in a hermitage, methinks it is no great addition to livelike a hermit. Look in Sadeler's prints, they had beards down totheir 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 withinten miles, shed my skin after the gout, and am as lively as aneel in a week after. Mr. Chute, who has drunk no more wine thana fish, grows better every year. He has escaped this winter withonly a little pain in one hand. Consider that the physiciansrecommended wine, and then can you doubt of its being poison?Medicines may cure a few acute distempers, but how should theymend a broken constitution? they would as soon mend a brokenleg. Abstinence and time may repair it, nothing else can; forwhen time has been employed to spoil the blood, it cannot bepurified in a moment. 

Wilkes, who has been chosen member of Parliament almost as oftenas Marius was consul, was again re-elected on Thursday. TheHouse of Commons, who are as obstinate as the county, have againrejected him. To-day they are to instate Colonel Luttrell in hisplace. (1062) What is to follow I cannot say, but I doubtgrievous commotions. Both sides seem so warm, that it Will bedifficult for either to be in the right. This is not a merrysubject, and therefore I will have done with it. If it comes toblows, I intend to be as neutral as the gentleman that was goingout with his hounds the morning of Edgehill. I have seen toomuch of parties to list with any of them. 

You promised to return to town, but now say nothing of it. Youhad better come before a passport is necessary: Adieu!

(1061) The Letters of Junius, the first of which appeared on the21st of January, were now in course of publication, and excitinggreat attention, not only in this country, but, as it would seem, also in France: "On parle ici beaucoup de votre `ecrit deJunius, " writes Madame du Deffand to Walpole. -E. 

(1062) Wilkes, having been expelled the House of Commons on the3d of February 1769, was a third time elected for Middlesex onthe 16th of March. On the 17th, the election was declared by theHouse to be null and void, and a new writ was ordered to beissued. On the day of election, the 13th of April, Wilkes, Luttrell, and Serjeant Whitaker presented themselves ascandidates, when the former, having a majority, was declared dulyelected. On the 14th, this election was pronounced void, and onthe 15th Henry Laws Luttrell, Esq. Was duly elected, by 197against 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 yourhumours. Then something happens with which I can divert you, andmy good-humour returns. Did not you say you should return toLondon long before this time? At least, could you not tell me youhad changed your mind? why am I to pick it out from your absenceand silence, as Dr. Warburton found a future state in Moses'ssaying nothing of the matter! I could go on with a chapter ofsevere interrogatories, but I think it more cruel to treat You asa hopeless reprobate; yes, you are graceless, and as I have arespect for my own scolding, I shall not throw it away upon you. 

Strawberry has been in great glory; I have given a festino therethat will almost mortgage it. Last Tuesday all France dinedthere: Monsieur and Madame du Chatelet, (1063) the Duc deLiancourt, (1064) three more French ladies, whose names you willfind in the enclosed paper, eight other Frenchmen, the Spanishand Portuguese ministers, the Holdernesses, Fitzroys, in short wewere four-and-twenty. They arrived at two. At the gates of thecastle I received them, dressed in the cravat of Gibbons'scarving, and a pair of gloves embroidered up to the elbows thathad belonged to James the First. The French servants stared, andfirmly believed this was the dress of English country gentlemen. After taking a survey of the apartments, we went to theprinting-house, where I had prepared the enclosed verses, withtranslations by Monsieur de Lille, (1065) one of the company. Themoment they were printed off, I gave a private signal, and Frenchhorns and clarionets accompanied this compliment. We then wentto see Pope's grotto and garden, and returned to a magnificentdinner in the refectory. In the evening we walked, had tea, coffee, and lemonade in the gallery, which was illuminated with athousand, or thirty candles, I forgot which, and played at whistand loo till midnight. Then there was a cold supper, and at onethe 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 whatthey called a ridotto el fresco at Vauxhall, (1066) for which onepaid half-a-guinea, though, except some thousand more lamps and acovered passage all round the garden, which took off from thegardenhood, there was nothing better than on a common night. Mr. Conway and I set out from his house at eight o'clock; the lineand torrent of coaches was so prodigious, that it washalf-an-hour after nine before we got half-way from Westminster-bridge. We then alighted; and after scrambling under bellies ofhorses, through wheels, and over posts and rails, we reached thegardens, where were already many thousand persons. Nothingdiverted me but a man in a Turk's dress and two nymphs inmasquerade without masks, who sailed amongst the company, and, which was surprising seemed to surprise nobody. It had beengiven out that people were desired to come in fancied dresseswithout masks. We walked twice round and were rejoiced to comeaway, though with the same difficulties as at our entrance; forwe found three strings of coaches all along the road, who did notmove half a foot in half-an-hour. There is to be a rival mob inthe same way at Ranelagh to-morrow; for the greater the folly andimposition the greater is the crowd. I have suspended thevestimenta that were torn off my back to the god of repentance, and shall stay away. Adieu! I have not a word more to say toyou. Yours ever. 

P. S. I hope you will not regret paying a shilling for thispacket. 

(1063) Le Marquis du Chatelet, was son to la Marquise duChatelet, the commentator upon Newton, and the Am`elie ofVoltaire. The scandalous chronicles of the time accord to thephilosopher 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 ofthe Revolution, his conduct was much blamed by those attached tothe court. He eventually emigrated to England, and, afterresiding here some time, visited America, and published anaccount of his travels in that country. In 1799, after the 19thBrumaire, he returned to France. He died in March 1827, in hiseightieth year. -E. 

(1065) M. De Lille was an officer of the French cavalry, anagreeable man in society, and author of several pretty balladsand vers de soci`et`e. 

(1066) "They went to the Ridotto-'tis a hallWhere 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 isAs 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 hadfixed yourself. Mr. Gray tells me you are still at Waterbeche. Mr. Granger has published his Catalogue of Prints and Lives downto the Revolution;(1067) and as the work sells well, I believe, nay, do not doubt, we shall have the rest. There are a fewcopies printed but on one side of the leaf. As I know you lovescribbling in such books as well as I do, I beg you will give meleave to make you a present of one set. I shall send it in abouta week to Mr. Gray, and have desired him, as soon as he hasturned it over, to convey it to you. I have found a fewmistakes, and you will find more. To my mortification, though Ihave four thousand heads, I find, upon a rough calculation, thatI still want three or four hundred. 

Pray, give me some account of yourself, how you do, and whetheryou are fixed. I thought you rather inclined to Ely. Are wenever to have the history of that cathedral? I wish you wouldtell me that you have any thoughts of coming this way, or thatyou would make me a Visit this Summer. I shall be little fromhome this summer till August, when I think of going to Paris forsix weeks. To be sure you have seen the History of BritishTopography, (1068) which was published this winter, and it is adelightful book in our way. Adieu! dear Sir. Yours ever. 

(1067) A Biographical History of England, from Egbert the Greatto the Revolution. A continuation, bringing the work down fromthe Revolution to the end of George I. 's reign, was published in1806, by the Rev. Mark Noble. In a letter to Boswell, of the30th of August 1776, Dr. Johnson says--"I have read every word ofGranger's Biographical History. It has entertained meexceedingly, and I do not think him the Whig that you supposed. Horace Walpole being his patron is, indeed, no good sign of hispolitical principles; but he denied to Lord Mansfield that he wasa Whig, and said he had been accused by both parties ofpartiality. 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 Mountstuartwishes much to find a proper person to continue the work uponGranger's plan, and has desired I would mention it to you, ifsuch a man occurs, please to let me know. His lordship will givehim generous encouragement. "-E. 

(1068) By Richard Gough, the well-known antiquary. The secondedition, 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 Ilike 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 notmean to incommode you at Waterbeche; but, if you will come, Ipromise I will accompany you back as far as Cambridge: nay, carryyou on to Ely, for thither I am bound. The Bishop(1068) has senta Dr. Nichols to me, to desire I would assist him in a plan forthe east window of his cathedral, which he intends tobenefactorate with painted glass. The window is the mostuntractable of all Saxon uncouthness: nor can I conceive what todo with it, but by taking off the bottoms for arms and mosaic, splitting the crucifixion into three compartments, and fillingthe five lights at top with prophets, saints, martyrs, and suchlike; after shortening the windows like the great ones. This Ishall propose. However, I choose to see the spot myself, as itwill be a proper attention to the Bishop after his civility, andI really would give the best advice I could. The Bishop, likeAlexander VIII. , feels that the clock has struck half-an-hourpast eleven, and is impatient to be let depart in peace after hiseyes shall have seen his vitrification: at least, he is impatientto give his eyes that treat; and yet it will be a pity toprecipitate the work. If you can come to me first, I shall behappy; if not, I must come to you: that is, will meet you atCambridge. Let me know your mind, for I would not press youunseasonably. I am enough obliged to you already; though, bymistake, you think it is you that are obliged to me. I do notmean to plunder you of any more prints; but shall employ a littlecollector to get me all that are getable. The rest, the greatestof us all must want. 

I am very sorry for the fever you have had: but, Goodman Frog, ifyou will live in the fens, do not expect to be as healthy as ifyou were a fat Dominican at Naples. You and your MSS. Will allgrow mouldy. When our climate is subject to no sign but Aquariusand Pisces, would one choose the dampest country under theheavens! I do not expect to persuade you, and so I will say nomore. I wish you joy of the treasure you have discovered: sixSaxon bishops and a Duke of Northumberland!(1069) You have hadfine sport this season. Thank you much for wishing to see myname on a plate in the history. But, seriously, I have no suchvanity. I did my utmost to dissuade Mr. Granger from thededication, and took especial pains to get my virtues left out ofthe question; till I found he would be quite hurt if I did notlet him express his gratitude, as he called it: so, to satisfyhim, I was forced to accept of his present; for I doubt I havefew virtues but what he has presented me with; and in adedication, you know, One is permitted to have as many as theauthor can afford to bestow. I really have another objection tothe plate: which is, the ten guineas. I have so manydraughts on my extravagance for trifles, that I like better thanvanity, that I should not care to be at that expense. But Ishould think either the Duke or Duchess ofNorthumberland would rejoice at such an Opportunity of buyingincense; and I will tell you what you shall do. Write to Mr. Percy, and vaunt the discovery of Duke Brithnoth's bones, and askhim to move their graces to contribute a plate. They Could notbe so unnatural as to refuse; especially if the Duchess knew thesize of his thigh-bone. 

I was very happy to show civilities to your friends, and shouldhave asked them to stay and dine, but unluckily expected othercompany. Dr. Ewin seems a very good sort of man, and Mr. Rawlinson a very agreeable one. Pray do not think itwas 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, asthey mention so many persons I know; particularly myself. Ifound there, what I did not know, and what, I believe, Mr. Gray, (1070) himself never knew, that his ode on my cat waswritten to ridicule Lord Lyttelton's monody. It is just as trueas 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 tothe coffee-houses to learn news, ) was asked to contribute to afigure of himself that was to be beheaded by the mob. I doremember something like it, but it happened to myself. I met amob, just after my father was out, in Hanover-square, and droveup to it to know what was the matter. They were carrying about afigure of my sister. (1071) This probably gave rise to the otherstory. That on my uncle I never heard; but it Is a good story, and not at all improbable. I felt great pity on reading theseletters for the narrow circumstances of the author, and thepassion for fame that he was tormented with; and yet he had muchmore fame than his talents entitled him to. Poor man! he wantedto have all the world talk of him for the pretty place he hadmade; and which he seems to have made only that it might betalked 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 whenthe bell rings at the gate. It is as bad as keeping aninn, and I am often tempted to deny its being shown, if it wouldnot be ill-natured to those that come, and to my housekeeper. Iown, I was one day too cross, I hadbeen plagued all the week with staring crowds. Atlast, it rained a deluge. Well, saidI, at last, nobody will come to-day. The words were scarceuttered, when the bell rang. I replied, "Tell them they cannotpossibly see the house, but they are very welcome to walk in thegarden. "(1073) Observe; nothing above alludes to Dr. Ewin andMr. Rawlinson: I was not only much pleased with them, but quiteglad to show them how entirely you may command my house, and yourmost sincere friend and servant. 

(1068) Dr. Matthias Mawson, translated from Llandaff to the seeof Ely in 1754. He died in November 1770, in his eighty-seventhyear. His character was thus drawn, in 1749, by the Rev. W. Clarke:--"Our Bishop is a better sort of man than most of themitred order. He is, indeed, awkward, absent, etc. ; but then, hehas no ambition, no desire to please, and is privately munificentwhen the world thinks him parsimonious. He has given more to theChurch than all the bishops put together for almost acentury. "-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 tobe taken down behind the choir (at Ely], on which were paintedseven figures of six Saxon bishops, and a Duke, as he is called, of Northumberland, one Brithnoth; which painting I take to be asold as any we have in England--I guessed by seven arches in thewall, below the figures, that the bones of these sevenbenefactors to the old Saxon conventual church were reposited inthe wall under them: accordingly, we found seven separate holes, each with the remains of the Said persons, " etc. Etc. Mr. Coleproposed that Mr. Walpole should contribute an Engraving fromthis painting to the history of Ely Cathedral, a work about to bepublished, or to use his interest to induce the Duke ofNorthumberland to do so. 

(1070) "I have read, " says Gray, in a letter to Mr. Nicholls, "anoctavo volume of Shenstone's Letters. Poor man! he was alwayswishing for money, for fame, and other distinctions; and hiswhole philosophy consisted in living against his will inretirement, and in a place which his taste had adorned; but whichhe only enjoyed when people of note came to see and commend it:his correspondence is about nothing else but this place and hisown writings, with two or three neighbouring clergy, who wroteverses 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 wasintroduced by Shenstone, in his ferme orn`ee at the Leasowes;where, instead of surrounding his house with such a quantity ofornamental lawn or park Only, as might be consistent with thesize of the mansion or the extent of the property, his taste, rather than his ambition, led him to ornament the whole of hisestate; and in the vain attempt to combine the profits of a farmwith the scenery of a park, he lived under the continualmortification of disappointed hope; and with a mind exquisitelysensible, he felt equally the sneer of the great man at themagnificence of his attempts and the ridicule of the farmer atthe misapplication of his paternal acres. " Repton. -E. 

(1073) Walpole having complained of these intrusions on hisprivacy to Madame du Deffand, the lady replied: "Oh! vous n'`etespoint f`ach`e qu'on vienne voir votre chateau; vous ne l'avez pasfait singulier; vous ne l'avez pas rempli de choses precieuses, de raret`es; vous ne b`atissez pas un cabinet rond, dans lequelle lit est un trone, et o`u il n'y a que des tabourets, pour yrester seul oou ne recevoir que vos amis. Tout le monde a lesm`emes passions, les m`emes vertus, les m`emes vices; il n'y aque 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 daysexceedinglier; and longer exceedingliest; and I will carry youback to Cambridge on our pilgrirnage to Ely. But I should not atall like to be catched in the gloriesof an installation, and find myself a doctor, before I knew whereI was. It will be much more agreeable to find the whole caputasleep, digesting turtle, dreaming of bishoprics, and humming oldcatches of Anacreon, and scraps of Corelli. I wish Mr. Gray may not be set out for the north ; which israther the case than setting out forthe summer. We have no summers, I think, but what we raise, likepineapples, by fire. My bay is an absolute water-soochy, andteaches me how to feel for you. You are quite in the right tosell your fief in Marshland. I should be glad if you would takeone step more, and quit Marshland. We live, at least, on terrafirma in this part of the world, andcan saunter out without stilts. Item, we do not wade into pools, and callit going upon the water, and get sore throats. I trust yoursis better ; but I recollect this is not the first you havecomplained of. Pray be not incorrigible, but come to shore. 

Be so good as to thank Mr. Smith, my old tutor, for hiscorrections, If ever the Anecdotes are reprinted, I willcertainly profit of them. 

I joked, it is true, about Joscelin de Louvain(1074) and hisDuchess; but not at all in advising you to make Mr. Percy pimpfor the plate. On the contrary, I wish you success, and thinkthis an infallible method of obtaining the benefaction. It isright to lay vanity under contribution; for then both sides arepleased. 

It will not be easy for you to dine with Mr. Granger from hence, and return at night. It cannot be less than six orseven-and-twenty miles to Shiplake. But I go toPark-place to-morrow, which is within two miles of him, and Iwill try if I can tempt him to meet you here. Adieu!

(1074) The Duke of Northumberland. His grace having beenoriginally a baronet, Sir HughSmithson, and having married the daughter of Algernon Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Earl of Northumberland, in 1750 assumed thesurname and arms of Percy, and was created Duke of Northumberlandin 1766. Walpole's allusion is to his becoming a Percy bymarriage, as Joscelin had done before him: Agnes de Percy, daughter of William de Percy the third baron, having onlyconsented to marry Joscelin of Louvain, brother of QueenAdelicia, second wife of Henry I. , and son of Godfrey Barbatus, Duke of Lower Lorraine and Count of Brabant, who was descendedfrom the Emperor Charlemagne, upon his agreeing to adopt eitherthe 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 solong? Can I be so insensible to the honour or pleasure of youracquaintance When the advantage lies much on my side, am I likelyto alter the first? Oh, but it will last now! We have seenfriendships without number born and die. Ours was not formed oninterest, nor alliance; and politics, the poison of all Englishconnexions, never entered into ours. You have given me a newproof by remembering the chapel of Luton. I hear it is to bepreserved; and am glad of it, though I might have been the betterfor its ruins. 

I should have answered your lordship's last post, but was atPark-place. I think Lady Ailesbury quite recovered; though herillness has made such an impression that she does not yet believeit. 

It is so settled that we are never to have tolerable weather inJune, that the first hot day was on Saturday-hot by comparison:for I think it is three years since we have really felt the feelof summer. I was, however, concerned to be forced to come totown yesterday on some business; for, however the country feels, it looks divine, and the verdure we buy so dear is delicious. Ishall not be able, I fear, to profit of it this summer in theloveliest of all places, as I am to go to Paris in August. Butnext year I trust I shall accompany Mr. Conway and Lady Ailesburyto Wentworth Castle. I shall be glad to visit Castle Howard andBeverley; but neither would carry me so far, if Wentworth Castlewas not in the way. 

The Chatelets are gone, without any more battles with theRussians. (1075) The papers say the latter have been beaten bythe Turks;(1076) which rejoices me, though against all rules ofpolitics: but I detest that murderess, and like to have herhumbled. I don't know that this Piece Of news is true: it isenough to me that it is agreeable. I had rather take it forgranted, than be at the trouble of inquiring about what I have solittle to do with. I am just the same about the City and Surreypetitions. Since I have dismembered(1077) myself, it isincredible how cool I am to all politics. 

London is the abomination of desolation; and I rejoice to leaveit again this evening. Even Pam has not a lev`ee above once ortwice a week. Next winter, I suppose, it will be a fashion toremove into the city: for, since it is the mode to choosealdermen at this end of the town, the maccaronis will certainlyadjourn to Bishopsgate-street, for fear of being fined forsheriffs. Mr. James and Mr. Boothby will die of the thought ofbeing aldermen of Grosvenor-ward and Berkeley-square-ward. Adamand Eve in their paradise laugh at all these tumults, and havenot tasted of the tree that forfeits paradise; which I take tohave been the tree of politics, not of knowledge. How happy youare not to have your son Abel knocked on the head by his brotherCain at the Brentford election! You do not hunt the poor deerand hares that gambol around you. If Eve has a sin, I doubt itis angling;(1078) but as she makes all other creatures happy, Ibeg she would not Impale worms nor whisk carp out of one elementinto another. If she repents of that guilt, I hope she will liveas long as her grandson Methuselah. There is a commentator thatsays his life was protracted for never having boiled a lobsteralive. Adieu, dear couple, that I honour as much as I couldhonour my first grandfather and grandmother! Your most dutifulHor. Japhet. 

(1075) The Duc de Chatelet, the French ambassador, had affrontedComte Czernicheff, the Russian ambassador, at a ball at court, ona point of precedence, and a challenge ensued, but their meetingwas prevented. 

(1076) Before Choczim. The Russians were at first victorious;but, like the King of Prussia at the battle of Zorndorff, theydespatched the messenger with the news too soon; for the Turkshaving recovered their surprise, returned to the charge, andrepulsed the Russians with great slaughter. -E. 

(1077) Mr. Walpole means, since he quitted Parliament. 

(1078) Walpole's abhorrence of the pastime of angling has beenalready 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. Howparticular will content you? Don't imagine I would send you suchhash as the livery's petition. (1079) Come; would the apparitionof my Lord Chatham satisfy you? Don't be frightened; it was nothis ghost. He, he himself in propria persona, and not in a straitwaistcoat, came into the King's lev`ee this morning, and was inthe closet twenty minutes after the lev`ee; and was to go out oftown to-night again. (1080) The deuce is in it if this is notnews. Whether he is to be king, minister, lord mayor, oralderman, 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 hecame alone, like Almanzor, to storm it, I cannot tell: byBeckford's violence I should think the latter. I am soindifferent what he came for, that I shall wait till Sunday tolearn: when I lie in town on my way to Ely. You will probablyhear more from your brother before I can write again. I sendthis by my friend Mr. Granger, who will leave it at yourpark-gate as he goes through Henley home. Good-night! it is pasttwelve, and I am going to bed. Yours ever. 

(1079) The petition of the livery of London, complaining of theunconstitutional conduct of the King's ministers, and the unduereturn of Mr. Luttrell, when he Opposed Mr. Wilkes at theelection for Middlesex. 

(1080) In a letter to the Earl of Chatham, of the 11th, LordTemple says:--"Your reception at St. James's where I am glad youhave been, turns out exactly such as I should have expected--fullof the highest marks of regard to your lordship: full ofcondescension, and of all those sentiments of grace and goodnesswhich his Majesty can so well express. I think that you cannotbut be happy at the result of this experiment. " ChathamCorrespondence, 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 andperfectly contented with our expedition, and wonderfully obligedto you. Pray receive our thanks and barking; and pray say, andbark a great deal for us to Mr. And Mrs. Bentham, and all thatgood family. 

After gratitude, you know, always comes a little self-interest;for who would be at the trouble of being grateful, if he had nofurther expectations? Imprimis, then, here are the directionsfor Mr. Essex for the piers of my gates. Bishop Luda must not beoffended at my converting his tomb into a gateway. Many a saintand confessor, I doubt, will be glad soon to be passed through, as it will, at least, secure his being passed over. When I wasdirecting the east window at Ely, I recollected the lines ofPrior:--

"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 verylike poor Nell's mishap. (1082) ***** I will trouble you with nomore at present, but to get from Mr. Lort the name of the Norfolkmonster, and to give it to Jackson. Don't forget the list ofEnglish heads in Dr. Ewin's book for Mr. Granger; particularlythe Duchess of Chenreux. I will now release you, only adding mycompliments to Dr. Ewin, Mr. Tyson, Mr. Lort, Mr. Essex, and oncemore 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 thegateway, unintelligible without the sketch that accompanied theletter, 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; butwhen I sent you the list of heads I wanted, it was for Mr. Jackson, not at all meaning to rob you; but your generosity muchoutruns my prudence, and I must be upon my guard with you. TheCatherine Bolen was particularly welcome; I had never seen it--itis a treasure, though I am persuaded not genuine, but taken froma French print of the Queen of Scots, which I have. I wish youcould tell me from whence it was taken; I mean from what book: Iimagine the same in which are two prints, which Mr. Grangermentions, and has himself (with Italian inscriptions, too), of aDuke of Northumberland and an Earl of Arundel. Mr. BernardistonI never saw before--I do not know in what reign he lived--Isuppose lately: nor do I know the era of the Master of Benet. When I come back, I must beg you to satisfy these questions. TheCountess of Kent is very curious, too; I have lately got a verydirty one, so that I shall return yours again. Mrs. Wooley Icould 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 surethey will be very useful to me. I hope he will not forget me inOctober. It will be a good opportunity ofsending you some good acacias, or any thing you Want from hence. I am sure you ought to ask me for any thing inmy power, so much I am in your debt: I mustbeg to be a little more, by entreating you to pay Mr. Essexwhatever he asks for his drawing, which isjust what I wished. The iron gates I have. 

With regard to a history of Gothic architecture, in which hedesires my advices, the plan, I think, should lie in a verysimple compass. Was I to execute it, itshould be thus:--I would give a series ofplates, even from the conclusion of Saxon architecture, beginningwith the round Roman arch, and going on to show how theyplaistered and zigzagged it, and then how better ornaments creptin till the beautiful Gothic arrived at its perfection: then howit deceased in Henry the Eighth's reign--Abp. Wareham's tomb atCanterbury, being I believe the last example of unbastardizedGothic. A very few plates more would demonstrate its change:though Holbein embroidered it with some morsels of truearchitecture. In Queen Elizabeth's reign there was scarce anyarchitecture at all: I mean no pillars, or seldom, buildings thenbecoming quite plain. Under James a barbarous compositionsucceeded. A single plate of something of InigoJones, in his heaviest and worst style, should terminate thework; 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 shouldconsist of observations on the art, proportions, and method ofbuilding, and the reasons observed by the Gothic architects forwhat they did. This would show what great men theywere, and how they raised such aerial and stupendous masses;though unassisted by half the lights now enjoyed by theirsuccessors. The prices and the wages of workmen, andthe comparative value of money and provisions at the severalperiods, should be stated, as far as it is possible to getmaterials. 

The last part (I don't know whether it should not be the firstpart) nobody can do so well as yourself. This must be toascertain the chronological period of each building; and not onlyof each building but of each tomb, that shall be exhibited: foryou know the great delicacy and richness of Gothic ornaments wereexhausted on small chapels, oratories and tombs. For my ownpart, I should wish to have added detached samples of the variouspatterns of ornaments, which would not be a great many; as, excepting pinnacles, there is scarce one which does not branchfrom the trefoil; quadrefoils, cinquefoils, etc. Being butvarious modifications of it. I believe almost all theramifications of windows are so, and of them there should besamples, too. 

This work you see could not be executed by one hand; Mr. Tysoncould give great assistance. I wish the plan was drawn out, andbetter digested. This is a very rude sketch, and first thought. I should be very glad to contribute what little I know, and tothe expense too, which would be considerable; but I am sure wecould get assistance-and it had better not be undertaken thanexecuted superficially. Mr. Tyson's History of Fashions andDresses would make a valuable part of the work; as, in eldertimes especially, much must be depended on tombs for dresses. I have a notion the King might be inclined to encourage sucha work; and, if a proper plan was drawn out, for which I have nottime now, I would endeavour to get it laid before him, and hispatronage 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 organand yet if my insignificant name could carry it to one side, Iwould not scruple to lend it. (1084) Thank you, too, for St. Alban and Noailles. The very picture the latter describes was inmy father's collection, and is now at Worksop. I have scarceroom to crowd in my compliments to the good house of Bentham, andto say, yours ever. 

(1083) The Rev. Michael Tyson, of Bennet College, Cambridge. Hewas elected F. S. A. In 1768, and died in1780. He was greatly Esteemed by Mr. Gough, and is described as agood antiquary and a gentleman artist. He engraved a remarkableportrait of Jane Shore, some of the oldmasters of his college, and some of the noted characters in andabout Cambridge. -E. 

(1084) There was a dispute among the chapter at Ely respectingthe 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, whichis much longer ago than the Greek, you may perhaps have died inMedia, at Ecbatana, or in Chaldoea, and then to be sure I have noreason to take it ill that you have forgotten me. There is noPost between Europe and the Elysian fields, where I hope in theLord Pluto you are; and for the letters that are sent by Orpheus, Aeneas, Sir George Villiers, and such accidental passengers, tobe sure one cannot wonder if they miscarry. You might indeedhave sent one a scrawl by Fanny, as Cock-lane is not very distantfrom Arlington-street; but, when I asked her, she scratched theghost of a no, that made One's ears tingle again. If, contraryto all probability, you still be above ground, and if, which isstill more improbable, you should repent of your sins while youare yet in good health, and should go strangely further, andendeavour to make Atonement by writing to me again, I think itconscientiously right to inform you, that I am not inArlington-street, nor at Strawberry-hill, nor even in Middlesex;nay, not in England; I am--I am--guess where--not in Corsica, norat Spa--stay, I am not at Paris yet, but I hope to be there intwo days. In short, I am at Calais, having landed about twohours ago, after a tedious passage of nine hours. Having no soulwith me but Rosette, I have been amusing myself with the arrivalof a French officer and his wife in a berlin, which carried theirancestors to one of Moli`ere's plays: as Madame has no maid withher, she and Monsieur very prudently untied the trunks, anddisburthened the venerable machine of all its luggage themselves;and then with a proper resumption of their equality, Monsieurgave his hand to Madame, and conducted her in much ceremonythrough the yard to their apartment. Here ends the beginning ofmy letter; when I have nothing else to do, perhaps, I maycontinue it. You cannot have the confidence to complain, if Igive you no more than my moments perdus; have you deserved anybetter of me?

Saturday morning. 

Having just recollected that the whole merit of this letter willconsist in the Surprise, I hurry to finish it, and send it awayby the captain of the packet, who is returning. You may repay methis surprise by answering my letter, and by directing yours toArlington-street, from whence Mary will forward it to me. Youwill not have much time to consider, for I shall set out on myreturn from Paris the first of October, (1085) according to mysolemn promise to Strawberry; and you must know, I keep mypromises to Strawberry much better than you do. Adieu! Boulognehoy!

(1085) Mr. Walpole arrived at Paris on the 18th of august, andleft it on the 5th of October. On the 18th of July, Madame duDeffand had written to him--"Vous souhaitez que je vivequatre-vingt-huit ans; et pourquoi le souhaiter, si votre premiervoyage ici doit `etre le dernier'! Pour que ce souhait m'e`ut`et`e agr`eable, il falloit y ajouter, 'Je verrai encore bien desfois ma Petite, et je jouerai d'un bonheur qui n'`etoit r`eserv`equ'a moi, L'amiti`e la plus tendre, la plus sincere, et la plusconstants qu'il f`ut jamais. ' Adieu! mon plaisir est troubl`e, je l'avoue; je crains que ce ne soit un exc`es de complaisancequi 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 Ihave not had a moment's worth of time to write. My passage wasvery tedious, and lasted near nine hours for want of wind. But Ineed not talk of my journey; for Mr. Maurice, whom I met on theroad, will have told you that I was safe on terra firma. 

Judge of my surprise at hearing four days ago, that my LordDacre(1086) and my lady were arrived here. They are lodgedwithin a few doors of me. He is come to consult a DoctorPomme, (1087) who has prescribed wine, and Lord Dacre alreadycomplains of the violence of his appetite. If you and I hadpommed him to eternity, he would not have believed us. A manacross the sea tells him the plainest thing in the world; thatman happens to be called a doctor; and happening for novelty totalk 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 madwith age. When they ask her how old she is, she answers, "J'aisoixante et mille ans. " She and I went to the Boulevard lastnight after supper, and drove about there till two in themorning. We are going to sup in the country this evening, andare to go tomorrow night at eleven to the puppet-show. Aprot`eg`e of hers has written a piece for that theatre. I havenot yet seen Madame du Barri, nor can get to see her picture atthe exposition at the Louvre, the crowds are so enormous that gothither for that purpose. As royal curiosities are the leastpart of my virt`u, I wait with patience. Whenever I have anopportunity I visit gardens, chiefly with a view to Rosette'shaving a walk. She goes nowhere else, because there is adistemper among the dogs. 

There is going to be represented a translation of Hamlet: whowhen his hair is cut, and he is curled and powdered, I supposewill be exactly Monsieur le Prime Oreste. T'other night I was atM`erope. The Dumenil was as divine as Mrs. Porter; they said herfamiliar tones were those of a poisonni`ere. In the last act, when one expected the catastrophe, Narbas, more interested thanany body to see the event, remained coolly on the stage to hearthe story. The Queen's maid of honour entered without herhandkerchief, and with her hair most artfully undressed, andreeling as if she was maudlin, sobbed Out a long narrative, thatdid not prove true; while Narbas, with all the good breeding inthe world, was more attentive to her fright than to what hadhappened. So much for propriety. Now for probability. Voltairehas published a tragedy, called "Les Gu`e, bres. " Two Romancolonels open the piece: they are brothers, and relate to oneanother, how they lately in company destroyed, by the Emperor'smandate, a city of the Guebres, in which were their own wives andchildren: and they recollect that they want prodigiously to knowwhether both their families did perish in the flames. The son ofthe one and the daughter of the other are taken up for heretics, and, thinking themselves brother and sister, insist upon beingmarried, and upon being executed for their religion. The sonstabs his father, who is half a Gu`ebre, too. The high-priestrants and roars. The Emperor arrives, blames the pontiff forbeing a persecutor, and forgives the son for assassinating hisfather (who does not die) because--I don't know why, but that hemay marry his cousin. The grave-diggers in Hamlet have nochance, when such a piece as the Guebres is written agreeably toall rules and unities. Adieu, my dear Sir! I hope to find youquite well at my return. Yours ever. 

(1086) Thomas Barret Lennard, seventeenth Baron Dacre. Hislordship married Ann Maria, daughter of Sir John Pratt, lordchief-justice of the court of King's Bench. -E. 

(1087) At that time the fashionable physician of Paris. He wasoriginally from Arles, and attained his celebrity by curing theladies 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 answerthe article of business first. I could certainly buy many thingsfor you here, that you would like, the reliques of the last age'smagnificence; but, since my Lady Holderness invaded thecustom-house with a hundred and fourteen gowns, in the reign ofthat two-penny monarch George Grenville, the ports are soguarded, that not a soul but a smuggler can smuggle any thinginto England; and I suppose you would not care to payseventy-five per cent, on second-hand commodities. All Itransported three years ago, was conveyed under the canon of theDuke of Richmond. I have no interest in our presentrepresentative; nor if I had, is he returning. Plate, of allearthly vanities, is the most impassable: it is not Counerband inits metallic capacity, but totally so in its personal; and theofficers of the custom-house not being philosophers enough toseparate the substance from the superficies, brutally hammer bothto pieces, and return you only the intrinsic: a compensationwhich you, who are a member of Parliament, would not, I trow, besatisfied with. Thus I doubt you must retrench your generosityto yourself, unless you can contract into an Elzevir size, and becontent with any thing one can bring in one's pocket. 

My dear old friend was charmed with your mention of her, and mademe vow to return you a thousand compliments. She cannot conceivewhy you will not step hither. Feeling in herself no differencebetween the spirits of twenty-three and seventy-three, she thinksthere is no impediment to doing whatever one will but the want ofeyesight. If she had that, I am persuaded no consideration wouldprevent her making me a visit at Strawberry Hill. She makessongs, sings them, remembers all that ever were made; and, havinglived from the most agreeable to the most reasoning age, has allthat was amiable in the last, all that is sensible in this, without the vanity of the former, or the pedant impertinence ofthe latter. I have heard her dispute with all sorts of people, on all sorts of subjects, and never knew her in the wrong. Shehumbles the learned, sets right their disciples, and findsconversation for every body. Affectionate as Madame deS`evign`e, she has none of her prejudices, but a more universaltaste; and, with the most delicate frame, her spirits hurry herthrough a life of fatigue that would kill me, if I was tocontinue here. If we return by one in the morning from suppingin the country, she proposes driving to the Boulevard or to theFoire St. Ovide, because it is too early to go to bed. I hadgreat difficulty last night to persuade her, though she was notwell, not to sit up till' between two or three for the comet; forwhich purpose she had appointed an astronomer to bring histelescopes to the President Henault's, as she thought it wouldamuse me. In short, her goodness to me is so excessive, that Ifeel unashamed at producing my withered person in a round ofdiversions, which I have quitted at home. I tell a story; I dofeel ashamed, and sigh to be in my quiet castle and cottage; butit costs me many a Pang, when I reflect that I shall probablynever have resolution enough to take another journey to see thisbest and sincerest of friends, who loves me as much as my motherdid! but it is idle to look forward--what is next year?-a bubblethat may burst for her or me, before even the flying year canhurry to the end of its almanack! To form plans and projects insuch a precarious life as this, resembles the enchantedcastles"of fairy legends, in which every gate Was guarded bygiants, dragons, etc. Death or diseases bar every portal throughwhich we mean to pass; and, though we may escape them and reachthe last chamber, what a wild adventurer is he that centres hishopes at the end of such an avenue! I am contented with thebeggars of the threshold, and never propose going on, but as thegates open of themselves. 

The weather here is quite sultry, and I am sorry to say one cansend to the corner of the street and buy better peaches than allour expense in kitchen gardens produces. Lord and Lady Dacre area few doors from me, having started from Tunbridge more suddenlythan I did from Strawberry Hill, but on a more unpleasant motive. My lord was persuaded to come and try a new physician. His faithis greater than mine! but, poor man! can one wonder that he iswilling to believe? My lady has stood her shock, and I do notdoubt will get over it. 

Adieu, my t'other dear old friend! I am sorry to say I see youalmost as seldom as I do Madame du Deffand. However, it iscomfortable to reflect that we have not changed to each other forsome five-and-thirty years, and neither you nor I haggle aboutnaming so ancient a term. I made a visit yesterday to the Abbessof Panthemont, General Oglethorpe's niece, (1089) and no chicken. I inquired after her mother, Madame de Meziers, and I thought Imight to a spiritual votary to immortality venture to say, thather mother must be very old; she interrupted me tartly, and said, no, her mother had been married extremely young. Do but think ofits seeming important to a saint to sink a wrinkle of her ownthrough an iron grate! Oh, we are ridiculous animals; and ifanimals 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, theintendant of Rouen asked me, if we have roads of communicationall over England and Scotland'@--I suppose he thinks that ingeneral we inhabit trackless forests and wild mountains, and thatonce a year a few legislators come to Paris to learn the arts ofcivil life, as to sow corn, plant vines, and make operas. Ifthis letter should contrive to scramble through that desertYorkshire, where your lordship has attempted to improve a drearyhill and uncultivated vale, you will find I remember yourcommands of writing from this capital of the world, whither I amcome for the benefit of my country, and where I am intenselystudying those laws and that beautiful frame of government, whichcan alone render a nation happy, great, and flourishing; wherelettres de cachet soften manners, and a proper distribution ofluxury and beggary ensures a common felicity. As we have aprodigious number of students in legislature of both sexes hereat present, I will not anticipate their discoveries; but as yourparticular friend, will communicate a rare improvement on nature, which these great philosophers have made, and which would addconsiderable beauties to those parts which your lordship hasalready recovered from the waste, and taught to look a littlelike a Christian country. The secret is very simple, and yetdemanded the effort of a mighty genius to strike it out. It isnothing but this: trees ought to be educated as much as men, andare strange awkward productions when not taught to holdthemselves upright or bow on proper occasions. The academy debelles-lettres have even offered a prize for the man that shallrecover the long lost art of an ancient Greek, called le sieurOrph`ee, who instituted a dancing-school for plants, and gave amagnificent ball on the birth of the Dauphin of Thrace, which wasperformed entirely by forest-trees. In this whole kingdom thereis no such thing as seeing a tree that is not well-behaved. Theyare first stripped up and then cut down; and you would as soonmeet a man with his hair about his ears as an oak or ash. As theweather 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 soundlike a travelling hyperbole, I must advertise your lordship, thatthere is little difference in their heights; for, a tree ofthirty years' growth being liable to be marked as royal timber, the proprietors take care not to let their trees live to the ageof being enlisted, but burn them, and plant others as oftenalmost as they change their fashions. This gives an air ofperpetual youth to the face of the country, and if adopted by uswould realize Mr. Addison's visions, and

"Make our bleak rocks and barren mountains smile. "

What other remarks I have made in my indefatigable search afterknowledge must be reserved to a future opportunity; but as yourlordship is my friend, I may venture to say without vanity toYou, that Solon nor any Of the ancient philosophers who travelledto Egypt in quest of religions. Mysteries, laws, and fables, never sat up so late with the ladies and priests and presidentsde parlement at Memphis, as I do here--and consequently were nothalf so well qualified as I am to new-model a commonwealth. Ihave learned how to make remonstrances, and how to answer them. The latter, it seems, is a science much wanted in my owncountry(1090)--and yet it is as easy and obvious as theirtreatment of trees, and not very unlike it. It was deliveredmany 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 themaway with--that is all. I do not wonder the intendant of Rouenthinks we are still in a state of barbarism, when we are ignorantof the very rudiments of government. 

The Duke and Duchess of Richmond have been here a few days, andare gone to Aubign`e. I do not think him at all well, and amexceedingly concerned for it; as I know no man who has moreestimable qualities. They return by the end of the month. I amfluctuating whether I shall not return with them, as they havepressed me to do, through Holland. I never was there, and couldnever go so agreeably; but then it would protract my absencethree weeks, and I am impatient to be in my own cave, notwithstanding the wisdom I imbibe every day. But one cannotsacrifice one's self wholly to the public: Titus and Wilkes havenow and then lost a day. Adieu, my dear lord! Be assured that Ishall not disdain yours and Lady Strafford's conversation, thoughyou have nothing but the goodness of your hearts, and thesimplicity of your manners, to recommend you to the moreenlightened understanding of your old friend. 

(1090) Alluding to the number of remonstrances, under the name ofpetitions, which were presented this year from the livery ofLondon, and many other corporate bodies, on the subject of theMiddlesex 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 musttell you how agreeably I passed the day. I wished for you; thesame scenes strike us both, and the same kind of visions hasamused 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 deGrave, one of the most amiable, humane, and obliging men alive. Our first object was to see Madame du Barri. (1091) Being tooearly for mass, we saw the Dauphin and his brothers at dinner. The eldest is the picture of the Duke of Grafton, except that heis more fair, and will be taller. He has a sickly air, and nograce. The Count de Provence has a very pleasing countenance, with an air of more sense than the Count d'Artois, the genius ofthe family. They already tell as many bon-mots of the latter asof Henri Quatre and Louis Quatorze. He is very fat, and the mostlike his grandfather of all the children. You may imagine thisroyal mess did not occupy us long: thence to the chapel, where afirst row in the balconies was kept for us. Madame du Barriarrived over against us below, without rouge, without powder, andindeed sans avoir fait sa toilette; an odd appearance, as she wasso conspicuous, close to the altar, and amidst both court andpeople. She is pretty, when you consider her; yet so littlestriking, that I never should have asked who she was. There isnothing bold, assuming, or affected in her manner. Her husband'ssister was alone, with her. In the tribune above, surrounded byprelates, was the amorous and still handsome King. One could nothelp smiling at the mixture of piety, pomp, and carnality. Fromchapel we went to the dinner of the elder Mesdames. We werealmost stifled in the antechamber, where their dishes wereheating over charcoal, and where we could not stir for the press. When the doors are opened every body rushes in, princes of theblood, cordons bleus, abb`es, housemaids, and the Lord knows whoand what. Yet, so used are their highnesses to this trade, thatthey eat as comfortably and heartily as you or I could do in ourown parlours. 

Our second act was much more agreeable. We quitted the court anda reigning mistress, for a dead one and a cloister. In short, Ihad obtained leave from the Bishop of Chartres to enter into St. Cyr; and, as Madame du Deffand never leaves any thing undone thatcan give me satisfaction, she had written to the abbess to desireI might see every thing that could be seen there. The Bishop'sorder was to admit me, Monsieur de Grave, et les dames de macompagnie: I begged the abbess to give me back the order, that Imight deposit it in the archives of Strawberry, and she compliedinstantly. Every door flew open to us: and the nuns vied inattentions to please us. The first thing I desired to see wasMadame de Maintenon's apartment. It consists of' two smallrooms, a library, and a very small chamber, the same in which theCzar saw her, and in which she died. The bed is taken away, andthe room covered now with bad pictures of the royal family, whichdestroys 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 andextreme neatness of the whole house, which is vast, are veryremarkable. A large apartment above, (for that I have mentionedis on the ground-floor, ) consisting of five rooms, and destinedby Louis Quatorze for Madame de Maintenon, is now the infirmary, with neat white linen beds, and decorated with every text ofScripture by which could be insinuated that the foundress was aQueen. The hour of vespers being come, we were conducted to thechapel, and, as it was my curiosity that had led us thither, Iwas placed in the Maintenon's own tribune; my company in theadjoining gallery. The pensioners two and two, each band headedby a man, March orderly to their seats, and sing the wholeservice, which I confess was not a little tedious. The youngladies to the number of two hundred and fifty are dressed inblack, with short aprons of the same, the latter and their staysbound with blue, yellow, green or red, to distinguish theclasses; the captains and lieutenants have knots of a differentcolour for distinction. Their hair is curled and powdered, theircoiffure a sort of French round-eared caps, with white tippets, asort 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 longtrain. The chapel is plain but very pretty, and in the middle ofthe choir under a flat marble lies the foundress. Madame deCambis, one of the nuns, who are about forty, is beautiful as aMadonna. (1092) The abbess has no distinction but a larger andricher gold cross: her apartment consists of two very smallrooms. Of Madame de Maintenon we did not see less than twentypictures. The young one looking over her shoulder has a roundface, without the least resemblance to those of her latter age. That in the roil mantle, of which you know I have a copy, is themost repeated; but there is another with a longer and leanerface, 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 ina chair of purple velvet. Before her knees stands her nieceMadame de Noailles, a child; at a distance a view of Versaillesor St. Cyr, I could not distinguish which. We were shown somerich reliquaries, and the corpo santo that was sent to her by thePope. We were then carried into the public room of each class. In the first, the young ladies, who were playing at chess, wereordered to sing to us the choruses of Athaliah; in another, theydanced minuets and country-dances while a nun, not quite so ableas St. Cecilia, played on a violin. In the others, they actedbefore us the proverbs or conversations written by Madame deMaintenon for their instruction; for she was not only theirfoundress but their saint, and their adoration of her memory hasquite eclipsed the Virgin Mary. We saw their dormitory, and sawthem at supper; and at last were carried to their archives. Wherethey produced volumes of her letters, and where one of the nunsgave me a small piece of paper with three sentences in herhandwriting. I forgot to tell you, that this kind dame, who tookto me extremely, asked me if we had many convents and many relicsin England. I was much embarrassed for fear of destroying hergood opinion of me, and so said we had but few now. Oh! we wentto the apothecaries where they treated us with cordials, andwhere one of the ladies told me inoculation was a sin, as it wasa voluntary detention from mass, and as voluntary a cause ofeating gras. Our visit concluded in the garden, now grown veryvenerable, where the young ladies played at little games beforeus. After a stay of four hours we took our leave. I begged theabbess's blessing; she smiled, and said, she doubted I should notplace much faith in it. She is a comely old gentlewoman, andvery proud of having seen Madame de Maintenon. Well! was not Iin the right to wish you with me? could you have passed a daymore agreeably!

I will conclude my letter with a most charming trait of Madame deMailly, which cannot be misplaced in such a chapter of royalconcubines. Going to St. Sulpice, after she had lost the King'sheart, 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. " Iam sure it will bring tears into your eyes. Was not she thePublican, and Maintenon the Pharisee? Good night! I hope I amgoing to dream of all I have been seeing. As my impressions andmy fancy, when I am pleased, are apt to be strong. My nightperhaps, may still be more productive of ideas than the day hasbeen. It will be charming, indeed, if Madame de Cambis is theruling tint. Adieu! Yours ever. 

(1091) Madame du Barry, the celebrated mistress of Louis XV. , wasborn in the lowest rank of society, and brought up in the mostdepraved habits; being known only by the name which her beautyhad acquired for her, Mademoiselle l'Ange. She became themistress of the Comte du Barry, (a gentleman belonging to afamily of Toulon, of no distinction, well known as Le Grand duBarry, or, Du Barry le Rou`e, ) and eventually the mistress of theKing; and, when the influence she exercised over her royalprotector had determined him to receive her publicly at court anda marriage was necessary to the purpose, Du Barry le Rou`ebrought forward his younger brother, the Comte Guillaume duBarry, who readily submitted to this prostitution of his name andfamily. -E. 

(1092) Madame du Deffand, in her letter to Walpole of the 10th ofMay 1776, enclosed the following portrait of Madame de Cambise, by Madame de la Valli`ere:--"Non, non, Madame, je ne farai pointvotre portrait: vous avez une mani`ere d'`etre si noble, si fine, si piquante, si d`elicate, si s`eduisaitte; votre gentilesse etvos 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 aumoral. " She was niece of La Marquise de Boufflers, and, havingfled to England at the breaking out of the French Revolution, resided here until her death, which took place at Richmond inJanuary 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 fromyou, which gave me so much pleasure, that I must write you aline, though I am hurried to death. You cannot imagine howrejoiced I am that Lord North(1093) drags you to light again; itis a satisfaction I little expected. When do you come? I amimpatient. I long to know your projects. 

I had a dreadful passage of eight hours, was drowned, though notshipwrecked, and was sick to death. I have been six times at seabefore, and never suffered the least, which makes themortification the greater: but as Hercules was not more robustthan I, though with an air so little Herculean, I have not somuch 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 theboat at ten o'clock at night, and stepped into the sea up to myknees. Q'avois-je `a faire dans cette gal`ere?(1094) In truth, it is a little late to be seeking adventures. Adieu! I mustfinish, but I am excessively happy with what you have told me. Yours ever. 

(1093) Lord North had appointed Mr. Montagu his privatesecretary. 

(1094) Walpole left Paris on the 5th of October. Early on themorning of the 6th, Madame du Deffand thus wrote to him:--"N'exigez point de gaiet`e, contentez-vous de ne pas trouver detristesse: je n'envoyai point chez vous hier matin; j'ignore `aquelle heure vous partites; tout ce que je sais c'est que vousn'`etes plus ici. " And again, on the 9th:--"Je ne respirerai `amon aise qu'apr`es une lettre de Douvres. Ah! je me ha`is biende tout le mal que je vous cause; trois journ`ees de route, autant de nuits d`etestables, une embarquement, un passage, lerisque 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 myVersailles. Your last letter reached me but two days before Ileft Paris, for I have been an age at Calais and upon the sea. Icould execute no commission for you, and, in truth, you gave meno explicit one; but I have brought you a bit of china, and begyou will be content with a little present, instead of a bargain. Said china is, or will be soon, in the custom-house; but I shallhave it, I fear, long before you come to London. 

I am sorry those boys got at my tragedy. I beg you would keep itunder lock and key; it is not at all food for the public; atleast not till I am "food for worms, good Percy. " Nay, it is notan age to encourage any body, that has the least vanity, to stepforth. There is a total extinction of all taste: our authors arevulgar, gross, illiberal: the theatre swarms with wretchedtranslations, and ballad operas, and we have nothing new butimproving abuse. I have blushed at Paris, when the papers cameover crammed with ribaldry, or with Garrick's insufferablenonsense about Shakspeare. As that man's writings will bepreserved by his name, who will believe that he was a tolerableactor? Cibber wrote as bad odes, but then Cibber wrote TheCareless Husband and his own Life, which both deserveimmortality. Garrick's prologues and epilogues are as bad as hisPindarics and pantomimes. (1095)

I feel myself here like a swan, that, after living six weeks in anasty pool upon a common, is got back into its own Thames. I donothing but plume and clean myself, and enjoy the verdure andsilent waves. Neatness and greenth are so essential in myopinion to the country, that in France, where I see nothing butchalk and dirty peasants, I seem in a terrestrial purgatory thatis neither town nor country. The face of England is sobeautiful, that I do not believe Tempe or Arcadia were half sorural; for both lying in hot climates, must have wanted the turfof 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 mytime here till after Christmas. Adieu!

(1095) Mr. J. Sharp, in a letter to Garrick, of the 29th of Marchin this year, says--"I met Mr. Gray at dinner last Sunday: hespoke handsomely of your happy knack of epilogues; but he callsthe 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 tillFriday for the opera, which I have not yet seen. In complimentto you and your Countess, I will make an effort, and be there onThursday; and will either dine with you at your own house, or atyour brother's; which you choose. This is a great favour, andbeyond 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 beat quiet here, and to know no more of them than what I am forcedto 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 Ireceived from Paris. I will show you a very particular letter Ireceived by a private hand from France; which convinces me that Iguessed right, contrary to all the wise, that the journey toFontainbleau would overset Monsieur de Choiseul. I think heholds but by a thread, which will snap soon. (1097) I amlabouring hard with the Duchess(1098) to procure the Duke ofRichmond satisfaction in the favour he has asked about hisduchy;' but he shall not know it till it is completed, if I canbe so lucky as to succeed. I think I shall, if they do not fallimmediately. 

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 Ihave read forty pages since I came to England. I bought a poemcalled Trinculo's Trip to the Jubilee; having been struck withtwo 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 ofunintelligible nonsense, about Shakspeare, politics, and the Lordknows what. I am grieved that, with our admiration ofShakspeare, we can do nothing but write worse than ever he did. One would think the age studied nothing but his Love's LabourLost, and Titus Andronicus. Politics and abuse have totallycorrupted our taste. Nobody thinks of writing a line that is tolast beyond the next fortnight. We might as well be given up toa controversial divinity, The times put me in mind of theConstantinopolitan empire; where, in an age of learning, thesubtlest wits of Greece contrived to leave nothing behind them, but the memory of their follies and acrimony. Milton did notwrite his Paradise Lost till he had Outlived his politics. Withall his parts, and noble sentiments of liberty, who wouldremember him for his barbarous prose? Nothing is more true thanthat extremes meet. The licentiousness of the press makes us assavage as our Saxon ancestors, who could only set their marks;and an outrageous pursuit of individual independence, grounded onselfish views, extinguishes genius as much as despotism does. The public good of our country is never thought of by men thathate half their country. Heroes confine their ambition to beleaders of the mob. Orators seek applause from their faction, not from posterity; and ministers forget foreign enemies, todefend themselves against a majority in Parliament. When anyCaesar has conquered Gaul, I will excuse him for aiming at theperpetual dictature. If he has only jockeyed somebody out of theborough of Veii or Falernum, it is too impudent to call himself apatriot or a statesman. Adieu!

(1096) At Guildhall, on the 9th of November, in the secondmayoralty of Alderman Beckford. -E. 

(1097) Walpole had received a letter, of the 2d, from Madame duDeffand, describing the growing influence of Madame du Barry, andher 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 theloss of Mrs. Trevor is very sensible to you, and I am heartilysorry for you. One cannot live any time, and not perceive theworld slip away, as it were, from under one's feet: one'sfriends, one's connexions drop off, and indeed reconcile one tothe same passage; but why repeat these things? I do not mean towrite a fine consolation; all I intended was to tell you, that Icannot be indifferent to what concerns you. 

I know as little how to amuse you: news there are none butpolitics, and politics there will be as long as we have ashilling left. They are no amusement to me, except in seeing twoor three sets of people worry one another, for none of whom Icare a straw. 

Mr. Cumberland has produced a comedy called The Brothers. Itacts well, but reads ill; though I can distinguish strokes of Mr. Bentley in it. Very few of the characters are marked, and theserious ones have little nature, and the comic ones are rathertoo much marked; however, the three middle acts diverted me verywell. (1099)

I saw the Bishop of Durham(1100) at Carlton House, who told me hehad given you a complete suit of armour. I hope you will have nooccasion to lock yourself in it, though, between the fools andthe knaves of the present time, I don't know but we may bereduced to defend our castles. If you retain any connexions withNorthampton, I should be much obliged to you if you could procurefrom thence a print of an Alderman Backwell. (1101) It isvaluable for nothing but its rarity, and it is not to be met withbut there. I would give eight or ten shillings rather than nothave it. When shall you look towards us?, how does your brotherJohn? make my compliments to him. I need not say how much I amyours ever. 

(1099) "The Brothers, " Cumberland's first comedy, came out atCovent-Garden theatre on the 2d of December, and met with noinconsiderable 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. Hedied in June 1771. -E. 

(1101) Edward Backwell, alderman of London, of whom Granger givesthe following character:--"He was a banker of great ability, industry, integrity, and very extensive credit. With suchqualifications, he, in a trading nation, would, in the naturalevent of things, have made a fortune, except in such an age asthat of charles the Second, when the laws were overborne byperfidy, violence, and rapacity; or in an age when bankers becomegamesters, instead of merchant-adventurers; when they affect tolive like princes, and are, with their miserable creditors, drawninto the prevailing vortex of luxury. Backwell carried on hisbusiness in the same shop which was afterwards occupied by Child. He, to avoid a prison, retired into Holland, where he died. Hisbody was brought for sepulture to Tyringham church, near NewportPagnel. " Frequent mention of the Alderman is made by Pepys, inwhose Diary is the following entry:--"April 12, 1669. Thisevening, coming home, we overtook Alderman Backwell's coach andhis lady, and followed them to their house, and there made themthe, first visit, where they received us with extraordinarycivility, and owning the obligation But I do, contrary to myexpectation, 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 heshowed me the model of his houses that he is going to build inCornhill and Lombard-street; but he has purchased so much therethat it looks like a little town, and must have cost him a greatdeal 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 thetrouble you are so good as to take for me. I am glad you havepaid Jackson, Though he is not only dear, (for the prints he hasgot for me are very common, ) but they are not what I wanted, andI do not believe were mentioned in my list. However, as payinghim dear for what I do not want, may encourage him to hunt forwhat I do want, I am very well content he should cheat me alittle. I take the liberty of troubling you with a list I haveprinted (to avoid copying it several times), and beg you will beso good as to give it to him, telling him these are exactly whatI 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 withdouble 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 hemust be very sure it is the right. I will let you know certainlywhen Mr. West comes to town, who has one. 

I shall be very happy to contribute to your garden: and if youwill 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 payyou any part of my debts. I am much pleased with the Wolsey andCromwell, and beg to thank you and the gentleman from whom theycame. Mr. Tyson's etchings will be particulary acceptable. Idid hope to have seen or heard of him in October. Pray tell himhe is a visit in my debt, and that I will trust him no longerthan to next summer. Mr. Bentham, I find, one must trust andtrust without end. It is pity so good a sort of man should be sofaithless. Make my best compliments, however, to him and to mykind host and hostess. 

I found my dear old blind friend at Paris perfectly well, and amreturned so myself. London is very sickly, and full of biliousfevers, that have proved fatal to several persons, and in my LordGower's family have even seemed contagious. The weather isuncommonly hot, and we want frost to purify the air. 

I need not say, I suppose, that the names scratched out in mylist are of such prints as I have got since I printed it, andtherefore what I no longer want. If Mr. Jackson only stays atCambridge till the prints drop into his mouth, I shall never havethem. If he would take the trouble of going to Bury, Norwich, Ely, Huntingdon, and such great towns, nay, look about in inns, Ido not doubt but he would find at least some of them. He shouldbe no loser by taking pains for me; but I doubt he chooses to bea great gainer without taking any. I shall not pay for any thatare not in my list; but I ought not to trouble you, dear Sir, with these particulars. It is a little your own fault, for youhave spoiled me. 

Mr. Essex distresses me by his civility. I certainly would nothave given him that trouble, if I had thought he would not let mepay him. Be so good as to thank him for me, and to let me knowif there is any other way I could return the obligation. I hope, at least, he will make me a visit at Strawberry Hill, whenever hecomes 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 BritishMuseum. -E. 

 END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.