As this is the light in which I see our present situation, you

will not wonder that I am happy to have nothing to do with it.

Not that, were it more flourishing, I would ever meddle again. I

have no good opinion of any of our factions, nor think highly of

either their heads or their hearts. I can amuse myself much more

to my satisfaction; and, had I not lived to see my country at the

period of its greatest glory, I should bear our present state

much better. I cannot mend it, and therefore will think as

little of it as I can. The Duke of Northumberland asked me to

dine at Sion to-morrow; but, as his vanity of governing Middlesex

makes him absurdly meditate to contest the county, I concluded he

wanted my interest here, and therefore excused myself; for I will

have nothing to do with it.

I shall like much to come to Park-place, if your present company

stays, or if the Fitzroys or the Richmonds are there; but I

desire to be excused from the Cavendishes, who have in a manner

left me off, because I am so unlucky as not to think Lord

Rockingham as great a man as my Lord Chatham, and Lord John more

able than either. If you will let me know when they leave you,

you shall see me: but they would not be glad of my company, nor I

of theirs.

My hay and I are drowned; I comfort myself with a fire, but I

cannot treat the other with any sun, at least not with one that

has more warm than the sun in a harlequin-farce.

I went this morning to see the Duchess of Grafton, who has got an

excellent house and fine prospect, but melancholy enough, and so

I thought was she herself: I did not ask wherefore.

I go to town to-morrow to see the Devil upon Two Sticks,(1034) as

I did last week, but could not get in. I have now secured a

place in my niece Cholmondeley's box, and am to have the

additional entertainment of Mrs. Macauley in the same company;

who goes to see herself represented, and I suppose figures

herself very like Socrates.

I shall send this letter by the coach, as it is rather free

spoken, and Sandwich may be prying.

Mr. Chute has found the subject of my tragedy, which I thought

happened in Tillotson's time, in the Queen of Navarre's Tales;

and what is very remarkable, I had laid my plot at Narbonne and

about the beginning of the Reformation, and it really did happen

in Languedoc and in the time of Francis the First. Is not this

singular?(1035)

I hope your canary hen was really with egg by the blue-bird, and

that he will not plead that they are none of his and sue for a

divorce. Adieu!

(1032) Now first printed. In the preceding January Mr. Conway

had resigned his situation of secretary of state for the northern

department.-E.

(1033) Mr. Rigby.

(1034) Foote's successful comedy of The Devil upon Two Sticks was

first acted at the Haymarket on the 31st of May.-E.

(1035) See vol. i. p. 57.

Letter 345 To Monsieur De Voltaire.

Strawberry Hill, June 21, 1768. (page 523)

Sir,

You read English with so much more facility than I can write

French, that I hope you will excuse my making use of my own

tongue to thank you for the honour of your letter. If I employed

your language, my ignorance in it might betray me into

expressions that would not do justice to the sentiments I feel at

being so distinguished.

It is true, Sir, I have ventured to contest the history of

Richard the Third, as it has been delivered down to us; and I

shall obey your commands, and send it to you, though with fear

and trembling; for though I have given it to the world, as it is

called, yet, as you have justly observed, that world is comprised

within a very small circle of readers--and Undoubtedly I could

not expect that you would do me the Honour of being one of the

number. Nor do I fear you, Sir, only as the first genius in

Europe, who has illustrated every science; I have a more intimate

dependence on you than YOU Suspect. Without knowing it, you have

been my master, and perhaps the sole merit that may be found in

my writings is owing to my having studied yours; so far, Sir, am

I from living in that state of barbarism and ignorance with which

you tax me when you say que vous m'`etes peut-`etre inconnu. I

was not a stranger to your reputation very many years ago, but

remember to have then thought you honoured our house by dining

with my mother--though I was at school, and had not the happiness

of seeing you: and yet my father was in a situation that might

have dazzled eyes older than mine. The plain name of that

father, and the pride of having had so excellent a father, to

whose virtues truth at last does justice , is all I have to

boast. I am a very private man, distinguished by neither

dignities nor titles, which I have never done any thing to

deserve--but as I am certain that titles alone would not have

procured me the honour of your notice, I am content without

them.(1036)

But, Sir, if I can tell you nothing good of myself, I can at

least tell you something bad; and, after the obligation you have

conferred on me by your letter, I should blush if you heard it

from any body but myself. I had rather incur your indignation

than deceive you. Some time ago I took the liberty to find fault

in print with the criticisms you had made on our Shakspeare.

This freedom, and no wonder, never came to your knowledge. It

was in a preface to a trifling romance, much unworthy of your

regard, but which I shall send you, because I cannot accept even

the honour of your correspondence, without making you judge

whether I deserve it. I might retract, I might beg your pardon;

but having said nothing but what I thought, nothing illiberal or

unbecoming a gentleman, it would be treating you with ingratitude

and impertinence, to suppose that you would either be offended

with my remarks, or pleased with my recantation. You are as much

above wanting flattery, as I am above offering it to you. You

would despise me, and I should despise myself--a sacrifice I

cannot make, Sir, even to you.

Though it is impossible not to know you, Sir, I must confess my

ignorance on the other part of your letter. I know nothing of

the history of Monsieur de Jumonville, nor can tell whether it is

true or false, as this is the first time I ever heard of it. But

I will take care to inform myself as well as I can, and, if you

allow me to trouble you again, will send you the exact account as

far as I can obtain It. I love my country, but I do not love any

of my countrymen that have been capable, if they have been so, of

a foul assassination. I should have made this inquiry directly,

and informed you of the result of it in this letter, had I been

in London; but the respect I owe you, Sir, and my impatience to

thank you for so unexpected a mark of your favour, made me choose

not to delay my gratitude for a single post. I have the honour

to be, Sir, your most obliged and most obedient humble servant.

(1036) Voltaire had said, "Vous pardonnerez encore plus `a mon

ignorance de vos titres; je n'en respecte pas moins votre

personne; je connais plus votre m`erite que les dignit`es dont il

doit `etre rev`etu."-E.

Letter 346 To The Earl Of Strafford.

Strawberry Hill, June 25, 1768. (page 524)

You ordered me, my dear Lord, to write to you, and I am ready to

obey you, and to give you every proof of attachment in my power:

but it is a very barren season for all but cabalists, who can

compound, divide, multiply No. 45 forty-five thousand different

ways. I saw in the papers to-day, that somehow or other this

famous number and the number of the beast in the Revelations is

the same--an observation from which different persons will draw

various conclusions. For my part, who have no ill wishes to

Wilkes, I wish he was in Patmos, or the New Jerusalem, for I am

exceedingly tired of his name. The only good thing I have heard

in all this Controversy was of a man who began his letter thus:

"I take the Wilkes-and-liberty to assure you," etc.

I peeped at London last week, and found a tolerably full opera.

But now the birthday is over, I suppose every body will go to

waters and races till his Majesty of Denmark arrives. He is

extremely amorous; but stays so short a time, that the ladies who

Intended to be undone must not hagle. They must do their

business in the twinkling of an allemande, or he will be flown.

Don't you think he will be a little surprised, when he inquires

for the seriglio in Buckingham-house, to find, in full of all

accounts, two old Mecklenburgheresses?

Is it true that Lady Rockingham is turned Methodist? It will be a

great acquisition to the sect to have their hymns set by

Giardini. I hope Joan Huntingdon will be deposed, if the husband

becomes first minister. I doubt, too, the saints will like to

call at Canterbury and Winchester in their way to heaven. My

charity is so small, that I do not think their virtue a jot more

obdurate than that of patriots.

We have had some severe rain; but the season is now beautiful,

though scarce hot. The hay and the corn promise that we shall

have no riots on their account. Those black dogs the whiteboys

or coal-heavers are dispersed or taken; and I really- see no

reason to think we shall have another rebellion this fortnight.

The most comfortable event to me is, that we shall have no civil

war all the summer at Brentford. I dreaded two kings there; but

the writ for Middlesex will not be issued till the Parliament

meets; so there will be no pretender against King Glynn.(1037)

As I love peace, and have done with politics, I quietly

acknowledge the King de facto; and hope to pass and repass

unmolested through his Majesty's long, lazy, lousy capital.(1038)

My humble duty to my Lady Strafford and all her pheasants. I

have just made two cascades; but my naiads are fools to Mrs.

Chetwynd or my Lady Sondes, and don't give me a gallon of water

in a week.--Well, this is a very silly letter! But you must take

the will for the deed. Adieu, my dear Lord! Your most faithful

servant.

(1037) Serjeant Glynn, Member of Parliament for Middlesex.

(1038) Brentford.

Letter 347 To Monsieur De Voltaire.

Strawberry Hill, July 27, 1768. (page 525)

One can never, Sir, be sorry to have been in the wrong, when

one's errors are pointed out to one in so obliging and masterly a

manner. Whatever opinion I may have of Shakspeare, I should

think him to blame, if he could have seen the letter you have

done me the honour to -write to me, and yet not conform to the

rules you have there laid down. When he lived, there had not

been a Voltaire both to give laws to the stage, and to show on

what good sense those laws were founded. Your art, Sir, goes

still farther: for you have supported your arguments, without

having recourse to the best authority, your own words. It was My

interest perhaps to defend barbarism and irregularity. A great

genius is in the right, on the contrary, to show that when

correctness, nay, when perfection is demanded, he can still

shine, and be himself, whatever fetters are imposed on him. But

I will say no more on this head; for I am neither so unpolished

as to tell you to your face how much I admire you, nor, though I

have taken the liberty to vindicate Shakspeare against your

criticisms, am I vain enough to think myself an adversary worthy

of you. I am much more proud of receiving laws from you, than of

contesting them. It was bold in me to dispute with you even

before I had the honour of your acquaintance; it would be

ungrateful now when you have not only taken notice of me, but

forgiven me. The admirable letter you have been so good as to

send me, is a proof that you are one of those truly great and

rare men who know at once how to conquer and to pardon.

I have made all the inquiry I could into the story of M. de

Jumonville; and though your and our accounts disagree, I own I do

not think, Sir, that the strongest evidence is in our favour. I

am told we allow he was killed by a party of our men, going to

the Ohio. Your countrymen say he was going with a flag of truce.

The commanding officer of our party said M. de Jumonville was

going with hostile intentions; and that very hostile orders were

found after his death in his pocket. Unless that officer had

proved that he had previous intelligence of those orders, I doubt

he will not be justified by finding them afterwards; for I am not

at all disposed to believe that he had the foreknowledge of your

hermit,(1039) who pitched the old woman's nephew into the river,

because "ce jeune homme auroit assassin`e sa tante dans un an."

I am grieved that such disputes should ever subsist between two

nations who have every thing in themselves to create happiness,

and who may find enough in each other to love and admire. It is

your benevolence, Sir, and your zeal for softening the manners of

mankind; it is the doctrine of peace and amity which You preach

which have raised my esteem for you even more than the brightness

of your genius. France may claim you in the latter light, but

all nations have a right to call you their countryman du c`ot`e

du coeur. it is on the strength of that connexion that I beg

you, Sir, to accept the homage of, Sir, your most obedient humble

servant.(1040)

(1039) An allusion to the fable in Zadig, which is said to have

been founded on Parnell's Hermit, but which was most probably

taken from one of the Contes Devots, "De l'Hermite qu'un ange

conduisit dans le Si`ecle," and of which a translation, or rather

modernization, is to be found in the fifth volume of Le Grand

d'Aussy, Fabliaux (p. 165, ed. 1829). The original old French

version has been printed by Meou, in his Nouveau Recueil de

Fabliaux et Contes, tom. ii. p. 916.-E.

(1040) The letter of Voltaire, to which the above is a reply,

contained the following opinion of Walpole's Historical Doubts:-

-"Avant le d`epart de ma lettre, j'ai eu le tems, Monsieur, de

lire votre Richard Trois. Vous seriez un excellent attornei

general; vous pesez toutes les probabilit`es; mais il paroit que

vous avez une inclination secrette pour ce bossu. Vous voulez

qu'il ait `et`e beau gar`con, et m`eme galant homme. Le

b`en`edictin Calmet a fait une dissertation pour prouver que

Jesus Christ avait un fort beau visage. Je veux croire avec

vous, que Richard Trois n'`etait ni si laid, ni si m`echant,

qu'on le dit; mais je n'aurais pas voulu avoir affaire `a lui.

Votre rose blanche et votre rose rouge avaient de terribles

`epines pour la nation.

"Those gracious kings are all a pack of rogues. En lisant

l'histoire des York et des Lancastre, et de bien d'autres, on

croit lire l'histoire des voleurs de grand chemin. Pour votre

Henri Sept, il n'`etait que coupeur de bourses. Be a minister or

an anti-minister, a lord or a philosopher, I will be, with an

equal respect, Sir, etc."-E.

Letter 348 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.

Strawberry Hill, August 9, 1768. (page 527)

You are very kind, or else you saw into my mind, and knew that I

have been thinking of writing to you, but had not a penfull of

matter. True, I have been in town, but I am more likely to learn

news here; where at least we have it like fish, that could not

find vent in London. I saw nothing there but the ruins of loo,

Lady Hertford's cribbage, and Lord Botetourt, like patience on a

monument, smiling in grief. He is totally ruined, and quite

charmed. Yet I heartily pity him. To Virginia he cannot be

indifferent: he must turn their heads somehow or other. If his

graces do not captivate them, he will enrage them to fury; for I

take all his douceur to be enamelled on iron.

My life is most uniform and void of events, and has nothing worth

repeating. I have not had a soul with me, but accidental company

now and then at dinner. Lady Holderness,. Lady Ancram, Lady

Mary Coke, Mrs. Ann Pitt, and Mr. Hume, dined here the day before

yesterday. They were but just gone, when George Selwyn, Lord

Bolingbroke, and Sir William Musgrave, who had been at

Hampton-court, came in, at nine at night, to drink tea. They

told me, what I was very glad to hear, and what I could not

doubt, as they had it from the Duke of Grafton himself, that

Bishop Cornwallis(1041) goes to Canterbury. I feared it would be

****; but it seems he had secured all the backstairs, and not the

great stairs. As the last head of the church had been in the

midwife line, I supposed Goody Lyttelton(1042) had hopes; and as

he had been president of an atheistical club, to be Sure

Warburton did not despair. I was thinking it would make a good

article in the papers, that three bishops had supped with Nancy

Parsons at Vauxhall, in their way to Lambeth. I am sure ****,

would have been of the number; and **** who told the Duke of

Newcastle, that if his grace had commanded the Blues at Minden,

they would have behaved better, would make no scruple to cry up

her chastity.

The King of Denmark comes on Thursday; and I go to-morrow to see

him. It has cost three thousand pounds to new furnish an

apartment for him at St. James's; and now he will not go thither,

supposing it would be a confinement. He is to lodge at his own

minister Dieden's.

Augustus Hervey, thinking it the bel air, is going to sue for a

divorce from the Chudleigh.(1043) He asked Lord Bolingbroke

t'other day, who was his proctor'! as he would have asked for his

tailor. The nymph has sent him word, that if he proves her his

wife he must pay her debts; and she owes sixteen thousand pounds.

This obstacle thrown in the way, looks as if she was not sure of

being Duchess of Kingston. The lawyers say, it will be no valid

plea; it not appearing that she was Hervey's wife, and therefore

the tradesmen could not reckon on his paying them.

Yes, it is my Gray, Gray the poet, who is made professor of

modern history, and I believe it is worth five hundred a-year. I

knew nothing of it till I saw it in the papers; but believe //it

was Stonehewer that obtained it for him.(1044)

Yes, again; I use a bit of alum half as big as my nail, Once or

twice a-week, and let it dissolve in my mouth. I should not

think that using it oftener could be prejudicial. You should

inquire; but as you are in more hurry than I am, you should

certainly use it oftener than I do. I wish I could cure my Lady

Ailesbury too. Ice-water has astonishing effect on my stomach,

and removes all pain like a charm. Pray, though the one's teeth

may not be so white as formerly, nor t'other look in perfect

health, let the Danish King see such good specimens of the last

age--though, by what I hear, he likes nothing but the very

present age. However, sure you will both come and look at him:

not that I believe he is a jot better than the apprentices that

flirt to Epsom in a Tim-whisky; but I want to meet you in town.

I don't very well know what I write, for I hear a caravan on my

stairs, that are come to see the house; Margaret is chattering,

and the dogs barking; and this I call retirement! and yet I think

it preferable to your visit at Becket. Adieu! Let me know

something more of your motions before you go to Ireland, which I

think a strange journey, and better compounded for: and when I

see you in town I will settle with you another visit to

Park-place. Yours ever.

(1041) The Hon. Frederick Cornwallis, seventh son of Charles

fourth Baron Cornwallis, was translated from the see of Lichfield

and Coventry to that of Canterbury, on the death of Archbishop

Secker.-E.

(1042) Bishop of Carlisle. He died in December following; upon

which event, Warburton wrote to Dr. Hurd--"A bishop, more or

less, in the world, is nothing; and perhaps of as small account

in the next. I used to despise him for his antiquarianism, but

of late, since I grow old and dull myself, I cultivated an

acquaintance with him for the sake of what formerly kept us

asunder."-E.

(1043) On the 8th of March, 1769,, the lady publicly espoused

Evelyn Pierrepoint., Duke of Kingston; for which offence she was

impeached before the House of Peers, and the marriage declared

illegal. She subsequently retired to the continent, where she

died in 1788.-E.

(1044) The following is Gray's own account, in a letter of the

1st of August:--"I write chiefly to tell you, that on Sunday

se'nnight Brocket died by a fall from his horse, being, as I

hear, drunk: that on the Wednesday following I received a letter

from the Duke of Grafton, saying he had the King's command to

offer me the vacant professorship; and he adds, that from private

as well as public considerations, he must take the warmest part

in approving so well-judged a measure, etc. There's for you!"--

In a letter to Dr. Beattie, of the 31st of October, he says--"It

is the best thing the Crown has to bestow (on a layman) here; the

salary is four hundred pounds per annum; but what enhances the

value of it to me is, that it was bestowed without being asked.

Instances of a benefit so nobly conferred, I believe, are rare;

and therefore I tell you of it as a thing that does honour, not

only to me, but to the minister." Works, vol. IV. pp. 123,

127.-E.

Letter 349 To George Montagu, Esq.

Arlington Street, Aug. 13, 1768. (page 529)

indeed, what was become of you, as I had offered myself to you so

long ago, and you did not accept my bill; and now it is payable

at such short notice, that as I cannot find Mr. Chute, nor know

where he is, whether at your brother's or the Vine, I think I had

better defer my visit till the autumn, when you say you will be

less hurried, and more at leisure. I believe I shall go to

Ragley beginning of September, and possibly on to Lord

Strafford's, and therefore I may call on you, if it will not be

inconvenient to you, on my return.

I came to town to see the Danish King. He is as diminutive as if

he came out of a kernel in the Fairy Tales. He is not ill made,

nor weakly made, though so small; and though his face is pale and

delicate, it is not at all ugly, yet has a strong cast of the

late King, and enough of the late Prince of Wales to put one upon

one's guard not to be prejudiced in his favour. Still he has

more royalty than folly in his air; and, considering he is not

twenty, is as well as one expects any king in a puppet-show to

be. He arrived on Thursday, supped and lay at St. James's.

Yesterday evening he was at the Queen's and Carlton-house, and at

night at Lady Hertford's assembly. He only takes the title of

altesse, an absurd mezzotermine, but acts king exceedingly;

struts in the circle like a cock-sparrow, and does the honours of

himself very civilly. There is a favourite too, who seems a

complete jackanapes; a young fellow called Holke, well enough in

his figure, and about three-and-twenty, but who will be tumbled

down long before he is prepared for it. Bernsdorff, a

Hanoverian, his first minister, is a decent sensible man; I pity

him, though I suppose he is envied. From Lady Hertford's they

went to Ranelagh, and to-night go to the opera. There had like

to have been an untoward circumstance: the last new opera in the

spring, which was exceedingly pretty, was called "I Viaggiatori

Ridicoli," and\ they were on the point of acting it for this

royal traveller.

I am sure you are not sorry that Cornwallis is archbishop. He is

no hypocrite, time-server, nor high-priest. I little expected so

good a choice. Adieu! Yours ever.

Letter 350 To The Earl Of Strafford.

Strawberry Hill, Aug. 16, 1768. (page 529)

As you have been so good, my dear lord, as twice to take notice

of my letter, I am bound in conscience and gratitude to try to

amuse you with any thing new. A royal visiter, quite fresh, is a

real curiosity--by the reception of him, I do not think many more

of the breed will come hither. He came from Dover in

hackney-chaises; for somehow or other the master of the horse

happened to be in Lincolnshire; and the King's coaches having

received no orders, were too good subjects to go and fetch a

stranger King of their own heads. However, as his Danish Majesty

travels to improve himself for the good of his people, he will go

back extremely enlightened in the arts of government and

morality, by having learned that crowned heads may be reduced to

ride in a hired chaise.

By another mistake, King George happened to go to Richmond about

an hour before King Christiern arrived in London. An hour Is

exceedingly long; and the distance to Richmond Still longer: so

with all the despatch that could possibly be made, King George

could not get back to his capital till next day at noon. Then,

as the road from his closet at St. James's to the King of

Denmark's apartment on t'other side of the palace is about thirty

miles, which posterity, having no conception of the prodigious

extent and magnificence of St. James's, will never believe, it

was half an hour after three before his Danish Majesty's courier

could go, and return to let him know that his good brother and

ally was leaving the palace in which they both were, in order to

receive him at the Queen's palace, which you know is about a

million of snail's paces from St. James's. Notwithstanding these

difficulties and unavoidable delays, Woden, Thor, Fria, and all

the gods that watch over the Kings of the North, did bring these

two invincible monarchs to each other's embraces about half an

hour after five that same evening. They passed an hour in

projecting a family compact that will regulate the destiny of

Europe to latest posterity: and then, the Fates so willing it,

the British Prince departed for Richmond, and the Danish

potentate repaired to the widowed mansion of his royal

mother-in-law, where he poured forth the fulness of his heart in

praises on the lovely bride she had bestowed on him, from whom

nothing but the benefit of his subjects could ever have torn him.

And here let Calumny blush, who has aspersed so chaste and

faithful a monarch with low amours; pretending that he has raised

to the honour of a seat in his sublime council, an artisan of

Hamburgh, known only by repairing the soles of buskins, because

that mechanic would, on no other terms, consent to his fair

daughter's being honoured with majestic embraces. So victorious

over his passions is this young Scipio from the Pole, that though

on Shooter's-hill he fell into an ambush laid for him by an

illustrious Countess, of blood-royal herself, his Majesty, after

descending from his car, and courteously greeting her, again

mounted his vehicle, without being one moment eclipsed from the

eyes of the surrounding multitude. Oh! mercy on me! I am out of

breath--pray let me descend from my stilts, or I shall send you

as fustiin and tedious a history as that of Henry II. Well then,

this great King is a very little one; not ugly, nor ill-made. He

has the sublime strut of his grandfather, or of a cock-sparrow;

and the divine white eyes of all his family by the mother's side.

His curiosity seems to have consisted in the original plan of

travelling for I cannot say he takes notice of any thing in

particular. His manner is cold and dignified, but very civil and

gracious and proper. The mob adore him and huzza him; and so

they did the first instant. At Present they begin to know why--

for he flings money to them out of his windows; and by the end of

the week I do not doubt but they will want to choose him for

Middlesex. His court is extremely well ordered; for they bow as

low to him at every word as if his name was Sultan Amurat. You

would take his first minister for only the first of his slaves.

I hope this example, which they have been so good as to exhibit

at the opera, will contribute to civilize us. There is indeed a

pert young gentleman, who a little discomposes this august

ceremonial. His name is Count Holke, his age three-and-twenty

and his post answers to one that we had formerly in England, many

ages ago, and which in our tongue was called the lord high

favourite. Before the Danish monarchs became absolute, the most

refractory of that country used to write libels, called North

Danes, against this great officer; but that practice has long

since ceased. Count Holke seems rather proud of his favour, than

shy of displaying it.

I hope, my dear lord, you will be content with my Danish

politics, for I trouble myself with no other. There is a long

history about the Baron de Bottetourt and Sir Jeffery Amherst,

who has resigned his regiment but it is nothing to me, nor do I

care a straw about it. I am deep in the anecdotes of the new

court; and if you want to know more of Count Holke or Count

Molke, or the grand vizier Bernsdorff, or Mynheer Schimmelman,

apply to me, and you shall be satisfied. But what do I talk of?

You will see them yourself. Minerva in the shape of Count

Bernsdorff, or out of all shape in the person of the Duchess of

Northumberland, is to conduct Telemachus to York races; for can a

monarch be perfectly accomplished in the mysteries of king-craft,

as our Solomon James I. called it, unless he is initiated in the

arts of jockeyship? When this northern star travels towards its

own sphere, Lord Hertford will go to Ragley. I shall go with

him; and, if I can avoid running foul of the magi that will be

thronging from all parts to worship that star, I will endeavour

to call at Wentworth Castle for a day or two, if it will not be

inconvenient; I should think it would be about the second week in

September, but your lordship shall hear again, unless you should

forbid me, who am ever Lady Strafford's and your lordship's most

faithful humble servant.

Letter 351To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(1045)

Arlington Street, Aug. 25, 1768. (page 531)

heartily glad you do not go to Ireland; it is very well for the

Duke of Bedford, who, as George Selwyn says, is going to be made

a mamamouchi. Your brother sets out for Ragley on Wednesday

next, and that day I intend to be at Park--place, and from thence

shall go to Ragley on Friday. I shall stay three or four days,

and then go to Lord Strafford's for about as many; and shall call

on George Montagu on my return, so as to be at home in a

fortnight, an infinite absence in my account. I wish you could

join in with any part of this progress, before you go to worship

the treasures that are pouring in upon your daughter by the old

Damer's death.(1046)

You ask me about the harvest--you might as well ask me about the

funds. I thought the land flowed with milk and honey. We have

had forty showers, but they have not lasted a minute each; and as

the weather continues warm and my lawn green,

"I bless my stars, and call it luxury."

They tell me there are very bad accounts from several colonies,

and the papers are full of their remonstrances; but I never read

such things. I am happy to have nothing to do with them, and

glad you have not much more. When one can do no good, I have no

notion of sorrowing oneself for every calamity that happens in

general. One should lead the life of a coffee-house politician,

the most real patriots that I know, who amble out every morning

to gather matter for lamenting over their country. I leave mine,

like the King of Denmark, to ministers and Providence; the latter

of which, like an able chancellor of the exchequer to an ignorant

or idle first lord, luckily does the business. That little King

has had the gripes, which have addled his journey to York. I

know nothing more of his motions. His favourite is fallen in

love with Lady Bel Stanhope,(1047) and the monarch himself

demanded her for him. The mother was not averse, but Lady Bel

very sensibly refused--so unfortunate are favourites the instant

they set their foot in England! He is jealous of

Sackville,(1048) and says, "ce gros noir n'est pas beau;" which

implies that he thinks his own whiteness and pertness charming.

Adieu! I shall see you on Wednesday.

(1045) Now first printed.

(1046) J. Damer, Esq., of carne in Dorsetshire, brother to the

first Lord Milton.-E.

)1047) Afterwards Countess of Sefton.-E.

(1048) Who afterwards succeeded to the Dukedom of Dorset.-E.

Letter 352 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.

Strawberry Hill, Aug. 30, 1768. (page 532)

You are always heaping so many kindnesses on me, dear Sir, I

think I must break off all acquaintance with you, unless I can

find some way of returning them. The print of the Countess of

Exeter Is the greatest present to me in the world. I have been

trying for years to no purpose to get one. Reynolds the painter

promised to beg one for me of a person he knows, but I have never

had it. I wanted it for four different purposes. 1. As a

grandmother (in law, by the Cranes and Allingtons): 2. for my

collection of heads: 3. for the volumes of prints after pieces in

my collection: and, above all, for my collection of Faithornes,

which though so fine, wanted such a capital print: and to this

last I have preferred it. I give you unbounded thanks for it:

and yet I feel exceedingly ashamed to rob you. The print of Jane

Shore I had: but as I have such various uses for prints I easily

bestowed it. It is inserted in my Anecdotes, where her picture

is mentioned.

Thank you, too, for all your notices. I intend next summer to

set about the last volume of my Anecdotes, and to make still

further additions to my former volumes, in which these notes find

their place. I am going to reprint all my pieces together, and,

to my shame be it spoken, find they will at least make two large

quartos. You, I know, will be partial enough to give them a

place on a shelf, but as I doubt many persons will not be so

favourable, I Only think of leaving the edition behind me.

Methinks I should like for your amusement and my own, that you

settled to Ely: yet I value your health so much beyond either,

that I must advise Milton, Ely being, I believe, a very damp,

and, consequently, a very unwholesome situation. Pray let me

know on which you fix; and if you do fix this summer, remember

the hopes you have given me of a visit. My summer, that is, my

fixed residence here, lasts till November. My gallery is not

only finished, but I am going on with the round chamber at the

end of it; and am besides playing with the little garden on the

other side of the road, which was old Franklin's, and by his

death came into my hands. When the round tower is finished, I

propose to draw up a description and catalogue of the whole house

and collection, and I think you will not dislike lending me your

assistance.

Mr. Granger,(1049) of Shiplake, is printing his laborious and

curious Catalogue of English heads, with an accurate though

succinct account of almost all the persons. It will be a very

valuable and useful work, and I heartily wish may succeed; though

I have some fears. There are of late a small number of persons

who collect English heads but not enough to encourage such a

work: I hope the anecdotic part will make it more known and

tasted. It is essential to us, who shall love the performance,

that it should sell: for he prints no farther at first than to

the end of the first Charles: and, if this part does not sell

well, the bookseller will not purchase the remainder of the copy,

though he gives but a hundred pounds for this half'; and good Mr.

Granger is not in circumstances to afford printing it himself. I

do not compare it with Dr. Robertson's writings, who has an

excellent genius, with admirable style and manner; and yet I

cannot help thinking, that there is a good deal of Scotch puffing

and partiality, when the booksellers have given the Doctor three

thousand pounds for his Life of Charles V., for composing which

he does not pretend to have obtained any new materials.

I am going into Warwickshire; and I think shall go on to Lord

Strafford's, but propose returning before the end of September.

Yours ever.

(1049) The Rev. James Granger, Vicar of Shiplake in Oxfordshire;

where he died in 1776. See post, May 27, 1769.-E.

Letter 353 To The Earl Of Strafford.

Strawberry Hill, Monday, Oct. 10, 1768. (page 534)

I give you a thousand thanks, my dear Lord, for the account of

the ball at Welbeck. I shall not be able to repay it with a

relation of the masquerade to-night;(1050) for I have been

confined here this week with the gout in my foot, and have not

stirred off my bed or couch since Tuesday. I was to have gone to

the great ball at Sion on Friday, for which a new road,

paddock, and bridge were made, as other folks make a dessert. I

conclude Lady Mary Coke has, and will tell you of all these

pomps, which Health thinks so serious, and Sickness with her

grave face tells one are so idle. Sickness may make me moralize,

but I assure you she does not want humour. She has diverted me

extremely with drawing a comparison between the repose (to call

neglect by its dignified name) which I have enjoyed in this fit,

and the great anxiety in which the whole world was when I had the

last gout, three years ago--you remember my friends were then

coming into power. Lord Weymouth was so good as to call at least

once every day, and inquire after me; and the foreign ministers

insisted that I should give them the satisfaction of seeing me,

that they might tranquillize their sovereigns with the certainty

of My not being in any danger. The Duke and Duchess of Newcastle

were So kind, though very nervous themselves, as to send

messengers and long messages every day from Claremont. I cannot

say this fit has alarmed Europe quite so much. I heard the bell

ring at the gate, and asked with much majesty if it was the Duke

of Newcastle had sent? "No, Sir, it was only the butcher's boy."

The butcher's boy is, indeed, the only courier i have had.

Neither the King of France nor King of Spain appears to be under

the least concern about me.

My dear Lord, I have had so many of these transitions in my life,

that you will not wonder they divert me more than a masquerade.

I am ready to say to most people, "Mask, I know you." I wish I

might choose their dresses!

'When I have the honour of seeing Lady Strafford, I shall beseech

her to tell me all the news: for I am too nigh and too far to

know any. Adieu, my dear Lord!

(1050) A masquerade given at the Opera-house by the King of

Denmark; one of the most magnificent which had ever been given in

England. The jewels worn on the occasion by the maskers were

estimated to be of the value of two millions.-E.

Letter 354 To George Montagu, Esq.

Arlington Street, Nov. 10, 1768. (page 535)

I have not received the cheese, but I thank you as much

beforehand. I have been laid up with a fit of the gout in both

feet and a knee; at Strawberry for an entire month, and eight

days here: I took the air for the first time the day before

yesterday, and am, considering, surprisingly recovered by the

assistance of the bootikins and my own perseverance in drinking

water. I moulted my stick to-day, and have no complaint but

weakness left. The fit came just in time to augment my felicity

in having quitted Parliament. I do not find it so uncomfortable

to grow old, when One is not obliged to expose oneself in public.

I neither rejoice nor am sorry at your being accommodated in your

new habitation. It has long been plain to me that you choose to

bury yourself in the ugliest spot you can find, at a distance

from almost all your acquaintance; so I give it up; and then I am

glad you are pleased.

Nothing is stirring but politics, and chiefly the worst kind of

politics, elections. I trouble myself with no sort, but seek to

pass what days the gout leaves me or bestows on me, as quietly as

I can. I do not wonder at others, because I doubt I am more

singular than they are; and what makes me happy would probably

not make them so. My best compliments to your brother; I shall

be glad to see you both when you come; though for you, you don't

care how little time you pass with your friends. Yet I am, and

ever shall be Yours most sincerely.

Letter 355 To George Montagu, Esq.

Arlington Street, Nov. 15, 1768. (page 535)

You cannot wonder when I receive such kind letters from you, that

I am vexed our intimacy should be reduced almost to those

letters. It is selfish to complain, when you give me such good

reasons for your system: but I grow old; and the less time we

have to live together, the more I feel a separation from a person

I love so well; and that reflection furnishes me with arguments

in vindication of my peevishness. Methinks, though the contrary

is true in practice, prudence should be the attribute of youth,

not of years. When we approach to the last gate of life, what

does it signify to provide for new furnishing one's house? Youth

should have all those cares; indeed, charming youth is better

employed. It leaves foresight to those that have little occasion

for it. You and I have both done with the world, the busy world,

and therefore I would smile with you over what we have both seen

of it, and luckily we can smile both, for we have quitted it

willingly, not from disgust nor mortifications. However, I do

not pretend to combat your reasons, much less would I draw you to

town a moment sooner than it is convenient to you, though I shall

never forget your offering it. Nay, it is not so much in town

that I wish we were nearer, as in the country. Unless one lives

exactly in the same set of company, one is not much the better

for one's friends being in London. I that talk of giving up the

world, have only given up the troubles of it, as far as that is

possible. I should speak more properly in saying, that I have

retired out of the world into London. I always intend to place

some months between me and the moroseness of retirement. We are

not made for Solitude. It gives us prejudices, it indulges us in

our own humours, and at last we cannot live without them.

My gout is quite gone; and if I had a mind to disguise its

remains, I could walk very gracefully, except on going down

stairs. Happily, it is not the fashion to hand any body; the

nymph and I should soon be at the bottom.

Your old cousin Newcastle is going; he has had a stroke of the

palsy, and they think will not last two days.(1051) I hope he is

not sensible, as I doubt he would be too averse to his situation.

Poor man! he is not like my late amiable friend, Lady

Hervey;(1052) two days before She died, she wrote to her Son

Bristol these words: "I feel my dissolution coming on, but I have

no pain; what can an old woman desire more?" This was consonant

to her usual propriety--yes, propriety IS grace, and thus every

body may be graceful, when other graces are fled. Oh! but you

will cry, is not this a contradiction to the former part of your

letter? Prudence is one of the graces of age;-why--yes, I do not

know but it may and yet I don't know how, it is a musty quality;

one hates to allow it to be a grace--come, at least it is only

like that one of the graces that hides her face. In Short, I

have ever been so imprudent, that though I have much corrected

myself, I am not at all vain of such merit. I have purchased it

for much more than it was worth. I wish you joy of Lord

Guildford's amendment; and always take a full part in your

satisfaction or sorrow. Adieu! Yours ever.

(1051) The Duke of Newcastle died on the 17th.-E.

(1052) Lady Hervey died on the 2d of September, in the

sixty-eighth year of her age.-E.

Letter 356 To George Montagu, Esq.

Arlington Street, Dec. 1, 1768. (page 536)

I like your letter, and have been looking at my next door but

one. The ground-story is built, and the side walls will

certainly be raised another floor, before you think of arriving.

I fear nothing for you but the noise of workmen, and of this

street in front and Picadilly on the other side. If you can bear

such a constant hammering and hurricane, it will rejoice me to

have you so near me; and then I think I must see you oftener than

I have done these ten years. Nothing can be more dignified than

this position. From my earliest memory Arlington-street has been

the ministerial street. The Duke of Grafton is actually coming

into the house of Mr. Pelham, which my Lord president is

quitting, and which occupies too the ground on which my father

lived; and Lord Weymouth has just taken the Duke of Dorset's; yet

you and I, I doubt, shall always live on the wrong side of the

way.

Lord Chatham is reconciled to Lord Temple and George

Grenville.(1053) The second is in great spirits on the occasion;

and yet gives out that Lord Chatham earnestly solicited it. The

insignificant Lepidus patronizes Antony, and is sued to by

Augustus! Still do I doubt whether Augustus will ever come forth

again. Is this a peace patched up by Livia for the sake of her

children, seeing the imbecility of her husband? or is Augustus

to own he has been acting changeling, like the first Brutus, for

near two years? I do not know, I remain in doubt.

Wilkes has struck an artful stroke.(1054) The ministers, devoid

of all management in the House of Commons, consented that he

should be heard at the bar of the House, and appointed to-morrow,

forgetting the election for Middlesex is to come on next

Thursday: one would think they were impatient to advance riots.

Last Monday Wilkes demanded to examine Lord Temple: when that was

granted, he asked for Lord Sandwich and Lord March. As the first

had not been refused, the others could not. The Lords were

adjourned till to-day

@ , and, I suppose, are now sitting on this perplexing demand.

If Lord Temple desires to go to the bar of the Commons, and the

others desire to be excused, it will be difficult for the Lords

to know what to do. Sandwich is frightened out of his

senses,(1055) and March does not like it. Well! this will cure

ministers and great lords of being flippant in dirty tyranny,

when they see they may be worried for it four years afterwards.

The Commons, I suppose, are at this minute as hotly engaged on

the Cumberland election between Sir James Lowther and the Duke of

Portland. Oh! how delightful and comfortable to be sitting

quietly here a scribbling to you, perfectly indifferent about

both houses! You will Just escape having your brains beaten out,

by not coming this fortnight. The Middlesex election will be

over. Adieu! Yours ever.

(1053) Through the mediation of their mutual friend, Mr.

Calcraft, a reconciliation between Lord Chatham and Earl Temple

took place at Hayes, on the 25th of November, to which Mr.

Grenville heartily acceded. See Chatham Correspondence, vol,

iii. p. 349.-E.

(1054) Mr. Wilkes, on the 14th of November, had presented a

petition to the House of Commons, praying for a redress of his

grievances.-E.

(1055) By a reference to Sir Henry Cavendish's Debates, vol. i.

pp. 93, 131, it will be seen, that Lord Sandwich expressed,

through Mr. Rigby, his readiness to be examined, and that he was

examined on the 31st of January.-E.

Letter 357 To George Montagu, Esq.

Strawberry Hill, Sunday, March 26, 1769. (page 538)

I beg your pardon; I promised to send you news, and I had quite

forgot that we have had a rebellion; at least, the Duke of

Bedford says so. Six or eight hundred merchants, English, Dutch,

Jews, Gentiles, had been entreated to protect the Protestant

succession, and consented.(1056) They set out on Wednesday noon

in their coaches and chariots, chariots not armed with scythes

like our Gothic ancestors. At Temple-bar they met several

regiments of foot dreadfully armed with mud, who discharged a

sleet of dirt on the royal troop. Minerva, who had forgotten her

dreadful Egis, and who, in the shape of Mr. Boehm, carried the

address, was forced to take shelter under a Cloud in Nando's

coffeehouse, being more afraid of Buckhorse than ever Venus was

of Diomed; in short, it was a dismal day; and if Lord Talbot had

not recollected the patriot feats of his youth,(1057) and

recommenced bruiser, I don't know but the Duchess of

Kingston,(1058) who has so long preserved her modesty, from both

her husbands, might not have been ravished in the drawing-room.

Peace is at present restored, and the rebellion adjourned to the

thirteenth of April; when Wilkes and Colonel Luttrell are to

fight a pitched battle at Brentford, the Phillippi of antoninus.

Tityre, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fogi, know nothing of

these broils. You don't convert your ploughshares into

falchions, nor the mud of Adderbury into gunpowder. I tremble for

my painted windows, and write talismans of number forty-five on

every gate and postern of my castle. Mr. Hume is writing the

Revolutions of Middlesex, and a troop of barnacle geese are

levied to defend the capital. These are melancholy times!

Heaven send we do not laugh till we cry!

London, Tuesday, 28th.

Our ministers, like their Saxon ancestors, are gone to bold a

wittenagemoot on horseback at Newmarket. Lord Chatham, we are

told, is to come forth after the holidays and place himself at

the head of the discontented. When I see it I shall believe it.

Lord Frederick Campbell is, at last, to be married this evening

to the Dowager-countess of Ferrers.(1059) The Duchess of Grafton

is actually Countess of Ossory.(1060) This is a short gazette;

but, consider, it is a time of truce. Adieu!

(1056) A great riot took place on the 22d of March 1769, when a

cavalcade of the merchants and tradesmen of the city of London,

who were proceeding to St. James's with a loyal address, was so

maltreated by the populace, that Mr. Boehm, the gentleman to whom

the address was entrusted, was obliged to take refuge in Nando's

coffeehouse. His coach was rifled; but the address escaped the

search of the rioters, and was, after considerable delay, during

which a second had been voted and prepared, eventually presented

at St. James's.-E.

(1057) Lord Talbot behaved with great intrepidity upon this

occasion: though he had his staff of office broken in his hand,

and was deserted by his servants, he secured two of the most

active of the rioters. His example recalled the military to

their duty, who, without employing either guns or bayonets,

captured fifteen more.-E.

(1058) The Duke of Kingston had married Miss Chudleigh on the 8th

of this instant; the Consistory Court of London having declared,

on the 11th of February previous, that the lady was free from any

matrimonial contract with the Hon. Augustus John Hervey. On the

19th, she was presented, upon her marriage, to their Majesties;

who honoured her by wearing her favours, as did all the great

officers of state.-E.

(1059) See vol. iii. p. 58, letter 24. This unfortunate lady was

burnt to death at Lord Frederick's seat at Combe Bank, in July

1807.-E.

(1060) Lady Anne Liddel, only daughter of Henry Liddel, Lord

Ravensworth, married, in 1756, to Augustus Henry, third Duke of

Grafton; from whom being divorced by act of parliament, she was

married secondly, on the 26th of March, to the Earl of Ossory.-E.

Letter 358 To George Montagu, Esq.

Arlington Street, April 15, 1769. (page 539)

I should be very sorry to believe half your distempers. I am

heartily grieved for the vacancy that has happened in your mouth,

though you describe it so comically. As the only physic I

believe in is prevention, you shall let me prescribe to you. Use

a little bit of alum twice or thrice in a week, no bigger than

half your nail, till it has all dissolved in your mouth, and then

spit out. This has fortified my teeth, that they are as strong

as the pen of Junius.(1061) I learned it of Mrs. Grosvenor, who

had not a speck in her teeth to her death. For your other

complaints, I revert to my old sermon, temperance. If you will

live in a hermitage, methinks it is no great addition to live

like a hermit. Look in Sadeler's prints, they had beards down to

their girdles; and with all their impatience to be in heaven,

their roots and water kept them for a century from their wishes.

I have lived all my life like an anchoret in London, and within

ten miles, shed my skin after the gout, and am as lively as an

eel in a week after. Mr. Chute, who has drunk no more wine than

a fish, grows better every year. He has escaped this winter with

only a little pain in one hand. Consider that the physicians

recommended wine, and then can you doubt of its being poison?

Medicines may cure a few acute distempers, but how should they

mend a broken constitution? they would as soon mend a broken

leg. Abstinence and time may repair it, nothing else can; for

when time has been employed to spoil the blood, it cannot be

purified in a moment.

Wilkes, who has been chosen member of Parliament almost as often

as Marius was consul, was again re-elected on Thursday. The

House of Commons, who are as obstinate as the county, have again

rejected him. To-day they are to instate Colonel Luttrell in his

place.(1062) What is to follow I cannot say, but I doubt

grievous commotions. Both sides seem so warm, that it Will be

difficult for either to be in the right. This is not a merry

subject, and therefore I will have done with it. If it comes to

blows, I intend to be as neutral as the gentleman that was going

out with his hounds the morning of Edgehill. I have seen too

much of parties to list with any of them.

You promised to return to town, but now say nothing of it. You

had better come before a passport is necessary: Adieu!

(1061) The Letters of Junius, the first of which appeared on the

21st of January, were now in course of publication, and exciting

great attention, not only in this country, but, as it would seem,

also in France: "On parle ici beaucoup de votre `ecrit de

Junius," writes Madame du Deffand to Walpole.-E.

(1062) Wilkes, having been expelled the House of Commons on the

3d of February 1769, was a third time elected for Middlesex on

the 16th of March. On the 17th, the election was declared by the

House to be null and void, and a new writ was ordered to be

issued. On the day of election, the 13th of April, Wilkes,

Luttrell, and Serjeant Whitaker presented themselves as

candidates, when the former, having a majority, was declared duly

elected. On the 14th, this election was pronounced void, and on

the 15th Henry Laws Luttrell, Esq. was duly elected, by 197

against 143, and took his seat accordingly.-E.

Letter 359 To George Montagu, Esq.

Arlington Street, May 11, 1769. (page 540)

You are so wayward, that I often resolve to give you up to your

humours. Then something happens with which I can divert you, and

my good-humour returns. Did not you say you should return to

London long before this time? At least, could you not tell me you

had changed your mind? why am I to pick it out from your absence

and silence, as Dr. Warburton found a future state in Moses's

saying nothing of the matter! I could go on with a chapter of

severe interrogatories, but I think it more cruel to treat You as

a hopeless reprobate; yes, you are graceless, and as I have a

respect for my own scolding, I shall not throw it away upon you.

Strawberry has been in great glory; I have given a festino there

that will almost mortgage it. Last Tuesday all France dined

there: Monsieur and Madame du Chatelet,(1063) the Duc de

Liancourt,(1064) three more French ladies, whose names you will

find in the enclosed paper, eight other Frenchmen, the Spanish

and Portuguese ministers, the Holdernesses, Fitzroys, in short we

were four-and-twenty. They arrived at two. At the gates of the

castle I received them, dressed in the cravat of Gibbons's

carving, and a pair of gloves embroidered up to the elbows that

had belonged to James the First. The French servants stared, and

firmly believed this was the dress of English country gentlemen.

After taking a survey of the apartments, we went to the

printing-house, where I had prepared the enclosed verses, with

translations by Monsieur de Lille,(1065) one of the company. The

moment they were printed off, I gave a private signal, and French

horns and clarionets accompanied this compliment. We then went

to see Pope's grotto and garden, and returned to a magnificent

dinner in the refectory. In the evening we walked, had tea,

coffee, and lemonade in the gallery, which was illuminated with a

thousand, or thirty candles, I forgot which, and played at whist

and loo till midnight. Then there was a cold supper, and at one

the company returned to town, saluted by fifty nightingales, who,

as tenants of the manor, came to do honour to their lord.

I cannot say last night was equally agreeable. There was what

they called a ridotto el fresco at Vauxhall,(1066) for which one

paid half-a-guinea, though, except some thousand more lamps and a

covered passage all round the garden, which took off from the

gardenhood, there was nothing better than on a common night. Mr.

Conway and I set out from his house at eight o'clock; the line

and torrent of coaches was so prodigious, that it was

half-an-hour after nine before we got half-way from Westminster-

bridge. We then alighted; and after scrambling under bellies of

horses, through wheels, and over posts and rails, we reached the

gardens, where were already many thousand persons. Nothing

diverted me but a man in a Turk's dress and two nymphs in

masquerade without masks, who sailed amongst the company, and,

which was surprising seemed to surprise nobody. It had been

given out that people were desired to come in fancied dresses

without masks. We walked twice round and were rejoiced to come

away, though with the same difficulties as at our entrance; for

we found three strings of coaches all along the road, who did not

move half a foot in half-an-hour. There is to be a rival mob in

the same way at Ranelagh to-morrow; for the greater the folly and

imposition the greater is the crowd. I have suspended the

vestimenta that were torn off my back to the god of repentance,

and shall stay away. Adieu! I have not a word more to say to

you. Yours ever.

P. S. I hope you will not regret paying a shilling for this

packet.

(1063) Le Marquis du Chatelet, was son to la Marquise du

Chatelet, the commentator upon Newton, and the Am`elie of

Voltaire. The scandalous chronicles of the time accord to the

philosopher the honour of his paternity.-E.

(1064) The Duc de Liancourt, of the family de la Rochefoucauld,

grand ma`itre de la garde-robe du Roi. At the commencement of

the Revolution, his conduct was much blamed by those attached to

the court. He eventually emigrated to England, and, after

residing here some time, visited America, and published an

account of his travels in that country. In 1799, after the 19th

Brumaire, he returned to France. He died in March 1827, in his

eightieth year.-E.

(1065) M. de Lille was an officer of the French cavalry, an

agreeable man in society, and author of several pretty ballads

and vers de soci`et`e.

(1066) "They went to the Ridotto-'tis a hall

Where people dance, and sup, and dance again;

Its proper name, perhaps, were a masqued ball,

But that's of no importance to my strain;

'Tis (on a smaller scale) like our Vauxhall,

Excepting that it can't be spoilt by rain:

The company is 'mix'd'--the phrase I quote is

As much as saying, they're below your notice."

Beppo, st. 58.-E.

Letter 360 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.

Arlington Street, May 27, 1769. (page 541)

Dear Sir,

I have not heard from you this century, nor knew where you had

fixed yourself. Mr. Gray tells me you are still at Waterbeche.

Mr. Granger has published his Catalogue of Prints and Lives down

to the Revolution;(1067) and as the work sells well, I believe,

nay, do not doubt, we shall have the rest. There are a few

copies printed but on one side of the leaf. As I know you love

scribbling in such books as well as I do, I beg you will give me

leave to make you a present of one set. I shall send it in about

a week to Mr. Gray, and have desired him, as soon as he has

turned it over, to convey it to you. I have found a few

mistakes, and you will find more. To my mortification, though I

have four thousand heads, I find, upon a rough calculation, that

I still want three or four hundred.

Pray, give me some account of yourself, how you do, and whether

you are fixed. I thought you rather inclined to Ely. Are we

never to have the history of that cathedral? I wish you would

tell me that you have any thoughts of coming this way, or that

you would make me a Visit this Summer. I shall be little from

home this summer till August, when I think of going to Paris for

six weeks. To be sure you have seen the History of British

Topography,(1068) which was published this winter, and it is a

delightful book in our way. Adieu! dear Sir. Yours ever.

(1067) A Biographical History of England, from Egbert the Great

to the Revolution. A continuation, bringing the work down from

the Revolution to the end of George I.'s reign, was published in

1806, by the Rev. Mark Noble. In a letter to Boswell, of the

30th of August 1776, Dr. Johnson says--"I have read every word of

Granger's Biographical History. It has entertained me

exceedingly, and I do not think him the Whig that you supposed.

Horace Walpole being his patron is, indeed, no good sign of his

political principles; but he denied to Lord Mansfield that he was

a Whig, and said he had been accused by both parties of

partiality. It seems he was like Pope--

'While Tories call me Whig, and Whigs a Tory.'

I wish you would look more into his book; and as Lord Mountstuart

wishes much to find a proper person to continue the work upon

Granger's plan, and has desired I would mention it to you, if

such a man occurs, please to let me know. His lordship will give

him generous encouragement."-E.

(1068) By Richard Gough, the well-known antiquary. The second

edition, published in 1780, is a far better one.-E.

Letter 361 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.

Strawberry Hill, June 14, 1769. (page 542)

Dear Sir,

Among many agreeable passages in your last, there is nothing I

like so well as the hope you give me of seeing you here in July.

I will return that visit immediately: don't be afraid; I do not

mean to incommode you at Waterbeche; but, if you will come, I

promise I will accompany you back as far as Cambridge: nay, carry

you on to Ely, for thither I am bound. The Bishop(1068) has sent

a Dr. Nichols to me, to desire I would assist him in a plan for

the east window of his cathedral, which he intends to

benefactorate with painted glass. The window is the most

untractable of all Saxon uncouthness: nor can I conceive what to

do with it, but by taking off the bottoms for arms and mosaic,

splitting the crucifixion into three compartments, and filling

the five lights at top with prophets, saints, martyrs, and such

like; after shortening the windows like the great ones. This I

shall propose. However, I choose to see the spot myself, as it

will be a proper attention to the Bishop after his civility, and

I really would give the best advice I could. The Bishop, like

Alexander VIII., feels that the clock has struck half-an-hour

past eleven, and is impatient to be let depart in peace after his

eyes shall have seen his vitrification: at least, he is impatient

to give his eyes that treat; and yet it will be a pity to

precipitate the work. If you can come to me first, I shall be

happy; if not, I must come to you: that is, will meet you at

Cambridge. Let me know your mind, for I would not press you

unseasonably. I am enough obliged to you already; though, by

mistake, you think it is you that are obliged to me. I do not

mean to plunder you of any more prints; but shall employ a little

collector to get me all that are getable. The rest, the greatest

of us all must want.

I am very sorry for the fever you have had: but, Goodman Frog, if

you will live in the fens, do not expect to be as healthy as if

you were a fat Dominican at Naples. You and your MSS. will all

grow mouldy. When our climate is subject to no sign but Aquarius

and Pisces, would one choose the dampest country under the

heavens! I do not expect to persuade you, and so I will say no

more. I wish you joy of the treasure you have discovered: six

Saxon bishops and a Duke of Northumberland!(1069) You have had

fine sport this season. Thank you much for wishing to see my

name on a plate in the history. But, seriously, I have no such

vanity. I did my utmost to dissuade Mr. Granger from the

dedication, and took especial pains to get my virtues left out of

the question; till I found he would be quite hurt if I did not

let him express his gratitude, as he called it: so, to satisfy

him, I was forced to accept of his present; for I doubt I have

few virtues but what he has presented me with; and in a

dedication, you know, One is permitted to have as many as the

author can afford to bestow. I really have another objection to

the plate: which is, the ten guineas. I have so many

draughts on my extravagance for trifles, that I like better than

vanity, that I should not care to be at that expense. But I

should think either the Duke or Duchess of

Northumberland would rejoice at such an Opportunity of buying

incense; and I will tell you what you shall do. Write to Mr.

Percy, and vaunt the discovery of Duke Brithnoth's bones, and ask

him to move their graces to contribute a plate. They Could not

be so unnatural as to refuse; especially if the Duchess knew the

size of his thigh-bone.

I was very happy to show civilities to your friends, and should

have asked them to stay and dine, but unluckily expected other

company. Dr. Ewin seems a very good sort of man, and Mr.

Rawlinson a very agreeable one. Pray do not think it

was any trouble to me to pay respect to your recommendation.

I have been eagerly reading Mr. Shenstone's Letters, which,

though containing nothing but trifles, amused me extremely, as

they mention so many persons I know; particularly myself. I

found there, what I did not know, and what, I believe, Mr.

Gray,(1070) himself never knew, that his ode on my cat was

written to ridicule Lord Lyttelton's monody. It is just as true

as that the latter will survive, and the former be forgotten.

There is another anecdote equally vulgar, and

void of truth:

that my father, sitting in George's coffee-house, (I suppose Mr.

Shenstone thought that, after he quitted his place, he went to

the coffee-houses to learn news,) was asked to contribute to a

figure of himself that was to be beheaded by the mob. I do

remember something like it, but it happened to myself. I met a

mob, just after my father was out, in Hanover-square, and drove

up to it to know what was the matter. They were carrying about a

figure of my sister.(1071) This probably gave rise to the other

story. That on my uncle I never heard; but it Is a good story,

and not at all improbable. I felt great pity on reading these

letters for the narrow circumstances of the author, and the

passion for fame that he was tormented with; and yet he had much

more fame than his talents entitled him to. Poor man! he wanted

to have all the world talk of him for the pretty place he had

made; and which he seems to have made only that it might be

talked of.(1072) The first time a company came to see my house,

I felt this joy. I am now so tired of it, that I shudder when

the bell rings at the gate. It is as bad as keeping an

inn, and I am often tempted to deny its being shown, if it would

not be ill-natured to those that come, and to my housekeeper. I

own, I was one day too cross, I had

been plagued all the week with staring crowds. At

last, it rained a deluge. Well, said

I, at last, nobody will come to-day. The words were scarce

uttered, when the bell rang. I replied, "Tell them they cannot

possibly see the house, but they are very welcome to walk in the

garden."(1073) Observe; nothing above alludes to Dr. Ewin and

Mr. Rawlinson: I was not only much pleased with them, but quite

glad to show them how entirely you may command my house, and your

most sincere friend and servant.

(1068) Dr. Matthias Mawson, translated from Llandaff to the see

of Ely in 1754. He died in November 1770, in his eighty-seventh

year. His character was thus drawn, in 1749, by the Rev. W.

Clarke:--"Our Bishop is a better sort of man than most of the

mitred order. He is, indeed, awkward, absent, etc.; but then, he

has no ambition, no desire to please, and is privately munificent

when the world thinks him parsimonious. He has given more to the

Church than all the bishops put together for almost a

century."-E.

(1069) The following is an extract from a previous letter of Mr.

Cole's, and to this Mr. Walpole alludes:--"An old wall being to

be taken down behind the choir (at Ely], on which were painted

seven figures of six Saxon bishops, and a Duke, as he is called,

of Northumberland, one Brithnoth; which painting I take to be as

old as any we have in England--I guessed by seven arches in the

wall, below the figures, that the bones of these seven

benefactors to the old Saxon conventual church were reposited in

the wall under them: accordingly, we found seven separate holes,

each with the remains of the Said persons," etc. etc. Mr. Cole

proposed that Mr. Walpole should contribute an Engraving from

this painting to the history of Ely Cathedral, a work about to be

published, or to use his interest to induce the Duke of

Northumberland to do so.

(1070) "I have read," says Gray, in a letter to Mr. Nicholls, "an

octavo volume of Shenstone's Letters. Poor man! he was always

wishing for money, for fame, and other distinctions; and his

whole philosophy consisted in living against his will in

retirement, and in a place which his taste had adorned; but which

he only enjoyed when people of note came to see and commend it:

his correspondence is about nothing else but this place and his

own writings, with two or three neighbouring clergy, who wrote

verses too." Works, vol. iv. p. 135-E.

(1071) See vol. i. p. 244, letter 61.-E.

(1072) "In the infancy of modern gardening, a false taste was

introduced by Shenstone, in his ferme orn`ee at the Leasowes;

where, instead of surrounding his house with such a quantity of

ornamental lawn or park Only, as might be consistent with the

size of the mansion or the extent of the property, his taste,

rather than his ambition, led him to ornament the whole of his

estate; and in the vain attempt to combine the profits of a farm

with the scenery of a park, he lived under the continual

mortification of disappointed hope; and with a mind exquisitely

sensible, he felt equally the sneer of the great man at the

magnificence of his attempts and the ridicule of the farmer at

the misapplication of his paternal acres." Repton.-E.

(1073) Walpole having complained of these intrusions on his

privacy to Madame du Deffand, the lady replied: "Oh! vous n'`etes

point f`ach`e qu'on vienne voir votre chateau; vous ne l'avez pas

fait singulier; vous ne l'avez pas rempli de choses precieuses,

de raret`es; vous ne b`atissez pas un cabinet rond, dans lequel

le lit est un trone, et o`u il n'y a que des tabourets, pour y

rester seul oou ne recevoir que vos amis. Tout le monde a les

m`emes passions, les m`emes vertus, les m`emes vices; il n'y a

que les modifications qui en fond la diff`erence; amour propre,

vanit`e, crainte de l'ennui," etc.-E.

Letter 362 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.

Strawberry Hill, Monday, June 26, 1769. (page 545)

Dear Sir,

Oh! yes, yes, I shall like Thursday or Friday, 6th or 7th,

exceedingly; I shall like your staying with me two days

exceedinglier; and longer exceedingliest; and I will carry you

back to Cambridge on our pilgrirnage to Ely. But I should not at

all like to be catched in the glories

of an installation, and find myself a doctor, before I knew where

I was. It will be much more agreeable to find the whole caput

asleep, digesting turtle, dreaming of bishoprics, and humming old

catches of Anacreon, and scraps of Corelli. I wish Mr. Gray

may not be set out for the north ; which is

rather the case than setting out for

the summer. We have no summers, I think, but what we raise, like

pineapples, by fire. My bay is an absolute water-soochy, and

teaches me how to feel for you. You are quite in the right to

sell your fief in Marshland. I should be glad if you would take

one step more, and quit Marshland. We live, at least, on terra

firma in this part of the world, and

can saunter out without stilts. Item,

we do not wade into pools, and call

it going upon the water, and get sore throats. I trust yours

is better ; but I recollect this is not the first you have

complained of. Pray be not incorrigible, but come to shore.

Be so good as to thank Mr. Smith, my old tutor, for his

corrections, If ever the Anecdotes are reprinted, I will

certainly profit of them.

I joked, it is true, about Joscelin de Louvain(1074) and his

Duchess; but not at all in advising you to make Mr. Percy pimp

for the plate. On the contrary, I wish you success , and think

this an infallible method of obtaining the benefaction. It is

right to lay vanity under contribution; for then both sides are

pleased.

It will not be easy for you to dine with Mr. Granger from hence,

and return at night. It cannot be less than six or

seven-and-twenty miles to Shiplake. But I go to

Park-place to-morrow, which is within two miles of him, and I

will try if I can tempt him to meet you here. Adieu!

(1074) The Duke of Northumberland. His grace having been

originally a baronet, Sir Hugh

Smithson, and having married the daughter of Algernon Seymour,

Duke of Somerset and Earl of Northumberland, in 1750 assumed the

surname and arms of Percy, and was created Duke of Northumberland

in 1766. Walpole's allusion is to his becoming a Percy by

marriage, as Joscelin had done before him: Agnes de Percy,

daughter of William de Percy the third baron, having only

consented to marry Joscelin of Louvain, brother of Queen

Adelicia, second wife of Henry I., and son of Godfrey Barbatus,

Duke of Lower Lorraine and Count of Brabant, who was descended

from the Emperor Charlemagne, upon his agreeing to adopt either

the surname or arms of Percy.-E.

Letter 363 To The Earl Of Strafford.

Arlington Street, July 3, 1769. (page 546)

When you have been so constantly good to me, my dear lord,

without changing, do you wonder that our friendship has lasted so

long? Can I be so insensible to the honour or pleasure of your

acquaintance When the advantage lies much on my side, am I likely

to alter the first? Oh, but it will last now! We have seen

friendships without number born and die. Ours was not formed on

interest, nor alliance; and politics, the poison of all English

connexions, never entered into ours. You have given me a new

proof by remembering the chapel of Luton. I hear it is to be

preserved; and am glad of it, though I might have been the better

for its ruins.

I should have answered your lordship's last post, but was at

Park-place. I think Lady Ailesbury quite recovered; though her

illness has made such an impression that she does not yet believe

it.

It is so settled that we are never to have tolerable weather in

June, that the first hot day was on Saturday-hot by comparison:

for I think it is three years since we have really felt the feel

of summer. I was, however, concerned to be forced to come to

town yesterday on some business; for, however the country feels,

it looks divine, and the verdure we buy so dear is delicious. I

shall not be able, I fear, to profit of it this summer in the

loveliest of all places, as I am to go to Paris in August. But

next year I trust I shall accompany Mr. Conway and Lady Ailesbury

to Wentworth Castle. I shall be glad to visit Castle Howard and

Beverley; but neither would carry me so far, if Wentworth Castle

was not in the way.

The Chatelets are gone, without any more battles with the

Russians.(1075) The papers say the latter have been beaten by

the Turks;(1076) which rejoices me, though against all rules of

politics: but I detest that murderess, and like to have her

humbled. I don't know that this Piece Of news is true: it is

enough to me that it is agreeable. I had rather take it for

granted, than be at the trouble of inquiring about what I have so

little to do with. I am just the same about the City and Surrey

petitions. Since I have dismembered(1077) myself, it is

incredible how cool I am to all politics.

London is the abomination of desolation; and I rejoice to leave

it again this evening. Even Pam has not a lev`ee above once or

twice a week. Next winter, I suppose, it will be a fashion to

remove into the city: for, since it is the mode to choose

aldermen at this end of the town, the maccaronis will certainly

adjourn to Bishopsgate-street, for fear of being fined for

sheriffs. Mr. James and Mr. Boothby will die of the thought of

being aldermen of Grosvenor-ward and Berkeley-square-ward. Adam

and Eve in their paradise laugh at all these tumults, and have

not tasted of the tree that forfeits paradise; which I take to

have been the tree of politics, not of knowledge. How happy you

are not to have your son Abel knocked on the head by his brother

Cain at the Brentford election! You do not hunt the poor deer

and hares that gambol around you. If Eve has a sin, I doubt it

is angling;(1078) but as she makes all other creatures happy, I

beg she would not Impale worms nor whisk carp out of one element

into another. If she repents of that guilt, I hope she will live

as long as her grandson Methuselah. There is a commentator that

says his life was protracted for never having boiled a lobster

alive. Adieu, dear couple, that I honour as much as I could

honour my first grandfather and grandmother! Your most dutiful

Hor. Japhet.

(1075) The Duc de Chatelet, the French ambassador, had affronted

Comte Czernicheff, the Russian ambassador, at a ball at court, on

a point of precedence, and a challenge ensued, but their meeting

was prevented.

(1076) Before Choczim. The Russians were at first victorious;

but, like the King of Prussia at the battle of Zorndorff, they

despatched the messenger with the news too soon; for the Turks

having recovered their surprise, returned to the charge, and

repulsed the Russians with great slaughter.-E.

(1077) Mr. Walpole means, since he quitted Parliament.

(1078) Walpole's abhorrence of the pastime of angling has been

already noticed. See vol. iii. p. 70, letter 29.-E.

Letter 364 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.

Strawberry Hill, Friday, July 7, 1769. (page 547)

You desired me to write, if I knew any thing particular. How

particular will content you? Don't imagine I would send you such

hash as the livery's petition.(1079) Come; would the apparition

of my Lord Chatham satisfy you? Don't be frightened; it was not

his ghost. He, he himself in propria persona, and not in a strait

waistcoat, came into the King's lev`ee this morning, and was in

the closet twenty minutes after the lev`ee; and was to go out of

town to-night again.(1080) The deuce is in it if this is not

news. Whether he is to be king, minister, lord mayor, or

alderman, I do not know; nor a word more than I have told you.

Whether he was sent for to guard St. James's gate, or whether he

came alone, like Almanzor, to storm it, I cannot tell: by

Beckford's violence I should think the latter. I am so

indifferent what he came for, that I shall wait till Sunday to

learn: when I lie in town on my way to Ely. You will probably

hear more from your brother before I can write again. I send

this by my friend Mr. Granger, who will leave it at your

park-gate as he goes through Henley home. Good-night! it is past

twelve, and I am going to bed. Yours ever.

(1079) The petition of the livery of London, complaining of the

unconstitutional conduct of the King's ministers, and the undue

return of Mr. Luttrell, when he Opposed Mr. Wilkes at the

election for Middlesex.

(1080) In a letter to the Earl of Chatham, of the 11th, Lord

Temple says:--"Your reception at St. James's where I am glad you

have been, turns out exactly such as I should have expected--full

of the highest marks of regard to your lordship: full of

condescension, and of all those sentiments of grace and goodness

which his Majesty can so well express. I think that you cannot

but be happy at the result of this experiment." Chatham

Correspondence, vol. iii. p. 361.-E.

Letter 365 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.

Strawberry Hill, July 15, 1769. (page 548)

Dear Sir,

Your fellow-travellers, Rosette(1081) and I, got home safe and

perfectly contented with our expedition, and wonderfully obliged

to you. Pray receive our thanks and barking; and pray say, and

bark a great deal for us to Mr. and Mrs. Bentham, and all that

good family.

After gratitude, you know, always comes a little self-interest;

for who would be at the trouble of being grateful, if he had no

further expectations? Imprimis, then, here are the directions

for Mr. Essex for the piers of my gates. Bishop Luda must not be

offended at my converting his tomb into a gateway. Many a saint

and confessor, I doubt, will be glad soon to be passed through,

as it will, at least, secure his being passed over. When I was

directing the east window at Ely, I recollected the lines of

Prior:--

"How unlucky were Nature and Art to poor Nell!

She was painting her cheeks at the time her nose fell."

Adorning cathedrals when the religion itself totters, is very

like poor Nell's mishap.(1082) ***** I will trouble you with no

more at present, but to get from Mr. Lort the name of the Norfolk

monster, and to give it to Jackson. Don't forget the list of

English heads in Dr. Ewin's book for Mr. Granger; particularly

the Duchess of Chenreux. I will now release you, only adding my

compliments to Dr. Ewin, Mr. Tyson, Mr. Lort, Mr. Essex, and once

more to the Benthams. Adieu, dear Sir! Yours ever

Remember to ask me for icacias, and any thing else with which I

can pay some of my debts to you..

(1081) A favourite dog of Mr. Walpole's.

(1082) Here follow some minute directions for building the

gateway, unintelligible without the sketch that accompanied the

letter, and uninteresting with it, and a list of prints that Mr.

Walpole was anxious to procure.

Letter 366 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.

Strawberry Hill, August 12, 1769. (page 549)

Dear Sir,

I was in town yesterday, and found the parcel arrived very safe.

I give you a thousand thanks, dear Sir, for all the contents; but

when I sent you the list of heads I wanted, it was for Mr.

Jackson, not at all meaning to rob you; but your generosity much

outruns my prudence, and I must be upon my guard with you. The

Catherine Bolen was particularly welcome; I had never seen it--it

is a treasure, though I am persuaded not genuine, but taken from

a French print of the Queen of Scots, which I have. I wish you

could tell me from whence it was taken; I mean from what book: I

imagine the same in which are two prints, which Mr. Granger

mentions, and has himself (with Italian inscriptions, too), of a

Duke of Northumberland and an Earl of Arundel. Mr. Bernardiston

I never saw before--I do not know in what reign he lived--I

suppose lately: nor do I know the era of the Master of Benet.

When I come back, I must beg you to satisfy these questions. The

Countess of Kent is very curious, too; I have lately got a very

dirty one, so that I shall return yours again. Mrs. Wooley I

could not get high or low. But there is no end of thanking you-

-and yet I must for Sir J. Finet, though Mr. ; but I am sure

they will be very useful to me. I hope he will not forget me in

October. It will be a good opportunity of

sending you some good acacias, or any thing you Want

from hence. I am sure you ought to ask me for any thing in

my power, so much I am in your debt: I must

beg to be a little more, by entreating you to pay Mr. Essex

whatever he asks for his drawing, which is

just what I wished. The iron gates I have.

With regard to a history of Gothic architecture, in which he

desires my advices, the plan, I think, should lie in a very

simple compass. Was I to execute it, it

should be thus:--I would give a series of

plates, even from the conclusion of Saxon architecture, beginning

with the round Roman arch, and going on to show how they

plaistered and zigzagged it, and then how better ornaments crept

in till the beautiful Gothic arrived at its perfection: then how

it deceased in Henry the Eighth's reign--Abp. Wareham's tomb at

Canterbury, being I believe the last example of unbastardized

Gothic. A very few plates more would demonstrate its change:

though Holbein embroidered it with some morsels of true

architecture. In Queen Elizabeth's reign there was scarce any

architecture at all: I mean no pillars, or seldom, buildings then

becoming quite plain. Under James a barbarous composition

succeeded. A single plate of something of Inigo

Jones, in his heaviest and worst style, should terminate the

work; for he soon stepped into the true and perfect Grecian.

The next part, Mr. Essex can do better than any body, and is,

perhaps, the only person that can do it. This should

consist of observations on the art, proportions, and method of

building, and the reasons observed by the Gothic architects for

what they did. This would show what great men they

were, and how they raised such aerial and stupendous masses;

though unassisted by half the lights now enjoyed by their

successors. The prices and the wages of workmen, and

the comparative value of money and provisions at the several

periods, should be stated, as far as it is possible to get

materials.

The last part (I don't know whether it should not be the first

part) nobody can do so well as yourself. This must be to

ascertain the chronological period of each building; and not only

of each building but of each tomb, that shall be exhibited: for

you know the great delicacy and richness of Gothic ornaments were

exhausted on small chapels, oratories and tombs. For my own

part, I should wish to have added detached samples of the various

patterns of ornaments, which would not be a great many; as,

excepting pinnacles, there is scarce one which does not branch

from the trefoil; quadrefoils, cinquefoils, etc. being but

various modifications of it. I believe almost all the

ramifications of windows are so, and of them there should be

samples, too.

This work you see could not be executed by one hand; Mr. Tyson

could give great assistance. I wish the plan was drawn out, and

better digested. This is a very rude sketch, and first thought.

I should be very glad to contribute what little I know, and to

the expense too, which would be considerable; but I am sure we

could get assistance-and it had better not be undertaken than

executed superficially. Mr. Tyson's History of Fashions and

Dresses would make a valuable part of the work; as, in elder

times especially, much must be depended on tombs for dresses.

I have a notion the King might be inclined to encourage such

a work; and, if a proper plan was drawn out, for which I have not

time now, I would endeavour to get it laid before him, and his

patronage solicited. Pray talk this over with Mr. Tyson and Mr.

Essex. It is an idea worth pursuing.

You was very kind to take me out of the scrape about the organ

and yet if my insignificant name could carry it to one side, I

would not scruple to lend it.(1084) Thank you, too, for St.

Alban and Noailles. The very picture the latter describes was in

my father's collection, and is now at Worksop. I have scarce

room to crowd in my compliments to the good house of Bentham, and

to say, yours ever.

(1083) The Rev. Michael Tyson, of Bennet College, Cambridge. He

was elected F. S. A. in 1768, and died in

1780. He was greatly Esteemed by Mr. Gough, and is described as a

good antiquary and a gentleman artist. He engraved a remarkable

portrait of Jane Shore, some of the old

masters of his college, and some of the noted characters in and

about Cambridge.-E.

(1084) There was a dispute among the chapter at Ely respecting

the situation of the organ.

letter 367 To George Montagu, Esq.

August 18, 1769. (page 551)

As I have heard nothing of you since the Assyrian calends, which

is much longer ago than the Greek, you may perhaps have died in

Media, at Ecbatana, or in Chaldoea, and then to be sure I have no

reason to take it ill that you have forgotten me. There is no

Post between Europe and the Elysian fields, where I hope in the

Lord Pluto you are; and for the letters that are sent by Orpheus,

Aeneas, Sir George Villiers, and such accidental passengers, to

be sure one cannot wonder if they miscarry. You might indeed

have sent one a scrawl by Fanny, as Cock-lane is not very distant

from Arlington-street; but, when I asked her, she scratched the

ghost of a no, that made One's ears tingle again. If, contrary

to all probability, you still be above ground, and if, which is

still more improbable, you should repent of your sins while you

are yet in good health, and should go strangely further, and

endeavour to make Atonement by writing to me again, I think it

conscientiously right to inform you, that I am not in

Arlington-street, nor at Strawberry-hill, nor even in Middlesex;

nay, not in England; I am--I am--guess where--not in Corsica, nor

at Spa--stay, I am not at Paris yet, but I hope to be there in

two days. In short, I am at Calais, having landed about two

hours ago, after a tedious passage of nine hours. Having no soul

with me but Rosette, I have been amusing myself with the arrival

of a French officer and his wife in a berlin, which carried their

ancestors to one of Moli`ere's plays: as Madame has no maid with

her, she and Monsieur very prudently untied the trunks, and

disburthened the venerable machine of all its luggage themselves;

and then with a proper resumption of their equality, Monsieur

gave his hand to Madame, and conducted her in much ceremony

through the yard to their apartment. Here ends the beginning of

my letter; when I have nothing else to do, perhaps, I may

continue it. You cannot have the confidence to complain, if I

give you no more than my moments perdus; have you deserved any

better of me?

Saturday morning.

Having just recollected that the whole merit of this letter will

consist in the Surprise, I hurry to finish it, and send it away

by the captain of the packet, who is returning. You may repay me

this surprise by answering my letter, and by directing yours to

Arlington-street, from whence Mary will forward it to me. You

will not have much time to consider, for I shall set out on my

return from Paris the first of October,(1085) according to my

solemn promise to Strawberry; and you must know, I keep my

promises to Strawberry much better than you do. Adieu! Boulogne

hoy!

(1085) Mr. Walpole arrived at Paris on the 18th of august, and

left it on the 5th of October. On the 18th of July, Madame du

Deffand had written to him--"Vous souhaitez que je vive

quatre-vingt-huit ans; et pourquoi le souhaiter, si votre premier

voyage ici doit `etre le dernier'! Pour que ce souhait m'e`ut

`et`e agr`eable, il falloit y ajouter, 'Je verrai encore bien des

fois ma Petite, et je jouerai d'un bonheur qui n'`etoit r`eserv`e

qu'a moi, L'amiti`e la plus tendre, la plus sincere, et la plus

constants qu'il f`ut jamais.' Adieu! mon plaisir est troubl`e,

je l'avoue; je crains que ce ne soit un exc`es de complaisance

qui vous fasse faire ce voyage."-E.

Letter 368 To John Chute, Esq.

Paris, August 30, 1769. (page 552)

I have been so hurried with paying and receiving visits, that I

have not had a moment's worth of time to write. My passage was

very tedious, and lasted near nine hours for want of wind. But I

need not talk of my journey; for Mr. Maurice, whom I met on the

road, will have told you that I was safe on terra firma.

Judge of my surprise at hearing four days ago, that my Lord

Dacre(1086) and my lady were arrived here. They are lodged

within a few doors of me. He is come to consult a Doctor

Pomme,(1087) who has prescribed wine, and Lord Dacre already

complains of the violence of his appetite. If you and I had

pommed him to eternity, he would not have believed us. A man

across the sea tells him the plainest thing in the world; that

man happens to be called a doctor; and happening for novelty to

talk common sense, is believed, as if he had talked nonsense!

and what is more extraordinary, Lord Dacre thinks himself better,

though he is so.

My dear old woman(1088) is in better health than when I left her,

and her spirits so increased, that I tell her she will go mad

with age. When they ask her how old she is, she answers, "J'ai

soixante et mille ans." She and I went to the Boulevard last

night after supper, and drove about there till two in the

morning. We are going to sup in the country this evening, and

are to go tomorrow night at eleven to the puppet-show. A

prot`eg`e of hers has written a piece for that theatre. I have

not yet seen Madame du Barri, nor can get to see her picture at

the exposition at the Louvre, the crowds are so enormous that go

thither for that purpose. As royal curiosities are the least

part of my virt`u, I wait with patience. Whenever I have an

opportunity I visit gardens, chiefly with a view to Rosette's

having a walk. She goes nowhere else, because there is a

distemper among the dogs.

There is going to be represented a translation of Hamlet: who

when his hair is cut, and he is curled and powdered, I suppose

will be exactly Monsieur le Prime Oreste. T'other night I was at

M`erope. The Dumenil was as divine as Mrs. Porter; they said her

familiar tones were those of a poisonni`ere. In the last act,

when one expected the catastrophe, Narbas, more interested than

any body to see the event, remained coolly on the stage to hear

the story. The Queen's maid of honour entered without her

handkerchief, and with her hair most artfully undressed, and

reeling as if she was maudlin, sobbed Out a long narrative, that

did not prove true; while Narbas, with all the good breeding in

the world, was more attentive to her fright than to what had

happened. So much for propriety. Now for probability. Voltaire

has published a tragedy, called "Les Gu`e,bres." Two Roman

colonels open the piece: they are brothers, and relate to one

another, how they lately in company destroyed, by the Emperor's

mandate, a city of the Guebres, in which were their own wives and

children: and they recollect that they want prodigiously to know

whether both their families did perish in the flames. The son of

the one and the daughter of the other are taken up for heretics,

and, thinking themselves brother and sister, insist upon being

married, and upon being executed for their religion. The son

stabs his father, who is half a Gu`ebre, too. The high-priest

rants and roars. The Emperor arrives, blames the pontiff for

being a persecutor, and forgives the son for assassinating his

father (who does not die) because--I don't know why, but that he

may marry his cousin. The grave-diggers in Hamlet have no

chance, when such a piece as the Guebres is written agreeably to

all rules and unities. Adieu, my dear Sir! I hope to find you

quite well at my return. Yours ever.

(1086) Thomas Barret Lennard, seventeenth Baron Dacre. His

lordship married Ann Maria, daughter of Sir John Pratt, lord

chief-justice of the court of King's Bench.-E.

(1087) At that time the fashionable physician of Paris. He was

originally from Arles, and attained his celebrity by curing the

ladies of fashion in the French metropolis of the vapours.-E.

(1088) Madame du Deffand.

\Letter 369 To George Montagu, Esq.