During the recess, they have employed Fazakerley to draw up four

impeachments; against Sir Robert, my uncle, Mr. Keene, and

Colonel Bladen, who was only commissioner for the tariff at

Antwerp. One of the articles against Sir R. is, his having at

this conjuncture trusted Lord Waldegrave as ambassador, who is so

near a relation (464) of the Pretender-. but these

impeachments are likely to grow obsolete manuscripts. The minds

of the people grow more candid: at first, they made one of the

actors at Drury Lane repeat some applicable lines at the end of

Harry the Fourth; but last Monday, when his Royal Highness-, had

purposely bespoken "The Unhappy Favourite" (465) for Mrs.

Porter's benefit, they never once applied the most glaring

passages; as where they read the indictment against Robert Earl

of Essex, etc. The Tories declare against further prosecution-if

Tories there are, for now one hears of nothing but the Broad

Bottom: it is the reigning cant word, and means, the taking all

parties and people, indifferently into the

ministry. The Whigs are the dupes of this; And those in the

Opposition affirm that Tories no longer exist.

Notwithstanding this, they will not come into the new

ministry, unless what were always reckoned Tories are

admitted. The Treasury has gone a-begging: I mean one of the

lordships, which is at last filled up with Major Compton, a

relation of Lord Wilmington; but now we shall see a new scene.

On Tuesday night Mr. Pultney went to the Prince, and, without the

knowledge of Argyll, etc., prevailed on him to write to the King:

he was so long determining, that it was eleven at night before

the King received his letter. Yesterday morning the prince,

attended by two of his lords, two grooms of the Bedchamber, and

Lord Scarborough,(466) his treasurer went to the King's

levee.(467) The King said, "How does the Princess do? I hope she

is well." The Prince kissed his hand, and this was all! The

Prince returned to Carlton House, whither crowds went to him. He

spoke to the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. Pelham; but would not to

the three dukes, Richmond, Grafton, and Marlborough.(468) At

night the Royal Family were all at the Duchess of Norfolk'@' and

the streets were illuminated and bonfired. To-day, the Duke of

Bedford, Lord Halifax, and some others, were at St. James's: the

King spoke to all the Lords. In a day or two, I shall go with my

uncle and brothers to the Prince's levee.

Yesterday there was a meeting of all the Scotch of our side, who,

to a man, determined to defend Sir Robert

Lyttelton (469) is going to marry Miss Fortescue, Lord

Clinton's sister.

When our earl went to the House of lords to-day, he

apprehended some incivilities from his Grace of Argyll, but he

was not there. Bedford, Halifax, Berkshire,(470) and some more,

were close by him, but would not bow to him. Lord

Chesterfield wished him joy. This is all I know for certain; for

I will not send you the thousand lies of every new day.

I must tell you how fine the masquerade of last night was. There

were five hundred persons, in the greatest variety of handsome

and rich dresses I ever saw, and all the jewels of London-and

London has some! There were dozens of ugly Queens of Scots, of

which I will only name to you the eldest Miss Shadwell! The

Princess of Wales was one, covered with

diamonds, but did not take off her mask: none of the Royalties

did, but every body else. Lady Conway (471) was a charming Mary

Stuart: Lord and Lady Euston, man and woman huzzars. But the two

finest and most charming masks were their Graces of

Richmond,(472) like Harry the Eighth and Jane Seymour:

excessively rich, and both so handsome @ Here is a nephew of the

King of Denmark, who was in armour, and his governor, a most

admirable Quixote. there were quantities of Vandykes, and all

kinds of old pictures walked out of the frames. It was an

assemblage of all ages and nations, and would look like the day

of judgment, if tradition did not persuade us that we are all to

meet naked, and if something else did not tell us that we shall

not meet with quite so much indifference, nor thinking quite so

much of the becoming. My dress was an

Aurungzebe: but of all extravagant figures commend me to our

friend the Countess!(473) She and my lord trudged in like

pilgrims with vast staffs in their hands; and she was so

heated, that you would have thought her pilgrimage had been, like

Pantagruel's voyage, to the Oracle of the Bottle! Lady Sophia was

in a Spanish dress-so was Lord Lincoln; not, to be sure, by

design, but so it happened. When the King came in, the Faussans

(474) were there, and danced an entr`ee. At the masquerade the

King sat by Mrs. Selwyn, and with tears told her, that "the Whigs

should find he loved them, as he had the poor man that was gone!"

He had sworn that he would not speak to the Prince at their

meeting, but was prevailed on.

I received your letter by Holland, and the paper about the

Spaniards. By this time you will conceive that I can speak of

nothing to any purpose, for Sir R. does not meddle in the

least with business.

As to the Sibyl, I have not mentioned it to him; I still am for

the other. Except that, he will not care, I believe, to buy more

pictures, having now so many more than he has room for at

Houghton; and he will have but a small house in town when we

leave this. But you must thank the dear Chutes for their new

offers; the obligations are too great, but I am most sensible to

their goodness, and, were I not so excessively tired now, would

write to them. I cannot add a word more, but to think of the

Princess:(475) "Comment! vous avez donc des enfans!" You see how

nature sometimes breaks out in spite of religion and prudery,

grandeur and pride, delicacy and

`epuisements! Good night!

Yours ever.

(460) See an account of this meeting in Lord Egmonfs "Faction

Detected." [To this meeting at the Fountain tavern Sir Charles

Hanbury Williams alludes in his Ode against the Earl of Bath,

called the Statesman-

"Then enlarge on his cunning and wit:

Say, how he harangued at the Fountain;

Say, how the old patriots were bit,

And a mouse was produced by a mountain."]

(461) Daniel Finch, seventh Earl of Winchilsea and third Earl of

Nottingham. He was made first lord of the admiralty upon the

breaking up of Sir R. Walpole's government.-D.

(462) William, second Lord Talbot, eldest son of the lord

chancellor of that name and title.-D.

(463) The following is from the Secker MS.-"Feb. 12. Meeting at

the Fountain tavern of above two hundred commoners and

thirty-five Lords. Duke of Argyle spoke warmly for

prosecuting Lord Orford, with hints of reflection on those who

had accepted. Mr. Pulteney replied warmly. Lord Talbot drank to

cleansing the Augean stable of the dung and grooms. Mr. Sandys

and Mr. Gibbon there. Lord Carteret and Lord

Winchilsea not. Lord Chancellor, in the evening, in private

discourse to me, strong against taking in any Tories: owning no

more than that some of them, perhaps, were not for the

Pretender, or, at least, did not know they were for him;

though, when I gave him the account first of my discourse with

the Prince, he said, the main body of them were of the same

principles with the Tories."-E.

(464) His mother was natural daughter of King James II.

(James, first Earl Waldegrave, appointed ambassador to the court

of France in 1730: died in 1741.-D.)

(465) banks's tragedy of "The Unhappy Favourite; or, the Earl of

Essex," was first acted in 1682. The prologue and epilogue were

written by Dryden. Speaking of this play, in the Tatler, Sir

Richard Steele says, "there is in it not one good line, and yet

it is a play which was never seen without drawing

tears from some part of the audience; a remarkable instance, that

the soul is not to be moved by words, but things; for the

incidents in the drama are laid together so happily that the

spectator makes the play for himself, by the force with which the

circumstance has upon his imagination."-E.

(466) Thomas Lumley, third Earl of Scarborough.-D.

(467) "February 17. Prince of Wales went to St. James's. The

agreement made at eleven the night before, and principally by Mr.

Pultney; as Lord Wilmington told me. The King received him in

the drawing-room: the Prince kissed his hand: he asked him how

the Princess did: showed no other mark of regard. All the

courtiers went the same day to Carlton House. The Bishop of

Gloucester (Dr. Benson) and I went thither. The Prince and

princess civil to us both." Secker MS.-E.

(468) Charles Spencer, second duke of Marlborough succeeded to

that title on the death of his aunt Henrietta, Duchess of

Marlborough, in 1733.-D.

(469) Sir George Lyttelton, afterwards created Lord Lyttelton.

Miss Fortescue was his first wife, and mother of Thomas,

called the wicked Lord Lyttelton. She died in childbed and Lord

Lyttelton honoured her Memory with the well-known Monody which

was so unfeelingly parodied by Smollett.-D. [ Under the title of

an "Ode on the Death of My Grandmother.")

(470 Henry Bowes Howard, fourth Earl of Berkshire. He

succeeded, in 1745, as eleventh Earl of Suffolk, on the death,

without issue, of henry, tenth earl. He died in 1757.-D.

(471) Lady Isabella Fitzroy, Youngest daughter of the Duke of

grafton, and wife of Francis Seymour, Lord Conway of Hertford.

(472) Charles Lennox, master of the horse, and Sarah Cadogan, his

duchess. He died in the year following.

(473) The Countess of Pomfret.

(474) Two celebrated comic dancers.

(475) Princess Craon, so often mentioned in these letters.-D.

227 Letter 55

To Sir Horace Mann.

London, Feb. 25, 1742.

I am impatient to hear that you have received my first account of

the change; as to be sure you are now for every post. This last

week has not produced many new events. The Prince of Wales has

got the measles,(476) so there has been but little incense

offered up to him: his brother of Saxe-Gotha has got them too.

When the Princess went to St. James's, she fell at the King's

feet and struggled to kiss his hand, and burst into tears. At

the Norfolk masquerade she was vastly bejewelled; Frankz had lent

her forty thousand pounds worth, and refused to be paid for the

hire, only desiring that she would tell whose they were. All

this is nothing, but to introduce one of Madame de Pomfret's

ingenuities, who. being dressed like a pilgrim, told the

Princess, that she had taken her for the Lady of Loreto.

But you will wish for politics now, more than for histories of

masquerades, though this last has taken up people's thoughts full

as much. The House met last Thursday and voted the army without

a division: Shippen (477 alone, unchanged, Opposed it. They have

since been busied on elections, turning out our

friends and voting in their own.. almost without opposition. The

chief affair has been the Denbighshire election, on the petition

of Sir Watkyn William . 'They have voted him into parliament and

the high-sheriff into Newgate. Murray (478) was most eloquent:

Lloyd,(479) the counsel on the other side, and no bad one, (for I

go constantly, though I do not stay long, but "leave the dead to

bury their dead," said that it was objected to the sheriff, that

he was related to the

sitting member; but, indeed, in that country (Wales) it would be

difficult not to be related. Yesterday we had another

hearing of the petition of the Merchants, when Sir Robert

Godschall shone brighter than even his usual. There was a copy

of a letter produced, the original having been lost: he asked

whether the copy had been taken before the original was lost, or

after!

Next week they commence their prosecutions, which they will

introduce by voting a committee to inquire into all the

offices: Sir William Yonge is to be added to the impeachments,

but the chief whom they wish to punish is my uncle.(480) He is

the more to be pitied, because nobody will pity him. They are

not fond of a formal message which the States General have sent

to Sir Robert, "to compliment him on his new honour, and to

condole with him on being out of the ministry, which will be so

detrimental to Europe!

The third augmentation in Holland is confirmed, and that the

Prince of Hesse is chosen generallissimo, which makes it

believed that his Grace of Argyll will not go over, but that we

shall certainly have a war with France in the spring.

Argyll has got the Ordnance restored to him, and they wanted to

give him his regiment; to which Lord Hertford (481) was desired

to resign it, with the offer of his old troop again. He said he

had received the regiment from the King; if his Majesty pleased

to take it back, he might, but he did not know why he should

resign it. Since that, he wrote a letter to the King, and sent

it by his son, Lord Beauchamp, resigning his regiment, his

government, and his wife's pension, as lady of the bedchamber to

the late Queen.

No more changes are made yet. They have offered the Admiralty to

Sir Charles Wager again, but he refused it: he said, he heard

that he was an old woman, and that he did not know what good old

women could do any where.

A comet has appeared here for two nights, which, you know, is

lucky enough at this time and a pretty ingredient for making

prophecies.

These are all the news. I receive your letters regularly, and

hope you receive mine so: I never miss one week. Adieu! my

dearest child! I am perfectly well; tell me always that you are.

Are the good Chutes still at Florence? My best love to them, and

services to all.

Here are some new Lines much in vogue:(482)

1741.

Unhappy England, still in forty-one (483)

By Scotland art thou doom'd to be undone!

But Scotland now, to strike alone afraid,

Calls in her worthy sister Cornwall's (484) aid;

And these two common Strumpets, hand in hand,

Walk forth, and preach up virtue through the land;

Start at corruption, at a bribe turn pale,

Shudder at pensions, and at placemen rail.

Peace, peace! ye wretched hypocrites; or rather

With Job, say to Corruption, " Thou'rt our Father."

But how will Walpole justify his fate?

He trusted Islay (485) till it was too late.

Where were those parts! where was that piercing mind!

That judgment, and that knowledge of mankind!

To trust a Traitor that he knew so well!

(Strange truth! I)ctray'd, but not deceived, he fell!)

He knew his heart was, like his aspect, vile;

Knew him the tool, and Brother of Argyll!

Yet to his hands his power and hopes gave up;

And though he saw 'twas poison, drank the cup!

Trusted to one he never could think true,

And perish'd by a villain that he knew.

(476) "February 21. Prince taken ill of the measles. The King

sent no message to him in his illnesses Secker MS.-E.

(477) William Shippen, a celebrated Jacobite. Sir R. Walpole

said that he was the Only man whose price he did not know. [See

ante, p. 194, Letter 45.]

(478) William Murray, Mr. Pope's friend,

afterwards Solicitor, and then Attorney-general.

(479) Sir Richard Lloyd, who succeeded Mr. Murray, in 1754, as

Solicitor-general.

(480) Horace Walpole, brother of Sir Robert.

(481) Algernon Seymour, Earl of Hertford, eldest son of

Charles, called the proud Duke of Somerset, whom he succeeded in

that Title, and was the last Duke of Somerset of that

branch; his son, who is here mentioned, having died before

him.-D.

(482) These Lines were written by Sir Charles Hanbury

Williams. [And are published in the edition of his works, in

three volumes, 12 no.1.

(483) Alluding to the Grand Rebellion against Charles the

First.

(484) The Parliament which overthrew Sir R. W. was carried

against him by his losing the majority of the Scotch and

Cornish boroughs; the latter managed by Lord Falmouth

and Thomas Pitt.

(485) Archibald Campbell, Earl of Islay, brother of John, Duke of

Argyll, in conjunction with whom (though then openly at variance)

he was supposed to have betrayed Sir R.

W. and to have let the Opposition

succeed in the Scotch elections, which were trusted to

his management. It must be

observed, that Sir R. W. would never allow that he believed

himself betrayed by Lord Islay.

229 Letter 56

To Sir Horace Mann.

London, March 3d, 1742.

I am Obliged to write to you to-day, for I am sure I shall not

have a moment to-morrow; they are to make their motion for a

secret committee to examine into the late administration. We are

to oppose it strongly, but to no purpose; for since the change,

they have beat us on no division under a majority of forty. This

last week has produced no new novelties; his

Royal Highness has been shut up with the measles, of which he was

near dying, by eating China oranges.

We are to send sixteen thousand men into Flanders in the

spring, under his Grace of Argyll; they talk of the Duke of

Marlborough and Lord Albemarle to command under him. Lord

Cadogan (486) is just dead, so there is another regiment

vacant: they design Lord Delawar's for Westmoreland;(487) so now

Sir Francis Dashwood (488) will grow as fond of the King again as

he used to be-or as he has hated him since.

We have at last finished the Merchants' petition, under the

conduct of the Lord Mayor and Mr. Leonidas;(489) the greatest

coxcomb and the greatest oaf that ever met in blank verse or

prose. I told you the former's question about the copy of a

letter taken after the original was lost. They have got a new

story of him; that hearing of a gentleman who had had the

small-pox twice and died of it, he asked, if he died the first

time or the second-if this is made for him, it is at least quite

in his style. After summing up the evidence (in doing which, Mr.

Glover literally drank several times to the Lord Mayor in a glass

of water that stood by him,) Sir John Barnard moved to vote, that

there had been great neglect in the

protection of the trade, to the great advantage of' the enemy,

and the dishonour of the nation. He said he did not mean to

charge the Admiralty particularly, for then particular persons

must have had particular days assigned to be heard in their own

defence, which would take up too much time, as we are now going

to make inquiries of a much higher nature. Mr. Pelham was for

leaving out the last words. Mr. Doddington rose, and in a set

speech declared that the motion was levelled at a particular

person, who had so usurped all authority, that all inferior

offices were obliged to submit to his will, and so either bend

and bow, or be broken: but that he hoped the steps we were now

going to take, would make the office of first

minister so dangerous a post, that nobody would care to accept it

for the future. Do but think of this fellow, who has so lost all

character, and made himself so odious to both King, and Prince,

by his alternate flatteries, changes, oppositions, and changes of

flatteries and oppositions, that he can never expect what he has

so much courted by all methods,-think of his talking of making it

dangerous for any one else to accept the first ministership!

Should such a period ever arrive, he would accept it with joy-the

only chance he can ever have for it! But sure, never was

impudence more put to shame! The whole debate turned upon him.

Lord Doneraile (490) (who, by the way, has produced blossoms of

Doddington like fruit, and

consequently is the fitter scourge for him) stood up and said, he

did not know what that gentleman meant; that he himself was as

willing to bring all offenders to justice as any man; but that he

did not intend to confine punishment to those who had been

employed only at the end of the last ministry, but

proposed to extend it to all who had been engaged in it, and

wished that that gentleman would speak with more lenity of an

administration, in which he himself had been concerned for so

many years. Winnington said, he did not know what Mr.

Doddington had meant, by either bending or being broken; that he

knew some who had been broken, though they had bowed an bended.

Waller defended Doddington, and said, if he was

gilty, at least Mr. Winnington was so too; on which Fox rose up,

and, laying his hand on his breast, said, he never wished to have

such a friend, as could only excuse him by bringing in another

for equal share of his guilt. Sir John Cotton

replied; he did not wonder that Mr. Fox (who had spoken with

great warmth) was angry at hearing his friend in place,

compared to one out of place. Do but figure how Doddington must

have looked and felt during such dialogues! In short, it ended

in Mr. Pultney's rising, and saying, he could not be against the

latter words, as he thought the former part of the motion had

been proved . and wished both parties would join in carrying on

the war vigorously, or in procuring a good peace, rather than in

ripping open old sores, and continuing the

heats and violences of parties. We came to no division-for we

should have lost it by too many.

Thursday evening.

I had written all the former part of my letter, only reserving

room to tell you, that they had carried the secret

committee-but it is put off till next Tuesday. To-day we had

nothing but the giving up the Heydon election, when Mr.

Ppultney had an opportunity (as Mr. Chute and Mr. Robinson would

not take the trouble to defend a cause which they could not

carry) to declaim upon corruption: had it come to a trial, there

were eighteen witnesses ready to swear positive bribery against

Mr. Pultney. I would write to Mr. Chute, and thank him for his

letter which you sent me, but I am so out of

humour at his brother's losing his seat, that I cannot speak

civilly even to him to-day.

It is said, that my Lord's Grace of Argyll has carried his great

point of the Broad Bottom-as I suppose you will hear by

rejoicings from Rome. The new Admiralty is named; at the head is

to be Lord Winchilsea, with Lord Granard,(491) Mr.

Cockburn, his Grace's friend, Dr. Lee, the chairman, Lord Vere

Beauclerc;(492) one of the old set, by the interest of the Duke

of Dorset, and the connexion of Lady Betty Germain, whose niece

Lord Vere married; and two Tories, Sir John Hind Cotton and Will.

Chetwynd,(493) an agent of Bolingbroke's-all this is not declared

yet, but is believed.

This great Duke has named his four aid-de-camps-Lord Charles Hay;

George Stanhope, brother of Earl Stanhope; Dick

Lyttelton, who Was page; and a Campbell. Lord Cadogan is not

dead, but has been given over.

We are rejoicing over the great success of the Queen of

Hungary's arms, and the number of blows and thwarts which the

French have received. It is a prosperous season for our new

popular generals to grow glorious!

But, to have done with politics. Old Marlborough has at last

published her Memoirs; they are digested by one Hooke, (494) who

wrote a Roman history; but from her materials which are so

womanish, that I am sure the man might sooner have made a gown

and petticoat with them. There are some choice letters from

Queen Anne, little inferior in the fulsome to those from King

James to the Duke of Buckingham.

Lord Oxford's (495) famous sale begins next Monday, where

there is as much rubbish of another kind as in her grace's

history. Feather bonnets presented by the Americans to Queen

Elizabeth; elks'-horns -cups; true copies converted into

candle of original pictures that never existed; presents to

himself from the Royal Society, etc. particularly forty

volumes of prints of illustrious English personages; which

collection is collected from frontispieces to godly books, bibles

and head-pieces and tail-pieces to Waller's works;

views of King Charles's sufferings; tops of ballads;

particularly earthly crowns for heavenly ones, and streams of

glory. There are few good pictures. for the miniatures are not

to be sold, nor the manuscripts , the books not till next year.

There are a few fine bronzes, and a very fine

collection of English coins.

We have got another opera,(496) which is liked. There was to

have been a vast elephant, but the just directors, designing to

give the audience the full weight of one for their money, made it

so heavy that at the prova it broke through the stage. It was to

have carried twenty soldiers, with Monticelli on a throne in the

middle. There is a new subscription begun for next year, thirty

subscribers at two hundred pounds each. Would you believe that I

am one? You need not believe it

quite, for I am but half an one; Mr. Conway and I take a share

between us. We keep Monticelli and Amorevoli, and to please Lord

Middlesex, that odious Muscovita; but shall discard Mr. Vaneschi.

We are to have the Barberina and the two Faussans; so, at least,

the singers and dancers will be equal to any thing in Europe.

Our earl is still at Richmond: I have not been there yet; I shall

go once or twice; for however little inclination I have to it, I

would not be thought to grow cool just now. You know I am above

such dirtiness, and you are sensible that my

coolness is of much longer standing. Your sister is with mine at

the Park; they came to town last Tuesday for the

opera, and returned next day. After supper, I prevailed on your

sister (497) to sing, and though I had heard her before, I

thought I never heard any thing beyond it; there is a

sweetness in her voice equal to Cuzzoni's, with a better

manner. '

I was last week at the masquerade, dressed like an old woman, and

passed for a good mask. I took the English liberty of teasing

whomever I pleased, particularly old Churchill. I told him I was

quite ashamed. of being there till I met him, but was quite

comforted with finding one person in the room older than myself.

The Duke,(498) who had been told who I was, came up and said, "Je

connois cette poitrine." I took him for some Templar, and

replied, "Vous! vous ne connoissez que des poitrines qui sont

bien plus us`ees." It was unluckily pat. The next night, at the

drawing-room, he asked me, very good-humouredly, if I knew who

was the old woman that had

teased every body at the masquerade. We were laughing so much at

this, that the King crossed the room to Lady Hervey, who was with

us, and said, "What are those boys laughing at set" She told him,

and that I had said I was so awkward at

undressing myself, that I had stood for an hour in my stays and

under-petticoat before my footman. My thanks to Madame Grifoni.

I cannot write more now, as I must not make my

letter too big, when it appears at the secretary's office

nouc. As to my sister, I am sure Sir Robert would never have

accepted Prince Craon's offer, who now, I suppose, would not be

eager to repeat it.

(486) Charles, Lord Cadogan, of Oakley, to which title he

succeeded on the death of his elder brother, William, Earl

Cadogan, who was one of the most distinguished "of

Marlborough's captains." Charles, Lord Cadogan, did not die at

the period when this letter was written. On the contrary, he

lived, till the year 1776.-D.

(487) John, seventh Earl of Westmoreland. He built the

Palladian Villa of Mereworth, in Kent, which is a nearly exact

copy of the celebrated Villa Capra, near Vicenza. He died in

1762. Sir Francis Dashwood succeeded, on his decease, to the

barony in fee of Le Despencer.-D.

(488) Sir Francis Dashwood, nephew to the Earl of

Westmoreland, had gone violently into Opposition, on that

lord's losing his regiment.

(489) Mr. Glover. (Walpole always depreciates Glover; but his

conduct, upon the occasion referred to in the text, displayed

considerable ability.-D.) [His speech upon this occasion was

afterwards published in a pamphlet, entitled, ,A short Account of

the late Application to Parliament, made by the Merchants of

London, upon the Neglect of their Trade; with the Substance

thereof, as summed up by Mr. Glover.,,]

(490) Arthur Mohun St. Leger, third Viscount Doneraile, in

Ireland, of the first creation.

He was at this time member for Winchilsea, was

appointed a lord of the bedchamber to Frederick Prince of Wales

in 1747, and died at Lisbon in 1749.-D.

(491) George Forbes, third Earl of Granard in Ireland; an

admiral, and a member of the House of Commons.-D.

(492) Third son of the first Duke of St. Albans, created in 1750

Lord Vere of Hanworth in Middlesex. He was the direct ancestor

of the present line of the St. Albans family. His wife was Mary,

daughter and heiress of Thomas Chambers, Esq. of Hanworth, by

Lady Mary Berkeley, the sister of lady Betty Germain.-D.

(493) William Richard Chetwynd 'second brother of the first

viscount of that name; member of parliament successively for

Stafford and Plymouth. He had been envoy at Genoa, and a lord of

the Admiralty; and he finally succeeded his two elder

brothers as third Viscount Chetwynd, in 1767.-D. [He was

familiarly called "Black Will," and sometimes "Oroonoka

Chetwynd," from his dark complexion. He died in 1770.]

(494) Nathaniel Hooke, a laborious compiler, but a very bad

writer. It is said, that the Duchess of Marlborough gave him

5000 pounds for the services he rendered her, in the

composition and publication of her apology. She, however,

afterwards quarrelled with him, because she said he tried to

convert her to Popery. Hooke was himself of that religion, and

was also a Quietist, and an enthusiastic follower of

Fenelon. It was Hooke who brought a Catholic priest to attend

the deathbed of Pope; a proceeding which excited such bitter

inclination in the infidel Bolingbroke. Hooke died July 19,

1763. [When Hooke asked Pope, "whether he should not send for a

priest, the dying poet replied, "I do not suppose that is

essential, but it will look right."-Spence, p. 322.)

(495) Edward second Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, only son of

the minister, he was a great and liberal patron of

literature and learned men, and completed the valuable

collection of manuscripts commenced by his father, which is now

in the British Museum. He married the great Cavendish

heiress, Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles, daughter of Holles,

Duke of Newcastle, and died June 16, 1741.-D.

(496) By Buranello, and called "Scipione in Cartagine."-E.

(497) Mary Mann, afterwards married to Mr. Foote.

(498) Of Cumberland. [William Augustus, third son of George II.)

234 Letter 57

To Sir Horace Mann.

March 10, 1742.

I will not work you up into a fright only to have the pleasure of

putting you out of it, but will tell you at once that we have

gained the greatest victory! I don't mean in the person of

Admiral Vernon, nor of Admiral Haddock; no. nor in that of his

Grace of Argyll. By we, I don't mean we; England, but we,

literally we; not you and I, but we, the House of Orford. The

certainty that the Opposition (or rather the Coalition, for that

is the new name they have taken) had of carrying every point they

wished, made them, in the pride of their hearts, declare that

they would move for the Secret Committee

yesterday (Tuesday), and next Friday would name the list, by

which day they should have Mr. Sandys from his reelection. It

was, however, expected to be put off, as Mr. Pultney could not

attend the House, his only daughter was dying-they say she is

dead.(499) But an affair of consequence to them, and indeed to

the nation in general, roused all their rage, and drove them to

determine on the last violences. I told you in my last, that the

new Admiralty was named, with a mixture of Tories; that is, it

was named by my Lord of Argyll; but the King

flatly put his negative on Sir John Cotton. They said he was no

Tory now, (and, in truth, he yesterday in the House

professed himself a Whig,) and that there were no Tories left in

the nation. The King replied, "that might be; but he was

determined to stand by those who had set him and his family upon

the throne." This refusal enraged them so much, that they

declared they would force him, not only to turn out all the old

ministry, but the new too, if he wished to save Sir R. and others

of his friends; and that, as they supposed he designed to get the

great bills passed, and then prorogue the

Parliament, they were determined to keep back some of the

chief bills, and sit all the summer, examining into the late

administration. Accordingly, yesterday, in a most full house,

Lord Limerick (500) (who, last year, seconded the famous

motion )501)) moved for a committee to examine into the

conduct of the last twenty years, and was seconded by Sir John

St. Aubin.(502) In short, (for I have not time to tell you the

debate at length,) we divided, between eight and nine, when there

was not a man of our party that did not expect to lose it by at

least fifteen or twenty, but, to our great

amazement, and their as great confusion, we threw out the

motion, by a majority of 244 against 242.(503) Was there ever a

more surprising event! a disgraced minister, by his personal

interest, to have a majority to defend him even from inquiry!

What was ridiculous, the very man who seconded the motion

happened to be shut out at the division; but there was one on our

side shut out too.

I don't know what violent step they will take next; it must be by

surprise, for when they could not carry this, it will be

impossible for them to carry any thing more personal. We

trust that the danger is now past, though they had a great

meeting to-day at Doddington 'S,(504) and threaten still. He was

to have made the motion, but was deterred by the treatment he met

last week. Sir John Norris was not present; he has resigned all

his employments, in a pique for not being named of the new

Admiralty. His old Grace of Somerset (505) is

reconciled to his son, Lord Hertford, on his late affair of

having the regiment taken from him: he sent for him, and told him

he had behaved like his son.

My dearest child, I have this moment received a most

unexpected and most melancholy letter from you, with an

account of your fever and new operation. I did not in the least

dream of your having any more trouble from that

disorder! are YOU never to be delivered from it? Your letter has

shocked me extremely; and then I am terrified at the

Spaniards passing so near Florence. If they should, as I fear

they will, stay there, how inconvenient and terrible it would be

for you, now you are ill! You tell me, and my good Mr.

Chute tells me, that you are out of all danger, and much

better; but to what can I trust, when you have these continual

relapses? The vast time that passes between your writing and my

receiving your letters, makes me flatter myself, that by now you

are out of all pain: but I am miserable, with finding that you

may be still subject to new torture! not all your courage, which

is amazing can give me any about you. But how can you write to

me? I will not suffer it-and now, good Mr. Chute will write for

you. I am so angry at your writing

immediately after that dreadful operation, though I see your

goodness in it, that I will not say a word more to you. All the

rest is to Mr. Chute.

What shall I say to you, my dearest Sir, for all your

tenderness to poor Mr. Mann and me? as you have so much

friendship for him, you may conceive how much I am obliged to

you. How much do I regret not having had more opportunities of

showing you my esteem and love, before this new attention, to Mr.

Mann. You do flatter me, and tell me he is

recovering--nay I trust you? and don't you say it, only to

comfort me?-Say a great deal for me to Mr. Whithed; he is

excessively good to me; I don't know how to thank him. I am

happy that you are so well yourself, and so constant to your

fasting. To reward your virtues, I will tell you the news I

know; not much, but very extraordinary. What would be the most

extraordinary event that you think could happen? Would not-next

to his becoming a real patriot-the Duke of Argyll's resigning be

the most unexpected? would any thing be more surprising than his

immediately resigning power at having felt the want of them? Be

that as it will, he literally, actually, resigned all his new

commissions yesterday, because the King refused to employ the

Tories.(506) What part he will act next is yet to come. Mrs.

Boothby said, upon the occasion, "that in one month's time he had

contrived to please the whole

nation-the Tories, by going to court; the Whigs, by leaving it."

They talk much of impeaching my father, since they could not

committee him; but as they could not, I think they will scarce be

able to carry a more violent step. However, to show how little

Tory resentments are feared, the King has named a new Admiralty;

Lord Winchilsea, Admiral Cavendish, Mr. Cockburn, Dr. Lee, Lord

Baltimore, young Trevor,(507) (which is much disliked, for he is

of no consequence for estate, and less for parts, but is a

relation of the Pelhams,) and Lord Archibald Hamilton,(508)-to

please his Royal Highness. Some of his

people (not the Lytteltons and Pitts) stayed away the other night

upon the Secret Committee, and they think he will at last rather

take his father's part, than Argyll's.

Poor Mr. PUltney has lost his girl: she was an only daughter, and

sensible and handsome. He has only a son left, and, they say, is

afflicted to the greatest degree.

I will say nothing about old Sarah's Memoirs; for, with some

spirit they are nothing but remnants of old women's frippery.

Good night! I recommend my poor Mr. Mann to you, and am

yours, most faithfully.

P. S. My dearest child, how unhappy I shall be, till I hear you

are quite recovered

(499) The young lady died on the preceding evening. She was in

her fourteenth year.-E.

(500) William Hamilton, Lord Viscount Limerick. (According to the

peerages, Lord Limerick's Christian name was James, and not

William.-D.)

(501) For removing Sir Robert Walpole.

(502) Sir John St. Aubyn, of Clowance in Cornwall, third

baronet of that family.-D. [He died in 1744.

(503) March 9. Motion in the House of Commons for a secret

committee to inquire into our affairs for twenty or twenty-one

years. The Speaker said Ayes had it: one that was for it

divided the House. The Noes carried it by 244 against 242. Mr.

Sandys at Worcester, Mr. Pulteny at home-his daughter

dying. The Prince at New. Several of his servants, and

several Scotch members, not at the House; nor Lord

Winchelsea's brothers. Gibbon, Rushout, Barnard voted for the

committee, but did not speak. It is said that the Prince had

before this written to Lord Carteret, to desire that Lord

Archibald Hamilton and Lord Baltimore might be lords of the

Admiralty, and that this had been promised."-Secker, MS.-E.

(504) "Never was there," writes Mr. Orlebar to the Rev. Mr.

Elough, "a greater disappointment. Those who proved the

minority, were so sure of being the majority, that the great Mr.

Dodington harangued in the lobby those who went out at the

division to desire them not to go away, because there were

several other motions to be made in consequence of that: and

likewise to bespeak their attendance at the Fountain, in order to

settle the committee. Upon which Sir George Oxenden, after they

found it was lost, whispered -@t friend thus: I Suppose we were

to desire Mr. D. to print the speeches he has just now made in

the lobby."

(505) Charles, commonly called "the proud Duke of Somerset." An

absurd, vain, pompous man, who appears to have been also most

harsh and unfeeling to those who depended on him.-D.

(506) March 10. Duke of argyle resigned his places to the

King. He gave for a reason, that a proposal had been made to him

for going ambassador to Holland, which he understood to be

sending him out of the way." Secker MS.-E.

(507) The Hun. John Trevor, second son of Thomas, first Lord

Trevor. He succeeded his elder brother Thomas, as third Lord

Trevor, in 1744.-D.

(508) Lord Archibald Hamilton was the seventh and youngest son of

Anne, Duchess of Hamilton, in her own right, and of

William, Earl of Selkirk, her husband, created by Charles II.

Duke of Hamilton, for life b. Lord Archibald married Lady Jane

Hamilton, daughter of James, Earl of Abercorn, and by her had

three sons; of whom the youngest was Sir William

Hamilton, so long the British envoy at the court of Naples.-D.

237 Letter 58

To Sir Horace Mann.

Monday, March 22, 1742.

[Great part of this letter is lost.]

*** I have at last received a letter from you in answer to the

first I wrote you upon the change in the ministry. I hope you

have received mine regularly since, that you may know all the

consequent steps. I like the Pasquinades you sent me, and think

the Emperor's(509) letter as mean as you do. I hope his state

will grow more abject every day. It is amazing, the progress and

success of the Queen of Hungary's arms! It is said to-day, that

she has defeated a great body of the

Prussians in Moravia. We are going to extend a helping hand to

her at last. Lord Stair (510) has accepted what my Lord Argyll

resigned, and sets out ambassador to Holland in two days; and

afterwards will have the command of' the troops that are to be

sent into Flanders. I am sorry I must send away this to-night,

without being able to tell you the event of to-morrow; but I will

let you know it on Thursday, if I write but two lines. You have

no notion how I laughed at Mrs.

Goldsworthy's "talking from hand to mouth."(511) How happy I am

that you have Mr. Chute still with you; you would have been

distracted else with that simple woman; for fools prey upon one

when one has no companion to laugh Them off.

I shall say every thing that is proper for you to the earl, and

shall take care about expressing you to him, as I know you have

your gratitude far more at heart, than what I am thinking of for

you, I mean your stay at Florence. I have spoken very warmly to

Lord Lincoln about you, who, I am sure, will serve you to his

power. Indeed, as all changes are at a stop, I am convinced

there will be no thought of removing you. However, till I see

the situation of next winter, I cannot be easy on your account.

I have made a few purchases at Lord Oxford's sale; a small

Vandyke, in imitation of Teniers; an old picture of the

Duchess of Suffolk, mother of Lady Jane Grey, and her young

husband; a sweet bronze vase by Flamingo, and two or three other

trifles. The things sold dear; the antiquities and

pictures for about five thousand pounds, which yet, no doubt,

cost him much more, for he gave the most extravagant prices. His

coins and medals are now selling, and go still dearer. Good

night! How I wish for every letter to hear how you mend!

(509) Charles VII. the Emperor of the Bavarian family.-D.

(510) John Dalrymple, second Earl of Stair, a man much

distinguished both as a general and a diplomatist. [He served

with credit at Dettingen; but, after that battle, resigned his

military rank, indignant at the King's unjust partiality to the

Hanoverians. However, on the rebellion of 1745, he was made

commander-in-chief, and materially assisted the Duke of

Cumberland in the campaign which ended at Culloden. He died in

1747.]

(511) An expression of Mr. Chute.

238 Letter 59

To sir Horace Mann.

March 24, 1742.

I promised you in my last letter to send you the event of

yesterday.(512) It was not such as you would wish, for on the

division, at nine o'clock at night, we lost it by 242 against

245. We had three people shut out, so that a majority of

three (513) is so small that it is scarce doubted, but that, on

Friday, when we ballot for the twenty-one to form the

committee, we shall carry a list composed of our people, so that

then it will be better that we lost it yesterday, as they never

can trouble my Lord Orford more, when the Secret

Committee consists of his own friends. The motion was made and

seconded by the same people as before: Mr. Pultney had been

desired, but refused, yet spoke very warmly for it. He declared,

"that if they found any proofs against the earl, he would not

engage in the prosecution;" and especially protested against

resumptions of grants to his family, of which. he

said, "there had been much talk, but they were what he would

never come into, as being very illegal and unjust." The motion

was quite personal against lord Orford, singly and by name, for

his last ten years-the former question had been for twenty years,

but as the rules of Parliament do not allow of

repeating any individual motion in the same session of its

rejection, and as 'every' evasion is allowed in this country,

half the term was voted by the same House of Commons that had

refused an inquiry into the whole; a sort of proof that every

omne majus does not continere in se minus-but Houses of

Commons can find out evasions to logical axioms, as well as to

their own orders. If they carry their list, my lord will be

obliged to return from Houghton.

After the division. Mr. Pultney(514) moved for an address to the

King; to declare their resolution of standing by him,

especially in assisting the Queen of Hungary-but I believe, after

the loss of the question, he will not be in very good humour with

this address.

I am now going to tell you what you, will not have

expected-that a particular friend of yours opposed the motion,

and it was the first time he ever spoke. To keep you not in

suspense, though you must have guessed, it was 220.(515) As the

speech was very favourably heard, and has done him

service, I prevailed with him to give me a copy-here it is:-

Mr. Speaker,(516)-I have always thought, Sir, that incapacity and

inexperience must prejudice the cause they undertake to defend;

and it has been diffidence of myself, not distrust of the cause,

that has hitherto made me so silent upon a point on which I ought

to have appeared so zealous.

"While the attempts for this inquiry were made in general

terms, I should have thought it presumption in me to stand up and

defend measures in which so many abler men have been

engaged, and which, consequently, they could so much better

support; but when the attack grows more personal, it grows my

duty to oppose it more particularly, lest I be suspected of an

ingratitude which my heart disdains. But I think, Sir, I

cannot be suspected of that, unless my not having abilities to

defend my father can be construed into a desire not to defend

him.

"My experience, Sir, is very small; I have never been

conversant in business and politics, and have sat a very short

time in this house -with so slight a fund, I must much

mistrust my power to serve him-especially as in the short time I

have sat here, I have seen that not his own knowledge,

innocence, and eloquence, have been able to protect him

against a powerful and determined party. I have seen, since his

retirement, that he has many great and noble friends, who have

been able to protect him from farther violence. But, Sir, when

no repulses can calm the clamour against him, no motives should

sway his friends from openly undertaking his defence. When the

King has conferred rewards on his services; when the Parliament

has refused its assent to any inquiries of complaint against him;

it is but maintaining the King's and our own honour, to reject

this motion-for the repeating which, however, I cannot think the

authors to blame, as I suppose now they have turned him out, they

are willing to inquire whether they had any reason to do so.

"I shall say no more, Sir, but leave the material part of this

defence to the impartiality, candour, and credit of men who are

no ways dependent on him. He has already found that

defence, Sir, and I hope he always will! It is to their

authority I trust-and to me, it is the strongest proof of

innocence, that for twenty years together, no crime could be

solemnly alleged against him; and since his dismission, he has

seen a majority rise up to defend his character in that very

House of Commons in which a majority had overturned his power.

As, therefore, Sir, I must think him innocent, I stand up to

protect him from injustice-had he been accused, I should not have

given the House this trouble: but I think, Sir, that the

precedent of what was done upon this question a few days ago, is

a sufficient reason, if I had no other, for me to give my

negative now."

William Pitt, some time after, in the debate, said, how very

commendable it was in him to have made the above speech, which

must have made an impression upon the House; but if It was

becoming in him to remember that he was the child of the

accused, that the House ought to remember too that they are the

children of their country. It was a great compliment from him,

and very artful too.

I forgot to tell you in my last, that one of our men-of-war,

commanded by Lord Bamffe,(518) a Scotchman, has taken another

register ship, of immense value.

You will laugh at a comical thing that happened the other day to

Lord Lincoln. He sent the Duke of Richmond word that he would

dine with him in the country, and if he would give him leave,

would bring lord Bury with him. It happens that Lord Bury is

nothing less than the Duke of Richmond's nephew.(519) The Duke,

very properly, sent him word back, that Lord Bury might bring

him, if he pleased.

I have been plagued all this morning with that oaf of unlicked

antiquity, Prideaux,(520) and his deaf boy. He talked through

all Italy, and every thing in all Italy. Upon mentioning

Stosch, I asked if he had seen his collection. He replied, very

few of his things, for he did not like his company; that he never

heard so much heathenish talk in his days. I

inquired what it was, and found that Stosch had one day said

before him, "that the soul was only a little glue." I laughed so

much that he walked off; I suppose, thinking, that I

believed so too. By the way, tell Stosch that a gold Alectus

sold at Lord Oxford's sale for above threescore pounds. Good

night, my dear child! I am just going to the ridotto; one hates

those places, comes away out of humour, and yet one goes again!

How are you! I long for your next letter to answer me.

(512) The debate in the House of Commons on Lord Limerick's

motion for a Secret Committee to inquire into the conduct of the

Earl of Orford during the last ten years of his

administration.-E.

(513) The motion was carried by a majority of seven, the

numbers being 252 against 245.-E.

(514) This was much mentioned in the pamphlets written against

the war, which was said to have been determined "by a

gentleman's fumbling in his pocket for a piece of paper at ten

o'clock at night," and the House's agreeing to the motion

without any consideration.

(515) The author of these letters.

(516) There is a fictitious speech printed for this in several

Magazines of that time, but which does not contain one

sentence of the true one.

(517) The following note of this debate is from the Bishop of

Oxford's diary.-,, March 23. Motion by Lord Limerick, and

seconded by Sir J. St. Aubin, on the 9th instant, for a Secret

Committee of twenty-one, to examine into the Earl of Orford's

conduct for the last ten years of his being chancellor of the

exchequer and lord of the treasury. Mr. Pultney said,

ministers should always remember the account they must make; that

he was against rancour in the inquiry, desired not to be named

for the committee, particularly because of a rash word he had

used, that he would pursue Sir Robert Walpole to his destruction;

that now the minister was destroyed, he had no ill-will to the

man; that from his own knowledge and

experience of many of the Tories, he believed them to be as

sincerely for the King and this family as himself; that he was

sensible of the disagreeable situation he was in, and would get

out of it as soon as he could. Mr. Sandys spoke for the motion,

and said, he desired his own conduct might always be strictly

inquired into. Lord Orford's son, and Mr. Ellis

spoke well against the motion. It was carried by 252 against

245. Three or four were shut out, who would have been against

it. Mr. William -Finch against it. The Prince's servants for it.

Then Mr. Pultney moved for an address of duty to the King &e.

which he begged might pass without opposition; and

accordingly it did so. But Mr. W. W. wynne and several

others, went out of the House; which was by some understood to be

disapprobation, by others accident or weariness," Secker MS.-E.

(518) alexander Ogilvy, sixth Lord Banff, commanded the

Hastings man-of war in 1742 and 1743, and captured, during that

time, a valuable outward-bound Spanish register-ship, a Spanish

privateer of twenty guns, a French polacca with a rich cargo, and

other vessels. He died at Lisbon in November 1746, at the early

age of twenty-eight.-D.

(519) George Lord Bury, afterwards third Earl of Albemarle. His

mother was Lady Anne Lennox, sister of the Duke of

Richmond.-D. His lordship served as aide-de-camp) to the Duke of

Cumberland at the battle of Fontenoy and at Culloden, and

commanded in chief at the reduction of the Havannah. He died in

1772.)

(520 Grandson of Dean Prideaux; he was just returned out of

Italy, with his son.

241 Letter 60

To Sir Horace Mann.

Downing Street, April 1, 1742.

I received your letter of March 18th, and would be as

particular in the other dates which you have sent me in the end

of your letter, but our affairs having been in such

confusion, I have removed all my papers In general from hence,

and cannot now examine them. I have, I think, received all

yours: but lately I received them two days at least after

their arrival, and evidently opened; so we must be cautious now

what we write. Remember this, for of your last the seal had been

quite taken off and set on again.

Last Friday we balloted for the Secret Committee. Except the

vacancies, there were but thirty-one members absent: five

hundred and eighteen gave in lists. At six that evening they

named a committee of which Lord Hartington was chairman, (as

having moved for it,) to examine the lists. This lasted from

that time, all that night, till four in the afternoon of the next

day; twenty-two hours without remission. There were

sixteen people, of which were Lord Hartington and Coke, who sat

up the whole time, and one of theirs, Velters

Cornwall,(521) fainted with the fatigue and heat, for people of

all sorts were admitted into the room, to see the lists drawn; it

was in the Speaker's chambers. On the conclusion, they found the

majority was for a mixed list, but of which the Opposition had

the greater number. Here are the two lists, which were given out

by each side, but of which people altered several in their

private lists.

THE COURT LIST.

William Bowles.

*Lord Cornbury.(522)

*William Finch.(523)

Lord Fitzwilliam.

Sir Charles Gilmour.

*Charles Gore.

H. Arthur Herbert.(524)

Sir Henry Liddel.(525)

John Plumptree (526)

Sir John Ramsden.

Strange, Solicitor-General.

Cholmley Turnor.

John Talbot.(527)

General Wade.(528)

James West.(529)

THE OPPOSITION LIST.

Sir John Barnard.

Alexander Hume Campbell.(530)

Sir John Cotton.

George Bubb Doddington.(531)

Nicholas Fazakerley.

Henry Furnese.

Earl of Granird.

Mr. Hooper.(532)

Lord Limerick.(533)

George Lyttelton.(534)

John Philips-(535)

William Pitt.(536)

Mr. Prouse.

Edmund Waller.(537)

Sir Watkyn Williams Wynn.

Besides the following six which were in both lists-

These Six, On casting up the numbers, had those marked against

their names, and were consequently chosen. Those with this mark

(*) were reckoned of the Opposition.

*George Compton 515

*William Noell 512 (538)

*Lord Quarendon 512 (539)

*Sir John Rushout 516 (540)

*Samuel Sandys 516 (541)

Sir John St. Aubin 518

On casting up the numbers, the lists proved thus:-

*Sir John Barnard 268

*Nicholas Fazakerley 262 (542)

*Henry Furnese 282

*Earl of Granard 258

*Mr. Hooper 265

*William Pitt 259

*Mr. Prouse 259

*Edmund Waller 259

William Bowles 259

*Lord Cornbury 262

Solicitor-General 259

Cholmley Turnor 259

This made eighteen: Mr. Finch, Sir Harry Liddel, and Mr.

Talbot, had 258 each, and Hume Campbell 257, besides one in which

his name was mis-written, but allowed; out of these

four, two were to be chosen: it was agreed that the Speaker was

to choose them; he, with a resolution not supposed to be in him,

as he has been the most notorious affecter of

popularity, named Sir Harry Liddel and Mr. 'albot; so that, on

the whole, we have just five that we can call our own.(543)

These will not be sufficient to stop their proceedings, but by

being privy, may stop any iniquitous proceedings. They have

chosen Lord Limerick chairman. Lord Orford returns tomorrow from

Houghton to Chelsea, from whence my uncle went in great fright to

fetch him.

I was yesterday presented to the Prince and Princess; but had not

the honour of a word from either: he did vouchsafe to talk to

Lord Walpole the day before.

Yesterday the Lord Mayor brought in their favourite bill for

repealing the Septennial Act, but we rejected it by 284 to

204.(544)

You shall have particular accounts of the Secret Committee and

their proceedings: but It will be at least a month before they

can make any progress. You did not say any thing about

yourself in your last; never omit it, my dear child.

(521) Velters Cornwall, Esq., of Meccas Court, in

Herefordshire, and member for that county.-D.

(522) Son of the Earl of Clarendon.

(523) Afterwards vice-chamberlain.

(524) Afterwards Earl of Powis.

(525) Afterwards Lord Ravensworth.

(526) He had a place in the Ordnance.

(527) Son of the late lord chancellor, and afterwards a judge.

(528) Afterwards field.marshal.

(529) Afterwards secretary of the treasury.

(530) Afterwards solicitor to the Prince.

(531) Had been a lord of the treasury.

(532) Had a place on a change of the ministry. (He was a

Hampshire gentleman, and member for Christchurch.-D.)

(533) Afterwards King's remembrancer.

(534) Afterwards cofferer.

(535) Afterwards a lord of trade and baronet.

(536) Afterwards paymaster.

(537) Afterwards cofferer.

(538) Afterwards a judge.

(539) Afterwards Earl of Lichfield.

(540) Afterwards treasurer of the navy.

(541) Afterwards chancellor of the exchequer, then cofferer, and

then a baron.

(542) Nicholas Fazakerley, Esq. Walpole calls him "a tiresome

Jacobite lawyer." He, however, appears to have been a speaker of

some weight in the House of Commons, and distinguished

himself by his opposition to Lord Hardwicke's mischievous

marriage bill in the year 1753.-D. (He died in 1767.)

(543) "March 26, 27. The House of commons balloted for their

committee, being called over, and each opening his list at the

table, and putting it into a vessel which stood there. This was

ended by five. Then a committee began to examine the

lists, and sat from that time till four the next afternoon: for,

though two lists were given out, many delivered in

consisted partly of one, and partly of the other; and many were

put in different order. Sir Thomas Drury, a friend of Lord

Orford's, put down four of the opposite side in his list. Lord

Orford's friends hoped it would bring moderate persons over to

them, if they put some on their list who were not

partial to him."-" March 29. The decision between Sir H.

Lyddel, Mr. J. Talbot. and Mr. W. Finch, was left to the

Speaker, who chose the two former." Secker MS.-E.

(544) This is not correct. It appears, by the Journals, that the

motion passed in the negative by 204 against 184. The debate is

thus noticed by the Bishop of Oxford:-"March 31. Sir Robert

Cotschall, Lord Mayor, moved for the repeal of the

Septennial Bill. Mr. Pultney said, he thought annual

parliaments would be best, but preferred septennial to

triennial and voted against the motion. In all, 204 against it,

and 184 for it." Secker MS.-E.

243 Letter 61

To Sir Horace Mann.

London, April 8, 1742.

You have no notion how astonished I was, at reading your

account of Sir Francis Dashwood!-that it should be possible for

private and personal pique so to sour any man's temper and

honour, and so utterly to change their principles! I own I am

for your mentioning him in your next despatch: they may at least

intercept his letters, and prevent his dirty

intelligence. As to Lady Walpole,(545) her schemes are so wild

and so ill-founded, that I don't think it worth while to take

notice of them. I possibly may mention this new one of changing

her name, to her husband, and of her coming-over

design, but I am sure he will only laugh at it.

The ill-situation of the King, which you say is so much talked of

at the Petraia,(546) Is not true; indeed he and the Prince are

not at all more reconciled for being reconciled; but I think his

resolution has borne him out. All the public

questions are easily carried, even with the concurrence of the

Tories. Mr. Pultney proposed to grant a large sum for

assisting the Queen of Hungary, and got Sir John Barnard to move

it. They have given the King five hundred thousand

pounds for that purpose.(547) The land-tax of four shillings in

the pound is continued. Lord Stair is gone to Holland, and

orders are given to the regiments and guards to have their camp

equipages ready. As to the Spanish war and Vernon, there is no

more talk of them; one would think they had both been taken by a

privateer.

We talk of adjourning, soon for a month or six weeks, to give the

Secret Committee time to proceed, which yet they have not done.

Their object is returned from Houghton in great health and

greater spirits. They are extremely angry with him for laughing

at their power. The concourse to him is as great as ever; so is

the rage against him. All this week the mob has been carrying

about his effigies in procession, and to the Tower. The chiefs

of the Opposition have been so mean as to give these mobs money

for bonfires, particularly the Earls of Lichfield, Westmoreland,

Denbigh, (548) and Stanhope:(549) the servants of these last got

one of these figures, chalked out a place for the heart and shot

at it. You will laugh at me, who, the other day, meeting one of

these mobs, drove up to it to see what was the matter: the first

thing I beheld was a maulkin, in a chair, with three footmen, and

a label on the breast, inscribed "Lady mary." (550)

The Speaker, who has been much abused for naming two of our

friends to the Secret Committee, to show his

disinterestedness, has resigned his place of treasurer of the

navy. Mr. Clutterbuck,(551) one of the late treasury is to have

it; so there seems a stop put to any new persons from the

Opposition.

His Royal Highness is gone to Kew his drawing-rooms Will not be

so crowded at his return, as he has disobliged so many

considerable people, particularly the Dukes of Montagu (552) and

Richmond, Lord Albemarle,(553) etc. The Richmond went twice, and

yet was not spoken to; nor the others; nay, he has vented his

princely resentment even upon the women, for to Lady Hervey, not

a word.

This is all the news except that little Brook (554) is on the

point of matrimony with Miss Hamilton, Lady Archibald's

daughter. She is excessively pretty and sensible, but as

diminutive as he.

I forgot to tell you that the Place Bill has met with the same

fate from the Lords as the Pension Bill (555) and the

Triennial Act; so that, after all their clamour and changing of

measures, they have not been able to get one of their

popular bills passed, though the newspapers, for these three

months, have swarmed with instructions for these purposes, from

the constituents of all parts of Great Britain to their

representatives.

We go into mourning on Sunday for the old Empress Amelia.(556)

Lord Chedworth, (557) one of three new Peers, is dead. We hear

the King of Sardinia is at Piacenza, to open the

campaign. I shall be in continual fears lest they disturb you at

Florence. All love to the Chutes, and my compliments to all my

old acquaintance. I don't think I have forgot one of Them.

Pataman is entirely yours, and entirely handsome. Good night!

(545) Margaret Rolle, a great Devonshire heiress, the wife of

Robert, Lord Walpole, afterwards second Earl of Orford, the

eldest son of the minister. She was separated from her

husband, and had quarrelled violently with his whole family. She

resided principally at Florence, where she died in 1781; having

married secondly, after the death of Lord Orford, the Hon.

Sewallis Shirley. She was a woman of bad character, as well as

Half mad: which last quality she to communicated to her

unfortunate son George, third Earl of Orford. She

succeeded, in her own right, to the baronies of Clinton and Say,

upon the death, in 1751, of Hugh, Earl and Baron

Clinton.-D. (This lady was married to Lord Walpole in 1724. In

a letter to the Countess of mar, written in that year, Lady Mary

Wortley Montagu says:- "I have so good an opinion of your taste,

to believe harlequin in person will not make you laugh so much as

the Earl of Stair's furious passion for Lady

Walpole, aged fourteen and some months. Mrs. Murray undertook to

bring the business to bear, and provided the opportunity, a great

ingredient You'll Say but the young lady proved

skittish. She did not only turn his heroic flame into present

ridicule, but exposed all his generous sentiments, to divert her

Husband and father-in-law." Works, vol. ii. p. 188.]

(546) A villa belonging to the Great Duke, where Prince Craon

resided in summer.

(547) "April 2. In the Commons, 500,000 pounds voted for the

Queen of Hungary; I believe nem. con. Sir John Barnard moved it;

which, Mr. Sandys told me, was that day making himself the

chancellor of the exchequer. He told me, also, the King was

unwilling to grant the Prince 50,000 pounds a-year; and I am told

from other hands, that he saith he never promised it. The Bishop

of Sarum (Sherlock) says, Sir Robert Walpole told him, the King

would give 30,000 pounds, but no more. Mr.

Sandys appeared determined against admitting Tories, and said it

was wonderful their union had held so long, and could not be

expected to hold longer; that he could not imagine why

every body spoke against Lord Carteret, but that he had better

abilities than any body; that as soon as foreign affairs could be

settled, they would endeavour to reduce the expenses of the crown

and interest of the debts." Secker MS.

(548) William Fielding, fifth Earl of Denbigh, died 1755.-D.

(549) Philip, second Earl Stanhope, eldest son of the general and

statesman, who founded this branch of the Stanhope family. Earl

Philip was a man of retired habits, and much devoted to

scientific pursuits. He died in 1786.-D.

(550) Lady Mary Walpole, daughter of Sir R. W.

(551) This Mr. Clutterbuck had been raised by Lord Carteret, when

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whom he betrayed to Sir R. Walpole;

the latter employed him, but never would trust him. He then

ingratiated himself with Mr. Pelham, under a pretence of candour

and integrity, and was continually infusing

scruples into him on political questions, to distress Sir R. On

the latter's quitting the ministry, he appointed a board of

treasury at his own house, in order to sign some grants; Mr.

Clutterbuck made a pretence to slip away, and never returned. He

was a friend, too, of the Speaker's: when Sir R. W. was told that

Mr. Onslow had resigned his place, and that Mr.

Clutterbuck was to succeed him, said, "I remember that the Duke

of Roxburgh, who was a great pretender to conscience, persuaded

the Duke of Montrose to resign the seals of'

Secretary of state, on some scruple, and begged them himself the

next day." Mr. Clutterbuck died very soon after this

transaction. [Mr. Clutterbuck was appointed treasurer of the navy

in May, and died in November following.]

(552) John, second and last Duke of Montagu, of the first

creation. He was a man of Some talent, and great eccentricity.

Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, his mother-in-law, Used to say of

him, "My son-in-law Montagu is fifty, and he is still as mere a

boy as if he was only fifteen.".-D. On his death, in 1749),the

title became extinct.)

(553) William-Anne Keppel, second Earl of Albemarle. An

amiable prodigal who filled various great offices, through the

favour of Lady Yarmouth, who died insolvent.-D. [He married. in

1723, Lady Anne Lennox, daughter of Charles, first Duke of

Richmond, and, whilst ambassador to the French court, died

suddenly at Paris, in 1755.]

(554) Francis Greville, Lord Brooke, created an earl in 1746.

[And, in 1759, raised to the dignity of Earl of Warwick. He died

in 1773.]

(555) "March 26. The Pension Bill read a second time in the

Lords. Duke of Devonshire said a few words against it. Lord

Sandwich pleaded for it, that some persons now in the ministry

had patronized it, and for their sakes it should be committed;

Lord Romney, that some objections against it had been obviated by

alterations. These three speeches lasted scarce half a quarter

of an hour. The question being put for committing, not-content,

76; content, 46. I was one of five bishops for it; Lord Carteret

and Lord Berkeley against it." Secker

318.-E.

(556) Widow of the Emperor Joseph. She was of the house of

Wolfenbuttle.

(557) John Bowe, Esq. of Stowell, created a baron in May 1741.

246 Letter 62

To Sir Horace Mann.

April 15, 1742.

The great pleasure I receive from your letters is a little abated

by my continually finding that they have been opened. It is a

mortification as it must restrain the freedom of our

correspondence, and at a time when more than ever I must want to

talk to you. Your brother showed me a letter, which I

approve extremely, yet do not think this a proper time for it;

for there IS not only no present prospect of any further

alterations, but, if there were, none that will give that

person any interest. He really has lost himself so much, that it

will be long before he can recover credit enough to do any body

any service. His childish and troublesome behaviour,

particularly lately (,but I Will not mention instances,

because I would not have it known whom I mean), has set him in

the lowest light imaginable. I have desired your brother to keep

your letter, and when we see a necessary or convenient

opportunity, which I hope will not arrive, it shall be

delivered. However, if you are still of that opinion, say so,

and your brother shall carry it. At present, my dear child, I am

much more at repose about you, as I trust no more will

happen to endanger your situation. I shall not only give you the

first notice, but employ all the means in my power to

prevent your removal.

The Secret Committee, it seems, are almost aground, and, it is

thought, will soon finish. They are now reduced, as I hear, to

inquire into the last month, not having met with any

foundation for proceeding in the rest of the time. However, they

have this week given a strong instance of' their

arbitrariness and private resentments. They sent for

Paxton,(558) the solicitor of the treasury, and examined him

about five hundred pounds which he had given seven years ago at

Lord Limerick's election. The man, as it directly tended to

accuse himself, refused to answer. They complained to the House,

and after a long debate he was committed to the

sergeant-at-arms -, and to-day, I hear, for still refusing, will

be sent to Newgate.(559) We adjourn to-day for ten days, but the

committee has leave to continue sitting. . But, my dear child,

you may be quite at ease, for they themselves seem to despair of

being able to effect any thing.

The Duke (560) is of age to-day, and I hear by the guns, is just

gone with the King, to take his seat in the Lords.

I have this morning received the jar of cedrati safe, for

which I give you a million of thanks. I am impatient to hear of

the arrival of your secretary and the things at Florence; it is

time for you to have received them.

Here! Amorevoli has sent me another letter. Would you believe

that our wise directors for next year will not keep the

Visconti, and have sent for the Fumagalli? She will not be heard

to the first row of the pit.

I am growing miserable, for it is growing fine weather-that is,

every body is going out of town. I have but just begun to like

London, and to be settled in an agreeable set of' people, and now

they are going to wander all over the kingdom.

Because they have some chance of having a month of good

weather they will bury themselves three more in bad.

The Duchess of Cleveland (561) died last night of what they call

a miliary fever, which is much about: she had not been ill two

days. So the poor creature, her duke, is again to be let; she

paid dear for the hopes of being duchess dowager. Lady Catherine

Pelham,(562) has miscarried of twins; but they are so miserable

with the loss of their former two boys, that they seem glad now

of not having any more to tremble for.

There is a man who has by degrees bred himself up to walk upon

stilts so high, that he now stalks about and peeps into one pair

of stairs windows. If this practice should spread,

dining-rooms will be as innocent as chapels. Good night! I never

forget my best loves to the Chutes.

P. S. I this moment hear that Edgecombe (563) and Lord

Fitzwilliam are created English peers: I am sure the first is,

and I believe the second.

(558) Commemorated in a line of Pope-"'Tis all a libel,

Paxton, Sir, will say."-D.

(559) On a division of 180 against 128, Paxton was this day

committed to Newgate where he remained till the end of the

session, July 15. He died in April 1744.-E.

(560) The Duke of Cumberland, third Son of George the

Second.-E.

(561) Lady Henrietta Finch, sister of the Earl of Winchilsea,

wife of William, Duke of Cleveland. [On whose death, in 1774, the

title became extinct.]

(562) Catherine, sister of John Manners, Duke of Rutland, and

wife of Henry Pelham. They lost their two sons by an epidemic

sore-throat, after which she would never go to Esher, or any

house where she had seen them.

(563) Richard Edgecombe, a great friend of Sir R. Walpole, was

Created a baron to prevent his being examined by the Secret

Committee concerning the management of the Cornish boroughs. (He

was created Lord Edgecumbe on the 20th of April, and in December

appointed chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster. He died in

1758.]

247 Letter 63

To Sir Horace Mann.

London, April 22, 1742.

You perceive, by the size of my paper, how little I have to say.

The whole town is out of town for Easter, and nothing left but

dust, old women, and the Secret Committee. They go on warmly,

and have turned their whole thoughts to the

secret-service money, after which they are inquiring by all

methods. Sir John Rawdon (564) (you remember that genius in

Italy) voluntarily swore before them that, at the late

election at Wallingforrd, he spent two thousand pounds, and that

one Morley promised him fifteen hundred more, if he would lay it

out. "Whence was Morley to have it?"-"I don't know; I believe

from the first minister." This makes an evidence. It is thought

that they will ask leave to examine members, which was the reason

of Edgecumbe's going into the peerage, as they supposed he had

been the principal agent for the Cornish

boroughs. Sir John Cotton said, upon the occasion, "Between

Newgate (565 and the House of Lords the committee will not get

information."

The troops for Flanders go on board Saturday se'nnight, the first

embarkation of five thousand men: the whole number is to be

sixteen thousand. It is not yet known what success Earl Stair

has had at the Hague. We are in great joy upon the news of the

King of Prussia's running away from the Austrians:

(566) though his cowardice is well established, it is yet

believed that the flight in question was determined by his head,

not his heart; in short, that it was treachery to his allies.

I forgot to tell you, that of the Secret Committee Sir John

Rushout and Cholmley TurnOr never go to it, nor, which is more

extraordinary, Sir John Barnard. He says he thought their views

were more general, but finding them so particular

against one man, he Will not engage with them.

I have been breakfasting this morning at Ranelagh-garden:

(567) they have built an immense amphitheatre, with balconies

full of little ale-houses; it is in rivalry to Vauxhall, and

costs above twelve thousand pounds. The building is not

finished, but, they get great sums by people going to see it and

breakfasting in the house: there were yesterday no less than

three hundred and eighty persons, at eighteen pence

a-piece. You see how poor we are, when, with a tax of four

shillings in the pound, we are laying out such sums for cakes and

ale.

We have a new opera, with your favourite song, se cerca, se dice:

(568) Monticelli sings it beyond what you can conceive. Your

last was of April 8th. I like the medal of the Caesars and

Nihils (569) extremely; but don't at all like the cracking of

your house, (570) except that it drives away your

Pettegola. (571) What I like much worse is your recovering your

strength so slowly; but I trust to the warm weather.

Miss Granville, daughter of the late Lord Lansdown, (572) is

named maid of honour, in the room of Miss Hamilton, who I told

you is to be Lady Brook-they are both so small! what little eggs

they will lay!

How does my Princess?(573) does not she deign to visit you too?

Is Sade (574) there still? Is Madame Suares quite gone into

devotion yet? Tell me any thing-I love any thing that you write

to me. Good night!

(564) He was afterwards made an Irish lord. (Lord Rawdon in 1750,

and Earl of Moira in 1761. His first two wives were the

daughters of the Earl of Egmont and Viscount Hillsborough. His

third wife, by whom he was the father of the late Lord Hastings,

was the daughter, and eventually the heiress, of Theophilus,

ninth Earl of Huntingdon.-D.)

(565) Alluding to Paxton, who was sent thither for refusing to

give evidence.

(566) this must allude to the King of Prussia's abandonment of

his design to penetrate through Austria to Vienna, which he gave

of) in consequence of the lukewarmness of his Saxon and the

absence of his French allies. It is curious now, when the mist

of contemporary prejudices has passed away, to hear

Frederick the Great accused of cowardice.-D.

(567) the once celebrated place of amusement was so called from

its site being that of a villa of' Viscount Ranelagh, near

Chelsea. The last entertainment given in it was the

installation ball of the Knights of the Bath, in 1802. It has

since been razed to the ground.-E.

(568) In the Olimpiade.

(569) A satirical medal: on one side was the head of Francis,

Duke of Lorrain (afterwards emperor) with this motto, aut

Caesar aut nihil: on the reverse, that of the Emperor Charles

Vii. Elector of Bavaria, who had been driven out of his

dominions, et Caesar et nihil.

(570) Sir H. Mann had mentioned, in one of his letters, the

appearance of several cracks in the walls of his house at

Florence. Mrs. Goldsworthy, the wife of the English consul,

had taken refuge in it when driven from Leghorn by

an earthquake.-D.

(571) Mrs. ('Goldsworthy.

(572) George Granville, Lord Lansdown, Pope's "Granville the

polite," one of Queen

Anne's twelve peers, and one of the minor

poets of that time. He died in 1734, without

male issue, and his honours

extinguished.-D.

(573) Princess Craon.

(574) The Chevalier de Sade.

249 Letter 64

To Sir Horace Mann.

London, April 29, 1742.

By yours of April 17, N. S. and some of your last letters, I find

my Lady Walpole is more mad than ever-why, there never was so

wild a scheme as this, of setting up an interest

through Lord Chesterfield! one who has no power; and, if he had,

would think of, or serve her, one of the last persons upon earth.

What connexion has he with what interest could he have in

obliging her? and, but from views, what has he ever done, or will

he ever do? But is Richcourt (575) so shallow, and so ambitious,

as to put any trust in there projects? My dear child, believe

me, if I was to mention them here, they would sound so

chimerical, so womanish, that I should be

laughed at for repeating them. For yourself, be quite at

rest, and laugh, as I do, at feeble, visionary malice, and assure

yourself, whoever mentions such politics to you, that my Lady

Walpole must have very frippery intelligence from

hence, if she can raise no better views and on no better

foundations. For the poem you mention, I never read it: upon

inquiry, I find there was such a thing though now quite

obsolete: undoubtedly not Pope's, and only proves what I said

before, how low, how paltry, how uninformed her ladyship's

correspondents must be.

We are now all military! all preparations for Flanders! no

parties but reviews; no officers, but "hope" they are to go

abroad-at least, it is the fashion to say so. I am studying

lists of regiments and Dames of colonels-not that "I hope I am to

go abroad," but to talk of those who do. Three thousand men

embarked yesterday and the day before, and the thirteen thousand

others sail as soon as the transports can return. Messieurs

d'Allemagne (576) roll their red eyes, stroke up their great

beards, and look fierce-you know one loves a

review and a tattoo.

We had a debate yesterday in the House on a proposal for

replacing four thousand men of some that are to be sent

abroad, that, in short, we might have fifteen thousand men to

guard the kingdom. This was strongly opposed by the Tories, but

we carried it in the committee, 214 against 123, and

to-day, in the House, 280 against 169. Sir John Barnard,

Pultney, the new ministry, all the Prince's people, except the

Cobham cousins,(577) the Lord Mayor, several of the

Opposition, voted with us; so you must interpret Tories in the

strongest sense of the word.

The Secret Committee has desired leave to-day to examine three

members, Burrel, Bristow, and Hanbury Williams: (578) the two

first are directors of the bank; and it is upon an agreement made

with them, and at which Williams was present, about

remitting some money to Jamaica, and in which they pretend Sir

Robert made a bad bargain, to oblige them as members of

Parliament. they all three stood up, and voluntarily offered to

be examined; so no vote passed upon it.

These are all the political news: there is little of any other

sort; so little gallantry is stirring, that I do not hear of so

much as one maid of honour who has declared herself with child by

any officer, to engage him not to go abroad. I told you once or

twice that Miss Hamilton is going to be married to Lord Brook:

somebody wished Lord Archibald joy. He replied, "Providence has

been very good to my family."

We had a great scuffle the other night at the Opera, which

interrupted it. Lord Lincoln was abused in the most shocking

manner by a drunken officer, upon which he kicked him, and was

drawing his sword, but was prevented. were they were put

under arrest, and the next morning, the man begged his pardon

before the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Albemarle, and other

officers, in the most submissive terms. I saw the quarrel from

the other side of the house, and rushing to get to Lord Lincoln,

could not for the crowd. I climbed into the front boxes, and

stepping over the shoulders of three ladies, before I knew where

I was, found I had lighted in Lord Rockingham's (579) lap. It

was ridiculous! Good night!

(575) Count Richcourt was a Lorrainer, and chief minister of

Florence; there was a great connexion between him and Lady

Walpole.

(576)The royal family.

(577) Pitts, Grenvilles, Lytteltons, all related by marriage, or

female descent, to Lord Cobham.-D.

(578) Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, a devoted follower of Sir

Robert Walpole. His various satirical poems against the

enemies and successors of that minister are well known, and must

ever be admired for their ease, their spirit, and the wit and

humour of their sarcasm. It was said at the time that Sir

Charles's poetry had done more in three months to lower and

discredit those it was written against, than the Craftsman and

other abusive papers had been able to effect against Sir

Robert in a long series of years.-D.

(579) Lewis Watson, second Earl of Rockingham. He married

Catharine, second daughter and coheir of George Sondes, Earl of

Feversham, and died in 1745.-D.

251 Letter 65

To Richard West, Esq.

London, May 4, 1742.

Dear West,

Your letter made me quite melancholy, till I came to the

postscript of fine weather. Your so suddenly finding the

benefit of it makes me trust you will entirely recover your

health and spirits with the warm season: nobody wishes it more

than I: nobody has more reason, as few have known you so long.

Don't be afraid of your letters being dull. I don't deserve to

be called your friend, if I were impatient at hearing your

complaints. I do not desire you to suppress them till the causes

cease; nor should I expect you to write cheerfully

while you are Ill. I never desire to write any man's life as a

stoic, and consequently should not desire him to furnish me with

opportunities of assuring posterity what pains he took not to

show any pain.

If you did amuse yourself with writing any thing in poetry, you

know how pleased I should be to see it; but for

encouraging you to it, d'ye see, 'tis an age most unpoetical!

'Tis even a test of wit to dislike poetry; and though Pope has

half a dozen old friends that he has preserved from the taste of

last century, yet, I assure you, the generality of readers are

more diverted with any paltry prose answer to old

Marlborough's secret history of Queen Mary's robes. I do not

think an author would be universally commended for any

production in verse, unless it were an ode to the Secret

Committee, with rhymes of liberty and property, nation and

administration.

Wit itself is monopolized by politics; no laugh would be

ridiculous if it were not on one side or t'other. Thus,

Sandys thinks he has spoken an epigram, when he crincles up his

nose and lays a smart accent on ways and means.

We may, indeed. hope a little better now to the declining

arts. The reconciliation between the royalties is finished, and

fifty thousand pounds a-year more added to the heir

apparent's revenue. He will have money now to tune up Glover,

and Thomson, and Dodsley again: Et spes

et ratio studiorum in Caesare tantUM.

Asheton is much yours. He has preached twice at Somerset

Chapel with the greatest applause. I do not mind his pleasing

the generality, for you know they ran as much after Whitfield as

they could after Tillotson; and I do not doubt but St. Jude

converted as many Honourable women as St. Paul. But I am sure

you would approve his compositions, and admire them still more

when you heard him deliver them. He will write to you himself

next post, but is not mad enough with his fame to write you a

sermon. Adieu, dear child! Write me the progress of your

recovery,(580) and believe it will give me a sincere pleasure;

for I am, yours ever.

(580) Mr. West died in less than a month from the date of this

letter, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. (see ant`e, p. 121,

Letter 1.) In his last letter to Grey, written a few days before

his death, he says, "I will take my leave of you for the present,

with a vale et vive paulisper cum vivis:" so little was he aware

of the short time that he himself would be

numbered among the living. But this is almost constantly the

case with those who die of that most flattering of all

diseases, a consumption. "Shall humanity," says Mason, "be

thankful or sorry that it is so? Thankful, surely! for as this

malady generally attacks the young and the innocent, it seems the

merciful intention of Heaven, that to these death should come

unperceived, and, as it were, by stealth; divested of one of its

sharpest stings, the lingering expectation of their

dissolution."-E.

252 Letter 66

To Sir Horace Mann.

Downing Street, May 6, 1742.

I have received a long letter from you of the 22d of April. It

amazes me! that our friends of Florence should not prove our

friends.(581) Is it possible? I have always talked of their

cordiality, because I was convinced they could have no shadow of

interest in their professions:--of that, indeed, I am convinced

still-but how could they fancy they had? There is the wonder!

If they wanted common honesty, they seem to have wanted common

sense more. What hope of connexion could there ever be between

the British ministry and the Florentine nobility! The latter

have no views for being, or knowledge for being envoys, etc.

They are too poor and proud to think of trading with us; too

abject to hope for the restoration of their liberty from us-and,

indeed, however we may affection our own, we have showed no

regard for their liberty-they have had no reason ever to expect

that from us! In short, to me it is mystery! But how could you

not tell me some particulars? Have I so little interested myself

with Florence, that you should think I can be satisfied without

knowing the least particulars? I must know names. Who are these

wretches that I am to scratch out of my list? I shall give them

a black blot the moment I know who have behaved ill to you. Is

Casa Ferroni of the number? I suspect it:-that was of your first

attachments. Are the prince and princess dirty?-the Suares?-tell

me, tell me! Indeed, my dear Mr. Chute, I am not of your

opinion, that he should shut himself up and despise them; let him

go abroad and despise them. Must he mope because the Florentines

are like the rest of the world? But that is not true, for the

world in England have not declared themselves so suddenly. It

has not been the fashion to desert the earl and his friends: he

has had more concourse, more professions, and has still, than in

the height of his power. So your neighbours have been too hasty:

they are new style, at least, eleven days before us. Tell them,

tell Richcourt, tell his Cleopatra,(582) that all their hopes are

vanished, all their faith in Secret Committees-the reconciliation

is made, and whatever reports their secretships may produce,

there will be at least above a hundred votes added to our party.

Their triumph has been but in hope, and their hope has failed in

two months.

As to your embroil with Richcourt, I condemn you excessively: not

that you was originally in fault, but by seeming to own yourself

so. He is an impertinent fellow, and will be so if you'll let

him. My dear child, act with the spirit of your friends here;

show we have lost no credit by losing power, and that a little

Italian minister must not dare to insult you. Publish the

accounts I send you; which I give you my honour are authentic.

If they are not, let Cytheris, your Antony's travelling

concubine, contradict them.

You tell me the St. Quintin is arrived at Genoa: I see by the

prints of to-day that it is got to leghorn: I am extremely glad,

for I feared for it, for the poor boy, and for the things. Tell

me how you like your secretary. I shall be quite happy, if I

have placed one with you that you like.

I laughed much at the family of cats I am to receive. I believe

they will be extremely welcome to Lord Islay now: for he appears

little, lives more darkly and more like a wizard than ever.

These huge cats will figure prodigiously in his cell: he is of'

the mysterious, dingy nature of Stosch.

As words is what I have not rhetoric to

find out to thank you, for sending me this paragraph of Madame

Goldsworthy, I can only tell you that I have laughed for an hour

at it. This was one of my Lady Pomfret's correspondents.

There seems to be a little stop in our embarkations: since the

first, they have discovered that the horse must not go till all

the hay is provided. Three thousand men will make a fine figure

towards supporting the balance of power! Our whole number was to

be but sixteen; and if all these cannot be assembled before the

end of July, what will be said of it?

The Secret Committee go on very pitifully: they are now inquiring

about some customhouse officers that were turned out at Weymouth

for voting wrong at elections. Don't you think these articles

will prove to the world what they have been saying of Sir Robert

for these twenty years? The House still sits in observance to

them; which is pleasant to me, for it keeps people in town. We

have operas too; but they are almost over, and if it were not for

a daily east wind, they would give way to Vauxhall and Chelsea.

The new directors have agreed with the Fumagalli for next year,

but she is to be second woman: they keep the Visconti. Did I

never mention the Bettina, the first dancer. It seems she was

kept by a Neapolitan prince, who is extremely jealous of her

thither. About a fortnight ago, she fell ill, upon which her

Neapolitan footman made off immediately. She dances again, but

is very weak, and thinks herself poisoned.

Adieu! my dear child; tell me you are well, easy, and in

spirits: kiss the Chutes for me, and believe me, etc

(581) This alludes to an account given by Sir Horace Mann, in one

of his letters, of the change he had observed in the manner of

many of the Florentines towards himself since Sir Robert

Walpole's retirement from office, upon the supposition

entertained by them that he was intimately connected with the

fallen minister@D.

(582) Lady Walpole.

254 Letter 67

To Sir Horace Mann.

London, May 13, 1742.

As I am obliged to put my letter into the secretary's office by

nine o'clock, and it now don't want a quarter of it, I can say

but three words, and must defer till next post answering Your

long letter by the courier. I am this moment come from the

House, where we have had the first part of the Report from the

Secret Committee. It is pretty long; but, unfortunately for them,

there is not once to be found in it the name of the Earl of

Orford: there is a good deal about Mr. Paxton and the borough of

Wendover; and it appears that in eleven years Mr. Paxton has

received ninety-four thousand pounds unaccounted for: now, if

Lady Richcourt can make any thing of all this, you have freely my

leave to communicate it to her. Pursuant to this report, and Mr.

Paxton's contumacy, they moved for leave to bring in a bill to

indemnify all persons who should accuse themselves of any crime,

provided they do but accuse Lord Orford, and they have carried it

by 251 to 228! but it is so absurd a bill, that there is not the

least likelihood of its passing the Lords. By this bill, whoever

are guilty of murder, treason, forgery, etc. have nothing to do

but to add perjury, and swear Lord Orford knew of it, and they

may plead their pardon. Tell Lady Richcourt this. Lord Orford

knew of her gallantries: she may plead her pardon. Good night! I

have not a moment to lose.

254 Letter 68

To Sir Horace Mann.

May 20, 1742.

I sent you a sketch last post of the division on the Indemnity

Bill. As they carried the question for its being brought in,

they brought it in on Saturday; but were prevailed on to defer

the second reading till Tuesday. Then we had a long debate till

eight at night, when they carried it, 228 against 217, only

eleven majority: before, they had had twenty-three. They

immediately went into the committee on it,-and reported it that

night. Yesterday it came to the last reading; but the House,

having sat so late the night before, was not so full, and they

carried it, 216 to 184. But to-day it comes into the

Lords,-where they do not in the least expect to succeed; yet, to

show their spirit, they have appointed a great dinner at the

Fountain to-morrow to consider on methods for supporting the

honour of the Commons, as they call it, against the Lords, So now

all prospect of quiet seems to vanish! The noise this bill makes

is incredible; it is so unprecedented, so violent a step! Every

thing is inflamed by Pultney, who governs both parties only, I

think, to exasperate both more. Three of our own people of the

committee, the Solicitor,(582) Talbot, and Bowles, vote against

us in the Indemnity Bill, the two latter have even spoke against

us. Sir Robert said, at the

beginning, when he was congratulated on having some of his own

friends in the committee, "The moment they are appointed, they

will grow so jealous of the honour of their committee, that they

will prefer that to every other consideration."(583)

Our foreign news are as bad as our domestic: there seem little

hopes of the Dutch coming into our measures; there are even

letters, that mention strongly their resolution of not

stirring-so we have Quixoted away sixteen thousand men! On

Saturday we had accounts of the Austrians having cut off two

thousand Prussians, in a retreat; but on Sunday came news of the

great victory,(584) which the latter have gained, killing six,

and taking two thousand Austrians prisoners, and that Prince

Charles is retired to Vienna wounded. This will but too much

confirm the Dutch in their apprehensions of Prussia.

As to the long letter you wrote me, in answer to a very

particular one of mine, I cannot explain myself, till I find a

safer conveyance than the post, by which, I perceive all our

letters are opened. I can only tell you, that in most things you

guessed right; and that as to myself (585) all is quiet.

I am in great concern, for you seem not satisfied with the boy we

sent you. Your brother entirely agreed with me that he was what

you seem to describe; and as to his being on the foot of a

servant, I give you my honour I repeated it over and over to his

mother. I suppose her folly was afraid of shocking him. As to

Italian, she assured me he had been learning it some time. If he

does not answer your purpose, let me know if you can dispose of

him any other way, and I will try to

accommodate you better. Your brother has this moment been here,

but there was no letter for me; at least, none that they will

deliver yet.

I know not in the least how to advise Mr. Jackson.(586) I do not

think Mr. Pelham the proper person to apply to; for the Duke of

Newcastle is as jealous of him as of any body.(587) Don't say

this to him. For Lord Hervey, though Mr. Jackson has interest

there, I would not advise him to try it, for both hate him. The

application to the Duke of Newcastle by the Most direct means, I

should think the best, or by any one that can be serviceable to

the government.

You will laugh at an odd accident that happened the other day to

my uncle:(588) they put him into the papers for Earl of

Sheffield. There have been little disputes between the two

Houses about coming into each other's House; when a lord comes

into the Commons, they call out, withdraw: that day, the

moment my uncle came in, they all roared out, Withdraw!

withdraw!

The great Mr. Nugent has been unfortunate, too, in parliament;

besides being very ill heard, from being a very indifferent

speaker, the other day on the Place Bill, (which, by the way, we

have new modelled and softened, and to which the Lords have

submitted to agree to humour Pultney,) he rose, and said, "He

would not vote, as he was not determined in his opinion; but he

would offer his sentiments; which were, particularly, that the

bishops had been the cause of this bill being thrown out before."

Winnington called him to order, desiring he would be tender of

the Church of England. You know he was a papist. In answer to

the beginning of his speech, Velters Cornwall, who is of the same

side, said, "He wondered that when that gentleman could not

convince himself by his eloquence, he

should expect to convince the majority."

Did I tell you that Lord Rochford,(589) has at last married Miss

Young?(590) I say, at last, for they don't pretend to have been

married this twelvemonth; but they were publicly married last

week. Adieu!

(582) John Strange, Esq. made Solicitor-general in 1736, and

Master of the Rolls in 1750, he died in 1754.-E.

(583) Voltaire has since made the same kind of observation in his

"Life of Louis XlV." Art of Calvinism;-"Les hommes se

piquent toujours de remplir un devoir qui les distingue."

(584) The battle of Chotusitz, or Czaslau, gained by the King of

Prussia over the very superior forces of the Austrians. This

victory occasioned the peace between the contending

powers, and the cession of Silesia to the Prussian monarchy.- D.

(585) This relates to some differences between Mr. Walpole and

his father, to which the former had alluded in one of his

letters. They never suited one another either in habits,

tastes, or opinions; in addition to which, Sir Robert appears to

have been rather a harsh father to his youngest son. If such was

the case, the latter nobly revenged himself, by his earnest

solicitude through life for the Honour of his parent's memory.-D.

[See ant`e,

p. 207, Letter 50.)

(586) He had been consul at Genoa.

(587) Sir Robert Walpole used to say of the Duke of Newcastle,

"He has a foolish head and a perfidious heart. His name is

perfidy."-E.

(588) Horace Walpole the elder@D.

(589) William Henry Zulestein Nassau, fourth Earl of Rochford.

He filled many diplomatic situations, and was also at

different times, groom of the stole and secretary of state.

He died in 1781.-D.

(590) Daughter of Edward Young, Esq. She had been maid of honour

to the Princess of Wales.

256 Letter 69

To Sir Horace Mann

Downing Street, May 26, 1742.

To-day calls itself May the 26th, as you perceive by the date;

but I am writing to you by the fireside, instead of going to

Vauxhall. if we have one warm day in seven, "we bless our stars,

and think it luxury." And yet we have as much

waterworks and fresco diversions, as if we lay ten degrees nearer

warmth. Two nights ago Ranelagh-gardens were opened at Chelsea;

the Prince, Princess, Duke, much nobility, and much mob besides,

were there. There is a vast amphitheatre, finely gilt, painted,

and illuminated, into which every body that loves eating,

drinking, staring, or crowding, is admitted for twelvepence. The

building and disposition of the gardens cost sixteen thousand

pounds. Twice a-week there are to be

ridottos, at guinea tickets, for which you are to have a

supper and music. I was there last night, but did not find the

joy of it. Vauxhall is a little better; for the garden is

pleasanter, and one goes by water. Our operas are almost

over; there were but three-and-forty people last night in the pit

and boxes. There is a little simple farce at Drury Lane, called

"Miss Lucy in Town,"(591) in which Mrs. Clive (592) mimes the

Muscovita admirably, and Beard, Amorevoli tolerably. But all the

run is now after Garrick, a wine-merchant, who is turned player,

at Goodman's-fields. He plays all parts, and is a very good

mimic. His acting I have seen, and may say to you, who will not

tell it again here, I see nothing wonderful in it.(593) but it

is heresy to say so: the Duke of Argyll says, he is superior to

Betterton. Now I talk of players, tell Mr. Chute that his friend

Bracegirdle breakfasted with me this morning. As she went out,

and wanted her clogs, she

turned to me, and said, "I remember at the playhouse, they used

to call Mrs. Oldfield's chair! Mrs. Barry's clogs! and Mrs.

Bracegirdle's pattens!"

I did, indeed, design the letter of this post for Mr. Chute; but

I have received two such charming long ones from you of the 15th

and 20th of May (N. S.), that I must answer them, and beg him to

excuse me till another post; so must the

Prince,(594) Princess, the Grifona, and Countess Galli. For the

Princess's letter, I am not sure I shall answer it so

soon, for hitherto I have not been able to read above every third

word; however, you may thank her as much as if I

understood it all. I am very happy that mes bagatelles (for I

still insist they were so) pleased. You, my dear child, are very

good to be pleased with the snuff-box.. I am much obliged to the

superior lumi`eres of old Sarasin (595) about the

Indian ink: if' she meant the black, I am sorry to say I had it

into the bargain with the rest of the Japan: for the

coloured, it is only a curiosity, because it has seldom been

brought over. I remember Sir Hans Sloane was the first who ever

had any of it, and would on no account give my mother the least

morsel of it. since that, She afterwards got a good deal of it

from China; and more has come over; but it is even less valuable

than the other, for we never could tell how to use it; however,

let it make its figure.

I am sure you blame me all this time, for chatting about so many

trifles, and telling you no politics. I own to you, I am so

wearied, so worn with them, that I scarce know how to turn my

hand to them; but you shall know all I know. I told you of the

meeting at the Fountain tavern: Pultney had promised to be there,

but was-not; nor Carteret. As the Lords had put off the debate

on the Indemnity Bill, nothing material passed; but the meeting

was very Jacobite. Yesterday the bill came on, and Lord Carteret

took the lead against it, and about seven in the evening it was

flung out by almost two to one, 92 to 47, and 17 proxies to 10.

To-day we had a motion by the new Lord

Hillsborough,(596) (for the father is Just dead,) and seconded by

Lord Barrington,(597) to examine the Lords' votes, to see what

has become of the bill: this is the form. The chancellor of the

exchequer, and all the new ministry, were with us

against it; but they carried it, 164 to 159. It is to be

reported to-morrow, and as we have notice, we may possibly throw

it out; else they will hurry on to a breach with the Lords.

Pultney was not in the House: he was riding the other day, and

met the King's coach; endeavouring to turn out of the way, his

horse started, flung him, and fell upon him: he is much bruised

but not at all dangerously. On this occasion, there was an

epigram fixed to a list, which I will explain to you afterwards

it is not known who wrote it, but it was

addressed to him:

"Thy horse does things by halves, like thee:

Thou, with irresolution,

Hurt'st friend and foe, thyself and me,

The King and Constitution."

The list I meant: you must know, some time ago, before the

change, they had moved for a committee to examine, and state the

public accounts: It was passed. Finding how little

success they had with their Secret Committee, they have set this

on foot, and we were to ballot for seven commissioners, who are

to have a thousand a-year; We balloted yesterday: on our lists

were Sir Richard Corbet,(598) Charles Hamilton (599) Lady

Archibald's brother,) Sir William Middleton,(600) Mr. West, Mr.

Fonnereau, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Ellis.(601) On theirs

Mr. Bance, George Grenville, Mr. Hooper, Sir Charles

Mordaunt,(602) Mr, Phillips, Mr. Pitt, and Mr. Stuart. On

casting up the numbers, the four first on ours, and the three

first on their list, appeared to have the majority,: so no great

harm will come from this, should it pass the Lords;

which it is not likely to do. I have now told you, I think, all

the political news, except that the troops continue going to

Flanders, though we hear no good news yet from Holland.

If we can prevent any dispute between the two Houses, it is

believed and much hoped by the Court, that the Secret

Committee will desire to be dissolved: if it does, there is an

end of all this tempest!

I must tell you an ingenuity of Lord Raymond,(603) an epitaph on

the Indemnifying Bill-I believe you would guess the

author:-

"Interr'd beneath this marble stone doth lie

The Bill of Indemnity;

To show the good for which it was designed,

It died itself to save mankind."

My Lady Townshend made me laugh the other night about your old

acquaintance, Miss Edwin; who, by the way, is grown almost a

Methodist. My lady says she was forced to have an issue made on

one side of her head, for her eyes, and that Kent(604)

advised her to have another on the other side for symmetry.

There has lately been published one of the most impudent

things that ever was printed; it is called "The Irish

Recister," and is a list of all the unmarried women of any

fashion in England, ranked in order, duchesses-dowager,

ladies, widows, misses, etc. with their names at length, for the

benefit of Irish fortune-hunters, or as it is said, for the

incorporating and manufacturing of British commodities. Miss

Edwards(605) is the only one printed with a dash, because they

have placed her among the widows. I will send you this, "Miss

Lucy in Town," and the magazines, by the first

opportunity, as I should the other things, but your brother tells

me you have had then) by another hand. I received the cedarati,

for which I have already thanked you: but I have been so much

thanked by several people to whom I gave some, that I can very

well afford to thank you again.

As to Stosch expecting any present from me, he was so

extremely well paid for all I had of' him, that I do not think

myself at all in his debt: however, you was very good to offer to

pay him.

As to my Lady Walpole, I shall say nothing now, as I have not

seen either of the two persons since I received your letter to

whom I design to mention her; only that I am extremely sorry to

find you still disturbed at any of the little nonsense of' that

cibal. I hoped that the accounts which I have sent you, and

which, except in my last letter, must have been very

satisfactory, would have served you as an antidote to their

legends; and I think the great victory in the House of Lords, and

which, I assure you, is here reckoned prodigious, Will raise your

spirits against them. I am happy you have taken that step about

Sir Francis Dashwood; the credit it must have given you with the

King will more than counterbalance any

little hurt you might apprehend from the cabal.

I am in no hurry for any of my things; as we shall be moving from

hence as soon as Sir Robert has taken another house, I shall not

want them till I am more settled.

Adieu! I hope to tell you soon that we are all at peace, and then

I trust you will be so. A thousand loves to the Chutes. How I

long to see you all!

P. S. I unseal my letter to tell you what a vast and,

probably, final victory we have gained to-day. They moved, that

the lords flinging out the Bill of Indemnity was an

obstruction of justice, and might prove fatal to the liberties

of' this country. We have sat till this moment, seven

o'clock, and have rejected this motion by 245 to 193. The call

of the House, which they have kept off from fortnight to

fortnight, to keep people in town, was appointed for to-day. The

moment the division was over, Sir John Cotton rose and said, "As

I think the inquiry is at an end, you may do what you will with

the call." We have put it off for two months. There's a noble

postscript!

(591) This farce, the production of Fielding, was acted

several nights with success; but it being hinted, that one of the

characters was written in ridicule of a man of quality, the Lord

Chamberlain sent an order to forbid its being

performed any more.-E.

(592) catherine Clive, an excellent actress in low comedy.

Churchill says of her, in the Rosciad,

In spite of outward blemishes she shone,

For humour famed, and humour all her own.

Easy, as if at home, the stage she trod,

Nor sought the critic's praise, nor fear'd his rod

Original in spirit and in ease,

She pleased by hiding all attempts to please.

No comic actress ever yet could raise

On humour's base, more merit or more praise."

In after life she lived at Twickenham, in the house now called

Little Strawberry Hill, and

became an intimate friend of Horace Walpole@D.

(593) Garrick made his first appearance, October 19, 1741, in the

character of Richard the Third. Walpole does not appear to have

been singular in the opinion here given. Gray in a letter to

Chute, says, "Did I tell you about Mr. Garrick, that the town are

horn-mad after: there are a dozen dukes of a

night at Goodman-fields sometimes; and vet I am stiff in the

opposition."-E.

(594) prince Craon.

(595) Madame Sarasin, a Lorrain lady, companion to Princess

Craon.

(596) Wills Hill, the second Lord Hillsborough, afterwards

created an Irish earl and made cofferer of the household. (In the

reign of George III. he was created Earl of Hillsborough, in

England, and finally Marquis of Downshire, in Ireland; and held

the office of secretary of state for the colonies.-D.)

(597) William Wildman, Viscount Barrington, made a lord of the

admiralty on the coalition, and master of the great wardrobe, in

1754. He afterwards held the offices of chancellor of the

exchequer, secretary at war, and treasurer of the navy, and died

February 1st, 1793.-D.)

(598) Sir Richard Corbett, of Leighton, in Montgomeryshire, the

fourth baronet of that family. He was member for

Shrewsbury, and died in 1774.-D.

(599) The Hon. Charles Hamilton, sixth son of James, sixth Earl

of Abercorn. Member for Truro, comptroller of the green cloth to

the Prince of Wales, and subsequently receiver-general of the

Island of Minorca. He died in 1787.-D.

(600) Sir William Middleton, Bart. of Belsay Castle,

Northumberland, the third baronet of the family. He was

member for Northumberland, and died in 1767.-D.''

(601) Welbore Ellis, member of parliament for above half a

century; during which period he held the different offices of a

lord of the admiralty, secretary at war, treasurer of the navy,

vice-treasurer of Ireland, and secretary of state. He was created

Lord Mendip in 1794, with remainder to his nephew, Viscount

Clifden, and died February 2, 1802, at the age of

eighty-eight.-D.

(602) Sir Charles Mordaunt, of Massingham, in Norfolk, the sixth

baronet of the family. He was member for the county of Warwick,

and died in 1778.-D.

(603) Robert, the second Lord Raymond, son of the lord chief

justice. [On whose death, in 1753, without issue, the title

expired.]

(604) William Kent, of whom Walpole himself drew the following

just character:-"He was a painter, an architect, and the

father of modern gardening. In the first character he was below

mediocrity; in the second, he was a restorer of the

science; in the last, an original, and the inventor of an art

that realizes painting and improves nature. Mahomet imagined an

elysium, Kent created many."-The misfortune of Kent was, that his

fame and popularity in his own age were so great, that he was

employed to give designs for all things, even for those which he

could know nothing about-such as ladies'

birthday dresses, which he decorated with the five orders of

architecture. These absurdities drew upon him the satire of

Hogarth.-D. [Walpole further states of Kent, that Pope

undoubtedly contributed to form his taste.]

(605) Miss Edwards, an unmarried lady of great fortune, who

openly kept Lord Anne Hamilton.

260 Letter 70

To Sir Horace Mann.

London, June 3, 1742.

I have sent Mr. Chute all the news; I shall only say to you that

I have read your last letter about Lady W. to Sir R. He was not

at all surprised at her thoughts of England, but told me that

last week my Lord Carteret had sent him a letter which she had

written to him, to demand his protection. This you may tell

publicly; it will show her ladyship's credit.

Here is an epigram, which I believe will divert you: it is on

Lord Islay's garden upon Hounslow Heath.

"Old Islay, to show his fine delicate taste,(606)

In improving his gardens purloined from the waste,

Bade his gard'ner one day to open his views,

By cutting a couple of grand avenues:

No particular prospect his lordship intended,

But left it to chance how his walks should be ended.

With transport and joy he beheld his first view end

In a favourite prospects church that was ruin'd-

But alas! what a sight did the next cut exhibit!

At the end of the walk hung a rogue on a gibbet!

He beheld it and wept, for it caused him to muse on

Full many a Campbell that died with his shoes on.

All amazed and aghast at the ominous scene,

He order'd it quick to be closed up again

With a clump of Scotch firs that served for a Screen."

Sir Robert asked me yesterday about the Dominichini, but I did

not know what to answer: I said I would write to you about it.

Have you bought it? or did you quite put it off? I had forgot to

mention it again to you. If you have not, I am still of opinion

that you should buy it for him. Adieu!

(606) These lines were written by Bramston, author of

"The Art of Politics," and "The Man of Taste." [The Reverend

James Bramston, vicar of Starling, Sussex. Pope took the line in

the Dunciad, "Shine in the dignity of F. R. S." from his Man of

Taste;-"A satire," says Warton, "in which the author has been

guilty of the absurdity of making his hero laugh at himself and

his own follies." He died in 1744.]

261 Letter 71

To Sir Horace Mann.

June 10, the Pretender's birthday, which, by the way, I believe

he did not expect to keep at Rome this year, 1742.

Since I wrote you my last letter, I have received two from you of

the 27th May and 3d of June, N. S. I hope you will get my two

packets; that is, one of them was addressed to Mr. Chute, and in

them was all my fagot of compliments.

Is not poor SCUlly (607) vastly disappointed that we are not

arrived? But really, will that mad woman never have done! does

she still find credit for her extravagant histories. I

carried her son with me to Vauxhall last night: he is a most

charming boy,(608) but grows excessively like her in the face.

I don't at all foresee how I shall make out this letter: every

body is gone out of town during the Whitsuntide, and many will

not return, at least not these six weeks; for so long they say it

will be before the Secret Committee make their Report, with which

they intend to finish. We are, however, entertained with

pageants every day-reviews to gladden the heart of

David,(609) (609) and triumphs to Absalom! He,(610) and his wife

went in great parade yesterday through the city and the dust to

dine at Greenwich; they took water at the Tower, and trumpeting

away to Grace Tosier's,

"Like Cimon, triumph'd over land and wave"