-r.' /■^i-*- :,;^^^.t'i^,„.,:v^, :^; aiu^-i 1 1— ..'. '■ ^,;^..t^.-sr^ ||r ■ v-l-V. .-. - ■*t **^ . ■'•>^'^-, ■ B1^4- > vi- »• - R^TV . >x; P - ^ ii ^ ■ I \\ 1, >i iU Mi- ^TTra^>, -I -> -n V «» ^? y^ tt 4i ■1 r '■.V v; •■?r El: ^' i\\± t\'i_\'\ ::,^i;iiaV:4v ^'^ ., Books of specif / ' ^ value an d gift-; books , ' when the giver wishes ; It, are nbt allowed to / circulate. /^ ; j-j ., Marking books fitrictlyfbr-' ,[|^ 'bidden. '' ' .> ^ Readers are/* asked /to report all case^ of j books marked or^miaii- (lated. 'A LONDON : Printed by A. Schulze, 13, Poland Street. MEMORIALS, PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL OF ADMIRAL LORD GAMBIER, G.C.B. WITH ORIGINAL LETTERS FROM WILLIAM PITT FIKST LORD CHATHAM, LORD NELSON, LORD CASTLEREAGH, LORD MULGRAVE, HENRY POX FIRST LORD HOLLAND, THE RIGHT HON. GEORGE CANNING, ETC. EDITED, TROM FAMILY PAPERS, BY GEORGIANA, LADY CHATTERTON. " Audi alteram partem." IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDOl^f: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1861. The right of Translation is reserved. 'SO hi' Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924087998542 ^ CONTENTS TO THE FIRST VOLUME. CHAPTER I. Lord Gambier, his family and their connections. — Letters of Wil- liam Pitt, first Earl of Chatham, to Mr. John Pitt, and from Mr. Pelham. 1 CHAPTER II. Journal and Letters of Lady Featherstonhaugh. — Her description of a Review by the Duke of Cumberland, in 1748. — Marshal Saxe. — Louis Quinze. — Madame de Pompadour. — The Dauphine. — King Charles 4th of Naples 16 CHAPTER m. Letters of William Pitt — Mr. Pelham — Lord Cobham. . 34 CHAPTER IV. Lady Eeatherstonhaugh's account of Herculaneum, in 1751. — Birth of the Duke of Burgundy, in 1751. — ^Letters of William Pitt. .- 43 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Encombe described by Lady Eeatherstonhaugh. — Letters of William Pitt, Mr. Pelbam, and Mr. Letbueiller, from Genoa, Parma, and Dresden. — The Court of Frederick Augustus, King of Poland — Frederic the Great, of Prussia. — The Duke of Brunswick, &c .57 CHAPTER VI. Letters of William Pitt, announcing his intended marriage to Lady Hester Grenville. — ^Prophetic observations about it in a letter from Mr. Legge, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to Mr. John Pitt. — ^Letters of Admiral Forbes — of Henry Fox, first Lord Hol- land 71 CHAPTER VII. Sketch of Mr. Morton Pitt. — King George the Third's bon mot about him. — ^Letter from George Grenville, &c, . . 90 CHAPTER VIII. Letter from the celebrated actress. Mademoiselle Clairon — from Lord Lindsay — the Countess of Thun, and the Duke of Bruns- wick, &c 104 CHAPTER IX. Mr. John Pitt's letter relating to Count Benyowsky . .122 CHAPTER X. Sketch of Lady Middleton— Mrs. Bouverie, &c. . . .138 CHAPTER XI. Letters of Hannah More 181 CHAPTER Xn. Death of Lady Middleton 203 CONTENTS. VU CHAPTER XIII. Letters of Hanuah More 226 CHAPTER XIV. Captain Gambier appointed to the ' Defence/ 74. — Action of 1st of June 245 CHAPTER XV. Letters from Hannah More, continued. .... 257 CHAPTER XVI. Letters from Sir Charles Stuart — Hannah More, &c. . . 272 CHAPTER XVII. Letters from Lady Chatham — Hannah More. . . . 28} CHAPTER XVin. Letters from Mr. Cornish Gambier — Hannah More. . . 317 CHAPTER XIX. Letters from Hannah More — Duke of York .... 333 CHAPTER XX. Admiral Gambier appointed to the Board of Admiralty. — Letters of Lord Hugh Seymour 340 CHAPTER XXI. Letters from the Prince of Wales— the Duke of York— the Adju- tant-General — ^the Marquis of Buckingham — Lord Clare — ^Lord Hugh Seymour — Lady Spencer — the Earl of Euston, &c., on the state of Ireland, in 1796 347 CHAPTER XXIT. Letters from the Marquis de Chabert to Lord Gambier— Martha More, and Mr. Wilberforce 374 MEMORIALS, PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL OF ADMIRAL LORD GAMBIER. CHAPTER I. The prominent though disputed position which Lord Gambier occupies in the Naval History of England, and the total absence of any reliable published information as to his personal qualities, call for a few memorial words respecting him, for reasons which I submit to the reader as valid. I submit that he is entitled to a place in the me- morial literature of this country, because events of considerable importance revolve round his public career, and because untoward combinations of- circumstances have caused him to be misappre- hended more than most men. James Gambier was born in 1756, at the Bahamas, of which his father w^as Lieutenant-Governor. His great grandfather, being a Huguenot, had left Normandy on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, VOL. I. ^ B 2 MEMORIALS, and taken refuge in England. Some monumenta fragments in Normandy, together with various other circumstances, prove the family to have been one of antiquity and importance ; but the emigrant part of it, not having much cause to bless the land of their birth, and being absolutely deficient in that hybrid moral quality called family pride — systemati- cally ignored their own French antecedents, and the Great Revolution destroyed all further trace of them, the family papers being then burnt. James Gambier was, with his eldest brother and two sisters (one of whom was afterwards Mrs. Morton Pitt), sent to England while an infant, and brought up by his aunt, Lady Middleton (who was wife of Sir Charles Middleton, afterwards Eirst Lord of the Admiralty, and Lord Barham). He entered the Navy in 1767, on board his uncle's (Captain Gambier's) ship, the ' Yarmouth.' He was lieutenant in 1776, commander in 1778, and captain in the same year. As a cap- tain," he served off the coast of Jersey during the Erench attempt on the island in 1781; off the coast of North America under his uncle, Admiral Gambier, and Lord Howe successively, serving on shore with the Naval Brigade at the reduction of Charlestown in 1781, and capturing an American ship of war the same year. I do not dwell upon these matters — believing that the patience of the public has been more than PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 6 sufficiently tried "by voluminously minute details of the unimportant services performed by the subjects of memoirs. This compilation being chronological, Lord Gambier's remaining promotions, appoint- ments, and public services will be noticed in their proper place. The subject, however, cannot be postponed without a few words of comment; because the dearth of information respecting him has caused the misapprehension that he owed his advancement to his friendship with Mr. Wilberforce — -a supposition resulting from ig- norance of the fact that he was nearly connected with the Pitts, and that his uncle and his brother-in-law were strong and influential sup- porters of the government by which he was created a Peer. Thus much as regards political influence ; but all who knew Lord Gambier most intimately, bear overwhelming evidence in proof of his disinchnation to proflt by private interest, and his single-minded desire to serve his country to the best of his power — neither desiring honours, nor coveting emolu- ments. The fact of his having refused a pension is, I think, tolerably conclusive on this last point. If his intimacy with Mr. Wilberforce affected him at all professionally at that period of violent party feeling, it did so to his prejudice, because it made more patent the religious opinions, or rather prac- tice, which have been so grossly misrepresented. No B 2 4 MEMOKIALS, man in his senses would now accuse Mr. Wilber- force of hypocrisy and cant; yet be it remem- bered that, when standing up for an uninteresting race, against a body of miUionaires struggling for their wealth, almost for their existence, such epithets were very freely applied to his name. In point of fact, Lord Gambier's views of reli- gion were eminently simple, practical, and devoid of sectarianism — excluding none of the generally received amusements of society. I could cite many instances of this ; but omit doing so, believing that I can save the reader's time, with an equal claim to credibility, by simply affirming such to be the united and undeviating testimony of the people who knew him best — a testimony given by them to myself repeatedly and without variation. It may be as well to state, on the authority of officers who .served under him, that the quasi rehgious practices, into which Lord Dundonald says that he " does not care to enter,"* mean, when interpreted, the celebration of Divine Service on board ship. This was carried out by Lord Gam- bier, in undeviating conformity to the naval regula- tions. He neither added to nor subtracted from, altered or modified in the slightest degree, those regulations. He only carried them out, instead of neglecting them. Further confirmation, or rather * Autobiography of a Seaman. Vol. i. p. 360. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. repetition, of this fact will appear in a letter of the year 1809, addressed to the Naval Chronicle. When it is remembered that this was done, and the principle involved therein first and unsup- portedly asserted by a junior captain at the end of the last century — the conscientiousness, moral courage, and persistency of the man only require to be known to be appreciated in this country. The sort of insinuations to which he, a man of a proud and sensitive nature, was thereby subjected, till he efPectually silenced them by his excessive gallantry on the glorious first of June, may be indirectly gathered from the good-humoured banter of a personal friend on that occasion. As his ship, the ' Defence,' floated past, mastless and little more than a wreck. Captain Pakenham, of the * Invincible,' Seized a speaking trumpet, and called out to him, " Whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth." Among those family documents on which I shall have occasion to draw largely in the following pages, there are many letters to, from, or concern- ing different connexions or friends of Lord Gam- bier, living at, or just before his time. It is evi- dent that this would be no claim for their inser- tion in a printed book, wherein (as I believe) unconsidered or useless matter is a crime, being a surreptitious means of obtaining the reader's atten- tion under false pretences : but the people to whom I allude have each a distinct claim to the amount of 6 MEMORIALS, notice they receive; and of some it may be said that while they lived they were remarkable in their several spheres of action, and when they died, they left each an uninherited individuality. Such documents must always have a value pecu- liarly their own. They place the reader in the warm life-atmosphere of topics whose immediate interest has long since passed away ; and they re- present, not public statements dramatized for the press or the hustings, but ebullitions of private feehng evoked by circumstances as they arose. The earliest letters in the collection are from the great Lord Chatham (then Mr, Pitt), and illustrate a period of his private life very little known. Mr. John Pitt, of Encombe, in Dorsetshire, to whom they are addressed, was a cousin of Lord Chat- ham ; and his son, Morton Pitt, married one of Lord , Gambier's sisters, Margaret, a woman of singular beauty and attractiveness. John Pitt was a younger son of the elder branch of the family ; and in- herited his two magnificent properties, En- combe and Kingston, from his mother, who was the last of that branch of the Greys, and a de- scendant of the Duke of Suffolk, father of Lady Jane Grey. His elder brother, by a different mother, inherited the paternal property, Strath- fieldsaye, afterwards purchased by the nation for the Duke of Wellington, and was the father of George Pitt, in whose favour the dormant title of Rivers PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 7 was revived in 1776. Mr. John Pitt was in office during four successive ministries, from 1744 to 1757.* He was a man of very great political influence in Dorsetshire, and went by the sobriquet of the Great Commoner of the West, in contra- distinction to his famous cousin, " The Great Com- moner of England." The first of these letters, which, by the bye, refer chiefly to those pecuUarly English questions known generally as county business, is dated 1747 — Mr. Pitt then being member for Old Sarum and Paymaster of the Eorces in the Pelham Ministry. To comment upon them would be an imper- tinence to the reader, whom 1 would only remind, as regarding the unofficial simplicity and kindly freshness of feehng which they breathe throughout, that Mr. Pitt was fast rising into that fame which will last till genius and rectitude shall cease to be honoured and the art of printing be forgotten. It was just four years since he had made that speech on the Committee of Supply which gained him the spontaneous applause of the British nation,t and eight months since he had refused * Broad Bottom, \ Pelham, [ One of the Lords of Trade. Newcastle. / Pitt (first) One of the Lords of the Admiralty. ■f An individual instance of which was shown practically by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, who, two months before her death, made a codicil to her will, dated August 11th, 1744, in these words i 8 MEMORIALS, two recognized perquisites of office and applied the sums to the public service.* FROM MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. Bath, January 7, 1747. Dear Pitt, I am extremely anxious to know the result of your examination at Wareham into the usage with regard to conveyances in point of time ; which, I understand, would probably guide the proceedings upon the question relating to them. This, Lyttleton has informed me, was the object of your journey into Dorsetshire, in consequence of the meeting had upon this matter. I can have nothing more at heart, my dear Pitt, than your success, and to be able to be of any use to you. I am at present far •* I also give to William Pitt, of the parish of St. James's within the Liberty of Westminster, Esq., the sura of Ten Thousand Pounds upon account of his merit, in the noble defence he has made for the support of the laws of England, and to prevent the ruin of his country." * It was customary that £100,000 in advance should remain in the hands of the Paymaster, and as customary that the said official should place the same in government securities — ^pocketing the inte- rest of the sum and his own principle. It was also considered fair to take half per cent perquisite on the subsidies granted by the British Government to the King of Sardmia and the Queen of Hungary. When Mr. Pitt refused to levy this official blackmail, the King of Sardinia in admiration offered him the sum as a gift ; and on the latter declining to accept it, the King said, " Surely this Englishman is somewhat more than a man.'* PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 9 from well, and unless I find infinitely more amend- ment the next week than 1 have hitherto , done since I came hither, I fear I am not able to get through one day's attendance in the House. How- ever, as I gain ground, I have reason to hope that, by a little more time here, I may get rid of my disorder quite, before it fixes, as it did once, upon a part so hard to dislodge it from. If any accident should put ofi* the hearing for a few days (which I almost wish, because I can't think with patience of being absent), I beg you will let me know it as soon as you do : as also, how soon any question of much moment in the cause is likelv to be come to. I have no doubt but you will be fairly and honorably supported, which is the greatest pleasure to me, under the mortifying apprehension of not being in a condition to attend the House. If I leave this place so as to be in town by the 19th inst. I beg to have a line from you as soon as you can. Bad news from Quarry Hill. I believe they mean to deal like Jews, in which case I will break ofi". Though I write this to London, I am not quite without hope that you may return from Dorsetshire * by way of Bath, which will be the greatest pleasure to me, My dear friend and kinsman. Your affectionate friend, W. Pitt. 10 MEMOKIALS, The two following letters are on the subject of an election* and the means whereby it was won by Mr. Drax, who (being otherwise unknown to Fame) obtained, by means detailed in these two letters, the honour of having his name mentioned by the great William Pitt. THE SAME TO THE SAME. London, July 23, 1747. My dear Pitt, It is with the greatest concern and indignation that 1 perused your letter of the 20th. from Wareham. I am extremely sorry that the distance is so great, and my presence here at the office in some measure necessary for a few days, otherwise I would set out immediately to come to you. The outrage committed against you and George Pitt is so inhuman, that I feel more resentment at it than will at present leave me in a proper state of mind to offer you my advice. However, all I will say to you as yet upon this matter, I think can be liable to no objection : it is only this ; that the * ''Yon can have no idea of the emptiness of London, and of the tumnlt everywhere else. To-day the elections begin. The sums of money distributed within this month would give anybody a very faint idea of the poverty of this undone country !'* July, 1747. — Letters of Horace Walpole to Sir Horace Mann, Vol. ii. page 203—4. Question for Posterity. Why does the country always seem undone in the eyes of those whose party is out of office ? PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 11 more depositions you procure against all persons, the two Drax's especially, concerned in the riot, the better able you will be to judge how far you will carry your prosecutions. These depositions can only be procured properly and with ease now, while the fact is recent in memory, and before people are tampered with. When they are once got, the prosecution is always in your power, and you will have time for second thoughts, and more cool deliberation than, I confess, I am at present able to treat this affair with. T rejoice extremely that you express so much confidence in a petition. I beg you will not leave Wareham before you have settled with your agents all evidence and material for it. You need not fear that justice will be wanting in St. Stephen's Chapel. I hope you will not be confined long, or suffer much pain or disa- bility from your arm. I am impatient, my dear Pitt, to embrace you and see you in perfect health. If George Pitt is with you, I desire my best com- pliments to him, and hope he is not much hurt. The news you see in the papers* from Italy is true ; it * " Mr. Chute received a letter from you yesterday, (July 27th 1747,) with the account of the deliverance of Genoa, which had reached us before, and had surprised nobody. But when you wrote, you did not know of the great victory obtained by eleven battalions of Piedmontese over six and forty of the French, and of the lucky but brave death of the Chevalier de Belleisle." — Letters of Horace Walpole to Sir Horace Mann. 12 MEMORIALS, is a veiy seasonable and fortunate blow. God bless you, my dear Pitt. Most a£Pectioiiately yours, ^ i': I W. Pitt. MR. PELHAM TO MR. JOHN PITT. July 25, 1747. ' Sir, I am extremely concerned at the account Mr. William Pitt* gives me of the very extraordinary usage you have met with at Wareham ; the loss of your election was some surprise, but the accident you had, from the violence of a mob afterwards, gives me real concern. I hope, however, it is not so bad as reported, and that the hurt you had was more slight, and, of consequence, that you are now quite well again. Mr. Doddington has been again soliciting me very strongly to get the late Governor of Portland Castle restored, which I should not be against trying, had you not sent me word that he busied himself in your election more than was proper or necessary for one to do, who was desiring favours of the Government. I told Mr. Doddington I had this information, but did not let him know from whom. He en- quired amongst his friends, who assure him the man did not concern himself at all, not even to the * First Earl of Chatham. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 13 giving of his own vote ; I then said I would make enquiry also, and as I found, I should act. This is the particular reason of my troubling you with a letter now, and hope soon to hear from you your thoughts upon it. I am told the officers of the revenue did well, but that the Dissenters were in general against you. I am satisfied my friends in London gave proper instructions, but I hear Drax has lately built a meeting-house, at his own ex- pense, which got him credit amongst those people, and naturally influenced the congregations in the country. I am, with great truth and respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, . H. Pelham. The next is from Mr. Pox, afterwards Lord Holland, exclusively on West County elections. MK. EOX TO MB,. JOHN PITT. December 11, 1748. Dear Sir, I am engaged by Mr. Pierce to present his pe- tition for Wells ; and Mr. Speke does not renew his, so it should seem to point at Mr. Gwyn, and him only. But I am so far from intending that, that I fairly declared to Mr. Speke last year, that against Mr. Gwyn I could not assist him, and should leave him as soon as the question of the 14 MEMORIALS, Right of Election should be over. And I now think it right to let you know that it is only to come at that question that I present this petition. So that, if Mr. Gwyn's friends will be easy in that regard, he may be as easy in his seat, and as free from expense in order to preserve it, as he pleases, and as I, indeed, wish him. I shall present the petition, of which I have given Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Gwyn notice, on Tuesday. I hope I shall see you in the House to- morrow, when I will hope for your assistance to bring the point I wish in this aflPair to bear, and which, I can convince you, is such a point as you must wish, and may wish success to, notwith- standing your relation to Mr. Gwyn, to whom I am an old acquaintance, and, with great reason, a sincere well-wisher. I am, with great truth. Sir, Your most obedient, hnmble servant, H. Fox. I leave it to your better judgment whether you will mention this letter to Mr. Gwyn till J have had the honor of seeing you or no. Endorsed by Mr. John Pitt. Henry Fox, first Lord Holland, Secretary at War. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 15 MR. PELHAM TO MR. JOHN PITT. January 24th, 1750. Sir, The Election of Dorchester makes more noise in the town than either you or I thought it would have done, when we first talked together upon that subject ; and I find there is a probability, by there being two writs, that there will be two elections. In that case, I conclude you will do what you can to secure yourself, as far as is consistent with what has already passed between us. But as I under- stand Lord Carpenter is making a strong push for the second turn, at least, I must most earnestly in- sist with you that your utmost force is exerted to keep him out, and to join Mr. Damer. You must be sensible that the * your election was personal regard to you ; and, of consequence, how I shall be committed in a certain place, if by that means only Lord Carpenter and another person should be chosen in this Parliament. You see I write with great frankness to you ; I most heartily wish you good success, both on a personal and publick ac- count, and flatter myself I shall hear, by the return of the post, that both you and Mr. Damer are chosen. I am, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, H. Pelham. * Illegible in MS. 16 MEMORIALS, CHAPTER II. The following fragmentary extracts are from a series of journalistic letters, written by Lady Featherstonhaugh, of Uppark, Sussex. A few words wiU explain why they are introduced. She was the first female traveller who ascended Mont Cenis ; her description of which, and of Herculaneum, was read by her half-brother, Mr. Letheuillier before the Royal Society, and pub- lished in their Transactions. Her eldest brother, Mr. Iremonger,' of Wherwell Priory, Hampshire, married Miss Morgan, sister to Mr. John Pitt, of Encombe; and, many years after, Mr. Ire- ,, monger's son married Miss Harriet Gambier, a sister of Lord Gambier's and of Mrs. Morton Pitt, whose husband was the eldest son of John Pitt before mentioned. But, setting aside such indirect claims for inser- tion here, Lady Eeatherstonhaugh's letters have an intrinsic value. She was at Aix-la-Chapelle while the preUminaries for the peace of 1748 were being settled, and present at the diplomatic parties PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 17 given there by Lord Sandwich, one of the EngHsh Plenipotentiaries. Altogether her descriptions have a life-like freshness about them that carries one back, body and mind, over the gulf of years, and sets one down, as it were, ready dressed on the spot. Moreover, her letters, as also those of the before-mentioned Mr. Letheuillier, come in pleasantly as contemporary pictures of continental men and manners, drawn by two private and un- prejudiced individuals under manifest advantages. They will, therefore, after the necessary weeding, be inserted among the other letters, according to their dates. LADY FEATHERSTONHAUGH TO MR. LETHEUILLIER. Aix-la-Chapelle, Wednesday, June 29th, 1748. " We waited on the Princess of Orange (at the Hague), whose drawing room is not so brilliant as our King's, all ranks of people being admitted in any kind of dress. She played upon the harpsi- chord, and sang in the midst of a circle composed of very odd figures. The *' House in the Wood," where the Prince of Orange goes in the summer, is a damp, disagreeable situation, much inhabited by frogs. Shiveling,* not far from the Hague, is a very * Not known on the maps. Quaere — Seheveningeny where Charles II. embarked for England on his restoration ? The avenue and distance from the Hague warrants the suggestion. VOL. I. C 18 MEMORIALS, pretty village. We staid at the Hague two were well lodged in a clean, elegant hotel, am a good table provided for us at so much a From hence we went to Leyden, a pretty with a good university ; passed one day there the next, had a delightful ride in an open ] phaeton that holds eight, along the side ( Harlem Mere to Amsterdam, a very busy tr town. The Stadthaus is a very fine bui We saw some of the churches, and rode aboi town in a coach put upon a sledge. Many ( Dutch gentry have country houses by the of Harlem Mere, with gardens down to the of it, which look ' extremely pretty. At o them we were very politely entertained tea, &c.'' Among the several practical difficulties stand in the way of carrying out the snug 1 of a universal language, as prognosticated b ingenious author of the "Coming Struggle, the least formidable is the extreme difficu conveying ideas correctly in one's own, an boneless urosnect of beino" r.nnflpmnp.rl in PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 19 and the things they stand for, two peculiarities attract one's attention : first, that certain terms are redolent of the period during which they are habitually used, and fall into disuse with the things signified ; secondly, that certain other ex- pressions are heard least when and where the things signified are most abundant. Of the former class, examples are pretty numer- ous. Eor instance, the word politeness lost caste in England when the thing it represented came to be virtually reckoned by the ingenuous youth as symbolical of a dancing master; and the same thing happened in France when Frenchmen took to bluntness. Again, with respect to the expression waiting upon, in reference to invitations. How could such a term be fairly used in our own day, when guests conspicuously ignore their host's con- venience ? Of the second class, viz : those terms whose popularity is in an inverse ratio with the abun- dance of the things signified, the word liberty is a representative term. I take it for granted that, for avoidance of the bayonet-law Scylla, and the mob-law Charybdis, we, in this island, keep as straight as may be in mid- channel, and never more so than at the present time; nor do I anticipate contradiction in further stating that at no period in the history n 9, 20 MEMORIAIiS, of any country was the word liberty so little used as in England at tlie present time. In truth it is hardly heard at all, except in such places as "Dis- cussion Forum." To follow out this branch of the subject might be invidious ; but, from the foregoing expressions, it seems to result that terms of present social import fall into disuse with the things they re- present ; but that those terms which suggest ideas generally received as honourable, under penalty of contempt, do usually make the least noise at those times and places where their presence is most generally acknowledged as a fact. To return to Lady Peatherstonhaugh's Journal. " Prom Amsterdam we went up the Amstel in a trachtschut to Utrecht where we lay. Prom Utrecht, we had a long day's journey to Grave, crossing the Rhine, the Waal, and the Meuse. We sailed over the Waal, and crossed the Meuse on a bridge of boats. We were in the dark two hours before we reached Grave, and being in the neighbourhood of the English and Hanoverian army, were alarmed with the apprehension of falling in the way of marauders. Musing on this between the Waal and the Meuse, we were sur- prised with a number of fires we saw at some distance on each side of the road ; and, making a pretty hasty inquiry about them, we had the PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 21 pleasure of hearing that the objects of our fears were our safe-guards, for at each fire there were stationed a number of soldiers, to give the alarm if any insult was offered on the high road. This contributed much to our ease the remainder of the journey. The next day we were so fortunate as to arrive at the EngHsh camp just as the Duke of Cumberland was reviewing six thousand Han- overian horse. They went through all the man- oeuvres of a battle fought unhurt, and remained on the field of battle all alive, and good friends. " It was a noble sight, but what made it likewise a joyous one, was the consideration that the fatigues and dangers of war were over, and the army going to return in peace to their friends and country. " The gentlemen got on horse back to see the Review. I sat by the side of a Dutch coachman on the coach-box. The camp extended eight miles, and (English and Hanoverians together) contained forty thousand men. The officers showed us great civilities, and we dined very elegantly in Colonel Letheuillier's tent. " In the evening we went to Bois-le-Duc, where we were miserably lodged for two nights — being detained much against our will, for want of horses and carriages, and put much out of humour by being carried before d magistrate, and made to pay for a horse which we had neither lost nor killed ; but one of the servants had left him on the road in 2*2 * MEMORIALS, returning from the camp, not being able to get him on ; and we discovered the next morning that he was safely locked up in the owner's stable, whilst he was accusing us before the magistrate. " The civility of our landlady was not much greater than the justice of our landlord, for she would on no account permit us to eat but at the ordinary, where a great number of officers of difiPerent nations dined at the same table, a circum- stance not unentertaining, and I have no reason to complain of their want of politeness to the only woman in the company. " On the third day, we set out from- Bois-le-Duc in carts, much like those the Essex calves are carried in, and arrived in the evening with keen appetites at Eyndhoven, rejoiced at the thoughts of mutton and broth ; but could by no means prevent the Dutch cook from putting into it vinegar and eggs, which made a dish fit only for herself. Our beds were not more agreeable than our supphes ; we all lay upon straw in one room, and, though much fatigued, could have no relief by sleep, being devoured by fleas, &c. " We were glad to set out early next morning for Ruremonde, where the Hussars and Pandours were encamped, under the command of Marshal Ba- thiany. Fortunately we arrived on the day the Marshal was to review them, and having dined at PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 23 the ordinary with a great number of officers, we w^ere afterwards conducted to the MarshaFs tent, who received us with great pohteness. There we met with a few German ladies, and all kinds of re- freshment, and saw the review much at our ease ; and it was, perhaps, much the most extraordinary sight I shall ever see. " The men scarcely look human, the swarthiness of their complexions, their size, their whiskers, the roughness of their dress, without linen, and with bare arms and legs, two or three brace of pistols stuck into their belts, besides other arms, and their method of turning their heads and eyeballs all the same way to look at their gefneral as they match, all this combined together, gives them a fierceness not to be described. '* We saw them drawn up like a Roman phalanx, march, fire, and go through a number of extraor- dinary evolutions. Their music consisted of, kettle drums, so large as to be placed on the ground, and a kind of brass bason, with a very broad brim, one of which they hold in each hand, and beating them together, produce no inharmonious sound, and, accompanied with the kettle drums, a very loud and warlike one. " From this tremendous spectacle, we went to a very jolly one in the camp, where there was scarce a tent in which there was not the most cheerful music, and the German girls very prettily dressed. 24 MEMORIALS, dancing AUemande* dances with their uncouth men, to the greatest perfection. We were greatly deHghted with the whole of our entertainment, and very patiently suffered the fatigue and inconvenience of having no other lodging that night but one room in the post-house, where we all sat up till it was light, and could get no other carriage to carry us hither (Aix-la-Ghapelle) but an open waggon. This place presents us with a new scene. Here all the plenipotentiaries are met to settle the peace ; but the fatigue of business makes them think amusement the more necessary, and they are ex- tremely gay here. We arrived here yesterday, in time to dress and go to the play, and, after all our fatigue, were in spirits enough to be entertained with it. To-day we dine with Lord and Lady Sandwich. She has an assembly every evening, where all the ministers meet, wear the face of friend- ship, and agree in their parties of amusement, however they may differ in political affairs. » * # * Brussels, September 1. " The next day, passing through Louvain, we saw the French camp. One cannot help regret- * So called when introduced into society in England. They were known as early as the time of James T. I remember to have seen an old print of Charles I. when Prince of Wales, dancing an AUe- mande with some foreign Princess,^ . PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL, 25 ting the devastation one sees in so beautiful a country. It will be some years before it recovers its former plenty and cheerfulness. At present it is rendered still more melancholy by the shock- ing objects we often see by the side of the road, [the deserters from the several armies being hung there on gallows, seven or eight in number The house [theatre at Brussels] was filled with well- dressed company, the Marshal [Saxe] sat in a large stage-box, with a great many, of his attendants, among whom were some very handsome ladies of a certain sort, who always make part of his suite. * * * Paris, December 17tli, 1749. " He [Louis Quinze] is a very handsome, agree- able-looking man. The Queen we saw at dinner in her own bedchamber, attended by some of the ladies and gentlemen of the Court. She looks very unhealthy and dejected, but is esteemed as a very pious, good woman, and has great sweetness and complacency in her countenance. She is now out of favour with the King, and the lady that succeeds her in His Majesty's good graces is Madame Pompadour, to whom all the court is paid. She is just made Dame d'Honneur to Her Majesty, is a fine woman as to her person, and very sensible and lively. From the Queen's apartment we went to the Dauphin's, and saw him and the Dauphiness 26 MEMORIALS, at dinner. He is a very fat, heavy-looking man ; she, young and handsome, but not a very good- natured look. They took little notice of each other ; and he was intent upon satisfying a very voracious appetite. The business of the table is not the most graceful situation for a man to be observed in. A king and queen who are to eat in pubhc should not do it with eagerness that is disgustmg. However, we proceeded to the same ceremony in the apartment of the Mesdames, and found them making a more cheerful meal; they were Siwe in number, very good-looking young wo- men, with cheeks as red as a piece of scarlet cloth ; for in Erance, the higher the rank, the deeper the rouge. They conversed very freely and cheerfully with each other and with those about them, and seemed well disposed for society and mirth. • Paris, December 20th, 1749. " Christmas day we kept by going to Lord Albe- marle's,* where the service was performed, as it is every Sunday morning, by Mr. Jeffreys, his chaplain, in two rooms, where about fifty English assembled. In the evening we went to the " con- cert spirituel," an entertainment of the same kind as our oratorios. There were about fifty musicians and as many voices. The choruses were good, but the composition nothing like Handel's. I * The English Ambassador. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 27 was in the great Opera-House, and I never saw a house better filled with fine company. The ladies all dressed in rich stufis, a profusion of jewels, and scarlet cheeks, made a most gaudy appearance. To avoid particularity, and not to look as if I was dead, my hair is curled and powdered, with a thousand black pins stuck into it, and I apply a little rose-colour to my cheeks." How strange is the pertinacity with which we adhere to certain fallacies whose refutation lies physically before our eyes. For instance, the present generation of Englishwomen have witness- ed the superior circumference of their GaUic sisters, in the palmy days of " Malakofis," as Lady Featherstonhaugh witnessed the superior depth of colouring in their cheeks and the superior weight of powder in their hair ; whilst intermediate genera- tions have borne record to the same relative propor- tions : and yet we go on repeating mechanically that French fashions are exaggerated in England. Which view of the case, like many other general propositions that clash with one's innate* perceptions of justice, contains a suj0&cient quantity of diluted truth to keep it going. Certain it is that, whether from an inherent aversion to meretricious glaringness or from some * Pardon, sliade of Locke ! Not innate — I abjure the heresy. I mean, producible by early association. 28 MEMORIALS, unacknowledged remains of Puiitanism, but, most probably, from both causes combined, a large ma- jority of Englishwomen adopt Parisian fashions, not with exaggeration (properly so called), but either with a kind of shame-faced awkwardness or a bad attempt at eiFrontery ; whereas the Parisienne "com- prehends her epoch*' and carries out the dressmak- ing "idea" of the day with as much dignity and conviction as if she were annexing Savoy. LADY PEATHERSTONHAUGH'S JOURNAL CONTINUED. Paris, January 16tli, 1750. "The Frenchmen are pohshed and attentive to anything in the female dress ; indeed, their civiHty and attention to the ladies who are of all their parties, is so great and so general, that I am afraid I shall look upon my own countrymen as very deficient* in good breeding.* * * This evening's intelligence is of great importance. Colonel Yorkf is just come in from Versailles, and tells us the Dauphiness is exactly fourteen days gone with child. She now keeps her bed for fear of acci- dents, dressed in a very elegant manner, and all the ladies and gentlemen of the court visit her, and enquire into the particulars of her health. * Question for intelligent travellers. Had Lady Featherston- haugh written her journal a century later, would her comparative view of European politeness have been the same?~ED. ^ Secretary of Legation. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 29 As public opinion is apt to progress in a circle, perhaps this economical view of the case may be- come popular in England in time, to rescue some 30 MEMORIALS, of the black mail levied on the city of London by Eather Thames. February 22nd, 1750. " Avignon is a very pretty, neat town belonging to the Pope. As you cross the ferry, the view of the country up the river and the ruins of an old bridge are very beautiful. The Chevalier* has a palace here, and a sort of Court, composed of poor, miserable English, Irish, and Scotch, that can live nowhere else. They oflPered us their services, and anything we wanted at Avignon. Rome, 1750. "The Pope's (Benedict XIV.) countenance is expressive of great sweetness and beneficence, and his character corresponds with his face. He is much beloved, and his principles so moderate for a Pope, that he is called the Protestant Pope." " Avignon," says Lady Peatherstonhaugh, " is a very pretty, neat town,'' an epithet which she con- sistently refuses to every other town in Prance. Strange that the excepted city should have be- longed to the Pope. Be that as it may, however, it is novel and pleasant to miss for once the old stereotyped phrases so constantly dinned into one's ears in the matter of the Swiss Cantons. * The young Pretender. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 31 " He (the Pope) rides along the street in a very large, old-fashioned coach, drawn by eight horses, the coachman and postilions on the horses, with full-bottomed wigs, without their hats — very ridiculous figures. All the people he meets fait down on their knees. The first time I met him, I got out of my coach to bend my knee as I was bid. He gave me his blessing, and signified he would waive the compliment for the future ; so we never w willingly put ourselves in the way of meeting him. " During the year, there are several of the con- vents open for the entertainment of poor pilgrims ; they are fed for three days, that being the time ne- cessary to perform their devotions. As they walk bare-foot, they are first carried into a room to have their feet washed and plaistered, if necessary, and then set down to long tables, where they have soup, fish, and salad. The ladies of the first fashion, as a proof of their humility and peni- tence, come, at times, to wait upon them. My curiosity carried me there one night ; but they, supposing I came there with the same pious de- sign, as soon as the pilgrims were set down to table, a laced bib-apron was brought to me, and a ladle put into my hand. Two men brought in a large copper, with a white petticoat round it that it might not dirt us ; and I and two more ladies served five hundred with soup. Other ladies and the priests carried it about, and waited upon them. 32 MEMORIALS, Naples. "We saw all the sport (boar hunting). His Majesty (Charles IV. of Naples) stands behind a tree. His people drive the wild boars before him, and he fires at them. He kills a great num- ber, and that seems to be all the joy of the sport, for he never stirs from the spot he first goes to, and might as well fire at a drove of pigs in a farm- yard. But his whole delight and employment is shooting. He never fails going every day of his life (Sundays excepted) to some place for that pur- pose, and keeps up a weekly correspondence with his brother, the King of Spain, informing him of the number of wild boars, deer, ducks, &c., &c., he kills. *' When he was at Florence, on his way here, he diverted himself with shooting small birds in the gardens of the Grand Duke's palace. His apartments were hung with some very fine tapes- try, in which were the portraits of the Medici family. In wet weather, he amused himself with shooting out the eyes of the figures with pistols, upon which they made some excuse to remove it. We saw it repairing, and were told this story at Florence. A pretty specimen of a king ! * * He often goes by our windows to some shooting place, in his coach and eight, as hard as the horses can go, attended by his guards and twelve running foot- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 33 men, one of them on each side of the coach with a bag of copper coin, which they throw among the populace as they pass along the streets of Naples, which occasions his being attended with a great crowd and noise. I have sometimes seen the Queen with him, dressed in a yellow riding-habit laced with silver, and a wig over her hair." 34 MEMORIALS, CHAPTER III. Of the same year as the last extract from Lady Peatherstonhaugh's journal (1750), there are five pleasantly characteristic letters from Mr. Pitt, one from Lord Cobham on garden archi- tecture, and one from Mr. Pelham, in which he theorizes on the motive power likely to bring a young member to the ministerial benches in Par- liament. MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. Pay Office, January 24th, 1750. My dear Pitt, Ten thousand thanks to you for a letter which has put me out of great anxiety, occasioned by con- fident rumours here of the state of Dorchester. My satisfaction would have been complete if you had said one word of your health not being the worse for all you must have gone through ; as you don't complain, I will try to hope the best. Manage yourself as much as you can, and come back with health to enjoy victory. I can't tell you how much PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 35 I long to embrace you, and get into possession of our pictures, crimson hangings, books, &c. In commoda publica peccem Si longo sermone morer. Ever yours, my dear Pitt, W. Pitt. EROM MR. PELHAM TO MR. JOHN PITT. « June 2iid, 1750. Dear Pitt, By the letters which came from Hanover last night, I find Mr. Gun dry will succeed in his appli- cation for the Judge's place, which I am on many accounts very glad of. Though it may possibly give us a little more trouble with Dorchester than a single election would have done. Gundry was with me this morning, and talked every thing freely over. I told him what passed between us, which he told me you had, as we agreed, acquainted him with before. His friend, Harris, declines it, and he is of opinion that two of name will not go down, and that the attempting it will probably hurt your interest for the future. I learn also that young Damer's relations have already declared him a can- didate ; if that be so, and he stands on the right interest, which I can hardly beheve he does not, as he is in the army, and has but lately received a favour, surely your family joining with him would make the whole easy. I will contrive to 36 MEMORIALS, learn from the elder brother, with whom the younger is now in Italy, upon what foot his brother intends to come into Parliament, and I have not the least doubt but he will deal candidly with me. You may possibly learn a good deal when you go into Dorsetshire, and as we have a great deal of time before us, I shall hope you will not be driven to a hasty determination any way. You know my thoughts, • I will trouble you therefore no more about 'em, but flatter myself you are convinced that I am your well-wisher, and would therefore have you consider well before you engage. I spoke to the Duke about your nephew's leave of absence. He readily consented to it, which I acquainted Captain Pitt with, when I saw him last Wednes- day. I am, dear Sir, Your most faithful, humble servant, W. Pelham. MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. towe, August 11th, 1750. My dear Pitt, Adieu the hills (or halls) and rocks of Encomb, for this summer at least. I am a good deal out of order, and shall set out to-morrow for Bath. 1 hope in God this may find you in town ; but let it find you where it will, you cannot do so great a PERSONAL AND HISTOKICAL. * 37 charity as to come and hunt prospects with me, and keep me from hanging myself. I propose to be at Bath by Saturday next, 1 5th. Come to me, my dear Pitt, if you can, and beUeve me you will do a real pleasure, and infinite good, to Your ever affectionate, W. Pitt, THE SAME TO THE SAME. Bath, October 11th, 1750. My dear Pitt, Though the pleasures of the place are so many and so exquisite, I can't help stealing one moment from them to enquire after your health. I was in hopes to have heard before now that you were well, notwithstanding all the advices of the learned Dr. Brighton and myself; nay, notwithstanding all your own consummate knowledge in physick. But to speak seriously, my dear Pitt, I am not quite easy till I hear how you do. If this should find you still in London, and still in the way I left you, . I must repeat my request to you to postpone Dorsetshire affairs and think of your health ; that is, in other words, come to Bath, the seat of health and pleasure. I have the orders of a young lady, I won't name, to let you know she wishes with impatience to see you ; if this won't do, you are really worse than I care to think you. I have no return of ague, but am much more 38 MEMORIALS J disposed to shake with anything than cold ; in short, Excepto, quod non simul essem, ceetera Isetus. Most afiPectionately yours, W. Pitt. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Bath, October 16th, 1750. My dear Pitt, I am extremely sorry to hear so bad an account of your disorder^ but am much satisfied to find your resolution is taken to come directly here, in order to take advice and, I hope, to follow it. It would be a great pleasure to me to be in the same house, but that is impossible ; nor can I get any lodgings for you on or near the parades, or in any genteel part of the town. However, as people are daily going, as well as arriving, the serviceable Mr. Leake has assured me of a lodging for you by the 22nd. instant, and has empowered me to let you know you may trust to it, I long much to see you arrive, and in good hands. Your very affectionate, W. Pitt. Be so good as to let Mr. , Pelham know when you set out, and ask if he has any commands for me. PERSONAL ANB HISTORICAL. 39 THE SAME TO THE SAME. Loudon, November 15th, 1750. My dear Pitt, The very good account of your health has given me most sensible satisfaction ; however promising the state was in which I left you, I have not been without much anxiety about you till I heard your recovery went .on. The E * ^ * has called several times, when I have not been able to see him, but he was so good (as) to leave me the good news of you at his first visit. I rejoice to hear you have got to the rooms ; I don't ask what you did there. Utrumque nostrum incredibiU modo Consentit astrum. I am not a little proud to be remembered by the agreeable society of tea and bread and butter ; as I can no more have the pleasure of them niy- self, I won't be envious of a friend, but generously rejoice that you have the means of passing any of your hours agreeably. News I have none to send you, ' which you will wonder at. I will be sure to obey your commands about Mr. Pitt. When it is easy for you to write, let me hear how you go on, and what destination is made of your time till the college will set you at liberty. I wish much I could make a trip to see you, if your stay is likely to be long ; but I can only wish it, for I find the 40 MEMORIALS, thing impossible. Take care of yourself, my dear Pitt, and you will extremely oblige. Your very affectionate friend, W. Pitt. THE SAME TO THE SAME. London, December 3rd, 1750. My dear Pitt, The good account you give me of the state of your health is full amends in pleasure for the un- easiness your illness gave me ; go on aild prosper is all I have to say upon the subject ; or indeed all that the united college can desire of you. I mean — go on in completing your cure, and don't be in too much haste to fancy you can do all the Admirabilis and I do so athletically. I was never till now without a sort of prospect of making a short journey to Bath practicable ; hut fata ohstant, and a train of occupations, which I can't dispense with, stand between us for some time longer ; that is till your return. I have no news of any kind to send you, your affair has not yet been moved, as I imagine, but I dare say Mr. Pelham will take care of it, in time, I shall, however, think a letter from you to him upon the subject might not be improper, as the time begins to approach for exe- cution ; as you have no distrust, I dare say you will intimate none, but the more strongly you re- commend the affair, the better, always in terms of PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 41 perfect confidence in his goodness &c., I should not think this letter at all necessary, if people's minds were not a good deal taken up with a variety of matter. Judge of my occupations (such as they are) which have not yet allowed me an opportunity to make my bow to Mrs. Temple. You see I don't use your absence as I ought. Farewell, my dear Pitt, believe me Your ever affectionate W. Pitt. You will see Lord Duplin soon at Bath. TO MR. JOHN PITT EROM LORD COBHAM. Stowe, July 8th, 1750. Bashaw as you are, I cannot help being sorry that you left us, though your orders will be as punctually obeyed at a distance, as they would be were you present to enforce them with every art and all the resolution you are master of. The Via Sacra still runs prodigiously in my head, and if the Temple be Xenib instead of the Temple of British Fortune, that of Grecian, Roman, British taste, I shall not be at a loss to know to whom I shall inscribe the triumphal arch. For the Via Sacra you will triumph over Bridgeman, Kent, Vanburgh, and Gibbs. Will you allow the endorsed design to attend jour triumph ? Instead of the Statue, T propose 42 MEMORIALS, putting upon the top a symbolical or sepulchral urn, which I shall leave to your decision, and every part of the whole subject to such alterations as you shall deign to prescribe, remembering always that I have all the stone by me ready worked, other- wise I might not have troubled you to have altered a plan for me, but have asked in all humbleness, as Mr. Speaker says, a design wholly yours. How- ever, if I may be allowed to compare small things with great, I do look upon an excellent cobbler to be a more eminent artist than the very first of shoemakers. Cobble me up then this draft, and make it sit easy upon your most truly devoted COBHAM. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 43 CHAPTER IV. The following is Lady Featherstonhaugh's ac- count of Herculaneum in 1751, already mentioned as having been read before the Royal Society. The excavations then made and making, but since filled up by their successive Majesties of the Two Sicilies and Jerusalem, were so much more extensive than those now existing, that this description of them preserves its freshness in spite of guide-books and ciceroni. It will also be remembered that, although the precise situation of Herculaneum was known as early as 1713, and some excavations began, or about that time, nothing was seriously attempted till the reign of Charles IV. then (1751) on the throne. If the inconsistencies of human nature were less clearly visible in the mirror of one's personal experience, one would be tempted to mistrust contemporary accounts, and doubt whether the same man who formed the Museum at Portici could have amused himself by converting mediaeval tapestry into a target. 44 MEMORIALS, Her description of Mount Cenis (also read before the Royal Society) is singularly good ; but as the only interest it now possesses lies in the fact, al- ready stated, of her having been the first female traveller who made the ascent, and as Mont Cenis is as well known as Primrose Hill, the readers will doubtless thank me for omitting it. Naples, February 9th. " We went a few days ago to Portici, where the King has a palace, a very indifferent house and indifferently furnished, but now the object of every one's curiosity, by containing in several of the rooms all the things taken out of Herculaneum. The Queen's garden belonging to it, and a small wood, are pretty, and curious for having a very shallow depth of earth before you come to the bed of lava which, in its course, overwhelmed the city of Herculaneum*" * *. • The King is now employing a very ingenious man to write a particular account of them, accompanied by drawings which I have seen.*'* Here follows a description of the frescoes, &c., excavated, which I omit, because they are now well-known. * Antichita di Ercolano, first published in 1757. -^Ed. ■ PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 45 February 13. " Having in my last made you acquainted with the curiosities taken out of Herculaneum. I must now carry you underground into the city itself. It is about sixty feet under the present surface of the earth, and the town of Portici is now built over it. Being well-attended^by guardiani to watch over us, and provided each with a link, we began to descend a narrow passage cut in a gradual descent through the lava ; for, at the same time the earthquake happened which destroyed this great city, it was overwhelmed with the burning liquid lava that ran down from Mount Vesuvius, and filled every street and every room in every house. " They can, therefore, only make their way into it by digging, which is such labour, that the passages they have made are just wide enough for two to pass, and high enough for a man to carry a basket on his shoulder. When they find a wall, they clear the side of it ; and, when they come to an angle, turn with it. In this manner you pursue ^difierent passages, and perhaps walk a couple of miles. When they come to a window or door they make their way into it ; but you must not ex- pect to find yourself in a spacious room, for they only clear the lava from the sides ; and, when they have stripped the walls of the painting and marble 46 MEMORIALS, with which they are lined, they often fill them up again, to save the trouble of carrying the lava out ; which method is much lamented, as by this means, the city will never be clear, nor the buildings seen. How different, too, I find it from the idea I had formed of it. " I imagined that, having once got into the houses, I could have walked about them ; but every place is filled with lava, and it adheres so closely as to have taken the impression of everything it sur- rounded ; and is with difficulty separated, though it is of a much more sandy substance than the lava is in many other places over which it has run. We observed in some places pieces of burnt beams and rafters which looked as if they had supported a floor. In one passage, we passed by a great number of pillars about three feet distant from one another, supposed to have been a portico ; they are of brick, plaistered over, fluted and painted red. They are broke off a little above the base, and thrown down, so that they now lie in a horizontal position in the midst of the lava. " In another place we passed through a sepulchre, a little kind of room about twelve feet square. All round it are small niches, in which are common earthern pots, or urns^ with a cover, which are filled with bones, all worm-eaten. Of these I might have been permitted to take, but, as they have lain quietly for seventeen hundred years, I PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 47 felt unwilling to separate them. In another place, we manifestly went in at the door of a house, and saw a window on one side of it. It seemed a good large room, but they have left all the lava standing in the middle, and only made a passage round, to get the painting from the wall. Where they have found Mosaic floors, they have cleared the rooms, and taken them up, though I saw a few bits left in some places. We passed by another which they call a bath ; it has that appearance, and is of a circular form, seeming to have been made to contain water. Here they found some fine marble and some statues. A little from this place is a stone staircase,, but what it leads to is not yet known. We passed by a wall built round the top with a parapet and an arch turned over the top, by which means the lava had been pre- vented from falling into it, and it is now a good wall. In another place we passed by a stone building. It will be some time before they dis- cover what it really is. In another place they have just found such another building, only of a circular form. In some places we saw the painted plaister sticking to the wall; but they remove them as fast as they find them. b » " It is supposed that at present they are only in the suburbs of the town, having found no grand buildings, except the two last should prove such. But the thing the most worth seeing is the theatre. 48 MEMORIALS, I fancy you have been disappointed hitherto, so I will lead you up above ground again to take a little fresh air, and walk to the theatre, which is about a quarter of a mile from the place where we first went down. This you have a very good view of, even without going underground, for, over the seats, they have dug through the ground and lava a very wide well ; the diameter of it may be twenty feet, and the depth about sixty. The sides are smooth and whited, so that it lets in a very strong light ; but you cannot see the whole of it without going underground, which we did. They have cleared a passage all round the outside wall of it, which has been plaistered and painted with pillars and other kind of ornaments; but they have (I think, foolishly) taken them away. " We walked round the corridor, withinside which led to the seats. It is all cleared of the lava, and we saw the arched roof, which is plaistered. This corridor was lined and paved with marble, but that, likewise, is removed. There are, in all, twenty-five rows of seats, all of stone. They have cleared a pretty vvdde space of them down to the bottom, likewise the doors and staircases which led to them (I think there are ten of them). That part of the arena where they imagine the stage to have been, is not yet cleared, nor a great part of the seats. The whole was entirely filled with lava, but it is to be all cleared ; and the whole of the PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 49 building appears to be perfectly complete and up- right, nothing thrown out of its place, but as if it had sunk at once upon a level. They say it served both as a theatre, and an amphitheatre for the gla- diators and wild beasts. There does not appea;r to have been any covering over the seats. It is from some niches in this corridor that most of the fine statues have been taken ; but the notion that the theatre was full when the earthquake happened, and that the people had not time to escape, ap- pears to be groundless, for they have found no skeletons there. '*' It does not appear that the destruction of this city was so sudden as has been imagined, for there have hitherto been found but little riches, and few skeletons : not above twenty. I can give you a proof of their having, at least, some notice. They found one skeleton in a door-way in a running at- titude, with one arm extended, in which there had been a bag of money, for the lava took so exact an impression, that, under the hand of the extended arm, they found a hole (the impression of the bag) in which were several pieces of silver coin. They have, as yet, " found no manuscripts, only some few inscriptions on marble, but none of any consequence, or to throw any light upon anti- quity.* * One huudred and fifty vols, of MSS. were found in a chest in 1754. VOL. I. E 50 MEMORIALS, " I must now take breath a little, for it is very close and hot underground, and not very agreeable among the galley-slaves who are employed to dig there. They are chained two and two, and have a guard over them. The smoke of the torches made us very near as black as they were, and we were glad to return to Naples, and change our dress. Paris, September 19th, 1751. ^ * * * » " I have now a much more important event to tell you, which puts all Paris in a bustle. A Duke of Burgundy is born. Colonel Yorke has just been here ; and you shall have the account in his own words just fresh from Versailles. " * The Duke came in such a hurry last Monday at two o'clock in the morning, that nobody was present except the Dauphin and two filles de cham- bres. Two of the corps de garde he pulled into the room as witnesses. The poor Queen, in her hurry, fell down stairs, and could not get in time. A Swiss jumped out of bed, and popped his head into the room to see what the bustle was, and ran away directly with the news to the Kjng, who was at the Trianon ; and his Majesty set off in a coach and pair in his night-gown, loaded behind with lords and gentlemen. Everyone is running to pay their court to the new Prince ; and we have had illumi- nations these three nights. Next Sunday there are PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 51 to be grand fireworks at the Hotel de Ville. His Majesty and all the Royal Family are to be there ; and we have secured a room, but the Duke's birth will be signahsed by nothing so much as by a fire which happened at Versailles the night after, by a rocket falling among some straw, over the King's stables. It burnt with alarming fury for some time, and some lives were lost/* " M. Mirepoix is made Due de Levi. He says his family is of that tribe ; so it is ancient enough. M. de P.f has retired ; and M. de Saint Cf is in his place. " Madame Pompadour is not now in such high favour as usual. She is a very fine woman — very clever and agreeable. She has every day a levee whilst she is at her toilet ; and has something plea- sant and agreeable to say to everybody. " Lord Albemarle is not yet returned from his visit to England ; but Colonel Yorke is here, and from him we receive great civilities. We live much with him, and he is very agreeable." There are many more passages in Lady Fea- therstonhaugh's journal that would, I believe, be acceptable to the reader, if those already given had not taken up more than their fair share of space. Perhaps a compromise between quotation at length D» * The "handwriting on the wall?* t lUegible. t Illegible. E 2 " 52^ MEMORIALS, and absolute rejection may be effected by means of some passing references. As, for instance, the observations of intelligent and uninterested people on contemporary monarchs have always a certain interest, I venture to quote her very short personal account of two of them. " The King of Naples, before mentioned, is a little mean-looking man — tlie Queen fat, homely, and ungracious. The King (Charles Emanuel I. of Sardinia) is a very good-looking old man ; very sensible, clever, and affable to the English." The 'three following passages have a luxuriously fabulous sound to the ears of us modern travellers. " We were much pleased all the way we came (from Calais to Paris) with seeing such plenty of game — hares, pheasants, and partridges feeding, two or three hundred together ! " All the common people dance minuets as well as French country dances. " If you bring any letter of recommendation to any lady of fashion in Italy, it is the custom for that lady to attend you wherever you go." Like a good chatelaine and true, of an English country house. Lady Featherstonhaugh was much scandalized in France at the non -residence of the PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 53 upper classes in the country; and remarks very shrewdly on the condition of the peasantry. But I am overstepping my limits, and must pass on to the next letter in chronological order, one of eight letters of 1751 — 2, which, I believe, will be wel- come to the reader, as agreeable specimens of Mr. Pitt's family correspondence. MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. Pay Office, May 2, 1751. My dear Pitt, I can write to you with no certainty with regard to the day when the Regency Bill will come to our House from the Lords : it mav be towards the end of next week ; whenever it shall be, I know you would on no account be absent. I should there- fore think the safest for you will be to reach Lon- don Thursday instead of Saturday. I hope to embrace you in full health and spirits at your return. My benedictions to the hills, rocks, pines, shores, seas, &c., of Encombe. " Benigni habbiate, et il sole e la luua E delle ninphe il choro." Ever yours, W. Pitt. THE SAME TO THE SAME. South Lodge, September 13, 1751. Dear Pitt, I take my pen most unwillingly to write to you, 56 MEMORIALS, than will make a visit to the dear unknown, delight- ful, picturesque Encombe practicable this year; may the coming year make me amends ! I feel the disappointment of the present sensibly enough, not to be quite undeserving of your concern for my future pleasures. I therefore must humbly ^beg that you will be pleased to throw about your verdant hills some thousands of trees, this planting season. Group away, my dear Pitt ; nay, if you indulge me in this request, I believe I shall give up my miserable constitution to you, to practise upon for the good of the college. I hope now that the social sport of hunting the buck is at an end, the still nobler sport of burrough hunting has gone to your mind, and that the sea and fresh water nymphs have been kind enough to abate your ardour ; and that, consequently, friendship will claim a share in you, and you may visit the hills of Clerken, Lansdowne, &c., before it be long. Lady Temple is here, and lies dangerously ill. Adieu, my dear Pitt, Your ever affectionate, W. Pitt. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 57 CHAPTER V. Encombe has been mentioned so often in Mr. Pitt's letters that I give the following account of it from Lady Eeatherstonhaugh's Journal. *' Encombe is four miles from Corfe Castle, a pretty place, and worth seeing from the uncom- monness of the situation. The approach to it is by a twisting road at the bottom of two high ridges of hills, indented in such a manner as if they had been cut out of one another, the indenta- tions so sharp and frequent that, as you go down, it looks as if you were always going against a high hill ; in this manner the hills run till the cut opens into the sea. About a mile from this opening stands the house on a little flat, with a grove of elms. It is a low stone building in a pretty taste, and looks upon the sea, which appears to run up in a basin within a few yards of the house, but this is a deception. It is a basin of fresh water sup- plied by a spring, and carried on till the eye 58 MEMORIALS, catches the sea about a mile below it, which is very prettily imagined and has a noble effect. It then runs off in a small stream through a little wood, where a walk is cut to the farm-yard, and down by a bold cliff to the open sea. There are other woods and walks on the sides and tops of the hills, a great deal of fine pasture and great number of cattle and sheep feeding, and the whole is a plea- sing and uncommon scene." MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. • Bath, November 28th, 1752. My dear Pitt, I can't enclose some letters for you, brought to me in your absence, without a word of converse. How many hours, or rather tedious days was the incomparable Grey, Encomb, bearing his amorous lord to Marlborough ? was the tea well sweetened with celestial smiles ? and did the stately tutelary power divest itself in your behalf, of one flake of that majestic snow which her prudeship deigns to shower down on the awed beholder ? did you sleep one wink between the Castle and Arlington Street ? In a word, has anything passed that may confirm your humble servant's sagacious confidence upon this otherwise inexplicable enigma? But to finish my interrogations, I hope you got well to town and in time to be at Court. I have been hindered since you went from drinking the waters by the in- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 59 crease of a bad cold I got the day before ; I pur- pose after one reprise more, of about a fortnight, to go to London ; I long much to smell the sweet odours of your Library, and to hear of agreeable passages, which by that time will have begun to open. That any wish of my dear Pitt's may succeed for his happiness, is the most sincere wish of your ever affectionate, W. Pitt. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Bath, December 23rd, 1752. My dear Pitt, With what pleasure have T read the favour of your letter ! I stayed, it is true, some time for it ; but joys should be a little desired to have their true relish. I rejoice at your account of Dor- chester; I rejoice a million of times at that of London. Sic te, Diva potens Cypri; you are really the best of friends to find place for the me- mory of an old piece of Bath lumber, your hum- ble servant. I am far from well, but hope to make a shift to keep upon my legs this winter, without quite taking to my house ; I propose to leave this place New Year's Day and make three or four days. I long most fervently to embrace my dear happy friend. My sister Ann is gone to winter in the South of 60 MEMORIALS, France; my sister at Plymouth* is much better, they and I much obliged for your kind enquiries. (Endorsed W. Pitt, 23rd December 1752.) THE SAME TO THE SAME. « Sunday morning. My dear Pitt, Unfortunately disabled from attending your happiness in person,! may I be allowed to address a line to you of the most sincere and affectionate felicitations ? I will keep my word ; it shall be but a line ; for I love you too well, to take off your eyes from Mrs. Pitt, for more than an instant, to read assurances of friendship, which, after all, you can never fully read but in the heart of your ever affectionate, W. Pitt. I beg leave to present my most respectful, * Of this lady, Horace Walpole writes in 175 6 : " The famous Miss Elizabeth ViUiers Pitt is in England: the only public place in which she has been seen is the Popish Chapel ; her only exploit, endeavours to wreak her malice on her brother William, whose kindness to her has been excessive. She applies to all his enemies, and, as Mr. Eox told me, has even gone so far as to send a bundle of his letters to the author of the Test, to prove that Mr. Pitt has cheated her, as she calls it of a hundred a year, and which only prove that he once allowed her two, and after all her wickedness stiU allows her one. How she must be vexed that she has no way of setting the gout more against him !" t The celebration of his marriage with Miss Morgan. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 61 humble services to Mrs. Pitt, and to assure her of the infinite regrets I have at not having the honour to be where she is. My most humble compliments attend Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Endorsed by Mr. John Pitt as follovrs : W. Pitt by January 1752, 1st. Earl of Chatham raised to the peerage 1766, to John Pitt, Esq. ofEncombe (his Cousin.) THE SAME TO THE SAME. Tunbridge, July 31st, 1753. My dear Pitt, I have the pleasure to think I am writing a letter to you that will not be unwelcome ; for I am now able to say I find a very great amendment in my health. I have recovered much of my strength, and appetite enough for a Dorsetshire shepherd, where I imagine the air as appetizing (to use the Scotch word) as the breezes of Mount Ephraim. I have made a tour of four or five days in Sussex, as far as Hastings ; Battel Abbey is very fine, as to situation and lying of ground, together with a great command of water on one side, within an airing, Ashburnhatu Park, most beautiful ; Hurt- monceux very fine, curious and dismally ugly. On the other side of Battel ; Crowhurst, Colonel Pel- ham's, the sweetest thing in the world ; more taste than anywhere, land and sea views exquisite. Beach of four or five miles to Hastings, enchanting 62 MEMORIALS, Hastings unique ; Pairly Farm, Sir Whistler Web- ster's, just above it ; perfect in its kind, cum multis aliis, &c. I long to be with you, kicking my heejs upon your cliffs, and looking like a shepherd in Theocritus. It is impossible not to think of Galatea talking of the sea; or not talking of the sea. To quit the impertinent familiar style of pastoral poetry, I hope Mrs. Pitt has recovered her cold bath, and that Encombe finds favour in her eyes. I desire you will present my most humble compliments to her, and assure her she has not a more devoted cousin. My stay must still be pretty long here, as my sleep continues very broken, and the irritation not yet off my nerves and out of my blood. T don't despair of seeing Dorsetshire, but dare not talk of resolving the expedition. Yours ever affectionately, W. Pitt. 1 MR. PELHAM TO MR. JOHN PITT. August 21st, 1753. Dear Sir, I am just parted from Lord Milton,* who * Who was the unwilling cause of a hon mot. Among the property of which Lord Dorchester disinherited his son, there was a much admired house in Park Lane, on the spot where Mr. Holford's now stands. After his disinheritment, it went by' the name of *' Milton's Paradise Lost" PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 63 came to town on purpose to meet you, as he says according to appointment. I am very sorry there has been any mistake between you, but I must own from some circumstances he mentions, it appears to me to be your mistake. He seems as much disposed heartily to unite with you, as you can be with him ; but I find it is absolutely neces- sary that you should have a personal meeting to settle several preliminaries before he goes to Ire- land, which he intended to have done to-morrow, if you had been in town. I have persuaded hitu to stay till after Monday hoping you will be in town before that time, and come to a thorough agreement, for without that everything will be vague and uncertain. I am myself obliged to go to Sussex next Friday, and shall be detained there near a fortnight; if therefore you do not think proper to come to London, I must desire of you to write to Lord Milton acquainting him with it, that he may not be detained longer than is absolutely necessary. If you do come, which I hope you will, I must desire you to send to Lord Milton or appoint the time and place where you are to meet, for as he has shown me the state of Dor- chester, as he apprehends it to be, I think it is impossible for you to fail, if together, and very doubtful how it will go with regard to either of you, if you oppose in earnest. I direct this 64 MEMORIALS, letter to your own house, not being certain where you are, I remain, dear Sir, Your most faithful and obedient servant, H. Pelham. At the end of Lady Featherstonhaugh's journal, I find some letters (of 1753) from the before men- tioned Mr. Letheuillier, and insert the following extracts from them for reasons which, being obvi- ofts, I omit. After corroborating Lady Featherstonhaugh's account of the personal attentions in those days resulting from letters of introduction (in the shape of volunteer ciceroni of noble famihes), he speaks of having ridden round the walls of Genoa, and observed the different positions occupied by the troops when the Imperiahsts besieged and retook it in 1747; and he gives the following very clear account of the manner in which they had been driven out of the city, the previous year, by a general rising of the Genoese. May 10th, 1753. *' We likewise saw the mortar which gave occasion to the people's rising, and driving the Germans out of the city ; you may perhaps know the story ; if not, ^ccola. The Germans, who were then in possession of everything, wanting this mortar to be PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 65 transported to Antibqs, ordered it to be drawn down to the shore to be embarked ; some of the Genoese common people were employed in this work, together with a few soldiers and a corporal belonging to the Germans. In one of the streets, the carriage of the mortar broke, and the people not being sufficiently alert in mending it, the corporal liberally applied his cane to a Genoese back, who in return drew his knife, and had finished the corporal if his aim had been as good as his inclina- tion. " This caused a great mob, and more soldiers were sent for ; but though reinforced, they could not stand the shower of stones that came from the common people who surrounded them. Great numbers of them had been at the Town House, and by force equipt themselves with muskets, and chose a leader among themselves, and in a few hours, all the Germans being driven out, the posts were all occupied by the Genoese. Thus this mortar, which was afterwards drawn about the city in triumph, may be said to have given occasion for the recovery of their liberty. Vicenza. " A few days ago, Don Philip, the Duke of Parma, arrived here. We were presented to him, and dined at Court the same day. He is a very differ- ent man to the King of Naples ; his person and VOL. I. r 66 MEMORIALS, figure are pretty and genteel, and he is affable and easy. Venice, June 5tli. ** We were introduced to tlie Duke of Modena, who is extremely gracious, but unmercifully kept us standing an hour and a half, interrogating us about our dear country." Describing the affability and attention he met with from the Austrian Royal Family at Vienna, he speaks of the Empress Maria Theresa as ** a tall, lusty, handsome woman, followed by her children, all handsome." The Emperor, he compares in ap- pearance and manner to an English country squire. His account of the game he saw at different country places to which he was invited would re- joice the heart of a Norfolk squire. At one place, the Emperor and seven more guns killed seven thousand four hundred head, or, as he calls it, " pieces of game," in two days. After mentioning a review, to which he rode in the Emperor's suite, and afterwards dined with the commander-in-chief. General Brown, he goes on to describe a dinner-party at Munich. *' The Elector invited us to dinner, and we had the honor to dine at the same table with him, the Electress, the two Princesses, his sisters, the Em- press-dowager, and the Duke de Clermont. The table was long, and on one side, in the middle, sat. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 67 in a black velvet arm-chair, the Empress-dowager, a good-natured old lady of sixty, dressed in black, no other colour being ever worn by Empress- dowagers. On her right hand sat the Elector, a young man of twenty-six years of age, a pretty figure, lively and affable ; on her left, the Electress, one of the King of Poland's daughters, a tall, red- haired, fattish woman, not at all like her sister, the Queen of Naples. Besides the Royal Family sat, all upon stools, ten ladies of the court with a gentle- man of the court between each, two ministers, and three foreigners, including ourselves. ** During the first course two Erench horns played, during the second, other wind instruments, and, at the dessert, two very fine harps. Dresden, September 19th, 1753. ** We had a private audience of the King,* who is a tall, black, good-looking man. He conversed some time with us. * * * In the evening, we were at the apartments of the Royal Family, and were much surprised at seeing an ancient custom (kept up here, and in no other Court besides, I believe, except that of Prussia) of keeping buffoons. There are no less than three at this ' Court. On the 9th, we were present at a concert at the Princess Royal's, and had the pleasure of hearing her sing. * Frederick Augustus XL, King of Poland. p 2 68 MEMOUrALS, Her voice is not fine, but she uses it with judg- ment and taste, and concluded the concert with a duet with Monticelli. On the 11th, we were at a private hunt with His Majesty, who mounted us upon two extreme good hunters, and ordered us six or seven relays. Afterwards we dined at table with the Eong and Queen. Our sport was but in- different ; we killed but one stag. Berlin, September 28th, 1753. " It is very different travelUng post in Germany and Italy. There you may run ten posts a-day with ease, here, scarce four. * * * We dine every day with some or other of the ministers, and spend the evening very agreeably at the Queen's or Queen dowager's* Court, where they play at cards. Comet is the fashionable game at present. When the party is over, we are commonly invited to supper by some of the company. We have been at two balls at Court; the company were all dressed in dominoes — met at seven, and played at cards till supper, at which the company were all seated according to their rank; after which, they danced minuets in the same order, and then Enghsh country dances very joUily till morning. * * * The King (Frederic the^jrreat) received us graciously (at Potsdam), and detained us some * Sophia Dorothy, sister to George II. — Ed. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 69 time in conversation. He is small of stature, and has a rough countenance, but a most piercing eye, and a very brisk, lively look/' Here follows a minute account of the King's mode of life, which is so well known that I do not insert it. Brunswick, October 22iid. " On the 15th we delivered our letters, and were introduced to the Duke and Duchess, and their five sons and five daughters. We dined at Court, and consequently entered into the marriage state, as it is called here. It being the custom for the Master of the Ceremonies to go round the room five minutes before dinner, and present a hat to the ladies, and another to the gentlemen, out of which each draws a ticket which is numbered. The Master of the Ceremonies then stands at the door of the drawing-room, and calls No 1. — when the gentleman No. 1, hands the lady No. 1, and soon ; and, beginning at the upper end of the table, they sit down as they are called; so it may happen that I may sit at the upper end with the Duchess, and the Duke at the lower end with a maid of honor. This is called marriage ; and you change your wife at every meal. There being more men than women, unfortunately my wife at dinner was an old man ; but, at supper. I was recompensed by a change for one of the Princesses." 70 MEMORIALS, At the end of Lady Eeatherstonhaugh's journal, there is an entry so touching in its kindly sim- pUcity, and so descriptive of county hospitality in the days of port-wine and out-riders, that I cannot resist the temptation of inserting it. " The whole party afterwards proceed to Uppark, where they passed a cheerful happy Christmas in the most friendly society, and enlivened their neighbourhood with some masked balls." PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 71 CHAPTER VI. Of the year 1754, there are four letters from Mr. Pitt, who, in one of them annomices his in- tended marriage with Lady Hester Grenville. There is also one of the same year from Mr. Legge (then Chancellor of the Exchequer), who speaks quaintly and almost prophetically of the above marriage. MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. Bath, May 18th, 1754. Dear Pitt, A thousand most sincere thanks to you for a letter which has given me the most sensible joy. I began to wait for an account of Mrs. Pitt with great impatience, which she has been pleased to put an end to, in the most obliging and agreeable manner. Your best friend and her humblest servant could desire no more of her than what she has done. May the finest Boy (which I'll take your word for), and the most amiable woman (which 72 MEMORIALS, I'll swear of my own knowledge), continue in perfect health, and every hour add to the happiness of a man who deserves and enjoys it I Believe me, my dearest Pitt, Most affectionately yours, W. Pitt. Endorsed Mr. Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham to John Pitt, on the birth of his son, William Morton Pitt. * MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. Astrop, Wells, September 10th, 1754. My dear Pitt, H^las je m'aperfois bien, Qa'il ne faut jurer de rien. I had sworn, and not, as I imagine, perfidum sacramentum, that I would have the honour and pleasure to wait on you and Mrs. Pitt at Encombe this year ; but you cannot leave London till summer is over, and I, after so continual rains, began to want a little repairs, which I have been giving myself here for about three weeks, and shaU con- tinue to do so for some days longer. I must then go to London, for a day or two, from whence I proceed to Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer at Holte. I propose to be there some days between the 20th and 30th du . courant, whence I have a PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 73 sort of hope of meeting you and Mrs. Pitt : if I fail of that pleasure, I will try hard but I will yet see Encombe and its dashing waves, in the course of October, from Bath. I am now perfectly well, that is well cobbled up by Astrop waters and the life of a post-boy, always in the saddle. I beg leave to assure Mrs. Pitt of my sincere and humblest compliments. I hope you flatter me enough to have been angry at my non-appearance. Believe with perfect esteem, My dear Pitt, Your truly afiectionate, W. Pitt. Kiss your pretty boy a thousand times for me. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Bath 21st, 1754. My dear Pitt, I was till now in hopes that I might have the pleasure of seeing you and Mrs. Pitt in your nur- sery at Encombe, where I know this will find you, I wish most affectionately that it may find the whole pleasing family group in perfect good condition. I had, besides the satisfaction of seeing you, a matter to impart that I know my dear friend will truly rejoice in : it is, that I am the happiest man that 74 MEMORIALS, lives, as well as the most honoured : and you will believe me, when I tell you Lady Hester Grenville has consented to make me so. You know how dear her brothers are to me ; and every circumstance of this blessed event has endeared them, as much as perfect friendship could admit of increase. IJthink with infinite pleasure that I am writing to a friend who knows so well to measure perfect happiness by what he enjoys. My best and most respectful compliments attend Mrs. Pitt. I shall stay here about ten days. Why not make Bath your road to London ? 1 long to embrace you. Your ever affectionate, W. Pitt. Endorsed, W. Pitt, Oct. 31st. 1754, to an- nounce that Lady Hester Grenville, had accepted him. MB.. LEGGE TO MR. JOHN PITT. Downing Street, October 25th, 1754-. Dear Pitt, I have made use of the authority you were so kind as to give me over your stewardship of the Chiltern Hundred, &c., to vacate the seat of the Marquis of Winchester, and enable him to be chose for our county, by which the Whig interest then will be gathered together out of a state of dissipa- tion and restored again to the original and proper PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 75 channel where it ought to go. This is a matter of great consequence in Hampshire ; and I need not tell you I am much obliged to you for contributing towards the means of bringing it about. I ought, to be sure, according to the laws of visitatiou, to have wrote civil things to you upon the subject of your visit to the Holte : but to say the truth, I did not think they signified much between you and I. Besides I knew my wife had done it in a letter (in which I concurred) to the liitle Pitt, to whom 1 beg my most respectful compliments. Our friend and your namesake I hear is going to give evident tokens of convalescence by a very intimate union with the Lady Hester Grenville. / think the breed will be a good one, and can't fail to speak as soon as they are born. It is an acquisition to the corps of us married men ; and heartily T wish them much happiness. 1 take for granted we shall see you soon, and am, dear Pitt, Most faithfully yours, H. B. Legge. Of the year 1756, there is one letter from^JMr. Pitt, evidently written just before the Duke of Devonshire's second visit to Hayes, which resulted in the formation of Mr. Pitt's first administra- tion. 76 MEMOKIALS, FROM MR. PITT TO MR. J. PITT. Monday Morning, Brook Street. My dear Pitt, I was stepping into my chaise for 'Hayes, when the joyful tidings of Mrs. Pitt's safe delivery and the present she has made you of another son reached me. I carried it to Lady Hester, who rejoiced over it with your friend ; and we both de- sire you and Mrs. Pitt will accept our warmest felicitations upon the happy event. I am just come to town, and so engaged as not to be able to come and embrace you Your ever affectionate, W. Pitt. Directed to John Pitt, Esq., in Arlington Street ; and endorsed Secretary Pitt, November 1st. 1756. There are two letters of 1757 from Admiral Porbes — to whose honour be it remembered that, being a sailor and a Lord of the Admiralty, he had, five months before the date of the first letter, refused to sign Admiral Byng's death-warrant. One mentions bad news of the war on the continent and in North America — the other the receipt of a dispatch from Sir Edward Hawke (afterwards Lord Hawke) relative to the unfortunate expedition to Rochefort. There are also two interesting letters PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 77 of the same year from Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge, and two of 1760 from Mr. Legge and Mr. Pox respectively. FROM. ADMIRAL rORBES TO J. PITT. Admiralty, 4th of August, 1757. Dear Sir, The behaviour of your voter is no other than what seems the right of every Freeman, and for that reason to be constitutional. I therefore think the man very excusable for making use of his right. I am very glad that Mrs. Pitt, yourself and family are in good health. I can easily beheve your disap- pointment was great when Sir John Mordaunt was called away, but it is to be hoped that your particular loss by that may be repaid by public benefit. The picturesque description you give of the country and of the pleasant and innocent way of employing your time there are unnecessary in- citements to me, who, in Mrs. Pitt's and your com- pany, would be happy in any place : and I shall find all my desires gratified, provided that the witch- craft of Miss eyes did not provoke new ones. As you are provided with a shield to secure you from their danger, you will do well to stand your ground and enjoy her company and the country as long as you can ; for believe me there ib MEMORIALS, is no pleasure here for the continual bad news we receive from the continent, whilst nothing good is expected from America. Yesterday messengers arrived from Stade with the disagreeable news of the Duke's feeing defeat- ed. No letters are come from H. R. H. so that we know not the particulars ; but the account (which comes from the Regency) says that on Sunday the 17th. the French canonaded with little or no success ; the next day he attacked and was repulsed : but on the third day, having called in his out parties to the number of 20,000 and with this united force attacking the Duke again, H. R. H. thought fit to retire towards Stade. What seems strange in this account is that the loss in the Duke's army is said to be only 600 men. The action was not general ; for only three batallions of Hanoverians were engaged : but the heat of the battle fell to the share of the Hessians and Wolfenbuttle troops, who, it is said, did won- xlers. If this account satisfies your curiosity, I shall be glad. I beg you will make my best compliments to Mrs. Pitt ; and pray enjoy yourself whilst yet you are free. T am most sincerely, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, J. Forbes. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 79 I dined in company with Mr. Legge yesterday, who together with Mr. Pitt/ dine to day with their company of Grocers, who have provided eleven haunches of venison for the occasion. Hunter is still out of town. I'ROM ADMIRAL FORBES TO J. PITT. , , Admiralty, 6th of October. Dear Sir, I have long wanted a favorable opportunity to make some return for the best venison I have eat this year ; and I hope I have availed myself of one that will, in some degree, repay my obligations, when I shall inform you that we received this morning letters from Sir Edward Hawke, dated the 29th, from the Road of the Isle d'Aix, which island was attacked on the 23 rd, by Captain Howe in the « * * */ of seventy-four guns, and the 'Barfleur,' Captain Graves, of eighty guns, who anchored within forty yards of the works, which they battered furiously for thirty-six minutes, when the garrison surrendered prisoners of war. There were taken six hundred men, eight mortars, and thirty pieces of cannon. The next thing consi- dered was to land the troops. Eor this, officers were sent to sound the coast ; and two places were * First Earl of Chatham, f Name illegible. so MEMORIALS, thought practicable ; but these were said to be sub- ject to great surfs, which oftentimes made them in- accessible for three weeks together. In short, after much deliberation, and taking into consideration the time the enemy had to prepare, the prepara- tions said by prisoners to be made, the danger of not being able to re-embark the army when once landed, and the necessity of attacking Rochefort by escalade, if at all — it was agreed by the land officers to be too hazardous an undertaking, and that nothing more could be done. Thus things were on the 29th, when the letters came away. The works upon the Isle d'Aix were to be blown up and destroyed. I hope Mrs. Pitt is well. When may we expect you in town ? or do you stay to plant ? Are the children lively and in good health ? Answers to these are very interesting to one who is so truly as I am, Mrs. Pitt's and your Most obedient, humble servant, J. PORBES. MR. PITT TO MR. J. PITT. St. James's Square, December 27th, 1757. My dear Pitt, Many circumstances, as well as the absence of Mr. James Grenville and Mr. Henry Grenville, having rendered the idea of meddling at Wells not a thing to be entertained at present, I deferred ac- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 81 knowledging the favour of your most obliging let- ter, till a moment of leisure might come, and put me in a situation of conversing more at ease with my dear friend at Encombe. The moment wished has not come ; and, expectans dum defluat amnis, I should have appeared unpardonable to you, and with reason. I therefore set business for an in- stant aside, to go to my country recluse, and follow his walks through the solitudes of verdant Dorset- shire, aipidst warm leases,* heavy ewes, and bounding lambs, lakes, rocks, sea beach, foaming billows, and what-not ! Above all, I trust he meets health in those walks : and happiness at home I know cannot fail to wait his return to a sweet fireside. For myself, I am worn with con- stant fatigue, and broken-hearted with the wretched interior of our condition, worse than all the foreign ills that threaten us. But I will not grow morose if I can help it, or utterly despair of better days. My best compliments of the season attend you and Mrs. Pitt, in which Lady Hester desires to join. I am, with all esteem and affection. My dear Pitt, Most faithfully yours, W. Pitt. * stubbles. VOL. I. G 82 MEMORIALS, MR. LEGGE TO MR. JOHN PITT. Downing Street, October 27th, 1757. My dear John, I am extremely obliged to you for your letter. To say the truth, I had heard so many flying rumours to your disadvantage, that, though in general I have good faith in your constitution, I began to be apprehensive that you were really ill. Now your fever is gone, pray keep it away : repeat your bark regularly, and don't worry yourself to death by either civil or religious duties in damp churches and vestry or militia meetings ; for it is a much easier thing to kill one active man than to find another, as the world now goes. I hope you may be able to stay in the country all after Christmas ; which, I believe, is the best and surest preserver of health ; and if I was you, I would certainly attempt it, and not come till my friends called for me. What efiect this cursed afiPair at Rochefort, may have towards the disturbance of the Session I can't say ; but the general flame in which the country now is will not be easily extinguished, without knowing why and wherefore all this has hap- pened. With regard to Sir J. Mordaunt* I am in the * The court of enquiry on whom must have been then sitting, or about to sit. The consequent court-martial sat in December, when his acquittal produced much grumbling. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 83 same situation that you are, only to a much greater degree. He was one of the first acquaint- ances I had in this town, and we have lived ever since in much intimacy and good will towards each other ; nor are there many men in this world whose distress will give me greater concern : but what reasons he, or anybody, can allege for not making the attempt, I own I am greatly at a loss to guess. I most sincerely wish they may be able to clear themselves to the satisfaction of mankind, though in the consequence, the scheme itself (in which I was a partaker) should incur general disapproba- tion. May my best compliments attend the little Pitt. I have left my wife at the Holte, and don't believe she will remove in form till after Christmas ; the air agrees so well with the boy, and the boy agrees so well with her. - Believe me, my dear Pitt, Ever faithfully and afiectionately yours, H. B. Legge. I hope the lesser little Pitts thrive and flourish. MR. LEGGE TO MR. J. PITT. Downing Street, April 17th, 1760. Dear Pitt, I called at your house yesterday to inform you G 2 84 MEMORIALS, that the Duke of Newcastle disapproves of taking the money for the Militia out of the Land Tax before it has been paid into the Exchequer. What he says I must own has a great deal of truth in it ; that it is a very dangerous thing to intercept any public revenue in the hand of the Receiver before it has been brought into the Public Receipt, and will tend more to the embezzling and dissipating the Revenue than any other practice that could be set on foot — that, though the small payments made on account of the Militia, when disembodied, come im- mediately from the Land Tax, this is a reason for not letting the precedent extend to any further and to larger payments — and that too many liberties of this kind have been already taken with the Land Tax. He would therefore have the method of pay- ments begin and proceed in the manner you pro- pose till it reaches the treasury of the county ; but stop there, and the said treasurer, after reimbursing the parish officer, lay his account from time to time before Parliament, who will vote the money out of the general Supply. This will also cure that difficulty which gravelled us the last time we met, arising from the expediency of giving the Treasury a certain control over the Receiver- General's ac- counts without obliging them in a manner to audit the account. I have seen the Speaker, who ap- proves this method very much, and thinks it can PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 85 be easily carried into execution. I wish you would call upon him, and talk with him also about it, and am, Dear Sir, Your most faithful, humble servant, H. B. Legge. MR. FOX TO MR. JOHN PITT. December 16, 1760, Pay Office. Sir, The errand I waited on you upon, and should again have done so on Sunday, if you had not been gone out of town, was to express my hope that you would not obstruct Mr. Hamilton's endea- vours to come in for Pontefract, by the channel which it is in your power to open to him or to shut against him. I beg you, sir, to excuse this trouble, and not to give yourself by any means that of answering it ; but let me, when you return, wait on you and tell you how much this favour would oblige your most obedient Most faithful, humble servant, H. Fox. The next is undated and its meaning obscure ; but Englishmen will forgive me for not weeding these thinly scattered patches of letters, written in 86 MEMORIALS, the pauses of business by the mighty statesman of whose private history so httle is known. MR. PITT TO MR. JOHN PITT. Tuesday morning. Dear Pitt, I have seen Lord Gower since I saw you, and things are explained between us much to my satis- faction, and I hope to his. I could not call upon you this morning, being hurried. If you should be down at the House before me, I beg you will be so good to lay a paper for me upon the floor, or if that is full, the bench above it, the side we 'al- ways sit on. If some people should give trouble to- day, as I hear they intend to do, the speech is so reasonable that we shall stand it very well. Your's most faithfully, W. Pitt. (Directed to John Pitt Esq. Arlington Street.) This undated letter was possibly written in 1766, during the formation of Mr. Pitt's last administra- tion, and a few days before he was gazetted a Peer. I can find no account of any other poHtical ne- gotiation between him and Lord Gower, except in November and December of the same year, to which the letter cannot refer, since it is signed, " W. Pitt." But inferences are chameleon-like, and PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 87 truth lies in a well. In Lord Chatham's Life it is stated that his first otfer of place was made " in terms of such extreme hauteur as seemed to provoke, though unintentionally, the, necessity of refusal." Is such the impression left on one's mind by this letter ? Of Lord Chatham's letters in this collection the above is the last. From reading them one's mind turns involuntarily to the consideration of the great man by whom they were written ; but as they are exclusively private ones, hardly alluding even to county politics, it is necessary, in reading them, to remind oneself continually of the well known public events that were passing coevally. While search- ing one's memory for each individual link in the chain of those stupendous events that astonished Europe at the time when the younger Pitt was born, one finds, engraved there among the grandest treasures of English prose, the whole story of Lord Chatham's public and private hfe, exhaustively con- densed by the pen of Macaulay. ♦ . " The child inherited a name, which, at the time of his birth, was the most illustrious in the civilized 'world, and was pronounced by every Englishman with pride, and by every enemy of England, with mingled admiration and terror. During the first year of his life, every month had its illuminations and bonfires, and every wind 88 MEMORIALS, brought some raessenger charged with joyful tidings and hostile standards. In Westphalia the English Infantry won a great battle, which arrested the armies ofLouisXV , in the midst of a career of conquest. Boscawen defeated one Erench fleet on the coast of Portugal ; Hawke put to flight another in the Bay of Biscay ; Johnson took Niagara ; Am- herst took Ticonderoga ; Wolfe died by the most enviable of deaths under the walls of Quebec ; Clive destroyed a Dutch armament in the Hoogley, and established the English supremacy in Bengal ; Coote routed Lallv at Wan de wash, and established the English supremacy in the Carnatic. " The nation, while loudly applauding the suc- cessful warriors, considered them all, on sea and on land, in Europe, in America, and in Asia, merely as instruments which received their direction from one superior mind. It was the great William Pitt, the Commoner, who had vanquished Erench Marshals in Germany, and French Admirals on the Atlantic ; who had conquered for his country one great empire on the frozen shores of Ontario, and another under the tropical sun near the mouths .of the Ganges. It was not in the nature of things, that popularity such as he at this time enjoyed should be permanent. That popularity had lost its gloss before his children were old enough to understand that their father was a great man. He was at length placed in situations in which neither PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 89 his talents for administration, nor his talents for debate, appeared to the best advantage. The energy and decision which had eminently fitted him for the direction of war were not needed in time of peace. The lofty and spirit-stirring eloquence, which had made him supreme in the House of Commons, often fell dead in the House of Lords. A cruel malady racked his joints, and left his joints only to fall on his nerves and on his brain. During the closing years of his life, he was odious to the Court, and yet was not on cordial terms with the great body of the Opposition. Chatham was only the ruin of Pitt, but an awful and majestic ruin, not to be contemplated by any man of sense and feel- ing without emotions resembling those which are excited by the remains of the Parthenon and of the Colosseum. In one respect, the old statesman was eminently happy. Whatever might be the vicissitudes of his public life, he never failed to find peace and love by his own hearth." 90 MEMORIALS, CHAPTER VII. At the outset of this compilation, I premised that the letters therein contained were written by connexions or friends of Lord Gambier, and also that they were, for the most part, either to, from, or concerning people who, while they lived, were remarkable in their spheres of action, and, when they died, left each an uninherited individuality. It remains to be seen how far results will bear me out in the assertion. Of the letters hitherto produced I say nothing — the name of Chatham is sufficient answer: but those from 1774 to 1784 require some explanation touching the second of the two attributes premised. They are addressed to Mr. Morton Pitt, the only son of John Pitt. His birth was noticed in one of the foregoing letters (1754) from Lord Chatham to " the great commoner of the west.'' I believe that the words '* uninherited individuality" PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 91 may be said to apply to him more closely than to many a man of extended political fame. His career is a study for a philosopher. 'Few men have so bitterly disappointed high expectations fairly raised, and, in many respects, long sustained. Talented, hard-working, and blessed with the posi- tional advantages of fortune and a wise father, he had no sooner left Oxford than he devoted himself with ardour to those social problems whose solu- tion affects suffering humanity. But his mind, unlike that of most executive philantrophists, was not narrowed into one channel. Prom minute enquiries into the state of prisons, he could turn to plans for coast defences, from largely conceived schemes of benevolence to an artistic correspon- dence with Mademoiselle Clairon. As a politi- cian, he stands forth in pleasant pre-eminence among that class of members (now become his- torical) who seemed to bring their county with them into the House of Commons. He was, in fact, an ordinary member of Parliament, but em- phatically member for Dorsetshire, which .county he represented for a period of nearly fifty years, from 1778 to 1825, when he resigned his seat. He was unwearied in his endeavours to promote the interests of the poor, and was the first man of property and influence who exerted himself to ameliorate the condition of prisons. As a friend, he was ever ready with advice and 92 MEMORIA].S, assistance in the hour of difficulty ; and the large numbers of people who consulted him with ad- vantage are silent witnesses to their value. In one instance, he was applied to by a friend, a man of £30,000 a year, who had involved himself so deeply that extrication was declared by his lawyer to be hopeless. The result was that, not only was the property disencumbered, but after, at the death of the owner, his three younger sons were left a hundred thousand pounds each, out of the annual savings. The other side of the picture is sad, and hardly to be accounted for. The mind wearies itself in endeavouring to reconcile the inconsistencies of humanity, the heart sickens at the contemplation of enormous ruin. Of all Morton Pitt's numerous friends and associates, none could tell by what means his splendid fortune was dissipated ; for he was minute in his pecuniary concerns and self-deny- ing even to stinginess. But one fact hangs over his history full of an unpointed moral — With high abili- ties, a magnificent property, a great capacity for busi- ness, and almost unbounded opportunities, Morton Pitt was the destruction of his house. The wealthiest branch of a family once pre-eminently powerful and distinguished is now landless. The white hills of Encombe that Chatham loved to visit in his hours of leisure have passed into other hands. Kingston, with all its old historical recollections, was the PERSONAL AND UISTOIUCAL. 93 last ofiPering to the Moloch Ruin. In the town of Dorchester, a generation has grown into manhood since the influence of him who represented the county in Parliament for half a century was broken up for ever. Of Morton Pitt, George the Third made his nearest approach to a bon-mot. Some one re- marking that Morton Pitt was a very good man of business, the King replied, " No, not a man of business, but a busy man." This was the truth, but not the whole truth. If large sympathies laid him open to the reproach of having " too many irons in the fire," stubborn facts gave practical evidence of judgment and capacity. Those who knew him best owned that his crushing ruin was a mystery which they could not solve. It is nearly impossible to point out any political importance in a man whose national labours were private eff'orts ; but those who remember him will bear record that the words " uninherited indivi- duality'* apply to him strictly. The friend of Wilberforce, Hannah More, and Porteus, Morton Pitt opened his house in Arling- ton Street to talent of all kinds. Tom Paine being at luncheon there one day, a note arrived from one of the Prince Regent's Court, to the effect that the Prince was anxious to know if he (Tom Pailie) had been bred to the sea. The writer (who, we may conclude, had not passed a Civil Service examina- 94 MEMORIALS, tion) spelled the word bread, upon which, Tom Paine wrote in pencil on the cover : — " No — not bread to the sea— But it was bread to me — And d — d bad bread it be." The last private masquerade that took place in London was given by his first wife, the most classi- cally beautiful and singularly fascinating woman of her day.* The crowd being excessive, Madame de Stael, who had just arrived in England to escape from Parisian censorship, and publish her works out of the protecting shade of a gens- d'arme's cocked hat, remarked to a lady, " II parait qu'on souffre meme ici de la liberty de la presse." At this masquerade there was a curious exempli- fication of the by-paths and crooked ways by which people gain access to a recherchef house. Innumerable refusals of invitations being the un- avoidable consequence of a unanimous desire to obtain them, a successful candidate took pity on a less fortunate competitor, and, in the character of a giant, carried him in on his shoulders.J After r * Mis3 Margaret Qambier, sister of Admiral Lord Gam- bier. f I apologise for the Gallicism — but know no other word to express the thing signified. ' X At private masquerades, the guests were obliged to shew their invitation cards at the door, in order to prevent uninvited people from being admitted under the disguise of a mask. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 95 supporting the character for a short time, the two divided, greatly to the surprise and amusement of the bystanders. Anecdotes of royalty unregalizing itself for the nonce have, from the days of the Cahph Haroun al Raschid, been sufficiently common ; but I truly think that the reader will acknowledge the exis- tence of unaccustomed freshness in this story of George the Third. When at Weymouth, the King used frequently to drive over to Kingston (Mr. Morton Pitt's place), near Dorchester, without giving any notice of his intended visit. One day, the Royal Family arriv- ing in large numbers at luncheon-time, found the whole party returning from fishing in the Lake, and covered with mud. The King, who was de- lighted with having surprised them in this condi- tion, and wished to break the formality of the visit, ran forward and hid himself in a closet, jumping out upon Queen Charlotte as she passed, with the nursery ejaculation " Bo !*' There being no precedent for such a proceeding in the archives of the smaller German Courts, Queen Charlotte evinced decided disapprobation thereof. The letters from 1774 to 1784 are ten in number, and are interesting for several reasons, which it would be impertinent in me to antici- pate. 96 MEMORIALS, FROM GEORGE GRENVILLE TO W. MORTON PITT. Bologna, May 14th, 1774!. Not having heard of you, my dear Pitt, for some time, and having been a stranger to English nevrs- papers, it was not till some days past that I learnt, from an old magazine, the news of your uncle's death. If either you or your family are benefited by this event, let me very heartily and sincerely congratulate you on the succession. Be- lieve me, dear Pitt, always happy in everything that can give you pleasure, as well from a sense of the pleasing hours which we have passed together, as from the real opinion that you deserve this and every blessing of fortune. This coming from me is not flattery ; no end can be answered by it but that of showing you my regard ; and there are some feehngs which no art can teach, no hypocrisy can counterfeit. When we meet again in England, you will, I believe, find me as little altered as fifteen months, passed in a great variety of che- quered scenes, can allow; at least, my prejudices are strong for my friends, and my affections beat high for the society of which Providence has placed me a member. Let me hope, my dear Pitt, to find you as little altered. Nature has done much for you ; what remained for you to do has been done with judgment and success ; but assure yourself, these advantages, great as they are, will not bear PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 97 you up in the world without giving a little into the stream of vanity — at least, I have found it so. But to what end this grave sermon ? God knows how it stole upon my pen ! Let us waive the sub- ject, but let the principle remain sometimes your companion, as it is mine. We are at Bologna on our way to Venice, after having seen Italy as completely as our time would allow us. We were near four months at Rome, busy in the sights of those spots and buildings where perhaps a Brutus raised his dagger, or a Tully saved his country. These enquiries raise emotions in the mind which can be known only to those who have felt them, at the same time that we feel ourselves debased by the reflection of our infe- riority to these conquerors, not only of the world, but (if I may be allowed the expression) even of the laws of nature. The profusion of marbles brought from the furthest parts of Asia, of a bulk which scarce deserves to be credited, is indeed a secondary object ; but nothing gives so adequate an idea of the Roman greatness. Such is the famous Obelisk, first dedicated by Sesostris to the Sun, raised by Augustus in the Circus Maximus, as the radius of a sun-dial, and now lying where it fell — a testimony of the skill of those supposed barbarous nations who could cut it, as well as of the art of those who could transport to Rome a cinrrlp cfnnp nf T7.orvnfinn orrnni+.p mPiflsmrinor Aio-lifv- 9S MEMORIALS, one English feet in length, and nine in diameter; think one moment with me on such an under- taking, actually completed ; and envy if you can the feelings of the Frenchman who exclaimed, *'Mais apres tout ce n'est qu'une pierre." But I tire you on the subject of antiquities, a subject which has exhausted the pens of travellers, as well as the patience of their readers. You will easily imagine that with these feelings on the subject of virtii, T have not been insensible to the opportunities of enriching myself and my country with the spoils of the Roman grandeur. I shall hope to shew you a collection of marbles (I speak in the technical style of sculpture) inferior to few north of the Alps ; and when you see some figures which would not disgrace the chisel of a Phidias, or a gem the work of a Pyrgoteles, you will not wonder at the enthusiasm which draws on the mind to the wish of being the possessor. A truce, however, to the whole, for I feel that the interest I take in this is likely to become as insuf- ferable as any other pedantry. Lord Bulkeley and myself now propose being in England by the first of August. Our business and our warmest wishes both draw us northward ; we hope, however, to see Germany en passant, and indeed nothing but a fixed deter- mination of profiting as much as possible of our time, and reaping thoroughly the advantages of PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 99 foreign travel could have detained us so long. It is, I believe, a fashionable and common idea,^ to decry this method of finishing our education; I remember it was once a favourite opinion of mine. T am never ashamed of seeing the absurdity of any idea or project I bad formed at that, or indeed at this age, and indeed experience has fully con- victed me, not only of the propriety, but even of the necessity of such a measure. If this bears the smallest analogy to your opinions or situation, let me entreat you to give it a full consideration, before you determine against it; and if on my return I can be of the least use to you, in giving you a route, or any other information, command me freely. If you should see Cleaver or Tom, let them know that they are both in my debt, but I hope to find letters from them at Venice, for which place we set out to-morrow. If you can spare time, let me hear from you at Vienna, for no one takes a truer inte- rest in your happiness than, dear Pitt, Your most faithfully affectionate and devotedly, George Grenville. P.S. — Remember me kindly to your father and mother, and to all our friends, amongst whom I beg to mention the Milles and Elton. Adieu. A la poste restante a Vienne. 100 MEMORIALS, FRAGMENT OF A LETTER TO MR. MORTON PITT FROM HIS COUSIN, AN OFFICER SERVING IN AMERICA DURING THE WAR. Statton Island, August 4th, 1776. As for my writing you news from this, there has nothing as yet happened since my arrival in Ame- rica of any consequence, but what by this time you have been fully acquainted with, except the arrival of General Clinton from the southward, where our fleet has suffered a good deal — whether by disagreement amongst the land and sea officers or not has not as yet transpired, but we have burnt one of our frigates on account of her being so much shattered; two hundred men killed and wounded, forty of whom were killed on Sir P. P's. quarter-deck, himself wounded in two places, and what is still worse they did not succeed in silencing the battery. We are now in expectation of attacking these fellows very soon, and if I may be allowed to judge, 1 don't believe there ever was an army in better spirits nor in better health, two very neces- sary things for our present business. There ar- rived yesterday several ships ; two companies of the Guards, three of Hessians, and some Highlanders, so we may expect the whole fleet immediately. I imagine the enemy's chief force is collected at York, the more the better ; it is thought they mean to burn the town, but I hope they won*t be suffered PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 101 by the people of the province to destroy it. I have not heard from Lord Lindsay, vi^hich 1 most ear- nestly v^ish for, but surely they don't think of coming out to America, though my lord and I once talked of it, little thinking how near the time was that one of us was to go. Pray remember me very particularly to your father, mother, and sister ; to the Mills's too, and any other of my old acquain- tance, And believe me, yours most obliged, Mark Anthoni Morgan. Pray write soon. To William Pitt, Esq., Arlington Street, Piccadilly, London. MR. DUNBAR TO MR. MORTON PITT. London, 12tli December, 1775. My dear William, I took it very kind your writing two lines to me just as you was leaving London ; your aunt had frequent accounts of you from Mrs. Pitt, and your taking so much pleasure in what you saw and met with, gave us a great deal. I found at my return here, which was not till the 28th of November, a letter from you of 26th September. 1 was long detained, after I had wrote to have my letters stopped, which was the reason it was not forwarded to me. It was from Brier in Valais : and the charming 102 , MEMORIALS, account you give of Switzerland made me wish to be with you, as you remember it was always a favourite part of the world with me. I made but a short stay there, and have often repented it was so short. If I was a few years younger, I should be tempted to make it another visit. Mark Morgan* arrived in Dublin about the 20th of September. We all thought him much im- proved. He stayed there but three days to get clothes, and theu set out for Cork to join his regiment, which was embarked the day before he got there. Lord Blaney, who commanded in Cork, by way of favour told him he should stay behind on the recruiting service; but the commanding officer of the regiment ordered him to join. The transports lay there ten miles from Cork, where he was obliged to go for his baggage. He waited on Lord Blaney, and told him he wished to go with the regiment : but behold, when he came to the place where he had left the transports, they w^ere sailed. He took a pilot boat, and follow^ed them out three leagues to sea, and got safe with his baggage on board. I mention this so particularly, as it showed a becoming spirit. I don't doubt but lie will do well ; but wish it was on a better service. But he has nothing to say to that. I forgot to mention that when he joined he was a lieutenant * The writer of the foregoing letter. — Ed. PERSONAL AND HISTOlUCAJi. 108 without purchasing, and had five lieutenants below him. I had a letter from Mr. Jones lately. He had just heard from Walter, who was newly re- covered from a fever. He was not in the action of the 17th of June. You seem to regret that you are not gathering laurels vi^ith the young men of your own age that are venturing their lives in the pursuit of glory. Believe me, my dear William, there is none to be acquired in such a war. You that have breathed freely the air of Switzerland, must have imbibed, if you had it not before, a love of liberty. But whither am I going ? These are not times to speak one's sentiments. I wish every- thing was quiet ; but it is not likely to be so. Depend upon it, they will end ill for us. But no more of politics. Forgive me,, my dear William, for not having wrote before : and to shew me you do, let me hear from you soon. I promise I will not be for the future so tardy. Adieu, my dear William, Yours ever affectionately, C. Dunbar. 104 MEMORIALS, CHAPTER VIIL MLLE. CLAIRON TO M. MORTON PITT. Paris, ce 29 Flvrier, 1777. • II est juste, Monsieur, de rendre hommage h. Tesprit et Tamabilit^ qui merite tant, lorsqu'on r^unit comme vous, aux graces de la jeunesse, la raison eclairee et modeste de I'exp^rience, que quoi qu'on fasse pour vous, oh regrette de ne pas pouvoir faire davantage. La marque de souvenir que vous avez bien voulu me donner, n'a fait qu'accroitre le desir de vous revoir encore ; je retournerai cet ete dans ma patrie ; elle vaut la peine d'etre vue quoiqu'on en disc dans la votre ; je vous crois digne de Tappre- cier, et d'apres la connoissance que j'en ai, et I'im- pression que vous ni'avez faite je vous reponds, Monsieur, que vous n'aurez a vous plain dre ni de nos t^tes, ni de nos cceurs. Je n'ai retard^ ma r^ponse, que par Tignorance ou j'etais du lieu ou je devois I'adresser, mais PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 105 j'espere, Monsieur, que vous n'avez pas doute du plaisir que vous me procuriez en vous ressouvenant de moi, et me donnant les moyens de vous assurer, qu'il est impossible d'avoir Fhonneur d'etre (plus ?) reellement que moi. Monsieur, votre tr^s humble et tres obeissante servante, Clairon.* FROM LORD LINDSAY TO MR. PITT. Philadelphia, October 23r(i, 1777. My dearest Pitt, This campaign, though it began sp very late in the season, has been the most brilliant one that has been seen in America. General Howe, finding it im- possible to carry his troops up the Delaware to Phila- delphia, resolved to go round to Chesapeak Bay, and to pass by the lower counties of Pennsylvania to that city. General Clinton, with ten thousand men, was left at New York, and General Burgoyne, with ten thousand more, was on his march from Quebec to Albany. * *' The Memoirs of Mademoiselle Clairon display her exalted feelings of the character of a sublime actress. She was of opinion, that in common life, the truly sublime actor should be a hero or heroine off the stage. * If I am only a vulgar and ordinary woman during twenty hours of the day, whatever effort I make, I shall only be an ordinary and vulgar woman in Agrippina, or Semiramis, during the reniaining four.' In society she was nick-named the ' Queen of Carthage, from her admirable personation of Dido, in a tragedy of that name." — D' Israeli, Curiosities of Literature, vol. i. Qftn 106 MEMORIALS, This was the situation of the troops when I arrived at New York. The rebels made a stand near the Brandewyne river, over which our army was obliged to pass. Our troops passed the river in three columns, and found the enemy posted on the heights, about two miles from the river. Notwith- standing seventeen miles fatiguing march, they im- mediately formed and marched on to the attack. The rebels stood their ground till our troops charged them with fixed bayonets, upon which they immediately decamped with great precipita- tion, and I fancy that hour would have put an end to the Yankee empire, if the darkness of the night and the fatigue of our troops had not rendered any longer pursuit impossible. General Washing- ton was so alarmed that he never stopped to eat or drink till he arrived at Philadelphia, towards which place our army then marched. Upon their approach, Washington intended, >by sending a party to the other side of the Skuylkill river, to have attacked the rear of our army ; but General Howe, receiving [intelligence] of this movement, detached General Grey with about two thousand men, who fell upon them in the night, and bayonetted three hun- dred and fifty of them in their tents. The rest ran away to the main army, and General Howe passed the Skuylkill with his army, without molestation, and proceeded to German Town. Lord Cornwallis, with about two thousand men, was detached from PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 107 the army, and took possession of Philadelphia, and about one thousand six hundred men were left at Wilmington with the wounded. To the great astonishment of all the world, on the 14th of October the rebel army attacked General Howe and his camp, and after an obstinate engagement, beat back the light infantry ; but upon the Hue advancing, they retired, with the loss of about two thousand men. Our loss was about three hundred and fifty killed and wounded. General Agnew, Colonel Bird, and many brave officers fell ; among the rest our good friend Mor- gan,^ who was shot through the body as he was leading on the light infantry. He died the next day without pain. He was lamented by the whole army, of whom he was the darling, and by no one more sincerely than myself. I found General Howe at German Town. I brought the despatches to him from General Clinton, and he immediately took me into his family. But he has so many aid- de-camps, that I have nothing to do, and have therefore desired to go into the light infantry, which is at present the most active service. I have not as yet had any answer. We cannot quit Philadelphia till our shipping can come up to the town, as they have all the baggage of the army on board, and many other * The officer whose letter appears at page 100. 108 MEMORIAJ.S, necessaries, without which General Howe cannot proceed. The rebels, before they left Philadelphia, had laid two chevanx-de-frieze across the Delaware, and erected two forts to hinder any attempt to raise them. The fort, which was in the Jerseys, was abandoned at the approach of our troops ; but the other is situated upon a marshy island, and cannot be attacked by land, which makes it a very tedious business. We have been cannonading and can- nonaded for these ten days, but without doing much hurt on either side. Their whole fleet, consisting of thirty-six sail of armed vessels, lay between the chevaux-de-frieze and the town, and although they must one day surrender, they protract the time as much as possible, as they thereby stop the proceed- ings of the campaign. The moment the fleet gets up to the town, we shall attack General Washington, and I make no doubt we shall give him a very severe beating. With the despatches I brought an account of the victory which General Burgoyne had gained over the rebels, who left seven hundred and fifty men dead on the field. Lord Rawdon arrived here the night before last, with the news of the taking of Tort Clinton, Fort Montgomery, and Tort Inde- pendence. He had made a movement with three thousand men towards Albany, to form a junction with Burgoyne, and in this way had taken these forts. They were all taken by storm, though after PERSONAL AND HISTORTCAL. 109 a very tedious march and an obstinate defence. I had the ill luck to lose another of mv friends in this affair, Count Grabowski, a Polish nobleman. I believe you knew him at Berlin. He served volunteer, and was shot in six places as he was marching up to the works. He sent his sword to Lord Rawdon, and desired he might know that he died at the head of the British Grenadiers. This may well be called a most unfortunate war for us all. Hardly an officer but is now lamenting the loss of one of his brave friends ; and no man can look at the instruments of their misfortune without pitying them still more for having died by the hands of fellows who have hardly the form of men, and whose hearts are still more deformed than' their figures. The rebel army consists of about sixteen thousand, I mean under General Washington — about three thousand under Putnam, in the Jerseys, and about six thousand under Gates in Albany. I should suppose General Howe's to be at present of about twelve thousand men, three thousand - under General Clinton in the Jerseys, ■ and five thousand under Burgoyne. I will give you my ideas of our future proceedings concerning the war in another sheet, if I can find time ; if not you must form them by looking at the map, which, with your good understanding, you will easily do. I am very sorry that I must finish my letter in a linrrv • bnf. thft nflP.Vpf. crnps niif. f;n-nicrhf. nnri T linvp 110 MEMORIALS, a great deal to do. We have had very bad fortune since I wrote. General Howe detached two thou- sand Hessians to take possession of Redbank, which is a post the rebels have lately fortified on the Jersey side of the Delaware. The work was so amazingly strong that the Hessians could not possibly get in, notwithstanding they behaved with very great spirit. We had about five hundred Hessians killed and wounded, which is a very con- siderable loss to so small an army as General ■ Howe's. The next day two * of our ships, in try- ing to get near Mud Fort, which is situated to defend the chevaux- de-frieze, ran on shore. The ' Augusta,' of sixty-four guns, took fire by accident, and after burning about two hours, blew up with a most terrible explosion. The * Merlin' was set fire to by our own men, as it was impossible ever to get her off ground. Before this accident happened, the rebels sent down six fire ships, but none of them did any damage to our fleet. The engage- ' ment between the row galleys (a kind of boat with a twenty-four pounder in the bow) and our shipping lasted three or four hours ; and a continual fire was kept up between our batteries and the fort. Altogether it was the finest scene that can be conceived. 1 wished for you very much to have been present. Adieu, my dearest friend. Yours ever affectionately, Lindsay. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. Ill Write soon, direct to Berkeley Square. The letter will be sent. Endorsed from Lord Lindsay, Philadelphia. Received December 17 [28] 1777. FROM MR. PORTER TO MR. MORTON PITT. St. Petersburg, 2nd October, 1778. My dear Sir, I hope you will believe me when I assure you that it is neither owing to want of inclination nor to want of esteem that you have not had a letter from me long ago. The truth is, I put it off from day to day in hopes of having something more worthy your attention than what occurred to me at the time toy good intentions were prompting me to write. This motive of procrastination seemed so perfectly consistent with friendship that it pre- vailed ; and the extreme desire of writing something very good prevented me (as I beheve it has done many others) from writing anything at all. The receipt, however, of your obliging letter of the 10th ult., from Stockholm, made me ashamed of my silence ; and the fear of losing a correspondence from which I promise myself much pleasure and information, determines me to treat you henceforth w^ith less ceremony, and to substitute quantity for quality, with which yoii must be contented till I can furnish vou with better entertainment. 112 MEMORIALS, The detail of your journey to the Swedish mines will be highly acceptable ; and I hope you will not have suffered my negligence to be an excuse with you for not sending it. To an exile, as I consider myself, nothing is indifferent. Writing to me often will be charity as w^ell as friendship ; and thus you will have the satisfaction of practising two virtues at once. Miss Harris some time ago set out on a visit to Moscow, under the auspices of Prince and Princess Kavansky ; but before her departure, delivered rae a parcel, I believe with music, for you ; which, with as many of your other commissions as I could get executed, is forwarded to London by the ' Ann,' Fairfax Biddington. His instructions are to leave the whole at Mr. Baring's, No. 6, Mincing 'Lane, where, if they have not already found their way to Arlington Street, you will please to inquire for them. I hope when you arrive in London you will find a change in the Ministry, which, whatever be the abilities of the men who have sat at the helm so long, was certainly never, at any period of our history, more necessary. There is a fatality attends everything they attempt. A total want of vigour frustrates all their measures at home, and your own observation saves me the necessity of telling you how thoroughly they are despised abroad. Opposi- tion at present is certainly patriotism, and when you have taken your seat I shall expect to hear PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 113 that you have joined in the general cry against them — a cry which the plea of expediency alone fully justifies, and wliich I hope will not cease till men of more political fortitude have got pos- session of their places. Mr. Harris's informations precludes the possibility of writing you public news of this country. The change of Ministry at the Porte is expected, if not to procure absolute peace in that quarter, at least to protract and put off the necessity of open war, which was lately considered as unavoidable. Admiral Keppel's ill success has damped our spirits here very much. Should he return a second time re infecta, it will be the devil. You may then resign your boasted superiority at sea, and sink into that insignificance which your bitterest enemies would wish you reduced to. I hope still for better things, but I confess they are fainter hopes than those I entertained when you left this place. That there is a force and energy in the United Kingdom, which, properly exerted, would make us rise superior to all our difficul- ties, and astonish Europe, I am confident ; but for this purpose we must have another Pitt : but where to find him is the question. Adieu, and believe me most sincerely, Dear Sir, Your affectionate friend, and humble servant. 114 MEMORIALS, MR. PORTER TO MR. MORTON PITT. St. Petersburg, 17th December, 1778. My dear friend, Were I not happily secure in innocence, your letter of the 8th inst. from Stockholm would distress me beyond measure. But as it is, I receive your reproaches as the most flattering indications of friendship, and proofs of an attachment which it shall be my study to cultivate by every means in my power. This is the third letter I have wrote to you since you left us ; one directed to you in Arlington Street, one which 1 hope will be found waiting for you at Amsterdam, and this, such as it is, which goes by Mr. Harris's courier. Eor a month, at least, all your friends here imagined you either Jost in some Swedish mine, or lulled in the lap of plea- sure in your native country, for during that time there was not a single line from you. When I heard you were still at Stockholm I would have wrote ; but Harris assured me you were on the point of setting out, and that my letter would come too late to find you in Sweden. When you favour me with your next letter, please to be at the trouble of writing wTiat particulars concern yourself and the public to me instead of referring me for them to others. Tor in these bustling times, Mr. Harris is -too much engrossed with PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 115 national concerns to have at all times leisure for private communications. I am glad to see that you have been employing your time in Sweden in attending to objects that have a reference to your own country, and from the knowledge of which you may one time or other derive consequence in your future parliamentary appearances. What you may have omitted in this country may be easily supplied. It is not a detail of uninteresting and useless particulars that can be of any real service to a statesman ; but a just idea of the great outlines of the commercial and political state of a country, from which, as circum- stances arise, will appear without much trouble the propriety or possibihty of forming such con- nexions as may be essential to the prosperity of our own. Something of this sort I ventured to promise you with regard to the commercial rela- tions of Russia and England, and when I hear from you after I get home, every information or explanation in my power shall be jeadily given; but tiU then I will not enter on the subject. Mr. Cox, who travels with Lord Herbert, has been very indefatigable in his enquiries, and means to publish as soon as he gets home. His materials^ as far as I have seen, are good, and his information authentic. You have seen enough of this country to know where he is right; and his book will be the 116 MEMORIALS, I am really glad of our friend Oakes's good fortune. He has the ball now at his foot, and if he does not keep it going it will be his own fault. I enter into the feelings of a man in such a situa- tion, and can see nothing in life so flattering to the mind as the idea of becoming important by useful and' patriotic exertions. What a spur to industry ! and yet how faint and feeble its in- fluence on many whom rank and talents solicit, at the expense of a little pains, to become the idols of an admiring nation ! Guthrie has not got back from Oakes, Dr. Pullas' paper on the mines, so that you will be able to get a copy of it in England. His memoir on the Kurile Islands and a very curious account of voyages to the Alenty, a more eastern island, will appear in Cox's publication. The other things you desire shall all be sent you in the Spring ; and if you think of aught else in w^hich my zeal can be of use, you have time enough to let me know, and it shall be done. Everybody here remembers you with much regard. I am sorrv that want of leisure prevents my sending you a better, if not a longer letter; but such as it is take it, and I shall think it not a bad one if it brings from you a speedy return of all your news since you parted from, Dear Sir, Your sincere friend and humble servant, W. Porter. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 117 On board the * Romney,' Porto Praga Bay, Island of St. lago, 30th April, 178L My dear Pitt, But one opportunity has offered since our de- parture to write before this, which was off Madeira ; and at that time no occurrence had happened that could make a letter interesting. We embarked at Portsmouth the 1 2th of March in the evening, and sailed the next morning. We had a good passage to this island, where we found it necessary to refresh and water. We arrived the lUth of April, and intended to stay about a week ; on the 17th in the morning one of the ships made the signal for a strange fleet. I have made an abstract of my journal and sent it to you; the facts you may depend upon, and when we meet you shall read them more at large. I would have sent you an extract, but I have had so many pri- vate letters to write, and the Army returns to make out, that I have not had time. I will now carry you behind the scenes, and show you where things might have been better. I take it for granted it is the case with every battle that ever was fought, if you were to fight it over again you would do it differently, but I am afraid we have allowed ad- vantages to pass us that were very apparent. In the first instance, we had intelligence sufficient to rvioL-o oor«nrifv iiTiincfififihlp THa * Slfrflnpv' man- 118 MEMORIALS, of-war sailed from this place in her way to India about a week before we arrived. We bribed the fellow who had the letters she left behind to for- ward to Prance to let us examine them. This business fell to my lot, and it was very clear that a fleet and convoy from France were likely to touch here, and you will see we had not an hour's notice. . After the three ships had cut their cables, one totally disabled, and protected by two others only, and one little less shattered than herself, we should not have lost a moment in going to sea ; instead of which we were two hours, and by our delay they became strong — their whole force was joined. If we had attacked the three ships immediately, from the behaviour of those other two in the action, they would have run away under pretence of suc- couring the convoy, and I firmly believe we might have taken three of them. I think when we were far to leeward of St. lago, the resolution not to fight was perfectly right ; for the enemy were then re- covered, and, whatever might have been the event, the expedition would certainly have been at an end. I trust two of these ships must bear away for the West Indies ; and I hope the whole must go to the Brazils for refreshment. If the three ships that were not hurt can go with the convoy to the Cape with our force it will be impracticable. We have but two thousand four hundred men, and very bad stuff indeed. I begin to hope we shall go on PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 119 to India, and try the Dutch settlements in that country. The first part of the action I was on board the ' Romney ;' but I resolved to follow the fortunes of my General, and went on board the ' Hero.' If I have bored you on this subject, let me recal to your mind our old Virgil and recollect, " Haud ignarus eram, quantum nova gloria in armis, Et prgeduloe decus primo certamine posset." I look forward with much satisfaction, after the toils and dangers of war are over, to my return to the arms of a woman I most passionately love, and to the sweets of society and friendship. I desire, if during my absence you marry, you will make it a point that our wives shall be acquainted, and even be upon an intimate footing, that we may not have to go through the forms of dull ceremony. Believe my friendship for you to be most sincere. Adieu. G. W. S. PROM THE COUNTESS BE THUN TO W. M. PITT. Yienne, ce 21 Decembre, 1782. Je ne saurai vous dire assez le plaisir que m'a fait votre lettre du 1 2 Novembre, mon cher Pitt. Je me croyais entierement efface de votre souvenir ; et comme vous etiez profondement grave dans le mien, _3^j__:j. : : j_ : _.-T_i:jf_ j_ 120 MEMORIALS, vous. Jugez done du plaisir que m'a fait la marque de votre souvenir et la nouvelle de votre ma- nage. D'apres le portrait que vous me faites de votre femme, elle est telle qu'on peut la d^sirer. II dtait difficile que vous fassiez un mauvais choix ; et cer- tainement vous rendrez votre femme heureuse. II me tarde de faire sa connoissance. Si vous nous I'amenez, je me flatte bien que personne que moi ne sera charge de la presenter. Vous pouvez compter que je la regarderai comrae ma fille. Dieu veuille que, d'ici a ce temps 1^, j'aie le coeur a Taise. Ah, mon ami, j'ai eu bien du mal depuis que nous nous sommes vus ; et j'en ai bien encore ! Ma fille ainee (j'ose le dire sans pre- vention) une creature charm ante a to us ^gards, qui faisoit mon bonheur et ma gloire, est malade depuis un an, d'un engorgement de glandes. qui resiste jusqu'a present a tons les remedes. Tout espoir n'est pas perdu, Dieu merci ; mais vous sentez bien les tourmens que j'endure depuis un an que je suis en crainte continuelle de la perdre plus tot ou plus tard. Sa patience, son egalite d'humeur, sa douceur, sa gaiete meme dans des souffrances horribles, ne font qu'ajouter a mes peines, et me rendent plus cher encore Tobjet de mes alarmes. Pendant pres de quatre mois son unique nourri- ture dtait le cafd au lait. Depuis une quinzaine de PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 121 jours elle recommencait a pouvoir faire passer du consommd, de la bouillie, et de la creme brulee ; mais un rhunie afiPreux qu'elle a pris sans sortir de sa charabre, lui ote de nouveau Ja possibility d'avaler,' au moins pendant quelques heures apres les vio- lentes quintes de toux. Le mal est siir la poitrine, oil la noLivriture solide ne pent pas passer, ou, quand elle passe, lui cause une si violente douleur qu'elle en perd connoissance. Mais parlous de sujets moins alarmans. Comme je ne vous ai pas ecrit depuis si long-temps, il faut que je vous mette un pen au courant. J'ai, outre ma fiUe raalade, deux autres filles et un fils, tons comme je penx les desirer, cceur, esprit, talent, figures, tout est asouhait; etsila Providence m'en- voie des peines, je ne saurais d'un autre cote etre assez reconnoissante du bonheur solide et du con- tentement que me donne mes enfains. Mme. de P.... est dans la meme cas pour les siens. Elle a deux filles charmantes, dont I'ainee va epouser un jeune homme riche et de raerite, nomm6 le Comte de M . .... Elle sera etablie en Westphalie apres son mariage. C'est le seul point qui ne me fait pas plaisir, d'autant plus que comme elle est intimement liee avec ma pauvre malade, ce depart sera un cruel chagrin pour elle. Le fils de Mme. de P . . . . est aussi un excellent garcon a tons egards. Ma sceur a neuf enfans /inofrp o'flr/^nn.si pt. ninn fillps nni nrnnrip.ffpnf 122 MEMOHIALS, tout, mais sont encore trop jeunes pour en parler en detail. J*ai trduv6 un mot allemand, meme en caractere allemand, dans votre lettre qui m'a fait grand plaisir, puisqu'il me prouve que vous n'oubliez pas notre langue. Vous avez bien raison, car elle vaut bien la peine d'etre cultiv^e, et devient de jour en jour plus intdressante par les excellentes choses qui s'y ecri- vent. Madame de W n est pas bien du tout : Je Grains bien que sa poitrine ne soit attaque. Madame de B est a merveille, Dieu merci. Je ne vous parle pas politique, parceque j'enrage de la chimere de paix que vous allez faire, ou avez fait, et dans quel moment encore. Adieu done ; car si je me permets plus de quatre mots sur ce sujet, je ne finirai plus. Recevez encore une fois mes remercimens de ce que vous avez pensd a moi pour me communiquer votre bonheur, que je partage bien sincerement. Donnez moi de temps en temps vos nou- veUes, quand cela se pourra, sans vous gener ; et comptez sur la dur^e et la vivacite de Tamiti^ de votre ancienne amie. Thun, nee XJlfeldheim, FROM JOHN PITT TO HIS SON, MORTON PITT. London, April 30, 1784. My dearest William, T have long wished to give you some information with regard to the various and important political PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 123 events of these times ; but whilst affairs remained in a state of confusion, the result of which it was impossible to foresee, I knew not what to say. We are, at length, in a situation far beyond my hopes ; and I believe it will give you some satisfaction to be informed of past occurrences and future pros- pects. Of these, you may have had some accounts from Bath ; but whether, connected as he is with Lord Northington, &c., he sees things through the same medium that I do, may, I think, be a little doubted. He dined with us the other day, which is only the second time of seeing him for above two months last past, which have been taken up by the Circuit, and afterwards by attending Sir Francis B . . . .'s Cornish elections, where they have met with great disappointments. The same fate has attended most of the elections on the part of the Opposition. This was remarkably the case both in the county and city of York, where their strength was universally reputed to be very great. In short the universal sense of the kingdom ap- pears to be daily against them. Your election at Poole was attended by no ex- pense and very little trouble. Indeed I could not sit easy here whilst I thought I could be of any service there ; and therefore resolved on a journey thither, notwithstanding a very bad cough, that had confined me a long time ; and I was so unfor- 124 MEMORIALS, ever felt ; but, by the care of Mrs. Hyde, the help of a great coat, and the great complaisance of all our friends, who excused me from the trouble of making them my visits of thanks, together with the change of air, I came back with better health, and am now well. The particulars of the election you will have learned from Hyde and Jeffery, whose letters you must have received some time ago. I hope and believe that, with a little management, Poole may always be ours. P has shown himself unworthy of your confidence. ' I am now your agent. But to return to public affairs. I am perfectly clear in opinion that all the pretended virtue and public spirit in Burke's attendance upon, and his labours in drawing up the Reports of the India Committees, were directed to serve his own private « views, and at the same time to pave the way for Pox's famous Bill, which he hurried through the House of Commons with a most unbecoming pre- cipitation, to prevent a serious and exact disquisi- tion into the real state of the Company's affairs (which he represented in a very false light), and to avoid the formation of a cool deliberate plan to remedy the evils justly complained of and put the affairs of the Company into such a situation as might be really beneficial to the kingdom, but which would have entirely defeated his great plan, which I tremble to think of. It was, indeed, a PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. ]25 master-piece of the kind, and promised fair to place him in a state of absolute despotism. The immense patronage this Bill would have given him, which would infallibly have produced the annual sum of at least a million and a half, abso- lutely at his own disposal, would have been more than sufficient to have secured a majority in Parlia- ment, to approve and support all his designs, and set him above all control. The Act was to continue in force for four years, and would consequently fur- nish him with power to keep his ground in that par- liament, and long enough to enable him to procure, upon its natural death, a new one suited to his purposes — or to corrupt a majority of the new members, in case of a disappointment in the elec- tions — or to prolong the duration of the old one. In any of these cases, what obstacles would there have been to continuing in power for any length of time he should think fit ? Being at that time Minister, with a very great majority in the House of Commons at his absolute command, and thinking himself sure of a majority (though not so large a one) in the House of Lords, he judged this to be the proper time to proceed upon his great plan of despotism. But the King, galled by the shackles in which Pox had, without the least regard to the common rules of decency, always kept him, happily thought fit to embrace a DroDosition to emancipate himself, and soon settled 126 MEMORIALS, a plan of placing William Pitt at the head of affairs. A new administration was immediately appointed, and by their firmness and steadiness, which I am sure will be lasting, the coalition is ex- cluded and totally defeated. Thunderstruck at this unexpected revolution, Fox had no resource left but to gain time to form new designs, and to avail himself of his strength in the House of Commons, for annihilating the power of the Crown, now no longer in his hands. He carried his famous resolutions relating to the King's appointing and retaining in his service, by prerogative, an administration disapproved by a majority in the House of Commons, &c., to which he certainly hoped for the power of giving the force of the ordinances of the House in the last century. The first of these resolutions was strenuously op- posed by your friends Powis and Marsham. And now it was easy to perceive that Pox's great object was, under pretence of desiring only a share of minister's power, to secure to himself the whole. Union of parties was now the general topic of the debates^ and dazzled the eyes of the wise country gentlemen, who, with those two gentlemen at their head^ appointed and held several meetings at the St. Alban's Tavern, in order to bring about a treaty of union between the two contending parties — a wild scheme, considering the opposite princi- ples, of the two leaders ! Powis and Marsham got PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 127 presently out of their depth, and became the dupes of Fox, who endeavoured to avail himself of the numbers they carried v^^ith them to forward the new measures which he should think proper to adopt; in order to which, he protracted all public business by frequent adjournments, whereby he gained several weeks, wherein he threw out threats of refusal of all supplies. And now it was judged proper to dissolve the Parliament and call a new one, as well in point of prudence as in consequence of the universal voice of the kingdom, expressed by numberless addresses from all parts ; and the new Parliament will certainly answer their wishes. 1 must now give you an account of Gratarol's situation, which I am sure you are anxiously desi- rous to be informed of. I have, ever since your leaving England, been agitated by alternate hopes and, fears. The latter are all vanished. 1 hope I shall not tire your patience in giving you some parts of his history. He was born under a most romantic planet. The turns and vicissitudes of his life are nevertheless not to be compared to those of his patron, at whom, I believe, you will laugh, when I give him his just and true title of King. That which he is known by is Count Benyousky, of whom the printed paper, here enclosed, will give you some idea. You may probably hear some- thing of him at Paris, if you come home that way. 128 MEMORIALS, living, and is not yet arrived at the fortieth year of his hfe. His kingdom is the Island of Madagas- car, where he has about four millions of subjects, of the best disposition in the world, inhabiting a country one thousand miles in length, of amazing fertility, abounding with many valuable articles of commerce, full of timber trees for ship-building, and with a very great army of valiant and well- disciplined troops. But to return to Gratarol's history, of which he wishes you to be informed of the particulars, but which, in the whole, would take too much time at present, and therefore I will reserve some for your entertainment when we meet. Erom the time of your departure, he most days passed some hours with me, during my long con- finement on account of the cough, which I have at length perfectly got rid of. The melancholy situa- tion of his affairs greatly affected him, in which, you may believe, T bore some share. One evening I observed him to be particularly ' dejected, and indeed almost in a state of despair. The Count de K had indeed told both him and me that he had strongly recommended him to Count Benyousky, who had let him into some of the outlines of his great plan, and that he did not doubt of his fortune's being made, if he had no^ objection to going into a very remote part of the world. He soon after introduced Gratarol, who PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 129 was particularly well received by Benyousky, who had actually applied to Mr. Pox, then Secretary of State, for an aid towards the execution of his great plan, by a loan of a sum, not very large (to be repaid at the end of a year, with cent per cent profit), which suui was to pay for hire of two or three vessels for the transport of himself, his family, and a considerable number of his dependants, with such merchandize, arms, instruments of husbandry, and other goods as were necessary -for him. This scheme struck Mr. Fox's imagination so strongly, and was so suitable to his views, that he not only granted all that he asked, but even went beyond his wishes. Orders were actually given for the ships to be got ready, and Gratarol's arrears of half-pay were ex- pected to be paid in a few days, and everything bore a most favourable aspect, when the whole was at once defeated by the sudden change of adminis- tration. The Count immediately made the same proposals to Lord Carmarthen, Pox's successor in office, but without success — partly owing to his thinking it his duty to proceed with more caution than the other had thought necessary, and partly to the machinations of the Prench Court, who, sen- sible of the great importance of the Count's plan with respect to their possessions in that part of the world, and particularly the islands of Prance and Bourbon, used every means (some of which I know 130 MEMORIALS, short, after a few days' treaty, the Count was given to understand that be must expect nothing from Government. By this fatal blow, the Count's finances, out of which he had maintained himself, his family, and about one hundred and fifty of his depen- dants here and elsewhere in Europe, were so re- duced by unavoidable ielsLj and some disappoint- ments, that he found himself under a neces- sity of ordering all his effects, even the Countess's jewels and her very clothes, to be forthwith sold, to defray the necessary charges of his depar- ture, which now admitted of no delay, and a large demurrage of the shipping he had engaged for his voyage. Gratarol's arrears were unpaid, and new applica- tions had to be made, but with very small hopes of a speedy payment, when (fortunately indeed) Prince Ferdinand's letter of general recommendation of Gratarol, procured by your letter to the Prince, arrived, and was immediately delivered to W. P., who, at the pressing instances of Bankes, im- mediately despatched the affair of the half-pay, to which -alone Gratarol confined all the pretensions which he might have founded upon the Prince's most gracious recommendation. The arrears were paid, and the money remaining, after a few neces- sary payments, was employed in the purchase of proper goods, &c. for the expedition. But still PERSON Air AND HISTORICAL. 131 the whole money that appeared possible to be pro- cured, fell considerably short of what was absolutely wanted ; when, in an accidental conversation, the Count's name having been mentioned, one, who happened to be of the company, expressed great admiration of his character, to which he was no stranger, and a most ardent desire to see him ; which produced an interview, wherein, being in- formed of the straits and difficulties the Count lay under, and of the sum necessary to supply all his wants, which amounted to about £1500, he im- mediately gave him a draft on his banker for that sum, refusing to take any security for the repayment, other than a verbal promise of a ship-load of a certain wood, the produce of this Island, to be sent him within the space of a year after his arrival there. The money drawn for was immediately paid, and in a very few days converted into proper goods, merchandizes, &c., and shipped on board a vessel in the river, wherein the Count also embarked, with Gratarol, whom he had ac- tually appointed his first minister. Such measures have been taken as will infallibly secure them from all French designs against them. I was nevertheless a little alarmed last Monday, when I imagined them many leagues oflP, by receiv- ing a letter from Gratarol, dated at a sea-port in this kingdom, which, for certain reasons, I must not __i J.1 J.1 1 _i 1 _-_j 1 132 MEMORIALS, he, by permission, was got on shore to recover from sea-sickness occasioned by being tossed about in the Channel by bad weather, in their passage from a place very remote from the direct track to their Island, to which place they went in order to elude and disappoint the industry and extreme diligence of the French here to discover and defeat their designs, by which they are greatly alarmed. The wind having been here unfavourable to their getting out to sea ever since I heard from him, I, last Wednesday, sent him some letters from abroad, with an account of your health, which he most anxiously desired of me. He tells me, in his letter, that he every day finds fresh cause to admire his aimahle chef, and to attach himself more firmly to him : that their time on board is employed in digesting and improving plans they have already formed, the beauties of which he highly extols ; and in learning the language of the Island, which he hopes to be master of before he arrives there. He says he has now nothing to pray for, but a speedy arrival there: Car alors (says he) il ne manquera plus rien a ma fortune et a mon bonheur : and that he anticipates in his im- agination the satisfaction we shall receive from his first letter from the Island, as he wiU then be at liberty to disclose some very agreeable circum- stances, which, at this time, his duty forbids his committing to paper. PEKSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 133 I had a more particular pleasure in giving him, by that letter, an account of you and your's being in perfect health, which I was the more desirous of doing, having some fears that a cruel report of your death, which originated in Dorsetshire im- mediately after your election, and afterwards found its way into some newspapers, might possibly have reached him uncontradicted. Por what pur- pose this rumour was circulated I cannot conceive ; but it had gained so much credit, that a friend of mine met Gulston driving full speed to Poole, with a view, T suppose, to succeed you ; in which, however, he would have had no chance of success. Our friends are in high spirits, and have great hopes of carrying the mayoralty against Lester at the next election. Before my receiving your letter of the 31st of March, I had revolved the matter of the title in my mind, and think it very probable that a favour- able opportunity may naturally offer itself, in sup- port of my pretensions to the Barony in Fee, or, at least, to justify an application for a new one in tail male. The former, you may believe, I have the most at heart ; but that will require some management, and principally with the Attorney and Solicitor- General, upon whose opinion of my case much will depend. I consider, likewise, that the majority in Parliament will be so great on the 134 MEMORIALS, office, or, indeed, of more, will scarcely be worth their attention ; and therefore I do not think it at all advisable to make the proposal you men- tion. Besides, those would be measures not at all suitable to the present system. They wguld cer- tainly have been much more so had Fox's plan taken place. It will certainly be more seasonable to bring the matter forward next winter, and that will afford me time to advise with the learned about the evi- dences now in my possession, and those to be had elsewhere. I have one great advantage in the favour I have the honour to be in, and even think it will probably improve. These considerations, and the prospect they afford, would be very pleas- ing in happier times ; but, alas ! when may we hope to see them ? I am very thankful to Providence for your being now situated at a distance from the woeful scenes that present themselves here of the sad effects of party rage and factious violence, trangressing and inverting the laws of nature and society ; breaking the sacred bonds of friendship, and the strictest ties of blood and affection in families, setting brothers at variance with their brothers, and even sons with their fathers ! I must not here enter into particu- lars, but some of them pierce my very heart. May the great God preserve us from these horrors, from which I should most earnestly pray for death as a PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 135 happy refuge. That you, my dearest WilUam, may Uve to see better times and happier than I can hope for, is the sincere wish, as it has always been the earnest endeavour of Your ever affectionate father, J. Pitt. I have this moment received the enclosed letter from Plymouth. My love to Margaret. I hope she, yourself, and little Sophia* continue in perfect health. I have just had a visit from Baron von Barle, who produced to me, by way of credential, a letter from you, of which he says he has received a great many. He said much in your praise ; and that he was come over, in hopes of settling with you the af- fair depending between him and Pox. I gave him a general account of the Deed of Trust, and, at his de- sire, a note to Parrer, by way of introduction, in order to his receiving information concerning his situation as one of the creditors, which is all that I could do in the business, except giving him assurances that he may rely on all justice being done, and every satisfaction given him, consistent with the nature of the Trust. I recommended to Parrer a little civihty of behaviour to the Baron. Endorsed. Prom my father, April 30, 1784. * Afterwards Countess of Romuey. Mr, Morton Pitt's only IS6 MEMORIALS, DUKE OF BRUNSWICK TO MR. W. MORTON PITT. Magdebourg, ce 16 Septembre, 1787. Monsieur, C'est avec une peine infinie que j'ai appris par la lettre que vous m'avez fait I'honneur de m'ad- dresser en date du 21 passd, la confirmation de la mort de notre bon ami, le digne Gratarol ; j 'observe, cependant, qu'elle a eu lieu avant la malheureuse catastrophe arrivee a M. le Comte de Beniowsky ; quoiqu'il en soit, il est douloureux toujours pour les amis de ce brave borame de Tavoir perdu au moment meme ou ils avaient quelque raison d'esp^rer de voir ses vertus triompher de ses malheurs. D'apres Tinteret sincere que j'ai pris en mon particulier au sort de ce galant homme, je lui en aurais bien soubaite un plus heureux que celui qu'il a subi; mais la Providence eternelle qui fait tout pour le bien des mortels Tayant voulu ainsi, il ne nous appartient qu'a nous soumettre h. ses decrets. Vous avez en attendant un motif de plus, Mon- sieur, de regretter cette mort, vu qu'elle vous fait perdre a la fois un ami, et la forte avance que vous lui avez faite, et dont je vous plains sincere- ment. Si cependant des circonstances heu- reuses peuvent faire recouvrer la derniere, il est d'autant plus triste de devoir renoncer a Tesp^- rence de retrouver le premier. J'ai envoye au PEllSONAL AND HISTORICAL, 137 Comte Marschall une copie de voire lettre, ct je suis sur que son ccEur sensible donnera des lannes au souvenk de notre ami. C'est avec les sentimens d'une consideration parfaite que je suis Monsieur, Votre tres devoue ami, Perdinand, Due de Brunswic et de Luiiebourg, Benyousky was a Magnate of Hungary and Poland, and a dis- tinguished soldier, whose adventures and reverses rival those of Baron von Trenck, with this difference — that he *^ died in harness" instead of subsiding into an Atheistical wine- merchant. At one time the Russians imprisoned him in a dungeon, in which he mira- culously escaped death from the surrounding dead bodies of his com- panions : at another, he escaped from a dungeon in Kamtschatka in company with the governor's daughter, whom he married ; and after making himself master of the place he sailed from thence with eighty-six men and nine women, landing at Macao, and thence sailing for Europe. The French government encouraged him to form a settlement in Madagascar, to which place he sailed accordingly ; but being opposed and annoyed by the Erench courtiers and officials he set up for himself, and came to Europe for the purpose of seeking assistance and alliances from other governments- With such pecuniary advances as he could obtain from Morton Pitt and a few other Englishmen, he again sailed for Madagascar (vide the above quoted letter). Against the French governor advancing with a small military force to attack him, Benyoi/sky could only oppose thirty natives, who instantly ran away, and two Europeans who stood by him. He was struck by a bullet, and died almost im- mediately. 138 MEMORIALS, CHAPTER X. The following letters in this compilation being arranged chronologically, I must give a short pre- monitory sketch concerning them, because they will hereafter be much intermingled as regards their writers and recipients, many of whom, as before stated, were connected either by relationship or community of aim. The first three were written by Hannah More, to Lady Middleton, at Teston Court, in Kent, and at this point, a few words relative to the dramatis persona are necessary, under penalty of cbnfusedness. Teston Court belonged at that time (1784) to Miss Bouverie, called (by the brevet rank then accorded to permanent spinsters) Mrs. Bouverie. Her name appears honourably in the memoirs of more than one historical philanthropist. Prom her, Wilberforce met with sympathy in his labours of love; in her, Hannah More found one of her earliest and most generous contributors to the work of instructing two thousand poor children. Lady PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 139 Middleton was aunt of Admiral Lord Gambler, of Mrs. Morton Pitt, and of Mrs. Larcelles Iremonger, before mentioned. Her husband, Sir Charles Middleton (afterwards created Lord Barham), was made first Lord of the Admiralty, when in his eightieth year, viz., in 1805, on the impeachment of Lord Melville. The friendship between Lady Middleton and Mrs. Bouverie was as romantic as that of the celebrated Ladies of Llangollen. It dated from school, lasted through life, and included the hus- band of the former, From the time of their mar- riage. Sir Charles and Lady Middleton lived wntb Mrs. Bouverie, who, dying after Lady Middleton, left her property to Sir Charles. Lady Middleton was one of the most accom- plished women of her time, and attracted all the talent of the dav to Teston. The celebrated Dr. Johnson was a frequent visitor there, and one night, groping his way down stairs in' the dark, thought he felt the head of a man, whom supposing to be a robber, he seized hold of, and roared with all his might, when on the affrighted household assembling, candle in hand, the robber turned out to be an old lady's wig, which her maid had left on a knob of the oak staircase. Many of the family pictures . at Exton* were painted by Lady Middleton. 140 MEMORIALS 5 With regard to her having originated the anti- slavery movement, two opposite statements are made — Mr. Latrobe affirming the fact, and the authors of the " Life of Wilberforce" denying it; the arguments of the latter being, that Mr. Wilberforce had written against the slave trade when a boy, that he had in 1780 asked a friend, just starting for Antigua, to collect information on the subject, as he hoped to redress the evil some day ; and that speaking of Lady Middleton's "application" (I quote the word used in the book), he had said, " It was just one of those many impulses which were all giving to my mind the same direction." On the other hand, if Mr. Wilberforce made up his mind in 1780, it is no less clear that he first avowed his opinions publicly''*' in 1787, a few months after his visit to Teston ; whilst the evi- dence of Mr. Latrobe, who was an eye-witness to the events on which the case hangs, and whose very high character raises his testimony above sus- picion, will, I think, render it difficult for a candid public to escape the conclusion that Lady Middle- ton did actually set the ball rolling, though it must have started sooner or later by its own self-motive power. The following is from Mr. Latrobe's letter, which I quote from the " Life of Wilberforce." * Life of Wilberforce, vol. i, p. 151. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 141 At Sea. December 15, 1815. ^ # # # When Sir Charles Midvlleton (afterwards Lord Barham) commanded a man-of-war, he had a sur- geon on board whose name, was Ramsay. Sir Charles went to the West Indies, where Mr. Ram- say married a lady of St. Kitts. It was thought most inconvenient that Mr. Ramsay should settle in that island, and as he had an inclination to enter into the church, and a living offered, he came home, took orders, and became a clergyman. In St. Kitts he saw a great deal of the manner of treating the negroes, and felt the greatest pity for them. But having become acquainted with the horrors of the trade by which they were obtained, he was stiH more shocked with the indignities and cruelties suffered by those poor creatures on their passage from Africa to the islands, and with the brutal manner of their being bought and sold like cattle. How long he staid in St. Kitts I have not here the means of ascertaining, but after some years he received a vocation to the living of Teston, near Maidstone, in Kent. Here his diligence, useful- ness, and urbanity of manners soon brought him into great favour with the family, especially as his mild and charitable disposition well accorded with, t.liaf, of his natron ess?. Mrs. Bouverie. and her 142 MEMORIALS, friend Lady Middleton. In the course of his fre- quent conversations, the state of the slaves in the West Indies, and the abominable traffic in human flesh and blood, came into discussion. The ladies were shocked v^ith the details given them by Mr. Ramsay. Lady Middleton's active mind and indefatig- able ardour would not suffer the matter to rest, and she was continually urging Mr. Ramsay to call the attention of the whole nation to such crying sins. To this purpose, she wrote him an energetic letter, which you will find in his " Essay on the Treatment of, and Traffic in, Slaves." This book caused a great sensation, and raised against Mr. Ramsay a host of enemies. Yet all this which was said and written on the subject might have passed away, and produced as little effect as the declama- tions and writings of many good men in England and America, and the mental torments experienced and recorded by Mr. Clarkson, but that God put it into the heart of Lady Middleton to venture one step further, and to urge the necessity of bringing the proposed abolition of the Slave Trade before ^Parhament, as a measure in which the whole nation was concerned. This was done in the most natural and simple manner possible, at the conclusion of some very animated expressions of feelings on considering the ■i«f>- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 14 national guilt attached to the continuation of sue] a traffic. Sorry I am that T did not mark the day when was w^itness to that remarkable conversation,* whic took place at breakfast ; Mr. Ramsay, if I mistak not, being present. Lady Middle ton, address in her husband, who was member for Rochester, saic " Indeed, Sir Charles, I think you ought to brin the subject before the House, and demand Pai liamentary inquiry into the nature of a traffic s disgraceful to the British character." Sir Charles granted the propriety of such a inquiry, but observed that the cause would be i bad hands if committed to him, who had never y( made one speech in the House ; but he added, the he should strenuously support any able membc who would undertake it. This led to an interchange of opinions, respec ing the willingness and fitness of several membei who were named to brave the storm, and defen the cause of humanity, when some one mentione Mr. Wilberforce, who had lately come out, an not only displayed very superior talents, and grej eloquence, but was a decided and powerful adv( cate of the cause of truth and virtue, and a frien of the minister. He was then at Hull, and Lad Middleton prevailed on Sir Charles immediately 1 write to him and propose the subject. He did s * Durine: Mr. Latrobe's residence at Teston, 178G. 141 MEMORIALS, and communicated the letter he had written to the family, as well as Mr. Wilberforce's answer, which he received a few days after, both of which T heard with these, mine ears. Mr. Wilberforce wrote to the following effect, " that he felt the great impor- tance of the subject, and thought himself unequal to the task allotted to him, but yet would not positively dechne it ;" adding, that on his return to town he would pay a visit to the family at Teston, and consult with Sir Charles and Lady Middleton on the subject. After Mr. Wilberforce's return from Yorkshire, he visited the family at Teston as proposed ; and as he endeavoured to make himself master of the subject, and from every accessible quarter to obtain information, Sir Charles sent him to me, to learn what had been effected by our missionaries among the slaves, in the different West India Islands ; and I fiirnished him with every piece of intelligence in my power. * # * Ch. Ign. Latrobe. One word respecting the term predicated at the outset of this compilation. The credit of individuality will not, I think, be denied of Lady Middleton — the woman who, in the eighteenth century, was contemporaneously sought by wits and philanthropists — conversing PERSONAL AND HISTOKICAL. 145 li Dr. Johnson, the great literary upholder existing things, and meditating an attack m an institution hedoed round bv vested its. Nor can the term well be denied of man who,~ like Cincinnatus, was called from country pursuits when in his eightieth year, take a high command at a time of unusual iculty. n Mr. Wilberforce's published Diary there is following passage respecting him : 'Pitt and Lord Chatham [1797] first Lord of Admiralty, had sent for Middleton, and met \ with the information, * Bad news, Sir Charles, n the fleet, a ship has mutinied ; what are we do?' Sir Charles, who had always been an my to pressing, and who actually resigned his [?e of Comptroller of the Navy because he Id not carry some reforms which would have vented the breaking out of the great mutiny, nediately replied, * You know how ill I think se poor fellows have been used, but now that las come to a mutiny, there is but one thing to done, you must show them that you have the leriority ; you must order a ninety-gnn ship on h side of her, and sink her on the spot, if she !s not at once submit/ They were staggered, [ said doubtfully, 'That is a strong measure, at if they should refuse to obey ?' ' Then in- lOlu T. L 146 * MEMORIALS, deed all would be over ; but tbey will not refuse to obey if you give the order resolutely, and it is the only thing which can be done.' He left them still undetermined, and in a few minutes came back with the despatch drawn up ; and seeing still some hesitation, said, 'Pray sign it instantly, there is much to be done in the office, and we shall scarce- ly be ready in time to save the post/ *Sir Charles,' said Pitt, ' is the best man of business I know,' &c. &c.* But there is one more person whose peculiar claim calls for an explicit acknowledgment, be- cause her labours were not directed to mend scat- tered grievances respectively, but to remove their producing causes. I allude to Hannah More — a person than whom few of note have been less clearly appreciated by general posterity ^ — partly owing to the present non-existence of those re- quirements with which she was pre-eminently adapted to cope, and partly to the unmeasured . laudations of an exclusive religious party. Half an hour's conversation with any Somerset- shire octogenarian, whose memory of events can go back clearly into the last twenty years of the last century, will convince anyone (not grossly pre- judiced) that Hannah More rendered national services of \mappreciable extent ; and when one's * "Life of Wilberforce." vol. ii., p. 212. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 147 tience totters under some unctuously narrow itiment from her unsparing pen, it is but justice turn from w.ords to deeds, and remember that ■ great friend Mrs. Garrick, was a Roman Catho- and that she showed personal hospitahty to the ench emigrant priests, besides assisting them th money and Hterary labour. I give the letters in their entirety, believing that, IS unprepared and un weeded, they will present J most faithfql, though perhaps not the most btering portrait of the writer. The first three letters are from Hannah More to ,dy Middleton, with one to Mrs. Bouverie — from 84 to 86 inclusive. HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. [1784.], Your ladyship wishes to know something of the 3tical prodigy I have lately become acquainted Lh. She is a milk-woman, was born and bred that station ; has had no kind of education, 3ept that her brother, who was a day labourer, ight her to write. She has a husband and six all children, is in the most abject poverty, and the severity of last winter the whole family was luced to such extremity of want, that in a fit of spair they all sat down together waiting the oke of death, her mother, a very pious old man, being of the number. A friend of mine, L 2 148 * MEMORIALS, happening to pass that way, providentially looked into their hovel ; he saw their distress, went home, and sent them some bread and meat ; the good old woman lived to see it arrive, smiled upon the in- fants, and expired. It is to this terrible circum- stance she alludes in almost every part of her poetry. Her time is spent in selling milk, feeding hogs, and nursing her little miserable family, nor does she ever allow herself to read or write till they are all in bed. I would not give her encour- agement till I found she did not sacrifice the small- est of her duties to the Muses. She is about twenty- eight years old, very awkward, reserved, and of a melancholy temper, has noble sentiments, and, I believe, excellent principles. She does not know one rule of grammar, has never even seen a dic- tionary. Her imagination is strong, her poetical expression rich and various, and her ear is so exceedingly musical that in three hundred Imes I have never found one that was unharmonious. 1 will add a few extracts from some of her verses, by way of specimen. DESCRIPTION OF WINTER. " In that lone hour when angry storms descend, And the chilled soul forgets the name of Friend, When all her sprightly fiies inactive lie, And gloomy objects fill the mental eye; When hoary winter strides the northern blast, And Flora's beauties at his feet are cast ; PfeRSONAL AND HISTORICAL. ]49 Earth by the grisly tyrant desert made, The feather'd warblers quit the leafy shade ; Quit those dear scenes where life and love began, And cheerless seek the savai^e haunts of man ; Then shall your image soothe my pensive soul. When slow-pac'd moments big with mischiefs roll." lin : Extract from the poem to Stella. Say, bright instructress, soother of the soul. Whose flowing namberSj strong as Jesse's harp, Despair ne'er heard, but loathing left the soul, Dire fiend! whom sounds of joy could ne'er allure; 3 say, for strong-eyed Eaith has borne you far. Beyond the gloomy chambers of the grave, Speak loudly to my late corrected soul, Chat sure reward awaits the blameless mind, Else will I give the strenuous struggle o'er. Throw up your angel mind as painted shade, ^ 3r notion strong from early precept caught, [love through the maze of all-alluring sense, ind this side Jordan every hope shall fix. ^ere ravings all — these crude ideas die, Ls Faith to Calvary's Mount directs my view, ^or will I lose, thus humbled as I am, % dear-bought claim to Immortality." ^ did not select these passages as being better i the rest, but more detached. They are, how- , enough to convince your ladyship that she esses the true spirit of poetry. I am, &c., H. M. 150 MEMORIALS, HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Bristol, September 3, 1785. My dear Lady Middleton, Though enveloped in a very substantial wall of flesh, I have one property of a ghost, that is, I always speak when I am spoken to, and the reason why I did not speak first in the present case was because I know that your time has such demands upon it that what appears to be kindness is in fact crueltv. I receive a very serious satisfaction from knowing your ladyship is perfectly recovered from that cruel fever which distressed us all so much in June. Travelling after an illness is a wise project, and I rejoice you have had so pleasant a tour ; as to Mrs. Bouverie, her enterprises in the travelling way are vastly more heroic than ever I should have given her credit for ; though I believe it is generally the unprofessing people who go through all the hardships and do all the business. Tt is a comfort to me to be able to say that you were not within ten miles of Cowshp Green. What a mortification have I escaped in your not calling in there, as you would not have found me, for it is not yet finished, and of course not habitable, though I go a day every week to direct and to plant ; in short, I am in a very fair way of being ruined, hav- ing greatly exceeded, as all projectors do, my original PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 151 an ; you would laugk to hear me talk of exceed- g, if you saw what a little tiny thing it still is ; it things figure by comparison. Mr. Walsingham, Mrs. Garrick, and I had anned a very pleasant scheme to the Lakes in vimberland for this month, but the dangerous iness of poor Mr. Boyle has defeated it. She going to send him to Naples. I don't think 3 can recover. I am happy in the near neighbourhood of Lady Liliana and Miss Penn, who have taken for some Lonths the house Mrs. Edwards had last year ; Clifton ; they are much pleased with their tuation, and it has been of much service to Lady uliana's health. Lady J. Stanley is very honest ; I think her first Dunty paid very handsomely for her book. This subject leads me to the very unpleasant one 1 which your ladyship desires some information, have taken an infinite deal of pains to suppress le sad story of Mrs. Yearsley's misconduct,* but 1 vain ; she herself publishes it to every one she 3es. Because I have laid out the money in the unds instead of giving it her to squander, she has penly accused me of a design to defraud her of ; and when I paid her the half year's dividend I advance, she dashed it at me, saying, " She * The poetical milkwoman spoken of in the preceding letter. 152 MEMORIALS, never would receive that or anything else from me, who added insult to the weight of imaginary obliga- tion." These insults are in my preface to her book, which she says has been the ruin of her, that it was the height of cruelty to tell she was a milk- woman, and poor, the last of which she denies ; she also accuses me of having spoilt her verses by my pretended corrections, leaving out her finest things, and putting in my own nonsense : in short, the list of my oflPences would fill a quire ; the charge of fraud was made to me in person with the look and voice of an incensed fury rather than an angry woman. I confess to yon, my dear Madam, I have been deeply hurt, not at her personal ingra- titude to me, for that may be salutary to me, as I believe I was too proud of my success, nor, as it will lessen my future usefulness, for God can raise up better instruments, but as it may hurt really good and deserving sufiPerers, by making people afraid to undertake their cause, or contribute to their advancement. I trust this story will not harden your heart or mine against the next distress we meet with ; but how many are there who will make it a pretence to save their guinea, or with- hold their interest on any future application ! ' It is a fresh proof to me that nothing but a strong rehgious principle can counteract the mis- chievous propensities of great talents when con- nected with strong passions. Genius, as well as PERSO^fAL AND HISTORICAL. 153 ivledge, puffeth up ; but (observe how beautifully antidote follows the poison) charity edifieth. ope I need not say that I shall take the same e of her pecuniary interests, and am bringing a second edition ; but I do not see her, as I not sure it would, be safe, I am sure it would i be pleasant : yet she continues to come to the ise every day as usual for the pig's-wash. My iscience will not suffer me to give up my trust the poor children, for which I am pledged itly with Mrs. Montague ; if I had not this uple, I could put an end to my trouble at once giving up the money. You, my dear Madam, ' Charles, and Mrs. Bouverie, who are such ;e casuists in conscientious cases, tell me what lught to do. I have run on, but you desired it. How goes Mrs. Edwards ?* Well, I hope. My sisters send their best respects. Poor Patty still a great sufferer, and is wandering about in est of health. My best respects attend Sir Charles and Mrs. ^ Mrs. Edwards, mentioned in tliis letter, was the only daughter Sir Charles and Lady Middleton, and on the death of her father ame Baroness Barham. She married Mr. Gerard Noel Edwards, eldest son of Lady Jane Edwards, daughter and heir of Earl of Gainsborough, in favour of whose son. (the present i of Gainsborough) the title was revived. 1 54 MEMORIALS, B. I hope Mr. Gambler's health goes on pros- perously. Dear Madam, Your ladyship's most obliged and faithful H. More. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Adelplii, 13th March, (probably 1785.) Dear Madam, I return you Mr. Cowper, with many thanks for the pleasure and profit I have received from him. I have found what T have been looking for all my life, a poet whom I can read on a Sunday, and whose whole writings I can recommend to my young and my female friends, without restriction or exception. Besides that spirit of Christianity which gives these poems their first lustre, I find in them a bold imagination, much original thinking, and frequently very faithful paintings of nature. In his versification Mr. C. is negligent, and seems as- if he did not study order in the construction of his poems. But in this age of regular tinckling and correct chiming, this very negligence gives him an original and agreeable air. In the struc- ture of his verse he more resembles the ardent but careless measure of Churchill than anybody I know ; PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 15 3 has also his fire and indignant spirit, but i] better cause. Best compliments, chez vous. Yours, dear Madam, Most faithfully, Han. More. HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Sandleford House, June 14, 1786. My dear Lady Middleton, I am got as far as Mrs. Montague's on my.wa; ) my summer abode. I do not think I act ver idiciously to visit such places as Teston an( andleford, and enjoy such company as they pos 3SS, by way of preparation for a cottage an( )litude, but I take comfort in my favourite pro erb, " Casa mia, casa mia^ &c." This place i jally grovi^n into great beauty, the ground lie 3markably well, and Browne just touched it wit! is magic wand, but did not live to finish it. As I was walking in the wood this morning, ^as reflecting on Captain Gambier's* quere, Wh; ne never hears any religious conversation unless i ; tinctured vi^ith Methodism or hypocrisy ? I foi et his precise words. As Anthony says, '* If i e so, it is a grievous fault,'' and sorry I am no ) be able to answer the charge by adducing ; * Afterwards Xord Gambier. 156 MEMORIALS, * multitude of opposite instances. I believe there are many among our acquaintance who withstand the flesh and the devil very courageously, who yet have not resolution to resist the world. Modesty, the dread of singularity, and the fear of exciting suspicions of their sincerity, chain the tongues of some whose hearts burn within them. But if we are candid to those who, through fear or shame, keep silence, even from good words, shall we be less favourable to those whose " mouth speaketh from the abundance of the heart?" A person deep in the Classics speaks the language of Virgil or Horace without pedantry. Where the mind is deeply imbued with the subject, it naturally falls into the language of it. The bias of education and the habits of life give this religious phrase- ology to recluses and sectarists. I should be very careful how I accused a man of hypocrisy because his discourse was a little quaint, and his expres- sions too scriptural for familiar conversation. A geometrician is not reckoned a hypocrite for talk- ing of lines and angles, nor a poet for talking of dactyls and spondees ; if, indeed, they talk of these things to the ignorant, they may be said to have affectation or bad judgment ; but, otherwise, these are the technical terms, the phraseology of their art, their professional dialect, nor can they express themselves in any other way. To be sure, " Praise God Barehones'" and the Puritanical Parliament PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 157 • VG made it sound ridiculous to say a man is eeking the Lord" when he is saying his prayers, t the expression itself has nothing ludicrous in So, " regeneration, grace, new birth, Divine %uenc€y the aids of the Spirit," however these )rds may be used by designing men, or made 3 mock of profane ones, yet they are not puri- lical cant, or metbodistical nonsense, but the ber language of the New Testament, and I have [lotion that, as we grow into a taste for the spirit that book, we shall take less offence at the let- ' ; we shall be vexed, perhaps, to see it . coupled th indiscretion or absurdity, but shall only be ocked at profane allusions and ludicrous associa- >ns. Polite ears are disgusted to hear their aker called " the Lord " in common talk, while nous ones think the fashionable appellation of he Deity" sounds extrem.ely Pagan. Tor my owm part, I do not like cant ; I am not lliating the practice because I approve it, but I ink still that religion is in more danger from ;r frozen moderation than from the ill-judged al of these good people. It is an error on the fe side ; and if to provide for eternity be really e great concern of human life, I cannot think at people will acquit themselves a bit the better their business for never talking about it. Is )t that man more likely to be earnest in his Pairs, who is so much engrossed by them as to 158 MEMORIALS, let them mix, however indiscreetly, in his common conversation, and v^^ho illustrates his ordinary talk with allusions to them, however ill applied or awk- wardly introduced, than he who carefully keeps his business out of his sight, and suppresses every word or hint which might lead to the subject ? I can't help thinking that, if the matter lay very near the heart, and filled its secret affections, it would now and then break out into words. Where it is al- ways the subject, there may be hypocrisy, but where it never escapes the lips, is it too severe to suspect that it is because it does not occupy the heart ? If we loved it as well, should we not talk of it as often as we do of money, business, beauty, pleasure, or wit ? I feel that after aU this long rambling scrawl. Captain Gambier's question is not satisfactorily answered ; but if we can't justify the indiscreet dialect of these well-meaning people, we may, at least, make it a kind of spiritual thermometer to try the heat and cold of our own affections ; if we are much scandalized at them, it is a sign that however high their imprudence may be, our charity is, at least, very low ; and when we cannot forgive anything serious because it is not perfectly discreet as to time and place, and perfectly elegant in the expression, we should be afraid that our zeal is falHng to the freezing-point. If your ladyship could hear the delicious clam- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 159 r of the nightingales under my window, you >uld think I not only had no ears, but no heart d affections, that I could sit still, writing at ran- m whatever came uppermost, and lose the sweet atification of this concert of the groves. But I ^e my friends even better than I love nigh tin- iest and I owe to your kindness, and that of rs. Bouverie, a word of gratitude and friendship r all your goodness to me. Mrs. Garrick hopes you will imagine for her erything she ought to say that is good and af- 3tionate. Mrs. Montague desires her compliments. Pray present my proper salams (is th^it spelt ^ht ?) to Mrs. Bouverie, to Sir Charles, to Mrs. vysden, and Mrs. Gambier. I am, with great esteem. My dear Lady Middleton's much obliged friend, and faithful, humble servant, Han. More. The next letter is to Mr. John Pitt from a Mr. avies, and would be barely vy^orth insertion, but r the curious and interesting evidence it contains, a county gentleman going to the expense of anting oaks largely with a view to the national (fences. 1 60 MEMORIALS, MK. DAVIES TO MR. JOHN PITT. Barkham, 15tli June, 1786. Dear Sir, Having a pleasure in obeying any command of yonrs, I would gladly have sent you the following particulars earlier ; but I wished to get ray infor- mation from Mr. St. John himself, and he has been of late so much from home, that I had not the good luck to meet with him till this week. In the meanwhile, I picked up what little knowledge I could, by walking among his trees and talking with his workmen. The oaks he has cut down this season (a few excepted) were planted by his father's uncle eighty- five years ago. Their age he fixes with certainty, having had the account from his father, to whom the estate was left, and who loved trees as his chil- dren. A great part of the timber would have been better, had it been cut some years ago ; the fault is that it has lost in some degree the natural toughness of oak, and acquired the brittleness of mahogany The common run of the trees, barked, is from five and a half to six and a half feet in girth ; those that measure more are comparatively few. The stems are in general short, and the greatest are about one load and a half. The number cut down is about four hundred. Mr. St. John has sold the whole (as he supposes) PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 161 £5 per load, including bark and top; but n he is to deliver it at Water- Oakley, near Indsor, fifteen miles distant. He reckons to clear DOO. The trees of greatest size I measured round h a string at about five feet from the bottom, 5r they had been barked, but before they were ved. I measured the least first, and made )ts upon my string ; and when I got home, I nd the girths to be as under : Trees. Feet. Inches. Trees. Feet. Inches 1 . . . . 9 nearly. 2 . . . . 7 . 10 1 . . . . 8 . 6 1 . . . . 7 . 4 1 . . . . 8 . 4 1 . . . . 7 . 2 1 . . . . 8 3 . . . . 6 . 10 2 . . . . 7 • 11 1 . . . . 6 . 8 Che largest contain something more than three Is of timber. Those in the first parcel appear have grown spontaneously from acorns ; two of QQ in a field near a hedge, two on the common, at some distance from the planted trees ; an- 3r amongst the planted ones near the road-side, not in a line with the rest, and the remaining by a cottage near the road also, at a good dis- ZG from any neighbour. These are supposed to of the same age with the others, and they eared to be, as far as I could judge, sound ber. But their superior bulk might perhaps be Qg more to their having room to extend their OL. I. M 162 ' Mt:MO RIALS, roots and branches in, than to the circumstance of their being self-sown. I find, however, it is a prevaiHng notion with the country people here, who, having been frequently employed in felling, and stripping, and hewing, have therefore had opportunities of observing, that planted oaks are inferior both in growth and in goodness to those produced immediately from acorns. This inferiority they attribute to the tap- roots having been cut, whereby the vigour of the plant is checked and its growth impeded. This is their idea, and it is Mr. St. John's too. He affirms it as a fact, founded on his own as well as on common observation, that planted oaks grow more slowly, and are apt to be more faulty than such as are produced from acorns. On looking into the last edition of Evelyn's Silva, I find both the author and the editor of that work agree in giving the preference to the acorn over the plant. Dr. Hunter, in a note, page 84, in answer to the question, " Which makes the best timber ?" whites thus : " Mr. Evelyn decides for sowing ; and if a careful observer will look into the woods that have been sown, and at the same time examine such as have been planted, he will not hesitate a moment to declare in favour of the excellent author of this Treatise/' And, further on, page 89, he says: "A wood raised in this natural manner [by sowing] will not only make the PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 163 st timber for the uses of the carpenter and ship- lilder, but will arrive at maturity many years oner than one of the same age raised from plants awn from the nursery. The tap-root of all trees rresponds with the leading shoot, so that when is cut off, as in planting from the nursery, the 36 is weakened in its leading shoot, but puts out ore vigorously in its lateral ones." I am very re you must have seen and considered these issages, though 1 question whether Mr. St. John ls ; but certainly the common people who are aployed about timber, have few or none of them er heard of the name of Evelyn, and yet they »ld the same opinion. It should seem therefore be rather a fact founded on observation than a ere prejudice. Thus then the matter rests (apparently) on the perience of Mr. Evelyn, of Dr. Hunter of York, 3 editor, who I think attends one of the London ►spitals (St. Bartholomew's, I believe), of Mr. . John, whose father was a great planter, and ing always in the country took great pleasure in most daily examining his trees, and of the com^ on people. Whether their concurring opinion is well founded as to be decisive, I will not pretend say. Dr. Hunter asserts it as an unquestionable 3t, but does not prove it by a reference to any rticular instance of trees planted and sown at e same time, in the same soil, at the same dis- M 2 1 G4 MEMORIALS, tance from one another. A comparison between trees in such circumstances can alone clearly solve the problem. I wish I had any more satisfactory information to send you on this subject, that you might pro- ceed with certainty in the best method of raising this valuable tree. Old England, a century hence, may greatly owe her independence to those forests which your regard for her welfare has induced you to plant. I heartily wish you health to complete the great undertaking; and remain, with the greatest respect, Dear Sir, Your much obliged and faithful, David Davies. Then follow letters from Hannah More to Mrs. Bouverie, Sir Charles and Lady Middleton respect- ively, from 1787 to 1792, when the latter died. There are also two letters to Mr. Morton Pitt, one from Mr. Glasse, which I insert as a tribute to good manners, of which he was so stout a reformer, vide note, and one from Mr. George Rose, which needs no apology. HANNAH MOKE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, July 31st.* My dear Sir, I had a very kind and comfortable letter from * T7Q'7 «„ 1 iU- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 165 dy Middleton, which gave me all the satisfaction lich could be received from a detail of the melan- oly circumstances in which you have been gaged. When I first saw the gloomy and low- irited state of Mr. Garabier's mind, could I have Dught that I should so soon have offered Balaam's tition. " May my last end be like his ?" But )d's ways are not as our ways. And though 3re is but one atonement, yet doubtless that suf- ing body and dejected mind were, in the hands Providence, instruments for his good. I shall take the liberty to send by the mail- ach, for it is too large for the post, a little pam- ilet which I have just finished ; it was entirely e result of two or three conversations I had with u in Hertford Street, and with Mr. Wilberforce. le zeal with which you both are animated for ling good, led me to wish that I, though one of e humblest of^all God's instruments, might con- fute my poor mite to advance the great purpose lU have at heart. My object was to take notice such particulars as the Proclamation* cannot elude, and to address my animadversions to that )dy of people who, being free from gross vice, eiu to live in a dangerous security. I wish for * "Royal Proclamation to magistrates, &c., desiring them to coun- lance and assist the efforts of the Society for the Reformation of mners ; the object of which society was, to diminish full-grown raes by insuring certainty of punishment for the smaller ones, 166 MEMORIALS, 3'our candid opinion whether it be likely to answer any useful end to publish it, at a 'proper time. It must be anonymous. There are many reasons why I could not own it, the chief of which is that I do not live up to my song, and that my own life is not as strict as the life I recommend. There are many other things on which 1 could have animadverted very severely, but I was afraid of attempting too much. At present I wish it to be seen only by Lady Middleton, Mrs. Bouverie, and Mr. Wilberforce, when an opportunity offers of your being within reach of the latter. I wish you to suggest every improvement which occurs to you. My greatest difficulty is the Sunday drawing-rooms ; that is an ugly corner to turn. Pray turn it over in your minds a little, whether it be not too bold. If you should be of opinion that it will be worth publishing, I should wish to entrust the Bishop of Chester with it, and to ask his judgment on the subject. I had the satisfaction of hearing, as I passed through Bath, that five or six hundred pounds had whenever reformatory prevention should fail. The following list of members is from the Life of Wilberforce, vol. i. p. 394. Sir Lloyd Kenyon, Mr. Morton Pitt. Sir William Dolben. Mr. Samuel Thornton. Sir Henry Houghton. Mr. Wilberforce. Sir James Long. i Mr. Edward Freeman. Sir Charles Middleton. Mr. Richard Milnes. Mr. Mainwaring. Rev. Dr. Glasse. Mr. Brook Watson. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 167 ;en seized by the'J magistrates at a gaming table, consequence of the Proclamation, and I think nverted to the use of the poor. Lord S 's iter was indeed a very poor one, and does not ke the business by the right handle ; but the Jects will be not the less good, I humbly trust. The Quakers here are all charmed with the egro Project, which I hear Mr. Clarkson has been osecuting with success at Bristol. That humane ople, I am assured, emancipated great numbers blacks, I forget in what province, who were ain reduced to slavery, and sold by other planters, hat an enormity ! I beg your pardon, dear Sir, for adding to all ur other cares and troubles this long scrawl, and 3 manuscript. I am, with great esteem. Your most obhged and faithful servant, Hannah More. HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, September 10th,* My dear Lady Middleton, Many thanks for your kind offer about the pic- e ;t beggars must not be choosers, either the ^hbishop or the Moralist will be acceptable. Probably 1788. Lady Middleton excelled in painting portraits in oils. 168 MEMORIALS, both for their own sakes and yours, and either idea will be attended with pleasant associations. Nothing could be better, except the resemblance of a living friend. If you could, with as little trouble, indulge me with a copy, either of yourself, Mrs. Bouverie, or Sir Charles, that would be still better; but do that which will cost you least trouble. I don't know how I came to mention my insig- nificant health ; I suppose I was in a bad humour, and I believe I have a natural disposition rather to complain of small evils than to be thankful for great ones. But my dread of being sent from my little quiet hermitage to Bath has made me bestow more time on myself than I am worth, and I believe if I could compel myself to ride every day I should be better ; indeed, I am much better for what I have done. Apropos, I must tell you how much good you have been the means of doing me, with- out knowing it. The last injunction you gave me, was never to be without James' Powder. I obeyed your commands by getting some directly. As soon as I came here, I was seized with a violent shivering fit, and the most alarming symptoms of a high fever. I gave myself two great doses, and in twenty-four hours was perfectly well. Now I think I have talked long enough of myself^ but 'twas in obedience to you. I have seen nothing of Mrs. Dickenson this age, PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 169 my cottage is ten miles out of Bristol, on the 3stern Road, I do not see much of my friends, ;ept when I go to my sister's to stay. Yet I get I company enough from the Hot-wells. Had it 3n nearer, it would have entirely defeated my rpose, and my solitude would have been too pulous. Sorry am I to be obhged, by truth, to say the good I have been saying of the Quakers, lave a natural predilection for them, and having en accustomed to see some of them whenever I iv Mr. Clarkson, I believed, because I wished, it they were warm promoters of the great cause has in hand. But when I came to talk with n alone, I had the mortification to find that thing could be more lukewarm, cautious, and )rldly wise than they are. Talking humanely, rhaps, but when anything is to be dons^ or any jistance given, they are as cold and prudent as 3 most discreet and money-loving churchman, arkson desires us to canvass for him from the ember of Parliament down to the common sea- an ; he wishes to turn the tide of popular afiec- )ns in favour of this slave business. An odd whim has just occurred to me, which lU shall hear, and give me your opinion upon, know of no place but the play-house, where three ousand people meet every night. Many people ) to a play who never go to church, and if they do to church, few preachers except the Bishop of 170 MEMORIALS > Chester and Mr. Ramsay will vindicate the rights of slaves. Now I was thinking if we could get the manager of Drury Lane to act the affecting ti'agedy of ' Oroonoko, or the Royal Slave/ which, you know, exhibits in the most touching manner the captivity of a black prince, by the treachery of Christians, falsely so called — this on condition that they will leave out the comic part, which is indecent and disgusting. Then if we could get some good poet to write^an affecting prologue, descriptive of the miseries of these wretched negroes, and what a glory would accrue to this land from their redemp- tion. I should think that Mr. Sheridan, who could talk so eloquently for five hours and a half on the oppression of two Begums, could not refuse pleading the cause of millions of greater sufferers. But in case a good poet will not take the pains, I know a bad one who would attempt it, though she should be sorry not to see the subject in better hands. Perhaps the idea of opening the eyes, and diffusing humanity into the hearts of people, by so unpromising an instrument, may be chimerical. Pray do you know if the King cares about this black business at all ? I have thankfully adopted all your criticisms. You must have had pleasure in the society of Dr. Beattie, I think. Is he very companionable ? I do not know him but as an elegant poet, and a PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 171 nd metaphysiciau. Kind respects to all, from dear Lady Middleton's faithful and affec- late Hannah More. HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Bristol, November 2ud, 1788. My dear Lady Middleton, [ did indeed think it a very long time since ad had a little word from you ; I was, however, less uneasy at it as I had, now and then, asional intimations that you were tolerably well, Lch Mrs. Dickenson confirms ; she also gives good accounts of Mrs. Bouverie as 1 could sonably expect. Hitherto, indeed, I have had little commune with her since her return, that have had no opportunity of talking over Teston I its concerns comfortably together. I have n a sad vagabond lately, to my great regret, I for five or six weeks scarcely saw my dear ie hermitage. A journey into Berkshire to s. Montague took up between two and three 3ks ; this was somewhat lengthened by a short t to the Stonhouses in my way back; then itopped a little at Bath, when I found my tnd Lady Bathurst very ill, and our friend s. Ord very well. I no sooner returned to stol than I found myself involved in an en- jement of long standing, to spend some time 172 MEMORIALS, at Stoke with the Duchess Dowager of Beaufort, from which I was not returned when your kind and agreeable letter reached my hands. It is an enchanting spot: we had the finest weather in the world, and a very agreeable little society. But I am afraid I grow morose and unsocial, for I cannot tell the delight with which I returned to my little garden and lowly thatched roof. I thank you for that admirable extract from Neckar. I should almost envy France such a minister if I did not think as well of Pitt as I do. I hope you have read his book ' Sur la Religion ;' 'tis very deeply tinctured with Christi- anity, a singular ingredient in a ministerial com- position ; and not an atom of the deadly arsenic of French philosophy. I don't pretend that there is anything very new or striking in the book, only one is glad to see such a man engaged in writing on such a subject, Madame Neckar is a Roman of great piety, and spends great part of her time in superintending hospitals and other charitable institutions. The friends to the abolition here are quite delighted with such a public instance of the French minister's good dispositions to this great object. I see by the papers, the Privy Council is resumed ; but I own I expect but little good from that quarter, notwithstanding the cordiality of our good bishop ; I fear he has but few coadjutors in that assembly. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 173 ropos of bishops, my Lord of Llandaff was so )d as to send me his Charge the other day, ether with an address to the young persons his diocese. I am excessively pleased with h; there is one single passage to which I ect, in which he gives too great countenance the young clergy going to pubhc places ; had 3 been omitted, I think it would have been one the most useful and spirited little compositions ave seen. [ see by the papers that Mr. Wilberforce is at th, but have not heard anything of him. On the subject of poor Louise* I can say hing, not having yet been able to get any isfactory intelligence since her removal ; but lave hopes, when I get to town, that I shall able to hear how she goes on ; for, though she so hopeless a subject, it is impossible not to interested about her. I owe much to Sir arles's kindness in this business. [ am much obliged by your taking for granted t I should gladly subscribe to your Negro nts. My warm but impotent concurrence urally follows every shape, and form, and aplexion which that subject can assume. The mysterious foreign maniac discovered by Hannah More ;r a haystack in 1781, was said to be Mademoiselle La Freulein, Lpposed illegitimate daughter of the Emperor Francis I. She at Guy's Hospital in 1800. 174 MEMORIALS, I am sick of tlie stupid revolution-nonsense whicli is preparing in this town, and, I suppose, every other town. Strange that there should be any piety in noise, drunkenness, and expense. If they would celebrate their deliverance from Popery by delivering prisoners, and lay out their money in blankets instead of tar-barrels, I think commemora- tions might be good things. But I hate all these Pagan rejoicings. ' I rejoice at your good accounts of Mrs. Edwards and her sweet little tribe. Pray remember me most affectionately to her, to Sir Charles^ Mrs. Bouverie, &c. Perhaps I may have a chance of finding you not gone from Hertford Street, if I peep in upon you. I propose, if it please God, coming to town about my usual time, that is, the second week in next month. Adieu, my dear Lady Middleton, Believe me most faithfully and constantly, Your obliged, H. More. To be sure, the more the picture resembles the Bishop, the better I shall like it. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 175 HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. December 27.* My dear Sir, I shall be obliged to you to send at any time Bisliop Latimer to the Adelphi. I will not promise to return him in a hurry, being engaged in a good deal of similar reading. I know he is barbarous enough in point of style, but I read with peculiar delight the works of those who laid down their lives for the " faith once delivered to the saints." We are sure at least they were in earnest. I have great pleasure, not unmixed with envy I fear, at the spiritual prosperity of your villages. I have lately been engaged in scenes so very different, that my heart aches at the comparison. I used to fancy I knew a great deal of the miseries of the poor and the neghgence of the clergy, but I knew nothing compared with what I have lately seen. I have been in a district where .three Welsh curates, without morals, without learn- ing, and almost without bread, serve ten or eleven churches. These poor men dig potatoes and make cider for their maintenance, and dance and play at cards with the servants of the gentry for their amusement afterwards. They drink hard when it * 1789 ? It was in the latter end of September that Hannah More opened her negotiations with the aborigines of Cheddar, and was told by a farmer that religion would be the ruin of agriculture. 176 MEMORIALS, is given tliera. What would your Society* deserve of their country if you could ever carry that great point of the residence of the clergy ; but I don't expect to live to see it. I went through all the houses of another very large village, where the only Bible I saw was used to prop a geranium pot. The sight of so much worldly want and spiritual misery sank my spirits very low ; and yet I do not know whether the luxury and madness of the great world be not more truly pitiable, in- asmuch as Bedlam is a more terrible place than a hospital. ■ I did not intend saying a word of all I have said; ray only reason for troubling you was to mention that I have seen advertised a book soon to be published, entitled, 'A Volume of Letters from Eminent Persons to the late Dr. Doddridge,' price six shillings. The letters may be good for little ; there is no subscription, nor have I been applied to at all. But I know the worth and the wants of her for whose benefit they are published : viz, Mrs. Doddridge, the doctor's widow. She is past four score, bed-ridden, and in very poor cir- cumstances. I feel it quite a duty to recommend the book, especially to those who have been ac- quainted with the Rise and Progress, &c. Be so good as mention it to Mrs. Bouverie, and Mr. * Qusere. Society for the "Reformation of Manners ?"— Ed. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 177 Wilberforce if you see him, and to such other of your friends as care about such things. Strange ! that with such interest as yours, and such a character. as Mr. Serle's, you should have had so much difficulty. I rejoice, however, in vour success. If I am pretty well, I shall come to town the beginning of next week on business for a day or two, but not Mrs. Garrick, who has not been well. •I hope I shall get a peep of you at least ; Lady M. I hardly expect to find. Yours, dear Sir, most truly, Han. More. HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHAHLES MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, July 28th, 1790. My dear Sir, I heartily hope that the gout, which I find by Lady Middleton's kind letter has attacked you in such a variety of forms, is by this time quite driven out, .and has left you, as folks pretend, better than it found you. I write to you at present at the request of a very worthy young clergyman, Mr *, who is a candidate for one of the Evening Preacherships at the Magdalen. I knew not how to refuse this young man, of whom I think very highly. But, alas 1 such is the imperfection of human things, * Name illegible. -XTr\T T M 178 MEMORIALS, the few people I know who think seriously, and are most exemplary in their conduct, have com- monly some absurdity or eccentricity in their opinions. I must not conceal from you that he is strongly tinctured with Swedenborgism, and you know how much 1 disapprove of all that wild non- sense. I do not know that he ever introduced it in his preaching. I have heard him once or twice preach seriously and usefully. His morals are very good. I could not help troubling you with this application; still less could I help telling my objection. You will act from your own judgment, and not be biassed by my recommendation, which, for the above reasons, is not as hearty as it would otherwise be. Pray tell Lady Middleton that last Sunday, in my savage town of Bristol, during the time of Divine Service, the congregations were surprised to hear the bellman ring and cry as if it had been on a week day : it drew some people out of church, who found he was crying a poor negro girl who had run away because she dreaded to be sent back to one of those detestable West India Islands : he offered a guinea reward to any body who would produce her. To my great grief and indignation the poor wretch was found hid in a hole &t the top of a house, hoping to secrete herself till the ship had sailed. But, alas ! she was dragged from her miserable refuge and sent on board. To my PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 179 sorrow I knew it not till she had sailed, or I would have run any risk to have redeemed her. ^ ^ I am so constantly occupied in putting various little plans into execution, that I don't think I have written above three letters since I saw you. I found I could not conscientiously undertake to do anything in the way of Welsh reforms, on account of the great distance, and the impos- sibihty of often superintending myself ; at the same time- 1 hope there will be less occasion, as the Methodists seem to be making their way there. I therefore examined as accurately as I could into the spiritual wants of that part of this county which I thought most pressing, and suggested to Mr. Henry Thornton to change the scene of our little operations. With the noble liberality which belongs to that family, he has empowered me to purchase any living, but to my great regret they are all Dean and Chapter livings, and I fear not purchasable. He will also enable me to carry on some schools, and I am continually in search of the most destitute spot, where we are likely to do most good for the same money. I have fixed on a place where there are six adjoining parishes with- out so much as a resident curate. Could you believe it in a country that calls itself Christian ? I have hired a large old parsonage house. The Vicar, though very rich, makes us pay rent ; he is ninety-four years old, and so worldly ! Pray c% 180 MEMORIALS, tell Lady M. I shall answer her soon. Best remem- brances to Mrs. Bouverie. This was to have been sent yesterday, but I returned from Ghedder so th'ed (for you know poor missionaries do not travel in coaches) that I could not finish it. I have great comfort there. Find- ing at the end of nine months that neither Rector or Curate had ever been near us, or catechized a child, I thought myself justified in "proclaiming open Methodism," as I suppose it will be called. I give leave to poor men and women to attend as well as children, and we have a good number. I have a great deal to say, but no room. Yours ever, H. More. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 181 CHAPTER XL . HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, July 10th.* My dear Lady Middleton, I am quite ashamed not to have written to you till called upon by my gratitude to do it. I am very apt to resemble those ghosts who do not speak till they are spoken to. It is mere indolence, and a spirit of procrastination ; or rather that listless- ness which is the fruit of too much leisure, for lawful excuse I have none. I must however have become a ghost indeed not to be awakened by your most agreeable and kind letter. I love and honour Mrs. Edwards for being able to find not only content but pleasure with her little tribe at Chart. 'Tis true 'tis a pleasant and healthful spot, but it argues a mind well provided with materials for virtue and happiness to be able at her age (or indeed at any age) to trust to itself * [Probably 1790.— Ed.] 182 MEMORIALS, for amusement, and with a noble and dignified independence, to reject those props and supports which the world oflPers, a broken reed at best, but oft a spear. In cultivating the hearts and minds of her fine children, she is filling one of the highest and sweetest duties which God and nature impose. I am afraid now I am absent there is nobody to do justice to dear little Charles's* bon-mots. I will not trouble you on the business of Louisa, as I have written my thanks to Sir Charles on that aflFair. I am afraid to own even to myself that the Slave Bill appears to be in a bad way ; yet, as Milton says, in speaking to others I do not allow myself to abate *' one jot of heart or hope/* I was fool enough to expect better things from the House of Lords. You would be delighted with a letter I had yesterday from Mr. Walpole, in which he expresses his horror at the little success of the Bill, and adds, " But let who will speak or write, he fears that trade, the modem religion, will pre- dominate." I find Mr. Clarkson is expected here soon, which I heard from a Quaker yesterday, by whom Mr. Granville Sharp was so good as to send me all his works. Your ladyship would smile were you to see what favour I am in among the Quakers. I have no less than six here to-day, and had as many on Saturday, speakers and all. These good * The present Earl of Gainsborough. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 183 folks either think me better than I am, or they hope to make me so : the latter I hope may actually be the case ; as to the former it is one of my greatest troubles that people do not, and cannot know, how little I deserve their good opinion. I do not formally intend to be a hypocrite, and yet J daily feel that I am so. As people sometimes ascribe to me good dispositions that I am conscious I do not feel, I desire to be really thankful that I have sometimes suffered slanders, which, in these particular instances, I know 1 have not deserved. It keeps the scales a little even. Poor Mrs. Garrick has had a great affliction, the death of her darling niece, that sweet child at HamptoD, of whom she was so fond. I am quite grieved for her, as I had hoped she would have had something in her own family to whom she would have been attached. She talks of coming down to my cottage to amuse her mind, but I do not know when. Pray [give] my kindest respects to all your household, including Chart, Parley, and Water- ingbnry. I beg you to tell Captain Gambler that now is the high season for piping of pinks and laying carnations. Yours, dear Lady Middleton, ever most truly, Hannah More.' 184 MEMORIALS ^ MR. GLASSE TO MR. MORTON PIPT, Greeuford, October 20tli, 1790. My dear Sir, Your letters I can with truth say always give me pleasure ; they never please me more than when they show me that the turn of your mind is towards subjects of such a philanthropic nature as that before me. To your question about the two texts I have to answer, that I believe it would be thought odd if a man were to mount the pulpit and say, "In Matt. V. 16, and in Matt. vi. 3, you will find these words ;" but I think he might take his choice of either, and then set about reconciling them, by showing to his hearers that the first regards the benefit of example, the second the purity of the motive ; and also by showing how perfectly con- sistent they are with each other ; that the one only regards the private, and the other the public character, which every Christian in a more or less degree sustains, especially in that rank of people who have alms to bestow, or an example to exhibit. The latter, indeed, every man niay do good with ; for the poor labourer may be exemplary to the poor neighbour, and by his constant attention to his public duties, by his peaceable demeanour within his cottage towards his wife and children, and his frugal use of his daily earnings, may be as much an PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 185 example to his equals as old Q to his peers, or any veteran countess at the pharo table to hers. As to ladies visiting prisons, I really think that an impracticable idea in this country, and it would be unsafe to hazard it; but why they should decline attending to Sunday schools, schools of industry, &c., I cannot possibly conceive. As to the two texts, I think they have the same reference which a part has to the whole ; the first of them regards the general conduct of our lives, the last the specific act of almsgiving. I cannot write a sermon but upon the spur of the occasion, and but poorly then ; when you have put me upon the bench, I shall visit Sunday schools whenever I confirm, and visit my clergy ; and then, if my memory is not gone before that event, I will endeavour to reconcile these texts. Till then — I should like to read a sermon of your own composition upon the subject ; you are peculiarly qualified to write it ; I would tell you why, if I durst. But — I will not make you angry, lest you should God bless, and love, and everlastingly reward you, is the worst thought that ever comes into my mind when I think of my friends at Encombe. I am, my dear Sir, Ever most sincerely yours, J. Glasse. 186 MEMORIALS, I have forwarded Mr. Skeffington*s lette Bath. HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, November 12th, 17 My dear Lady Middleton, It would not have taken me a quarter of time to have answered your kind letter that it cost me to reproach myself for not doing it ; bi have deferred it from day to day, for thoug thank God I have had nothing that I ought to a serious illness, yet I have suffered such extr pain as to make all employment grievous — a rl matic pain in my head and face, with a tooth a which amounted to delirium ; the latter I got ci radically J and a terrible operation it was for su( detestable coward as I am ; and some doses of James have enabled me to go abroad again. ] a great comfort that though Patty and I betw us have had this complaint the best part of summer, yet it has never been together, so th think we have not lost one day's attendance u our now large and interesting concerns. I ki you will be glad to hear that through the good] of Mr. H. Thornton, added to our previous es lishment, we have various little institutions, wl comprise aU the children, and a good many of poor, over a wild country of ten or twelve m I am thankful to say that we have near five h PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 187 dred children, going on, as far as I am able to judge, in a promising way. According to appearances, most of the persons who preside over these little institutions seem to be possessed of good feelings, so that I have a good hope a little will be done ; for it is a matter of serious regret that we are sending missionaries to our distant colonies, while our villages are perish- ing for want of instruction. Thirteen adjoining parishes] here have not so much as one resident curate, much less rector. I have, however, had the good fortune at last to ferret out one poor conscien- tious curate, and him I propose to establish super- intendent in my absence. I found him depressed and despised, lying under the two heavy charges of poverty and Methodism ; but I find him to be a real, humble Christian. I cannot forbear telling you one Httle trait of his history, as I think it will strike Sir Charles. He lost a very good curacy because he preached redemption by a Saviour on a common Sunday, which his rector told him ought never to be so much as named but on the three great festivals ; he refused the terms, and lost the income. It would require more paper and time than I am worth to tell you the vice, the ignor- ance, and the ' opposition we meet with. One squire, the only man of any fortune in the whole county, sent us word not to come into his parish, for he would not have his ploughmen made Doctors- 188 MEMORIALS, of the Sorbonne ; 1 can't guess how so fine a phrase got into Somersetshire. Mr. H. Thornton spent last Friday at my little cottage, and I promised myself much pleasure in shewing him our schools ; but vain are all human hopes ; he returned to Bath at night, and the next day lost his most excellent father. You will join me in deploring this great and public loss. He had taken kiildly to our schools, and would have been a great friend to them, had it pleased God to spare his life. My sisters, all but Patty, have been gone a good while to their new house at Bath, but we put off the evil day as late as possible ; indeed, we don't propose stirring till we are starved out. If free from coughs, I propose djinking the Bath waters for two or three months ; this, you see, with being backwards and forwards here, to look after the schools, will unavoidably make it late before I can come to town. One would fancy that you and' yours were not, as they truly are, subjects dear and interesting to me, for I have said nothing of them, and a great deal of myself. Your letter on the whole was a comfortable one. I do hope* the next will not be less so, and that it will come sooner than I deserve. Pray give me particulars of the health of Sir Charles, Mrs. Bouverie, your- self, and all in whom we are most interested. I was much affected at Miss Wilberforce's marriage. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 189 May it be a happy one I I have not heard lately from Mrs. Garrick ; her doctors here did not think her complaint serious. Do you know any good elderly lady who wants a very pretty, well principled, active, humble companion, who can make her gowns, nurse, and wait on her. She is daughter to my poor clergyman, about eighteen. The only thing we should condition about is, that she "should not eat with footmen. She is too ihodest and sober for that. She has no accomphshments, but I think would be valuable. HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Cowslip, August 31, [1792.] My dear Lady Middleton, Though a baddish correspondent at the best, T think I never was so bad a one as this summer ; the truth is I don't know when I have had so poor a summer as to health ; 1 have hardly had two good days together since I left you, and though, thank God, I am able to use a good deal of exertion several days in the week, yet reading and writing seen! to be almost quite out of the question with me ; for if I am well enough to be up I am in general well enough to be out ; and the distances are so considerable that in general I come home too much tired to dp anything. My apothecary thinks it is something of gout in my head, and 190 MEMORIALS, wishes me to continue the steel medicines, but I get such short intervals from colds and coughs that I never give them a fair trial. Patty too is very poorly ; between us both, however, we make up about one effective person. I ought thankfully to observe, though, that we have hardly ever once been disabled on the same day, so that on the whole we go on tolerably well, and have a great deal to be thankful for. I should not have said so much on the chapter of health to any but so kind a friend, who is so go'bd as to take an interest in those matters. Miss Sutton's affairs have not been neglected. After I left town and we had agreed to give it up as a desperate case,, our indefatigable friend H. T. employed emissaries — the poor girl caught at the V proposal, declaring her treatment was dreadful. All went on smoothly for some time. I had en- gaged a lodging at Bath, got a pious minister to be her kind friend and spiritual director — -the very day for her leaving the prison was fixed, when, alas ! her heart failed ; she pleaded distance of place and uncertainty of support, but — rwhat a strange creature is human nature ! we have reason to think it is a strong remains of attachment to the mon- ster who has so inhumanly beaten her. We had contrived the manner of her journey, conveyance for her children, &c. On reflecting upon this event, I beheve we ought to be thankful, as we PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 191 ■ cannot reproach ourselves with the least slack- ness or default on our parts. B is so vindic- tive a wretch, so desperate in his revenge, that we are told he would not stick at assassination ; and poor Henry, perhaps, as a reward for his piety, might have got his brains knocked out some night. This risk, however, he was willing to run ; but she declines to be saved ; and I am thankful that things were so managed (for Harriet had taught me suspicion) that we think she has never got at any of our names. Certainly if anything could have been done, force or artifice must have been used ; any course of law would not do, as B would then have known his antagonists, and have sought some dire revenge. We have left it in her power to apply, in case she should repent, but without giving our real names. I had a long conversation with Mr. Grant on the subject we talked of, about making a religious Sunday pleasant to children : he declares he has no difficulty. It is to his children as pleasant as any other day, and the quantities some of them voluntarily learn is prodigious, but then he and Mrs. G. are with them. I-helieve I have not written so much these three months, and yet I have not said a word of yourself, of Mrs- Bouverie, &c., both, I cordially hope, going on tolerably well in health, and enjoying the leisure of Betchworth. I wonder if I shall 192 MEMORIALS, ever see Betchworth ? I have not been one hour out of sight of the Mendip Hills since I planted myself under the shadow of thfem in June. I pass my time so much with the vicious, 'the vulgar, and the ignorant, that I sometimes think I shall grow as depraved as they are, instead of bringing them to a higher state. A little society, however, of a better, I might say of the best caste, I am occasionally favoured with. Mrs. Clarke spent near three weeks with me. Since that Mr. Wilber- force has been here, and only left us on Monday. To-morrow I expect Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thornton for a few days, and I believe Mr. and Mrs. Grant. The sight of such good people now and then gives a little spring and vigour to my unstrung mind, and helps to quicken the things that are ready to die. Pray remember me in the most affectionate manner to Mrs. Bouverie and Mrs. Twysden. Mrs. Garrick writes a good account of herself. I hope Mrs. Edwards and her little multitude are bathing with success. Dear Lady Middleton, I am ever your obhged and faithful, H. More. I may keep this two or three days for a frank. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 193 HANNAH MORE TO LADY MIDDLETON. Bath, January 31st, [1792.] My dear Lady Middleton, Don't flatter yourself that your letter has served, hke one of Gulliver's flappers, to quicken my at- tention to you and my other dear friends at Teston, for I really should have v^^ritten to you in a day or two, if I had not been indulged with such an agreeable memento of your existence and remem- brance. In order to explain to you why 1 have not done it sooner, you must be troubled with a succinct account of me and my concerns, in which you are always so good as to interest yourself, whether there be anything interesting in them or not. Soon after I came to Bath, in the beginning of December, I was taken rather more seriously ill than usual. It was a thing to be thankful for that I happened to be in the very place whither I should have been sent had I been ever so distant, and I began the waters, which agreed 'well with me. But I have never been able to make much hand of drinking them, owing to continual inter- ruptions from my usual winter coughs and colds ; and though I have really suffered rather less than usual, I am so tender, and the air affects me so much, that I do not think I have walked out six VOL. I. o 194 MEMORIAl.S, times these three months. And you know how bad this sort of ease is for nerves and spirits. I think I mentioned to you two young ladies, Miss Birds, near relations to Mr. Wilberforce, who came to settle here last year, and from some peculiar family infelicities were recommended to my particular friendship, and accordingly I lent them my cottage for some time; they have since lived in lodgings at Bath. Both very clever and deeply religious. About a month ago one of them fell ill, and from the very first Dr. Eraser gave no hope. She was eighteen days given over. I was carried 'to her in a chair every day, and either my sisters or self hardly ever left her day or night, and perhaps there has seldom been so touching a scene as her death-bed. It was not merely resig- nation, but the most serene and heavenly frame, and at times a sort of triumph. This is the more worth notice as sj^e was rather cold and languid in her natural affections. I told her her danger at once. It was ra strong instance of the trans- forming powers of Christianity, to see this meek and timid young woman, with an animation quite foreign to her character, exhorting one, warning another, showing a third the vanity of this world, the emptiness of human dependence, and pointing all to a Saviour. With her own hand she gave all her little legacies, chiefly books on religion, in all of which she wix)te; and with her dying hand PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 195 wrdte long letters to her relations. I sat up with her the night she died. She not only was very sensible, but I never saw her intellects so bright. At times she seemed to have a glimpse of the eternal world, and said her views were clear and strong. She called us all to be witness that she hove her dying testimony to Christianity ; said her state was not pain, but pleasure. At one time I thought her insensible, and to try her repeated in her ear some of the most comfortable promises. She finished every sentence herself, and once or twice set me right. It pleased God to try her wdth one hour of agony inexpressible, so that my heart fainted within me, and I was afraid I must have deserted my melancholy duty. But, amidst the most dreadful groans I ever heard, her faith was triumphant ; in a broken, inarticulate voice she cried out, " Let patience have its perfect work." " Though He slay me I will trust in Him." " Thy will be done — " with fervent prayers not to be left a prey to temptation and the powers of dark- ness. Her prayers were, I doubt not, heard : she had an hour of quiet, and departed in peace. I brought home her poor sick sister to our house, where she has been ever since in a wretched state of health and nerves. Within a few hours, and not one hundred yards distant, died my excellent friend the Bishop of Norwich. His death too was full of hope and peace. He died at last o 2 1 96 MEMORIALS, of water on the chest, and was but four days in immediate danger. He rambled almost con- stantly, but his very ramblings were pious, and showed at least the habit of his mind. But when any rehgious exercise was proposed, he was quite collected and devout. His last words to his friends were, '* Go, go, and do all the good you can," — his very last words, *' Blessed Jesus," and expired without a groan. His antagonist, David Hume, would have thought this but a poor death. When 1 contemplated him in his coffin, I could but reflect that I had known few men so wise and so witty ; so pleasant and so pious; and that had so con- stantly devoted their fine talents to the best purposes. His afflicted widow and her daughter removed to our house for some days while the last sad ceremonies were performing; and had a separate apartment, that she and Miss Bird might not disturb each other's sorrows. I must mention another striking instance of the power of Christianity. This low-spirited, almost helpless woman was enabled to do everything for the Bishop while he lived, to resign him with sub- mission ; and would sit and read hours over his coffin, and made me read part of the Burial of the Dead to her. I make no apology for sending you these par- ticulars ; I know they will be interesting to the Teston society. So far from fearing I should be PEllSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 197 too much affected by the quick succession of these scenes, my only fear is that they will be dismissed from my memory before they have done their errand on my heart. I have left myself little room to take notice of your kind letter ; the only unpleasant part of which is that you were not well. I was delighted with your little African adven- ture, and enjoyed the pleasure of all parties as if I had been present. Kindest regards to all. 1 rejoice Mrs. B is so tolerable. Miss J. G — will, I hope, by exercising the good sense God has given her, become a worthy and a useful character. She has both encouragement and ex- ample, and by a little exertion and self-control, will ensure the friendship of the wise and the blessing of God. Adieu, my dear Lady Middleton, Yours ever most faithfully, H. More. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Colney Hatch, June 20, [1792.] My dear Madam, I hope you have not quite as great an aversion to receiving letters as you have to writing them, since I find it impossible to resist the impulse of my gratitude, . which suggests that I ought to thank you for the agreeable and most welcome news you 200 MEMORIALS, surprise, arrive in town but Mrs. Clarke, who not being able to bear the hurry and noise of Mr. Wilberforce's house, has planted herself in a little suburban villa, just such a one as Cowper describes, and entreats me to pass a few days with her, with such earnestness of affection that I could not easily say nay. I came hither yesterday, and though we do not enjoy rural fehcity, yet we have the comfort of much friendly and unrestrained conversation, which is seldom broken in upon but by such in- terruptions as Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Henry Thorn- ton, &c. All this, my dear Madam, is only a circuitous way of telling you that all parties hope it will be equally convenient to you to receive Mrs. Garrick and me at Teston next Monday, the 4th, about tea-time. The alternative is so far a disadvantage- ous bargain to you, that you are likely to be burthened with us a day longer, as we hope to stay till the following Monday. Mrs. Clarke desires her kind respects. Mine, if you please, to Mrs. Twysden. I am, my dear Madam, With true esteem and affection, Your ever obliged, Hannah More. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 201 THE HON. GEORGE ROSE TO MR. MORTON PITT. CufFnells, October 4th, 1792. My dear Sir, I have had a good deal of conversation with Mrs. C on the subject of Mr. H 's certificate. There is a good deal of acrimony in her mind respecting his conduct to her, which upon the whole, is not much to be wondered at, though I entirely disapprove of it upon general principle, without reference to this particular case. I am persuaded I have made her ashamed of acting vindictively ; but her son has enjoined her positively not to sign, and that in so peremptory a manner as to lead me to think she ought not to do it, at least without a good deal of consideration. The interest he has in the property, the circumstances under which the debt was contracted, the terms he is unfortunately on with his mother, and the short time to elapse before he comes of age, all weigh in my mind strongly on the occasion ; but I will consider the whole matter attentively, and shall be very glad to talk it over with you, Mr. H , and his attorney, when 1 return into the country two or three weeks hence. I am almost sure I obtained Mr. Pitt's consent to Loader's release before T left town, and I have written to enquire about it. I have also referred Bell's petition ; if his case is truly stated, he is 202 MEMORIALS, hardly used. I would pursue a smuggler to the farthest corner of Europe if I could, to discourage the traffic as injurious to himself as to the public, but I abhor imprisonment for a longer term than is necessary for such discouragement, I am, my dear Sir, Yours most faithfully, George Rose. . I have a sincere wish to pay my respects to you in Purbeck, and hope to effect it next summer. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 203 CHAPTER XIT. There are eighteen letters from Hannah More to Sir Charles Middleton and Mrs. Bouverie re- spectively, from 1792 — 94. HANNAH MOUE TO MRS. BOUYEKIE. Bath, 24th December, [1792.] Mv dear Madam, Though I feel cause for a little self-reproach, yet I cannot be entirely sorry at my own misconduct, since it has given me a new and very pleasing as- surance of your friendly regard. Indisposed as I *4have been, I might have written to you, and wished to do it, but was really restrained to silence by the motive that sets most other people a-writing, real kindness. I know how little you like letters, and am really gratified now at the idea that you do not dislike mine by this last volunteer, for I prefer a gift to the payment of half a dozen lawful debts. I thank you, dear Madam, for your cordial in- vitation- to Teston ; I look forward to it as to one 204 MEMORIALS, of the few things which will be a real gratification to me. Bat my health is so poor and precarious, that I question if I shall ever be able to stir from home again in the winter. Ever since I came here, I have had an attack on my lungs. Though I am, as you say, afraid of indulging remote prospects, my present hope is to go to London for two or three weeks only about April, and towards the end of that month, or very be- ginning of the next, to come to you for a little, and from you to Fulham, and so, for various rea- sonSj to be as short a while as possible in town. In a general view of things, do you think the time I have named would suit you ? Notwithstanding almost incessant pain, I was enabled to prosecute all my little schemes with comfort, and a degree of success beyond my hopes (which are never sanguine) till the second week in December. The addition of some assistance from my new friend, Mr. Hoare, who is become a warm promoter of my poor endeavours, from true Chris- ^ tian principles, has enabled me to leave the country with some satisfaction, though with deep regret at my inability to remain during the winter, in what I take to be my true scene of action. I really came to Bath to retire, after a bustling campaign : here I don't go out. I think it would be a violation of friendship not to tell you a foolish secret ; but you must tell it PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 205 only to Sir Charles. When I came here, I found the [Bishop] of London, who came to me with a dismal look, and said, I should repent it on my death-bed, if I did not contribute my mite towards allaying the popular disturbances, and as I knew the turn of thinking and language of the vulgar, I might be of some use. So, against my will, I have ventured at a twopenny pamphlet, called " Village Politics ; by Will Chip, a Country Car- penter." 'Tis very vulgar, and was the work only of one sick day. I wish I could send you one ; but you will get it from Rivington's, for I changed my bookseller to escape detection. They are three shillings a quarter of a hundred. Pray tell Sir Charles I will answer his letter soon. Adieu, my dear Madam. Pray remember me very kindly to Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Twysden. Heartily wishing you all, not the compliments, but the comforts and substantial blessings of this gra- cious season, I remain. With true and grateful regard. Your ever obliged and affectionate H. More. The following letter was written on the occasion of the sudden death of Lady Middleton. 206 MEMOUIALS, HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Cowslip Green, 17th October, 1792. My dear Madam, I hardly know how to write to you, and still less do I know how to forbear. I do not, however, write with the vain hope of drying your tears, but for the self- gratification of mixing my own with them. I wish that the most cordial sympathy could at all lighten your severe affliction for the heavy loss you have sustained. I hardlv know whether Sir Charles or yourself be the greatest sufferer. I do not offer you comfort from any of th^ common topics of con- solation, for T feel too well that both to yourself and him it is a loss which the world cannot repair. But, thank God, you can both of you look beyond this world, though it is an inexpressible trial to finish one's pilgrimage without the dear compa- nion whose tenderness lessened the difficulties, and smoothed the ruggedness of the road. Never, perhaps, was the word tenderness so pecuharly ap- propriate as to her we lament. The greatest comfort I have in her removal, next to the knowledge I have of her faith and piety, is the reflection that the extreme and acute sensibility of her heart made this warld of woe a painful abode to her, even in the most prosperous situa- tion ; and that those keen feelings which adminis- tered comfort to others, greatly intrenched upon PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 207 her own happiness. In the worki of which she is now a blessed inhabitant, it is reasonable to pre- sume that that very temper of mind will increase her capacity for happiness, as there will be no distress to pity, no calamities to be relieved, and no sins to be mourned over. I confess my own weakness ; I always dehght to dwell on the small parts of a great character, and instead of reflecting, as I ought to do, on those solid qualities and that lively faith which made her so truly valuable, I soften my own mind too much by recalHng her in those little endearing attentions and unwearied acts of kindness in which, for so many years, I have loved to place her before me ; especially for her kind assiduities about me in sickness and in sorrow. I know, my dear Madam, this is not the lan- guage of wisdom, but it is, I trust, the language of faithful and genuine affection. But we do not " sorrow as those without hope/' Yet a little while, a very little while, and those dear companions will be re-united, whose friend- ship was founded on principles which will last when time shall be no more. There is hardly any one opinion which I would not rather renounce than this most comfortable one of the re-union and consciousness of friends. It is the only human in- gredient that I allow to enter into my notion of eternal happiness. And though 1 doubt not God 208 MEMORIALS, I will be all in all, yet we have it upon the best au- thority (besides the strong internal evidence of our own hearts and feelings) that the society of just men, made perfect, will add even to the happi- ness of heaven. 1 know you do not love writing, my dear Ma- dam, and it will now be less pleasing to you than ever, for the only hand with which you loved to write is cold. Do not then, I beseech you, add a feather to the weight of your troubles by answering this scrawl. Sir Charles, 1 know, will be so kind as to give me a line at his leisure to let me know how you are, and I assure you, with the most single-hearted sincerity, that there are few ques- tions in which I take a more tender interest, I felt very kindly Sir Charles's considerate kindness in writing to me at such a moment. I was struck with his truly Christian fortitude, and the struggle bettveen grief and faith. May God bless and com- fort you all ! I am sure the tender heart of Mrs. Twysden has received a heavy blow. Believe me, my dear Madam, with every senti- ment of gratitude and affection, your truly sympa- thising friend, H. More. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 209 HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Cowsilp, Friday night, 10 o'clock, 1792. What can J say to you,* my dear Sir Charles ? My heart is torn with grief for your irreparable loss — still more, if possible, for that of Mrs. Bou- verie, on account of her own weak health. I have but this instant got your letter, and cannot answer it with the composure with which it is written. Yet I cannot rest till I send you a line — not of comfort — I have it not to give ; but thank God Almighty, you know where to look for it. Can Mrs. Bouverie or you devise any way in which I can be of the smallest use or comfort to you ? Indeed, I believe I should have set off and have asked the question in person, did not my very poor state of health make me fear I should be rather a burthen than a consolation. , I opened your letter with far different feelings than what I felt in reading it. Mr. Thornton had written me that Bienvenu was going to be baptized, and that my incomparable and ever to be regretted friend was to be one of the sponsors. I hoped your letter was a relation of that solemnization. Alas ! how different was it ! But I feel I do wrong to give way to my own feelings without reflecting that I am only sharpen- ing . yours. What a blessing, my dear friend, ■ " * On the death of Lady Middleton. VOL. I. P 210 MEMORIALS, that you possess the deep consolations of true and genuine Christianity I That you are so sensibly alive to the brevity and vanity of this world. Take comfort too in another thought. What vrould she, exquisitely tender as her feelings were, and frail as her poor body was, have done had she been the survivor either of you or of Mrs. Bouverie? May God Almighty bless, comfort, and support you both ! Prays heartily — Your faithful and afflicted, H. More. HANNAH MOEE TO SIE CHAHLES MIDDLETON. Bath, 8th January, 1793. My dear Sir, # « # I am, happily so near Mr. Jay*s chapel, that I have ventured two or three times in a chair, in spite of illness. I wish you could hear that extraordinary young man ; sorry I am to say that he is almost the only preacher of religion in this very silly, dissipated place. The church clergy here are uncommonly lukewarm and selfish, so that were it not for Methodists and Dissenters, I do not know any place where religion would be at a lower ebb. You will say this is not a grievance peculiar to Bath, and indeed I hardly know so afflicting a reflection as the present state of the PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL, 211 Church. I should little fear her outward ene» mies were her sons raore vigilant, active, and self-denying. It is in vain they preach against heterodoxy while their own lives and sermons have so little of the spirit of the Gospel. We have much more to fear from sin than heresy; and it is vain that a man's opinions are orthodox whilst his preaching wants earnestness and his life is deficient in holiness. To the popular foolish cry, " the Church is in danger" I most heartily assent, with this mental reservation, that she is more in danger from internal rottenness than out- ward attack. Have you seen the famous popular sermon of Dr. Tatham, preached five times at Oxford, and running through the seventh edition ? I ttak I never saw such contemptible stuff. His great argument is that the clergy must be good and proper teachers, because they are appointed to it, and because they are learned. The latter position I, in general, deny ; and even where it is true, though I would by no means undervalue learning, yet he who possesses it may still be deficient in those great attainments which are necessary to teach others. But as much as I reprobate Dr. Tatham, as much am 1 pleased with Mr. Bean. You have no doubt seen his "Charge to the clergy of any Diocese ;" it is full of truth and of rational and serious expostulation. These reflections have led me away too much p 2 212 MEMOEIALS, from the important subjects of your letter. I rejoice, dear Sir, in the example you have given in your late sorrow. In Mrs. Bouverie, particularly, every day and hour must awaken painful and tender remembrances ; I am continually repeating that I can hardly conceive a more complete depri- vation. I felt more sensibly than I can express the kindness of her letter to me, and I cherish the friendship of all that remain of the society of Teston the more cordially for what it has lost. You can't imagine what pleasure Patty and I received from the hint that you might possibly one day make a little party to my poor little cottage. I hardly dare hope to get Mrs. Bouverie to join in a scheme which would give me more pleasure than anything I could devise. It is, I hope, much more probable, if it pleases God to give me any degree of health, that I shall see her at Teston, where I hope we shall spend a little time in com- fortable and quiet intercourse. I have a great respect for Captain Gambier. He must be a comfort to you in your affliction. Have you seen Mr. Hawker's sermons on the Atonement ? He is the clergyman of Plymouth, and a very good man. If you have not got them, I would venture to recommend them to Mrs. Bouverie. as the most temperate answer to Dr. Priestly and his adherents that I have met with. Instead of the bitterness of the controversiahst he PERSONAL AND HISTORICAIi. 213 r has the candour of a Christian. For I confess I receive little pleasure from the most elaborate doctrines if they are not exhibited with a Christian temper. True religion is so much more a thing of heart and spirit than of mere opinion. For this reason, I cannot read Bishop Horsley, though an able defender of the outworks, nor any of the rash and fierce polemics. The single exhortation of St. John, " Little children, love one another," has more charms for me than the brightest writing that controversy ever obtained. With my affectionate regards to all, I remain, my dear Sir Charles, Your ever sincere and obliged H. More. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Bath, Good Friday* 1793. My dear Madam, Though I believe we already clearly understand each other, I think it safest to trouble you with a line to say that I hope to reach Hertford Street next Tuesday evening. As I come in the stage coach, we shall dine on the road, and I shall pro- bably be with you before six o'clock. You will have been surprised, my dear Madam, to hear of my presumption. I, who thought T had so fully made up my mind never to be guilty of 214 MEMORIALS, any public vanity at least ! I think I owe it to myself to say to such dear friends that I never made so great a sacrifice to what I take to be principle as in writing that pamphlet (which by the by I can say with great truth, and no affecta- tion, is a very poor thing), because it will offend many whom I greatly esteem. But the religious dissenters whom I see, are so blinded by their fondness for French politics that they shut their eyes to the horror of French impiety, and deny the very existence of those principles which make others tremble. If I can serve the cause of truth, however paltry an instrument I am, I think it my duty to do it, though I lose by it the favour of many with whom I now stand higher than I deserve. The putting my name has cost me very severely ; I have done that for half-crowns which I thought no human consideration could have induced me to do. Forgive my saying so much of myself. There are but few in whose sight I wish to stand jus- tified. The continued news of tumult and bloodshed keeps one's mind in painful agitation. Alas ! how dreadful are the very triumphs of war ! How ter- rible too our bankruptcies at home. I am just alarmed with an account of poor Sir James Stonehurst being very dangerously ill. He was just coming here on a week's visit, his daugh- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 215 ter's house — for she lives in Bath — not being quiet enough for him. Indeed I fear this illness will be fatal. Adieu, my dear Madam, with best regards to your household. Believe me always, Your faithful and obliged, H. More. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Adelphi, 22nd April, 1793. My dear Madam, Having seen Mrs. Porteus to-day, I had resolved to trouble you with a line of information and con- gratulation on the great deed being actually done. Lest no one should have time to spare from the festivities of the wedding (though I dare say that will not be the case), I have the great pleasure to say that the ceremony was performed this morning at ten o'clock and in a church. The Bishop says the bride looked very pretty, in white of course, and a white veil ; I feel quite delighted that it is well over, as I am sure you will all do. I was gone out for a little airing when Mr. Petit called. 1 have been out once before. I did not catch cold by change of quarters, but I have been not so well since I left Hertford Street. More or less of the complaint every day, painful but not 216 MEMORIALS, violent. I have seen Mr. Cotton once, but have got a physician — Dr. Wilberforce. Do you know- that kind creature has been to see me every day, and as he is too well versed experimentally in my malady, he prescribes for me, and I am really better to-day. You will be sorry to hear old King Naimbonna is dead — a great loss, as he was so well affected to us. Very pleasant accounts from Sierra Leone, three hundred black children in a good train of education, behaving orderly and singing their hymns quite delightfully. Further accounts Mr. W. could not give me, as the ship was but just come in. It has brought some rice and other produce of the soil. Mrs. Garrick is quite poorly, and sends kind regards. I beg mine to all, and am with more gratitude than I dare express to you. My dear Madam, Your ever obliged and affectionate H. More. Pray don't answer this. You see there is nothing in it which requires an answer. We live very quietly. I have seen no one since I came here but the above-named. Oh, yes, Lord Orford* drank tea here on Saturday. ♦ Horace Walpole,, PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 217 T do not fix anything about days yet, but I hope before the end of next week. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Fulhaui,* 24th May, 1793. My dear Madam, The first use of my pen on my estabUshment in these pleasant quarters ought, I am sure, to be devoted to you, to whose extreme kindness and care I am indebted for such a comfortable degree of health as 1 have not enjoyed for many months. My amended looks and clear voice were the ad- miration of my London friends, and though the atmosphere of that wdcked town caught hold of my lungs the minute I entered it, I still on the whole keep the ground 1 gained at Teston. The bitter severity of the weather keeps me a prisoner, but the cheerfulness of my own pleasant apartment makes imprisonment agreeable, and the family society makes it, when I join them, dehght- ful. We agreed, you know, that egotism in a letter was no bad thing ; and it is well for me that I discovered that your opinion on this subject justi- fied mine, for I have not yet done talking of myself. How can I, indeed, till I have thanked you most * At the Bishop of London's (Porteus.) 218 MEMORIALS, cordially and most sincerely for the many and great instances of kindness you have shown me. It would gratify me to dwell on this subject, but it would displease you, for as much as you delight to do kind things, so much do you dislike to have them acknowledged. T had a kind note from . Sir Charles before he left town, expressing some fear that as he did not see me at church I was not well enough. But this was my Sunday history. I was unwilling to turn my back on London without seeing a little of the " such as excel in virtue." So I sent word to the Grants I would go to Mr. Cecil's church, and spend the rest of the day with them. So they fetched me early in the morning, and poor Mrs. Grant was so well as to be able to go to church too. Mr. Henry Thornton dined with us, and Mr. Wilberforce drank tea. Poor Mr. Grant is much worn down with this commission business, never getting any dinner till eight o'clock ; neither he nor I went to church in the afternoon, but had a tete-a-tete conversation, as useful I trust as most sermons would have been ; it was so to me at jeast. Mr. W. wished exceedingly to have seen Sir Charles, to have talked on this great Indian scheme. His warm heart glows at the thought of what extensive good may be done to twenty millions of subjects. Think of his joy when Mr. Dundas promised to give it his hearty and firm PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 219 support. When the resolutions were passing in the House on the subject of the East India Chap- lains, one of the Directors whispered another who told me of it : '* I think a Chaplain no bad thing, I shan't oppose it. He may serve to make the grog, and will always be ready for a fourth at whist." I flatter myself Sir Charles will like this anecdote — so very characteristic. As your papers did not give Lord Carhampton's reply to Wilberforce's speech on the Slave business, it may be new to you to have it in a few words. He said, " It was commonly found that a close attention to any point was apt to turn the head. He believed five years' application to this question had had this efiect on Mr. W. He therefore advised him to brush up his person a little, send for a hair- dresser, put a few curls on those straight locks, go to the play — first to Covent Garden then to Drury Lane — if they were shut up, let him go to Sadler's Wells, and in time he should be glad to have the pleasure of seeing him with a female friend under his arm strolling at night round Covent Garden." I could not have believed this if two or three persons who heard it had not repeated it word for word. W. took it with great patience, and turned the laugh against him with a degree of wit, gaiety, and good humour which dehghted the whole House. H. Thornton spent Tuesday evening with me — 220 MEMORIALS, we had much talk of this world, but more of the world to come. I expressed Sir Charles's and your M^ish to be allowed a copy some of the prayers. He consented on ray promising they should go no farther. If this cover will hold them, I will enclose one or two. Sir Charles will return them to me at his leisure. Pray tell him I will write to him next time. And pray tell Mrs. Bouverie that she is not to answer this letter on any account ; and pray tell Mrs. Twysden that I desire my affectionate regards to her. The Bishop and Mrs. P. desire me to say all that is kind and friendly to the house of Teston,: and Mrs. Kennicott begs her compliments. I am, my dear Madam, With great truth and sincerity ; Your ever faithful and obliged H. More. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Cowslip, 8th July, 1793. My dear Madam, I begin to be afraid I am a great hypocrite, for though I always make myself believe that I am very sincere when I desire you not to answer my let- ters, yet the sight of a little slip of paper with your handwriting on the outside gives me so unfeigned a pleasure, that I immediately feel as if I should PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 221 have been much mortified if you had literally com- plied with my instructions. I am sure I am sin- cere however when I declare how much T am hurt and vexed at finding that you, your own self, had been at the trouble of copying the prayers I sent you. I made so sure that you had some schoolmaster, or dependant, or boy that did those sort of things for you, or I should certainly have done it myself ; and the reason why I did not was not altogether indolence (much as I am addicted to that vice, it would have been too grossly ungrateful in the present instance), but arose from my eagerness to send them, and unwillingness to delay it till I was at leisure myself. Of those you will now receive I have taken a copy, so I beg you will keep them for good. I saw Rivington before I left town, and settled with him what few remaining preliminaries were necessary about our book. I have not heard from him since, but think we may look to its completion next month. I beseech you to lay out sixpence at my recom- mendation for a pamphlet called Gideon's Cake of JBarley-meal, or a Letter to Mrs. Romaine and Strictures on H. More, &c., Jordan, I think, the bookseller. I think it will entertain you. It is said to be written by Huntington the Antinomian Preacher, or by one of his school. Among other names equally flattering, he calls me " daughter of 222 MEMORIALS, the father of lies — the Romish Advocate — maid-of- honour to bloody Queen Mary — a wolf in sheep's clothing — a blasphemer — a woman intoxicated with the wine of fornication/' &c. &c. In short, there is no doing justice to it but by reading it. Poor man ! 1 am really sorry that with so much reproof there is so little instruction. I hope, however, I shall meet this angry man in a better world with many a bigoted Pa{)ist and many a bigoted Dis- senter, when all prejudices vrill be done away. I have had another letter from my anonymous correspondent, who, I find on secret inquiry, is a Clergyman of great learning. I esteem and pity him, but he is terrified lest I should find him out, which is very strange. This letter contains his full confession of faith, so clever that I think it will please you very much ; therefore, if I have room, I shall enclose it for your perusal, begging you to return it to me under cover to Henry or Robert Thornton. Pray let me have one line how you like it ; and also if you have had any more com- merce with your female author to whom you sent the money. We are in expectation of Mr. Wilberforce, who is still detained by that wretched Kimher busi- ness. My next shall be to Sir Charles. Alas ! I used to write alternately ! Pray remember me kindly to Sir Charles and PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 223 Mrs. Twysden. With the most unfeigned gratitude and esteem, I am, my dear Madam, Your truly obhged and faithful, H. More. Sir James Stonehouse spent the day with us on Thursday : got here before we were downstairs, and has an exuberance of health and spirits — at almost eighty I HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, 28th August, 1793. My dear Sir, I have been constantly defeated in my intention of writing to you either by illness or occupation. I know very little of the world and what is going on in it, unless when the newspapers invade my retirement with the dreadful sounds of war and slaughter. I mourn with deep sorrow over these shocking events, and over the sinfulness of our common nature which produces them, notwith- standing that a third answer which is come out against me, says I am an advocate for the old Popish massacres. I heartily forgive these and all other strange things they say of me. Slander is hardly a trial to me; I find much more danger from flattery, and have much more need to guard my heart from the soothings of undeserved kindness 224 MEMORIALS, than from the severity of censure, which last I am sure I always deserve, if not for the case in pointy yet at least for many other sins, which my adver- saries perhaps do not know, but which I deeply feel, and bitterly regret. I had the satisfaction of Mr. Wilberforce's and Mr. Venn's* company here for several days. The latter preached about in our principal churches with great seeming effect, and the former attended at our little evening meetings. It is no small praise to any man to be reckoned agreeable where Mr. W. is present, but I can really give this praise to Mr. Venn. I wish you could get him to Teston. I am sure he is the sort of man Mrs. Bouverie would like, for he is as prudent, modest, and rational as he is devout and pious. I admire the- good judgment which fixed on him for such a critical place as Clapham, because he is more clear from any irregularity or peculiar phrases or manner .than most of the good men we know. Since that, Mr. Wilberforce has sent us another very eminent clergyman, Dr. Coulthurst, who has the great living of Halifax, seventy thousand souls, and twelve churches besides that in which he preaches. I told him I would not have such trust and such a patronage to account for, for the world. He is a very serious man, and a most useful preacher, * Author of the « V^hole Duty of Man." PERSONAL AND HISTOTITCAL. 225 and though one of the first scholars in Cambridge, stooped to the capacities of our poor illiterate audiences, and talked to our little private congre- gations with great propriety. I grieve that our dark villages have so few of these opportunities, that they never hear a word of preaching but when Providence now and then sends us a little help in this way. I conclude you are all by this time at Betchworth, and hope you have the comfort of leaving Mrs. Edwards better. We go on tolerably well, thank God, considering the deep ignorance, vice, and prejudices we have to contend with, which is sometimes so great as to dispirit me exceedingly. Our field too is so wide, that it is sometimes more bodily fatigue than we can well bear ; but Providence carries us through somehow or other, and I have the comfort to say that we have many promising subjects among the- young, and a few where we had less hope, among the old ; one of our clergymen too I hope is coming on — begins to ready and I trust will soon begin to preach the great serious truths of religion. Patty desires to join me in kindest respects to you and Mrs. Bouverie : her health too is very- poorly. If you have not heard anything of an Association in Ireland for the advancement of religion, I will give you an account of it in my next. Yours most truly, H. More. VOL. I. Q 226 MEMORIALS, CHAPTER XIII. HANNAH MORE TO MKS. BOUVERIE. Cowslip Green, October 17, 1793. My dear Madam, It is a very long time, if I am to calculate by my feelings, and I should not find it a short one, if I were to consult the calendar, since we have had any communication together. 1 am really such a complete exile from anything that is rational and cultivated, that I am hardly fit for the offices of social and civilized life. Even the few small gentry we have, I do not find time to associate with, but turn them over to my sisters, while butchers, farmers, and graziers form the beau monde to whom Patty and I dedicate our more polite hours when we have leisure from our more vulgar employments. *' Our talk is of oxen,*' and I have learnt nine ways of making cider, with many other arts and sciences which I am as little likely to reduce to practice. These occupations have so little pleasure in them, that I am inclined to hope they are right, because they cannot plead the PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 227 seduction of taste or inclination. Perhaps you need not be told that those "petty despots, the rich farmers, are as insolent aristocrats as any of the ci-devant nobles of France, and oppress and de- spise the poor. So it occurred to me, as we have concerns in nine or ten parishes, that if we could soften some of these tj/rannical overseers, &c., we should serve the poor as essentially on the one hand, as we endeavour to do by getting them taught on the other. T have the comfort of seeing my scheme succeeds in many instances. Shame operates instead of principle, and I have the rich reward of seeing the poor treated with more tenderness. And just at this time, above a hundred of our poor children clothed in two parishes only by these very farmers, who did not before conceive they were of the same common nature with themselves. I beg your pardon for talking so much of my- self, and I have not done yet, for I ought to account for not having sooner thanked you for your very agreeable letter. My health has been pretty bad ; seldom without a cough, and the pains in my head increase both in degree and frequency. I am something like a gouty old general, my time is pretty equally divided between the field and my bed ; but though I lie by nearly half my time, yet I ought to be thankful that we have still fine weather, and that I have a little respite before the winter comes, when I literally " cannot Q 2 228 MEMORIALS, work." I know little of the world or what passes in it, and have not been tempted by all the kind entreaties even of my Gloucestershire neighbours, the Duchess Dowager of Beaufort nor Lady Ba- th urst to quit my hermitage for a single day. But as Mahomet will not go to the mountain, the mountain condescends to come to Mahomet, and I have been expecting the last named lady some time, and Mrs. Montague has been kind to come hither as I refused to go to her. Mrs. Garrick writes me how happily she passed her days at Betchworth, in what a beautiful coun- try, admirable house, and agreeable society. Do you know I feel jealous when Betchworth is praised, as if it detracted from the merit of Teston ? Has Mr. Rivington completed his work ? I have been rather in expectation of a visit from Dr. Heylin for sometime past. I had a letter from Mr. Hoare some time ago, saying he was on the point of paying you a visit, and another from Mr. Thornton, expressing the same intention, but I have not heard that these projects have been realized. With the true selfish spirit of the world, I have said jnuch of ray own health and nothing of yours, and yet I can truly say that there are few events n which I am more cordially interested than your health and peace and comfort. Nor is any sen- timent more powerful in my heart than my affec- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 229 tion and gratitude for you. My wishes and prayers for you are not of a contracted kind, for they extend beyond the scanty limits of this world. My kind regards to Mrs. Twysden and Sir Charles. Pray tell the latter I have not heard from him for a long time. (Patty desires her best respects). As I think you are due at Teston by this time, I shall venture to address you there. I am, my dear Madam, With true esteem, Your ever obliged and faithful H. More. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Cowslip Green, November 14, 1793. My dear Madam, You will be quite frightened at the idea of such a rapid correspondent ; especially if you knew that I hardly ever write to any one, but have reduced my correspondences as well as my visiting connexions almost to a point. I should not indeed have been tempted to break in upon you so, soon, as it would be a bad return for the great kindness of your letter to make you instantly incur another debt, but that there is a little passage in it I wish to answer. 2'60 MEMORIALS, If I improve in anything (which I sometimes very seriously doubt, to my great grief of heart) I do verily beheve it is in a deadness and indif- ference to popular opinion. This being the case, you will never credit me when I say that the Cake of Barley-meal never excited any other feeling in me than that of laughing over it with a few friends who come here, Mr. Wilberforce for instance. If, indeed, I had been weak enough to be disturbed by it, it would have been driven out of my thoughts by two other answers equally severe, though less coarse, which the Dissenters are dis- tributing gratis through this countiy, at a good expense too, for this also is a shilling pamphlet. Now, methinks I hear my dear Mrs. Bouverie cry out, why then so many words ? for talking about it really looks like being uneasy. I will let you into a little of my temper, in order to explain why. If twenty pamphlets, reviews, and news- papers were in full cry against me, I do verily think I have so detached my mind from public opinion, and have so deliberately made up my mind to praise or censure, that I should not be moved by it, and yet so inconsistent are we, that the idea of any real friend believing it possible that I could reply to any attack, or defend myself from any charge, would really trouble me. I never heard of such a reply till your letter, nor shall I think that person my friend who has made it. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 231 Every newspaper that comes in gives me a heart- ache, but except the deep sorrow I feel over the carnage and horrors they record, my time and thoughts are engaged on objects far removed from poUtics. They sometimes, however, make me very serious, but I hope they do not make me vindictive. Apropos of employments I am at present engaged in one the most impolite and uncourtly you can conceive —to suppress a weekly hall which is set up in opposition to a weekly sermon we have of a Thursday at one of our schools. I know human nature rather too well to expect that my poor girls should withstand the sound of a fid- dle, for on my remonstrating with the Mrs. Comely of the village, she brought her ball under our windows, and T am convinced that the preacher will be but an unequal match for the fiddler, unless I can obtain the aid of the magistrate. I hope to be able to keep the field till near Christmas, unless a great increase of my com- " plaints, or very severe weather, should banish me to Bath sooner. I always put off the evil day as late as possible. I greatly dislike Bath. You are not selfish as I am, and apt to talk about your health. I hope, however, it is sufficient to enable you to enjoy with comfort that little pleasant suc- cession of quiet friends you speak of, and which are the only terms on which I think society worth 232 MEMORIALS, having. My kind regards to T and to Sir Charles. Ever gratefuUy yours, H. More. HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, December 5, 1793. My dear Sir Charles, I am much obliged by your kind and friendly letter, and little interesting narrative about per- sons and things in whom I take a liviely concern. These are to me always the most pleasant parts of a letter. I like to realize the scenes in which absent and dear friends are engaged, what they are doing and who is with them: and if I had never been at Teston and known exactly the state and habits of the family, I should have compara- tively little pleasure in hearing from thence to what I now have. Eor these reasons, I care less about what is called good letters than most people do. Tf I want wit or wisdom, I can find them in books, but I cannot find in books an account of the health and comfort and attachment of my friends, and on these too much perhaps of my own ease and pleasure depends. You give an interesting account of Mrs. Edwards' state of mind, and of her silent but steady progress in goodness. \ PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 233 I am much surprised to see by the papers the disaster of Captain Gambier's ship. Indeed, what paper does *not present us with disasters of some public kind ? It is a sort of reUef to turn my eyes from them to the petty grievances, wants, vexa- tions, disappointments, and successes of my bwn little territory. The good and evil, as is the case w^ith most things in this strange inconsistent world, succeed each other with a pretty constant succes- sion. Pray tell Mrs. Twysden that my endeavours to put an end to the village ball, which was set up against my sermons, are likely to be fruitless, and that this innocent diversion, as it is called, defeats all my ill-natured schemes to put an end to it, because they say I cannot bring a specific charge ; for dancing till day -break, and even of Sundays, selling beer without a license, and such flagrant eflPects of debauchery as I cannot repeat, are not in this lenient land allowed to be specific charges. To console me a little, however, I have the satis- faction to tell you that my last new colony, estab- lished among glass-houses and coal-pits, and of the success of which I had little hope, now begins to promise much comfort. The master of the school has much zeal and knowledge, and after having made a long trial of his prudence, we, a few months ago, ventured,- after school on Sunday and Monday evening, to read a sermon and prayers to the elderly people. Above one hundred now attend, and 234 MEMORIALS, I had last Sunday evening the pleasure of seeing several grim colliers shed contrite and penitential tears, and in a private talk I had with* them after- wards I never was so moved as at the genuine sorrow for sin they expressed with an earnestness, the truth of which it would be very wicked in me to suspect. Alas ! my faith is much weaker than theirs, for the thought of coming home at night afterwards, ten miles the worst road you ever saw, begins to grow formidable, and the first frost will probably disable me from the real enjoyment I find among these poor people. I have but little zeal myself, and am often discouraged by petty difficulties. Patty, I thank God, is a useful colleague, much abler and better than I am, and so heartily engaged in the business, that she never thinks of a holiday for six months together. I know you are inter- ested in the meanest attempt to spread Christianity, ^ or I would not talk to you of these poor things, ' which I never name except in my letters to Teston or Clapham, and after all it is very little we are doing. What you say on the subject of sermons for servants is much to the purpose. But I feel my- self utterly unequal to so useful an undertaking. Indeed, I think I have come to a deliberate resolu- « tion not to write another line ; I fear I may have done little good to others, and some harm to myself. 1 feel more and more the presumption of having PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 235 pretended to teach others, as I feel more and more my own ignorance, defects, and infirmities. Believe me, my dear Sir Charles, this is not an affectation of humility in order to be thought well of, but a consciousness arising from some degree of self- knowledge ; and I thank God for having in this valley taken me from all opportunities of vanity in the display of imaginary or tinsel talents, and placing me among poor illiterate savages, where talents, or taste, or ingenuity, if I had any, would be rather a drag and an impediment, and where I must get rid of any desire of making a figure, before I could hope for the smallest chance of doing any good. I did not intend to have run into such a length, which seems rather like a dissertation than a letter. I have not seen Drysdale's Sermons, which Mrs. Bouverie recommends ; indeed I read little, and this is not the place to hear of anything new, Patty sends her particular respects to Mrs. B. and yourself, in which the rest of the family desire to join. Pray remember me kindly to both ladies. T think I have walked the garden but twice these six weeks, so instantly does it take away my voice and bring on my cough, and yet I am able to go my distant tours in a carriage, and my near ones on horseback. I cannot be thankful enough for this., Pray mention how Mrs. B's health is when 236 MEMORTALS, you write, for you know she never talks of herself. With my best wishes, I remain, dear Sir, Your ever faithful and obhged, H. More. HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Bath, 20th December, [1793.] My dear Sir Charles, As I write to Mrs. B. I shall say little to you to-day, except to thank you for the enclosed, which does great honour to the feelings of the writer. The account she gives of the amiable deceased, not only gives one great satisfaction to see how the sweet young woman had got on, in spite of all disadvantages, but strengthens the comfortable hope I am so ready to maintain, that there is a great deal more piety in the world than we suspect, especially among young people, if the appearance of it were not restrained by the worldly and dis- sipated lives of those whom they are obliged to live with. But what a comfort to reflect how graciously the most moderate degree of secret piety, nourished in the inward heart under dis- couraging circumstances, will be accepted by that tender and compassionate Father who does not despise the day of small things. I rejoice in the PERSONAL AND HISTOEICAL. 237 right bent of Mrs. Edwards' mind. What a comfort for you ! My paper cuts me short. Yours truly, H. More. HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Bath, 31st January, [1794.] My dear Madam, You are naturally so candid and sincere, that I ought not to suspect (though you are very polite also) that you sacrifice too much to friendship, and to my convenience in the latitude you give me as to the time of my visit to Teston. As Easter is so very ill-behaved as to fall very late this year, the earliest time you name would be rather cramping to you at Teston, and prolong more than I could wish my stay in town. I therefore propose the latter scheme, if it meets with your perfect and convenient acquiescence, viz., to go to Mrs. Gar- riok pretty early in March, stay ten days with her, come to you about the 16th or 18th, and stay with you, if you do not turn me out before, till Easter Monday perhaps ; then go back for a fort- night to Mrs. Garrick, for if the weather turns out good I shall be impatient to get down as early as I can be of some little use. For at present, I lead a poor, animal, unprofitable life in the chimney corner 240 MEMORIALS, HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOXJVERIE. Adelphi, [1794.] My dear Madam, ,1 met Mrs. Unwin* for a few moments in King's Arms Yard, which I was glad of, as it was a gra- tification to her to hear an account of you from one who has just left you. We were indeed very glad to see each other ; she looked cheerful, but neither fresh nor fat. The letter you sent me from Teston was from Lady Waldegrave. It gives me the greatest pleasure to find that Lord Orfordf has left her £5000, the house in Berkeley Square, and the reversion of Strawberry Hill after Mrs. Damer's death to Lady W., her sons and their heirs male, also the advowson of a living in Essex to her and her sons. This last circumstance pleases me extremely, because it is so creditable to my departed friend to have given a living to the only person in his family who has any great piety, and who was therefore likely to bestow it properly. I have dined twice at London House, and was much shocked at a letter the Bishop received, informing him that Mr. Mason, the poet, in step- ping into his chair on Friday, scratched his leg a little, but so httle that he did not take aoi cenystn. of it till Monday, when signs of mortification * The friend of the poet Cowper. + Horace V7alpole. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 241 appeared, and on Wednesday he was dead! How awful! The Bishop had just read to us a sonnet written a fortnight ago on his seventy-second birth- day, boasting of his unimpaired health and faculties, but closing with a sentiment of piety, which gives me pleasure on knowing it was his last composition. Mr. Wilberforce sat an hour with me last night. His book is finished. He looks poorly, is much affected at the times, is going to Bath in a day or two (T bid him not take his prayer-book). I hope the waters will enable him to reduce the quantity of opium he now takes. The Slave Trade question met with its usual fate, Mr. Sheridan came to the House to vote /or it, Mr. Dent as usual to vote against it ; the former was so dead drunk that nothing could wake him, he lay snoring on the bench, and they could not put sense enough into him to comprehend what they were about,- so they lost his vote. Luckily, however. Dent was nearly as drunk, and not knowing what he did, he voted on our side, for which I suppose he was ready to hang himself next day. These are our virtuous senators, on both sides. Our friends seem to en- tertain some faint hope of peace. Mr. Smelt is in town. I dined with him at Mrs. Montague's ; he looks as well as he did twenty years ago, and at past seventy is going into the military.* Mrs. * Quaere. Militia. Ed. VOL. I. R « 238 MEMORIALS, and by totally confining myself have had the best winter I have known for years. I was much diverted at your supposing Mrs. Garrick would want me in the capacity of a lawyer. I believe you have no housemaid that is not \ deeper in that science than I am ; but she seemed at that- time a good deal agitated with the expecta- tion of a Chancery suit, and seemed to wish for me, by way of having somebody to speak to who should feel an interest in her concerns ; for in that view only could I fancy myself of use to her, and had she made a point of it would have gone. Pray tell Sir Charles I received last night from Dr. Hawker his new volume on the Holy Spirit. I have only read the first sermon, which is very good and serious ; so serious indeed that I should not wonder if it lost him some of his admirers among those who do not quarrel with doctrines till they come to be considered as having a practical influence. But I must read the book before I can speak fairly of it, for I am conceitedly prejudg- ing it. Apropos of sermons — I hear nothing of Dr. Heylin. Surely Rivington does not keep at all to his engagement. Mr. Home, the clergyman who is returned from Sierra Leone, has spent a couple of days with us ; and gave us a great deal of interesting information on the subject. The colony is doing full as well PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 239 as could reasonably be expected. Sugar, though the cane grows luxuriantly, is not likely to succeed at present ; the large ant, which is extremely destructive, must first be conquered. Coffee, cotton, and rice do well. The cargo they brought home in his ship was worth £2500, and they could have brought £2000 worth of ivory besides, but were afraid on account of the war. The colony is very healthy, and after the present year is likely to subsist itself. The last words poor Naimbonna uttered were, " There be many that are called, but few that are chosen." Old King Naimbonna entreated to be baptized when he found himself near death. Whether he had any conviction of the truth and value of the religion of which he wished to die a member, or considered the rite of baptism as a savage, under the light of a sort of charm or viaticum, is what I should like to be informed of. Our friends the directors are writing to me to get them clergymen, missionaries, and schoolmasters. Alas ! such as suit their purpose are rare ; do they grow in your soil ? I hope this capricious weather has not much affected you. My kind remembrances to Mrs. T. and Sir Charles. I am, my dear Madam, Yours most gratefully and faithfully H. More. 240 MEMORIALS, HANNAH MORE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Adelphi, [1794.] My dear Madam, J met Mrs. Unwin* for a few moments in King's Arms Yard, which I was glad of, as it was a gra- tification to her to hear an account of you from one who has just left you. We were indeed very glad to see each other ; she looked cheerful, but neither fresh nor fat. The letter you sent me from Teston was from Lady Waldegrave. It gives me the greatest pleasure to find that Lord Orfordf has left her £5000, the house in Berkeley Square, and the reversion of Strawberry Hill after Mrs. Damer's death to Lady W., her sons and their heirs male, also the advowson of a living in Essex to her and her sons. This last circumstance pleases me extremely, because it is so creditable to my departed friend to have given a living to the only person in his family who has any great piety, and who was therefore likely to bestow it properly. I have dined twice at London House, and was much shocked at a letter the Bishop received, informing him that Mr. Mason, the poet, in step- ping into his chair on Friday, scratched his leg a little, but so little that he did not take aoi cenystn of it till Monday, when signs of mortification * The friend of the poet Cowper. i Horace Walpole. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 241 appeared, and on Wednesday he was dead ! How awful! The Bishop had just read to us a sonnet written a fortnight ago on his seventy-second birth- day, boasting of his unimpaired health and faculties, but closing with a sentiment of piety, which gives me pleasure on knowing it was his last composition. Mr. Wilberforce sat an hour with me last night. His book is finished. He looks poorly, is much affected at the times, is going to Bath in a day or two (T bid him not take his prayer-book). I hope the waters will enable him to reduce the quantity of opium he now takes. The Slave Trade question met with its usual fate, Mr. Sheridan came to the House to vote /or it, Mr. Dent as usual to vote against it ; the former was so dead drunk that nothing could wake him, he lay snoring on the bench, and they could not put sense enough into him to comprehend what they were about,- so they lost his vote. Luckily, however. Dent was nearly as drunk, and not knowing what he did, he voted on our side, for which I suppose he was ready to hang himself next day. These are our virtuous senators, on both sides. Our friends seem to en- tertain some faint hope of peace. Mr. Smelt is in town. I dined with him at Mrs. Montague's ; he looks as well as he did twenty years ago, and at past seventy is going into the military.* Mrs. ' * Quaere. Militia. Ed. VOL. I. R 242 MEMORIAL?, Boscawen, Porteus, &c. full of kind enquiries al;)out you. Yours, my dear Madam, V H. M. No end to the Committees. HANNAH MOUE TO MRS. BOUVERIE. Adelphi, March 5, 1794. My dear Madam, Whether it be that geography has anything to do with the feelings, and, as the philosophers say, that the attraction increases as the distance lessens, I cannot positively say ; but certain it is that being so much nearer . you seems to give me a sort of right to plague you with a letter, which I will do with the more confidence as it does not require an answer ; for, if it pleases God to send no obstruc- tion, I will take everything for granted that has been already negociated between us for the Teston visit, to which I look forward with more satisfac- tion than I dare tell you. I only feel myself rather compelled to make this small difference, that I hope to be with you on Wednesday the '\dth. T heard part of a letter from Mrs. Edwards to Miss Conyers, which represents her to be coming to town, so that I hope I shall at least get a little peep at her before I leave it. I had the pleasure to find Mrs. Garrick in remarkably good health PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 243 and spirits, and have myself been very stout for many weeks as to esentials — passing clouds I do not reckon. I am very anxious (too anxious) to bring myself in sucb a state to Teston as shall make me as little burtbensome as possible, well remembering with grief and gratitude what a tor- ment I was to you last year. I find some dear and old friends in a state which rather alarms me. Mrs. Boscawen, that warm and constant friend for near twenty years, with so many virtues and so' many talents, seems very declining indeed. Mrs. Porteus is but poorly, but getting well again I hope. I dined there on Monday, but she did not come down. Lord Orford has such a serious and depressing fit of the gout as, at seventy, makes me tremble for him. Mrs. Montague growing younger and healthier, and in full song. Mrs. Carter a good deal broken. Mr. Wilberforce and Thornton enquire kindly after you, the former pretty well, the latter has been very ailing. When at Bath, T began with great zeal to copy the Sierra Leone journal for you, and had made a great progress, but when I wrote to ask permission to send it you, H. T. sent me word he had already done so, and 1 think you will agree with me that it is very interesting. I beg my most affectionate regards to Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Twysden, and Sir Charles. T hope the former will bring a com- fortable account of your health, to which I hope R 2 244 MEMORIALS, this mild though very damp winter has been favourable. I meditate a visit to Mr. Rivington the first morning I can get so far. Adieu, my dear Madam, Beheve me, in great sincerity, Your ever obhged and faithful H. More. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 245 CHAPTER XIV. m Ostensibly of a biographical character, this book has hitherto run imminent risk of being compared to " Hamlet with the part of Hamlet omitted." In excuse, I plead — its chronological arrangement, the uneventful nature of Lord Gambier's services up to the year 1794, and a notice that the second volume will treat principally of Basques Roads and what was done there and thereupon in 1809. In the meantime, the chronological march of this compilation brings us to the 1st of June 1794. In that action which, from having been fought in the open sea, stands forth in unlocalized distinct- ness to posterity as the " Action of the 1st of June," Lord Gambier, then Captain Gambier, commanded the 'Defence,' (74), to which he had been appointed in April, 1793. The following short narrative of of the part he took on that occasion is from Mar- shall's " Naval Biography." "On the 18th of November, the fleet [Lord Howe's] being on a cruise in the Bay of Biscay 246 MEMORIALS, got sight was imm€ siderably t squally, tl in the pursuit carried away her topmasts. It was not until the month of May, 1794, that the Brest Fleet put to sea, and then only for the express purpose of protecting a fleet laden with corn, the pressure of want throughout France being so great that the party then in power determined to risk a defeat rather than be exposed to a famine. In the actions that ensued, Captain Gambier bore a most distinguished share. On the glorious first of June, the ' Defence' was the first vessel that cut through the enemy^s line, passing between the seventh and eighth ships. She had successively three and four ships engaging her, the men being almost from the first divided at their quarters to fight both sides at once ; her masts were all shot away, the mainmast fell in board, and the whole of the quarter-deck and forecastle guns were rendered useless. The loss she sustained on that and the preceding days amounted to eighteen men killed and thirty -nine wounded.'* " A general promotion followed this important victory, on which* occasion Captain Gambier was nominated a Colonel of Marines ; and on the 1st of June, 1795, he was advanced to the rank of Rear- Admiral.'* PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 247 To this narrative I have to add a fact now for- gotten, but derived from the statements of eye- witnesses now dead. When nearing the French fleet, the master of the 'Defence' proposed shortening sail, in order that she might arrive with the fleet, according to Lord Howe's intention, instead of attacking alone and unsupported. Captain Gambier replied — that the Commander-in-chief* had made no signal to that effect ; and that, come what would, he should go straight at the enemy. Sixty-six years have passed since then. The narrowness of party and the circulation of uncontra- dicted calumnies have either depreciated or cast the veil of oblivion over the whole of Lord Gam- bier's career : but the facts 1 have narrated were then well known and recognized undisputedly. I may as well state here two facts not so gen- erally known at the time, and since forgotten. A short time after the action, George the Third said to Sir Charles Middleton, in allusion to the latter's notorious aversion to nepotism ; " Well, Sir Charles 1 I hope you are satisfied with your nephew now ?" The King moreover declared that he would make Captain Gambier a Peer ; and only by representing the complication that would arise from such a step, did the Ministers succeed in dissuading him from executing his intention. Yet this was the man who is now supposed * Lord Howe. 248 MEMORIALS, to have b( advancem( Thefol] comment. MR. P. CAMPBELL TO CAPTAIN GAMBIER. * America/ at Spithead, 15th July, 1794. Sir, Permit me to express to you, as my old Captain, the just tribute of praise due to your late most gallant conduct, which so admirably contributed to gain the victory to the British fleet over that of the Erench on the 28th, 29th May, and 1st June last. Since my return into port, I have heard of the whole of that great action, and it is with real satis- faction that I learned from every quarter that you acted most nobly on all the three great days. Before that memorable event, it was said in the fleet that the ' Defence' had too much preaching and praying* on board ever to be much of a fight- ing ship. * It may be ' as well to state, on the authority of officers who served under him, that the * quasi-religious practices' mentioned of him by Lord Dundonald mean, when interpreted, the celebration of Divine Service on board ship. This was carried out by him in unde- viating conformity to the naval regulations. He neither added to nor subtracted from, altered or modified in the slightest degree, PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 349 Prom all I could recollect of your character, Sir, as a commander, I was assured that whenever an opportunity offered you would effectually prove how unkind such a reflection was. This you have done completely indeed, for you have forced the admiration of that very fleet who threw out this reflection. And they are now convinced from you, that to serve God and their country are duties entirely compatible, and therefore ought to be inseparable. Although it is now upwards of a dozen of years since I had the honour of saihng with you in the * Raleigh,' you nevertheless recognised me on board the ' Bellerophon' that morning last, on which you ' went out with Commodore Paisley in quest of some French frigates then off the coast. I observed it ; but as 1 had not previously been on board the ' Defence' to pay my respects to you, I wanted confidence to make up to you then to ask you how you did. This vexed me a good deal at the time, for I have always had a particular esteem for your character, Sir; and this appearance of inattention to Captain Gambier was therefore much against my will. I certainly intended since I came last afloat and ere long now to have come on board those regulations. He only carried tkem out, instead of neglecting them. Further confirmation, or. rather repetition, of this fact will appear in a letter of the year 1809, addressed to the *' Naval Chroni- cle." Fide Chapter L 250 MEMORIALS, , the 'Defe: prevented quit the s go to Bat time. I saw you on Doara tne ' lieneropnon, ana since nay recovery, the * America,' now running constantly about, is my apology, which I trust you will have the goodness to accept for my not having waited on you before this time. That you long may be preserved a firm sup- .porter of the honour of the British flag, in which character you have already so eminently distin- guished yourself, is the earnest hope of him who is With great respect and esteem, Sir, Your faithful and very obedient humble servant, P. Campbell. This letter. Sir, was the production from the impression of the moment on hearing the news of Lord Howe's victory ; and now running it over a day after, I find I cannot, in justice to you, with- hold it, though it may appear rather eccentric. I cannot help inserting the subjoined letter, though written fifteen years later, and just after PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 251 another service which the chronological order of this book does not yet bring before us. It was written by an officer who had been an eye-witness to the fact he relates. Sunderland, August 13, 1809. Mr. Editor,* I have waited with anxiety for the termination of the court-martial on my old commander and friend, Lord Gambier, not with any fear as to the result, as I felt confident that the more minute the in- quiry, the more favourable would be the public im- pression of his conduct. It is many years since we sailed together, but T know him well. Not- withstanding the professional merit of almost every admiral and captain in the service is circum- stantially known to his brother officers, yet having been an eye-witness to his persevering intrepidity in the hour of danger, and his modest unassuming deportment on many triumphant occasions, I feel myself called upon to acknowledge his meritorious example and national worth. It is painful to reflect that he — an individual long known in the service to possess the most un- daunted bravery, and who has been distinguished in a career of honour and rectitude — cannot be universally and intimately known, prior to his * Letter wxitten to the * Naval Chronicle,' vol. xxii. p. 102. 252 MEMORIALS ; being brought before the pubKc with the imputa- tion of neglect or delay in the execution of his duty. After a highly honourable acquittal, I may with propriety offer a few remarks on the leading cha- racters in the late transactions. Lord Cochrane's exemplary zeal, activity, and courage, on many oc- casions, entitle him to admiration ; that spirit of enterprise which he displayed on his first promotion to be commander, when he headed the crew of the little ' Speedy' brig in boarding the Spanish xebec ' Gamo,' singled him out at that period as a disciple of the immortal Nelson ; but I wish to remind him that Lord Nelson never sought to add one laurel to his brow by tarnishing the fame of a senior officer. I can make due allowance for the vaiious re- sources of an electioneering contest, and the warmth of candidates ; neither do I wish to screen age or seniority from public investigation. But long and meritorious services justly claim our respect and gratitude; and it should not be forgotten that the late commander-in-chief at the isle of Aix [Lord Gambier] was a post-captain, and co- operating with a brigade of seamen under Ad- miral Arbuthnot and General Sir Henry Chnton, in the reduction of Charlestown, before my Lord Cochrane had quitted the nursery. At the com- mencement of the last war. Captain, now Lord Gambier, commanded the ' Defence' of seventy-four TEUSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 253 guns. His regulations, discipline, and strict con- formity in every particular to the articles of war, were notorious in the Channel fleet ; for with great attention and judgment, his exertions were adapted to promote the comfort and happiness of every officer and seaman in the ship. He may, with truth, be styled the seaman's friend. I could relate many instances of his unwearied attention in for- warding the deserving and friendless sailor, not only in promotion, but (to the hurt and wounded) pecuniary assistance, when he conceived the smart money or Greenwich pension inadequate. To the idle and the dissolute his punishments were with vihgance directed, but in no instance attended with cruel severity ; the old but now obsolete cus- tom of the collar, and fine for swearing, were in- variably adhered to, and no women were admitted on board without possessing marriage certificates. The chaplain's attendance likewise on Sundays was never dispensed with when circumstances would admit, and rainy weather was not deemed a sufficient plea, w^hilst the after-part of the lower deck could be resorted to. This steady adherence to the * Instructions,' and humble endeavour to improve the morals of the seamen, were the only complaints I ever heard alleged against him. Could Lord Howe be now appealed to, whether the ship was or was not ever ready for any service, and whether on the 1st of June, 1794, she did not 254 . MEMORIALS, eminently prove the undaunted intrepidity of her commander, his venerable reply would at once fix the public favour. She was the first ship, by the Queen Charlotte's log-book, that cut through the enemy's line, when the signal was made in the morning for that pur- pose. The ofiicers then present can report how far it was complied with — for the enemy, suspecting the intention, had closed, and formed in compact line to leeward, opening their fire from van to rear. Captain Gambier determined on fulfilling the signal, and passed between the seventh and eighth ship. The * Brunswick,' Captain John Harvey (who lost his life), hooked in the same attempt the head, and sternmost ship of the enemy, which jammed her between two. The * Defence ' had successively three and four ships engaging her ; the men being almost from the first divided at their quarters to fight both sides of the ship. Her niasts were all shot away, the main-mast falling in board, with a great part of the lumber of the others fore and aft the deck, the forecastle and quarter-deck guns disabled and useless — the helm lashed alee, and the ship no longer manageable, surrounded by the enemy — rendered it a scene only known to those who experienced it. The marines stationed on the poop were nearly all killed, and the officer at their head wounded. The master and boatswain killed, and tlie few PERSONAL AND HJSTORICAL. 255 remaining men sent below to man the main and lower deck guns (for it was Lord Gambier's practice not unnecessarily to expose the lives of the ship's company.) He himself remained on deck. I appeal to Captain John Larkin, Captain Alex- ander Beecher, and Captain W. Roberts, the only surviving officers (then Heutenants of the ship), to vouch for the truth of \Vhat I have asserted. The signal marks of attention and friendship shown him by Lord Howe are well known to every cap- tain in that fleet. He considered him equal to any service, however hazardous and intricate ; and with equal confidence may the country depend on his long tried ability, courage and humanity. I have the honour to be, Yours respectfully, J. C. The next letter (from Lord Harcourt) refers to the subject, treated in the foregoing, and corrobo- rates the substance of what is therein contained, PROM LORD HARCOURT TO CAPTAIN GAMBIER. March 2nd.* My dear Captain Gambier, Perhaps it is not according to form that I should * In pencil under it. Perhaps 1795,, : PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 347 CHAPTER XXL The remaining letters of 1798 are principally addressed to Mr. Morton Pitt (with the exception of one or two to Sir Charles Middleton). The first is from the Prince Regent, dashingly discordant with the general aspect of affairs at the period. FROM THE PRINCE OF WALES, GEORGE IV., TO MR. MORTON PITT Carlton House, September 17th, 1798. Sir, Some time ago, application was made to me by Mr. H. Sturt, through the Earl of Jersey, (my Master of the Horse) to know whether I would not give up hunting what is called the Piddletown country, and I signified to him that I had no such intention, but that it should be taken in its regular course, assigning for a reason the supply of foxes it afforded. I am now, therefore, 348 MEMORIALS, called upon to make known to yourself, and the gentlemen of that part of the country, Mr. Sturt's conduct in consequence. He has sent to my huntsman at Critchill (who has thought it his duty to acquaint me with it) a request to be informed of the first day of my hounds going out at Piddletown, declaring his intention of meeting them with his own pack, tc mix them together. He at the same time offered him twenty guineas to persuade me to desist from making use of that country. Mr. Sturt has also published a number of hand-bills for catching foxes. The obliging encouragement I have received from yourself, and all the gentlemen, to bring my hounds into that neighbourhood, justifies me in the fullest confidence that you will take every means to mark the warmest indignation at his unwarrantable behaviour in Mr. Sturt, as it must excite the most pointed resentment in me, I am Sir, Most sincerely yours, George, Regent. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 349 HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Bath, 1 0th January.* My dear Sir Charles, * « * * I enclose our improved plan of the Repository, which you will show your friends. We found the- hawkers got no less than three hundred per cent by their vile traffic, and we must meet them on their own ground, or we shall not produce our effect ; what now stimulates me more than ever in this business is that halfpenny and penny papers, of the most profane and blasphemous kind, are now sending about. Mr. H. Thornton condescends himself to converse with hawkers, and devotes him- self with the warmest zeal to the promotion of our plan. I hope, by God's blessing on our labours, we shall be able in some degree to supplant the vicious publications. I was pleased to finl that Lady Howard has bought off and supplanted the old trash at five or six different places ; this is striking at the root of the evil. We have had for a few days the company of Mr. Macaulay,t the Sierra Leone Governor, in the house. He is one of the most humble, enlightened, re- ligious men I ever met with. It is wonderful that this young man, an officer, with few advantages I * 1798 — after Mr. Macaulay's return from Sierra Leone ? f Father of Lord Macaulay. 350 MEMORIALS, should suppose, should have made such a profi- ciency, and be so sensible and judicious. He is but in poor health, yet going back to his station with the spirit of a martyr. The colony flourishes. The mild winter, I hope, is good for Mrs. Bouverie. With my affectionate regards to Mrs. Edwards, I am, my dear Sir. Ever faithfully yours, H. More. The following letter was written to Sir Charles Middleton, on the death of Mrs. Bouverie. HANNAH MOilE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, 27th September, 1798. My dear Sir Charles, Notwithstanding your first kind letter ought to have prepared me for the sad event there was so much reason to expect, I was exceedingly overcome to find by your second letter, received last nighty that all was over, and our dear and incomparable friend so suddenly released from all the sufferings and sorrows of this evil world. It grieved me that I could not immediately express how truly I sym- pathized with you on this very trying and awful occasion ; but I really was too much affected to write, even if there had been any conveyance for, my letter, which there was not. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 351 If we could, as we ought to do, divest ourselves of selfish considerations, nothing could be more consoling than your account of the circumstances of her departure. The prayers in which she had joined you the evening before, must alvvayfe leave an impression of peace and comfort on your heart. The reflection, too, that she was favoured w^ith so easy and gentle a dissolution, so free from pain and suffering, is very c(msolatory ; and when I reflect how much and how constantly she lived in the fear of God, and how conscientiously watchful she was over her thoughts, words, and actions, I conceive that that habitual preparation had fitted her for the awful summons, and that it was in mercy that she was spared the terrors of impending death. Her views were not the most comfortable. I feel thankful for tlie faithfulness and sincerity with which I was enabled to bear my strong and con- stant testimony against some favourite opinions of one I so greatly loved and honoured, though it was particularly painful to me to do it when I con- sidered how exact, correct, and exemplary she was in all her ways. Ail her doubts, as you say, are now removed, and I doubt not that she is enjoying perfect happiness in the society of her two darling friends. For my own part, I see every day so much of the wickedness of the world, and meet with so much opposition in my poor endeavours to do a little do I MEMORIALS, good, through the depravity of the worldly clergy ; that, together with great fatigue, and almost con- stant pain, I sometimes look forward with no small satisfaction to the hour of my release. I heartily pray, my dear friend, you may be supported under this and all your trials, and that we may have a happy meeting in a better world. Your very sincerely affectionate, H. More. I have reason to be thankful for the rapid sale of my book (on Female Education before mentioned). I hope you found out that Mrs. Noel was the lady alluded to in the book, as " excelhng in music, but excelling also in piety, &c., &c." I hear a very poor account of Mr. Wilber- force. I have improved the second edition a good deal, have taken notice of indecent female dress, &c., &c, The remaining letters of 1798, are three, from the Duke of York, the Adjutant- General, and the Marquis of Buckingham, to Mr. Morton Pitt. THE DUKE OF YORK TO MR. MORTON PITT. Horse Guards, 30th January, 1798. Sir, I lose no time in acknowledging the receipt of PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 353 your letter of the 26th, enclosing a complete copy of your publication on the defence of the Kingdom, for which I beg you will accept my best thanks. The proceedings that have taken place in Dorsetshire, with respect to putting the Posse coraitatus in a state to act on the shortest notice, deserves every commendation, and the measure, if carried into general execution, could not fail of being productive of great advantage at such a period as the present, I am. Sir, yours, Frederick, F. M. The following letter, from the Adjutant- General to Mr. Morton Pitt, illustrates, with some others that follow, the state of Ireland at that time. THE ABJUTANT-GENERAL TO MR. MORTON PITT. Horse Guards, 15th October, 1798. My dear Sir, Your letter of the second of this month, written from Permoy Camp, and that from Waterford, de- mand my best thanks, and certainly deserved an earlier acknowledgment than has been in my power to give them. Your letter, No. 1, I never received. The detail of your movements is very interesting, and your very judicious observations on what is VOL. I. A A 354 ME^SfOIlIALS, passing near you, gives a full idea of the state of the wretched country you are acting in. The traits you mention of the zeal shown by the Dorset regi- ment on different occasions, cannot fail to impress one's mind with the strongest assurances that whenever called upon they will distinguish them- selves. Not having had any intelligence of the Brest squadron which sailed from thence on the 16th of last month, certainly destined against Ire- land, nor of Sir Borlase Warren, who was sent in pursuit of them, it is concluded that they have been foiled in their object, and that, despairing of getting back to France, they have steered their course to the West Indies, where certainly they may do us infinite mischief ; however, if they are kept from Ireland it is a great point gained, as the disaffected there cannot be brought back to their allegiance as long as their hopes rest on foreign aid. Lord Comwallis's task is indeed an arduous one, and the whole business in Ireland seems to be enveloped in so much perplexity, that there is no calculating in what manner a restoration of order and good government is to be brought about. I myself don't understand the subject sufficiently to judge whether it is to be effected by the measure of a Union, now in contemplation. Your idea of the expediency of establishing a society in Ireland, similar to that in this country, for bettering the condition of the poor, is certainly PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 355 an excellent one, and oiight to be adopted. I communicated what you have so properly observed on this head to the Duke of York, who will be very glad to see the abstract of the proceedings of the Society here, which you mention, and most readily acquiesces in his name being added to the list of the Society. At a leisure moment, I will mention His Royal Highness's wishes to your secretary, Mr. Martin, and request of him to add mine to the list also. In consequence of the several queries you have put, I have endeavoured to inform myself, so as to be able to give correct answers to them, and find the result to be : — that the reinforcement of Eng- lish regiments lately sent to Ireland receive British pay and the regular allowances borne on the regi- mental establishment of Great Britain ; those, however, which you recite are not of that descrip- tion. Soldiers in this country do not receive six- pence per diem marching money, they are entitled to their full diet for fourpence, by the Mutiny Act, but the sixpence alluded to is an addition to the inn -keeper and not to the soldier. In Ireland they must be on the same footing in regard to quarters, and the advantages or disadvantages of the mode of lodging and dieting, as the King*s other troops in that country. The allowance of eightpence per head for soldiers' wives and children under ten years, is not known to have been extended to those A A 2 856 MEMORIALS, who have followed their husbands to Ireland, and it is not thought likely that it will be so extended. In respect to an allowance of lodging-money to officers not in barracks, I must refer you for infor- mation to the Irish government, as the Irish allowances are not known, here. As to stoppages made from soldiers while on board ship, the same is directed by the King's warrant, which regulates the increased pay of troops out of Great Britain, dated the 5th of July, 1797, and credit for it will certainly be required from every corps, without exception, on the passing the accounts of the seve- ral regiments at the War Office ; but whatever cir- cumstance in the new situation of the regiments before mentioned is thought to bear hard on the officers and soldiers belonging to them should be addressed to the Lord-Lieutenant, who will natu- rally refer their representations here, when you may rest assured it will undergo a candid investi- gation. Your observation on the inconvenience arising from the want of a due circulation of specie has been mentioned in a quarter where I trust it will be attended to. I am at a loss what to say to you about the Hot- tentot corps ; a report on that subject is daily ex- pected from the Cape ; but this you may be assured, that no officer is appointed to the com- mand of it, and if such a corps is to be formed, PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 357 the interest you take in Colonel King's behalf will not be forgot. I am, my dear Sir, With great esteem and regard, Your obedient and faithful humble servant, Robert Brownrigg. P.S. — Though late, I cannot avoid congratula- ting you on Lord Nelson's brilliant and important victory. THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM TO MR. MORTON PITT. Dublin Barracks, November 11th, 17*98. My dear Pitt, I ought to have answered your obliging letter sooner, but 1 waited for a letter from my agent respecting our arrears, which I was in hopes to have settled entirely, but which still wait for the declaration of our accounts, and in the meantime we are paid up exactly-as you are and no further. It has been very unfortunate that in the arrange- ments for the distribution of the British Militia serving in Ireland, care has not, in general, been taken to place them in such quarters as shall lessen the sacrifice which they have made for the public service; but part of this difficulty is to be charged upon the English orders for forming these troops 358 MEMORIALS, into distinct brigades, which were not to be changed — the consequence of which is, that three large corps, such as yours, must be very unequally quartered in point of comforts and convenience ; and I fear that ultimately the health of these troops will, from the very rapid change in their system of diet and of accommodation, be very sickly even in quarters such as yours, where the duty is not heavy ; but in others this important grievance is severely felt, and I know not how it can be obviated. The British, garrison in Dublin has, at this hour, 400 men sick and unfit for duty out of 3,500 men, in consequence of the extreme hard duty which from the moment of our landing has never left us the third night in bed, and for a great part of our service we have had but two reliefs. Still, however, we must persevere, unless we can be content to lose Ireland ; for I fancy that we are all equally convinced that we alone have hitherto saved it. The very painful part of the consideration at pre- sent is the distracted state of this kingdom, sc far as depends upon its government and its parlia- ment. I see a tremendous storm gathering, and in the conduct of Lord C , I see nothing bu1 ignorance and incapacity as a civil governor, and or the part of the Irish, the most sovereign and undis guised contempt and hostility to measures that hav( abandoned to pluoder and murder every property PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 359 and life that the l)anditti of the mountains chose to take in any part of Ireland. I am not sorry that this has within these few days extended so close upon Dublin as to wake His Ex- cellency from his slumbers, and by the time he is thoroughly awake his Parliament will be assem- bled, prepared to arouse him suflBciently to prevent his relapse. All this, my dear Pitt, is most painful to me, who content myself with looking on ; never having directly or indirectly departed from my resolution of not meddling with Irish politics. I cannot see the greatest game that ever was put into the hands or power of Great Britain thrown away by folly, without feeling the most sensible concern, both as an English and , Irish- man. However, le vin est tire, il faut le boire, and I have only to hope, that amongst your imports from Waterford, you contrive to get some wine to mix with your water. Adieu, believe me, ever most truly, Nugent Buckingham. You will have heard that Tone cut his throat this morning; he will, however, live to be hanged. But William Curran has moved a Habeas Corpus which the Court of His Excellency has granted, but which 360 ..:.' MEMORIALS, is not obeyed. Lord Cornwallis's orders are that h is to be hanged to-morrow. LORD CLARE TO MR. MORTON PITT. Dublin, May 9th, 1799. My dear Sir, I have to regret your sudden departure fror town for many reasons, and for none more strong! than that I was deprived of the opportunity c communicating with you on a subject in which feel much interested. The miseries of the lowe orders of the people in this country must shod every man of common humanity ; and until the; are alleviated, it is vain to hope for permanen tranquillity. I shall be happy to co-operate witl the Speaker in every question which can be mad for this most desirable purpose, and will ver thankfully receive every communication whicl you will have the goodness to make to me, whicl will tend to its accomplishment. I have the honour to be, my dear Sir, With great respect, Your faithful humble servant, Clare PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 361 THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL TO MR. MORTON PITT. Horse Guards, 5th May, 1799. My dear Sir, I have many thanks to make you for your letter of the 19th of last month, in which you so clearly and satisfactorily represent the state of Ireland at that period, and as it also fully ex- plained the disposition and expectation of the Dorset regiment, in regard to their continuance in Ireland, I availed myself of your permission to communicate your letter to the Duke of York ; and I am authorized to say that it is among those of the regiments of English Militia intended to be relieved at Midsummer, subject, however, to a longer stay, should circumstances at that time make it absolutely necessary. This of course is thoroughly understood by the corps, and nothing short of the landing of a French army can cause your being detained. The Trench fleet being now at sea, and their destination doubtful, we are na- turally full of anxiety for Ireland ; the prevailing opinion, however, is, that their object is to enable the Cadiz fleet to form a junction with them, and thus combined to endeavour to retrieve their affairs in Italy by oversetting our naval force in the Mediterranean. A few days will now clear up^this point. The Austrians and Russians are making rapid 362 MEMORIALS, strides in Italy ; the latter on the 1 8th last month were advanced to Cremona and Bologna. The French had thrown 15000 men into Mantua, and 5000 in Peschiera, after which the remainder of their army retreated across the, Adda, and en- trenched themselves at Lodi and Cassano. The extreme illness of the Archduke Charles had obliged him to resign the command of his army, for the moment, into the hands of his brother, the Archduke Joseph. The French had re- treated out of the Tyrol and Grissons, and were combining their force in Switzerland. Should the enemy make good a landing in Ireland, I hope at your leisure moments you will favour me with a detail of your operations. I truly wish you safety and success. And am, my dear Sir, Your faithful humble servants, Robert Brownrigg. The following letter from Lord Hugh Seymour may be acceptable as another illustration of the strong personal attachment inspired by Lord Gambier in his brother officers. LORD HUGH SEYMOUR TO REAR-ADMIRAL GAMBIER. * Sanspareil/ May 29th, 1799. My dearest James, ' I regret most sincerely that I was deprived of PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 363 the pleasure of seeing you before I left town, as I wished much to shake you by the hand, and in saying God bless you, to assure you once more in person of the sincere attachment which I bear you, and which it is one of my greatest comforts to believe is returned as fully on your part. I have just received my orders to move to St. Helen's, w^hich has given me great pleasure, as I am led to hope that it is a step to my getting aw^ay single, and it will at any rate enable me to get to rights, which is at present far from being the case, for, in compliance with the wish at the Navy Board, we are still receiving stores, though we have on board more than 100 tons beyond our proper quantity. The ship, however, bears it well, her ports being 5 feet 2 inches out of the water amidships. Lord Spencer, when I last saw him, thought it likely that we should have moved from hence with the Russians ; but since 1 have seen them and learnt from themselves how ill they sail, I rejoice at the prospect of being clear of them, and indeed, since they have succeeded in their wish of changing all their galleys, I think that they are little likely to move from hence for a very long time to come. God bless you, my dear James, remember me kindly to Mrs. G — , and believe me always. Your sincerely attached friend, (Signed) H. Seymour. 364 MEMORIALS, LORD HUGH SEYMOUR TO LORD GAMBIER. ' Sanspareil.' off the Lizard, 1799. I thank you, my dearest James, for your vei obliging letter of the 9th inst., which I receive two days ago, and for the information which : contained respecting the arrangements you ha^ lately made. These, as you desire, shall remain secret wit me until you authorize me to disclose them ; thoug I take it for granted that the world is by this tim in possession of what affects so large a number c our profession, the individuals of which do no possess beyond the rest of mankind the power c concealing what raises their consequence in th world. I must acknowledge that 1 am much please< with the generality of your plans, and a lette which I wrote to Lord Spencer will convince yoi that I am quite satisfied with the part of it whicl relates to myself, particularly as it appears to m( capable of admitting at the same time of my beinj placed in fortune's way to the extent which youi friendship and his made you wish should be th( case, and that would gratify me in one of the firs wishes of my heart, my seeing my wife, Ladj Horatio, before I proceeded to the West Indies. My dear James, let me hear from you now anc then when you have leisure to write a few lines, anc PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 365 believe always in the sincere regards and aifection with which I am your attached friend. (Signed) H. Seymour. I thought last night that the wind would have carried us into Torbay, but the weather is now moderate, and promises so well that 1 hope I shall be upon my rendezvous in the course of to- morrow. A letter from Lady Spencer mentions in a few pleasant words events passing then in Italy. LADY SPENCEK TO MR. MORTON PITT. Admiralty, May SOth, 1799. My dear Mr. Pitt, I am so strongly urged by those of whom I have the best opinion, to trouble you on the subject of this letter, that I cannot resist their intercession ; and T am pretty sure the motives which have induced them and myself to apply to you in favour of Mr. Robert James, jun., will find favour from you. They are as pure and disinterested as they can be — and the good of an honest and worthy character is all we have in view. I am so afraid of puzzling the case by stating it myself, that I think it most advisable to enclose you that statement which I received myself from the Harrisons, who together 366 MEMORIALS, » constiute Lord Spencer's right hand, and on whose integrity and lack of job I should rely upon nauch more than my own. What say you to the Neapohtan Royal colours flying on the Tort of Castellamare ? General Mac- donald evacuated Naples on the 25th inst., and I suppose was soon after swallowed and digested by Suvarrow. All the Jacobins of Naples got into the Castle of St. Elmo, along with five hundred devoted French left there, by Macdonald, and Lord Nelson in his letter received here this morning, after stating these particulars, and relating the capture of Salerno by Trowbridge, concludes by saying that in ten days from the date of his letter, the 30th of April, he has no doubt but that the King will be safely and joyfully received at Naples. What eventful times are these ! how strangely fertile in improbable, almost impossible occurrences 1 Who would have foreseen, amongst other matters, that a warrior-car- dinal, Cardinal Ruffo, should go on board an English man-of-war to consult with the captain of it. Captain Trowbridge, upon what was to be done in the warlike operations jointly carried on by them. Altogether such a jumble is made in my brain of the events of this topsy-turvy world, that I am left without one clear idea. As for the Brest fleet, you'll not have to fight it ; we suppose it is pretty certainly gone into the Mediterranean, and PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 367 Lord St. Vincent tacked to its tail. God bless you, my dear Mr. Pitt. Believe me ever faithfully yours, Lavinia Spencer. FROM THE EAUL OF EUSTON* TO MR. MORTON PITT. Newry, June 7th, 1799. Dear Pitt, This second trip across the Channel not having brought us nearer each other, the old Dorset and little Suffolk, will, I fear, scarcely renew their acquaintance this year, as we have received notice to prepare for embarcation, and our destination in England is quite at the extremity of the eastern district. If the accounts in the Paris papers of the 24th ult. are true, which I conclude they are, as Govern- ment seems to be acting upon them, this country is freed from even threats of invasion for some months to come ; and as I understand the Union- ists are gaining strength daily by the temperate manner in which Government proceed upon this subject, I can't help thinking, for the first time, that a glimmering of light is appearing through the dreadful gloom that has so long overspread this wretched country. The miserable, unprovided, and unprotected state of the poor must have excited your astonish- * Aftervirards Duke of Grafton. 368 MEMORIALS, ment, and worked your keener feelings upon this subject than we most of us possess. Acts of outrage from the lower orders wiJl follow imperiousness and oppression from those above them, therefore disorder must prevail here till the interests of the two countries become the same, and through the intimacy of the connection, a spirit of charity to the poor, and justice and civility to inferiors, shall diffuse itself among the people of property, and most especially the middle orders. I find myself preaching, but I know you can make allowance for most human infirmities, and a greater weakness can scarcely be found than that of a man's filling near half a sheet of paper on a serious subject that he has never thought of suffi- ciently, to write upon. We reached this place to-day, from whence the Oxford are marched to our old quarters at Dun- dalk. It will give you pleasure to hear that the men have conducted themselves extremely well throughout, but most particularly so since* they were relanded at Dublin, by understanding, with- out any fuss or haranguing, the ground upon which they were detained in this country. Remember me kindly to our friend, George Pitt,* and let me hear, when you have no better employ- ment, some account of your goings on. * George Pitt, afterwards Lord Rivers. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 369 As I don't know where your regiment is, I shall desire Colonel Littlehales to forward this letter to you. God bless you; believe me sincerely yours, EUSTON. Harland desires to be kindly remembered to you. HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Cowslip Green, 30th August [1799]. My dear Sir Charles, At length I am returned to my little habitation, after many successive attacks of dangerous sick- ness. My friends very earnestly dissuaded me from resuming my village labours, but I trust I am in the way of my duty, and that thought will render pain more tolerable. I have gone through one Sunday, but find the worst part of my com- plaint is that it makes all exertion very painful. I suffered so much from the idea that Patty was working herself to death to supply my lack of service, that I could not be restrained any longer from coming home, though the distressful state of two of my sisters is extremely depressing to my spirits. One has a kind of paralytic attack, with a grievous dejection, and has had a nurse and physician many months. This VOL. I. B B 370 MEMORIALS, has made our little cheerful cottage very dismal ; my sisters have not been able to see any company the vrhole summer, and we have not even had a bell rung in the house. Lady Walde- grave and her daughter were to have spent part of this month with us, and it was with much regret I was obliged to put her off. If my sister does not mend, I fear I shall not be able to receive our friend Wilberforce, or even you ; this last would grieve me excessively, should you really be dis- posed to realize your kind intentions in our favour. Pray let me know if there is the least chance of your coming, and I will hope to the last that things here may still enable us to receive you, as 'tis a pleasure we have long looked for. I have some little idea I could be able to spare you a master of our own, if all things should be found to suit. He is a capital man, but I will tell you how things stand — his faults and his good qualities. He is about thirty -five years old, of a re- markable good appearance and conversation, very good sense and ready elocution, and has talents very useful among the poor. He was in trade, but failed for want of a capital. His wife is a pretty pleasing person, but alas ! they have three or four children, the eldest of whom is fit to go out ap- prentice, the others little. He has great zeal and activity, has been a preacher in Mr. Wesley's con- nexion, and this very circumstance raises him PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 371 much persecution where he is ; it is our new large parish, where they would prefer a Mahometan to a Methodist. If I lived in the same parish and had a constant eye over him, he would be exactly the thing, and we could restrain the earnestness of his zeal, which is the only fault laid to his charge. His morals seem to be unexceptionable ; he is capable of a large undertaking, but he ex- pects to be well paid, and is not satisfied with a good house and £35 a year, which I give him, with liberty to teach a few boys and girls of tht farmers to write and cipher, for which they pay him. If you had a room large enough, he is capable, besides a Sunday and Weekly School, of instructing the grown-up people in the evening; but you or Mr. Kennedy should attend, or Mrs. Kennedy ; with us he reads a sermon, prayer, and sings to 200 elderly people of a Sunday night. You might perhaps attract the neighbouring parishes, as your own is small. He has not the least idea of being removed, nor am I sure he would consent to it. But if I can spare him, and it be made worth his while, he might consent. Could you find him some employment under your steward to keep accounts, or write ? This might a little mend his income ; for both he and his wife, having been used to better life, like to be very neat, and better dressed than the salary we give allows. He has been expensive to us, as I paid B B 2 37:2 MEMORIALS, off some little debts m order to secure his services. They are certainly quite superior people for the station, but whether you have work enough for him to do to enter into so expensive a scheme, you must judge. He is very industrious, and having been used to business as a clerk, could make himself useful; he has great health and strength. Pray weigh the thing well, and let me know the result. For a mere Httle village school- master, he is too clever, and it would not fill up his time. His fault is ambition, but it is the am- bition to preach and to reform, which, though a good fault, I am obHged to check. Mr. Serle's son, who is in this neighbourhood, spent the day with us yesterday. He is a most engaging youth, and a general favourite. You will be glad to hear the sixth edition of my book is called for, before I have been able to get a copy of the fifth. Our schools and meetings are too prosperous not to have many enemies, especially among the worldly clergy. We have this year more opposition than ever, which I hope may serve to check in us that presumption which is the too common re- sult of success. New schemes and new openings are every day presenting themselves to us, but bodily health and strength are among our many other defects. Our circle is enlarged, and we have sometimes thirty miles a day to travel. . PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 373 I hear with much concern of Mrs. Noel's indis- position, and with much interest of the prosperity of her young ones. My sisters, especially Patty, desire their best re- membrances. And believe me, very sincerely and faithfully yours, H. More. I am not used to write such long letters, indeed I am seldom able to answer those I get ; but the subject of this required explaining. 374 MEMORIALS, CHAPTER XXIL Of the year 1801, there are two letters to Lord Gambler from the Marquis de Chabert, respecting whom, as not publicly known, a word of explana- tion may not be amiss. He had been a French Admiral under the old regime ; and his individual qualities were a kind of ex-parte argument in favour of that untenable fabric. His intimacy with Lord Gambier originated in a curious, almost novel-like manner. The latter, when a midship- man, being taken prisoner by the French — the Marquis de Chabert, who commanded the enemy's squadron, treated him with a degree of personal kindness not to be forgotten. Twenty years later, when the great revolution violently swept almost every existing thing into the domain of history, the ex-admiral came to England as an emigrant, and the ex-midshipman returned with interest his former kindness. Exile, with its attendant train of unaccustomed privations, brought out in harmonious combination PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 375 the fine qualities of the old Marquis. Manly to resist and patient to endure the pressure of per- sonally undeserved adversity — bearing his trials vs^ith dignified self-reliance and Christian-like courtesy, yet accepting the deserved good offices of friendship v^^ith unexacting and grateful acknow- ledgment — his individual case stood forth before those who knew him a special plea for legitimacy. THE MARQUIS DE CHABERT TO LORD GAMBIER. A Londres le 23 Mai, 1801. Mon cher amiral et digne ami, Je suis bien touche de la bont^ que vous avez eu de me donner personnel! ement de vos nouvelles par votre lettre du 24 Avril, quoique je fusse exact a en demander, soit a Madame votre Spouse ou a Monsieur votre frere. Je vous prie de me rendre la justice de croire que je vous aurois pre- venu, si celle que j'ai regue de ma famille peu de jours apres votre depart m'avoit doniie le moindre sujet de satisfaction pour vous en informer, sa- chant combien votre tendre amitie pour moi vous le fait d^sirer. Mais les choses etoient toujours dans le meme dtat, c'est-a-dire de continuation d'esp^- rance et de vaine attente de succes. Mais je me plais a croire que bientot il n'en sera pas le meme pour ce que je desire relativement h vous, et que les succes notables au Nord et a 376 MEMORIALS, POrient donneront lieu a Theureux ev^nement qui, en vous delivrant des coups de vent et des grosses mers, vous ramenera au bonheur de vivre aupres de ce qui vous est cher, et a la vue d'un ami qui a le plus grand besoin de votre presence pour la consolation. Si je ne craignois de vous inspirer de la jalousie, }e vous dirois que, pour diminuer pendant quelques heures ma peine de votre absence, votre aimable epouse se trouvant un jour r^unie avec ses deux soeurs et votre frere, a bien voulu leur joindre votre vieil ami h. diner, pour lui faire partager leur plaisir de boire a votre chere sante. L'Amiral Cornish a voulu aussi me procurer cette satisfaction avec les m ernes convives, mais malheureusement c'^tait un Jeudi, qui comme vous le savez est le jour de reunion des deux avengles. Notre bon ami Chaussegros et M. de Bossel sont bien sensibles a Fhonneur de votre souvenir ; vous devinez assez, sans que je vous le disc, tout ce que le premier s'empresse de faire a son ordinaire pour mon soulagement, et je ne dois pas me lasser de vous r^pdter corabien vous continuez vous-meme d'y contribuer quoiqu' absent, notamment par le bon et sensuel repos que vous m'avez si obligeam-* ment procure, avec des soins que je n'oublierai jamais, et dont, par consequent, e'est avec toute raison que je vous en renouvelle, comme je le fais ehaque soir, en esprit mes remercimens. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 377 J'espere, men clier amiral, que cette sensibilite efc ce discernement de I'^tendue et de la ddiicatesse de vos procedes k men ^gard, vous feront juger h. quel point je suis aussi votre fidele ami, Le Marquis de Chabert. THE SAME TO THE SAME. 43, Newman Street, le 8 Octobre, 1801. Mon cher amiral et digue ami, Depuis que j'ai repondue a la cliarmante lettre, que vous me fites Tamitie de m'^crire peu apres votre depart, je me suis contente de demander avec empressement de vos nouvelles, soit a Monsieur votre frere, soit a Madame votre dpouse, parce que je n'avois rien a vous mander que votre amitie pour moi put vous faire trouver interessant. Mais la peine que je craiguois de partager avec Madame a la plus longue continuation de votre absence, cessant par la bonne nouvelle de la paix, je me hate de vous temoigner toute ma joye de m'etre trompe, et d*avoir au contraire Theureuse certitude de bon- heur de vous revoir bientot, et d'etre a portde d'ouvrir de nouveau mon coeur a mon digne anji. En attendant, vous saurez que I'etablissement pro- jete dont je vous avois fait part, a ete malheureuse- ment differe par I'obligation forcee ou rhomnie s'est trouve d'aller remplir une commission que Ton supposoit avant la paix devoir durer cinq a six ans ; il faut esperer qu'a present le terme ne sera 378 MEMORIALS, pas long. Dieu le veuille. D'ailleurs I'on ne iii'a rien mandd sur ce qui pourroit me regarder per- son nellement. Je dois vous dire encore, que mes amis ont saisi une heureuse occasion pour me pro- curer un nouveau conducteur, qui par ses.soins me fait oublier tous les torts de son predecesseur. Je ne vous dirai rien de notre ami Chaussegros, parce qu'il veut que je lui cede la plume pour avoir le plaisir de vous renouveler lui-meme ses sentimens. M. de Bossel m'a bien recommandd de vous presenter ses respects ; sa reconnoissance de vos bontes est toujours plus vive, et je ne saurois trop vous rep^ter combien il les merite. Adieu pour cette fois, mon cher amiral, vous savez assez a quel point je suis de cceur et d'ame. Votre tendre et fidele ami, Le Marquis de Chabert. Le cher Marquis, veut bien me permettre d'ex- primer a Monsieur Tamiral toute la joye que je ressens sur I'heureux ^v^nement qui va le ramener aupres d'une famille cherie et des amis dont il fait le bonheur. A LETTER FROM THE MARQUIS DE CHABERT, 1802. Mon cher amiral et digne ami, Ma femme, et ma fille, connoissant ma triste situation, a, sans me consulter, fait expedier et PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 379 envoy er ici dans les premiers jours de Decembre toutes les pieces n^cessaires pour me faire rentrer avec toute surete et recevoir aupres d'elles leurs soins affectueux, seuls propres a soulager le poids de mes infirmites. Au moment ou j'allais vous en faire part, j'en ai ^t^ empeche par une fievre bilieuse, ainsi que vous Taurez appris par Madame Gambier qui j'avais fait prier par mon ami Chaussegros de vous le mander, en attendant que je peux le moi-meme, ou que le traitd definitifvous eut fait revenira Londres avant mon depart. Je dois aux soins du cher Doctor Blanc mon retablissement. J'ai vu dans cette occasion avec sensibilite qu'il a eu pour moi les memes soins que dans ma maladie precedente, et que toute votre famille en general et chacun en particulier se sont empresses de m'envoyer tout ce qu'ils ont cru pouvoir contribuer a mon retablissement, mais la rigueur de la saison a prolouge jusqu'a present ma convalescence, et quoique tres faible encore, je compte cependant d'entreprendre mon voyage dans une couple de jours, ayant ete assez heureax de trouver un galant homme qui, touche de mon dtat, veut bien se charger de me conduire a petites jour- nees. Car vous saurez, mon cher amiral, que pour comble de malheur, j'ai perdu le peu de vue qui me restait ; ce que me met a la merci du premier venu. Jugez d apres cela, mon bon ami, si je dois 3 so MEMORIALS, balan9er a me rendre aux vives solicitations de tout ce que j'ai de plus cher dans ce monde, malgrd la d^tresse ou je sais qu'elles sont et que je ne puis qu'augmenter. Mais il faut esp^rer que la providence me fera retrouver quelques debris de fortune qui puissent rempla9er le secours que je re9evais ici de votre bienfaisante nation. II ne me reste plus, mon clier amiral et digne ami, qu'a vous assurer que je n'oublierai jamais les temoignages non Equivoques de votre amitie, et de tout ce que votre bon coeur vous a portE a faire pour raoi. Je serais bien heureux, si avant la fin de mes jours, ma fern me, ma fille, et moi pouvions avoir le plaisir de vous voir a Paris — oil malgrE notre ddtresse, nous ferions de bon coeur tout ce qu'il seroit en notre pouvoir — une assurance que ma femme et ma fille me chargent de vous en donner, et k tout ce qui vous appartient ou inte- resse. Adieu, mon cker amiral et digne ami, conservez moi un peu dans votre souvenir, et soyez bien per- suade de toute Testime et de FamitiE que vous con- servera, Le Marquis de Chabert. P.S. — Mon digne et tres m^ritant ami Chausse- gros veut bien se charger de remettre a Madame Gambler les meubles et efiets dont vous m'avez si PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 3S1 gen^reusement donne la joiiissance, et auxquds j'ai mis le plus grand prix. Voiis savez que cet ami, par la place qu'il occupait a Toulon — il ne peut, ni ne veut, retourner dans sa patrie — ^je vous prie, mon clier Amiral et digne ami, de Ten dedom- mager en lui continuant voire estime, ^ laquelle vous savez depuis longtemps qu'il a des droits. P.P.S. — Monsieur de Chaussegros, en annon9ant h Monsieur TAmiral que leur ami commun est parti le 23, au soir, pour Douvres, le prie d'agrder Tassurance de son respectueux attachement, en attendant le joar lieureux ou le traite definitif de la paix pourra lui procurer la satisfaction de le voir a Londres.* Two letters of 1801, to Sir Charles Middleton are from Patty More. MARTHA MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Bath, January 12th, 1801. My dear Sir, I have delayed writing from day to day, hoping my sister Hannah would be able at last to write to you herself, but the prospect seems farther off than ever, and therefore I have formed my resolu- tion of telling you how we go on, knowing from * It will doubtless interest the reader to know that the Marquis was subsequently restored to his titles and honours. 3S2 MEMORIALS, long experience you are interested about us. The long dry season in the summer agreed remarkably well with my sister Hannah, and we werb in hopes she wouLl get strength sufficient to subdue the complaint she laboured under at your house ; but alas 1 the long damp autumn succeeded, and com- pletely overturned all the good produced by the warm weather. She does not write much at present, and till she is a little stronger her friends are so good to content themselves with hearing from me. If you have seen much of our mutual friends in town, you have probably heard something, or per- haps a good deal, of our persecutions from a demo- cratic Socinian Curate of the Church of England, who lives in the parish where we had one of our finest and most prosperous schemes. I scarcely know how, in the compass of a sheet of paper, to give you an idea of our sufferings and trials, nor of the unaccountable conduct of this son of Belial. Our master there is a most industrious, enlightened man, and has a very uncommon talent in instruct- ing the lower orders of people, and had been un- commonly successful in this village. The Curate grew jealous of this man's success — the parish having been in a deplorable state of wickedness when we went into it. This very success we sus- pect produced the first seeds of envy. About a year ago, he began to preach something very like PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 383 Socinianism, which raised a considerable talk in the country. We find he has laid a very deep plot to undermine all our schools, that they might fall at nearly the same moment. The first opening was by a letter when we were with you . in the spring, and I think we mentioned it. On our return in the country, we found this particular school of Blagdon most flourishing, orderly, and peaceable, with their inveterate Curate behaving more like a fiend than a Christian I We went on for some months performing all our regular teachings there, as though the thunder was not rolling nearer and nearer. At length he [Mr, Beer] attacked our poor master's character, by getting some of the worst and lying people in his parish to swear absurd enthusiastic things against poor Young, the name of our master. Sir A. Elton, the lead- ing character and most important magistrate iu this part of the world, as weU as our warm friend, was roused at this, and insisted upon his bringing all the witnesses forward, that Young might con- front them, and bring people on his part to clear his fame. Sir A. was to go and protect Young, and Beer, as a justice, was to defend his own side ; but what was Sir A's. astonishment, when he arrived at the ale-house appointed by Beer for the business, to find he had collected all the decent laymen around us who are decided enemies to us and our schools, together with a few of the clergy 384 MEMORIALS, who have no taste for us. Such a scene passed, I cannot describe, of perseverance, zeal, and elo- quence on the part of Sir A., and of impertinent officiousness on the part of these lay gentry, who had the impudence to form themselves into a jury, and had a chairman, and affected to con- demn Young, our most excellent schoolmaster. The deep and diabolical conduct of Beer this day exceeds all credibility, nor can I give you any idea of it till we meet. When the whole was over, he had his emissaries ready to ring the bells, and had his little ale-house, where this court was held, illuminated. This business has destroyed us all, particularly my poor sister Hannah. In this way we have spent the last five months, but now observe the compensation. Beer's deep plots are at length unravelUng; the country is in an uproar, and all against Beer. I forgot to tell you we were obliged to put an end to the school about six weeks ago, and it was my lot to turn adrift upon the wicked world four hundred creatures, young and old. Conceive our astonishment only yesterday ; the obstinate rector came, perfectly convinced of Beer's wickedness, and imploring us to open the school again. This was indeed truly gratifying; but we refused on account of his curate's Sociniau principles — that what he taught at church we should unteach at school. This is the present state. My paper PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 385 would not allow me to tell you one quarter of our troubles. All our other schools very flourishing. I long to hear of yours. With our united regards, I remain, my dear Sir, Your ever obliged, Martha More. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Bath, Febraary 9th, 1801. My dear Sir, As I sent you a long detail of our miseries, so I think it incumbent on me to gratify your kind feelings towards us, by informing you without delay of the favourable revolution in our affairs. The dark character of our persecuting curate is brought to light, his rector's eyes completely opened; and at the earnest entreaty of the said rector, I was at Blagdon a fortnight ago ; restored our excellent master to his former situation, re- opened the school, and left everything in a most peaceable, comfortable manner. I am not going to end here. Our bishop and his son, the Chan- cellor of the Diocese, are both fully convinced of the base conduct and heretical preaching of this worthless clergyman, and the bishop has sent an order to have him dismissed. If we wished for a triumph, my dear Sir, we have it most completely ; and the religious clergy and others of our friends, VOL. I. c c 3S6 MEMORIALS, are pouring in their kind congratulations upon us. The joy of the poor people was so great when the news arrived that we were coming amongst them again, that we were obliged to get the prin- cipal gentleman there to call at the farmers' houses, to request there might be no appearance of joy or triumph exhibited in any part of the parish. On Sunday, the 25th, I went down, having desired the children all to be collected, and all to be done quietly, but to proceed to no business till I arrived, that the enemies might not say the deposed master got the children together and taught them of his own accord. When T arrived, near two hundred decent, clean creatures were collected together in the greatest order, including our young men and women, who, thank God, were not decoyed away. All was quiet, solemn, orderly, and indeed I may add very afiPecting. I proceeded to the first and important part of the business, namely, prayer. When that was over, I exhorted them, to the ut- most of my poor abilities, upon the loss and res- toration of the school ; they were much affected. Many of the farmers came in to express their gratitude and joy. I impressed upon them the propriety of quiet, and that the best way to rejoice was upon their knees; they promised fair, and they fulfilled what they engaged to perform. The evening was the moment to be dreaded, in PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 387 case of any indecent triumpli over our enemies. The house was crowded in every part — not a spare inch to put a foot upon ; men stood in rows all up the stairs ; but so much decency and unaffected appearance of order and religion I scarcely ever beheld. Their fear of doing wrong or giving offence was so great that they seemed afraid to breathe aloud. I read them a sermon and prayer, and a little written address for the occasion, and they departed in the same quiet manner ; and thus ends for the present our little Blagdon adventures. I hope you will not think me tedious, but I thought you would be interested for us. You will also rejoice to hear all our other schools are going on uncommonly well. My sister Hannah has had but a sad winter, the same complaint she was troubled w^th when at your house ; she is rather better just now, and sometimes talks of the probability of visiting Teston. She desires me to add her most affectionate regards, and believe me, my dear Sir, Your faithful and obhged Martha More. Two letters follow from Hannah More to Sir Charles Middleton, and one from Mr. Wilberforce to Mr. Morton Pitt— all of 1803. c 2 388 MEMORIALS, HANNAH MORE TO SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON. Barleywood, 7th April [1803]. My dear Sir Charles, I seize the first moment I have been able to hold a pen for a good while, to thank you for your kind letter. It found me with five others of our family ill in bed, where we have been ever since. J feel much better to-day, but all are still great invahds. This epidemic is indeed a most trying complaint, and it pulls one down so sadly, that I should not have written till 1 was stouter, were it not that I was afraid you might, by expecting me and my sister Patty at Teston, be kept at an un- certainty. I have reproached myself that my re- luctance to write made m6 so long delay telling you that we had resolved, for this year, to decline the very great pleasure of the Teston visit, which for such a great number of years has been produc- tive of so much pie asure and comfort to me. I know well how peaceful and quiet we sliould be with you, but we could not come to Teston without going to London, &c., and I have suffered so much from an incessant persecution three years this very day, that I have no great appetite for mixing with the world, but think I shall be better with my own quiet occupations at home, where, till this new illness, gardening has been a very in- teresting amusement to me. It is a very real con- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 389 cern to me to hear so bad an account of Mrs. Noel. I fervently pray that it may please God to restore her valuable health, and long preserve her a blessing to her fine family. It would have been a great pleasure to us to have met her. I know few characters so really important or valuable. I have just heard of the death of our old friend Mr. Lewesley. He was one of the most singular cha- racters I ever knew, but unquestionably devout. My friends are falling around me. I have been now long -inured to the blackest calumnies, and it has pleased God to give me great submission to His will. Murder, treason, and prostitution are among the crimes laid to my charge. You will not wonder at my profound silence to such allegations. It is my principle never to defend myself. My accusers are noto- rious Jacobins and Infidels ; yet they are defended by the Anti-Jacobin Review, which little suspects what characters it is supporting. 1 wrote to my own Bishop, offering to withdraw my schools, as he is the only person to whom I think myself ac- countable. His Lordship, so far from desiring it, takes the schools under his protection, and has promised to shew them every encouragement in his power. My enemies' characters and motives are now well known in this neighbourhood. One of them is under a prosecution for a libel against the Member for Wells, who did not bear defamation 390 MEMORIALS, quite so tamely as I have done. I certainly can have no objection to your having a copy of my letter to Mr. Bowdler, though I forbid their being multiplied, lest it should by some accident get into print. And I have solemnly declared I would never make any answer. Unluckily I have not any perfect copy, nor am I able to transcribe it if I had. Should you see our friend who showed it you, he would perhaps lend it to you for the pur- pose you wish, otherwise I will try to make it out for you if I can. Poor Young, my schoolmaster, who was threat- ened with a prison at Blagdon, has, in Ireland, had the Lord-Lieutenant to visit his schools, who ex- pressed the highest approbation. His Excellency gave premiums to the boys, as did Lady Hard- wicke to the girls. You will give me a great satisfaction when you can send me better news of Mrs. Noel. I am glad to hear a good account of Louisa even from strangers. I am too much fatigued to enter on the terrible subject of war, which may God avert. Patty is very poorly, but joins in kindest remembrances with. My dear Sir Charles, Your very affectionate and sincere H. More. P.S. — Teston, I hear, is quite perfect. It would have been a great pleasure to me to have seen it. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 391 THE SAME TO THE SAME. Cheltenham, May 26, 1803. My dear Sir Charles, Your kind letter, including a draft for £20 for my schools, would have been acknowledged im- mediately, had I not been anxiously waiting to get some further tidings of Mrs Noel, about whom I have felt very great solicitude ; but I have never been able to hear anything about her since, except by a letter from Mr. W. Hoare from Mitcham ; a letter which very much contributed to increase my concern, as it spoke of her being arrived at Clifton, but too much indisposed to be able to see any of her friends. We hope we shall be allowed to return to Bar- leywood in about a fortnight, and I pray I may get better intelligence respecting Mrs. Noel, in whose most valuable and important life I feel deeply interested. Patty joins me in most affec- tionate regard. I am, my dear Sir Charles, Yours very faithfully and sincerely, H. More. MR. WILBERFORCE TO MR. MORTON PITT. Near Bath, September 7th, 1803. My dear Morton, Dosed me, do you call it?^-you really do your 392 MEMORIALS, composition great injustice by comparing it witli Mr. Apothecary's — at least it never has been my good fortune, though few men of my standing have taken more medicine than myself, to find any of their drugs so palatable. You really have gratified me highly — not merely by the proof which your letter affords of my hold- ing a place in your friendly remembrance, which it is a pleasure to me to think that I possess, but by the good sense of your suggestions, which it is no compliment to you to say, discovers a large view of things, and mature combination and reflection. It is to be regretted, my dear Morton, that you will suffer, or rather you have suffered, a constitu- tional shyness to grow upon you, so as to prevent your giving expression to your sentiments, where they could not but be listened to by all men of sense with deference, both on account of their own intrinsic merits, and the character of the speaker. This remark is forced from me by your very interest- ing letter. I will take care to communicate to Mr. Stephen the hint you have thrown out, and enforce it by my own recommendation. Nothing can be more just than your ideas con- cerning the true feeling of this country with regard to St. Domingo. I have not time to enlarge on them in reply, as, if I were to do so, I should only, I am persuaded, express what your own mind PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 393 suggests to yow. I have just come to this place, a STOetly situated villa about three miles from Bath, where I shall drink the waters and live as quietly as possible. Several late attacks of my constitutional com- plaint remind me of the necessity of thus going into dock, and 1 only regret my absence fron^ Broomfield, because it will prevent my seeing you, for I fear it is too much to expect you to take a journey into the west, and it is the only drawback from the conjforts of this situation (though it has its advantages too, as my friends and physicians say, who accuse me of being too fond of society) that I cannot offer you a bed. But I hope we shall have, before it be very long, an oppor- tunity of talking over the interesting topics of your letter ; and in the meantime, after having paid off an arrear of letters and business, which has accu- mulated in my hands from indisposition, &c., &c., I shall thoroughly consider them in all their bear- ings. But let me beg you to write to Addington what you have said to me concerning St. Domingo. Of course hinting that I advised you to do so, would be the only way to make him reject your letter and its excellent and deep advice. You can scarcely conceive how rejoiced I am to get to a little retirement, and how necessary and salutary it is both to my mind and body. It is the grand object of every Christian to set his affections 394 MEMORIALS. on things above — to live under a strong impression of the reaUty of future and invisible things ; and we are all apt to have these impressions weakened by living much in the world, in the hurry and turmoil of business, however usefully employed ; not that we are to quit these and retire into the cloister, but occasional intervals of retirement are the medicine of the mind to them who are com- manded to keep their hearts with all diligence. Mine is in urgent want of this salutary prescrip- tion. My children's dinner comes in, and puts an end to my lucubrations. For the present fare- well. You will gratify me highly by continuing your communication of any of your cogitations. Believe me ever affectionately yours, W. WiLBERFORCE. END OF VOL. I. LONDON : Printed by A. Schulze, 13, Poland Street. 54 MEMORIALS, because I am forced to renounce all the pleasure I had promised myself in seeing you in Dorsetshire. I have tried to surmount impossibilities to get to you, but I find those which grow out of time, who will change his course for no human purpose, for- bid me to contend any longer. 1 come now, my dear Pitt, to the succedaneum, which depends upon you, and therefore, I trust, will not fail me ; it is the pleasure of meeting at Bath. I purpose to be there about the 20th inst., and to stay there till the 15th of October. I hope Dorchester goes to your wish, and that you are well, without which nothing, my dear Pitt, will go to mine. Despatch your honest venison strong-beer friends, and turn your horses' heads towards Bath, where you will find (at the time above named) one who is ever, most faithfully and affectionately. Yours, W. Pitt. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Bath, August 24th, 1752. My dear Pitt, My present case is by no means one that requires sea water, and I am heartily sorry for it ; if it were, I should now have the pleasure of being with you, which, beheve me, is at all times a very sensible pleasure, and would, at present, relieve me from a very considerable load, that of myself, much, dis- PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL. 55 ordered in my spirits, and otherwise a good deal out of order. If your engagements had left you at liberty, you cannot imagine how great a charity it would be to come to me, especially now that the place is quite destitute of amusement or resource, and that solitude is every way contrary to my cure. " Doctor Moisir wishes you here, instead of your humble servant at Encombe ; if the Fates forbid, there is nothing to say. I hope my dear Pitt is perfectly well, and that those fibres of steal con- tinue their Herculean tone. If this find you with Mr. and Mrs. Pitt, I beg my most humble com- pliments to them. I still say, if any good chance should send you hither, I shall pray for you as long as I live. Adieu. Tour's most affectionately, W. Pitt. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Bath, October 4th, 1752. In disobedience to my dear Pitt's prescription of sea-water, whey, &c., I have taken the liberty to get well, or very near it, by Bath waters, Raleigh's Cordial, &c. 1 should not have presumed so far, if I had not found myself supported by Doctor Moisir himself, which, I trust, will alleviate my offence in the eye of our learned brother of En- combe. I am advised to a longer course of waters ■^ = 'A:.' '■■■"'S'-} ■ '■\^''^.~^ '*; si 1.1: •IK :'^>T-''