The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Horace Walpole Volume 3 by Horace Walpole (#4 in our series by Horace Walpole) Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the header without written permission. Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is important information about your specific rights and restrictions in how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. **Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** **eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** *****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** Title: The Letters of Horace Walpole Volume 3 Author: Horace Walpole Release Date: December, 2003 [EBook #4773] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 16, 2002] Edition: 10 Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LETTERS OF HORACE WALPOLE VOLUME 3 *** This eBook was produced by Marjorie Fulton. The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford: Including Numerous letters Now First Published From The Original Manuscripts. In Four Volumes. Vol. III. 1759-1769. Contents Of Vol. III. [Those Letters now first collected are marked N.] 1759. 1. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 17.-Lord Temple's resignation of the privy-seal. Lady Carlisle's marriage with Sir William Musgrave.--25 2. To the Right Hon. William Pitt, Nov. 19.-Congratulations on the lustre of his administration--[N.] 26 3. To Sir Horace Mann, Nov. 30.-Sir Edward Hawke's victory over Conflans. Lord Kinnoul's mission to Portugal--27 4. To the same, Dec. 13.-Regretting his own ignorance of mathematics and common figures. Victory of Prince Henry--28 5. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 23.-Tumults in Ireland. Story of Lord Lyttelton and Mr. Shelley--30 6. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Dec. 23.-"Life of Lord Clarendon." "Lucan"--31 1760. 7. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 7.-Visit to Princess Emily. Commotions in Ireland--32 8. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Jan. 12.-Apologizing for an unintentional offence--34 9. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 14.-Severity of the weather. Military preparations. Prince Edward's party. Edwards's "History of Birds"--35 10. To Sir Horace Mann, Jan. 26.-Severity of the winter. Death of Lady Besborough. Ward's drops--36 11. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 28.-Death of Lady Besborough. Lord Ferrers's murder of his steward. Visit to the Magdalen. Dr. Dodd-- 37 12. To Sir David Dalrymple. Feb. 3.-Macpherson's fragments or Erse poetry. Mary Queen of Scots. Dyer's "Fleece." Pepys's collection of ballads. Faction--[N.] 40 13. To Sir Horace Mann, Feb. 3.-Caserta. Character of Mr. Thomas Pitt. Death of the Duchess of Bolton. Lord George Sackville's court-martial. Lord Charles Hay. Lord Ferrers's murder of his steward. Dutch mud-quake--41 14. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Feb. 4.-"Anecdotes of Painting." Character of Dr. Hurd. Warburton's "Shakspeare." Edwards's "Canons of Criticism"--44 15. To Sir Horace Mann, Feb. 28.-M. Thurot's expedition. Siege of Carrickfergus. Lord Ferrers--45 16. To the same, March 4.-M. Thurot's expedition. Duke of Bedford's Irish administration. General Flobert and Mr. Mallet. Ward's drops--48 17. To the same, March 26.-Lord George Sackville's court-martial-- 49 18. To George Montagu, Esq. March 27.-Lord George Sackville's court-martial. Miss Chudleigh's public breakfast--50 19. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 4.-Erse Poetry; Gray's queries concerning Macpherson. Home's "Siege of Aquileia." "Tristram Shandy"--[N.] 51 20. To George Montagu, Esq. April 19.-Lord George Sackville's sentence. Lord Ferrers's trial. Duel between the Duke of Bolton and Mr. Stewart--52 21. To Sir Horace Mann, April 20.-Lord George Sackville's sentence. Trial of Lord Ferrers--54 22. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, May 3.-Lord Bath's ,Rhapsody." "Anecdotes of Painting"--55 23. To George Montagu, Esq. May 6.-Execution of Lord Ferrers--56 24. To Sir Horace Mann, May 7,--Execution of Lord Ferrers. Lady Huntingdon. Death of Lord Charles Hay. King of Prussia's poems. General Clive--57 25. To Sir David Dalrymple, May 15.-Erse poetry. Lord Lyttelton's "Dialogues of the Dead." King of Prussia's poems--[N 63 26. To Sir Horace Mann, May 24.-Lord Lyttelton's "Dialogues of the Dead." Anecdotes of lord Ferrers--64 27. To the Earl of Strafford, June 7.-Description of Miss Chudleigh's ball. Death of Lady Anson--66 28. To Sir Horace Mann, June 20.-Siege of Quebec. The house of Fuentes. Pope's house and garden--68 29. To Sir David Dalrymple, June 20.-Authenticity of the Erse poems. Lord Lyttelton's "Dialogues of the Dead." Isaac Walton's "Complete Angler."--[N.] 69 30. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 21.-Story of Sir Robert Walpole and his man John. George Townshend's absurdities. "Tant mieux pour Elle."--[N.] 70 31. To the same, June 28.-Siege of Quebec raised. Lady Stormont--72 32. To George Montagu, Esq. July 4:.-Visit to Chaffont. Gray's taciturnity--73 33. To Sir Horace Mann, July 7.-Siege of Quebec raised--74 34. To George Montagu, Esq. July 19.-Visit to Oxford. Holbein's portraits. Blenheim. Ditchley. --75 35. To the same, July 20.--76 36. To Sir Horace Mann, Aug. 1.-Wolfe's tomb. Death of Lady Lincoln. Arrival of General Clive--77 37. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 7.-Fit of the gout--78 38. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 7-Fit of the gout--79 39. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 12.-Reflections on his illness--80 40. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Aug. 23.-Visit to Whichnovre. Advises her ladyship to claim the flitch of bacon--81 41. To Sir Horace Mann, Aug. 28.-Duke of Cumberland's illness--82 42. To George Montagu, Esq, Sept. 1.-Account of his tour to the north. Whichnovre. Litchfield cathedral. Sheffield. Chatsworth. Hardwicke. Bess of Hardwicke. Newstead Abbey--83 43. To the Earl of Strafford, Sept. 4.-Visit to Hardwicke. Newstead. Althorpe. Mad dogs. An adventure--87 44. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 19--88 45. To the same, Sept. 30--89 46. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 2.-Marriage of his niece Charlotte to Lord Huntingtower--90 47. To Sir Horace Mann, Oct. 5.-Capture of Montreal. Projected expedition. Lord Dysart. His niece's marriage. Death of Lady Coventry--91 48. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 14.-Duke of York's visit to Strawberry Hill. Intended expedition--92 49. To the same, Oct. 25.-Death of George the Second--95 50. To the Earl of Straford, Oct. 26.-Death of George the Second-- 96 51. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 28.-The new court. Manners of the young King. Capture of Berlin--97 52. To Sir Horace Mann, Oct. 28.-Death of George the Second. Capitulation of Berlin. Political movements--98 53. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 31.-Conduct of the young King--99 54. To the same, Nov. 4.-Bequests of the late King. Court and ministerial changes. George Townshend's challenge to Lord Albemarle--100 55. To the same, Nov. 13.-Personal conduct of the new King. Funeral of George the Second. King of Prussia's victory over Marshal Daun-- 102 56. To the same, Nov. 22.-Appointment of the King's household--104 57. To the same, Nov. 24.-The King's first visit to the theatre. Seditious papers. "Anecdotes of Painting." Foote's "Minor." Voltaire's "Peter the Great"--104 58. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Nov. 27.-"lucan." "Anecdotes of Painting"--106 59. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 11.-State of the ministry. Threatened resignations--106 1761. 60. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, January 3.-State of the arts. Booksellers. Dr. Hill's works. Architects--107 61. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 22.-A party at Northumberland-house. Account of a play performed at Holland-house- -108 62. To the same, Feb. 7.-Ball at Carlton-house. Death of Wortley Montagu. Miss Ford's letter to Lord Jersey--109 63. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Feb. 8.-Mr. Conway's speech on the Qualification-bill --110 64. To George Montagu, Esq. March 7.-On Mr. Montagu's being appointed usher of the black rod in Ireland. Prospect of Peace. Rumours of the King's marriage. Lord Pembroke's "Treatise on Horsemanship"--111 65. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, March 7.-Voltaire's letter to Lord Lyttelton. Colman's "Jealous Wife." "Tristram Shandy." Voltaire's "Tancred"--111 66. To George Montagu, Esq. March 17.-Changes in the King's household--112 67. To the same, March 19.-Ministerial resignations and changes. Militia disturbances. Lord Hardwicke's verses to Lord Lyttelton. Death of Lady Gower--113 68. To the same, March 21.-Speaker Onslow's retirement--115 69. To the same, March 25.-Feelings and reflections occasioned by a visit to Houghton. Electioneering at Lynn. Aunt Hammond--115 70. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 10.-Prospect of peace. Death of Sir Harry Bellendine--118 71. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 14.-Macpherson's "Fingal."--[N.) 119 72. To the Countess of Suffolk, April 15.-Election arrangements.-- [N) 120 73. To George Montagu, Esq. April 16.-Anacreontic upon Sir Harry Bellendine--121 74. To the same, April 28.-Lady Suffolk. Account of a fire near Sackville-street--122 75. To the same, May 5.-Death of Sir William Williams. Gray and Mason at Strawberry Hill. Conversation with Hogarth--123 76. To the same, May 14.-Jemmy Lumley's battle with Mrs. Mackenzy. Party at Bedford-house. Anecdotes--125 77. To the Countess of Ailesbury, June 13.-Thanks for a snuff-box. New opera. Murphy's "All in the Wrong." Lines on the Duchess of Grafton--126 78. To George Montagu, Esq., June 18.-Mr. Bentley's play of The Wishes, or Harlequin's mouth opened"--128 79. To the same, July 5.--130 80. To the Earl of Strafford, July 5.-Anecdote of Whitfield and Lady Huntingdon--130 81. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 14.-Apologies for not having written. Approaching marriage of the King--131 82. To George Montagu, Esq. July 16.-The King's approaching marriage. The Queen's household--133 83. To the Countess of Ailesbury, July 20.-Thanks for a present of some china. Congratulations on Mr. Conway's escape at the battle of Kirkdenckirk--134 84. To the Earl of Strafford, July 2)@.-Battle of Kirkdenckirk--136 85. To George Montagu, Esq. July 22.-The King's marriage. Victories. Single-speech Hamilton. "Young Mr. Burke"--136 86. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 23.-Congratulations on the success of the army. Taking of Pondicherry--138 87. To George Montagu, Esq. July 28.-First night of Mr. Bentley's play. Singular instance of modesty--138 88. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug.,5.-Tomb of the Earl of Pembroke. Wolfe's monument. Rapacity of the chapter of Westminster--140 89. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 20.-offer of a seat at the coronation. The Queen's arrival--142 90. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 21.-Arrival of the Queen. Tripoline ambassador. Disputes about rank and precedence--143 91. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 9.-Arrival of the queen. Her person and manners--144 92. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 24.-Description of the coronation--145 93. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 25.-Delays in the treaty of peace. The coronation--147 94. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Sept. 27.-Pedigrees. The coronation. The treaty broken off--149 95. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 8.-Resignation of Mr. Pitt--151 96. To the same, Oct. 10.-Mr. Pitt's pension and peerage--152 97. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Oct. 10.-Mr. Pitt's resignation, pension, and peerage--153 98. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 12.-Mr. Pitt's pension and peerage. Ministerial changes--154 99. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 24.-City address to Mr. Pitt. Glover's "Medea"--156 100. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 26.-Civic agitations. London address to Mr. Pitt. Differences in the cabinet. State of parties-- 157 101. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 7.-Sir John Cust's nose. Caricature of Hogarth--159 102. To the same, Nov. 28.-Private ball at court. Marriages. Political changes--159 103. To the Countess of Ailesbury, Nov. 28.-Politics. Opera. Burlettas. Private ball at court. Pamphlets on Mr. Pitt. Gray's "Thyrsis, when we parted"--160 104. To Sir David Dalrymple, Nov. 30.-The best picture of an age found in genuine letters. One from Anne of Denmark to the Marquis of Buckingham. Hume's "History." "Hau Kiou Choaan;" a Chinese history.--[N.] 161 105. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 8.-Hume's "History." "Fingal." Doubts Of its authenticity. "Cymbeline"--162 106. To Sir David Dalrymple, Dec. 21.-Complaints of printers. Difficulties of literature.--[N.] 163 107. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 23.-Irish revivification. Effects of age. Mistakes of life. Tricks of his printer. Mrs. Dunch's auction. Losing at loo. Death of Lady Pomfret. Bon-mot of M. de Choiseul. Lines on Lady Mary Coke's having St. Anthony's fire in her cheek--164 108. To the same, Dec. 30.-Indifference to politics. Progress of "Anecdotes of Painting." Death of Jemmy Pelham--165 1762. (109. To the same, Jan. 26.-Upbraiding for not writing--167 110. To the same, Feb. 2.-Arrival of' Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Her dress and personal appearance. Mr. Macnaughton's murder of Miss Knox. Visit to the Cock-Lane Ghost--168 111. To the same, Feb. 6.-Effects of Hamilton's eloquence--169 112. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 7.-Anecdotes of polite literature-- 170 113. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, Feb. 13.-Lamentation on the tediousness of engravers, and tricks of printers--171 114. To the Earl of Bute, Feb. 15.-On the Earl's suggesting to him a work Similar to Montfaucon's "Monuments de la Monarchie Fran`caise."--[N.] 171 115. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 22.-Violent storms. Elopement of Lord Pembroke and Kitty Hunter--173 116. To Dr. Ducarel, Feb. 24.-English Montfaucon. Medals. Errors in Vertue and others--174 117. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 25.-Lely's picture of Madame Grammont. Harris's "Hibernica." The recent elopement--175 118. To the Countess of Ailesbury, March 5.-Prospect of Peace. dresses--176 119. To George Montagu, Esq. March 9.-Epitaph for Lord Cutts--177 120. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, March 20.-"Anecdotes of Painting." Advice to antiquaries. Bishop of Imola. Resemblance between Tiberius and Charles the Second. Caution on the care of his eyesight--178 121. To George Montagu, Esq. March 22.-Capture of Martinico. Fatal accident at a concert at Rome--179 122. To the same, April 29.-Death of Lady Charlotte Johnstone. Efficacy of James's powders. New batch of peers--180 123. To the same, May 14.-Attack of the gout. Visit to Audley Inn-- 181 124. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 20.-"Anecdotes of Painting." Knavery of his printer--183 125. To George Montagu, Esq. May 25.-Duke of Newcastle's resignation. Ministerial changes--184 126. To the same, June 1.-Lord Melcomb. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. The Cherokee Indian chiefs. Anecdotes and bon-mots--185 127. To the same, June 8.-Account of Lady Northumberland's festino. Bon-mots. Death of Lord Anson--185 128. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 29.-Invitation to Strawberry Hill-- 186 129. To the Countess of Ailesbury, July 31.-Congratulation on the taking of the Castle of Waldeck--187 130. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 5.-Revolution in Russia. Taking of the Castle of Waldeck--187 131. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 5.--188 132. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 10.-Great drought. Revolution in Russia. Count Biren--189 133. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 19.-Object in publishing the "Anecdotes of Painting"--190 134. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 9.-Prospect of peace. Christening of the Prince of Wales. Fire at Strawberry Hill. "The North Briton."--191 135. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 24.-Prospect of peace--192 136. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 28.-Negotiations for peace. Capture of the Havannah--193 137. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 30.--195 138. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 1.-Congratulations on her son's safe return from the Havannah--196 139. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 4.-Love of fame. Capture of the Havannah. State of public feeling--196 140. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 14.-Ministerial changes--197 141. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 29.-Change of the ministry. State of the opposition. Anticipation of the history of the present age--198 142. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 31.--200 143. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 4.-The Duke of Devonshire's name erased out of the council-book--200 144. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Nov. 13.--201 145. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 20.-His illness. Political squabbles. A scene at Princess Emily's loo. Mr. Pitt--201 146. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 23.--203 1763. 147. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Feb. 28.-Restoration to health. Determination to retire from public life. Wilkes and "The North Briton." Riots at Drury-lane Theatre. George Selwyn and Lord Dacre's footman--203 148. To George Montagu, Esq. March 29.-Wilkes and "The North Briton." Dedication to "The Fall of Mortimer." Lord and Lady Pembroke's reconciliation, A song made in a postchaise--205 149. To the same, April 6.-Illness of Lord Waldegrave. And of Mr. Thomas Pitt. Mr. Bentley's epistle to Lord Melcomb. Lines by Lady Temple on Lady Mary Coke. Opposition to the Cider-tax--206 150. To the same, April 8.-Death of lord Waldegrave. Lord Bute's resignation. New ministry. Quarrel among the Opposition--208 151. To the same, April 14.-Lady Waldegrave. Botched-up administration. Grants and reversions--210 152. To the same, April 22,-Lady Waldegrave. The new administration. Lord Pulteney's extravagance. Sir Robert Brown's parsimony. Lord Bath's vault in Westminster-abbey. Lord Holland. Charles Townshend--212 153. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, May 1.-Severity of the weather. Committal of Wilkes to the Tower--213 154. To Sir David Dalrymple, May 2.-Political revolutions. Mr. Grenville.--[N.] 215 155. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, May 6.-Prerogative. Wilkes's release from the Tower. Dreadful fire at Lady Molesworth's. Lady M. W. Montagu's Letters--216 156. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 16.--217 157. To George Montagu, Esq. May 17.-F`ete at Strawberry Hill. Madame de Boufflers. Madame Dusson. Miss Pelham's entertainment at Esher. Mrs. Anne Pitt--218 158. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, May 21.-French and English vivacity compared. Miss chudleigh's f`ete--221 159. To the same, May 28.-Masquerade at the Duke of Richmond's--223 160. To George Montagu, Esq. May 30.-Visit to Kimbolton. Hinchinbrook--223 161. To the same, June 16.--225 162. To the same, July 1.-Improvements at Strawberry Hill--226 163. To Sir David Dalrymple, July 1.-Mr. Grenville.--[N.] 227 164. To the Rev. Mr, Cole, July 1.--228 165. To the same, July 12.--228 166. To George Montagu, Esq. July 23.-Visit to Stamford. Castle Ashby. Easton Maudit. Boughton. Drayton. Fotheringhay--229 167. To the same, July 25.-Visit to Burleigh. Peterborough. Huntingdon. Cambridge--231 168. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 8.--232 169. To Dr. Ducarel, Aug. 8.--232 170. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 9.-Reported marriages. Dupery of Opera undertakers--232 171. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 10.-Inclemency of the weather- -233 172. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 15.-Singular appearance of the Thames--233 173. To the same, Sept. 3.-Crowds of visitors to see Strawberry. Comforts of keeping a gallery--235 (174. To the same, Sept. 7. Invitation. Character of Mr. Thomas Pitt--236 175. To the same, Oct. 3.-Mrs. Crosby's pictures. Death of Mr. Child. Visit to Sir Thomas Reeves--236 176. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Oct. 8.-" Anecdotes of Engravers"--239 177. To the Earl of Hertford, Oct. 18.-Death of the King of Poland. Expulsion of the Jesuits--239 178. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 12.-Irish politics. Death of Sir Michael Foster--242 179. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 17.-Debates on the King's Speech. Wilkes at the Cockpit. Privileges of Parliament. "North Briton." Duel between Martin and Wilkes. "Essay on Woman." Bon-mots. Lord Sandwich's piety. Wilkes and Churchill. M. de Guerchy--243 180. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 20.-Political squabbles. Wilkes's "Essay on Woman"--250 181. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 25.-Mr. Conway's voting against the court. Unpopularity of the ministry. Debates on privilege. Quarrel between Mr. James Grenville and Mr Rigby. M. de Guerchy and M. D'Eon--251 182. To the same, Dec. 2.-Dismission of officers. Opera quarrel. Lord Clive's Jaghire. State of the Opera. Prince de Masserano. Count de Soleirn. Irish politics--254 183. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 6.-Thanks for literary information--256 184. To the Earl of Hertford, Dec. 9.-Transactions between General Conway and Mr. Grenville. Dismissal of Lord Shelburne and Colonel Barr`e. Riot at the burning of "The North Briton." Wilkes's suit against Mr. Wood--257 185. To the same, Dec. 16.-City politics. Unpopularity of the ministry. Dismissals. Intended assassination of Wilkes. Mrs. Sheridan's comedy of "The Dupe"--261 186. To the same, Dec. 29.-Debates on privilege. Lord Clive's jaghire. Anecdotes. The King at Drury-lane. Prize in the lottery. la Harpe's "Comte de Warwic"--263 1764. 187. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 11.-Visit to Lady Suffolk. A New-year's gift. Lady Temple. Portrait of Lady Suffolk at seventy-six.--266 188. To the Earl of Hertford, Jan. 22.-Mr. Conway's opposition to the ministry. Feelings of the government towards his lordship. Ministerial disunion. State of the opposition. Marriage of Prince Ferdinand with the Princess Augusta. His reception in England. Wilkes. Churchill's "Dueller." Ball at Carlisle house. Proceedings against Wilkes. Dismissals. The Duc de Pecquigny's quarrel with Lord Garlies.--270 189. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Jan. 31.--277 190. To Sir David Dalrymple,, Jan. 31.-Thanks for corrections of the "Anecdotes of Painting." London booksellers--[N.) 278 191. To the Earl of Hertford, Feb. 6.-The Cider-bill. Debates on privilege. Charles Townshend's bon-mot. East India affairs. Duc de Pecquigny's episode--279 192. To the same, Feb. 15.-Great debates in the House of Commons on general warrants. Duel between the Duc de Pecquigny and M. Virette. Formidable condition of the Opposition. City rejoicings. Expected changes in the ministry--283 193. To Sir David Dalrymple, Feb. 23.-" Anecdotes of Painting." Complaints of the carelessness of artists and rapacity of booksellers--[N.] 292 194. To the Earl of Hertford, Feb. 24.-Complaint in the House of Lords of a book called "Droit le Roy." Wilkes's trials for "The North Briton" and the "Essay on Woman." Tottering state of the ministry. Mrs. Anne Pitt's ball--294 195. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, March 3.-Thanks for some prints and the loan of manuscripts--296 196. To the Earl of Hertford, March 11.-Cambridge University election for high-steward. Debate on the budget. Lord Bute's negotiations. The Duchess of Queensbury's ball. Affairs of India. M. Helvetius--297 197. To the same, March 18.-Death of Lord Malpas and of Lord Townshend. Lord Clive's jaghire. George Selwyn's accident--300 198. To the same, March 27.-Uncertain state of politics. D'Eon's publication of the Duc de Nivernois's private letters. Liberty of the press. Lady Cardigan's ball. Bon-mot of Lady Bell Finch--302 199. To Charles Churchill, Esq. March 27.-Death of Lord Malpas. M. de Guerchy. D'Eon's pamphlet. Efficacy of James's powder. Reappearance of Lord Bute--306 200. To the Earl of Hertford, April 5.-Wilkes's suspected libel on the Earl. Cambridge University election. Jemmy Twitcher. Lord Lyttelton's reconciliation with Mr. Pitt. Lord Bath at court. Bishop Warburton and Helvetius--308 201. To the same, April 12.-Party abuse. Character. Lady Susan Fox's marriage with O'Brien the actor. East India affairs. Projected marriages. Expected changes. Confusion at the India-house--310 202. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, April 12.--313 203. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 19.-On Mr. Conway's dismissal from all his employments--313 204. To the Earl of Hertford, April 20.-On Mr. Conway's dismissal from all his employments. Political promotions and changes. Prosecution of D'Eonn. East India affairs--314 205. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 21.-On Mr. Conway's dismissal. Offers him half his fortune--316 206. The Hon. H. S. Conway to the Earl of Hertford, April 23.-Giving his brother an account of his total dismissal from the King's service for his vote in the House of Commons--317 207. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 24.-On Mr. Conway's dismissal- -320 208. The Hon. H. S. Conway To the Earl of Hertford, May 1.-Conjectures as to the cause of his dismissal--320 209. To George Montagu, Esq. May 10.--322 210. To the Earl of Hertford, May 27.-On the Earl's position, in consequence of Mr. Conway's dismissal. Promotions and changes--322 211. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 5.-On Mr. Conway's dismissal. Answer to the "Address to the Public"--325 212. To the Earl of Hertford, June 8.-Lord Tavistock's courtship and marriage. The Mecklenburgh Countess. Bon-mot--326 213. To George Montagu, Esq. June 18.-Account of a party at Strawberry--328 214. To the same, July 16.-"life of Lord Herbert." Lady Temple's poems--329 215. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 16.-"Lord Herbert's Life"--330 216. To the Rev. Henry Zouch, July 21.-Harte's "Gustavus"--330 217. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 21.-"Life of Lord Herbert"--331 218. To the Earl of Hertford, Aug. 3. Instability of the ministry. Determination to quit party. Regrets that the Earl did not espouse mr. Conway's cause. Consequences of Lord Bute's conduct. The Queen's intended visit to Strawberry. A dinner with the Duke of Newcastle. Fracas at Tunbridge Wells. on Mr. Conway's dismission. Walpole's Counter "Address"--332 219. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 16.--337 220. To the Earl of Hertford, Aug. 27.-Death of Mr. Legge. Seizure of Turk's Island. Visit to Sion. Ministerial changes. Murder of the Czar Ivan. Mr. Conway's dismission. Generous offer of the Earl. Farewell to politics. Lord Mansfield's violence against the press. Conduct of the Duke of Bedford. Overtures to Mr. Pitt. Recluse life of their Majesties. Court economy. Dissensions in the house of Grafton. Nancy Parsons. Death of Sir John Barnard. Conduct of Mr. Grenville--338 221. To the Right Hon. William Pitt, Aug. 29.-"Life of Lord Herbert of Cherbury"--343 222. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 29.--343 223. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 1.-Enclosing a reply to Walpole's "Counter Address." Lady Ailesbury's picture, executed in worsteds--344 224. To the Rev. Dr. Birch, Sept. 3.-Thanks for an original picture of Sir William Herbert--345 225. To the Earl of Hertford, Oct. 5.-Madame de Boufflers and Oliver Cromwell. James the Second's Journal. Illness of the Duke of Devonshire. Folly of being unhappy--345 226. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 5.-Unfavourable state of public affairs. Reflections on his birthday--347 227. To the same, Oct. 13.-Death of the Duke of Devonshire. His bequest to Mr. Conway. Virtue rewarded in this world--348 228. To the same, Oct. 29.-Mourning for the Duke of Devonshire. Reply of a poor man in Bedlam. Story of Sir Fletcher Norton and his mother--348 229. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 1.-Duke of Devonshire's legacy to Mr. Conway. Lady Harriot Wentworth's marriage with her footman. Unpopularity of the court--350 230. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Nov. 8.--352 231. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 9.-Announcing his intended visit to Paris. Adieu to politics--353 232. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 10.-Thanks for some pilchards--355 233. To the Earl of Hertford, Nov. 25.-The Opera. Manzoli. Elisi. Tenducci. D'Eon's flight. Wilkes's outlawry. Churchill's death. Ministerial changes. Objects of his intended journey to Paris--356 234. To the same, Dec. 3.-Ministerial changes. Separation in the house of Grafton. The Duke of Kingston and Miss Chudleigh. Correspondence between Mr. Legge and Lord Bute. Mr. Dunning's pamphlet on the "Doctrine of Libels." Mrs. Ann Pitt's ball--358 235. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 16.-State of the town. Mr. Dunning's pamphlet. "Lord Herbert's Life"--362 236. To the same, Dec. 24.-With a present of some books--364 1765. 237. To the Earl of Hertford, Jan. 10.-Meeting of Parliament. Debate in the House of Commons on the Address--364 238. To the same, Jan. 20.-Sir William Pynsent's bequest to Mr. Pitt. Reported death of Lady Hertford. Death of Lady Harcourt. Conduct of Charles Townshend. Couplet on Charles Yorke--367 239. To the same, Jan. 27.-Debates on the army estimates. Sir William Pynsent's legacy to Mr. Pitt. Duel between Lord Byron and Mr. Chaworth. Lady Townshend's arrest. "Castle of Otranto." Mrs. Griffiths's "Platonic Wife"--370 240. To the same, Feb. 12.-Debates on the American Stamp-act. Petition of the perriwig-makers. Almack's new assembly-room. Williams the reprinter of "The North Briton" pilloried. Wretched condition of The administration.--373 241. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 19.-Congratulations on his health and cheerful spirits. Recommends him to quit his country solitude. Contemplated visit to Paris. And retirement from Parliament and political connexions. Runic poetry. Mallet's "Northern Antiquities." Lord Byron's trial. Antiquarian Society--376 242. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 28.-Planting and gardening. Publication of "The Castle of Otranto"--377 243. To the same, March 9.-Origin of "The Castle of Otranto." Caution to his friend respecting his MSS. Consequences of the Droit d'Aubaine. Dr. Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry." Old Ballads. Rosamond's Bower. Ambition and Content--378 244. To Monsieur Elie de Beaumont, March 18.-"The Castle of Otranto." Madame de Beaumont's "Letters of the Marquis de Roselle." Churchill and Dryden. Effects of Richardson's novels--381 245. To the Earl of Hertford, March 26.-Count de Guerchy's pretended conspiracy to murder M. D'Eon. The King's illness. Count de Caraman. "Siege of Calais." Duc de Choiseul's reply to Mademoiselle Clairon. French admiration of Garrick. Quin in Falstaff. Old Johnson. Mrs. Porter. Cibber and O'Brien, Mrs. Clive. Garrick's chief characters. The wolf of the Gevaudan. Favourable reception of "The Castle of Otranto." Bon-mot. Strait of Thermopylae--382 246. To George Montagu, Esq. April 5.-"Siege of Calais." Bon-mots. Quin and Bishop Warburton. Prerogative. Preferments--384 247. To the Earl of Hertford, April 7.-The King's rapid recovery. Fire at Gunnersbury. Count Schouvaloff. Count de Caraman. Mrs. Anne Pitt. Mr. Pitt the, first curiosity of foreigners. French encroachments. Parliament. Poor bill. A late dinner--385 248. To the same, April 18.-The King's recovery. Proceedings on the Regency-bill. Enmity between Lord Bute and Mr. Grenville. Rumoured changes. State of parties. Lord Byron's acquittal. The Duke of Cumberland's illness. Daffy's Elixir. Poor-bill. lord Hinchinbrook's marriage--388 249. To Sir David Dalrymple, April 21.-"The Castle of Otranto." Old Ballads. Consolations of authorship--[N.] 391 To the Earl of Hertford, May 5.-Proceedings in the House of Lords on the Regency-bill--391 251. To the same, May 12.-Proceedings in the House of Commons on the Regency bill. The Princess Dowager excluded from the Regency--395 252. To the same, May 20.-The King forbids the Parliament to be prorogued. The Duke of Cumberland ordered to form a new administration. Failure of the Duke's negotiation with Mr. Pitt. Ministerial resignations. Humiliations of the Crown. Riots. Attack on Bedford-house. General spirit of mutiny and dissatisfaction. Extraordinary conduct of Mr. Pitt. Second tumult at Bedford-house. The King compelled to take back his ministers. Reconciliation between Lord Temple and George Grenville. Mr. Conway restored to the King's favour. Extravagant terms dictated by the ministers to the King. Stuart Mackenzie's removal. Ministerial changes and squabbles--399 253. To George Montagu, Esq. May 26.-Proceedings on the Regency-bill. Ministerial squabbles and changes. Mr. Bentley's' poem. Danger of writing political panegyrics or satires. Lines on the Fountain Tree in the Canary Islands--405 254. To the same, June 10.-A party at Strawberry. General Schouvaloff. Felicity of being a private man. Ingratitude of sycophants--407 255. To the right Hon. Lady Hervey, June 11.-Apology for not writing. Regrets at being carried backward.,; and forwards to balls and suppers. Resolutions of growing old and staid at fourscore--408 256. To George Montagu, Esq.-Contradicting a report of his dangerous illness--409 257. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 3.-Progress of his illness. Effects of the gout. Dreams and reveries. Madame de Bentheim--410 258. To the Countess of Suffolk, July 3,-State of his health. Lady Blandford--[N.] 411 259. To the same, July 9.--The new ministry, Conduct of Charles Townshend.--(N) 411 260. To George Montagu, Esq. July 11.-Change of the ministry. The Rockingham administration--412 261. To the same, July 28.-Reflections on loss of youth. Entrance into old age through the gate Of infirmity. A month's confinement to a sick bed a stinging lesson. Whiggism--413 262. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 23.-Death of Lady Barbara Montagu. Old friends and new faces. A strange story. Motives for revisiting Paris. The French reformation. Churches and convents. Adieu to politics--414 263. To the same, Aug. 31.-Dropping off and separation of friends. Pleasant anticipations from his visit to Paris. Revival of old ideas. Stupefying effects of richardson's novels on the Frenchmnation--416 264. To the Earl of Strafford, Sept. 3.-Motives of his journey to Paris. Death of the Emperor of Germany. "My last sally into the world"--418 265. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Sept. 3.-Thanks for letters of introduction. Modern French literature--419 266. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 5.-Inviting him to visit Paris-- 420 267. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 11.-Journey to Amiens. Meeting with Lady mary Coke. Boulogne. Duchess of Douglas. A droll way of being chief mourner. A French absurdity. Walnut-trees. Clermont. The Duc de Fitz-James. Arrival at Paris--421 268. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Sept. 14.-Salutary effects OF his journey. French gravity. Parisian dirt. French Opera. Italian comedy Chantilly. Illness of the Dauphin. Mr. David Hume the mode at Paris. Mesdames de Monaco, d'Egmont, and de Brionne. Nymphs of the theatres--423 269. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 18.-Advice respecting his journey to Paris--424 270. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 22.-Ingratitude. Amusements. French society. Mode of living. Music. Stage. Le Kain. The Dumenil. Grandval. Italian comedy. Harlequin. Freethinking. Conversation. Their savans. Admiration of Richardson and Hume. Dress and equipages. Parliaments and clergy. Effects of company --425 271. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 3.-H`otel de Carnavalet. Madame Geoffrin. His own defects the sole cause of his not enjoying Paris. Duc de Nivernois. Colonel Drumgold. Duchesse de Coss`e. Presentations at Versailles. The King and Queen. The Mesdames. The Dauphin and Dauphiness. Wild beast of the Gevaudan. Mr. hans Stanley--427 272. To John Chute, Esq. Oct. 3.-French manners. Their authors. Style of conversations. English and French manners contrasted. Presentation at Versailles. Duc de Berri. Count de Provence. Count d'Artois. Duc and Duchesse de Praslin. Duc and Duchesse de Choiseul. Duc de Richelieu--429 273. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 6.-French society. A supper at Madame du Deffand's. President Henault. Walpole's blunders against French grammar. Sir James Macdonald's mimicry of Mr. David Hume. Mr. Elliot's imitation of Mr. Pitt. Presentation to the Royal Family. Dinner at the Duc de Praslin's with the corps diplomatique. Visit to the State Paper Office. M. de Marigny's pictures. Mada mede Bentheim. Duc de Duras. Wilkes at Paris--431 274. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Oct. 13.-Attack of the gout. Cupid and death. Allan Ramsay the painter. Madame Geoffrin. Common sense. Duc de Nivernois. Lady Mary Chabot. Politics--434 275. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 16.-Illness at Paris. Visit from Wilkes. The Dumenil. Grandval. President Henault--436 276. To the Countess of Suffolk, Oct. 16.-Fontainbleau. Duc de Richelieu. Lady Mary Chabot. Lady Browne. Visit to Mrs. Hayes. Joys of the gout--[N.-) 437 277. To Thomas Brand, Esq. Oct. 19.-Laughter out of fashion at Paris. "God and the King to be Pulled down." Admiration of whist and Richardson. Freethinking. Wilkes, Sterne, and Foote at Paris. Lord Ossory. Mesdames de Rochefort, Monaco, and Mirepoix. The Mar`echalle d'Estr`ees--438 278. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 29.-Probable death of the Dauphin. Description of the Philosophers. Their object the destruction of regal power.--440 279. To Mr. Gray, Nov. 19.-State of his health. Infallible specific for the gout. Picture of Paris. French society. The Philosophers. Dumenil. Preville. Visit to the Chartreuse--441 280. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 21.-Recovery from a fit of the gout. "Le nouveau Richelieu." Indifference to politics. Squabbles about the French Parliaments. Bigotry. Logogriphe by Madame du Deffand--444 281. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 21.-A simile. Sameness of llife at Paris. Invites him to transplant himself to Roehampton. Reflections on coming old age. Object of all impostors. Rabelais-- 445 282. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Nov. 28.-Thanks for her introductions. Duchesse d'Aiguillon. French women of quality. Duchesse de Nivernois. "L'Orpheline Legu`egu`ee." Count Grammont's picture--447 283. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Nov. 29.-Tea-drinking. Dissuades him from going to Italy. Advice for his political conduct. "L'Orpheline Legu`ee." Count Caylus's auction. Portrait of Count Grammont. French painters--448 284. To the Hon. H. S. Conway. Dec. 5.-The Dauphin. French politics. M. de Maurepas. Marshal Richelieu. French parliaments-- 450 285. To the Countess of Suffolk, Dec. 5.-Fret)ch society. The Comtesse d'Egmont. The Dauphin--[N.] 451 1766. 286. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Jan. 2.-Comtesse d'Egmont. Severity of the Frost. Dread of being thought charming. Rousseau's visit to England. Great parts. Charles Townshend--452 287. To John Chute, Esq. Jan.-Severity of the weather. Ill- accordance of the French manners and climate. Presentation to the Comtesse de la Marche. Douceur in the society of the Parisiennes of fashion. Charlatanerie of the Savans and Philosophes. Count St. Germain. Rousseau in England. Walpole's pretended letter of the King of Prussia to Rousseau--453 288. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan, 5.-Robin Hood reform`e and Little John. Dreams of life superior to its realities. Politics. Lord Temple and George Grenville. Goody Newcastle. Helvetius's "Esprit" and Voltaire's "Pucelle"--455 289. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Jan. 11.-A supper at the Duchesse d'Aiguillon's. Picture of the Duchesse de Choiseul. Madame Geoffrin. Verses on Madame Forcalquier speaking English. The Italians. The gout preferable to all other disorders--457 290. To The Hon. H. S. Conway, Jan. 12.-Regrets on leaving Paris. Honours and distinctions. Invitation from Madame de Brionne. Pretended letter from the King of Prussia to Rousseau--458 291. To the Rev. mr. Cole, Jan. 18.-Severity of the weather. Cathedral of Amiens. The Sainte Chapelle. Rousseau in England. King of Prussia's letter--460 292. To Mr. Gray, Jan. 25.-State of his health. "Making oneself tender." Change in French manners. Their religious opinions. The Parliaments. The men dull and empty. Wit, softness, and good sense of the women. Picture of Madame Geoffrin. madame du Deffand. M. Pontdeveyle. Madame de Mirepoix. Anecdote of M. de Maurepas. Madame de Boufflers. Madame de Rochefort. Familiarities under the veil of friendship. Duc de Nivernois. Madame de Gisors. Duchesse de Choiseul. Duchesse de Grammont. Mar`echale de Luxembourg. Pretended letter to Rousseau. Walpole at the head of the fashion. Carried to the Princess de Talmond--461 293. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, Feb. 3.-Madame de Geoffrin's secret mission to Poland. The Comtesse d'Egmont--468 294. To George Montagu, Esq. Feb. 4.-Madame Roland. Marriages. Duc and Duchesse de Choiseul--469 295. To the Same, Feb. 23.-French Parliaments --470 296. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 28.-Pretended letter to Rousseau. A French horse-race--470 297. To George Montagu, Esq. March 3.-Preparations for leaving Paris. Defeat of George Grenville. Repeal of the American Stamp-act. Lit de justice. Remonstrances of the Parliaments--471 298. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, March 10.-Watchings and revellings. A supper at the Mar`echale de Luxembourg's. Funeral sermon on the Dauphin. The Abb`e Coyer's pamphlet on Preaching--472 299. To George Montagu, Esq. March 12.-Colman and Garrick. Mrs. Clive--474 300. To the same, March 21.-Madame Roland. A French woman's first visit to Paris contrasted with his own. The Princess of Talmond's pug-dogs. A commission--474 301. To the same, April 3.-Visit to Livry. The Abb`e de Malherbe. Madame de S`evign`e's Sacred pavilion. Old trees--475 302. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, April 6.-Insurrection at Madrid on the attempt of the Court to introduce the French dress in Spain--476 303. To the same, April 8.-Further particulars of the insurrection at Madrid. Change in the French ministry. Lettres de cachet. Insurrections at Bordeaux and Toulouse--478 304. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 10.-Return to England--479 305. To the same, May 13.-Apology for accidentally opening one of his letters--479 306. To George Montagu, Esq. May 25.-Ministerial appointments. Duke of Richmond. Lord North. Death of Lord Grandison. Lady Townshend turned Roman Catholic. Mrs. Clive's bon-mot--480 307. To the same, June 20.-Anstey's New Bath Guide. Swift's Correspondence, and Journal to Stella. Bon-mot of George Selwyn. Pun of the King of France--481 308. To the Right Hon. Lady Hervey, June 28.-Madame du Deffand's present of a snuff-box, with a portrait of Madame de S`evign`e. Translation of a tale from the "Dictionnaire d'Anecdotes."--482 309. To George Montagu, Esq. July 10.-Expected change in the ministry. The King's letter to Mr. Pitt--485 310. To the same, July 21.-Change of the ministry. Ode on the occasion--485 311. To David Hume, Esq. July 26.-Quarrel between David Hume, and Rousseau--486 312. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Sept. 18.-Contradicting a newspaper report of his illness--487 313. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 18.--488 314. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 2.-Journey to Bath. Great dislike of the place. The new buildings. Lord Chatham--488 315. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 5.-Recovery. Tired to death of Bath. Lord Chatham. Watering places--489 316. To John Chute, Esq. Oct. 10.-Visit to Wesley's meeting. Hymns to ballad tunes. Style of Wesley's preaching. Countess of Buchan. Lord Chatham--489 317. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 18.-Reasons for leaving Bath. Inefficacy of the waters. "Good hours"--490 318. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Oct. 18.-Lord Chatham wishes him to second the Address on the King's Speech. Life at Bath. Motives for leaving the place. Old age. Dread of ridicule--491 319. To George Montagu, Esq. Oct. 22.-Satisfaction at his return to Strawberry Hill. Visit to Bristol. Its buildings. Abbey church of Bath. Batheaston--492 320. To Sir David Dalrymple, (Lord Hailes,) Nov. 5.-Thanks for his "Memorials and Letters." Folly of burying in oblivion the faults and crimes of princes--[N.] 494 321. To David Hume, Esq. Nov. 6.-On his quarrel with Rousseau. Folly of literary squabbles--494 322. To the same, Nov. 11.-The same subject. Omissions by D'Alembert in a published letter of Walpole's. Picture of modern philosophers--496 323. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 12.-Politics. Ministerial negotiations. Deaths and marriages. Caleb Whitefoord's Cross-readings from the newspapers--499 324. To the same, Dec. 16.-Thanks for a present of venison--500 1767. 325. To George Montagu, Esq. Jan. 13.-Death of his servant Louis. Quarrel of Hume and Rousseau. High tide--501 326. To Dr. Ducarel, April 25.-Thanks for his "Anglo Norman Antiquities"--501 327. To the Earl of Strafford, July 29.-Death and character of Lady Suffolk--502 328. To George Montagu, Esq. July 31.-State of the ministry. Intended trip to Paris. Death of Lady Suffolk. Lord Lyttelton's "Henry the Second." Lean people. Mrs. Clive--503 329. To the same, Aug. 7.-Motives for revisiting Paris--503 330. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept. 9.-Death and character of Charles Townshend. State of the ministry. Lord Chatham. Dinner at the Duc de Choiseul's--[N.] 504 331. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Oct. 24.-Return to England--505 332. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 1.-General Conway's refusal of the appointment to secretary of state. Old Pulteney--506 333. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 19.-Intended retirement from Parliament. State of his health. Roman Catholic religion--506 1768. 334. To Sir David Dalrymple, Jan. 17.-Advice on sending a young artist to Italy. "Historic Doubts." Coronation roll of Richard the Third --[N.] 507 335. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Feb. 1.-On Sending a copy of his "Historic Doubts"--508 336. To Sir David Dalrymple, Feb. 2.-On sending him his "Historic Doubts." Rapid sale of the first impression--(N.] 509 337. To Mr. Gray, Feb. 18.-New edition of Gray's poems. On his own writings. King of Prussia. Lord Clarendon's "History." "Historic Doubts." Disculpation of Richard the Third. "Turned of fifty." Garrick's prologues and epilogues. Boswell's "Corsica." General Paoli--509 338. To the same, Feb. 26.-"Historic Doubts." Guthrie's answer thereto. Thanks for notes on the "Noble, Authors"--512 339. To George Montagu, Esq. March 12.-Reflections on his retirement from Parliament. Guthrie's answer to the "Historic Doubts." Sterne's Sentimental Journey." Gray's "Odes"--514 340. To the same, April 15.-Wit as temporary as dress and manners. Fate of George Selwyn's bon-mots. Completion of his tragedy of "The Mysterious Mother." Mrs. Pritchard. Garrick. President Henault's tragedy of "Corn elie"--516 341. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, April 16.--Rous's rolls of the Earls of Warwick. Projects a History of the Streets of London. St. Foix's Rues de Paris. The Methodists. Whitfield's funeral sermon on Gibson the forger--517 342. To the same, June 6.-History of Ely cathedral. Cardinal Lewis de Luxembourg. Cardinal Morton. Painted glass--519 343. To George Montagu, Esq. June 15.-Inclemency of the weather. English summers. Description of the climate by our poets. Hot-house of St. Stephen's chapel. Indifference to parties. The country going to ruin--520 344. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 16.-Wilkes and liberty. Ministerial changes. Conduct of the Duke of Grafton. Distressed state of the country. Lord Chatham. Foote's "Devil upon Two Sticks." Subject of "The Mysterious Mother"--[N.] 521 345. To Monsieur de Voltaire, June 21.-On his soliciting a copy of the "Historic Doubts." Reply to Voltaire's criticisms on Shakspeare--523 346. To the Earl of Strafford, June 25.-Wilkes and Number 45. The King of Denmark. Lady Rockingham and the Methodist Pope Joan Huntingdon. Brentford election--524 347. To Monsieur de Voltaire, July 27.-Reply to Voltaire's vindication of his criticism on Shakspeare. Story of M. de jumonville. "Historic Doubts"--525 348. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 9.-Lord Botetourt. New Archbishop of Canterbury. King of Denmark. Augustus Hervey's divorce from the Chudleigh. Gray appointed professor of modern history. Efficacy of ice-water--527 349. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 13.-Arrival of the King of Denmark. His person and manners. His suite--529 350. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 16.-Personal description of the King of Denmark. His cold reception at Court. the first favourite, Count Holke. His prime minister, Count Bernsdorff--529 351. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 25.-Disturbance in America. Coffee-house politicians. King of Denmark. Lady Bel Stanhope--(N.] 531 352. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Aug. 30.-Thanks for some prints and some notices. Improvements at Strawberry. Mr. Granger's "Catalogue of English Heads." Dr. Robertson's writings. Scotch puffing--532 353. To the Earl of Strafford, Oct. 10.-Health and sickness. quiet of his present illness contrasted with the inquiries after him when his friends were coming into power--534 354. To George Montagu, Esq. Nov. 10.-Benefits from bootikins and water-drinking. Elections--535 355. To the same, Nov. 15.-Separation of old friends in old age. Moroseness of retirement. Evils of solitude. Death of the Duke of Newcastle, and of Lady Hervey--535 356. To the same, Dec. 1.-Arlington-street. Reconciliation between Lord Chatham, Earl Temple, and Mr. George Grenville. Wilkes and the House of Commons--536 1769. 357. To George Montagu, Esq. March 26.-City riot. Brentford election. Wilkes and Luttrell. Marriages--538 358. To the same, April 15.-Temperance the best physician. Easy mode of preserving the teeth. Advice on wine drinking. Middlesex election. Wilkes and the House of Commons--539 359. To the same, May 11.-Grand festino at Strawberry. Ridotto al fresco at Vauxhall--540 360. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, May 27.-Granger's Catalogue of Prints and Lives down to the Revolution. Intended visit to Paris. Gough's British Topography--541 361. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, June 14.-Proposed painted window for Ely cathedral. Bishop Mawson. Granger's dedication. Shenstone's Letters. His unhappy passion for fame. The Leasowes. Instructions on domestic privacy--542 362. To the same, June 26.-Intended visit to Ely. English summers. Advice to quit Marshland. Joscelin de Louvain--545 363. To the Earl of Strafford, July 3.-Disinterestedness and length of their friendship. Three years' absence of summer. Emptiness of London. City politics. Angling. Methuselah--546 364. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 7.-Lord Chatham at the King's levee--547 365. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, July 15.-Return from Ely. East window of the cathedral. Bishop Luda's tomb--548 366. To the same, Aug. 12.-Thanks for some prints. Advice respecting a History of Gothic Architecture. Tyson's "History of Fashions and Dresses"--549 367. To George Montagu, Esq. Aug. 18.-Calais. Complaint of his friend's long silence. Journey to Paris--551 368. To John Chute, Esq. Aug. 30.-Journey to Paris. Lord Dacre and Dr. Pomme. Account of Madame du Deffand. Madame du Barry. French theatre. Hamlet. The Dumenil. Voltaire's tragedy of "Les Gu`ebres"- -552 (369. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 7.-Character of Madame du Deffand. Uncertainty of life. A five-and-thirty years' friendship. Visit to the Abbess of Panthemont--553 370. To the Earl of Strafford, Sept. 8.-Affected admiration of the French government. Lettres de cachet. Students in legislature. French treatment Of trees--555 371. To George Montagu, Esq. Sept. 17.-Visit to Versailles, Madame du Barry. The Dauphin. Count de Provence. Count d'Artois. The King. Visit to St. Cyr. Madame de Maintenon. Madame de Cambise. Trait of Madame de Mailly --557 372. To the same, Oct. 13.-Return to England. Congratulations on his friend's being appointed Lord North's private secretary--560 373. To the same, Oct. 16.-Return to Strawberry. His tragedy of "The Mysterious Mother." Bad taste of the public. Garrick's prologues and epilogues. French chalk and dirt contrasted with English neatness and greenth--560 374. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Nov. 14.-Lord Temple's dinner with the Lord Mayor. Tottering position of the Duc de Choiseul. "Trip to the Jubilee." Literature and politics of the day. Milton's prose writings. Heroes and orators--561 375. To George Montagu, Esq. Dec. 14.-Condolence on the death of Mrs. Trevor. Loss of friends and connexions. Cumberland's comedy of "The Brothers." Alderman Backwell--562 376. To the Rev. Mr. Cole, Dec. 21.-Thanks for communications. Mr. Tyson's etchings. Madame du Deffand--[N.] 563 Letter 1 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, Nov. 17, 1759. (page 25) I rejoice over your brother's honours, though I certainly had no hand in them. He probably received his staff from the board of trade. If any part of the consequences could be placed to partiality for me, it would be the prevention of your coming to town, which I wished. My lady Cutts(1) is indubitably your own grandmother: the Trevors would once have had it, but by some misunderstanding the old Cowslade refused it. Mr. Chute has twenty more corroborating circumstances, but this one is sufficient. Fred. Montagu told me of the pedigree. I shall take care of all your commissions. Felicitate yourself on having got from me the two landscapes; that source is stopped. Not that Mr. M`untz is eloped to finish the conquest of America, nor promoted by Mr. Secretary's zeal for my friends, nor because the ghost of Mrs. Leneve has appeared to me, and ordered me to drive Hannah and Ishmael into the wilderness. A cause much more familiar to me has separated US--nothing but a tolerable quantity of ingratitude on his side, both to me and Mr. Bentley. The story is rather too long for a letter: the substance was most extreme impertinence to me, concluded by an abusive letter against Mr. Bentley, who sent him from starving on seven pictures for a guinea to One hundred pounds a year, my house, table, and utmost countenance. In short, I turned his head, and was forced to turn him out of doors. You shall see the documents, as it is the fashion to call proof papers. Poets and painters imagine they confer the Honour when they are protected, and they set down impertinence to the article of their own virtue, when you dare to begin to think that an ode or a picture is not a patent for all manner of insolence. My Lord Temple, as vain as if he was descended from the stroller Pindar, or had made up card-matches at the siege of Genoa, has resigned the privy seal, because he has not the garter.(2) You cannot imagine what an absolute prince I feel myself with knowing that nobody can force me to give the garter to M`untz. My Lady Carlisle is going to marry a Sir William Musgrave, who is but three-and-twenty; but, in consideration of the match, and of her having years to spare, she has made him a present of ten, and calls them three-and-thirty. I have seen the new Lady Stanhope. I assure you her face will introduce no plebeian charms into the faces of the Stanhopes, Adieu! (1) Lady Cutts was the mother of Mrs. Montagu, by her second husband, John Trevor, Esq. and grandmother of George Montagu.-E. (2) See vol. ii. p. 522, letter 344. Letter 2 TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM PITT.(3) Arlington Street, Nov. 19, 1759. (page 26) Sir, On coming to town, I did myself the honour of waiting on you and Lady Hester Pitt: and though I think myself extremely distinguished by your obliging note, I shall be sorry for having given you the trouble of writing it, if it did not lend me a very pardonable opportunity of saying what I much wished to express, but thought myself too private a person, and of too little consequence, to take the liberty to say. In short, Sir, I was eager to congratulate you on the lustre you have thrown on this country; I wished to thank you for the security you have fixed to me of enjoying the happiness I do enjoy. You have placed England in a situation in which it never saw itself--a task the more difficult, as you had not to improve, but recover. In a trifling book, written two or three years ago,(4) I said (speaking of the name in the world the most venerable to me), "sixteen unfortunate and inglorious years since his removal have already written his eulogium." It is but justice to you, Sir, to add, that that period ended when your administration began. Sir, do not take this for flattery: there is nothing in your power to give that I would accept; nay, there is nothing I could envy, but what I believe you would scarce offer me--your glory. This may seem very vain and insolent: but consider, Sir, what a monarch is a man who wants nothing! consider how he looks down on one who is only the most illustrious man in England! But Sir, freedoms apart, insignificant as I am, probably it must be some satisfaction to a great mind like yours to receive incense, when you are sure there is no flattery blended with it; and what must any Englishman be that could give you a moment's satisfaction and would hesitate? Adieu! Sir. I am unambitious, I am uninterested, but I am vain. You have, by your notice, uncanvassed, unexpected, and at a period when you certainly could have the least temptation to stoop down to me, flattered me in the most agreeable manner. If there could arrive the moment when you could be nobody, and I any body, you cannot imagine how grateful I would be. In the mean time, permit me to be, as I have been ever since I had the honour of knowing you, Sir, your most obedient humble servant. (3) Now first collected. (4) His "Catalogue of Royal and Noble Authors."-E. Letter 3 To Sir Horace Mann. Arlington Street, Nov. 30th of the Great Year. (page 27) here is a victory more than I promised you! For these thirteen days we have been in the utmost impatience for news. The Brest fleet had got out; Duff, with three ships, was in the utmost danger--Ireland ached--Sir Edward Hawke had notice in ten hours, and sailed after Conflans--Saunders arrived the next moment from Quebec, heard it, and sailed after Hawke, without landing his glory. No express arrived, storms blow; we knew not what to think. This morning at four we heard that, on the 20th, Sir Edward Hawke came in sight of the French, who were pursuing Duff. The fight began at half an hour past two--that is, the French began to fly, making a running fight. Conflans tried to save himself behind the rocks of Belleisle, but was forced to burn his ship of eighty guns and twelve hundred men. The Formidable, of eighty, and one thousand men, is taken; we burned the Hero of seventy-four, eight hundred and fifteen men. The Thes`ee and Superbe of seventy-four and seventy, and of eight hundred and fifteen and eight hundred men, were sunk in the action, and the crews lost. Eight of their ships are driven up the Vilaine, after having thrown over their guns; they have moored two frigates to defend the entrance, but Hawke hopes to destroy them. Our loss is a scratch, one lieutenant and thirty-nine men killed, and two hundred and two wounded. The Resolution of seventy-four guns, and the Essex of sixty-four, are lost, but the crews saved; they, it is supposed, perished by the tempest, which raged all the time, for "We rode in the whirlwind and directed the storm." Sir Edward heard guns of distress in the night, but could not tell whether of friend or foe, nor could assist them.(5) Thus we wind up this wonderful year! Who that died three years ago and could revive, would believe it! Think, that from Petersburgh to the Cape of Good Hope, from China to California, De Paris `a Perou, there are not five thousand Frenchmen in the world that have behaved well! Monsieur Thurot is piddling somewhere on the coast of Scotland, but I think our sixteen years of fears of invasion are over--after sixteen victories. if we take Paris, I don't design to go thither before spring. My Lord Kinnoul is going to Lisbon to ask pardon for Boscawen's beating De la Clue in their House; it will be a proud supplication, with another victory in bank.(6) Adieu! I would not profane this letter with a word of any thing else for the world. (5) This was Hawke's famous victory, for which he received the thanks of Parliament, and a pension of two thousand pounds a-year. In 1765, he was created a peer.-D. (6) The object of Lord Kinnoul's mission to the court of Portugal was to remove the misunderstanding between the two crowns, in consequence of Admiral Boscawen's having destroyed some French ships under the Portuguese fort in the bay of Lagos.-E. Letter 4 TO SIR HORACE MANN. Arlington Street, Dec. 13, 1759. (page 28) That ever you should pitch upon me for a mechanic or geometric commission! How my own ignorance has laughed at me since I read your letter! I say, your letter, for as to Dr. Perelli's, I know no more of a Latin term in mathematics than Mrs. Goldsworthy(7) had an idea of verbs. I will tell you an early anecdote in my own life, and you shall judge. When I first went to Cambridge, I was to learn mathematics of the famous blind professor Sanderson. I had not frequented him a fortnight, before he said to me, "Young man, it is cheating you to take your money: believe me, you never can learn these things; you have no capacity for them."- I can smile now, but I cried then with mortification. The next step, in order to comfort myself, was not to believe him : I could not conceive that I had not talents for any thing in the world. I took, at my own expense, a private instructor,(8) who came to me once a-day for a year. Nay, I took infinite pains, but had so little capacity, and so little attention, (as I have always had to any thing that did not immediately strike my inclination) that after mastering any proposition, when the man came the next day, it was as new to me as if I had never heard of it ; in short, even to common figures, I am the dullest dunce alive. I have often said it of myself, and it is true, that nothing that has not a proper Dame of a man or a woman to it, affixes any idea upon my mind. I could remember who was King Ethelbald's great aunt, and not be sure whether she lived in the year 500 or 1500. I don't know whether I ever told you, that when you sent me the seven gallons of drams, and they were carried to Mr. Fox by mistake for Florence wine, I pressed @im to keep as much as he liked: for, said I, I have seen the bill of lading, and there is a vast quantity. He asked how much? I answered seventy gallons; so little idea I have of quantity. I will tell you one more story of myself, and you will comprehend what sort of a head I have! Mrs. Leneve said to me one day, "There is a vast waste of coals in your house ; you should make the servants take off the fires at night." I recollected this as I was going to bed, and, out of economy, put my fire out with a bottle of Bristol water! However, as I certainly will neglect nothing to oblige you, I went to Sisson and gave him the letter. He has undertaken both the engine and the drawing, and has promised the utmost care in both. The latter, he says, must be very large, and that it will take some time to have it performed very accurately. He has promised me both in six or seven weeks. But another time, don't imagine, because I can bespeak an enamelled bauble, that I am fit to be entrusted with the direction of the machine at Marli. It is not to save myself trouble, for I think nothing so for you, but I would have you have credit, and I should be afraid of dishonouring you. There! there is the King of Prussia has turned all our war and peace topsy-turvy ! If Mr. Pitt Will conquer Germany too, he must go and do it himself. Fourteen thousand soldiers and nine generals taken, as it were, in a partridge net! and what is worse, I have not heard yet that the monarch owns his rashness.(9) As often as he does, indeed, he is apt to repair it. You know I have always dreaded Daun--one cannot make a blunder but he profits of it-and this ' just at the moment that we heard of nothing but new bankruptcy in France. I want to know what a kingdom is to do when it is forced to run away? 14th.--Oh! I interrupt my reflections--there is another bit of a victory! Prince Henry, who has already succeeded to his brother's crown, as king of the fashion, has beaten a parcel of Wirternberghers and taken four battalions. Daun is gone into Bohemia, and Dresden is still to be ours. The French are gone into winter quarters--thank God! What weather is here to be lying on the ground! Men should be statues, or will be so, if they go through it. Hawke is enjoying himself in Quiberon Bay, but I believe has done no more execution. Dr. Hay says it will soon be as shameful to beat a Frenchman as to beat a woman. Indeed, one is forced to ask every morning what victory there is, for fear of missing one. We talk of a con(,,ress at Breda, and some think Lord Temple will go thither: if he does, I shall really believe it will be peace; and a good one, as it will then be of Mr. Pitt's making. I was much pleased that the watch succeeded so triumphantly, and beat the French watches, though they were two to one. For the Fugitive pieces: the Inscription for the Column(10) was written when I was with you at Florence, though I don't wonder that you have forgotten it after so many yeirs. I would not have it talked of, for I find some grave personages are offended -with the liberties I have taken with so imperial a head. What could provoke them to give a column Christian burial? Adieu! (7) Wife of the English consul at Leghorn, where, when she was learning Italian by grammar, she said, "Oh! give me a language in which there are no verbs!" concluding, as she had not learnt her own language by grammar, that there were no verbs in English. (8) Dr. Treviger. (9) It was not Frederick's fault; he was not there ; but that of General Finek, who had placed himself so injudiciously, that he was obliged to capitulate to the Austrians with fourteen thousand men. (10) The inscription for the neglected Column in St. Mark's Place at Florence.-E. Letter 5 To George Montagu, Esq. Strawberry Hill, Dec. 23, 1759. (page 30) How do you do? are you thawed again? how have you borne the country in this bitter weather? I have not been here these three weeks till to-day, and was delighted to find it so pleasant, and to meet a comfortable southeast wind, the fairest of all winds, in spite of the scandal that lies on the east; though it is the west that is parent of all ugliness. The frost was succeeded by such fogs, that I could not find my way out of London. Has your brother told you of the violences in Ireland? There wanted nothing but a Massaniello to overturn the government; and luckily for the government and for Rigby, he, who was made for Massaniello, happened to be first minister there. Tumults, and insurrections, and oppositions, "Like arts and sciences, have travelled west." Pray make the general collect authentic accounts of those civil wars against he returns--you know where they will find their place, and that you are one of the very few that will profit of them. I will grind and dispense to you all the corn you bring to my mill. We good-humoured souls vote eight millions with as few questions, as if the whole House of Commons was at the club at Arthur's; and we live upon distant news, as if London was York or Bristol. There is nothing domestic, but that Lord George Lennox, being refused Lord Ancram's consent, set out for Edinburgh with Lady Louisa Kerr, the day before yesterday; and Lord Buckingham is going to be married to our Miss Pitt of Twickenham, daughter of that strange woman who had a mind to be my wife, and who sent Mr. Raftor to know why I did not marry her. I replied, "Because I was not sure that the two husbands, that she had at once, were both dead." Apropos to my wedding, Prince Edward asked me at the Opera, t'other night, when I was to marry Lady Mary Coke: I answered, as soon as I got a regiment; which, you know, is now the fashionable way. The kingdom of beauty is in as great disorder as the kingdom of Ireland. My Lady Pembroke looks like a ghost-poor Lady Coventry is going to be one; and the Duchess of Hamilton is so altered I did not know her. Indeed, she is bid with child, and so big, that as my Lady Northumberland says, it is plain she has a camel in her belly, and my Lord Edgecumbe says, it is as true it did not go through the eye of a needle. That Countess has been laid up with a hurt in her leg; Lady Rebecca Paulett pushed her on the birthnight against a bench: the Duchess of Grafton asked if it was true that Lady Rebecca kicked her? "Kick me, Madam! When did you ever hear of a Percy that took a kick?" I can tell you another anecdote of that house, that will not divert you less. Lord March making them a visit this summer at Alnwick Castle, my lord received him at the gate, and said, "I believe, my lord, this is the first time that ever a Douglas and a Percy met here in friendship." Think of this from a Smithson to a true Douglas! I don't trouble my head about any connexion; any news into the country I know is welcome, though it comes out higlepigledy, just as it happens to be packed up. The cry in Ireland has been against Lord Hilsborough, supposing him to mediate an union of the two islands; George Selwyn, seeing him set t'other night between my Lady Harrington and Lord Barrington, said, "Who can say that my Lord Hilsborough is not an enemy to an union?" I will tell you one more story, and then good night. Lord Lyttelton(11) was at Covent Garden; Beard came on: the former said, "How comes Beard here? what made him leave Drury Lane?" Mr. Shelley, who sat next him, replied, "Why, don't you know he has been such a fool as to go and marry a Miss Rich? He has married Rich's daughter." My lord coloured; Shelley found out what he had said, and ran away. I forgot to tell you, that you need be in no disturbance about M`untz's pictures; they were a present I made you. Good night! (11) Lord Lyttelton married a daughter of Sir Robert Rich. Letter 6 To The Rev. Henry Zouch. Strawberry Hill, Dec. 23, 1759. (page 31) Sir, I own I am pleased, for your sake as well as my own, at hearing from you again. I felt sorry at thinking that you was displeased with the frankness and sincerity of my last. You have shown me that I made a wrong judgment of you, and I willingly correct it. You are extremely obliging in giving yourself the least trouble to make collections for me. I have received so much assistance and information from you, that I am sure I cannot have a more useful friend. For the Catalogue, I forgot it, as in the course of things I suppose it is forgot. For the Lives of English Artists I am going immediately to begin it, and shall then fling it into the treasury of the world, for the amusement of the world for a day, and then for the service of any body who shall happen hereafter to peep into the dusty drawer where it shall repose. For my Lord Clarendon's new work(12) of which you ask me, I am charmed with it. It entertains me more almost than any book I ever read. I was told there was little in it that had not already got abroad, or was not known by any other channels. If that is true, I own I am so scanty an historian as to have been ignorant of many of the facts but sure, at least, the circumstances productive of, or concomitant on several of them, set them in very new lights. The deductions and stating of arguments are uncommonly fine. His language I find much censured--in truth, it is sometimes involved, particularly in the indistinct usage of he and him. But in my opinion his style is not so much inferior to the former History as it seems. But this I take to be the case; when the former part appeared, the world was not accustomed to a good style as it is now. I question if the History of the Rebellion had been published but this summer, whether it would be thought so fine in point of style as it has generally been reckoned. For his veracity, alas! I am sorry to say, there is more than one passage in the new work which puts one a little upon one's guard in lending him implicit credit. When he says that Charles I. and his queen were a pattern of conjugal affection, it makes one stare. Charles was so, I verily believe; but can any man in his historical senses believe, that my Lord Clarendon did not know that, though the Queen was a pattern of affection, it was by no means of the conjugal kind.(13) Then the subterfuges my Lord Clarendon uses to avoid avowing that Charles II. was a Papist, are certainly no grounds for corroborating his veracity.(14) In short, I don't believe him when he does not speak truth; but he has spoken so much truth, that it is easy to see when he does not. Lucan is in poor forwardness. I have been plagued with a succession of bad printers, and am not got beyond the fourth book. It will scarce appear before next winter. Adieu! Sir. I have received so much pleasure and benefit from your correspondence, that I should be sorry to lose it. I will not deserve to lose it, but endeavour to be, as you will give me leave to be, your, etc. (12) The life of Edward Earl of Clarendon, etc. Dr. Johnson, in the sixty-fifth number of the Idler, has also celebrated the appearance of this interesting and valuable work.-C. (13) Mr. Walpole had early taken up this opinion; witness that gross line in his dull epistle to Aston, written in 1740, "The lustful Henrietta's Romish shade;" but we believe that no good authority for this imputation can be produced: there is strong evidence the other way: and if we were even to stand on mere authority, we should prefer that of Lord Clarendon to the scandalous rumours of troublesome times, which were, we believe, the only guides of Mr. Walpole.-C. (14) Nor for impugning it; for, the very fact, brought to light in later times, of Charles's having, with great secrecy and mystery, reconciled himself to the church of Rome on his deathbed, proves that up to that extreme hour he was not a Papist.-C. Letter 7 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, Jan. 7, 1760. (page 32) You must wonder I have not written to you a long time; a person of my consequence! I am now almost ready to say, We, instead of I In short, I live amongst royalty--considering the plenty, that is no great wonder. All the world lives with them, and they with all the world. Princes and Princesses open shops in every corner of the town, and the whole town deals with them. As I have gone to one, I chose to frequent all, that I night not be particular, and seem to have views; and yet it went so much against me, that I came to town on purpose a month ago for the Duke's levee, and had engaged brand to go with me, and then could not bring myself to it. At last, I went to him and the Princess Emily yesterday. It was well I had not flattered myself with being still in my bloom; I am grown so old since they saw me, that neither of them knew me. When they were told, he just spoke to me (I forgive him; he is not out of my debt, even with that) - she was exceedingly gracious, and commended Strawberry to the skies. TO-night, I was asked to their party at Norfolk House. These parties are wonderfully select and dignified one might sooner be a knight of Malta than qualified for them; I don't know how the Duchess of Devonshire, Mr. Fox, and I, were forgiven some of our ancestors. There were two tables at loo, two at whist, and a quadrille. I was commanded to the Duke's loo; he was sat down: not to make him wait, I threw my hat upon the marble table, and broke four pieces off a great crystal chandelier. I stick to my etiquette, and treat them with great respect; not as I do my friend, the Duke of York. But don't let us talk any more of Princes. My Lucan appears to-morrow; I must say it is a noble volume. Shall I send it you--or won't you come and fetch it? There is nothing new of public, but the violent commotions in Ireland,(15) whither the Duke of Bedford still persists in going. AEolus to quell a storm! I am in great concern for my old friend, poor Lady Harry Beauclerc; her lord dropped down dead two nights ago, as he was sitting with her and all their children. Admiral Boscawen is dead by this time.(16) Mrs. Osborne and I are not much afflicted; Lady Jane Coke too is dead, exceedingly rich; I have not heard her will yet. If you don't come to town soon, I give you warning, I will be a lord of the bedchamber, or a gentleman usher. If you will, I will be nothing but what I have been so many years-my own and yours ever. (15) Walpole, in his Memoires, vol. ii. p. 401, gives a particular account of these commotions. Gray, in a letter to Dr. Wharton, of the 23d of January, says, "They placed an old woman on the throne, and called for pipes and tobacco; made my Lord Chief Justice administer an oath (which they dictated) to my Lord Chancellor; beat the Bishop of Killaloe black and blue; at foot-ball with Chenevix, the old refugee Bishop of Waterford; rolled my Lord Farnham in the kennel; pulled Sir Thomas Prendergast by the nose (naturally large) till it was the size of a cauliflower-; and would have hanged Rigby if he had not got out of a window. At last the guard was obliged to move (with orders not to fire), but the mob threw dirt at them. then the horse broke in upon them, cutting and slashing, and took seventeen prisoners. The notion that had possessed the crowd was, that a union was to be voted between the two nations, and they should have no more parliaments there." Works, vol. iii. p. 233.-E. (16) This distinguished admiral survived till January 1761.-E. (17) Daughter of lord Torrington, and sister of the unfortunate Admiral Byng. She was married to the son of sir John Osborn of Chicksand Priory.-E. Letter 8 To The Right Hon. Lady Hervey. Jan. 12, 1760. (page 34) I am very sorry your ladyship could doubt a moment on the cause of my concern yesterday. I saw you much displeased at what I had said; and felt so innocent of the least intention of offending you, that I could not help being struck at my own ill-fortune, and wit[) the sensation raised by finding you mix great goodness with great severity. I am naturally very impatient under praise; I have reflected enough on myself to know I don't deserve it; and with this consciousness you ought to forgive me, Madam, if I dreaded that the person Whose esteem I valued the most in the world, should think, that I was fond of what I know is not my due. I meant to express this apprehension as respectfully as I could, but my words failed me-a misfortune not too common to me, who am apt to say too much, not too little! Perhaps it is that very quality which your ladyship calls wit, and I call tinsel, for which I dread being praised. I wish to recommend myself to you by more essential merits-and if I can only make you laugh, it will be very apt to make me as much concerned as I was yesterday. For people to whose approbation I am indifferent, I don't care whether they commend or condemn me for my wit; in the former case they Will not make me admire myself for it, in the latter they can't make me think but what I have thought already. But for the few whose friendship I wish, I would fain have them see, that under all the idleness of my spirits there are some very serious qualities, such as warmth, gratitude, and sincerity, which @ill returns may render useless or may make me lock up in my breast, but which will remain there while I have a being. having drawn you this picture of myself, Madam, a subject I have to say so much upon, will not your good-nature apply it as it deserves, to what passed yesterday? Won't you believe that my concern flowed from being disappointed at having offended one whom I ought by so many ties to try to please, and whom, if I ever meant any thing, I had meaned to please? I intended you should see how much I despise wit, if I have any, and that you should know my heart was void of vanity and full of gratitude. They -are very few I desire should know so much; but my passions act too promptly and too naturally, as you saw, when I am with those I really love, to be capable of any disguise. Forgive me, Madam, this tedious detail but of all people living, I cannot bear that you should have a doubt about me. Letter 9 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, Jan. 14, 1760. (page 35) How do you contrive to exist on your mountain in this rude season! Sure you must be become a snowball! As I was not in England in forty-one, I had no notion of such cold. The streets are abandoned; nothing appears in them: the Thames is almost as solid. Then think what a campaign must be in such a season! Our army was under arms for fourteen hours on the twenty-third, expecting the French and several of the men were frozen when they should have dismounted. What milksops the Marlboroughs and Ttirennes, the Blakes and the Van Tromps appear now, who whipped into winter quarters and into port, the moment their noses looked blue. Sir Cloudesly Shovel said that an admiral would deserve to be broke, who kept great ships out after the end of September, and to be shot if after October. There is Hawke(18) in the bay weathering this winter, after conquering in a storm. For my part, I scarce venture to make a campaign in the Opera-house; for if I once begin to freeze, I shall be frozen through in a moment. I am amazed, with such weather, such ravages, and distress, that there is any thing left in Germany, but money; for thither half the treasure of Europe goes: England, France, Russia, and all the Empress can squeeze from Italy and Hungary, all is sent thither, and yet the wretched people have not subsistence. A pound of bread sells at Dresden for eleven-pence. We are going to send many more troops thither; and it Is so much the fashion to raise regiments, that I wish there were such a neutral kind of beings in England as abb`es, that one might have an excuse for not growing military mad, when one has turned the heroic corner of one's age. I am ashamed of being a young rake, when my seniors are covering their gray toupees with helmets and feathers, and accoutering their pot-bellies with cuirasses and martial masquerade habits. Yet rake I am, and abominably so, for a person that begins to wrinkle reverently. I have sat up twice this week till between two and three with the Duchess of Grafton, at loo, who, by the way, has got a pam-child this morning; and on Saturday night I supped with Prince Edward at my Lady Rochford's, and we stayed till half an hour past three. My favour with that Highness continues, or rather increases. He makes every body make suppers for him to meet me, for I still hold out against going to court. In short, if he were twenty years older, or I could make myself twenty years younger, I might carry him to Camden-house, and be as impertinent as ever my Lady Churchill was; but, as I dread being ridiculous, I shall give my Lord Bute no uneasiness. My Lady Maynard, who divides the favour of this tiny court with me,- supped with us. Did you know she sings French ballads very prettily? Lord Rochford played on the guitar, and the Prince sung; there were my two nieces, and Lord Waldegrave, Lord Huntingdon, and Mr. Morrison the groom, and the evening was pleasant; but I had a much more agreeable supper last night at Mrs. Clive's, with Miss West, my niece Cholmondeley, and Murphy, the writing actor, who is very good company, and two or three more. Mrs. Cholmondeley is very lively; you know how entertaining the Clive is, and Miss West is an absolute original. There is nothing new, but a very dull pamphlet, written by Lord Bath, and his chaplain Douglas, called a Letter to Two Great Men. It is a plan for the peace, and much adopted by the city, and much admired by all who are too humble to judge for themselves. I was much diverted the other morning with another volume on birds, by Edwards, who has published four or five. The poor man, who is grown very old and devout, begs God to take from him the love of natural philosophy; and having observed some heterodox proceedings among bantam cocks, he proposes that all schools of girls and boys should be promiscuous, lest, if separated, they should learn wayward passions. But what struck me most were his dedications, the last was to God; this is to Lord Bute, as if he was determined to make his fortune in one world or the other. Pray read Fontaine's fable of the lion grown old; don't it put you in mind of any thing? No! not when his shaggy majesty has borne the insults of the tiger and the horse, etc. and the ass comes last, kicks out his only remaining fang, and asks for a blue bridle? Apropos, I will tell you the turn Charles Townshend gave to this fable. "My lord," said he, "has quite mistaken the thing; he soars too high at first: people often miscarry by not proceeding by degrees; he went and at once asked for my Lord Carlisle's garter-if he would have been contented to ask first for my Lady Carlisle's garter, I don't know but he would have obtained it." ' Adieu! (18) Sir Edward Hawke had defeated the French fleet, commanded by Admiral Conflans, in the beginning of this winter. [A graphical description of this victory is given by Walpole in his Memoires. "It was," he says, "the 20th of November: the shortness of the day prevented the total demolition of the enemy; but neither darkness, nor a dreadful tempest that ensued, could call off Sir Edward from pursuing his blow. The roaring of the element was redoubled by the thunder from our ships; and both concurred, in that scene of horror, to put a period to the navy and hopes of France."--E.] Letter 10 To Sir Horace Mann. Strawberry Hill, Jan. 20, 1760. (page 36) I am come hither in the bleakest of all winters, not to air and exercise, but to look after my gold-fish and orange-trees. We import all the delights of hot countries, but as we cannot propagate their climate too, such a season as this is mighty apt to murder rarities. And it is this very winter that has been used for the invention of a campaign in Germany! where all fuel is so destroyed that they have no fire but out of the mouth of a cannon. If I were writing to an Italian as well as into Italy, one might string concetti for an hour, and describe how heroes are frozen on their horses till they become their own statues. But seriously, does not all this rigour of warfare throw back an air of effeminacy on the Duke of Marlborough and the brave of ancient days, who only went to fight as one goes out of town in spring, and who came back to London with the first frost'@ Our generals are not yet arrived, though the Duke de Broglio's last miscarriage seems to determine that there shall at last be such a thing as winter quarters; but Daun and the King of Prussia are still choosing King and Queen in the field. There is a horrid scene of distress in the family of Cavendish; the Duke's sister,(19) Lady Besborough, died this morning of the same fever and sore throat of which she lost four children four years ago. It looks as if it was a plague fixed in the walls of their house: it broke out again among their servants, and carried off two, a year and a half after the children. About ten days ago Lord Besborough was seized with it, and escaped with difficulty; then the eldest daughter had it, though slightly: my lady, attending them, is dead of it in three days. It is the same sore throat which carried off Mr. Pelham's two only sons, two daughters, and a daughter of the Duke of Rutland, at once. The physicians, I think, don't know what to make of it. I am sorry you and your friend Count Lorenzi(20) are such political foes, but I am much more concerned for the return of your headaches. I don't know what to say about Ward's(21) medicine, because the cures he does in that complaint are performed by him in person. He rubs his hand with some preparation and holds it upon your forehead, from which several have found instant relief. If you please, I will consult him whether he will send you any preparation for it; but you must first send me the exact symptoms and circumstances of your disorder and constitution, for I would not for the world venture to transmit to you a blind remedy for an unexamined complaint. You cannot figure a duller season: the weather bitter, no party, little money, half the world playing the fool in the country with the militia, others raising regiments or with their regiments; in short, the end of a war and of a reign furnish few episodes. Operas are more in their decline than ever. Adieu! (19) Caroline, eldest daughter of William third Duke of Devonshire, and wife of William Ponsonby, Earl of Besborough. (20) Minister of France at Florence, though a Florentine. (21) Ward, the empiric, whose pill and drop were supposed, at this time, to have a surprising effect. He is immortalized by Pope- "See Ward by batter'd beaux invited over." There is a curious statue of him in marble at the Society of Arts, in full dress, and a flowing wig.-D. Letter 11 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, Jan. 28, 1760. (page 37) I shall almost frighten you from coming to London, for whether you have the constitution of a horse or a man, you will be equally in danger. All the horses in town are laid up with sore throats and colds, and are so hoarse you cannot hear them speak, I, with all my immortality, have been -half killed; that violent bitter weather was too much for me; I have had a nervous fever these six or seven weeks every night, and have taken bark enough to have made a rind for Daphne; nay, have even stayed at home two days; but I think my eternity begins to bud again. I am quite of Dr. Garth's mind, who, when any body commended a hard frost to him, used to reply, "Yes, Sir, 'fore Gad, very fine weather, Sir, very wholesome weather, Sir; kills trees, Sir; very good for man, Sir." There has been cruel havoc among the ladies; my Lady Granby is dead; and the famous Polly, Duchess of Bolton, and my Lady Besborough. I have no great reason to lament the last, and yet the circumstances of her death, and the horror of it to her family, make one shudder. It was the same sore throat and fever that carried off four of their children a few years ago. My lord now fell ill of it, very ill, and the eldest daughter slightly: my lady caught it, attending her husband, and concealed it as long as she could. When at last the physician insisted on her keeping her bed, she said, as she went into her room, "Then, Lord have mercy on me! I shall never come out of it again," and died in three days. Lord Besborough grew outrageously impatient at not seeing her, and would have forced into her room, when she had been dead about four days. They were obliged to tell him the truth: never was an answer that expressed so much horror! he said, "And how many children have I left?"not knowing how far this calamity might have reached. Poor Lady Coventry is near completing this black list. You have heard, I suppose, a horrid story of another kind, of Lord Ferrers murdering his steward in the most barbarous and deliberate manner. He sent away all his servants but one, and, like that heroic murderess Queen Christina, carried the poor man through a gallery and several rooms, locking them after him, and then bid the man kneel down, for he was determined to kill him. The poor creature flung himself at his feet, but in vain; was shot, and lived twelve hours. Mad as this action was from the consequences, there was no frenzy in his behaviour; he got drunk, and, at intervals, talked of it coolly; but did not attempt to escape, till the colliers beset his house, and were determined to take him alive or dead. He is now in the gaol at Leicester, and will soon be removed to the Tower, then to Westminster Hall, and I suppose to Tower Hill; unless, as Lord Talbot prophesied in the House of Lords, "Not being thought mad enough to be shut up, till he had killed somebody, he will then be thought too mad to be executed;" but Lord Talbot was no more honoured in his vocation, than other prophets are in their own country. As you seem amused with my entertainments, I will tell you how I passed yesterday. A party was made to go to the Magdalen-house. We met at Northumberland-house at five, and set off in four coaches. Prince Edward, Colonel Brudenel his groom, Lady Northumberland, Lady Mary Coke, Lady Carlisle, Miss Pelham, Lady Hertford, Lord Beauchamp, Lord Huntingdon. old Bowman, and I. This new convent is beyond Goodman's-fields, and I assure you would content any Catholic alive. We were received by--oh! first, a vast mob, for princes are not so common at that end of the town as at this. Lord Hertford, at the head of the governors with their white staves, met us at the door, and led the Prince directly into the chapel, where, before the altar, was an arm-chair for him, with a blue damask cushion, a prie-Dieu, and a footstool of black cloth with gold nails. We set on forms near him. There were Lord and Lady Dartmouth in the odour of devotion, and many city ladies. The chapel is small and low, but neat, hung with Gothic paper, and tablets of benefactions. At the west end were enclosed the sisterhood, above an hundred and thirty, all in grayish brown stuffs, broad handkerchiefs, and flat straw hats, with a blue riband, pulled quite over their faces. As soon as we entered the chapel, the organ played, and the Magdalens sung a hymn in parts; you cannot imagine how well, The chapel was dressed with orange and myrtle, and there wanted nothing but a little incense to drive away the devil-or to invite him. Prayers then began, psalms, and a sermon: the latter by a young clergyman, one Dodd,(22) who contributed to the Popish idea one had imbibed, by haranguing entirely in the French style, and very eloquently and touchingly. He apostrophized the lost sheep, who sobbed and cried from their souls; so did my Lady Hertford and Fanny Pelham, till I believe the city dames took them both for Jane Shores. The confessor then turned to the audience, and addressed himself to his Royal Highness, whom he called most illustrious Prince, beseeching his protection. In short, it was a very pleasing performance, and I got the most illustrious to desire it might be printed. We had another hymn, and then were conducted to the parloir, where the governors kissed the Prince's hand, and then the lady abbess, or matron, brought us tea. From thence we went to the refectory, where all the nuns, without their hats, were ranged at long tables, ready for supper. A few were handsome, many who seemed to have no title to their profession, and two or three of twelve years old; but all recovered, and looking healthy. I was struck and pleased with the modesty of two of them, who swooned away with the confusion of being stared at. We were then shown their work, which is making linen, and bead-work; they earn ten pounds a-week. One circumstance diverted me, but amidst all this decorum, I kept it to myself. The wands of the governors are white, but twisted at top with black and white, which put me in mind of Jacob's rods, that he placed before the cattle to make them breed. My Lord Hertford would never have forgiven me, if I had joked on this; so I kept my countenance very demurely, nor even inquired, whether among the pensioners there were any novices from Mrs. Naylor's. The court-martial on Lord George Sackville is appointed: General Onslow is to be Speaker of it. Adieu! till I see you; I am glad it will be so soon. (22) The unfortunate Dr. Dodd, who suffered at Tyburn, in June 1770, for forgery.-E. Letter 12 To Sir David Dalrymple.(23) Strawberry Hill, Feb. 3, 1760. (page 40) I am much obliged to you, Sir! for the Irish poetry.(24) they are poetry, and resemble that of the East; that is, they contain natural images and natural sentiment elevated, before rules were invented to make poetry difficult and dull. The transitions are as sudden as those in Pindar, but not so libertine; for they start into new thoughts on the subject, without wandering from it.' I like particularly the expression of calling Echo, "Son of the Rock." The Monody is much the best. I (cannot say I am surprised to hear that the controversy on the Queen of Scots is likely to continue. Did not somebody write a defence of Nero, and yet none of his descendants remained to pretend to the empire? If Dr. Robertson could have said more, I am sorry it will be forced from him. He had better have said it voluntarily. You will forgive me for thinking his subject did not demand it. Among the very few objections to his charming work, one was, that he seemed to excuse that Queen more than was allowable, from the very papers he has printed in his Appendix; and some have thought, that though he could not disculpate her, he has diverted indignation from her, by his art in raising up pity for her and resentment against her persecutress, and by much overloading the demerits of Lord Darnley. For my part, Dr. Mackenzie, or any body else, may write what they please against me: I meaned to speak my mind, not to write controversy-trash seldom read but by the two opponents who write it. Yet were I inclined to reply, like Dr. Robertson, I could say a little more. You have mentioned, Sir, Mr. Dyer's Fleece. I own I think it a very insipid poem.(25) His Ruins of Rome had great picturesque spirit, and his Grongar Hill was beautiful. His Fleece I could never get through; and from thence I suppose never heard of Dr. Mackenzie. Your idea of a collection of ballads for the cause of liberty is very public-spirited. I wish, Sir, I could say I thought it would answer your view. Liberty, like other good and bad principles, can never be taught the people but when it is taught them by faction. The mob will never sing lilibullero but in opposition to some other mob. However, if you pursue the thought, there is an entire treasure of that kind in the library of Maudlin College, Cambridge. It was collected by Pepys, secretary of the admiralty, and dates from the battle of Agincourt. Give me leave to say, Sir, that it is very comfortable to me to find gentlemen of your virtue and parts attentive to what is so little the object of public attention now. The extinction of faction, that happiness to which we owe so much of our glory and success, may not be without some inconveniences. A free nation, perhaps, especially when arms are become so essential to our existence as a free people, may want a little opposition: as it is a check that has preserved us so long, one cannot wholly think it dangerous; and though I would not be one to tap new resistance to a government with which I have no fault to find, yet it may not be unlucky hereafter, if those who do not wish so well to it, would a little show themselves. They are not strong enough to hurt; they may be of service by keeping ministers in awe. But all this is speculation, and flowed from the ideas excited in me by your letter, that is full of benevolence both to public and private. Adieu! Sir; believe that nobody has more esteem for you than is raised by each letter. (23) Now first collected. (24) "Fragments of Ancient Poetry, collected in the Highlands of Scotland, and translated from the Gaelic, or Erse Language," the production of James Macpherson; the first presentation to the world of that literary novelty, which was afterwards to excite so much discussion and dissension in the literary world.-E. (25) Dr. Johnson was pretty much of Walpole's opinion. "Of The Fleece," he says, "which never became popular, and is now universally neglected, I can say little that is likely to call it to attention. The woolcomber and the poet appear to me such discordant natures, that an attempt to bring them together is to couple the serpent with the fowl."-E. Letter 13 To Sir Horace Mann. Strawberry Hill, Feb. 3, 1760 (page 41) herculaneum is arrived; Caserta(26) is arrived: what magnificence You Send me! My dear Sir, I can but thank you, and thank you-- oh! yes, I can do more; greedy creature, I can put you in mind, that you must take care to send me the subsequent volumes of Herculaneum as they appear, if ever they do appear, which I suppose is doubtful now that King Carlos(27) is gone to Spain. One thing pray observe, that I don't beg these scarce books of you, as a bribe to spur me on to obtain for you your extra-extraordinaries. Mr. Chute and I admire Caserta; and he at least is no villanous judge of architecture; some of our English travellers abuse it; but there are far from striking faults: the general idea seems borrowed from Inigo Jones's Whitehall, though without the glaring uglinesses, which I believe have been lent to Inigo; those plans, I think, were supplied by Lord Burlington, Kent, and others, to very imperfect sketches of the author. Is Caserta finished and furnished? Were not the treasures of Herculaneum to be deposited there? I am in the vein of drawing upon your benevolence, and shall proceed. Young Mr. Pitt,(28) nephew of the Pitt, is setting out for Lisbon with Lord Kinnoul, and will proceed through Granada to Italy, with his friend Lord Strathmore;(29) not the son, I believe, of that poor mad Lady Strathmore(30) whom you remember at Florence. The latter is much commended; I don't know him: Mr. Pitt is not only a most ingenious Young man, but a most amiable one: he has already acted in the most noble style-I don't mean that he took a quarter of Quebec, or invaded a bit of France, or has spoken in the House of Commons better than DemostheneS'S nephew: but he has an odious father, and has insisted on glorious cuttings off of entails on himself, that his father's debts might be paid and his sisters provided for. My own lawyer,(31) who knew nothing of my being acquainted with him, spoke to me of him in raptures--no small merit in a lawyer to comprehend virtue in cutting off an entail when it was not to cheat; but indeed this lawyer was recommended to me by your dear brother --no wonder he is honest. You will now conceive that a letter I have given Mr. Pitt is not a mere matter of form, but an earnest suit to you to know one you will like so much. I should indeed have given it him, were it only to furnish you with an opportunity of ingratiating yourself with Mr. Pitt's nephew: but I address him to your heart. Well! but I have heard of another honest lawyer! The famous Polly, Duchess of Bolton,(32) is dead, having, after a life of merit, relapsed into her Pollyhood. Two years ago, at Tunbridge, she picked up an Irish surgeon. When she was dying, this fellow sent for a lawyer to make her will, but the man, finding who was to be her heir, instead of her children, refused to draw it. The Court of Chancery did furnish one other, not quite so scrupulous, and her three sons have but a thousand pounds apiece; the surgeon about nine thousand. I think there is some glimmering of peace! God send the world some repose from its woes! The King of Prussia has writ to Belleisle to desire the King of France will make peace for him: no injudicious step, as the distress of France will make them glad to oblige him. We have no other news, but that Lord George Sackville has at last obtained a court-martial. I doubt much whether he will find his account in it. One thing I know I dislike-a German aide-de-camp is to be an evidence! Lord George has paid the highest compliment to Mr. Conway's virtue. Being told, as an unlucky circumstance for him, that Mr. Conway was to be one of his judges, (but It is not so,) he replied, there was no man in England he should so soon desire of that number. And it is no mere compliment, for Lord George has excepted against another of them--but he knew whatever provocation he may have given to Mr. Conway, whatever rivalship there has been between them, nothing could bias the integrity of the latter. There is going to be another court-martial on a mad Lord Charles Hay,(33) who has foolishly demanded it; but it will not occupy the attention of the world like Lord George's. There will soon be another trial of another sort on another madman, an Earl Ferrers, who has murdered his steward. He was separated by Parliament from his wife, a very pretty woman, whom he married with no fortune, for the most groundless barbarity, and now killed his steward for having been evidence for her; but his story and person are too wretched and despicable to give you the detail. He will be dignified by a solemn trial in Westminster-hall. Don't you like the impertinence of the Dutch? They have lately had a mudquake, and giving themselves terrafirma airs, call it an earthquake! Don't you like much more our noble national charity? Above two thousand pounds has been raised in London alone, besides what is collected in the country, for the French prisoners, abandoned by their monarch. Must not it make the Romans blush in their Appian-way, who dragged their prisoners in triumph? What adds to this benevolence is, that we cannot contribute to the subsistence of our own prisoners in France; they conceal where they keep them, and use them cruelly to make them enlist. We abound in great charities: the distress of war seems to heighten rather than diminish them. There is a new one, not quite so certain of its answering, erected for those wretched women, called abroad les filles repenties. I was there the other night, and fancied myself in a convent. The Marquis of Buckingham and Earl Temple are to have the two vacant garters to-morrow. Adieu! Arlington Street, 6th. I am this minute come to town, and find yours of Jan. 12. Pray, my dear child, don't compliment me any more upon my learning; there is nobody so superficial. Except a little history, a little poetry, a little painting, and some divinity, I know nothing. How should I? I, who have always lived in the big busy world; who lie abed all the morning, calling it morning as long as you please; who sup in company; who have played at pharaoh half my life, and now at loo till two and three in the morning; who have always loved pleasure haunted auctions--in short, who don't know so much astronomy as would carry me to Knightsbridge, nor more physic than a physician, nor in short any thing that is called science. If it were not that I lay up a little provision in summer, like the ant, I should be as ignorant as all the people I live with. How I have LAUGHED when some of the magazines have called me the learned gentleman! Pray don't be like THE Magazines. I see by your letter that you despair of peace; I almost do: there is but a gruff sort of answer from the woman of' Russia to-day in the papers; but how should there be peace? If We are victorious, what is the King of Prussia? Will the distress of France move the Queen of Hungary? When we do make peace, how few will it content! The war was made for America, but the peace will be made for Germany; and whatever geographers may pretend, Crown-point lies somewhere in Westphalia. Again adieu! I don't like your rheumatism, and much less your plague. (26) Prints of the palace of Caserta. (27) Don Carlos, King of Naples, who succeeded his half-brother Ferdinand in the crown of Spain. An interesting picture of the court of the King of the Two Sicilies at the time of his leaving Naples, will be found in the Chatham Correspondence, in a letter from Mr. Stanier Porten to Mr. Pitt. See vol. ii. p. 31.-E. (28) Thomas, only son of Thomas Pitt of boconnock, eldest brother of the famous William Pitt. [Afterwards Lord Camelford. (Gray, in a letter to Dr. Wharton, of the 23d of January, says, "Mr. Pitt (not the great, but the little one, my acquaintance) is setting out on his travels. He goes with my Lord Kinnoul to Lisbon; then (by sea still) to Cates; then up the Guadalquiver to Seville and Cordova, and so perhaps to Toledo, but certainly to Grenada; and, after breathing the perfumed air of Andalusia, and contemplating the remains of Moorish magnificence, re-embarks at Gibraltar or Malaga, and sails to Genoa. Sure an extraordinary good way of passing a few winter months, and better than dragging through Holland, Germany, and Switzerland, to the same place." A copy of Mr. Thomas Pitt's manuscript Diary of his tour to Spain and Portugal is in the possession of Mr. Bentley, the proprietor of this Correspondence.-E.] (29) John Lyon, ninth Earl of Strathmore. He married in 1767 Miss Bowes, the great heiress, whose disgraceful adventures are so well known.-D. (30) Lady Strathmore, rushing between her husband and a gentleman, with whom he had quarrelled and was fighting, and trying to hold the former, the other stabbed him in her -arms, on which she went mad, though not enough to be confined. (31) His name was Dagge. (32) Miss Fenton, the first Polly of the Beggar's Opera. Charles Duke of Bolton took her off the stage, had children by her, and afterwards married her. (33) Lord Charles Hay, brother of the Marquis of Tweedale. Letter 14 To The Rev. Henry Zouch. Strawberry Hill, February 4th, 1760. (page 44) Sir, I deferred answering your last, as I was in hopes of BEING able to send you a SHEET or two of my new work, but I find so many difficulties and so much darkness attending the beginning, that I can scarce say I have begun. I can only say in general, that I do not propose to go further back than I have sure footing; that is, I shall commence with what Vertue had collected from our records, which, with regard to painting, do not date before Henry III.; and then from him there is a gap to Henry VII. I shall supply that with a little chronology of intervening paintings, THOUGH, hitherto, I can find none of the two first Edwards. From Henry VIII. there will be a regular succession of painters, short lives of whom I am enabled by Vertue's MSS. to write, and I shall connect them historically. I by no means Mean to touch on foreign Artists, unless they came over hither; but they are essential, for we had scarce any others tolerable. I propose to begin with the anecdotes of painting only, because, in that branch, my materials are by far most considerable. If I shall be able to publish this part, perhaps it may induce persons of curiosity and knowledge to assist me in the darker parts of the story touching our architects, statuaries, and engravers. But it is from the same kind friendship which has assisted me so liberally already, that I expect to draw most information; need I specify, Sir, that I mean yours, when the various hints in your last letter speak so plainly for me? It is a pleasure to have any body one esteems agree with one's own sentiments, as you do strongly with mine about Mr. Hurd.(34) It is impossible not to own that he has sense and great knowledge--but sure he is a most disagreeable writer! He loads his thoughts with so many words, and those couched in so hard a style, and so void of all veracity, that I have no patience to read him. In one point. in the dialogues you mention, he is perfectly ridiculous. He takes infinite pains to make the world believe, upon his word, that they are the genuine productions of the speakers, and yet does not give himself the least trouble to counterfeit the style of any one of them. What was so easy as to imitate Burnet? In his other work, the notes on Horace, he is still more absurd. He cries up Warburton's preposterous notes on Shakspeare, which would have died of their own folly, though Mr. Edwards had not put them to death with the keenest wit in the world.(35) But what signifies any sense, when it takes Warburton for a pattern, who, with much greater parts, has not been able to save himself from, or rather has affectedly involved himself in numberless absurdities?--who proved Moses's legation by the sixth book of Virgil;--a miracle (Julian's Earthquake), by proving it was none;--and who explained a recent poet (Pope) by metaphysical notes, ten times more obscure than the text! As if writing were come to perfection, Warburton and Hurd are going back again; and since commentators, obscurity, paradoxes, and visions have been so long exploded, ay, and pedantry too, they seem to think that they shall have merit by reviving what was happily forgotten -, and yet these men have their followers, by that balance which compensates to one for what he misses from another. When an author writes clearly, he is imitated; and when obscurely, he is admired. Adieu! (34) Who died Bishop of Worcester in 1808. He was the author of many works, most of which are now little read, although they had a great vogue in their day. There is a great deal of justice in Mr. Walpole's criticism of him and his patron.-C. (35) In the "Canons of Criticism."--E. Letter 15 To Sir Horace Mann. Arlington Street, Feb. 28, 1760. (page 45) The next time you see Marshal Botta, and are to act King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, you must abate about an hundredth thousandth part of the dignity of your crown. You are no more monarch of all Ireland, than King O'Neil, or King Macdermoch is. Louis XV. is sovereign of France, Navarre, and Carrickfergus. You will be mistaken if you think the peace is made, and that we cede this Hibernian town, in order to recover Minorca, or to keep Quebec and Louisbourg. To be sure, it is natural you should think so: how should so victorious and heroic nation cease to enjoy any of its possessions, but to save Christian blood? Oh! I know, you will suppose there has been another insurrection, and that it is King John(36) of Bedford, and not King George of Brunswick, that has lost this town. Why, I own you are a great politician, and see things in a moment-and no wonder, considering how long you have been employed in negotiations; but for once all your sagacity is mistaken. Indeed, considering the total destruction of the maritime force of France, and that the great mechanics and mathematicians of this age have not invented a flying bridge to fling over the sea and land from the coast of France to the north of Ireland, it was not easy to conceive how the French should conquer Carrickfergus--and yet they have. But how I run on! not reflecting that by this time the old Pretender must have hobbled through Florence on his way to Ireland, to take possession of this scrap of his recovered domains; but I may as well tell you at once, for to be sure you and the loyal body of English in Tuscany will slip over all this exordium to come to the account of so extraordinary a revolution. Well, here it is. Last week Monsieur Thurot--oh! now you are au fait!--Monsieur Thurot, as I was saying, landed last week in the isle of Islay, the capital province belonging to a great Scotch King,(37) who is so good as generally to pass the winter with his friends here in London. Monsieur Thurot had three ships, the crews of which burnt two ships belonging to King George, and a house belonging to his friend the King of Argyll--pray don't mistake; by his friend(38) I mein King George's, not Thurot's friend. When they had finished this campaign, they sailed to Carrickfergus, a poorish town, situated in the heart of the Protestant cantons. They immediately made a moderate demand of about twenty articles of provisions, promising to pay for them; for you know it is the way of modern invasions(39) to make them cost as much as possible to oneself, and as little to those one invades. If this was not complied with, they threatened to burn the town, and then march to Belfast, which is much richer. We were sensible of this civil proceedings and not to be behindhand, agreed to it; but somehow or other this capitulation was broken; on which a detachment (the whole invasion consists of one thousand men) attack the place. We shut the gates, but after the battle of Quebec it is impossible that so great a people should attend to such trifles as locks and bolts, accordingly there were none--and as if there were no gates neither, the two armies fired through them--if this is a blunder, remember I am describing an Irish war. I forgot to give you the numbers of the Irish army. It consisted but Of seventy-two, under lieut.-colonel Jennings, a wonderful brave man--too brave, in short, to be very judicious. Unluckily our ammunition was soon spent, for it is not above a year that there have been any apprehensions for Ireland, and as all that part of the country are most protestantly loyal, it was not thought necessary to arm people who would fight till they die for their religion. When the artillery was silenced, the garrison thought the best way of saving the town was by flinging it at the heads of the besiegers; accordingly they poured volleys of brickbats at the French, whose commander, Monsieur Flobert, was mortally knocked down, and his troops began to give way. However, General Jennings thought it most prudent to retreat to the castle, and the French again advanced. Four or five raw recruits still bravely kept the gates, when the garrison, finding no more gunpowder in the castle than they had had in the town, and not near so good a brick-kiln, sent to desire to surrender. General Thurot accordingly made them prisoners of war, and plundered the town. END OF THE SIEGE OF CARRICKFERGUS. You will perhaps ask what preparations have been made to recover this loss. The, viceroy immediately despatched General Fitzwilliam with four regiments of foot and three of horse against the invaders, appointing to overtake them in person at Newry; but -@is I believe he left Bladen's Caesar, and Bland's Military Discipline behind him in England, which he used to study in the camp at Blandford, I fear he will not have his campaign equipage ready soon enough. My Lord Anson too has sent nine ships, though indeed he does not think they will arrive time enough. Your part, my dear Sir, will be very easy: you will only have to say that it is nothing, while it lasts; and the moment it is over, you must say it was an embarkation of ten thousand men. I will punctually let you know how to vary your dialect. Mr. Pitt is in bed very ill with the gout. Lord George Sackville was put under arrest to-day. His trial comes on to-morrow, but I believe will be postponed, as the court-martial will consult the judges, whether a man who is not in the army, may be tried as an officer. The judges will answer yes, for how can a point that is not common sense, not be common law! Lord Ferrers is in the Tower; so you see the good-natured people of England will not want their favourite amusement, executions- -not to mention, that it will be very hard if the Irish war don't furnish some little diversion. My Lord Northampton frequently asks me about you. Oh! I had forgot, there is a dreadful Mr. Dering come over, who to show that he has not been spoiled by his travels, got drunk the first day he appeared, and put me horridly out of countenance about my correspondence with you--for mercy's sake take care how you communicate my letters to such cubs. I will send you no more invasions, if you read them to bears and bear-leaders. Seriously, my dear child, I don't mean to reprove you; I know your partiality to me, and your unbounded benignity to every thing English; but I sweat sometimes, when I find that I have been corresponding for two or three months with young Derings. For clerks and postmasters, I can't help it, and besides, they never tell one they have seen One's letters; but I beg you will at most tell them my news, but without my name, or my words. Adieu! If I bridle you, believe that I know that it is only your heart that runs away with you. (36) John Duke of Bedford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. (37) Archibald Earl of Islay and Duke of Argyle. (38) The Duke of argyle had been suspected of temporizing in the last rebellion. (39) Alluding to our expensive invasions on the coast of France. Letter 16 To Sir Horace Mann. Arlington Street, March 4, 1760. (page 48) never was any romance of such short duration as Monsieur Thurot's! Instead of the waiting for the viceroy's army, and staying to see whether it had any ammunition, or was only armed with brickbats `a la Carrickfergienne, he re-embarked on the 28th, taking along with him the mayor and three others--I suppose, as proofs of his conquest. The Duke of Bedford had sent notice of' the invasion to Kinsale, where lay three or four of our best frigates. They instantly sailed, and came up with the flying invaders in the Irish Channel. You will see the short detail of the action in the Gazette; but, as the letter was written by Captain Elliot himself, you will not see there, that he with half the number of Thurot's crew, boarded the latter's vessel. Thurot was killed, and his pigmy navy all taken and carried into the Isle of Man. It is an entertaining episode; but think what would have happened, if the whole of the plan had taken place -it the destined time. The negligence of the Duke of Bedford's administration has appeared so gross, that one may believe his very kingdom would have been lost, if Conflans had not been beat. You will see, by the deposition of Ensign hall, published in all our papers, that the account of the siege of Carrickfergus, which I sent you in my last, was not half so ridiculous as the reality--because, as that deponent said, I was furnished with no papers but my memory. The General Flobert, I am told, you may remember at Florence; he was then very mad, and was to have fought Mallet.--but was banished from Tuscany. Some years since he was in England; and met Mallet at lord Chesterfield's, but without acknowledging one another. The next day Flobert asked the Earl if Mallet had mentioned him?--No-"Il a donc," said Flobert, "beaucoup de retenue, car surement ce qu'il pourroit dire de moi, ne seroit pas `a mon avantage."--it was pretty, and they say he is now grown an agreeable and rational man. The judges have given their opinion that the court-martial on lord George Sackville is legal; so I suppose it will proceed on Thursday. I receive yours of the 16th of last month: I wish you had given me any account of your headaches that I could show to Ward. He will no more comprehend nervous, than the physicians do who use the word. Send me an exact description; if he can do you no good, at least it will be a satisfaction to me to have consulted him. I wish, my dear child, that what you say at the end of your letter, of appointments and honours, was not as chronical as your headaches-that is a thing you may long complain of-indeed there I can consult nobody. I have no dealings with either our state-doctors or statequacks. I only know that the political ones are so like the medicinal ones, that after the doctors had talked nonsense for years, while we daily grew worse, the quacks ventured boldly, and have done us wonderful good. I should not dislike to have you state your case to the latter, though I cannot advise it, for the regular physicians are daintily jealous; nor could I carry it, for when they know I would take none of their medicines myself, they would not much attend to me consulting them for others, nor would it be decent, nor should I care to be seen in their shop. Adieu! P. S. There are some big news from the East Indies. I don't know what, except that the hero Clive has taken Mazulipatam and the Great Mogul's grandmother. I suppose she will be brought over and put in the Tower with the Shahgoest, the strange Indian beast that Mr. Pitt gave to the King this winter. .Letter 17 To Sir Horace Mann. Arlington Street, March 26, 1760. (page 49) I have a good mind to have Mr. Sisson tried by a court-martial, in order to clear my own character for punctuality. It is time immemorial since he promised me the machine and the drawing in six weeks. After above half of time immemorial was elapsed, he came and begged for ten guineas. Your brother and I called one another to a council of war, and at last gave it him nemine contradicente. The moment your hurrying letter arrived, I issued out a warrant and took Sisson up, who, after all his promises, was guilty by his own confession, of not having begun the drawing. However, after scolding him black and blue, I have got it from him, have consigned it to your brother James, and you will receive it, I trust, along With this. I hope too time enough for the purposes it is to serve, and correct; if it is not, I shall be very sorry. You shall have the machine as soon as possible, but that must go by sea. I shall execute your commission about Stoschino(40) much better; he need not fear my receiving him well, if he has virt`u to sell,--I am only afraid, in that case, of receiving him too well. You know what a dupe I am when I like any thing. I shall handle your brother James as roughly as I did Sisson--six months without writing to you! Sure he must turn black in the face, if he has a drop of brotherly ink in his veins. As to your other brother,(41) he is so strange a man, that is, so common a one;, that I am not surprised at any thing he does or does not do. Bless your stars that you are not here, to be worn out with the details of lord George's court-martial! One hears of nothing else. It has already lasted much longer than could be conceived, and now the end of it is still at a tolerable distance. The colour of it is more favourable for him than it looked at first. Prince Ferdinand's narrative has proved to set out with a heap of lies. There is an old gentleman(42) of the same family who has spared no indecency to give weight to them--but, you know, general officers are men of strict honour, and nothing can bias them. Lord Charles Hay's court-martial is dissolved, by the death of one of the members--and as no German interest is concerned to ruin him, it probably will not be re-assumed. Lord Ferrers's trial is fixed for the 16th of next month. Adieu! P. S. Don't mention it from me, but if you have a mind you may make your court to my Lady Orford, by announcing the ancient barony of Clinton, which is fallen to her, by the death of the last incumbentess.(43) (40) Nephew of Baron Stosch, a well-known virtuoso and antiquary, who died at Florence. (41) Edward Louisa Mann, the eldest brother. (42) George the Second. (43) Mrs. Fortescue, sister of Hugh last Lord Clinton. Letter 18 To George Montagu, Esq. Arlington Street, March 27, 1760. (page 50) I should have thought that you might have learnt by this time, that when a tradesman promises any thing on Monday, Or Saturday, or any particular day of the week, he means any Monday or any Saturday of any week, as nurses quiet children and their own consciences by the refined salvo of to-morrow is a new day. When Mr. Smith's Saturday and the frame do arrive, I will pay the one and send you the other. Lord George's trial is not near being finished. By its draggling beyond the term of the old Mutiny-bill, they were forced to make out a new warrant: this lost two days, as all the depositions were forced to be read over again to, and resworn by, the witnesses; then there will be a contest, whether Sloper(44) shall re-establish his own credit by pawning it farther. Lord Ferrers comes on the stage on the sixteenth of next mon