^H^«!:???!?Wrr;^ 
 
^^ 
 
 
 LIBRARY 
 

 
 *^/i^^. 
 
LETTERS, 
 
 FROM THE YEAR J 774 TO THE YEAR 179^, 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN WILKES, ESQ. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO HIS DAUGHTER, 
 
 THE LATE 
 
 iWiiSS mtikts X 
 
 WITH 
 A COLLECTION OF HIS 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 
 
 TO WHICH IS PREFIXED 
 
 A MEMOIR OF THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 MR. WILKES. 
 
 VOL. in. 
 
 THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 fRlNTED TOR LONGMAN, HURST, BEES, AND ORME, 
 
 TATERNOSTER ROW ; J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY J 
 
 AND A. CONSTABLE AND CO, EDINBURGH. 
 
 180^. 
 
Primed by S. Gosnell, Little Queen Street. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. III. 
 
 Letters addressed to Miss Wilkes at 
 Tarisy whilst on a Visit to the Dutchess 
 de la Fallierc, from 1784 to 1789. 
 
 
LETTERS, 
 
 6?c. 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 Tuesday NooHj, 
 May 11^ 1784. 
 
 I AM just returned^ my clearest 
 PoIIy^, from the Guildhall at Westmin- 
 ster, to which place the sheriffs ad- 
 journed the scrutiny, after much alterca- 
 tion, with my consent, by an agreement 
 that no business of any kind should be 
 proceeded upon, from the shortness of the 
 notice of the change of place. Thus 
 we have gained one day, and only twenty 
 
 VOL. Ill, B 
 
Iiours remain to scrutinize 3000 voters. 
 Preliminariesare tobe taken into consider- 
 ation to-moiTOW morning at eight, every 
 one of which will be debated. I have acute 
 ;and long-winded counsel, the two qua- 
 lities almost equally necessary. I saw 
 the famous Dr. Flexman yesterday, who 
 assured me that the sheriffs must of ne- 
 cessity return Mr. Mainwaring and me, 
 if the scrutiny was not gone through, 
 which I hold to be impossible. As by 
 your absence I cannot enjoy the conver- 
 sation in which I most deligiit, I give 
 my w^hole time and attention to this bu- 
 siness. Friday's post, I trust, will bring 
 you a very satisfactory iiccount of our 
 proceedings. 
 
 There was a most dreadful riot yester- 
 day at Covent Garden. Two men were 
 killed, and eighteen of the ruffians are 
 lodged this day in Newgate. 
 
3 
 
 Three o' Clock. 
 
 I thank voii much for \vritini>: from 
 ])artford, and your charming letter from 
 Dover. I am just setting down to th.c 
 mackarel, which will restore me after 
 the Chamberlain's fatigue added to the 
 Candidate's ; but 1 am surprisingly well, 
 and this warm weather I find quite 
 genial. 
 
 Our neighbours continue to be very 
 obliging, and the Colonel is indefati- 
 gable. The number of Mr. Byng's bad 
 votes, which we liave detected is amaz- 
 ing. Mess. Wood, Tayler, Dayrcll, 8cc. 
 &c. exert themselves every liour. Mr. 
 Aubrey has canned liis election by twenty- 
 four. A scrutiny was demanded auci 
 refused. 
 
 Prince's Court was very cliecrfu! 
 only last week: now it looks dull and 
 
 drcarv. 
 
 I am very glad that you like Made- 
 
 K 2 
 
moiselle Marly. It was an important 
 point for your pleasures. 
 
 You managed incomparably well in 
 your journey, and I am easy about 
 every thing, were a tolerable wind to 
 spring up. 
 
 Pray lay me at the feet of the Dut- 
 chess, and tell her that when I recollect 
 you are at the Hotel de la Valliere, the 
 thought gives me pride and pleasure, 
 and would envy, were it possible to envy 
 those whom we love. 
 
 My dearest Polly, adieu. 
 
LETTER IL 
 
 Friday, May 14, 1784. 
 
 I AM sure that I shall give my 
 dearest Polly a singular satisfaction, 
 when I acquaint her that the scrutiny 
 is at an end in my fiivour, Tliis morn- 
 ing the sheriffs, candidates, and counsel, 
 &c. attended by eight, and Mr. Erskine, 
 the leading counsel of Pvlr. Byng, began 
 an objection to a John Decker, the first 
 of my votes on their list, as not duly 
 qualified under Powys's Act^ as the sta- 
 tute is called. That question would 
 have determined many others. The 
 sheriffs decided that the vote was good ; 
 in consequence of whicli, Mr. Erskine, 
 and Mr. Douglass, another gentleman 
 from the north, counsel for Mr. Byng, 
 desired to give a few valedictory words. 
 
 B 3 
 
6 
 
 Somebody cried out, maledicLory, llic 
 sheriffs were then violently abused by 
 Messrs. Byng, Baker, the counsel, &c. 
 and justified by Mr. D.iyrell, Mr. Tom- 
 lins, and our other friends. In conclu- 
 sion, Mr. Byng declared that he would 
 give them no farther trouble, and the 
 sheriffs appointed Monday morning at 
 nine once more to look over the books, 
 and then to declare Mr. Mai nwa ring 
 and myself duly elected. Mr. Byng 
 tlireatened a petition to the House of 
 Commons, under Vrhich we are perfectly 
 easy. Mr, Dayrell has acquitted him- 
 self in the ablest and handsomest 
 manner. 
 
 I gave the postillion a crown yester- 
 day for the careful manner of his driv- 
 ing, James half-a-crown for his punctu- 
 ality. 
 
 I have just sent you a little packet 
 under cover to Mr. Guyon at the W hite 
 
Bear in Piccadilly. The gold pen is in' 
 it, and the whole is carefully done nj). 
 
 I had the pleasure of four letters fi-oni 
 y.ou^ but you cannot judge of my im- 
 patience for a fifth, dated from France, 
 although I have no apprehension from 
 the account James gave me of the wind 
 and weather when vou embarked. 
 
 I have <iesired Mr. Faden to get mc 
 the book which Mr. Fector wishes for^ 
 and I will send it to him with a letter of 
 acknowledgment for his civilities to 
 you. 
 
 I am sorry for Trevanion, and young 
 Boyd is likewise out of Parliament. Tlie 
 city petition goes on, but nothing is yet 
 determined about Westminster. 
 
 This great fermentation of parties 
 never fails to turn them all sour ; but as 
 an individual I have kept my good hu- 
 mour through^ although I have treated 
 
 B 4 
 
8 
 
 Sheriff Skinner with an asperity not 
 usual with me. 
 
 My brother Israel is^ I hear, retarned, 
 and called yesterday upon me. I was 
 from home. The reason of his return 
 I have not learnt, and the fact surprises 
 me ; but I cannot doubt it, from what 
 the servants mention, and of Dominica* 
 Your account of Mademoiselle Sophie 
 is truly interesting, and with such a person 
 and character I should hope every thing 
 would be perfectly agreeable to you, 
 especially as she is a Protestant, for we 
 have seen many inconveniences attend- 
 ing the other persuasion in that situa- 
 tion of life. I should like to see some 
 of her verses : sensibility is an excellent 
 qualification for the sentimental strain 
 of poetry. 
 
 The mackarel were very fine, and gra- 
 tified the pnlate of two epicures here^i 
 who dined with me. 
 
9 
 
 Les bouts de ines oreilles commencent a 
 se retablir. 
 
 The good Moravian breakfasted here, 
 and left some letters, which are in your 
 packet. You paint the view from the 
 bow-window of the Citi/ of London inn 
 so well, that I think I am in view of the 
 castle, and part of the cliffs. 
 
 We go on quietly, but dully, without 
 
 you. The Gordons, B s, &c. &c. 
 
 desire their compliments. Sir William, 
 grows quite wild about the Westminster 
 election ; and since the good news from 
 
 Lady B y, the little Bantam struts 
 
 about at least an inch taller than he 
 was. 
 
 Has my cross fait fortune with the 
 Dutchess ? and how docs the CastiUnn 
 Benedict look ? I lone; for all the details, 
 and your reception, &c. &c. ; but above 
 all the state of }our healthy which I 
 
 B 5 
 
10 
 
 hope has not suffered by all the fatigues 
 of sea and land. 
 
 My dearest Polly;, je vous .souhaite 
 lien le hon. soir. 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 Monday, May 17, 1804. 
 
 I AM just arrived from the 
 Guildhall at Westminster^ where I had 
 the satisfaction of hearing John Wilkes 
 and William Mainwaring, Esqrs. de- 
 clared duly elected Knights of the Shire 
 for Middlesex in the ensuing parliament, 
 and of seeing the indentures properly 
 executed by the sheriff and the free- 
 holders, Mr. Byng did not appear, nor 
 
 5 
 
11 
 
 any of his friends. The whole parsed 
 with perfect order and decency. The 
 victorious candidates, with a few of their 
 friends, dine to-day at the White Hart 
 in Holborn. 
 
 I have kickily already got Armstrong's 
 Actual Survey of the great Post Road 
 from London to Dover, which I have 
 sent as a present to Mr. Fector, with a 
 letter of thanks for his civilities to my 
 daughter during her late stay there. 
 
 Mr. Mainwaring, James Townsend, 
 Dayrell, and a few more- of us dined very 
 iiarmoniously together at the Wliite 
 Hart, and in the evenin(>: I carried Air. 
 Mainwaring to tb.e Cockpit at White- 
 hall, as one of the Minister's friends, 
 where the King's speech was read to us, 
 and Ivlr. Cornwall announced to be no- 
 minated Speaker, llie speecii is well 
 di'awn, and calculated to give general sa- 
 tisfaction. 1 recollect but two remark- 
 
 B 6 
 
12 
 
 able things in it ; one, its mentioning 
 the attachment to the constitution, 
 which has appeared almost throughout 
 the kingdom ; the other, the affairs of 
 the East India Company, which the 
 speech said should be regulated by a 
 strict respect to the nature and in- 
 terests of our invaluable constitution. 
 It will not be delivered till Wednesday, 
 wdien the Speaker will be presented. 
 
 Tuesday, May 18. 
 
 Sir Barnard Turner and Mr. Main- 
 waring breakfasted here, and we af- 
 terwards went together to the House 
 of Commons, and in the clerk's room 
 were sworn in before the Duke of Chan- 
 dos. Lord High Steward, who attended 
 with his white wand, but made us wait 
 three hours. Mr. Cornwall was propos- 
 ed as Speaker by Lord Graham, which 
 was seconded by Sir George Howard. 
 Mr. Fox complained -of the High Bailiff 
 
13 
 
 of Westminster, as a rascal, a villain, 
 the worst enemy of the freedom of elec- 
 tion on record, because he had made a 
 special return of all the facts, stating the 
 numbers only, and leaving the decision 
 to the House. By this return Mr. 
 Fox is said to lose near 25,000/. which he 
 had betted on the being returned *. Mr. 
 Whitbread called Mr. Fox to order, be- 
 cause the conduct of the High Bailiff of 
 Westminster had nothing to do with the 
 election of a Speaker. Mr. Pitt observed 
 that it was impossible then to consider 
 the merit or the demerit of the High 
 Bailiff, as we could not call for the re- 
 turn of Westminster till we had a 
 Speaker. Mr. Cornwall was then una- 
 nimously elected, and the House imme- 
 diately adjourned. To-morrow the King 
 comes agam to the House of Lords, and 
 willapprovethechoice which the Commons 
 
 * An election tale without foundation. — Edit. 
 
14 
 
 have made, as we all suppose. So much 
 for the dull politics of this day. George 
 Selwyn says all the Scotch blood of 
 Charles Fox was made mad to-day. 
 
 Mr. Hutton dined and drank tea. 
 My brother Israel drank tea. The sole 
 reason he crives for his return is the dear- 
 ness of every thing at Dominica, and the 
 little chance of any thing to answer. 
 
 Mrs. Banks^ Mrs. Gordon, &c. have 
 sent affectionate messages about you. 
 
 Alderman Oliver died on his return to 
 Europe on board the same packet with 
 Israel — Corsican Boswell is come to 
 settle in London — ^To-morrow I dine at 
 Mrs. Stafford's, and on Thursday at 
 Colonel Gordon's, with Captain Pascall. 
 
 We have now an Italian sky and ge- 
 nial zephyrs. My invocation to May. 
 has been heard, although not so soon as 
 I wished — I hope the air is as silky soft 
 with you as it is with us — You were very 
 
15 
 
 prudent in lying at Rccousse, and not 
 pushing on to St. Onicr's on the Tues- 
 day night — I have only yet received one 
 letter from you from Calais^ and one 
 from Recousse — I have sent you one 
 packet by Monsieur Guyon, and shall 
 send you another on Friday. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Stafford called here to- 
 gether on Saturday, and send you many 
 compliments — All the good new prints 
 v\ ill be in your packet of Friday. 
 
 The public laugh at Mr. Fox's being 
 so pompously chaired, when he is not 
 yet returned. Many newspapers of va- 
 rious dates will find their place in your 
 packet. 
 
 The Dutchess, the Baron, the Mar- 
 quis, Baron d'Holbach, and Madame la 
 Baronne, I beg to be spoken of to with 
 every grateful sentiment. 
 
 My dearest Polly, adieu. 
 
i6 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, May 21, 1/84. 
 
 Our little Court here are very 
 impatient to have the good news of our 
 young Princess arriving in Paris, and her 
 reception at the Hotel de la Valliere. 
 Yesterday I dined at the Gordons, who 
 talked with great regard and tenderness 
 of you, and Mrs. Banks has WTitten me 
 a very polite card on the occasion. Mrs. 
 Smith I have seen, and saluted^ and she 
 expresses all the eagerness of youth to 
 hear more of you. 
 
 In the House of Commons nothing 
 has yet been done, but swearing in the 
 Members, and receiving their qualifica- 
 tions, but it is supposed the King's 
 Speech will be debated on Monday, and 
 
the High RiilifF of Westminster exa- 
 mined on Tuesday. 
 
 Wednesday I passed an agreeable day 
 with Mr. and Mrs. Stafford, Mrs. Drax, 
 Lady Emily Macleod, and Captain Mac- 
 leod. Poor Drax has the gout. — Mr. 
 Byng threatens a petition, in whieh he 
 is right. The expense is only l/. 6s. 8d., 
 and it will give him the chapter of acci- 
 dents, the largest chapter in the book^ 
 till December^ or January^ probably. 
 
 Friday Evening, Seven, 
 
 The French post is just arrived, and 
 has made me perfectly happy by your 
 letter, and the enclosures. I shall write 
 to the Dutchess this night. I am charm- 
 ed with all the detail which you give me^ 
 but I have not time till Tuesday to re- 
 mark on the particulars, as I think it of 
 importance to write mimediatcly to the 
 Dutchess^ and being the first letter since 
 
^8 
 
 your arrival, I put it under covcr^ that 
 no part of it may be torn. 
 
 I was sworn in yesterday as Member 
 for Middlesex, and was in Saturday's 
 Gazette, always taking the pas of Mr. 
 Mainwiu'ing. 
 
 By Monday's diligence you will have 
 ^*^everal letters from common friends, 
 prints, newspapers, &c. &c. I have 
 written to my dear daughter every Tues- 
 <lay and Friday, since she carried away 
 the charm of Prince's Court. 
 
 I beg to be remembered to the Barons 
 de Castile and d' Holbach, Madame, &c. 
 Suard, &c. &c. 
 
 1 w^ould have you contrive to draw on 
 me the first opportunity for iweiity Louis 
 a deux usances to begin an affair of busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Good night, dearest Polly. 
 
^9 
 
 LEVrEii V. 
 
 Tuesday^ May 25, 1^84. 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 Yesterday brought with it the 
 blessing of your letter, for it is the high- 
 est satisfaetion to me to know from 
 yourself that you are in health and spi- 
 ritS;, and that every thing exceeds even 
 the high expectations which I had form- 
 ed, both from the rank and establish- 
 ment of the Dutchess's household, and 
 their kind attention to you. But supe- 
 rior merit, when it is joined with attrac- 
 tive qualities, will go through the world 
 witli a happy distinction* 
 
 Friday, IVIay 28. 
 
 I had wi-itten the above early on Tues- 
 day moi-ning. I went afterwards to the 
 Chamberlain's office, and to the House- 
 
20 
 
 of Commons^ in the full intention of re- 
 turning in time to finish my letter by the 
 post, but was detained there till near 
 two in the morning. Wednesday little 
 business was done, and yesterday chiefly 
 matters of form were gone through. 
 Mr. Byng's petition is in the common 
 form, charging bribery, and other corrupt 
 and illegal practices ; but I have availed 
 myself of the circumstance in the en- 
 closed address. I had not treated him 
 with such severity, if he had not pointed 
 all his artillery against me, and talked of 
 my cavil. The address however from 
 me is still more approved than any of my 
 former. July 29 is the day appointed 
 for the hearing the petition, when the 
 House is to adjourn the second week in 
 that month, so tliat it necessarily falls to 
 the ground this session, and probably 
 may not be renewed. I am however in- 
 defatigable in collecting all my proofs. 
 I wish to know what English news- 
 
21 
 
 pnpers you see at Paris, that I may juflc:^ 
 what to put up in the packets by tlie 
 (liliixence. I have sent you several, and 
 the new correct Court Kalendar^ which 
 is greatly improved. 
 
 The spar vase from Harris's is come 
 this morning, very carefully packed, and 
 will go in to-morrow's diligence, for the 
 days are now changed to Tuesdays, 
 Thursdays, and Saturdays. I have writ- 
 ten to you by every post, except last 
 Tuesday. I am setting out this after- 
 noon for Brighthelmstone to return on 
 Wednesday, but I will contrive to write 
 to you by next Tuesday's post^ and send 
 the letter to James. 
 
 I received three letters from you at 
 Paris ; the first dated May 1 6, the second 
 May 19, and the third May 23 ; all of 
 which gave me very great pleasure. I 
 have likewise a pretty letter frc^^* Made- 
 moigcUe Sophie, for which I beg you to 
 
22 
 
 thaiik'her, and to plead my great hurry 
 for not answering it in any other way 
 than by thanks througli the medium of 
 my dear daughter. I think you are very 
 hicky in having such a person about you, 
 and the gaucherie will go off daily. I 
 have read the '^ Memoires de M. de 
 Voltaire^ ecrits par lui-meme/' which 
 carry the strongest internal evidence of 
 being genuine. I suppose it is defendu^ 
 trh defendu, at Paris^ and you cannot 
 own you have read it, but if you wish to 
 read it, I will send it to you. 
 
 I think you had better draw on me at 
 one or tv/o usances, for twenty or twenty- 
 five louis, and that will facilitate e\^eiy 
 thing for you, and it may be repeated as 
 often as you will. I think you would be 
 right to stay till after the Dutchess's fete 
 towards the end of July. It would be a 
 more marked compliment, and if you 
 take your measures early, I should think 
 
23 
 
 you might contrive to return by Spa, 
 and be in London by the end of August, 
 or the first week of September. This 
 would be giving sufficient time for the 
 settlement of all your affairs, and I can 
 contrive for you in all pecuniary con- 
 /:erns. 
 
 You mention giving tea to the Dut- 
 chess. Have you good tea at Paris, or 
 shall I send you some ? I am perfectly 
 well, and was strong enough to fast en- 
 tirehj from nine in the morning till past 
 midnight, when I came home, and dined 
 lieartily alone on mackarel and lamb. 
 I do not mean however to repeat such a 
 Carthusian strain. 
 
 Mr.. Pitt IS greatly improved as an 
 orator. He has more smoothness and 
 grace, more Attic laugh and easy irony, 
 without the sharpness and gall of the 
 last session. Mr. Fox's power declines 
 .hourly^ and it is not supposed he will be 
 
24 
 
 tl\e sitting Member for Westminster. 
 Mr. Pitt said that he had foreseen that 
 circumstance, and therefore took refuge 
 on the hospitable shores of the Orkneys. 
 I wonder that he did not quote Pope : 
 
 But where 's th' extreme of vice was ne'er 
 
 agreed : 
 Ask where 's the North— 'Zi York 't is on the 
 
 Tweed ; 
 In Scotland at the Orcades ; and there 
 At Greenland, Zembla, or the Lord knows 
 
 where. 
 
 The servants here behave very well ; 
 but they and their master think Prince's 
 Court much changed for the worse within 
 this month, notwithstanding the verdure 
 and gaiety of the Park. 
 
 Your account of good Madame De 
 Chantereine made me very happy, and 
 your pleasing picture of Baron d'Hol- 
 bach's family. I beg my best compli- 
 ments to all of them^ and don't forget to 
 
2j 
 
 remind the Donne of me. Pray tell my 
 little ivife that I summon her to come to 
 her hushand with her daughter-in-law ^ 
 when she returns. We have lost our 
 spring this year, and the intense heat of 
 summer succeeded almost immediately 
 the severity of winter. Much thunder 
 and lightning Wednesday and 3esterday: 
 now it is a good deal cooler. Have you 
 seen, or heard any thing of, poor Pan- 
 chaud } 
 
 No petition yet from Atkinson against 
 Sawbridge, nor from Lord Verney against 
 Aubrey. Roeenhagen is in town at Au- 
 brey's, in perfect health and good spirits. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest daughter; take care 
 of your health, and continue to love 
 me. 
 
 VOL. III. 
 
26 
 
 LETTER VI. ^ 
 
 ' " * Castle at Brighthelmstone, ' 
 
 Monday, May 31, 1/84. 
 
 1 ARRIVED here, my clearest 
 
 Polly, on Saturday to dinner, after a very | 
 pleasant journey, and propose continuing 
 
 here till Thursday, when I shall return ! 
 
 to the capital, and hope to find a letter ; 
 
 from you, \Thich I shall answer by Fri- i 
 
 I 
 
 day's post. I am in possession solus of ! 
 
 this great Castle, and spend my time in | 
 
 conversing wdth old ocean, while the ' 
 
 tongue-pads of lawyers are wrangling i 
 about the Westminster €lection. T\^ 
 
 House of Commons a2:reed to no ad- ! 
 journment even for Whit Monday and 
 Tuesday, but I was glad to escape for a 
 
 few days. The raging of the seas puts ; 
 
 me, as well as the Psalmist, in mind of \ 
 
 J 
 
27 
 
 the madness of the ?niiltitiu!e; but I hope 
 calm, moderate weather will now soon 
 succeed on the political horizon as well 
 as on the terraqueous and aqueous globe. 
 
 Your letters have been my highest 
 entertainment since you left Prince's 
 Court, and I participate with you in all 
 the pleasing scenes with the Dutchess, 
 and all her societe. I hope she received 
 the tribute of thanks I paid her by letter 
 on your account. I wrote to you on 
 many particulars last Friday before I set 
 out^ so that I have now little to add. 
 
 The great majority of the present ad- 
 ministration has driven the opposition 
 almost to despair, while Mr. Fox loses 
 his temper more and more every day. 
 It is comical to see the divisions of our 
 Castle. Shergold and Tilt are strong 
 Foxites, Best (the lest of the three) a 
 violent Pittite ; but zeal without know- 
 led 2:e distinsruishes all three. 
 
 C 2 
 
IS 
 
 The Marquis deBouillle embarked from 
 hence last Saturday. I had the oppor- 
 tunity of paying my compliments to him 
 for a few minutes. He inquired about 
 you. 
 
 You have brought me acquainted with 
 the Princess de Tarente, the Dutchess de 
 Crussol, the Duke and Dutchess de la 
 Tremouille, &c. Sec; and therefore I am 
 obliged to add every compliment of re- 
 spect to them on your account. The 
 good Moravian has been so kind as to 
 dine with me^ and he says that he is 
 charmed with my last Address to the 
 Freeholders of Middlesex still more than 
 with all the preceding. I hope your 
 spar- vase is arrived safe. 
 
 I intend to retui*n by Tunbridge. The 
 Gordons continue their kindness to me^ 
 and are always anxious about your health. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest Polly. 
 
29 
 
 LETTER VII. 
 
 Friday, June 4^ 17S4;. 
 
 If I have tired my dearest 
 Polly with too long letters by alraost 
 every post of late, I shall make her 
 amends to-niglit, for I have little to say, 
 except to mention that I am just arrived 
 from Briglitl.elmstone after a very plea- 
 sant tour, and that I have received three 
 letters from her since I wrote last Tues- 
 day, the 24th, 26th, and 29th of May, 
 witli the Dutchess's, several letters to 
 Madame de Kageneck, &c. &c. and a 
 most elegant Seve figure of Constancy, 
 Constancy^ thy name is Wilkes. I am ex- 
 ceedingly charmed with it, and your kind 
 partiality. 
 
 I shall accept yoiu* draft as soon as it 
 appears, and any others which you draw. 
 
 C 3 
 
30 
 
 I shall not be absent till your return^ ex- 
 cept by the usual peregrinations to Ken- 
 sington Gore. 
 
 I forgot to ask, if you advanced the 
 driver any tiling for the keeping of the 
 
 horses on the Dover tour, and I hope 
 
 « 
 
 you did not give him any thing, as I de- 
 sired. I have w^ell rewarded him, which 
 I hope he merited by his care. Mrs. 
 Gordon and Mr. Hutton have already 
 their little parcels and letters. All the 
 rest I will take care of to-morrow. The 
 box did not arrive till this afternoon. 
 
 Mr. Hutton accepted a late dinner 
 here by a previous invitation from Bright- 
 helmstone, and we drank the King, as 
 our friend, and the archangel at Paris, as 
 our favourite, in a bumper. I am glad 
 that I have pleased him, and all my 
 friends, by the late Address to the County. 
 
 The Dutchess's second letter is charm- 
 ing, but my dear daughter's are divine. 
 
31 
 
 [ always rof>Tct the comiiiGr to the end of 
 thcin. 1 wish to read on by the hour, 
 ))y tlie day. 
 
 Adieu, dearest Polly: the bellman gives 
 his last sunnnons. 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 
 Tuesday, June 8, 1/84, 
 Seven in the Evening: 
 
 -O' 
 
 I AM just returned^ my dearest 
 Polly, from the House of Commons, 
 where the High Bailiff of Westminster 
 has done the honours of the day hke a 
 Dutch burgomaster. Mr. Welbore Ellis 
 }ias taken notice of the necessity oi sleep ^ 
 and other sustenance. Thejlrst he gave 
 us. The other sustenance I am come 
 
 C 4 
 
^3'2 
 
 home foi% and to answer your letter of 
 June 3^ which I received yesterday, and 
 enjoyed very highly. As I must return 
 to the division on the Westminster elec- 
 tion, I shall mention very little but 
 matters of business by this post. 
 
 I wrote to Lady Asgill, and find that 
 she had received the print, and sent her 
 acknowledgments to your excellent 
 Dutchess. 
 
 Your bill for dll. came to hand on 
 Saturday, which was duly honoured by 
 my acceptance, and I think that mode 
 very convenient, but you should insist 
 on paying the exchange. 
 
 I will send you by the first diligence 
 Lady Asgill's letter, Mr. Fector's, &c, 
 &c. I am in raptures w^ith the Seve 
 figure; and if the figures of that kind 
 and size, or rather exceeding them in 
 height, are not above a guinea, or a 
 guinea and half each^ I wish for two or 
 
33 
 
 tliree more^ or a group, and one single 
 figure. 
 
 Elmsly has got the '' Memoires du 
 Marcchal de Villars/' in 4 vols, and is 
 to send me a copy. Anquetil I think a 
 very superior writer, and very sage on 
 the most knotty points. 
 
 I believe that there is not an idea of 
 any opposition to the Chamberlain on 
 Midsummer-day; but it could never come 
 against greater preparation, or greater 
 general approbation. 
 
 Rosenhagen dined at Kensington Gore 
 on Sunday, and here yesterday. He 
 seems to me without compass or ballast. 
 
 I shall send you a long letter to me 
 from Mr. Paice in consequence of his to 
 you at Dover miscarrying, which he 
 found to be the case after he received 
 that you sent me by the diligence, and I 
 transmitted to him. I should think it 
 too delicate a point to propose drawing 
 
 C 5 
 
34 
 
 on him, and I can certainly accommodate 
 you in the way you have begun, or other- 
 wise by Sir Robert Herries, and you 
 cannot begin too early taking your plan, 
 and making your arrangements for your 
 return after the Dutchess's fete by Spa. 
 
 Adieu I 
 
 LETTER IX. 
 
 Monday, June 14, 178#. 
 
 I WAS SO entirely engaged, 
 my dearest Polly, with our City causes,, 
 and the business of other men's petitions 
 of various kinds, that I had not time to 
 write to you by Friday's post. From the 
 fear of the like accident, I pay my com^ 
 pliments to you this morning on my re- 
 
35 
 
 turn from Kensington, lest the hurry of 
 Burke's motion, and the consequent de- 
 bate this afternoon, and all to-morrow's 
 business, should engross my whole time. 
 
 Thursday in the next week being 
 Midsummer-day, you will naturally sup- 
 pose calls forth the exertion of every 
 nerve ; but there is not any where a 
 breeze arising against the Chamberlain^ 
 whose ears are open to the smallest whis- 
 per of an unfavourable wind. 
 
 I received the llcomte de Barjac, and 
 have struggled through it. The gold pen, 
 which you mentioned from the Dutchess 
 to me, is not yet arrived ; but I have 
 your two letters of June 7 and 1 0, since 
 I wrote last. I send you by to-night's 
 diligence the tea, but more than you 
 mentioned, Mrs. Gordon's packet, and 
 Mr. Hutton's little note^ with the news- 
 V)apers, &c. 
 
 c 6 
 
36 
 
 Tuesday, June 15, 
 This morning at one Sir B-rn-rd 
 T-rn-r expired, after suffering incredible 
 pain from a broken leg, fractured thigh, 
 &c. On his return from Tottenham, 
 being on a vicious mare, in company 
 with Grindall, and others, perfectly so- 
 ber, the mare took fright, jammed him 
 between two post-chaises, and notwith- 
 standing all the care of the drivers, he 
 was killed aliBost on the spot. He leaves 
 seven children, poor Lady T-rn-r, with- 
 out a sixpence we believe, and no provi- 
 sion for either brood. She was his second 
 wife, and is now pregnant. I recom- 
 mended the inquiry into the circum- 
 stances of our late brother, to all the- 
 aldermen present at the Court this day,. 
 and a care of the children. 
 
 To quit so melancholy a scene for 
 one the most cheerful. We are al- 
 
37 
 
 ready preparing for your return, which 
 we all long for, and wish the excellent 
 Dutchess's fete had been the end of 
 June instead of July. Yet notwith- 
 standing my impatience to have you 
 here, I wish you to contrive to return 
 by Spa, if you can with convenience 
 and propriety. I know nothing yet of 
 Navy hills, but I know enough to say, 
 that I can always contrive for you at one 
 or two months advice. The good, be- 
 nevolent Paice I see continually. He 
 really goes about doing good, like his 
 great Master, and his worthy disciple the 
 Moravian. I intended to have said, that 
 your bed was sent home nicely done yes- 
 terday, and to-day I shall pay the 18/. 
 I hear you agreed for, the most agreeable 
 payment I can make. Once a fortnight 
 I have paid the washerwoman, and once 
 a week the cook, butcher, &c. since 
 your absence. 
 
38 
 
 The P. of W. is thought to have de- 
 clared war against the Court by removing 
 Lord Courtown, as one of the lords of 
 his bedchamber. Lord St. Asaph suc- 
 eeedsLord Courtown. 
 
 The Westminster scrutiny goes on. 
 
 Sir Wm. B i^ at the head of the 
 
 list of those who advertise for sub- 
 scriptions for Lord Hood and Sir Cecil- 
 Wray. Sir William drank your health 
 yesterday here in a tete-a-tete with me. 
 Miss Kitty Molineux has been^ and 
 continues very ill. Lady B ad- 
 vances very happily. On the 30th of 
 this month they go to Lisle, from thence 
 to the South of France, in the intention 
 of being absent near a year. 
 
 The Dutchess's giving you leave to ask 
 your friends to dine with you in your 
 apartments^ is the comble of elegance, 
 friendship, and hospitality, and pray say 
 that I feel the favour as I ought. 
 
39 
 
 Brook Watson succeeds poor T- 
 as Alderman, and perhaps as Sheriff. 
 
 Your Dutchess is indeed a very su- 
 perior being, and does honour to the 
 country in which she was born. I have 
 the 4 vols, of ^' Vie du Marechal Due 
 de Villars," but have not read a page. 
 
 You have hiimanized ^ the Dutchess 
 
 de Chatillon. Methinks I see the Prince 
 
 and Princess de Tarente playing about 
 
 like two kittens. — Happy, happy, happy^ 
 
 pair ! 
 
 Yet ah! why should they know their fate? 
 Since sorrow never comes too late. 
 And happiness too swiftly flies. 
 Thought would destroy their paradise. 
 No more ; where ignorance is blisS;, 
 'T is folly to be wise. Gray. 
 
 The parcel, wuth the enclosures for 
 
 * As a French word has a milder signification 
 than in English^ humanher'^io render gentle.— 
 Edit. 
 
40 
 
 Dr. Price, is not yet arrived. Mrs. 
 Gordon I saw to-day; and she sends ten 
 thousand tender respects to you. I made 
 her a present of Sussex-down mutton, 
 when I was at Brighthelm stone. She 
 and the Colonel continue their obliging 
 attention to my interests. 
 
 I wish the K. of S. had courage enough 
 to come here. What charming derry- 
 down songs and catches we should make 
 about his jumping out of his own parlour- 
 window into his garden, from the dread 
 of one of his free nobles, who had pe- 
 netrated into his guard-room, his setting 
 the stave of a psalm like a parish-clerk, 
 &c. &c. ? Pray give the Dutchess these 
 anecdotes of the tyrant. 
 
 The servants all send their duty. 
 Thomas leaves me Monday fortnight,, 
 but I am not provided. 
 
 Goodnight, dearest Polly. 
 
41 
 
 LETTER X. 
 
 Friday, June 18, 1784. 
 
 Yesterday^ my dearest Polly, 
 was sacred to the powers of dulness, and 
 the anniversary meeting of the Oain tu- 
 ple Alliance, when I was obliged to eat 
 stale fi<sh, and swallow foul port^ with 
 Sir Cecil Wrav, Mr. Martin the banker. 
 Dr. Jebb, &c. to promote the grand 
 reform of Parliament. I was forced into 
 the chair, and was so far happy as to be 
 highly applauded, both for a long speech, 
 and my conduct as president through an 
 arduous day. I have not however au- 
 thenticated to the public any account of 
 the day's proceeding, nor given to the 
 press the various new-fangled toasts, 
 which were the amusement of the hour^ 
 and should perish with it. 
 
42 , 
 
 Mr. Brook Watson was yesterday 
 iinanimousiy chosen Alderman of Cord- 
 wainer's Ward ; and Mr. Alderman 
 Pickett, Sheriff. 
 
 I received the parcel yesterday, and 
 l>avc sent to Dr. Price, Mr. Elmsly, 
 Mrs. Molineux, &;c. Mrs. M. came to 
 town from Bath on Wednesday, and ap- 
 pears in tolerable health and spirits. 
 
 Your charming Dutchess, I think, 
 always judges right. It would not tell 
 to your advantage, that you had visited 
 the Duke de Bouillon at Navarre, let 
 the party even be ever so splendid. 
 
 Lady B has sent a letter here 
 
 for you, which I enclose in the packet 
 which I shall send this night. 
 
 I keep all the enclosures, as well as 
 your letters. I am much pleased with 
 every testimony of regard to my dearest 
 daughter. 
 
43 
 
 Every body complains of the dlsagi'Ce- 
 ableuess of the House of Commons^ 
 although the weather is not sultry. I 
 think however the House will continue 
 sitting till the middle of July, and they 
 find us business enough. 
 
 The Westminster scrutiny will be a 
 standing dish, through the summer and 
 autumn, and keeps all the politicians in 
 town, who would otherwise take flight 
 from the Plouse of Commons^ 
 
 I cannot guess at any thing new for a 
 Dutchess, who has every thing ; but the 
 famous jeweller. Cox, is to come herein 
 three or four days, and to bring me some 
 petite elegance. 
 
 I almost tremble at the idea of the 
 too frequent balls for the King of Swe- 
 den ; but I hope your prudence will keep 
 you from that excess of fatigue, which 
 destroys every pleasure, and more thau 
 any thing mines the constitution^ 
 
44 
 
 I hope M. does not talk as wretched 
 
 stuff as he prints. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 LETTER XL 
 
 Tuesday, June 22, i;84. 
 
 I AM very happy to confirm to 
 my dearest Polly the agreeable news of 
 unanimity on Midsummer-day^ as far as 
 my intelligence from every quarter ex- 
 tends. This good news will balance a 
 very disagreeable circumstance respecting 
 
 Sir Wm. B , which I have from our 
 
 neighbour Mrs. Gordon, who you well 
 know neither delights in fiction nor 
 scandal. Captain Sutton's action for 
 damages against Governor Johnstone 
 came to trial on Saturday. The da- 
 
45 
 
 mages were laid at 40,000l. The jiir}^ 
 at eight on Sunday morning gave Sutton 
 5000/. damages, full costs, and his 
 prize-money to the amount of 8000 
 more. Sir William was one of Sutton's 
 witnesses. He swore that he was on 
 deck, &c. during the whole time. The 
 master of the ship, and two sailors, de- 
 posed that Sir William was not on deck 
 during the whole time. Sir William, 
 not suspecting such evidence, was not 
 prepared to contradict it. I have not 
 
 -seen the Baronet, nor Lady B , since 
 
 Friday. I fear a prosecution for perjury 
 ^may follow against the Baronet, and 
 there has been much talk of his shyness 
 at the time of the action. Lord Rod- 
 nev's evidence too has been much cri-. 
 ticised, and his own letters produced 
 against him respecting some opinions 
 which he laid down as certain ; but I 
 -have not yet all the particulars. Lord 
 
40 
 
 Rodney has taken Mr. DarelFs house 
 at Kensington Gore for three months 
 certain. His daughters are there. His 
 Lordship has got the hooping cough as 
 well as his young family^ and in a violent 
 degree. He gives 150/. for the three 
 months. I have not yet been to visit 
 my neighbour. 
 
 I dined in Portland Place last Friday 
 with Sir Francis and Lady Bassett, Lord 
 Plymouth^ four or five ladies^ half a 
 dozen Members of Parliament^ and Cap- 
 tain M 5 whose nose a parson E 
 
 pulled, and Lady S — ■ married. He 
 
 sung the Bahy and Nurse, an indecent 
 attack on the King and Pitt, which he 
 «ung too, as it is said, at Carlton House. 
 All the company turned to me at the 
 •conclusion of the song, and, after infi- 
 nite plaudits to Bobadil, asked if I did 
 Tiot think it the wittiest sono; in the 
 -^vorld. I did, except only one from the 
 
47 
 
 f^me author, called the Coalition, Bo- 
 badil on this blushed for the first time, 
 the company laughed, and forced him to 
 sing the Coalition, which is the bitterest 
 satire on Fox and North, with really 
 more fun than the other. I luckily re- 
 collected his singing it at the Horse 
 Guards, when I dined last there with 
 
 and . The tables were 
 
 turned, and the Coalition laughed at all 
 the evening. 
 
 Yesterday the House of Commons de- 
 termined to hear no more petitions after 
 that of Hereford this session. By this 
 resolution only the double returns will be 
 heard, and Middlesex with all the others 
 will necessarily be put off till December 
 or February. Probably, very probably, 
 the Middlesex petition will never be re- 
 newed. By a good calculation, instead 
 vof seventy- one, I really shall have very 
 near three hundred majority, should the 
 
48 
 
 iTiatter ever come in issue. I am every 
 clay attending to my interest in the 
 county, having taken my resolution the 
 rest of my life to represent Middlesex, 
 concerning which so many remarkable 
 events have happened to me. I have 
 now full time in every event, and as I 
 shall not stir out of my county till 
 Christmas, I will recover whatever inat- 
 tention or carelessness may have lost. 
 I understand from the member Stephen- 
 son, that if the poll had continued one 
 day longer, many more of my friends 
 would have come to Brentford, who were 
 kept aw^ay from the fear of riots and 
 bludgeons. 
 
 I read in the English papers that Beau- 
 marchais has given up the projected edi- 
 tion of Voltaire, but I hope it cannot be 
 true. I was a subscriber, and paid three 
 guineas. His letter is excellent. My 
 compliments if you see.liim. 
 
49 
 
 Your packet contiiins a very obliging 
 note from Mr. and Mrs. Wathcn, which 
 I have answered with all offers of future 
 franks. Mr. Hutton dined here yester- 
 day, and is very sociable. There is like- 
 wise a letter from him. 
 
 The King of Sweden has, I hear, un 
 visage plat, and not much meaning in 
 the eye, that index of the soul. Besides 
 my other objections to him, if he should 
 be the cause of too great fatigue, by 
 which my dear daugher may suffer, he 
 will be sure of an additional strophe in 
 my iambics against him. 
 
 Sherwin has sent me a proof of his 
 noble large print of the heroic action of 
 Sir Roger Curtis at Gibraltar, from a 
 painting done by Sir Roger's direction, 
 under his eye. 
 
 I desire to be respectfully remembered 
 to the divine Dutchess, and affcetionatelv 
 to the Baron, Madame, and all our old 
 VOL. in. n 
 
50 
 
 friends. I wish you to send me the ^Ima^ 
 nach Royal for this year, which has not 
 yet come to England, and a pattern of a 
 small Seve dessert plnte. — It has rained a 
 good deal every day for the last week, 
 but the hay is not yet down, and the^ 
 capital is very hcdthy. 
 
 Sir Francis Basset t has lost five mem- 
 bers out of seven, ana the Coalition de- 
 clines hourly. Lord North the other 
 day made an excellent speech against the 
 reform of Parliament, and attacked with 
 spirit the half-measures of Mr. Byng. 
 Nothing against me. 
 
 I drink the Baron de Blome's health, 
 and the Sardinian ambassador's. Not a 
 word is mentioned here of the Denmark 
 marriage. I really think the King's se- 
 cond dau2:hter is one of the most beauti- 
 fill young women I ever beheld, and 
 her look is that of perfect benevolence 
 aiid sweetness of temper. She resembles 
 
51 
 
 the King as much as the Princess Royal 
 does the Queen. 
 
 I enclose you Neptune, the transla- 
 tion of which would certainly amuse the 
 Dutchess. 
 
 The servants all send their duty. Re- 
 member me to Mademoiselle Sophie. 
 
 Adieu 1 
 
 I wish the Marquis de Lusignan would 
 send me one Seve figure. Pray hint it 
 to the Baron. I am captivated by the 
 delicacy of the Seve biscuit. 
 
 Were Benevolence to assume a human 
 form^ the goddess would appear in the 
 person of the Dutchess de la Fall! ere. 
 
 D 2 
 
52 
 
 LETTER XII. 
 
 Friday, June 25, 1784. 
 
 If my daughter had been with 
 me yesterday, my Iiappiness had been 
 completed, for I was unanimously 
 re-elected Chamberlain. An exceedingly 
 numerous and respectable Common Hall 
 gave me every hand, voice, and demon- 
 stration of affectionate regard. I ex- 
 pected from the sour leaven of Fox's 
 and Byng's partisans, the unpleasing 
 sound of hissses or groans, but nothing 
 reached the ear but the loudest plaudits, 
 and I never saw more 2;eneral G:ood-hu- 
 mour and satisfaction. Mr. Tomlins 
 teased the Livery before the choice of 
 nev/ Auditors with a long unmeaning 
 harangue, which was answered in the 
 same style by the old Auditors. No- 
 
5'3 
 
 thing, however, was agreed to, as to any^ 
 alteration in the mode of keeping ac- 
 coiuits, and the whole scheme is for the 
 present laid aside. 
 
 Poor T-rn-r's debts amount to 
 38,000/. ; to pay which there is only 
 14,000/. 
 
 I have settled the business of your:g 
 S . I have had several conversa- 
 tions with Mr. Angclo about his ne- 
 phew's conduct, the extravagant gene- 
 rosity and absurdity of which I higlily 
 condemn. Yet the circumstance of tb.e 
 ship the Duke of Athol being blown 
 up, and depriving him of every thing. 
 Strikes forcibly on my mind. I have 
 since another letter from him, three 
 hundred miles up the country, and he 
 promises that he never will draw upon 
 me again, and talks of making me remit- 
 tances. I have therefore settled the bu- 
 siness in the following m.anner: 200/.tobe 
 
 D 3 
 
54 
 
 paid Oct. 20; 1785, and the other 200^ 
 October 20, 1786, with legal interest, 
 by wliich I have saved the jeune etourdi 
 iVoni all the horrors of an arrest in a 
 strange land. 
 
 Pray remember me kindly to Pan- 
 chaud, and respectfully to the Ciievalicr 
 de Chatelleux. 
 
 I wish you to profit to the utmost by 
 your stay at Pai'is. I have seen Mr. 
 Paice this morning here about other par- 
 ticulars of your City business, and he is 
 all goodness, and has great intelligence. 
 Without him I can contrive every thing 
 for your stay till after the Dutchess's 
 birthday. The unanimous re-election 
 of the Chamberlain gives infinite credit, 
 and you may profit by it. The fete of 
 tlie Dutchess seems the epoch to fix 
 your departure, and the return by Spa 
 highly desirable for your pleasure ; but 
 perhaps, after what I wrote in my last 
 
55 
 
 letter, not so prudent with the B— ; 3 
 
 or M ; for Lady B talked 
 
 to-day of a rambling idea of seeing you 
 before I could see you, &c. &c. &c. 
 Your character is not that of a rambler, 
 nor a risker, &c. &c. &c. We all pant 
 for your return ; yet I say, Sacrifice to 
 health and pleasure, and do not return 
 before the end of August, nor exceed 
 the first week in September, giving every 
 fair allowance for bad wind?^ 6tc. &c. &C." 
 This is a letter of &c. he, &c. and it will 
 only add, that the happiness of my dear 
 daughter is the object I shall always 
 have nearest my heart. 
 
 Adieu — Eleven at night. 
 
 D 4 
 
56 
 
 LETTER XIIL 
 
 Kensington Gore, 
 Sundayj June 27, 1/^4, 
 
 The pleasing idea of my clear- 
 ed daughter follows me wherever I am, 
 and gives me the highest rapture. I 
 congratulate myself at having suggested 
 the scheme of your present visit, and I 
 partake in all the enjoyments which have 
 followed. I now sit down at more lei- 
 sure than I can get at Prince's Court, to 
 talk over with you the various particulars 
 preparatory to your return, which I de- 
 sire mav not be till after the fete of 
 your incomparable Dutchess. 
 
 My unanimous re-election this year, 
 as Chamberlain, after all the efforts to 
 shake me, will give me unbounded cre- 
 dit ; and the funding of the Navy bills. 
 
b1 
 
 \vhlcli I believe will soon be done, wi3 
 make that credit, I should hope, quite 
 unnecessary. On your return you will 
 soon be out of mourning; I wish you 
 therefore to think about what clothes, 
 linen, &c. &:c, you would like. I would 
 not scruple any expense ; and you might, 
 on finishing your accounts with your 
 mercer a little before your departure, 
 give him, or any other tradesman, drafts 
 on me, as Tresorier de la VUle de Lon- 
 dres, a Princes Court, Great George 
 Street, JVestminster , at two usances, 
 and I shall be able to contrive it for you. 
 I would not miss the opportunity of lay- 
 ing in a stock of linen, &c. by which 
 you will save 50 per cent, at least, and be 
 comfortable in all those articles till your 
 next trip to Paris. As to that, I foresee 
 you will return, probably in a couple of 
 years, but I would not bind myself 
 by any absolute promise. If you find 
 
 D 5 
 
5S 
 
 any difficulties with the tradesmen, I 
 will send you Sir Robert Herries's notes, 
 but the other way would be more conve- 
 nient to me, as the money must be di- 
 rectly advanced at Sir Robert's ; and 
 besides you would wait ten days, without 
 you asked a favour of the house at 
 Paris, which I should be sorry you did. 
 Your clothes, linen, &c. should be 
 made up, to avoid all difficulties at Dover, 
 Should you go to Spa, you may return 
 by Holland, but in all cases I would ad- 
 vise you to cross to Calais^ rather than 
 embark any where else, to avoid a tedious 
 passage by sea. 
 
 My holy days begin August 5, at two 
 in the afternoon, and I mean to meet you 
 at Dover, as the time of your return will 
 be in that month I suppose. The Cham- 
 berlain's office opens September 7- I 
 could contrive for you to stay abroad all 
 August, but it would not be the absolute 
 
59 
 
 certainty we both wish for October the 
 third. If you are at Dover towards the 
 20th of August^ every thing would have 
 time for a complete arrangement. Have 
 you heard any thing from the parties, or 
 do you know who they are, and where 
 they could be sent to ? I think you may 
 do every thing completely without Mr. 
 Paice, who is indefatigable in settling 
 your affairs, and will consult me more 
 than his own intelligence stands in need 
 of; but on every occasion I remark entire 
 fairness and strict honour. 
 
 The Sorrows of Ji^erter will come in 
 to-morrow's packet. 
 
 Dr. Wilson's legacy to us both is, I 
 understand, to be paid in six months. 
 Send me your order ; 1 will endea- 
 vour to receive it for vou ; ])ut whe- 
 ther I do, or not, you mav draw for 
 what vou will, and when vou will. 
 
Go 
 
 I have engaged Sir Wm. B 's 
 
 servant Thomas^ who I understand shaves 
 and dresses hair very well^ and Sir Wil- 
 liam recommends for honesty and so- 
 briety. He is to have the same wages 
 as my present servant^ to w^ear a livery, 
 to go behind a coach when desired^ and 
 to do whatever he is ordered. 
 
 I hear that what passed at Captain 
 Sutton's action for damages against Com- 
 modore Johnstone, prevents the young 
 couple's leaving England at present. I 
 
 am glad of it, for Lady B told 
 
 me, that she expected to see you before 
 I did. I have not seen very much of 
 them, but our dear cousin's situation I 
 believe is not to be envied, nor are all 
 her ways strewed with roses. Sir Wil- 
 liam told me, that upon an idea of Mrs. 
 
 M 's living abroad with her son, 
 
 Mrs. M said, she would then 
 
 leave her husband, which put an end to 
 
61 
 
 the plan. Mrs. Gordon will write to you 
 more authcnticly on this head. I am 
 upon the most easy terms with our 
 neighbours^ and have once dined there — 
 been invited several times. They came 
 to see Sherwin's fine print at the house 
 which glories in giving you an apartment. 
 Mr. Pitt is highly extolled for his late 
 proposition to abolish smuggling, and 
 lay an adequate duty on windows to make 
 up the loss to the revenue^ from lowering 
 the duty on tea. He establishes himself 
 more and more in the hearts of the peo- 
 ple. Mr. Fox said^ that the popular 
 delusion in his favour was at an end, and 
 the frenzy had subsided. The very 
 popular election for the Borough in fa- 
 vour of Le Mesurier, who started under 
 every disadvantage, and the most highly 
 applauded re-election of Mr. Wilkes^ so 
 long and openly threatened with oppo- 
 sition^ demonstrate the contrary. 
 
62 
 
 Sir Cecil Wray has published an ho- 
 nest, but ill-written defence of his con- 
 duct, in ^'^ A Letter to the independent 
 Electors of Westminster^ in the Interest 
 of Lord Hood and Sir Cecil Wray," 
 signed by himself. The style is not 
 flowing, but shockingly disjointed, and 
 choked with parentheses. It is not 
 worth sending you, nor shall I, unless 
 you desire it, 
 
 1 wish to know the Paris opinion of 
 the Comte de Grasse, and his conduct, 
 with what passed at the court martial 
 respecting him only, v. hich I cannot find 
 out by our papers. Sir B-rn-rd T-rn-r's 
 executors take by their bonds the 14,000/. 
 left. The rest of the 38,000/. which he 
 owed, will be totally unpaid, and one of 
 
 her brothers, a Mr. S , a creditor 
 
 for QjOO/. is totally ruined. He made 
 an uproar at the funeral, that the body 
 should be thrown into the Thames, in- 
 stead of pomp and military procession. 
 
63 
 
 Your bedchamber is finished, and this 
 week I shall have your dressing-room 
 entirely new done. Mr. Harris expects 
 this week some small elegancies of spar, 
 which I shall send the Dutchess. They 
 will be in an entirely new style, but we bar 
 all accidents from bad Derbyshire roads. 
 You may however give a distant hint of 
 what is in contemplation, and what plea- 
 sure I have in thinking what may be 
 agreeable to her. Cox has not yet been 
 with me according to his promise. 
 
 You did not mention when the Dut- 
 chess's fete was* 
 
 Monday^ June 28 > 
 
 Last night I received your packet 
 with the letters to the Duke of Rich- 
 mond, Dr. Price, &c. &c. I thank you 
 for the book, song, &c. &c. I believe 
 your letter of June 21 came since I 
 wrote last. Yoawcre very prudent in 
 
64 
 
 not visiting Madame Suard^ whose re- 
 putation I hear is not a little tarnished. 
 Have you seen Monsieur Suard ? I have 
 just now yours of June 24, which gave 
 me the highest pleasure, and I saw with 
 you the Opera at Trianon, and the 
 launching of the air-balloon, the expense 
 of both which must have been enormous. 
 
 I saw Elmsly to-day, and he will send 
 you the prints you desired this week. 
 He has had the utmost difficulty in pro- 
 curing them without the book. 
 
 I am not yet certain as to the account 
 of the medal said to be struck in honour 
 of Captain Cook, by the Royal Society. 
 If the fact is so, and the members have 
 each one, mine will be a present to the 
 Dutchess. I will make the inquiry be- 
 fore the next post, and let the Divinity, 
 for so she is, know my intention. 
 
 I smiled at the idea of the French 
 ladies in white, to represent the blessed 
 
(35 
 
 spirits in Elysium. Their refined purity 
 and celestial innocence were happily 
 iigured hy Parisian females in ivhite; and 
 no doubt their thoughts, words, and 
 actions, were as pure, and free from the 
 dross of worldly appetites. 
 
 Prince's Court, Tuesday, June 2g, 
 
 The important business of this 
 day, is the swearing in Brook Watson 
 as Alderman, and the eating a good din- 
 ner at the Mansion-house. I dined there 
 Midsummer-day. The Mayor is gen^ 
 tleman-Uke, and very good-humoured. 
 Rosenhagen dined here yesterday, and 
 talked of a four months tour to the south 
 of France, from which I waimly dis- 
 suaded him. The state of his finances, 
 and the revival of mad, extravagant ideas, 
 are, I think, insuperable objections. 
 
 Your packet with the Sorrows of JFer-^ 
 ter, newspapers, &c. went last night. 
 
66 
 
 Mrs. Gordon promised that she would 
 speak handsoiiic^ly of me to you, and in 
 the postscript if hr^r letter, where ladies 
 always ttU the whole truth. I have not 
 yet received the Aimanach Royal of 1784. 
 Elmsly says it is not in London. Be 
 so good as to send it. 
 
 Adieu 1 
 
 Tuesday Night, June 29. 
 Since I wrote the other pages, I 
 have been at Somerset Place to talk of 
 Captain Cook's medal to the officers of 
 the Royal Society. The members of 
 the Society have only copper medals. 
 The King, Queen, King of France, 
 Empress of Russia, and Captain Cook's 
 widow, have each a medal of gold. A 
 few of silver have been struck for dis- 
 tinguished members of the Society, 
 paying a certain sum, but not one has 
 been sold, and the die is to be broke. 
 
()7 
 
 I have one of silver exquisitely beautiful, 
 wliicli I si jail desire the Diitchesss to ac- 
 cept. I will not venture it by a common 
 conveyance^ and therefore I shall wait 
 on Lord Cai-marthen, Secretary of State 
 for Foreign .VfFairs, to beg that it may go 
 to the Hotel de la Valliere with his next 
 courier to Paris, I am really charmed 
 with the device and execution, the shirt- 
 collar^ &c. of the modern Gothic dress 
 excepted. 
 
 I have visited our neighbour Mrs, 
 Smith this afternoon, where I found 
 Mrs. Gordon, and all three joined in 
 calling you rake, and regretting youf 
 midnight travelling from Versailles to 
 Paris. The good old lady joins in all my 
 fears for the excess of your hurry and 
 fatigue, without sufficient repose ; and 
 in this only we are ready to blame the 
 excellent Dutchess, and I wish I was near 
 enough to tell her so. 
 
 Good night, dearest Polly. 
 
()6 
 
 LETTER XIV. 
 
 Friday, July 2, 17841 
 
 I ENCLOSE you, my dearest 
 Polly, a bill of Sir Robert Herries on 
 Messieurs Girardot, Haller, and Co. at 
 Parish, for 600 livres, which I dare say 
 they will pay, if it is any convenience to 
 you, as soon as it is presented, without 
 taking the three days grace, or seven 
 days sight. I thought this might be a 
 convenience to you, before you settle 
 your great objects. Perhaps the same 
 bankers will give you cash for a draft on 
 me at two usances, as you drew before. 
 I wish to know in time whether you re- 
 turn by Spa, for perhaps Sir Robert Her. 
 ries could accommodate you by his bills 
 to that place, without your running the 
 risk of carrying with you more cash 
 
69 
 
 than might be necessary for your jour- 
 ney. 
 
 I wrote yesterday to Lord Carmar- 
 then, and with the letter sent a small 
 box, containing Captain Cook's beautiful 
 medal in silver, as the dignified mode of 
 sending to your Dutchess by our Secre- 
 tary of State for Foreign Affairs. 
 
 I thought that you would be pleased 
 with more tea, and therefore sent to 
 Brookes's for two more pounds, which I 
 have had divided into six fiat parcels 
 with thin lead for the better keeping of 
 the tea, and the convenience of the car- 
 riage. I have already sent two parcels, 
 and shall send one or two more next 
 Tuesday. It must go in small parcels^ 
 as it is strongly prohibited, 
 
 Friday Night, 
 
 This has been a day of much real 
 business in the House of Comm.ons, the 
 
 2 
 
70 
 
 particulars of which are too tedious to 
 give you- Mr. Hutton dined here^ and 
 I have just received the enclosed from 
 Lord Carmarthen, which makes me hope 
 the Di:tche£5 will receive the medal be- 
 fore this cumes to your hands. 
 
 I have since dinner received the plea- 
 sure of your letter of the 28 th of June, 
 and as si on as your bill of 30 Louis 
 comes to liand, -or any other, I shall ac- 
 cept it, and when I accept it, it is with 
 as much pleasure as I do any act of my 
 life. I wish you to return Lord Carmar- 
 then's letter. 
 
 I have seen Mrs. M to-day. She 
 
 says that sIjc gives up George, and that 
 
 Lady B does not comprehend the 
 
 unpleasing extent of the attack on Sir 
 William. He desires to keep his man a 
 week longer, which is extremely incon- 
 venient to all parties. Sir William ex- 
 cepted. Poor dear Betsy ! Mr, J 
 
71 
 
 suppose will write you more. She has 
 been bled, fainted^ &c. &c. I have seen 
 her twice. She is all goodness ; but 
 Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Gordon, &c. shake 
 their heads about the Baronet, and re- 
 main in silence. The L — Member has 
 much to answer for, but all reflection 
 comes too late, and adds to the regret. 
 
 I reguLiily make my pilgrimage to 
 
 Kensin^ioii, except that of late I have 
 
 been kept in town on the Thursday, 
 
 The report here is, that the King of Swe- 
 
 iden has left France in disgust. 
 
 Good nighty dearest Polly« 
 
 « 
 
 3 
 
?2 
 
 LETTER XV. 
 
 Kensington Gore, 
 Sunday, July 4, 1784. 
 
 I SENT you, my dearest Polly, 
 by the last post a bill of Sir Robert Her- 
 ries for 600 livres, and Lord Carmar- 
 then's very polite letter to me about 
 Captain Cook's medal, which I hope you 
 received, and the medal, which accom- 
 panied the Secretary's dispatches. Your 
 draft for 30 Louis is not yet come to 
 hand. When it does, it will be duly 
 honoured. 
 
 I wish you to inquire at Seve about a 
 small dinner service for four persons, and 
 if the master of the manufactory will un- 
 dertake to send it to London, and deli- 
 ver it there unbroken, or if it can be sent 
 to Calais, and by IVI^onsieur Leguillon to 
 
73 
 
 Mr. Fector at Dover, and he will draw 
 for his money on the Tresorier de la Ville 
 cleLondres, at two, three, or four usances, 
 and what the price will be, and if he 
 will send me by you a pattern. I should 
 be glad that you w^ould bring him into a 
 regular correspondence wnth me by the 
 post, and I think we can always contrive 
 opportunities of getting over small things. 
 You might purchase for three or four 
 Louis for me, and pay him. 
 
 I have arranged it with good Mrs. 
 Smith and Mrs. Gordon,, that after your 
 return to Dover I shall keep you there, 
 and in the environs, three or four days, 
 that you may recover your fatigues, be- 
 fore you come to the hurry of our capi- 
 tal, and visiting all your old friends, for 
 w^e are all uneasy, not from the fear of 
 any immediate bad consequence, but your 
 suffering afterwards. 
 
 vol,. III. E 
 
74 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Monday Morning, July 5 , 
 
 I am just returned from Kensington 
 Gore ; and although it is not seven, the 
 Almanack Royal arrived here this morn- 
 ing before me, for which I am much ; 
 obliged to you. I believe from Elmsly's i 
 account that it is the only one in Eng- | 
 land. j 
 
 I hope to be in time for a present to 
 the Dutchess on her fete ^ and I wish you 
 to send me the copy of a proper short 
 letter on the occasion. j 
 
 You will see by an advertisement from 
 the Navy Office in this day's Morning \ 
 Post what is doing about Navy bills, I ] 
 mean to dispose of that whole property^ ] 
 and replace the part due to the City in ' 
 other securities of the same nature, ] 
 taking my right of the profits, which of | 
 those even to April 1782, will I trust 
 finish easily whatever you can want for i 
 
 
 ' 
 

 October 3, and the whole winter. You 
 shall know more soon. 
 
 T have ju^t received your letter of 
 July ] , with one enclosed for the Dut- 
 chess, which I shall forward by to-mor- 
 row's post, and a little addition about 
 Captain Cook, and the medal. The 
 Seve china is a maggot which bites me 
 at present, but I do not mean any thing 
 expensive. If in the Rue St. Honore 
 you find some odd pieces tolerably cheap, 
 or odd plates. Sec. at the manufactory, a 
 little cracked, I should be glad you would 
 purchase, and if you sent them before 
 you to Calais to Monsieur Leguillon, 
 you would easily contrive to put thern 
 on board your packet, and I could con- 
 trive to get them here^ when w^e are at 
 Dover. 
 
 I have no objection to your seeing 
 Ermenonville and Chantilly, if you do 
 not return by Spa, which I suppose can- 
 
 E 2 
 
iiot be contrived. Lady B talked 
 
 to me this morning of an engagement to 
 meet you at Lille, and hopes to set out 
 for the continent this week. This plan 
 will, I imagine, be impracticable. Sir 
 William was not at home. Captain and 
 Mrs. Montgomerie are at Lille. Ano- 
 ther revolution has happened about Sir 
 William's servant Thomas. Mrs. Moli- 
 neux commends him highly. He is very- 
 desirous of being out of livery, w^hich I 
 have at last agreed to : no vails of any^ 
 kind : thirty guineas standing wages. 
 
 Your note was brought at three, which 
 I have accepted:. 
 
 Tuesday, July 6. 
 
 By the advice of Mrs. M and 
 
 other learned ladies, I am beginning to 
 change my mourning, which they have 
 settled for six months, after the inquiries 
 
rr 
 
 made by the said lady from the fate 
 hope of her own wearing sables. 
 
 Mr. White, a very old, and the senior 
 attending, Clerk on Election Com- 
 mittees told me yesterday that I might 
 be assured there was an end of the Mid- 
 dlesex petition, although he w^as not au- 
 thorized to say so* He loses by its not 
 proceeding. I am however going on 
 procuring all legal evidence to substan- 
 tiate my own votes, and invalidate Mr, 
 Byng's, that I may leave nothing unpre- 
 pared for every event. 
 
 Good night, my dearest Polly* 
 
 E 3 
 
78 
 
 LETTER XVL 
 
 Friday, July 9, 17S4. 
 
 Yesterday 1 had the pleasure 
 of my dearest Polly's letter of July 5, with 
 the enclosure about the legacy. I shall 
 return it to you, for I do not find that 
 the Hoares act as executors, and there- 
 fore we must both wait till we hear from 
 the other parties. I desire that this may 
 not in the least check your drawing upon 
 me in the former way of two usances, 
 for I am now almost at a certainty for 
 every thing you can wish, and likewise 
 for October 3. 
 
 As you now propose to make a short 
 stay both at Ermenonville and Chantilly, 
 you might contrive to get a day's quiet 
 and leisure before you reach Calais, and 
 dedicate it to the excellent DutchesS;, 
 
79 
 
 Madame dc Chnntereine, &c. by letters^ 
 which you might put into the post be- 
 fore you embark. This attention cannot 
 fail of pleasing, and then a very few lines 
 at Dover will be sufficient just to men- 
 tion your safe arrival. 
 
 If there is any new elegant book of 
 Maps in 4 to, lately published, I should 
 be glad to purchase it, and odd pieces of 
 Seve, or other French china, which might 
 be cheap. You might send such things 
 before you to Mons. Leguillon at Calais, 
 ordering him to keep them till jour ar- 
 rival. I do not regard small imperfections, 
 or even little cracks. Mojisieur's china I 
 wish to possess one piece of, however 
 small, and I would expend from twelve to 
 fifteen guineas in the china. 
 
 You will now soon make your calcu- 
 lations about Paris, and you cannot have 
 less than 30 Louis in your pocket for tra- 
 velling expenses. As to what you should 
 
 E 4 
 
so 
 
 leave among the Dutchess's servants, it 
 might be prudent to talk of it to any of 
 the Dutchess's relations, in whom you 
 have confidence. It will thus be known 
 in a distant way to her. She will hint 
 probably iier opinion to her relation both 
 as to the sum, and the mode, and you 
 will be sure to please by following her 
 opinion. It should be on a liberal scale y 
 as a gentleman's daughter, who felt the 
 distinction^ without its being imagined 
 you did not know the value of money, 
 as well as the French, who are great 
 economists. 
 
 If you stay beyond August 2, at Paris, 
 you mar the compliment to theDutchess, 
 and you might settle with the coach for 
 the time by the week, or have an allow- 
 ance, or give up a few days, for the 
 grace of the thing. The 8th of August 
 is Sunday, not the Qth. I will set out 
 so that I may have every thing ready for 
 
81 
 
 you at Dover. Do not regard any mo- 
 derate expense for what you like, but I 
 wish you not to apply to Mr. Paice, as 
 there is no occasion. You may draw at 
 two or three times, if you prefer it, but 
 let it be always at two usances. 
 
 I had several little things to mention,, 
 but Rosenhagen is just come, and I 
 foresee diat I have no chance of re- 
 assuming the pen. I therefore conclude, 
 my dearest Polly, with every compliment 
 of respect and gratitude to the charming 
 Dutchess, Madame de Chantereine, &c,. 
 he. &c. 
 
 Axlieu.! 
 
 £ O 
 
82 
 
 LETTER XVII. 
 
 Tuesday, July 13, 1784. 
 
 1 HAVE been engaged^ my 
 dearest Polly, for some days about the 
 proposition of Government to fund the 
 Navy and Victualling bills. Many ap- 
 plications have been made to me to join 
 the cry against the Minister, and to pro- 
 ceed at law against the Treasury upon a 
 supposed breach of the public faith. I 
 have resisted every attack, and refused 
 to lend myself to a measure hostile to 
 Administration. Public faith is not in 
 my idea injured, for the bargain with the 
 public was to pay 4 per cent, interest 
 after the expiration of six months from 
 the date of the Navy bill till it was paid 
 off, but no time whatever was fixed for 
 the paying it off. This is the condition 
 
83 
 
 of all the Navy and Victualling bills 
 which I have seen. The proposal now 
 made for the terms of the stock is not 
 so advantageous as we flattered ourselves 
 with obtaining, but it is still great for 
 me, who possess so much Navy prior in 
 date to June 17S2. I shall dispose of 
 all this, and still I have a noble parcel 
 behind^ the interest of which is to be re- 
 gularly paid. The uncertainty of when 
 the Navy bills might be paid at all, and 
 the ridiculousness of private persons go- 
 ing to law with the Ti-easury, are strong 
 motives on my mind. Mr. Montague 
 approves this conduct, the consequence 
 of which will be a very tolerable round 
 sum from the profits of the Navy bills to 
 June 1782, and the money j, which I re- 
 place to the City, I intend to lay out in 
 new Navy and Victualling bills, the hand-- 
 some profits of which will come to the 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 E 6 
 
■84 
 
 This business being settled so greatly 
 to u\y present accommodation, and for 
 October 3, let us now, my dear daughter, 
 look forwards to the charm injr time of 
 your return, and the future conveniences 
 of us both. Whatever you may wish 
 for your own apparel, laces, fringes, &c. 
 &c. you may purchase much cheaper and 
 better than here, I suppose. Perhaps ten 
 or fifteen guineas you might lay out for 
 ruffles for me, or any other things you 
 might think of, which w^ould answer in 
 the purchase at Paris. Scarlet cloth suf- 
 ficient for one suit for the winter I should 
 like to have made up with the Dutchess's 
 buttons, and one embroidered waist- 
 coat of about eight or ten Louis. What- 
 ever you purchase, I think you should 
 either take with you, or send before to 
 Monsieur Leguillon, and bring it with 
 you in the packet. I shall contrive to 
 be at Dover a day or two before you, 
 
85 
 
 and will arrange all matters with Mr. 
 Fector. I will write in time to Mrs. 
 Belcher at the City of London to secure 
 the best apartments in her house. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Baker are going abroad 
 for some time. He is very intimate 
 with that unaccountable animal H — t-n 
 
 W , who shewed me a letter from 
 
 him, that as he was determined to go on 
 with his law, and it was not likely to 
 produce him any thing for a good while, 
 he chose to go to St. Omer's to avoid a 
 prison here. I have neither seen, nor 
 heard of, him or my niece till now since 
 your tour. Mrs. Hayley is arrived well 
 at Boston, but nothing more is known. 
 
 Mr. Saumare:« has sent me a noble 
 present of 102 Guernsey lilies, which are 
 only justbeginning to shoot, and therefore 
 can save from the accidents of those the 
 foregoing years. 
 
 We have had very fine weather for tea 
 
days, and the hay-harvest has been very 
 good. 
 
 Yesterday I had the favour of the 
 parcel with Mercier's two vokimes of the 
 Bonnet cle Nuit, and the letters to Lady 
 Effingham^ he, of which I have taken 
 care. I do not recollect receiving any 
 caisse, I wish to know what it might 
 contain. I received the Alm-anach Royal, 
 but nothing else at that time. I have 
 sent you six flat parcels of tea, besides 
 the first pound and a quarter, and the 
 Sorroius of J Verier, . 
 
 The French post charms me by its 
 exactness. Your letters are generally 
 received the fourth day after the date, 
 and the packets come tolerably regu- 
 lar. 
 
 I should be glad of twelve bottles of 
 ratajia a la Jleitr d' orange a la creme at 
 five livres per bottle, to be sent to Mon- 
 sieur Leguillon before you leave Paris. 
 
87 
 
 I shall send you six parcels more of 
 the same tea in the same manner. 
 
 * Sir Thomas Rumbold and his family- 
 are cooing abroad, really from distress, 
 and the impossibility of raising money at 
 present. The new Thomas is to come 
 to-day. I agree with you about his cha- 
 racter^ and I shall ride him with a tight 
 rein, nor will I suffer James, or any one 
 here under my protection, to be ill-used. 
 Within this week James is much im- 
 proved, and from being on the point of 
 discharging him, I have raised his wages 
 to sixteen guineas from the next half-year, 
 but with a declaration of sending him 
 away directly, if he relapsed. The maids 
 have behaved very well, and always send 
 their duty. Your apartment is in great 
 order, and your bed looks better than 
 ever. It will only be a celestial bed 
 when it receives its celestial inhabitant. 
 
 4 
 
I gave Thomas a guinea for himself, 
 when I settled his wages. 
 
 Many compliments to the Marquis de 
 Travaunet, and Abhe Morellet, and above 
 all to Madame Helvetius — Poor Sir 
 W I hope is innocent, and I will be- 
 lieve it ; but he is so foolish, and so tire- 
 some, since Sutton's trial, that every 
 creature avoids him — I hear much of 
 Lille in about ten days — I have seen the 
 family not very often, but I have had se- 
 veral long, too long audiences from Sir 
 William — Many thanks for your letter 
 of July 6th and 8th. 
 
 My dearest Polly, adieu,. 
 
89 
 
 LETTER XVIII. 
 
 Friday, July l6, 1784» 
 
 I UNDERSTAXD from Mr. Spragg, 
 my dearest Polly, that Mr. and Mrs. 
 B-k-r are arrived at St. Omer's, but this 
 intelligence you need not know, unless 
 you choose it, when you pass through 
 that town, should your course steer you 
 that way. Lady B is hourly teas- 
 ing Sir William to go abroad, and I sup- 
 pose will succeed. Every person con- 
 demns her ; and I know not liow It is, 
 but our little cousin ceases to be a fa- 
 vourite with Mrs. Gordon, &c. he, and 
 Sir William falls into perfect insignifi 
 cance. He is now the greatest bore I 
 know. He says that he will return by 
 the next term, when the new trial comes 
 on_, unless Lady B should be on 
 
90 
 
 the point of lying-ln^ yet he is writing 
 to Lord Howe for leave of absence for 
 a year, the consequences of which I 
 stated to hiin^ and told him the handle 
 which would be made against him by 
 wrangling, foul-mouthed counsel. Mrs. 
 
 M loses her temper in the whole 
 
 of this business^ and complains highly 
 of Sir William's neglect. She says, that 
 she has been asked, '' Who is the father 
 
 of Lady B 's child ?" an instance 
 
 of insolent cruelty scarcely to be parallel- 
 ed, which would be ventured against 
 few men. 
 
 I have brought more forward the cir- 
 cumstances of Mr. and Mrs. B-k-r, and 
 
 the B s, because I suppose you 
 
 w^ould wish to avoid the possibility of 
 seeing either family. You may make- 
 me always the pretext of not staying 
 where they are, if the unlucky star of 
 the hour should bring you together. 
 
91 
 
 Mrs. Gordon 5 I believe, agrees fully in 
 sentiment with mc. I find this agree- 
 able neighbour increase every day in my 
 esteem, and she could not make her 
 court more effectually to me than by 
 talking in the style she always does of 
 my dear daughter, 
 
 I shall send you by the Paris diligence 
 of next Tuesday a present for the Dut- 
 chess's fete from me. The box will be 
 directed to you^ and on the direction 
 will be at the top -f- + + . You will know 
 by this it is for the Dutchess. I wish 
 you to give it her in my name, the veille 
 of her fete, and only mention the anx- 
 iety I had for its arriving safe, and that 
 you do not know the contents of the 
 box. The present is de toute heaute et 
 de toute magnificence^ and will convince 
 her of the sense I entertain of her good- 
 ness to you. It should be carefully un- 
 packed^ and in case of an accident, let 
 
92 
 
 the blame fall on her servants, and Tet 
 it happen in her presence, for I am sa- 
 tisfied there can be no misfortune to it 
 previous to its arrival in Paris. I hope 
 likewise to write in time to her on her 
 fete, that you may receive it, and pre- 
 sent the letter too in the most a-propos 
 moment. 
 
 I mean to leave London Thursday, 
 the 5 th of August, in the evening, to 
 lie that night at Dartford, and on Friday, 
 the 6th, to reach Dover, and lie at the 
 Citij of London there. I shall w^rite to 
 Mrs. Belcher in time to secure the best 
 apartments. Considering the uncer- 
 tainty of the passage from Dover ta 
 Calais, the last parcel I shall send you 
 will be by the diligence of Saturday, 
 July 24, but I shall probably write you a 
 few lines by the Tuesday's post follow- 
 ing, which will be on the 27 th of July. 
 
 While I thus mention to vou my sr- 
 
03 
 
 rangcincats, I desire to iiiteriere with 
 yours, and I wish you not only to see Er- 
 nienonville and Chantilly at your lei- 
 sure, but to give a day or two to repose 
 and wi-iting letters^ as I mentioned in 
 my former. My noble companions of 
 antiquity will comfort me at Dover till 
 I have the higher pleasure of your so- 
 ciety, and I shall daily inhale gales of 
 health from old ocean. 
 
 My nephew Charles Wilkes has ac- 
 cepted the office to the new bank of the 
 States of New York of cashier, with a 
 salary of 200/. a year ; and he goes 
 there the beginning of August. 
 
 I received this morning the patterns, 
 and I so well like them all, that I wish 
 you to order six of each, and three fruit- 
 baskets of the pattern No. 1 , the sides 
 to be open, and to settle about the safe 
 conveyance here, and the paying for 
 them by drafts on me. I should be glad 
 
94 
 
 you would give three or four hours to 
 pick me up a few odd pieces in the shops, 
 of no great expense. I know your taste 
 so well that I leave the management of 
 the whole to you. 
 
 Are the patterns of the china to be 
 sent back ? I hope not. I wish you to 
 bring a catalogue of new books, new 
 maps, &c. with you from the most cele- 
 brated booksellers and mapsellers. I 
 will go to Madame de Cageneck's again 
 the first opportunity, and mention what 
 you desire about the vin de paille, &c. 
 
 Friday Evening, Seven. 
 
 The French post is just come in^ 
 and has brought me your letter of July 
 1 1 th, and the 1 2th, at half past seven this 
 morning. I feel for all you have suffered 
 from the character of Mademoiselle 
 Sophie. I entirely approve your conduct, 
 and I will take care that Susan shall at- 
 
9^ 
 
 tend you at Calais. The time you will 
 fix. in a future letter. You have done 
 right in taking the Dutchess with you 
 in the whole business. A few guineas 
 are not to be regarded. The Dutchess 
 should be your pole-star to guide you 
 through these intricate paths^ and when 
 you can draw on me^ you cannot be at 
 a loss to complete your own plan with- 
 out any embarassment. Some French 
 female of her recommendation must ne- 
 cessarily attend you from Paris to Calais, 
 till Susan meets you. This needs not 
 alter your plan about Ermenonville or 
 Chantilly. 
 
 You will of course write, and I shall 
 likewise by every opportunity till we 
 meet at Dover. 
 
 Adieu I 
 
96 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 Tuesday, July "20, 1784. 
 
 I EXJOY by anticipation, my 
 dearest Polly, the pleasure, which I think 
 I may be sure the excellent Dutchess 
 will receive by my offering at her shrine 
 the day of her fete. I dispatched the 
 box last night. The direction is marked 
 + + + , as I believe I mentioned before, 
 that it might not be opened till the pro- 
 pititious hour. I wish to know what 
 you pay for the carriage, for it is very 
 heavy. It is fastened with screws, and 
 must be gently unscrewed. I have seen 
 nothing of the kind so perfect. 
 
 The contre-tems of Mademoiselle 
 Sophie is unpleasant, but it will so soon 
 finish, it cannot occasion you much re- 
 gret. I foresee it will be an additional 
 
97 
 
 expense of ten guineas at least. Susan 
 shall certainly come in time to Calais, 
 but I wait another letter from you before 
 I speak to her on the subject. 
 
 Dr. Wilson's legacy we cannot receive 
 till Christmas — I do not send you any 
 parcel after next Friday^ the 23d inst. 
 unless I receive any particular commis- 
 sions from you. 
 
 I send you two new ballads on the new 
 taxes, which are not so much grumbled 
 at as I expected. 
 
 I often transport myself with a wish to 
 your pretty gallery, and enjoy the fra- 
 grance of your stocks and minionet, and 
 still more the wit and elegance of the 
 Dutchess and her society. 
 
 I shall continue in sables while you 
 do ; but I understand that six months 
 should by all modern rules finish the 
 whole. 
 
 VOL. III. p 
 
9B 
 
 I have the favour of your letter of the 
 13th from the Chateau de Bonnelks, and 
 hope your little tour will be as salutary 
 to your health as adding to your plea- 
 sures. 
 
 Your parcel by the diligence contains 
 a letter from me to the Dutchess on her 
 fete. 'I have just received a charming 
 letter from her dated July 14th, full of 
 your praises, and gratitude to me for the 
 medal. I have, after two hours hard 
 study, decyphered the whole alone, ex- 
 cept three words, which our Moravian 
 perhaps can make out. It is really in- 
 comparable, and speaks throughout her 
 excellent character. 
 
 I have told Susan of her tour, and she 
 seemed very well pleased to be made as 
 useful as possible. 
 
99 
 
 Tuesday Night, July 20. 
 
 The director of the diligence to 
 Paris sent to desire I would sign a declara- 
 tion about the box, on account of the size 
 and the weight, and that I would direct 
 It to the Dutchess, not to you. Ac- 
 cordingly I signed, " Je declare envoyer 
 a Madame la Duchesse de la Vallierc 
 son hotel une hoite contenant curiosites na- 
 turelles. A Londre ce IQ Juillet 1784. 
 J. JVJ" I said that it was a present to the 
 Dutchess for her fete, and wished to 
 contrive that she might not pay the car- 
 riage. He therefore advised you to send 
 to the Douane, and take it out from 
 thence. I have it at heart that the box 
 may be laid at the Dutchess's feet in 
 the propitious moment, and without her 
 having the least suspicion. It will shew 
 my sense of your obligations to her. 
 Now is my dearest Polly on the ten* 
 
 p 2 
 
100 
 
 terhooks of female expectation to know 
 what this same box contains, about 
 which her father is so anxious. I shall 
 not however gratify your curiosity, and 
 I hope you will not know till the eve of 
 the (tie of St. Anne, and that you will 
 learn all from the Dutchess herself, or 
 perhaps you will be present at the open- 
 ing, about which too much care cannot 
 be taken. I v/ish for a line immediately 
 after the receipt of the box, or you will 
 have another kind of box at your return 
 on a part which in me is now almost 
 well. It begins however to tremble, 
 both at the right and left, on the ap- 
 proach of August, from the fear of your 
 renewing your attacks in that quarter. 
 
101 
 
 LETTER XX. 
 
 Friaay, July 23, 2;^84, 
 
 I HAVK remarked iu none of 
 your connexionsj my clearest Polly, so 
 much real regard and tenderness for you 
 as m our agreeable neighbour Mrs. 
 Gordon. Her frequent and anxious in- 
 quiries about your health have been very 
 engaging. To give a faint instance of 
 my gratitude^ I have sent her the most 
 beautiful haunch of venison which I ever 
 beheld ; a great sacrifice for an alder- 
 man to make, but very trilling for Mr. 
 Wilkes to a friend of his daughter. I 
 have not forgotten a little sacrifice of 
 Newbury fish, when it has been pecu- 
 liarly fine. The good lady has p^.id me 
 a visit this morning, and I iiave shewn 
 her the complete order in which your 
 
 F 3 
 
i02 
 
 apartments are arranged. I asked^ if it 
 were her opinion^ that I should receive 
 vou ao:ain. She declares herself decid- 
 edly of that opinion, so that we shall 
 fling open all the doors for your return. 
 We settle for Susan to go to Dover on 
 Monday the 2d of August, so that we 
 expect she will be at Calais on Wednes- 
 day morning, the 4th, to wait your ar- 
 rival, and recover herself a little of her 
 fatigues. I expect to be at Dover on 
 Friday, the 6th of August. The French 
 mail not being arrived, I do not know 
 if any alterations are made in your plan. 
 If there are, I shall conform to them. 
 
 By the packet of this night, which is 
 the last I shall send by the diligence, 
 you will have two more parcels of tea, 
 the newspapers, &c. and six of my 
 speeches, which you will give to my 
 friends who v/ish to throw away an idle 
 half-hour on politics. The Baron, HoK 
 
103 
 
 bach I mean, would probably wish to 
 read it. 
 
 Lady B has at present fixed 
 
 Saturday sevennight, for her tour to 
 
 Lisle. Mrs. S , our neighbour, 
 
 savs she does not believe her to be 
 breeding, and that Sir Wiiiiarn and she 
 are two fools come together. 
 
 Pray let the Dutchess know that I 
 shall celebrate next Wednesday in the 
 English mode by full libations to her 
 health unth a few friends^ and prayers, 
 and vows, for frequent opportunities of 
 keeping the festival. 
 
 Your account of the Duke d'Uzis, 
 and his reception of you, is charming. 
 The French only really possess the sa- 
 voir vivre. and the rare art of makinp- all 
 who approach them, perfectly happy. 
 
 I am glad that Mademoiselle Eleonore 
 pleases you. 
 
 As it is probable you may not receive 
 
 F 4 
 
J 04 
 
 another letter from me by the post^ I 
 have only to wish you a very good jour- 
 ney, and a quick, safe passage, with ear- 
 nest entreaties that you would not travel 
 by night, nor in any way fatigue your- 
 self. You will find me at the City of 
 Lcndo7i in Dover, rejoiced to embrace 
 you, and to receive you again in your 
 native country. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest Polly. 
 
 Your letter of the 1 Qth, with that en- 
 closed for Susan, is just arrived. Susan 
 desires her dutv, and will attend you at 
 the time. I will send to-morrow about 
 the caisse with the China figures, &c. 
 
 Bon soir^ 
 
105 
 
 LETTER XXL 
 
 Tuesday, July 27, 1784. 
 
 I ONLY take up the pen^ my 
 clearest Polly ^ to renew my warmest wishes 
 for your good journey, and happy passage 
 to Dover, where you will find a tender 
 and affectionate parent. 
 
 To-morrow I shall celebrate your ex- 
 cellent Dutchess's fete with real regard 
 and gratitude. 
 
 I forgot to mention that I wish you to 
 purchase a good map of the environs of 
 Paris for about forty miles, wdiich will 
 include Fontainbleau and Compeigne as 
 well as Bonnelles, and will be a high 
 amusement to you. It will prove a good 
 supplement to the large map of Pans, 
 which I purchased a few months ago. 
 
 Lord Rodney is in great affliction, that 
 
 F 5 
 
]06 
 
 his eldest daughter run to the black- 
 smith at Gretna Green last Thursday 
 with Sir William Chambers's son. One 
 of Lord Rodney's sons played the same 
 game with I know not whom the week 
 before, and is said to have contrived it 
 for his sister. 
 
 The Major dined here yesterday, more 
 mad and slovenly than ever. It is the 
 only time 1 have seen him since your ab- 
 sence. He says, that he totally disap- 
 proves me, since I have declared for Mr; 
 Pitt, because I am now a party-man i 
 but I do not answer a madman. 
 
 Susan is much alarmed about the sea; 
 but Jenny laughs at her very heartily, 
 and wishes you would order her such a 
 jaunt. I am uneasy about Susan, for she 
 says she is afraid that she shall never 
 muster up courage enough to venture 
 on the sen. In this dilemma Mrs. Gor- 
 don and I have concluded to send her 
 
107 
 
 next Monday, August 1, to Dover to 
 Mrs. Belcher ; and if she continues the 
 fool we suspect she will, I shall direct 
 Mrs. Belcher to send you to Calais some 
 female to escort vou over, and Susan will 
 attend you the rest of the tour. As I 
 cannot be so soon at Dover, I cannot 
 use any a^gunents to her on the spot, 
 nor do I believe any would avail against 
 the single strong idea of being drowned. 
 
 Your draft for 50 guineas came yes- 
 terday, and I duly honoured it. I have 
 likewise the pleasure of your letter of the 
 '22d instant. As you are so well pleased 
 with your new servant, suppose you were 
 to keep her. Prince's Court could con-- 
 tain her even now, and you know we 
 look forward. Mrs. Gordon tells me 
 this is Mrs. Smyth's birthday, so I am 
 setting out with a superb bouquet for the 
 worthy old lady. 
 
 I trust that no accident has happent^d 
 
 F 6 
 
108 
 
 to my offering to the Dutchess. If it is 
 unlucky, Mr. Harris tells me, that any 
 fractures may be repaired by a person 
 who lived with him, a Monsieur Mange, 
 chez Monsieur Chenu, Sculp teur-figu- 
 riste, rue neuve St. Laurent, proche les 
 Peres Nazareth. 
 
 Your offering to the Dutchess is beau- 
 tifully imagined, and the execution I hope 
 will answer the excellence of the thought^ 
 with which she cannot but be struck. 
 You v/ill iind that your last draft will not 
 do, and you may draw again for what 
 you will, but you cannot leave Paris with 
 less than 30 or 40 Louis. I wish you to 
 settle it with the master of the Seve ma- 
 nufactory how he is to be paid, and how 
 the things are to be sent. Perhaps the 
 Dutchess's homme d'affaires will take the 
 trouble of all our little commissions. 
 
 I wish for a catalogue of the books 
 printed in 12mo. by Didot I'ainey rue 
 
log 
 
 pavee S, A, I have the Boileau, and Lcc 
 Fontaine, Fables, and the Collection des 
 Moralistes Anciens, but no others. If 
 you send a servant, he would readily fur- 
 nish you with his catalogue. 
 
 I shall write in time to Mrs. Belcher, 
 and secure the best apartments at the 
 City of London for Friday, the 6th of 
 August, where I hope w^e shall have a 
 happy meeting ; and so, dear girl;, once 
 more bon voyage. 
 
no 
 
 LETTER XXII. 
 
 Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1/84. 
 MY DEAR POLLY, 
 
 At Paris, and in every capital, 
 of Europe at least, you will create to 
 yourself a superior regard and esteem ; 
 but your consequence in a country-town 
 must originate in a very different way, 
 and even this letter is of some moment, 
 because it shews there are people out of 
 such a countr)'-town as Calais, who in- 
 terest themselves for you. 
 
 Home news. — Susan set off for Dover 
 yesterday morning at five, in good spirits 
 as I am informed. The same day ar- 
 rived two letters from my dear daughter, 
 and the excellent Dutchess, both which 
 I greatly admire. I am happy that the 
 pillars came safe, and above all in the 
 
11 J 
 
 auspicious moment; and considering their 
 value, I do not much mind the Dut- 
 chess's paying the carriage, although I 
 wish that it had been otherwise. Every 
 thing has been fortunate, and most hickily 
 timed, but unluckily Lady Effingham has 
 been in New Palace Yard^ and has read 
 our now great cousin your long letter, 
 which by no means seemed to please the 
 Baronet's lady. It is however of no 
 consequence, as I believe, from the little 
 peep I can take into futurity, neither the 
 intimacy of the B.'s, nor of the M.'s, 
 will be much cultivated by you in fu- 
 ture. 
 
 I wrote to Mrs. Belcher about a person 
 to attend you, and shall be impatient for 
 her to-morrow, should Susan be ridicu- 
 lous. 
 
 Sir Francis Samuel Drake is to be 
 sworn in at Guildhall on Thursday, after 
 which I set out for Dartford, - 
 
J12 
 
 Nothing can be more elegant than all 
 the turns of the Dutchess's letter^ nor 
 more affectionate, and respectful, to you, 
 as well as grateful to me. 
 
 The new Thomas is very attentive, 
 and seems willing to learn, but is exceed- 
 ingly awkward. 
 
 The weather Is now become very fine, 
 and I hope will favour your passage. 
 Were I a poet, I should ode^y -^olus ; 
 but as I am not, in plain prose I have 
 only to wish propitious gales, and sun- 
 shine. You will find me wandering on 
 the coast, like one of the ghosts in the 
 sixth book of the ^neid, notwithstand- 
 ing my aldermanic quality, and straining 
 the visual orb after your packet. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
113 
 
 LEITER XXIII. 
 
 City of London Inn, at Dover, 
 Saturday, Aug. 7, 1784. 
 DEAR POLLY, 
 
 I COULD not miss a Dover 
 packet going with a favourable wind to 
 Calais to tell you of my safe arrival here, 
 and to wish you the same good luck. 
 It blew a hurricane last night. If 
 there should be the least danger, I en- 
 treat you by no means to venture. I 
 shall wait your arrival, and as my holydays 
 commenced yesterday, the public cannot 
 suffer by the delay, although the impa- 
 tience of a fond father most anxiously 
 thinks with reluctance of your being de- 
 tained one hour longer than you intend- 
 ed on the Gallic coast. 
 
 May the most propitious gales fill your 
 
 sails ! 
 
 Adieu! 
 
il4 
 
 LETTER XXIV. 
 
 South Parade, Bath, 
 Monday^ May l6, 17S5. 
 
 The lowering sky of this morn- 
 ing, my dearest Polly^ lias moi-e charms 
 for me than the blue ether of Italy, for 
 I expect the clouds to drop fatness shortly, 
 in the Scripture phrase. The earth in 
 general is quite parched up, but the 
 meadows which border on the Avon 
 have the usual tender verdure of spring. 
 The nightingales are in full song, and I 
 only regret that they do not charm your 
 ear as they do mine in the morning as 
 well as the evening. 
 
 When I breakfasted at Salt Hill on 
 Saturday, Mrs. March carried me to 
 what she called her cottage, a small 
 house wonderfully neat ; almost close to 
 
iJ5 
 
 the field adjoining to the late Castle. 
 There are three very good bedchambers^ 
 an excellent eating-room, and breakfast- 
 parlour. It is separate from every thing, 
 and I find the great people sometimes 
 have it for four or five days. If the 
 .scheme is agreeable to my dear daughter, 
 I would propose to have it from Satur- 
 day sevennight to the Monday following, 
 I would meet you there on my return 
 from Bath to dine at three on Saturday 
 the 28th, the next morning go to chapel 
 with our Sovereign atWindsor,dineat the 
 famous Cliefden spring, should the weather 
 prove favourable, and in the evening see th^ 
 company on the terrace of Windsor Cas- 
 tle. The co^^«o-e is engaged on theMonday 
 evening on account of the Tuesday races, 
 I wish you to let me knov/ by the next 
 post, if you relish my plan, that I may. 
 write accordingly to Mrs. March. If 
 you choose to bring Mrs. Gordon, or4 
 
ii6 
 
 Miss Gordon^ in Miss's coach ^ there can 
 be no objection^ and you would dine in 
 town easily on the Monday, May the 
 SOth. 
 
 I was at the rooms last night with the 
 French Ambassador, who is surprisingly 
 recovered. Lady Fleming, Lord Conyng- 
 ham, &c. &c. lords and ladies, all make 
 many inquiries after you. To-day I dine 
 in the Circus with my old friend Mr. 
 Plunkett. Lady Fleming is wonderfully 
 agreeable, but rather too saucy for her 
 matron age, &c. 
 
 My compliments to all the Prince's 
 Court gentry. I have not yet seen the 
 Molineux's, who are at the public break- 
 fast, and yesterday at private parties all 
 day. 
 
 Bon jour y ma tres ckheJiUe. 
 
117 
 
 LETTER XXV. 
 
 South Parade, Bath, 
 Tuesday, May 17, 1785. 
 
 I AM just starting, my dearest 
 Polly, for a great fair, which is to be held 
 at Holloway, but I thought it proper to 
 put up first in an envelope Miss MoU- 
 neux's letter to you^ and a note to me 
 from her mother. 
 
 Since I wrote the above at ten this 
 morning, the post is arrived, and brings 
 me your charming letter of Saturday 
 night, with the Bulletin, for which I am 
 much obliged to you. I return it. 
 
 I am glad we have so many volumes 
 of Voltaire. Why should you leav^e 
 them in my cabinet ? Why not undo 
 the packet, and loolc them over ? 
 
 Good morrow, tres chere et tres 
 aimee fiUe, 
 
M8 
 
 LETTER XXVI. 
 
 South Parade, Bath, 
 Wednesday, May 18, 1785, 
 
 I BEG the favour of yon^ dear 
 Polly, to tell Mrs. Goiclon, that I went 
 myself to Colonel Goukrs, in River 
 Street, with her little packet for Miss 
 Gvvynn. She does not live at the Co- 
 lonel's, but was to dine there that day, 
 and Mrs, Gould took charge of it. The 
 Colonel is confined to his bed. The 
 quarter of a guinea is at a relation's, 
 still very ill from a great swelling in her 
 neck, a complaint under which she has 
 laboured for many months. 
 
 I saw Mrs. M and her daugh- 
 ter yesterday, and they are both in perfect 
 health. She complains much about a 
 letter from her son :jince Mr. M 's 
 
M(J 
 
 visit to Lisle, which I am to wade through 
 after dinner to-day. I sincerely pity her, 
 hut I do not comprehend how two fe- 
 males can contrive to rusticate more and 
 more every month at Bath. My at- 
 tentions to her are redouhled from her 
 mi fortunate situation. 
 
 Mr. Hartford has new furnished and 
 papered the upper iipartments, and with 
 the aid of my prints tlicy look very gay, 
 but not cheerful without vou. 
 
 I have at elevxn this morning re- 
 ceived together your two letters of 
 Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon, 
 for both which I thank you, and for the 
 extract from the Dutchess de la Valliere's 
 letter. It is well written ; yet were I a 
 subject of France, I could not sing the 
 ^praises of the minister who conducted the 
 -war before the last. I believe however 
 in all the amiable qualities and lively 
 wit of the Duke of Choiscul, but not 
 
120 
 
 quite in the Dutchess's assertion, ^- Je 
 suis sure que sa femme en mourera de 
 douleur." 
 
 Colonel Barre is here, and I have much 
 conversation with him. We go to 
 Bowwood to dine next Sunday, but re- 
 turn in the evening. 
 
 I am happy that you like my plan for 
 the cottage, and I will write to Mrs. 
 March in time, and enclose you the let- 
 ter for fear of its miscarriage by a cross 
 post. 
 
 Bath is not alive, even to scandal, and 
 only two cotillon balls remain to be 
 danced. 
 
 Bon jour y ma tres chereJiUe, 
 
 5 
 
121 
 
 LETTER XXVII. 
 
 South Parade, Bath, 
 Friday, May 20, 1785. 
 
 I AM very glad^ my dear Polly, 
 that Cawdron's draft to bearer came safe. 
 It was a great indiscretion in him to risk 
 it by the post. It ought to have been 
 on a stamp, and to order. 
 
 Company arriving soon after dinner 
 
 at Mrs. 's prevented my being teased 
 
 with the foolish yomig Squire's letter ; 
 and the squabbles of every part of that 
 family are tiresome and uninteresting to 
 all but relations. 
 
 Lord Lansdowne has just sent me an 
 invitation to Bowwood, which I accept for 
 Sunday, but return here in the evening. 
 
 Mr. L-sc-lls is arrived, not wafted 
 here, as I understand, by the w^arm 
 
 VOL. III. G 
 
122 
 
 wishes of Lady F — — . He has just 
 been to see me. 
 
 Lady Conyngham had a grand rout 
 last night, at which the beautiful waist- 
 coat, which you brought me from France, 
 was displayed and admired. These routs 
 bid fair to ruin Bath, as a public place. 
 
 Monsieur D'Adhemar is surprisingly 
 recovered, but appears to me very low- 
 spirited. He talks more of his regime 
 than any thing else, and is very shy about 
 accepting dinners from some late suf- 
 ferings. 
 
 Clarke is so stupid, that he is almost 
 useless^ except for the dressing my hair. 
 I am always shaved by a barber. I can- 
 not long keep him, yet do not think of 
 parting with him in a hiuTy, and when 
 I do, it will be in perfect good humour, 
 for he is honest and sober, but, from his 
 ignorance and gaucherie, he is really 
 Iroublesome. I have not yet for this 
 
123 v.. 
 
 reason given any dinner, and doubt whe- 
 ther I shall or not, upon this account. 
 
 Lord N 1 has just left me. He 
 
 complains much of a scratch on his leg, 
 which has assembled all the foul humours 
 of his body, and they are not few. Be 
 so good to keep Cawdron*s 50/. till my 
 return. 
 
 I mean to leave Bath next Friday, to 
 lie at the Castle at Speen Hill that night, 
 and hope to join you by two at the cot-' 
 ici^e, on Saturday the 25th. 
 
 Adieu! 
 
 ^ 2 
 
124 
 
 LETTER XXVIII. 
 
 South Parade, Bath, 
 Sunday, May 22, 1785. 
 
 I REALLY ought, my dearest 
 Polly, to make you the amejide honor^ 
 able for repeating the Ji done, Ji done, 
 on the supposition that you did not write 
 last Wednesday , for this day's post has 
 brought me your letter, and the Morning 
 Post of that day's date, marked on the 
 cover. Mis-sent to Maidenhead. I thank 
 you for the Bulletin, which accompanied. 
 The Bulletins on such interesting subjects 
 are worth preservation. 
 
 Poor Mrs. G ! to be so suddenly 
 
 struck ! Heaven guard us all from Cupid'' s 
 how, shall always be a part of my Litany 
 
 at every age, for poor Mr. P at 
 
 eighty, litn sonnees, has been within the 
 
125 
 
 two last years ruined, in finance as well as 
 reputation, by an artful jade of this 
 place. He is now at a distance well 
 watched at a relation's house. My wines, 
 &C. were all however untouched. 
 
 I am sorry to send you so bad an ac- 
 count of our Ie2:acie3 from -. Mr. 
 
 P-t-n, the executor, has put the will into 
 Chancery, and pays nobody. The Doc- 
 tor left in legacies many thousands more 
 
 than he was worth. Mrs. C 's ] 0/. 
 
 for mourning unpaid, the servants* year's 
 wages unpaid, nothing paid but the 
 rings. No prospect of any near ar- 
 rangement. The Parson C 1 has 
 
 been many months removed into Berk- 
 shire. A legacy there of 1500/. unpaid 
 even in part. I believe that you and I 
 shall scarcely seek a remedy by throwing 
 our own guineas after the Doctor's. 
 
 Mr. Hancock has not yet been able 
 to please himself in fish, delicate enough 
 
 G 3 
 
1^6 
 
 for you or the Lord Mayor, but hopes 
 that to-morrow's market will answer to 
 his mind. 
 
 It is truly barbarous of you to remind 
 me of my former sufferings, now my 
 ears are recovering, but I hope before 
 next Saturday to be enough recovered 
 less to dread the combat. 
 
 I am just stepping into the post-chaise 
 to proceed to Bowwood, and therefore 
 bid my dear Polly 
 
 Good morrow. 
 
127 
 
 LETTER XXIX. 
 
 South Parade, Bath, 
 Tuesday, May 24, ]785. 
 
 I WAS too late yesterday for 
 the post, my dearest Polly, or I should 
 have told you of my Sunday's excursion 
 to Bowvvood, where I had a most flat- 
 tering reception from the Marquis and 
 Marchioness. I was however walked 
 off my legs from two to five, when we 
 dmed, and I returned to Bath at eight, 
 sleeping half the way in the post-chaise 
 from mere lassitude. The chateau is 
 truly magnificent, and well furnished, 
 but no three rooms lie together, which 
 must render it extremely inconvenient. 
 The environs are gay, in the style of 
 Brown. I was much pressed to stay, 
 but I could not contrive it. The warm- 
 
 G 4 
 
128 
 
 est invitations to return for a long abode* 
 Lord Wycombe, who is an amiable 
 young man of Christ Churchy Oxford, 
 I became acquainted with at Colonel 
 Barre's here. 
 
 I wish you to write a line to Mrs. 
 March, at the Windmill, Salt Hill, 
 Bucks, to acquaint her of our intention 
 to dine at the cottage on Saturday, lest 
 my letter should have miscarried. 
 
 I do not desire any letters, or papers, 
 sliould be sent here after Wednesday 
 afternoon, five, because the letters are 
 not distributed till eleven in the morning, 
 and I leave Bath on Friday at six. 
 
 I return you the Bulletin; the three 
 first lines of which made me laugh a 
 gorge deploTjee, and I likewise received 
 this morning a packet of books, papers, 
 &c. by the coach. 
 
 I beg the favour of you to write to 
 me by Thursday's post, by five in the 
 
afternoon^ at the Castle, Speen Hill, 
 Berks, and I shall have your letter on 
 my arrival in the evening. 
 
 I have not given any dinner for reasons 
 you guess, but have dined always alone, 
 or from home. 
 
 I wish you to keep the parcel rolled 
 till my return. 
 
 The Molineux*s are well, and send 
 their compliments. 
 
 Bon jour, ma tres chhe et tres aimahh 
 file. 
 
 G 5 
 
130 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 South Parade^ Bath> 
 Wednesday^ May 25, 1785. 
 
 I HAVE just received my dear 
 Polly's letter of yesterday, and, as soon 
 as I have finished this dispatch, I shall 
 proceed to execute your commissioa 
 about the coach carpet, with which I am 
 much pleased and honoured. Mr. 
 Coward, in New Bond Street, had my 
 orders some days ago to search every 
 where for the best things of the kind, 
 and now I have the measure, there can 
 be no dtrlay. 
 
 You may very well contrive to dine 
 at Cranford Bridge next Monday. The 
 house is very neat, not far from our for- 
 mer dwelling, and the situation rural. 
 We must quit the cottage Monday morn- 
 
131 
 
 ing, as it is to be got ready for Lord 
 Craven, &c. Sec. in the evening. My 
 time must be uncertain, for should it be 
 the third reading of the Tax on Retail 
 Shops, I must be at the House to vote 
 against it, from the warm opposition 
 made to it by the city. In that case, I 
 should go on in a post-chaise, and you 
 would return to Prince's Court in the 
 cool of the evening. 
 
 Poor Mrs. M ! Mv heart bleeds 
 
 for her. I have given her a little of my 
 fine tokay. 
 
 I beg you to say mille dioses for me to 
 your Dutchess. 
 
 I wish you much entertainment at 
 Bcllamv's benefit. 
 
 Adieu I. 
 
 i^ 6 
 
132 
 
 LETTER XXXI. 
 
 Friday, July 30, 1/85. 
 
 I WHITE to you, my dearest 
 Polly, as you desire, although I have 
 very little to mention. One particular 
 will give you pleasure. I have this 
 morning got the caisse, which you sent 
 so long ago as the 26th of June. This 
 afternoon all the letters were forwarded. 
 Every thing came perfectly safe. I went 
 myself to the Custom-house, was de- 
 tained three hours, and obliged to pay 
 2/. 3 s. 6 d. I am however exceedingly 
 pleased with all the cups and saucers, 
 as well as with the shepherdess. The 
 charming Bergere will always please me; 
 and I am sure that she will not make any 
 complaint oi Jifty-six^ nor look graver 
 •than before, when she finds she is not 
 placed on a hergere. 
 
133 
 
 I hope this will kiss your hands in good 
 time after your arrival^ to make you 
 easy about the caisse. I wish you to 
 contrive to have every thing sent to Le- 
 guillon put on board the packet, as well 
 as what you bring, and it would be right 
 to take a note of how many parcels there 
 are. It will be much easier to arrange 
 this from the Dover custom-house, 
 than from that at London. 
 
 Susan now talks very courageously, 
 but I doubt her prowess^ if the least 
 gale of wind should arise. By to-mor- 
 row's post I shall write to Mrs. Belcher, 
 that a female attendant may in all cases 
 sail with the first packet after next Mon- 
 day, when Susan w ill arrive at Dover. 
 I still continue in the resolution of being 
 this day sevennight, August 6, at Do- 
 ver. I have arranged every thing for 
 October 3, 
 
 I have this day a letter from Mrs, 
 
134 
 
 Hayley of her safe arrival at Boston, 
 She seems highly pleased with her re- 
 ception. 
 
 Mrs. Smith at last agrees to the preg- 
 nancy of Lady B , who, against 
 
 all remonstrances, noiu determines to go 
 to Dover in her way to Lisle next Friday. 
 Their things being packed up, this house 
 accommodates the foolish young couple 
 with tea-urns, waiters, &c. he, Mrs. 
 
 M is gone to Mr. H 's^ at 
 
 Charlton in Kent. 
 
 My dearest Polly, adieu — ^bon voyage. 
 
135 
 
 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday Morning, May IQ, 178C. 
 
 James is just arrived, my dear- 
 est Polly, and has brought me the wel- 
 come news, that you were in perfect 
 health yesterday, and the wind quite 
 propitious for your passage. I have to 
 thank you for three favours, the billet 
 left on the table, and your letters from 
 Sittingbourn and Dover. 
 
 I went yesterday to Sir Robert Her- 
 ries's, and purchased you a bill on Paris, 
 at seven days sight, for 960 livres, or 40 
 Louis. I paid for it only 3gL 6s. 8d. so 
 that reckoning guineas and Louis as the 
 same in travelling, you gain near 6 per 
 cent. lam to return you 13. v. 4(L out 
 of the 40/. I enclose the bill. 
 
136 
 
 I paid yesterday your coach, servant's 
 tax, &c. 6/. 13^. lie?. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Gordon dine here to-day, and I enclose 
 the lady's note, and the account of 
 Dornford's defeat. 
 
 I will see the Svvinburnes to-morrow. 
 I suppose you will write to Mrs. Swin- 
 burne as soon as you arrive at Paris. 
 
 Lord Surrey's motion for a committee 
 to inquire into the state of Parliamentary 
 representation, was lost yesterday by 3 1 . 
 
 I desire to be laid at the feet of 
 the Dutchess de la Valliere, with a 
 thousand expressions of attachment and 
 devotion. 
 
 I am impatient for the account of your 
 arrival on the Gallic coast. 
 
 My dearest Polly, adieu. 
 
137 
 
 LETTER XXXIII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, May 23, 1 786. 
 
 Youn letter from Calais, my 
 dearest Polly, made me very happy, and 
 gave great satisfaction to our good neigh- 
 bours, who are become impatient to hear 
 of your having passed the sea with safety. 
 I went with it to Blenheim Street, and 
 gave your compliments to all that wor- 
 thy family, with our joint acknowledg- 
 ments respecting Mrs. Susan. Mr. Swin- 
 burne is going into Yorkshire for ten 
 days, but he goes en garqon. 
 
 I received your letter by the Dover 
 post yesterday at three, 
 
 A French gentleman brought here a 
 
 letter from Lady B directed to you 
 
 or me. It contained only the common 
 
138 
 
 news of Lisle, and the hope of seeing you 
 there. 
 
 I wrote to you last Friday, and en- 
 closed Sir Robert Herries's bill for forty 
 Louis at seven days sight, 
 
 I wish you to send me, to the care of 
 Monsieur Leguillon at Calais, '^ Voyage 
 en Italie, par Monsieur de la Lande, avec 
 un Atlas, 9 vol. in l^mo. broches, se- 
 conde edition, corrigee et augmentee.'* 
 
 The Gordons dined with me on Fri- 
 day, and talked of you with great regard 
 and affection. 
 
 Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Smith, &c. &c. &c. 
 have made many inquiries. 
 
 Tuesday sevennight is now fixed for 
 Mr. Burke to exhibit his first charge 
 against Mr. Hastings, respecting the Ro- 
 hilla war, and I think it probable that 
 may terminate the whole business. I 
 saw him yesterday, in the same calm, 
 philosophical temper, w^hich has always 
 
139 
 
 distinguished him, in the most trying 
 situations. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest Polly.^ 
 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, May 26, 17&6. 
 
 Your letter from Paris of the 
 21st arrived in good time yesterday, my 
 dearest Polly, to comfort me under the 
 loss of the single article in the Portland 
 Museum, on which I had set my heart, 
 to present to you. I thought that I had 
 left a splendid commission, 35/. It sold 
 for 38/. 17^. I inquired the name of 
 the purchaser, and was directed to Jef- 
 feries and Jones. I went to them, but 
 
140 
 
 was informed that it was purchased for 
 the Duke of Portland^ who had ordered 
 them to bid 100 guineas^ or rather by 
 no means to suffer it to be sold. Such 
 an answer ruined all my hopes. I soon 
 however recovered the disappointment, 
 when I had the account of your agree- 
 able journey, and safe arrival at Paris, 
 and I lost sight of *' the thirty circular 
 portraits of illustrious personages, finely 
 modelled and coloured by Holbein,'' to 
 turn my view towards the illustrious per- 
 sonages, the Dutchess de la Valliere, the 
 Princesse de Tarente, the Dutchess de 
 Chastillon, with whom you are at pre- 
 sent. 
 
 Nothing can exceed the polite tender- 
 ness of their manner of receiving the 
 English traveller, 
 
 I am highly flattered by the Dutchess's 
 being used to wear the cross, and watch" 
 chain, which I had the honour of pre- 
 
141 
 
 scnting to her. It is something to be 
 about her person even in that manner, 
 and where — but the pleasures of a wild 
 imagination are not to be indulged. 
 
 The Comte de Gramont called here 
 this morning, when I was absent, and 
 left me a packet from the Comte de 
 Lusignan. It contained one of the most 
 elegant Greek books which I ever saw, 
 the charming Anacreon, printed at Parma, 
 and superbly bound, with tw^o French 
 brochures. If you see the Comte, let 
 him know how kindly I take such a royal 
 remembrance of his humble servant. 
 
 Middiman has sent here two copies of 
 No. Q of Select F'ieivs. I paid ten shil- 
 lings for them. Are they to be sent to 
 you at Paris, or kept here ? 
 
 The Exchequer bills of 1785 to the 
 amount of two millions are paying off 
 by Exchequer bills of 1786. 
 
142 ' 
 
 Prince's Court and courtiers remain^ as 
 tefore^ fixed and quiet. 
 
 Adieu f 
 
 LETTER XXXV. 
 
 Guildhall, 
 Tuesday, May 30, 1786. 
 
 From this place, my dearest 
 Polly, you will only expect a dull letter of 
 business. My thanks and praises shall be 
 given to Mr. Palmer for his new regula-. 
 tion of the post, by which on the Mon- 
 day I have the favour of your letter from 
 Paris of the 'Zjth, witli great exactness, 
 and I likewise received the packet with 
 the letter for Mrs. Swinburne, the Me- 
 inoire of the Cardrnal de Kohan^ Sec. &c. 
 
143 
 
 T am greatly obliged by your kind atten- 
 tion. I sent immediately to Mrs. Swin- 
 burne, who had made many inquiries. 
 
 Much good humour prevails at pre- 
 sent in tlie city, but no small pains are 
 taken to raise a commotion respecting 
 the new excise on wine ; however^ there 
 is little probability of success. 
 
 Stocks have risen four per cent, within 
 these three davs. 
 
 D-rnf-d will still go on:: 
 
 *' Destroy his fib, or sophistr}' — in vain — 
 The creature 's at his dirty work again;" 
 
 but he can do no mischief. 
 
 I rejoice that the Dutchess is so cheer-" 
 -ful. She does honour to her sex^ her 
 nation, and to the present age. • ; 
 
 Mr. Hastings has purchased Beau- 
 mont Lodire near Windsor. 
 
 The Ambassador will of course give a 
 splendid entertainment next Monday. I 
 
144 
 
 do not pay my duty that day at St. 
 James's, and consequently make no new 
 clothes ; but as the House will adjourn 
 on Friday, I make a little tour early on 
 Saturday to Brighthelmstone, and return 
 on the Wednesday of the next week, 
 June the 7 th, to attend the House on 
 the 8th. 
 
 I beg to be affectionately remembered 
 to all the Holbach family, and to Madame 
 Chantereine, and Madame Genlis. 
 
 The weather is very fine, but rather 
 sultry. 
 
 I was glad of the accurate information 
 which you sent me respecting the abo- 
 lition of torture in France. 
 
 Be careful of that first of blessings, 
 health, and continue to love me with 
 tenderness^ 
 
 Adieu I 
 
145 
 
 LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, June 2, 1/85. 
 
 I FLATTERED iTiyself yGsterclay, 
 my dearest Polly, with the fond hope of 
 giving you the pleasing news of the full 
 justification of Mr. Hastings from the 
 first charge of being the cause of the 
 Rohilla war. I am however disappoint- 
 ed, and after a long weary debate of all 
 yesterday afternoon, night, and a part of 
 this morning, it is adjourned till this af- 
 ternoon, and I suppose will scarcely be 
 concluded before to-morrow. Mr. Burke 
 was tiresome, and even dull ^, when 
 we all expected the highest animation 
 from him. It is supposed some words of 
 
 ' * Yet in the reading nothing is more lively and 
 imaginative. Edit, 
 
 VOL. III. H 
 
146 
 
 amendment will be made by the friends 
 of Administration to Mr. Burke's motion, 
 which will be exculpatory, if not a com- 
 plete justification. I mean to submit my 
 sentiments on this business to the House, 
 if I can have an early opportunity, but I 
 will never address a tired audience, ex- 
 cept from necessity. 
 
 I have sent you by Guyon a little 
 packet from Mrs. Gordon, the sixth 
 number of the P^ieivs, only one copy how- 
 ever, and a golden thimble, as Hannah 
 tells me you desired. From hints I have 
 from Mr. Elmsly, and some other cir- 
 cumstances, I should not choose to send 
 you any thmg of considerable value by 
 that conveyance, but what is not, you 
 shall have sent you regularly by his ma- 
 chine. 
 
 I am sorry for the bankruptcy of Tho- 
 mas Lozanoy Fresheda, your Spanish 
 tenant in Red Lion Court. It is said to 
 1 
 
147 
 
 be owing to the non-arrival in time of 
 remittances from Cadiz^ and that his cha- 
 racter is good^ and assets sufficient to 
 pay every one^ when they can be got in. 
 Mr. Paice will of course not forget your 
 first claims, as landlady. I beg you to 
 have no obligations to him, but to draw 
 en me^ if you want any money. 
 
 Heaton has just left me. Nancy*s 
 matrimonial proposal does not proceed, 
 and the gentleman has declared he can- 
 not contrive money-affairs, owing to the 
 backwardness of an aunt and brother. 
 Mr. Rotch has been in France, and is 
 returned to London. It seems nothing 
 could be settled with Mr. and Mrs. 
 B-k-r. 
 
 Your atteation in sendin.o* me the 
 Leiden Gazettes, Mercures, curious Me- 
 moires, &c. &c. obliges me exceedingly, 
 but above all the particulars in your let- 
 terSj which arc highly entertaining and 
 
 H 2 
 
148 
 
 interestino; to a father. Now and theft 
 I oblige a friend with a perusal, if the 
 letter contains only amusing anecdotes, 
 and the friend has discretion, which is 
 not the virtue of Mr. H. The Roman 
 poet says, " the curious and inquisitive 
 man is always the blab." It is greatly 
 
 exemplified in . The Hastings tell 
 
 me of two or three gross indiscretions 
 in public conversations on the walks at 
 Cheltenham, which seem to have been 
 one cause of their coolness to him. He 
 has however many virtues, but none, I 
 believe, which are notfacti.se. They do 
 not spring from the rich soil of natural 
 goodness. I have him here twice a day, 
 but I should be quite satisfied with seeing 
 him once in the twenty-four hours. 
 
 The conduct of the Dutchess to the 
 j)Oor persecuted servant of Normandy, 
 merits every praise. I am struck with 
 admiration. Nothino: can more exalt 
 the human cliaracter, nor give more real 
 
149 
 
 dignity. I am happy when I read sucl'r 
 anecdotes. Madame dc GenHs should 
 record it. Accursed be the ionot/c fa- 
 milv, who would plan the destruction of 
 humble innocence, even under their pro- 
 tection as a servant ! 
 
 If Mr. Hastings's business should be 
 concluded by that hour, I shall go to 
 Brighthelmstone at seven to-morrow 
 morning, and shall scarcely return before 
 Wednesday, which will prevent my writ- 
 ing by Tuesday's post, but I hope to 
 epistolize you this day sevemiight. Let 
 me have all your commissions. Mr. 
 Elm sly says, that he has a surer con- 
 veyance than Guyon^s, 
 
 I wait for your directions about the 
 other copy of the Views, 
 
 Mrs. Gordon is recovered from her 
 
 bad cold and fever. Mrs. Smith is well. 
 
 They both desire their best compliments^ 
 
 Bon jour, ma tres cherejille^ 
 
 H 3 
 
150 
 
 LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 Brighthelmstone, 
 Wednesday, June T , 17S6,. 
 
 I CAME here^, my dearest Polly^ 
 last Saturday to dinner^ for I was too 
 far exhausted to wait the end of the de- 
 bate on the Rohilla war. It was not 
 finished till eight on the Saturday morn- 
 ing, when Mr. Hastings gained a com- 
 plete victory. I paired off at eleven on 
 priday night, and stepped into my post- 
 chaise before seven on the Saturday. 
 The weather is so very fine, that as the 
 Chamberlain's ofdce does not open in 
 the Whitsun week, I shall not return to 
 Prince's Court till Saturday morning. 
 
 I have the pleasure of your letter of 
 May 3 1 st, and shall write to theDutchess, 
 as you desire, by Friday's post. 
 
151 
 
 I heartily congratulate the Rohan fa- 
 mily on the happy issue of the collier 
 cause, and the public on seeing the end 
 of so tiresome and teasing a business. 
 
 I hope you have before this received 
 the 6th number of Middiman's Views. 
 I have not mentioned it in my letter^ 
 but I shall send the Dutchess a wonder- 
 ful beauty, called an egg grotto. It is 
 to be seen through the magnifying glass 
 at the end, and held up against the sun, 
 I only wait for a safe conveyance, and it 
 vnW be matter of no small pleasure and 
 surprise, I believe. 
 
 Mr. Elmsly has sent me a curious 
 new book, entitled '' La Vie de VoU 
 taire'' The title-page has " a Geneve, 
 1786." There are many interesting 
 anecdotes, some not favourable to Ma- 
 dame de Genlis. I suppose you have 
 seen it, or I would have transcribed these 
 particulars. 
 
 H 4 
 
152 
 
 Susan's letter to her brother shall cer- 
 tainly go in a frank by Saturday night's 
 post. 
 
 Lord Mansfield and Mr, Forth are 
 drolly coupled as giving letters to Ma- 
 dame de Genlis. The peer is really 
 most dangerously ill — The Duke of Nor- 
 thumberland still lives. 
 
 The Steine here is quite spoiled by 
 the number of red-brick houses, which 
 almost entirely exclude the view of the 
 corn-fields and the downs. 
 
 I wish you could have some of our 
 mackerel, soles, brills, shrimps, &c. &c. 
 which are in high perfection. 
 
 Adieu [ 
 
153 
 
 LETTER XXXVIII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, June 13^ 1/86. 
 
 Your box, my dearest Polly, 
 which brought me the obliging present 
 of an elegant cup and saucer, will take 
 back the egg grotto for your friend the 
 excellent Dutchess, and I believe it will 
 charm wonderfully, provided there should 
 be sunshine, and the magnifying glass is 
 kept to the eye. 
 
 Many thanks for all the f)icees on a 
 late affair. I will imitate your prudence, 
 and make no remarks ; but I am infi- 
 nitely curious about the minutiae of an 
 affair which interests all Europe, and in 
 which the seeds of all jurisprudence are 
 included. 
 
 I returned here on Saturday morning^, 
 
 H 5 
 
154 
 
 The weather was so fine at Brighthelm- 
 stone, that as the Chamberlain's office ^ 
 was shut for the whole week, I did not 
 return to the capital till the end of it, by 
 which I avoided, like an old soldier, all 
 the teasing business of the new excise 
 on wine, and objections might have 
 otherwise been had against me on the 
 very near Midsummer-day. 
 
 I sent Mrs. Swinburne a noble present 
 of fish and mutton from Brighthelm- 
 stone, and wrote to her by the post. 
 This morning, on my return to town 
 from Kensington Gore, I called in Blen- 
 heim Street,, but she was from home, 
 and he in Yorkshire. Her son has been 
 here, and brought three letters, which I 
 shall send by the first opportunity, and 
 some curious prints, of which I beg 
 your acceptance. 
 
 I have not yet received the Marquis 
 de Ckastelliix'i l^oi/ageSy nor De la 
 
155 
 
 Lande. Be so good to send me 
 ^' Amusement du Sultan^ estampe de 14 
 ponces sur 18, No» ig, au deiixiane, dans 
 les iioiweaux hatimens du Palais Royal, 
 Prix 18 Hires y 
 
 I shall send Hannah this morning to 
 execute your commissions, and they will 
 come in the next packet. 
 
 You acted with your usual propriety 
 respecting Mr. and Mrs. B-k-r, and they 
 very absurdly. The idea of their settling 
 so far off as Nancy in the present unsettled 
 state of their affairs seems very strange, 
 while negotiations of an important, pe- 
 cuniary nature are stil] carrying on. I 
 rank them in the same class with the rest 
 of the relations of the family, and say 
 with La Chapelle to his friend Mo- 
 reau, 
 
 Oui, Moreau, ma fa(joii de vivre 
 Est du voir pen d'honnetes gens, 
 Et prier Dieu qu'il me delivre 
 Sur-tout de messieurs mes parens. 
 
 ■^. 
 
150 
 
 I hope you admired the fine writing 
 of my letter to the Dutchess. 
 
 We expect to pass the night and 
 morning in the House of Commons, on 
 the business of Mr. Hastings. 
 
 I wish you to subscribe for the Jour- 
 nal de Paris, and I will be at the expense 
 — I sent your letter immediately to Mr. 
 Paice. 
 
 The quarrels of the A-b-rys and H — 
 tease me^ who am obliged to hear the 
 whole ; and I pity you, who nmst read a 
 long nonsensical letter from him on the 
 occasion, which he shewed me yesterday* 
 He is the most indiscreet man I know, 
 and unfit to see any confidential letters. 
 
 I am sorry my friend George Pitt 
 sliould neglect thepetite morale so much. 
 It is certainly of more consequence in 
 France than the grande morale. Your 
 conduct would strike the French still 
 
157 
 
 more than the English, notwithstanding 
 the particular of the day. 
 
 I wish you to tell the good Dutchess 
 that I received the letter with which she 
 honoured Mr. Filistry, the young Italian 
 poet. I have likewise been at his miser- 
 able lodgings in Little Suffolk Street. 
 His object is, to be patronized as a su- 
 perior Italian poet. I beg you to say 
 that I will do him what services I can, 
 but I fear they must be trifling. 
 
 Monsieur Chambellan is set out, and 
 Le Comte de Kageneck goes to Brussels 
 in about a week — Monsieur Barthelemi 
 set off yesterday for a fortnight's tour to 
 the North with the President De Viry. 
 
 All the Pj'inces Courtiers are well, and 
 send you many compliments, so do the 
 Hastings's. 
 
 My dearest daughter, honjour^ 
 
158 
 
 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday^ June l6, 1786. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 After the surprising revolu- 
 tion on Tuesday in Mr. Hastings's busi- 
 ness, you will naturally imagine how 
 much occupied my friendship for that 
 gentleman, and my firm persuasion of 
 his innocence, has been in his service. 
 After the ^rst charge had been voted 
 unfounded, and it was brought forwards 
 Jirst avowedly by Burke and Fox as the 
 clearest and most enormous, no man en- 
 tertained the idea that a second charge, 
 unproved and of less moment, could 
 have been supported. I paired off at 
 ten with Merionethshire Vaughan, and 
 therefore did not hear Pitt's speech, but 
 I understand the beginning and middle 
 
159 
 
 were rather a fulsome panegyTic of Mr. 
 Hastings, and the end a furious attack 
 on him for extortion, which is not the 
 charge. He is therefore by the Commit- 
 tee to be reported that he should be im- 
 peached for a crime, with which he has 
 not been charged, but I hope the House 
 will negative such absurd proceedings. 
 The Solicitor General^ and several others, 
 having no suspicion of what was to hap- 
 pen, were gone, as well as Mr. W. The 
 treachery in this business I dare not de- 
 velope, yet I think it will end, in a few 
 months, in the downfall of the present 
 powers. Pitt acknowledged not only the 
 rebellious intentions of Cheit Sing, but 
 the overt acts, yet afterwards talked of 
 extortion, for the necessities of the state, 
 against a man, who had forfeited his life 
 and all. I went to see Mr. Hastings on 
 the Wednesday, and sat a long time 
 with him. He still rises superior to the 
 
i6o 
 
 fection^ but she is timid and low-spi- 
 rited. 
 
 I hope you received the packet with 
 Mrs. Gordon's letter, &c. &c. Yester- 
 day I sent you a variety of prints^ of 
 which I desire your acceptance. Those 
 of Johnson and Boswell are excellent. 
 I should however have said, that the 
 print of the Princess Sophia I designed 
 for the Dutchess. The same packet 
 contains several letters, the needles, and 
 scissars : I wait to hear of their being re- 
 ceived before I send the handkerchiefs, 
 which are ready. I am embarrassed 
 about the egg grotto, and believe it must 
 wait for Mrs. Swinburne, whom I saw 
 yesterday, and Mademoiselle D'Eon, 
 &c. in Blenheim Street. 
 
 A dead calm in the city, and a pro- 
 spect of its continuing, at least till after 
 Midsummer- day. 
 
 I desire to be affectionately remember- 
 
l6l 
 
 ed to ihe Baron and Madame d'llolbach, 
 and to Madame Helvetiiis. 
 
 Three or four new prints have appear- 
 ed on the old subject, and a family scene 
 or two, in Grosvenor Square, but they 
 are 7s, 6d. each, which I thought too 
 extravagant. 
 
 The hay-harvest Is very abundant, and 
 fine weather to get it in. India stock 
 has fallen five per cent., and the other 
 stocks rather drooping, but my stock of 
 affection to my dear daughter rises 
 daily. 
 
 Adieu * 
 
l62 
 
 LETTER XL, 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, June 20, 17S6. 
 
 No, my dearest Polly, it is 
 impossible that your letters can be too 
 frequent, or unentertaining, and I am 
 greatly obliged by their frequency. You 
 have a fine iield before you, and you cul- 
 tivate it, C071 diligenza, con studio^ con 
 amove, 
 
 I am to seek the mot of the enigma 
 about the Prince of Conde, which pro- 
 bably ought not to be trusted to the 
 post. — I was heartily sorry to dash the 
 cup of joy on the first success of Mr, 
 Hastings by the particulars of the se- 
 ond business. Friday next I hope will 
 
 C' 
 
l63 
 
 bring complete satisfaction. My only 
 alarm is the postponing the other 
 charges to the next session, and his 
 being kept in hot water so long a time. 
 That business will probably prevent my 
 writing on Friday, but on Thursday I 
 shall send a large letter^ or rather packet, 
 from Mrs. Gordon, and the handker- 
 chiefs which you desired. By Tuesday's 
 post you will have the full account of the 
 East Indian business, and of Midsummer- 
 day, which I believe will pass very quietly 
 after a few fine speeches. 
 
 Our neighbourhood is much incom- 
 moded by the silly pomp at Northum* 
 berland House, which is to finish to- 
 morrow. The show has been by tickets. 
 I sent mine to Mrs. Swinburne, with 
 which she was much pleased. 
 
 Your last letter is dated June ]4til. 
 I have not yet that by Captain Wilmot. 
 
 I rejoice that Madame dc Chanterems 
 
J 64 
 
 is able to make the excursion which you 
 
 mention. I hope it will be propitious to 
 
 her health. Pray assure her of my great 
 
 regard. * 
 
 Alderman Peckham has resigned^ and 
 
 we give him 36o/. a year for life, or till 
 he is otherwise provided for : a noble 
 provision ! My friend George Macau- 
 Jay succeeds. One vote for D-rnf-rd 
 — At the Society for propagating the 
 Gospel, D-rnf-rd was black-balled twen- 
 ty-six to three white ; the three white, 
 his son and two nephew^s. 
 
 I have carefully put by all your Mer^ 
 cures and Bulletins, as well as the Leiden 
 Gazettes. 
 
 Monsieur de Vergennes's marrying a 
 Greek is a singularity, from the strong 
 national prejudices of the French. He 
 must possess a strong mind. The revo- 
 lutions in Sweden and America are ef- 
 forts of his genius in the opposite ex- 
 
\65 
 
 tremCj'anJ equally beneficial to his coun* 
 try, France. 
 
 I sent IN'Irs. Cosway a liaunch of 
 venison. 
 
 ' Adieu ! 
 
 LETTER XLI. 
 
 Prince's Courts 
 Friday, June 23, 17S6, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 I MUCH feared, from the hurry 
 of Parliament and city business, that I 
 should not have been able to pay my 
 compliments to you by this post, but a 
 very early hour of this morning has 
 given me a quarter of an hour's leisure. 
 Yesterday I was favoured with your 
 letter of the ISth^, and the day before 
 
i6G 
 
 I ^received that by Captain Wilmot, the 
 waistcoat, and all the books in good 
 order. The embroidery of the waist- 
 coat is in perfect taste, but the ground 
 is^rave enough for an Alderman. Ac- 
 cept many thanks for it, and the care of 
 all the articles. Numa Pompilhis is 
 beautifully printed. The merit of the 
 work I do not know, but I love Florian 
 as an author. 
 
 I was much embarrassed by a note 
 from Baron de Wessenberg, which goes 
 in this day's packet by the diligence. On 
 a full explanation with the Baron and 
 James, the parcel which the Baron has 
 for you, contains only the books from 
 Elm sly. The Baron leaves us next 
 Monday. The packet has a letter from 
 Mrs. Motte, some handkerchiefs, he. 
 
 Mr. Wright has declared, that he will 
 nominate Sir Watkin to-morrow as 
 Chamberlain. All my friends laugh at 
 
1(5; 
 
 the idea. Sir Watkin does not, openly 
 at least, lend himself to it. I have 
 taken pains to have a great appearance, 
 and I believe the whole will pass as usual, 
 after a few wise speeches from the Au- 
 ditors, &c. 
 
 The business of Mr. Hastings will be 
 postponed by a particular Bill till next 
 sessions ; an event which I have long ex- 
 pected, but could not persuade Major 
 Scott to believe. 
 
 God has not given the Baron much 
 understanding ; but in lieu of it, he has 
 an enormous sotte.vanite oi his own pro-' 
 curing, which disgusts the Dutchess, 
 but only amuses me, and I pardon every 
 thii:ig in consideration of his excessive 
 good-nature*, the first and most amiable 
 of companionable qualities. 
 
 I dined yesterday very agreeably with 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Boswell, a 
 Miss E — , good-humoured and greasy, 
 
l6» 
 
 Andrews, Sec They all inquired much 
 after you, and desired many compli- 
 ments* Every thing moves there as 
 usual, in an easy and elegant style. 
 
 The weather has heen very gloomy 
 for several days, with much rain, but the 
 crops of hay have been well got in, and 
 are verv abundant. I understand that 
 it is not so, neither in Flanders, nor 
 Holland. 
 
 The servants are all very orderly, and 
 send their duty ; but I believe they wish 
 your return, as does their master. 
 
 I glory in the vigour of our govern- 
 ment for all the circumstances attending 
 the prompt execution of Fitzgerald for 
 that foul murder. 
 
 D'Eon is returned from the country 
 in high spirits. 
 
 A change of ministry in a month is 
 much talked of, generally supposed in 
 favour of Lord Lansdowne, but a coali- 
 
169 
 
 fion between Fox and Pitt is likewise 
 suspected, from their late mutual for- 
 bearance — Pitt is spoken of with great 
 severity on account of the vote against 
 Mr. Hastings, the most illogical conclu- 
 sion from the most logical premises — 
 Aubery has alarming fits of giddiness. 
 
 Mr. Swinburne is still in the North, 
 and no day mentioned for his return. 
 
 I have bought here la premiere livrai^ 
 son de la Galerie du Palais RoyaL Be 
 so good to get me la deuxieme livraisoii. 
 It costs twelve livres. It should come by 
 a private hand, to save the enormous duty 
 on prints, or you may put it among your 
 baggage. 
 
 My dearest Polly, adieu. 
 
 VOL. III. 
 
170 
 
 LEITER XLir. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, June 27, 1785. 
 
 I HAVE the satisfaction, my 
 dearest Polly, of announcing to you the 
 perfect success of the Chamberlain at 
 Midsummer. No opposition of any kind. 
 Every hand was held up for me. I made 
 a speech, which was highly applauded, 
 and indeed it was iirm, collected, and 
 spirited. After my re-election, I thank- 
 ed the livery in v/arm and animated ex- 
 
 pressions. certainly wished 
 
 to trip up my heels, but I stood too firm. 
 He maintains his old character of being- 
 faithless and foolish. I had taken no 
 small pains to obtain a great attendance 
 of my friends, who were indeed very 
 hearty in the cause ; and at no time have 
 
1/1 
 
 I found the people more zealous in iny 
 support. This is a most pleasing reflec- 
 tion to me ; for it has settled on the 
 firmest foundation, for the rest of my 
 life, the honourable rank which I now 
 hold in the metropolis of my country. 
 
 The contest of the Auditors is a m:it 
 ter of mere amusement, in which I take 
 no part. 
 
 The second part of the Picturesque 
 Beauties of Bosivell was published yester- 
 day, and is still better than the first. I 
 shall send it to you on Thursday morn- 
 ing, with the remainder of your hand- 
 kerchiefs, &c. &c. 
 
 I have the favour of your letter of the 
 22d, and am much concerned at the 
 good Dutchess's indisposition : I beg 
 you to assure her of the tender part I 
 take in it, and of my warm wishes for her 
 speedy recovery. 
 
 I -2 
 
172 
 
 Yesterday I gave a venison dinner to 
 Sir Charles Banbury, and Messrs. Jekyl, 
 Gordon^ Penn, Vauglian, Boswell, and 
 Mainwaring. The members were chance- 
 customers, allured by the flavour of the 
 venison, v/hich they scented from afar. 
 It was a cheerful day, but we all regretted 
 your absence. 
 
 The weather has been for several days 
 rainy and sultry. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hastings arc both de- 
 lighted with Beaumont Lodge. Last 
 night they returned to town. We have 
 strong invitations to the Lodge. — Heaton 
 was not at Guildhall on Saturdav ! It is 
 expected that the Parliament will be pro- 
 rogued at the end of the next week. 
 My colleague, Mr. Main wearing, is be- 
 come the subject of much popular abuse 
 on account of the Lottery bill, which is 
 approved by all men of sense. 
 
Your account of Miidanie La Motte 
 flTiinsed me exceedingly. So much for 
 the House of Valois ! 
 
 I liave sent your bounty to Burt's 
 family. 
 
 H. shewed me your letter to him. I 
 selected two of yonrs^ which I carefully 
 perused first above stairs, and then let 
 him rracU 
 
 Adieu ! " 
 
 LETTER XLIIL 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, June 30, 1/8(5. 
 
 I WAS highly pleased, my dear- 
 est Polly, that I had an op[)ortunity yes- 
 terday of giving you so great an enter- 
 
 I 3 
 
174 
 
 talnment as the Second Part of the Pic- 
 turesque Beauties of BosivelL The Jirst 
 you admired ; the second will please you 
 still more, for it has still greater merit, 
 contrary to the received idea, and it is a 
 just one, of almost all second parts. 
 
 I have just now the favour of your 
 letter of the 27 th, and I am happ}- that 
 the G:ood Dutchess is so far recovered : 
 I hope her perfect cure is not far distant. 
 By the last post I sent you all the detail 
 of Midsummer-day, and its propitious 
 conclusion for the Chamberlain. 
 
 I received the Mercure, No. 24, yester- 
 day, the Leiden Gazettes^ which are ex- 
 ceedingly curious, and four numbers of 
 the Journal de Paris, which are sad trash, 
 and I think not worth continuing beyond 
 the present abonnement. I forgot to 
 mention the good Dutchess's letter, which 
 is in the highest degree obliging. 
 
 I will not fail to communicate to Mrs. 
 5 
 
175 
 
 Swinburne a piece of intelligence so in- 
 teresting to her, as the repeal of the 
 edict respecting carriages, 
 
 I am sorry for the King of France's 
 journey to Cherburg. It shews an at- 
 tention to the marine, which, as an Eng- 
 lishman, I wish he did not possess. 
 
 I shall certainly get acquainted with 
 Cagliostro, but I have heard nothing of 
 him yet at London. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Necker have all the 
 Swiss pride and ill-breeding, but they 
 are distinguished enough for you to wish 
 being acquainted with them, as well as 
 the ugly Ambassadress*. 
 
 * Why is the reserve of Necker attributed to 
 pride ? Mr. Wilkes's good-nature might have af- 
 forded him a more natural solution To seek too 
 an acquaintance with those whom we dislike, 
 merely because they are distinguished, is not, per- 
 haps, consonant either to the petite or the grande 
 morale.'-^EDiT, 
 
 I 4 
 
J76 
 
 What an eternal, stunning afaruni 
 
 belongs to the lady in Street ! 
 
 She has however a little smattering of 
 knowledge and taste, but a very small 
 portion of wit. She sunk us all last 
 week into a deadly lassitude. He escaped 
 it by being in the North ; but use may 
 have reconciled him to it, as it does a 
 miller to his mill. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
1/7 
 
 LETTER XLIV. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, July -1, 1786., 
 
 Yesterday morninG: I receiv- 
 ed^ my dearest Polly, the favour of your 
 letter, and the three prii]t§» -'That of 
 L' Amour Ramoneur is truly whimsical^ 
 and the female figure interesting. Soon 
 after came the Mercurc, &c. with Cagli- 
 ostro's new Memoire; for all which I thank 
 you very much. 
 
 I was yesterday at the Cosways', Mrs. 
 Cosway said smilingly, "^ Miss Wilkes 
 has forgot me, Mr. Wilkes, but you have 
 not." I had sent her a line haunch of 
 venison. She put me in mmd of a pro- 
 mise to breakfast there, and wanted much 
 to send you something. I found it was 
 a drawing to be taken of me^ but I evaded 
 
 I 5 
 
178 
 
 it, by referring her to Buffon's HIstoire 
 Naturelle, where was a great likeness of 
 me among the Sapajous and the Sagouins» 
 He has lately done some very pleasing 
 things-.^ 
 
 Mr. Swinburne is returned from the 
 North in improved health. That family 
 intend to leave London on Thursday 
 sevennight, and' go to Paris by Bright- 
 helmstone and Dieppe. I shall send the 
 Dutchess the egg -grotto by them. 
 
 To-morrow I give a turtle to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hastings, Mademoiselle D'Eon, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Swinburne, Mrs. Motte, 
 Major Scott, and Mr. Rigby; when I am 
 «ure we shall not forget libations to your 
 health. 
 
 Lord Rodney talks of impeaching Lord 
 Lansdowne for giving up the letters and 
 documents in his office, which proved the 
 guilt of many British subjects at St. Eu- 
 sUitius^ who are now suing him, as no 
 
K9 
 
 proof remains against them. There are 
 ninety actions against him, and he told 
 me that he should soon be 200,000/. 
 worse than nothing. He talks likewise 
 of suing Lord Lansdovvne for damages to 
 the amount of 500,000/. AJl this seems 
 very strange, and I see no relief tut by 
 an Act of Parliament in the next session, 
 I send you Rodney's curious affidavits. 
 
 Sir William B and CaptainM = 
 
 have given up housekeeping at Lisle, 
 and are gone into lodgings, though with- 
 out any formal quarrel ; yet separate 
 lodgings. The Captain is come on a 
 visit to England for a short time. Mrs. 
 
 M , Miss, and the Captain, are now 
 
 at No. 48, CharingCross ; bat the Captain 
 chooses not to appear, I think he is 
 more trifling and silly than ten years ago. 
 The father returned with the Capt^m, 
 and a variety of negotiations are carrv.ng 
 on in that distracted family. Lady Cler- 
 
 I 
 
18a 
 
 mont has received the ring and letter by 
 Mrs. Hubbard. 
 
 Adleit! 
 
 The sale of the Portland Museum end- 
 ed on the 7th of June. The Barberini 
 vase sold for QOO guineas ; the Jupiter 
 Serapis, cut out of green basaltes, for 
 3 65 guineas ; the Augustus Caesar^ a 
 cameo onyx^ for 225 guineas ; the works 
 of Hollar in ] 3 folio volumes^ 385/. ; and 
 Henry VI. 's missal 213/. 3s. I did not 
 purchase a single article, and indeed only 
 longed for one^ and for you. 
 
181 
 
 LE^ITER XLV. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, July 11, 178^, 
 
 1 WAS SO exceedingly hurried, 
 my dearest Polly, the latter end of the 
 last week, that I found it impossible to 
 give you the detail of my turtle dinner. 
 La Chevaliere D'Eon was prevented 
 coming from the reason you will find in 
 her billet to me, which I sent to you by 
 the diligence. Mrs. Hastings was ill, 
 and Rigby in the country; so that all our 
 company consisted of Mr. and Mrs, 
 Swinburne, Mr, Hastings, Major Scott, 
 and Alderman Newnham. The dinner 
 was complete, all dressed by Jey, with 
 a little help of Newcombe and a maid, 
 except the turtle; the bill of fare from 
 the London Tavern — a de&sert of ices, 
 &c» &c. 
 
18'2 
 
 I went with D'Eon, and his French 
 friends, and some English ladies, by the 
 Prince's invitation, to see Carlton House. 
 I was highly pleased, bat none of the 
 Prince's people had the attention to offer 
 us fruit, or ices, or creams, or cho- 
 colate, although we were near four hours 
 in the house and gardens. I was much 
 struck and hurt at the omission of what 
 would have been offered in almost every 
 nobleman's and gentleman's house in the 
 kingdom. The Prince was at home, but 
 did not appear. D'Eon's friends will tell 
 this in France not to our advantage, and 
 they will repeat with a sneer the famous 
 words of Lord Bolingbrpke^-.'^i-c'e.?^ une 
 famille si bourgeoise, qtie- fe^irone nverae 
 ne la pent ci/moblir.''' It is however 
 chiefiy the fault of Weltje^'^. 
 
 * Whatsoever other charge, justly or unjustly, 
 be whispered against the noble personage alluded 
 to, that he possesses " t esprit bourgeois ,'' is that 
 which can be made with least foundation. — Edit. 
 
183 
 
 Tattersall yesterday advertised all the 
 Prince's horses, not only race-horses, 
 but coach -horses, saddle-horses, &c. &c. 
 
 Cagliostro lodges in Sloane Street, 
 Brompton, at Swinton's, the author of 
 the Courier de V Europe, I have not yet 
 seen him. Count Nesselrod is here in 
 his way to Petersburgh, but stays a 
 month or six weeks. The Countess is 
 dead, and has left him only one boy, 
 I am sorry to have lost her, and what is 
 more, so is he. 
 
 Many thanks for your two letters of the 
 4th and 0th, which I received together, 
 and I sent yours to Mrs. Cosway. I un- 
 derstand that the Duke of Orleans comes 
 to Brighthelmstone races, without com- 
 ing to London, and that immediately on 
 his return Mr. and Mrs. Cosway make 
 a short tour to Paris ; but 1 will soon 
 
 let you know more. Mrs. is 
 
 veiy indiscreet, and therefore I rejoice 
 
184 
 
 at the delay of her coming- to France, 
 not being interested about Mrs. Susan : 
 some of my friends looked grave at all 
 her talk of the idle hoij minister — and 
 even her husband. I have once seen 
 Mr. Paice in a great hurry at Guildhall. 
 He came to recommend a Hannah 
 Noaks, a widow of sixty-nine, a second 
 cousin of Sir Isaac Newton's, to the 
 vacancy in Lady Dacre's alms-houses. 
 He is well. 
 
 I am very glad that you paid your 
 compliments to the Marcchal de Biron, 
 a great character, and the true pride of 
 nobility, seeking to do generous, splen- 
 did actions. He stands almost alone in 
 this respect in our age. 
 
 I have read Cagliostro's Memoire con- 
 tre Mad. Chesnon, et le Sieiir de Launay ; 
 and I think it the clearest, the most con- 
 vincing, and best-drawn piece, which 
 has appeared since the beginning of the 
 
CoUier business. I :^llOukl be glad ta 
 have the answers of Chesnon and De 
 Launay, if any appear. I shall think 
 Cagliostro an idiot, if he returns to 
 France, after the last Memoire. 
 
 I reiraled Miss Smith and Mrs. Gor- 
 don, each with a good bason of turtle. 
 
 The servants all behave well, and are 
 very orderly. They desire their duty. 
 
 I beg the favour of you to purchase 
 for me a couple of small groups of the 
 Seve biscuit. The subjects I leave to 
 you, and should be glad that you would 
 have them packed separately, and bring 
 them with you, and let them take their 
 chance at Dover. I wish likewise for 
 the best collection of French maps, I 
 do not limit the price, but desire they 
 may not exceed one volume in 4to. 
 Dornford is to be a candidate to-day 
 for the vacant sheriffalty. 
 
 I can give you a bon mot of a servant- 
 
186 
 
 XtYdid Still better than ^^ les cpreuvcs 
 avant la lettre.'* The Conway lately 
 married, looking out for a ready-fur- 
 nished house, saw a pretty servant-maid, 
 whom he asked, " if she was to be let 
 too, as well as the house?" — She an- 
 swered, ^' No, Sir, I am to be let alone." 
 Whichever way you construe it, I never 
 heard a truer piece of wit. Mackintosh'^ 
 book is unknown to me. 
 
 LETTER XLVI. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, July 14, l^sa. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 Yesterday I received the fa- 
 vour of your letter of the 1 0th, and I 
 am not a little concerned at the indis- 
 position of the good Dutchess^ on both 
 
187 
 
 your accounts. These f^'quent returns 
 are not a little alarming at her advanced 
 age. 
 
 The whole conversation here turns on 
 the late extraordinary measure of the 
 
 P of W . The letter to him 
 
 is said to be very strong, and to have 
 originated from a loss at Brookes's. I 
 hate affectation ; why then is Tattersall 
 to advertise coach-horses, saddle, and 
 hacks ? The Newmarket stud, it is very- 
 proper, should be given up. A prince, 
 no less than a private nobleman or gen- 
 tleman, may be ruined there; but it is 
 meant to have coach-horses, saddle- 
 horses, &c. I would not tax the people 
 30,000/. a year, to divide among the 
 black-legs at Newmarket, nor vote a 
 subsidy of 50,000/. for the sharpers at 
 Brookes's, but I would maintain the 
 Heir A^pparent in splendour and dignity. 
 The step of the P has made no 
 
18S 
 
 great sensation. Patrick Cawdron and 
 
 his man were in possession at C 
 
 House^ under an execution for 6oo/^ 
 The possession continued for two days. 
 
 The P stormed and swore, though^ 
 
 as the man owned, more from vexation 
 
 than anger* Colonel L threatened 
 
 to throw Cawdron's man out of the win- 
 dow » Cawdron said, that he acted ac- 
 cording to law^ and the man should stay j 
 the man was threatened ineffectually with 
 having his bones broke, &c. &c. At 
 length a Mr. J-nn-ngs was sent for ; and 
 
 at last, on the P and Mr. J-nn-ngs 
 
 giving their honour that the money 
 should be paid in three days, the man 
 was withdrawn. The money is paid. 
 The man courted the blows and the 
 breaking his bones, declaring that then 
 his fortune would be made, like the man 
 in Moliere, '^ A few more strokes, Sir, 
 for my large family — a few more, Sir, for 
 
1 89 
 
 my dear wife, who is big with child/' 
 What a subject for caricature! — What a 
 
 lesson for the P ! What vigour 
 
 and energy in our laws ! — To a Dauphin, 
 or a Prince of Asturias, such an event 
 
 was impossible. The P of W , 
 
 Cawdron, Colonel L , J-nn-ngs, 
 
 and a bailiif 's follower : what a noble 
 group ! Cawdron himself gave me the 
 account. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Swinburne, and Mr. 
 and Mrs. Cosway, intend setting out 
 for Paris on Sunday. 
 
 Mr. Aubery has had three fits within 
 the week. 
 
 I remember the excellence of the sta- 
 tues in the gardens at Versailles, and 
 particularly those of the Bains d'Apollon, 
 and they have done well to preserve them. 
 
 Mr. Molliner has given me a fine 
 chicken turtle, on which, dressed at the 
 London Tavern, venison^ &c. I regale 
 
Monsieur Barthelemi, and the CountvS 
 of Woronzow and Nesselrod^ at Ken- 
 sington Gore, and the servants from 
 Prince's Court to attend. 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne and the little folks 
 have been here since I v^rote the above, 
 and Mr. Swinburne followed them. 
 The party continues fixed for Sunday. 
 Mr. S. dines with me to-morrow at Ken- 
 sington Gore. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
'91 
 
 LETTER XLVII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, July 18, 1786. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Cosway set out 
 on Sunday for Brighthelmstone, in their 
 way to Paris, but I suspect very much that 
 the Prince will not permit them to em- 
 bark very soon, and especially as I un- 
 derstand that Mr. Cosway has some 
 things in hand to be finished before his 
 departure. Among the rest I hear of 
 the Prince's picture for the Dutchess de 
 la Valliere. Mrs. Cosway has taken 
 charge of the smelling-bottle, which you 
 desired : — she is truly amiable, and at- 
 taches her friends more and more by her 
 virtues and graces, Mr. and Mrs. 
 
192 
 
 Swinburne are detained liere by the bu- 
 siness which they have to transact with 
 Government. Mr. Sv/. dined with me 
 last Saturday at Kensington Gore, with 
 Monsieur Barthelemi, and the Counts 
 of Woronzow and Nesselrod. I gave 
 them the chicken turtle, dressed at the 
 London Tavern, a haunch of venison, 
 &;c. and was served by James and Samuel 
 from Prince's Court, who behave very 
 well. The day passed very cheerfully, 
 and they all expressed themselves highly 
 delighted. Count de Woronzow is the 
 best Russian I have known, a gentleman 
 and man of parts. 
 
 Yesterday I received yours of the 13 th, 
 and before one, but I have not the par- 
 cel by Lord Northington's servant. 
 
 Mrs. M has sent a letter here for 
 
 you, and says, she is ashamed that she 
 did not write sooner. I believe that fa- 
 
193 1 
 
 mily are still quarrelling in every branch 
 of it, for which I am much concerned. 
 
 Mr. , thank God, goes to Lei- 
 cestershire on Wednesday, till the end 
 of September. He is worse than ever. i 
 
 Last Sunday he came to Kensington \ 
 
 Gore, at twelve, to be ready for dinner ! 
 
 at four. He robs me of that, which 
 not enriches him, and makes me poor 
 indeed ! — He is worse than the dog-star ; 
 but both together overpower. i 
 
 Mr. Rigby has just sent me a fine ' 
 
 haunch of venison, which I wish I could ' 
 
 transfer to you at Paris. i 
 
 Mr. lost his election for She- 
 riff, and Alderman Le Mesurier is chosen 
 w^ith Mr. Higgins. I believe the plan 
 was to have had Tomlins Under-sheriff. 
 He is much hurt on the occasion. 
 
 I cannot bring myself to believe a 
 syllable of the bomie foi de part et 
 d* autre, as to the projected treaty of 
 
 VOL, III, K 
 
194 
 
 commerce*. I doubt it on both sides, 
 from the over-reaching principle of all 
 trade and commerce. Good faith and 
 sincerity have not hitherto been the dis- 
 tinguishing virtues of our neighbours. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 * The quotation of the late Lord Mansfield (i.e. 
 Lord Stormont) on this subject, is well known : 
 
 *' Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes." 
 
 The event however did justice to Mr. Pitt's SZ* 
 gacity, as well as to his sincerity,— £dit. 
 
195 
 
 LETTER XLVIir. 
 
 Prince's Courts 
 Friday, July 21, 1785. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 I HAVE at last recovered all 
 the things which you sent by Lord 
 Northington's scnant. He very idly 
 went into the country^ and only on his 
 return was I able to recover the parcel 
 by sending to St. James's Place. It is 
 however come very well^ and I thank 
 jou for your care. Yesterday in the 
 afternoon I received your letter, dated 
 the l6th, and the parcel by the dili- 
 gence, containing the Arret dii Parle- 
 7ncnt, Mercitre, &c. 
 
 I saw Mr. Swinburne yesterday, and 
 from delays in the law part of Adminis- 
 tration, lie has again put off liis journey, 
 
 K 2 
 
19^ 
 
 nor can be yet fix a day, to the real grief 
 
 of Madame . I fear the Dutchess 
 
 will not receive the egg-grotto by her 
 birthday, and therefore the prints may 
 be the succedaneum. Mrs. S. has like- 
 wise a parcel for you, containing a letter 
 from Mi^. Molineux, of no consequence, 
 she says ; one to me from Mr. Paice, 
 about your late tenant in Red Lion 
 Court, and what is worth them both, 
 the Trial of Jack Townsend for Crim. 
 Con. with Mrs. Fawkener, the Duke 
 of Devonshire's evidence on the occasion. 
 Sec. &c. I could not take the egg- 
 grotto, nor the parcel, from Mrs. Svv. 
 and she did not offer to return them, 
 as she should have done in the uncertain 
 state of her journey. 
 
 I send you by the diligence, the ge- 
 nuine trial of Fitzgerald, Brecknock, 
 &c. one of the wonderful events of this 
 age; and a letter, which Mrs. Gordon 
 
has just sent here for you from B) fleet. 
 To-morrow I dine in FLirlcy Street with 
 Count Woronzow, and I suppose Count 
 Nesseh'od, Monsieur Bartheleini, &e. 
 
 I wivsh you to state to the Dutehess 
 the cause of the delay about the egg- 
 grotto. In a post or two I mean to send 
 her an excellent print of the Prince of 
 Wales, on satin. It will go in a letter. 
 
 The wise-acres of the City have or- 
 dered the 15,000/. of the Bridge-house 
 cash, which was not a month ago laid 
 out in stock, to be replaced in the Cham- 
 berlain's hands, by the sale of this very 
 stock, on account of the building the 
 Compters, an event which I foresaw 
 and foretold, but claim little sagacity by 
 the prophecy. 
 
 I am glad that you were so well enter- 
 tained at Livrv. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 K 3 
 
igs 
 
 LETTER XLIX. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, July 25, l/SQ. 
 
 I RECEIVED yesterday^ my 
 (karest VoWy, your letter of the 20th 
 instant, and a parcel by the diligence, 
 containing two Mcrcures, the Leiden 
 Gazettes, &:c. &c. ; and I hope the saine 
 day yen had the parcel of Fitzgerald's 
 Trial and Life, and the letter from Byileet. 
 I ])assed an agreeable day with Count 
 Woronzow, Monsieur Barthelemi, and 
 most of the foreis:n ministers. He lives 
 in a great style, and every thing passes 
 in the most perfect order, and with great 
 ease. I am much pleased v/ith his so- 
 ciety, anfl of all the Russians him only 
 I admire. D'Ecn was with us. The 
 Count does not confirm every part of 
 
i99 
 
 the Che val lire's account of her trans- 
 actions in Russia, and denies her ever 
 having been femme da chambrc to the 
 Empress Elizabeth. 
 
 I shall be very glad to see Madame de 
 Warcns's justification. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hastings are just come 
 to town on business. I saw them for a 
 moment at Mrs. Motte's. She looks ill, 
 and complains much. They inquired 
 very affectionately after you. I met 
 George Pitt yesterday, just alighting 
 from his horse at Carlton House, where 
 he was to dine with the Prince of Wales, 
 who came from Brighthelmstone for the 
 day. Mr. Barlhelemi had no commis- 
 sions from France for any of his stud. 
 I greatly admire the propriety of conduct 
 in Louis XVI. during his stay at Cher- 
 burg, but I wish that he had never taken 
 the journey. 
 
 I desire you to assure the good Dut- 
 
 K 4 
 
200 
 
 chess of tlie joy I fed by anticipation for 
 the return of her fete next Friday, and 
 that she has no Gallic friend more sin- 
 cere or more zealous than myself on the 
 occasion, I shall be happy to hear that 
 she has recovered from the natural fa- 
 tigues of such a day. 
 
 The wind has for many days been north 
 and east, and colds very frequent. The 
 number of burials here increased last 
 week 176. I wish for a neat map of the 
 environs of Paris, for three or four leagues 
 only. Is Mrs. Cosway arrived, and 
 where do they lodge ? The French, I 
 believe, will admire her. 
 
 AdieU; my dear daughter. 
 
201 
 
 LETTER L. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, July 28, 1736. 
 
 :^IY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 A VARIETY of reasons make 
 me wish this day passed, and the Dut- 
 chess's delicate state of health not affect- 
 ed by all the tumult and trouble of such 
 a fete. — I received your letter of the 
 23d, and to-morrow I am to see your 
 coachman, and will give directions about 
 his liveiT and frock. He comes here re- 
 gularly, but I have not seen him, even 
 by chance. 
 
 I send the Dutchess by this post a beau- 
 tiful print of the Prince, which I had 
 struck off on satin, and is, I think, a 
 very good likeness of him. It is said 
 tliat all the best horses were bouo-ht in 
 at TattersalFs, except the racers. 
 
 K 5 
 
202 
 
 I am glad that the Cosways are ar- 
 rived^ and desire to be particularly re- 
 membered to them. The Swinburnes 
 are gone to Hampton Court, and have 
 fixed no day even for their return to 
 London. 
 
 I admire the propriety of the Duke 
 d'Uzes's remark. — Mr. Fox disclaims 
 the most distant knowledge, or suspicion, 
 of the late step taken by the Prince. 
 He says, it was done by the Prince im- 
 mediately on receiving the King's letter^ 
 without consulting any pei*son. — TiiQ 
 Prince's friends say, that 1 10,000/. the 
 arrears of the revenue of Cornwall during 
 his minority, are owing to the Prince. 
 Lord Loughborough, and other great 
 men, are cited as legal authorities on this 
 occasion. Lord Mansfield is reported 
 to be gone into opposition, and to coun- 
 tenance the doctrine. 
 
 Hannah has looked every \\ here in the 
 
203 
 
 closet which you mention, and cannot 
 find the lace for the coachman's hat. 
 
 I saw Mrs. Smith yesterday in perfect 
 health, hut complaining of the sultry 
 weather. — London is more deserted than 
 I remember. Weymouth is 1 believe 
 the favourite watering-place of the year. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 LETTER LL 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Aug. 4, l/S6, 
 
 UY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 XiiE robbery of the French 
 mail last Monday near Canterbury makes 
 me uncertain as to the plan of your re- 
 turn^ and I wait wit[i much impatience 
 
 K 6 
 
204 
 
 for all the particulars. I received youn 
 letter of July 27 by the post^ and the 
 little billet of July 28 by the diligence. 
 I rejoice that your French tour is draw- 
 ing to an end, and I shall be most happy 
 to receive you in Prince's Court. Hannah 
 and James shall attend your orders. 
 
 The conversation of this capital turns 
 now from the Prince to the King, on the 
 wicked attempt of Wednesday; but as 
 I can give you no other particulars than 
 what you will read in the papers, I shall 
 not dwell on a subject so full of horror, 
 not in the manners of this people, al- 
 though so frequent among our polite 
 neighbours. The Common Council ad- 
 dress on this occasion next Tuesday, and 
 I shall give the Lord Mayor something, 
 which I have prepared on the subject. 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne was here yesterday, 
 and expects to have the ministerial busi- 
 ness settled to-morrow^ and in a day or 
 
205 
 
 two after to set out for Paris by the way 
 of Brighthelmstone. All this however 
 depends on the pleasure of Mr. Attorney 
 General. 
 
 Margaret Nicholson it is now supposed 
 will be arraigned at the Old Bailey on the 
 30th instant. The counsel will of course 
 plead her being insane. That fact will 
 be tried by a jury, and if established, she 
 will be confined for life, not executed, as 
 Damien was, and ought not to have 
 been. The summons to the Common 
 Council express, '^ to congratulate his 
 Majesty upon his providential escape, in 
 the late wicked attempt against his Ma- 
 jesty's life." 
 
 I am quite charmed with the two 
 prints of Regnault, and wish for any 
 others in the same style. I beg you to 
 bring with you the last edition in l2mo. 
 of '^ ^Ibbe de Lisle s translation of Plrgil's 
 Georgics,'" and ^^ the 2ijth and 30th 
 
2o6 
 
 volumes of Able Garniej-'s Histoire de 
 France, commencee par Velli ^ Villaret^ 
 in \1mor chez Nyon, libraire, rue dii 
 Jardinet, which costs six livres, and four 
 bottles of theDutchess's Fleurs d'Orange, 
 which I desire you to pay the Maitre 
 d'Hotel for. They will be allowed you 
 as stores at Dover. 
 
 I saw yesterday on a door in Sloane 
 Street between Brompton and Kensing- 
 ton^ Comte de Cagliostro, No. 4, and 
 No, 5 is Mr. Smnton. — There are letters 
 in town, which mention Mrs. H-yl-y's 
 being lately married to a Patrick J-ffr — , 
 one of the raw-boned Milesian race I 
 
 suppose, at which is outrageous^ 
 
 as he says her fortune ought to have 
 come to I 's and his children. Mar- 
 shal Richelieu's song is a model of gaiety ; 
 I have lent it to Mrs. Swinburne. I 
 sent James with the letter to Lady 
 L. H. 5 
 
207 
 
 Mr. Palce gives me good news about 
 your Red Lion Court liouse^ which he 
 intended to write to you by this post. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon wrote at my desire for a 
 house near Windsor till October; but as 
 your return will be protracted beyond 
 what I imagined^ and the period of your 
 return the last tour^ as well as from the 
 uncertainty of the time, I have deserted 
 the idea_, and have no plan for my holy- 
 days, which expire on the 4th of Septem- 
 ber, and v/ill probably pass in Kensington 
 Gardens, or the Parks, or in the environs 
 of the metropolis. It is intended that 
 the Parliament shall meet on Tuesday/, 
 the 1 1 st of November, and 1 believe that 
 I shall not be the least active Member 
 in the next session. 
 
 Captain Montgomery has lost his 
 daughter. He is at present very ill. 
 The season has been very sickly. I am 
 recovering from a violent cold and fever. 
 
208 
 
 of which I complain only to Mr. , 
 
 keep my hair well dressed and powdered, 
 not putting on my hat, and then of course 
 I am complimented on the appearance of 
 health, even youth, &c. Temperance, 
 and moderate exercise, are my only 
 doctors during this rage of Sirius. 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne has just sent the en- 
 closed, which she desires may be imme- 
 diately forwarded to you. 
 
 I rejoice that you have escaped all the 
 sickly influences of the season, and hope 
 that you will bring back to Prince's Court 
 a long-lasting stock of health and spirits. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
tiog 
 LE^ITER LII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Aug. 8, 17SG. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I HEARTILY rcjoice that the 
 fete of the good Dutchess is past. It 
 passed as I expected, very magnificent 
 and very melancholy, nor could it he 
 otherwise when the guardian angel was 
 ill and absent from the festive tables. 
 The state of her health for the last 
 three months, and twenty other rea- 
 sons, will confirm to me, that any strong 
 present'nnent is founded, whence arisen I 
 know not, but ahvays to be attended to, 
 as Socrates did to the whispers of his 
 good genius. With all these ideas, I 
 am certainly the least superstitious of 
 men, but I never did neHect anv such 
 inward warnings of futurity. 
 
2]0 
 
 I send you by the diligence tliree new 
 caricatures respecting theP.^two of whlcli 
 are very good, ** Lord North smelling, 
 &c. &c." and a ktter of Hutton. 
 
 Hannah and James I suppose you in- 
 tend should set out together, and I shall 
 send thcin in the Dover diligence, and 
 advance five guineas to each of them ; 
 but I suppose you will give directions to 
 Hannah to pass the water to Calais. 
 
 As to the Seve groups, as the price is 
 «o much beyond my ideas, I wish only 
 for one, and the price of that not to ex- 
 ceed six Louis. If no group pleases 
 you at that price, then I shall be content 
 with a single figure, or two, for that sum. 
 Be so good likewise to buy me a Seve 
 veilleuse, for about two Louis. 
 
 The coachman has his new frock, but 
 nothing else yet, as w^e can find no 
 lace. 
 
^11 
 
 1 wish you to brino: two of the best 
 French wox-candlcs as a spcciinen ; and 
 if any body at Paris woiild undertake to 
 deliver a good quantity at Prince's Court 
 without any risk or trouble, I should not 
 hesitate giving a very good price. 
 
 I should be glad of any new prints of 
 Rigaud in the style of the two last. When 
 Sir Joshua Reynolds was at Kensington 
 Gore, he was much pleased with those 
 the Baron de Castillo gave me. As he is 
 at Paris, he might purchase them before 
 your return. 
 
 I have read the " Memoires de Ma- 
 dame de Warens, et de Claude Aret/' 
 and think them wretched, unentertaining 
 nonsense. If the picture prefixed is like 
 her, I am sure Rousseau has told the 
 truth. Did the print of the Prince ar- 
 rive undamaged, and how much was the 
 postage charged } 
 
 You will be remembered the l6th, 
 
212 
 
 although you pass that day in France.^ — 
 1 am mucli oppressed by the suffocating 
 heat of the dog-days^ but rather better. 
 
 Adieu I 
 
 LETTER LIIL 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Aug. 11, 178^. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 I AM very glad that this is the 
 last opportunity of my writing in conse- 
 quence of what you mention, that you 
 shall set out from Paris next Thursday, 
 the 17th instant. I rejoice that the 
 weather seems at last settled, and I have 
 now only to wish for prosperous winds 
 to waft you over to your native country,^ 
 
•213 
 
 and a good journey to Prince's Court. 
 The days are now of so good a duration, 
 that I hope no consideration will induce 
 you to travel in the dark^ and^ if you 
 find yourself greatly fatigued^ it would 
 be prudent to rest a day or two at Dover. 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne was here yesterday, 
 and cannot fix any time for her de- 
 parture. 
 
 If you are not too much hurried, I 
 beg you to purchase for me the two 
 maps in the printed paper enclosed. 
 
 Hannah has received your letter, and 
 I shall send her and James to Dover next 
 Tuesday morning, the ] 5th, and direct 
 her to get to Calais with all convenient 
 expedition. I have taken so much trou- 
 ble about the egg-grottOy and do not 
 wish to chagrm Mrs. Swinburne, that I 
 do not approve sending it by a servant, 
 and cannot trust it but in hands on 
 which I can rely, for dexterity as well as 
 
214 
 
 safety, or it may become another pretty 
 piece of contrebande. It is besides now 
 a matter of indifference when the Dut- 
 chess receives it, the fete being over. 
 
 If you can contrive six bottles only 
 of the Dutchess's ratafia, and four of the 
 Baron's vin muscat, to take with you to 
 Calais, and leave at Guyon's to come 
 over by a private hand, I should be much 
 pleased, and be so good to thank in my 
 name the generous donors. 
 
 Many thanks for the three prints. 
 The Bain and Lever of Regnaud I had 
 before, the present fram.ed of the Baron. 
 
 I am just returned from St. James's, 
 where the City has been graciously re- 
 ceived. There is only one new Knight, 
 Sir Benjamin Hammett. The Address 
 was not my composition. Mr. Harley 
 attended. 
 
 Jldiaiy ma ch^reJiUe^ hoii voyage. 
 
215 
 
 Chez Dezauche, rue des Noyers.— • 
 Carte Topographique du Diocese de Cou- 
 tances en quatre feuilles, avec les Isles de 
 Jersey, Grenesey, Cers et Aurigny. Les 
 Rochers et Ecueils qui bordent cette 
 Cote ; et les Travaux qui constituent le 
 nouveau Port de Cherbourg, avec une 
 Explication qui y est relative, 5 livres. 
 
 Nouvelle Carte I'Eveche et Principaute 
 de Liege, avec les Pays qui Tavoisinent. 
 Drcssee en 1785, par Dezauche, 1 livre 
 10 sous. 
 
21(3 
 
 LEITER LIV. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday^ August 15^ 1780. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I HAD the pleasure of your 
 letter of the 10th yesterday, and answer 
 it by Hannah, as you desire. She and 
 James are to set out in the mail dili- 
 gence this evening at seven for Dover, 
 and will be there to-morrow morning at 
 seven. I paid two guineas for their 
 places, and they have five guineas each 
 besides. 
 
 I have not seen or heard of Mr. Rotch 
 since, who is, I believe, in London. - 
 
 To-morrow the freeholders of Mid- 
 dlesex meet to address. Yesterday I 
 dined with many of them in great har- 
 
217 
 
 mony at the annual buck-feast in En- 
 field. 
 
 I shall be very curious to see Monsieur 
 le Comte de Morangies's Memoire. The 
 case of the brother and sister is very 
 common in France, wlien known to 
 both parties : in this case it was not 
 known to either. Such a depravity of 
 manners is not suspected in England. 
 
 I thank you for the Life of Voltaire, 
 which I read two months ago. I wrote 
 to you about the passages respecting 
 Madame Genlis. It was a large 8vo. 
 which I read, and still have. The au- 
 thor is, as I hear, Dom Cawdron, a Be- 
 nedictine monk. 
 
 I have seen Airs. S again to- 
 day, and she says, that now she only 
 waits the engrossing and the signature ; 
 but I suspect you will fmd her in Bleu- 
 lieim Street at your return. 
 
 VOL. in. L 
 
218 
 
 Little laughing Guyot dines tete-^- 
 tete with me to-day. Tlie Gordons are 
 both rusticated. 
 
 I have now only to wish you a lucky 
 passage, and a good journey to Prince's 
 Court, and to an affectionate father. 
 
 Adieu ' 
 
 LETTER LV. 
 
 Kensington Gore, 
 Sunday^ July (), 1788, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I HAVE suffered perhaps still 
 more than you from the pain in your 
 stomach. I am particularly uneasy that 
 
219 
 
 it has continued so long, but I hope you 
 can now send me the good news, that 
 it has entirely left you, and I shall then 
 eat my Sunday's dinner in comfort. I 
 beg you not to indulge in any fruit for a 
 day or two. To-morrow morning I shall 
 come in person^ and give you all my 
 medical advice^ as a disciple of Leyden. 
 
 Bon jour y ma tres chcre fille. 
 
 L 3 
 
220 
 
 LETTER LVI. 
 
 Sandharn Cottage^ 
 
 Sunday, Sept. 14th^ 1788, 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I ARRIVED here yesterday af- 
 ternoon at three after a kicky passage of 
 an hour and five minutes. There was 
 very httle wind, and that quite adverse. 
 I therefore hired for 4s. 6d. a wherry 
 with two oars, not larger tiian a Thames 
 boat, and committed myself to our 
 English deity, old Neptune, who favour- 
 ably lieard my prayers. The opposition 
 of a little wind to the tide at high water 
 made the beginning of this long voyage 
 rather rough ; the rest was exceedingly 
 pleasant. 
 
 The preceding evening I lay at Lip- 
 
221 
 
 fiook^ and directed Mrs. Keen to send 
 3'ou this week a fine goose, and a brace 
 of partridges. 
 
 I rode a Welsh poney from Ride to 
 the cottage, and found myself benefited 
 by the exercise. 
 
 The road from Guildford quite to 
 Portsmouth is really enchanting. But I 
 wanted you to enjoy with me these glo- 
 rious scenes of nature. I hope how- 
 ever that the quiet of your present situa- 
 tion has chased away your feveret, and 
 restored you to sweet sleep, nature's 
 best nurse. Pray send me such v/elcome 
 news. 
 
 Methinks I have still before me the 
 wonders of yesterday. 
 
 Ever charming, ever new. 
 The landscape never tires the view^ 
 The verdant meads, the river's flow^ 
 The woody vallies warm and low^ 
 
 L 3 
 
222 
 
 The windy summit, wild and high. 
 Roughly rushing on the skyj 
 The pleasant seat, the ruin'd tower. 
 The naked rock, the shady bower. 
 The town and village, dome and fl^rm,^ 
 Each give each a double charm, > 
 
 } 
 
 As pearls upon an Ethiop's arm. 
 
 See on the mountain's southern side,. 
 Where the prospect opens wide. 
 Where the ev'ning gilds the tide. 
 How close and small the heds-es lie ! 
 What streaks of meadows cross the eye ! 
 A step, methinksj may pass the stream : 
 So little distant dangers seem ; 
 iSo we mistake the future's face, 
 Ey'd through Hope's deluding glass ; 
 As yon' summits soft and fair. 
 Clad in colours of the air. 
 Which, to those who journey near. 
 Barren, brown, and rough appear ; 
 Still we tread the same coarse way; 
 The present 's still a cloudy day. 
 
 Trusty sends his duty. He Improves 
 every day in stature, and a little in fa- 
 vour. 
 
2-23 
 
 Acllcu, my dearest Polly ; continue to 
 love me. 
 
 Ludy Oglander left the enclosed card 
 here on Friday.- 
 
 LETTER LVII. 
 
 Sandham Cottage, 
 Tuesday, Sept. iG, 178S. 
 
 MY DEAREST TOLLY, 
 
 I RETURN you Heath's begging 
 book and letter, of whom I never heard, 
 nor do I believe the siG:nature of Adair 
 to be the hand-writinp- of the Recorder. 
 I thank you for your letter of Satur- 
 day. I am happy that your health so 
 mucli improves, and hope that you give 
 it every attention. 
 
 .L A 
 
!224 
 
 The imurance dees not expire till fif- 
 teen days after Michaelmas^ so that I 
 shall return in full time to regulate th^t 
 business^ both for you and myself. 
 
 I shall rejoice when I hear that you 
 have favourable accounts of your truly 
 good and amiable Dutchess^ who acts 
 to win ail hearts^ and attach them warm- 
 ly to her. 
 
 My great complaint is better. I 
 have drank very little wine, and scarce 
 any coffee. My breakfast is now tea and 
 bread and butter. 
 
 I think the exercise of riding agrees 
 with me. Ride has been my most dis- 
 tant excursion. 
 
 Adieu, m.y dearest daughter, and be- 
 lieve me always very tenderly yours. 
 
225 
 
 LETTER LVIII. 
 
 Sandham Cottage, 
 Thursday, Sept. IB, i;8S, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I AM SO oppressed with one of 
 my crying colds, that I can scarcely see 
 to thank you for your letter of Monday, 
 and the French Bulletins which I shall 
 Return you to-morrow. 
 
 I rejoice to hear that your w^alks have 
 been so beneficial to your health, and I 
 heg you to continue them. 
 
 We have had a good deal of rain, and 
 two storms at south and south-west, 
 but the new room is unhurt, and was 
 farther secured the last week by four 
 strong posts, and cables as large as those 
 ©f a man of war. 
 
 My feathered family are all well, and 
 
 L 5 
 
226 
 
 have regained their liberty ; but there Is 
 a Muley Ismae!^ who tyrannizes over 
 them all^ in a rude marital manner. 
 
 Adieu^ my dearest Polly. 
 
 LETTER LIX. 
 
 Sandham Cottage, 
 Sunday, Sept. 21, 1788. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 We liave had a hurricane and 
 a deluge of rain for the last eight- 
 and-forty hours, which has delayed the 
 post from coming to this corner of the 
 world since Tuesday. You may judge 
 of my impatience to hear of your healthy 
 and my alarms for you in such weather. 
 
227 
 
 I nursed my cold so carefully, that it 
 
 left me at a rather shorter period than 
 
 usual, but was more violent, while it 
 
 lasted. 
 
 '' And is it fix'd in the decrees above. 
 That lofty Albion melt into the main ?" 
 
 says Armstrong, 
 
 If this weather continues, I shall be 
 obliged to hire a vessel, embark on board 
 in this bay, and sail for the Thames, or 
 I shall not be able to dine with you, as I 
 hope, next Sunday. 
 
 The only news I have is that of a coun- 
 try post, that the peacock and hen are 
 become so tame as to roost v/ith the 
 other fowls, and to eat bread in a morn- 
 ing under the parlour window. 
 
 My old friend General Rochfort, Co- 
 lonel Hill, &c. &c. send you many com- 
 pliments. 
 
 Good morrow, my dearest Polly- 
 
 6 
 
228 
 
 I.ETTER LX. 
 
 Sandham Cottage^ 
 Monday, Sept. 22, 17SS, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 The post of this day has been 
 very propitious to me. It brought me 
 the most pleasing news of the improve- 
 ment in your health, and the agreeable 
 circumstance of a rise in the jointure 
 estate in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, 
 without the least hardship on the tenants. 
 I congratulate you upon it. I smiled 
 on casting up the advance, which is ex- 
 actly 45/. a year. I enclose you the 
 papers from James Lee, to whom I write 
 by this post. 
 
 I have ah-eady directed shutters to be 
 
22g 
 
 iTiade to your bedchamber. If you had 
 given the least hint of it, while you were 
 here, Tayler's people had finished them 
 in two days, and you would not have suf- 
 fered the inconvenience you mention. 
 There will likewise be curtains to the 
 windows. 
 
 Your letter to Mrs. Hill at St. Boni- 
 face is dispatched. 
 
 It rained incessantly all yesterday, but 
 to-day the sun shines^ although very 
 waterily. 
 
 I ride every other day, but never more 
 than eight or ten miles. 
 
 Colonel Hill says, that Sir Richard 
 Worsley poisons the air of St. Boniface 
 by smoking there his Greek tobacco, 
 I have not seen the Baronet since my re- 
 turn. I understand that he is gone to 
 Mr. Worsley. 
 
 I leave this island on Saturday morn- 
 
230 
 
 mg, and hope to dine with my dearest 
 daughter next Sunday, and to enjoy the 
 satisfaction of seeing her perfectly re- 
 covered. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 ff^ 
 
 LETTER LXT. 
 
 Thursday, Sept. 25, 1/S8. 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I HAD the favour yesterday of » 
 yours of Monday. It is great satisfac- 
 tion to ine that your health improves 
 daily, and I hope to see you on Sunday 
 without the 7norbiclezza look, which haS; 
 of late prevailed over your delicate fea- 
 tares. 5 
 
231 
 
 This clay is fine, and the country peo- 
 ple prognosticate good weather for some 
 days to come, 
 
 I have ordered my chaise from Ride 
 for Saturday morning at eight, and pro- 
 pose to lie at Liphook, and to dine with 
 my dearest daughter in Prince's Court 
 on Sunday between three and four. 
 
 I wrote to Monsieur Bartlv 'emi, and 
 enclosed him Mr. Paice's pam.phlet. 
 
 The journey you mention to Lisle is 
 among the comicalities of life. 
 
 I continue to get on horseback most 
 days, but my excursion to Ride on Sa- 
 turday will finish my promenades a chcval. 
 for this year. 
 
 My tenderest love to Mademoiselle 
 d'Ey thorn. 
 
 Adieu [ 
 
232 
 
 LETTER LXir. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Nov. 7, 1788.— Three. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I RECEIVED to-day a little be- 
 fore two a Mercure, four Journaux, and 
 a Bulletin. I enclose you the Bulletin. 
 The rest contain nothing interesting. 
 
 I trust that this will arrive in time, 
 and just at the moment of your embark - 
 ing with a favourable wind, for which 1 
 have formed more than wishes. 
 
 Let me know all your own commis- 
 sions, and those of your French friends. 
 I shall have a pleasure in executing them 
 with a punctuality equal to your own, 
 and I am sure nothing can exceed that^ 
 Servants are not to be trusted. 
 
233 
 
 I desire my compHments to Mr. Fee- 
 tor^ and liis very ingenious son. 
 
 The number of the Mercure is 44. I 
 shall lay the Mercures all carefully by 
 for your return. 
 
 The weather continues remarkably fine. 
 It is indeed a beautiful day^ and I hope 
 for a suite of such for some time^ and 
 propitious gales for my beloved daughter. 
 
 AdieUj et hon voyage^ ma chere pciile. 
 
•234 
 
 LETTER LXllI. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 FridnyiNov. 14, 1783. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I AM happy that I can send 
 you a favourable account of the King's 
 illness. His Majesty is much better in 
 every respect, and has enjoyed several 
 hours c]uiet rest, not agitated, nor at in- 
 tervals broken and interrupted, but con- 
 tinued and refreshing. There have been 
 happy intervals of returning recollection, 
 and at three this morning strong hopes 
 were entertained of a perfect recovery. 
 
 Sills, his fishmonger, told me that 
 yesterday he sent to Windsor tv/o chicken 
 turbot, of which the King is remarkably 
 fond, and that they were approved and 
 relished. 
 
235 
 
 1 was glad that your naval cspccl.ilion 
 ended so happily on Tuesday morniug. 
 I received \oiir letter from Dover of 
 Monday night, on Wednesday morning, 
 and from Calais, of Tuesday morning, 
 yesterday. 
 
 Betty and James arrived here at eight 
 this morning, and brought me the pleas- 
 ing conlirmation of your good healtli 
 and spirits. I like the circumstance of 
 your approving the two new F'rench ser- 
 vants, as it will make your journey to 
 Paris so comfortable. 
 
 I have nothing to add about the house 
 in Grosvenor Square till I hear again 
 from Mr. Price. A very dishonourable 
 
 transaction of 's is come out about 
 
 little II House ; but if he can clear 
 
 his title, I shall proceed according to the 
 plan, taking every possible precaution. 
 
 Colonel Gordon is much out of order, 
 and Mrs. Gordon has a very bad cold. 
 
'236 
 
 The Chamberlain is tolerably well. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 It is intended that Parliament should 
 meet on Thursday next^ and imme- 
 diately adjourn. 
 
 LETTER LXI\^ 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tufsday, Nov, 18, 1788. 
 
 MY DEAKEST DAUGHTER^ 
 
 I HAVE nothing interesting to 
 send you by this post. I am assured 
 that the King is better, but his disorder 
 seems very obstinate, and no ph) sician 
 ventures yet to promise his recovery, so^ 
 that every thing remains in obscurity. 
 
237 
 
 We have letters to attend the meeting- 
 of Parliament on Thursday^ but they all 
 mention the circumstance of the King's 
 not being able to prorogue the Parlia- 
 ment before that tim.e^ and say nothing 
 more. 
 
 It is believed that the friends of the 
 Ministers will have a private meeting 
 to-morrow. 
 
 L — called at Kensington Gore on 
 Sunday, but I would not see him, as I 
 liave not vet the result of Mr. Price's 
 inquiries. He left word, that he won- 
 dered I had not yet begun on the house 
 
 in Grosvenor Square, and that he would 
 
 call in Prince's Court on Tuesday or 
 
 Wednesday. 
 
 Mr. Davidson is just arrived. He 
 
 sent me six more grouse^ but they are 
 
 not yet come to hand. 
 
 I have seen Hutton but once since 
 
 you left Prince's Court. 
 
238 
 
 Your account of Betty and James was 
 so favourable^ that I have rewarded them 
 both for their dutiful conduct to my 
 daughter, 
 
 I am most impatient to hear of your 
 safe arrival under the roof of the ex- 
 cellent Dutchess, at whose feet I beg 
 you to lay me, and to say a thousand re- 
 spectful things in my name to the Dut- 
 chess de Chatillon, and to the Princess 
 de Tarente. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
239 
 
 LETTER LXV. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Nov. 21, 17S8, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 1 HAVE not a syllable from 
 you at Paris to this hour, which fills me 
 with anxiety. Yesterday only I received 
 your second letter from Calais, which 
 came by the post. It was dated, like 
 the former, Nov. 11th. 
 
 I sent you on Tuesday the Bulletin of 
 ten that morning. The state of the 
 King's health continues much the same, 
 but he sleeps more, without being re- 
 freshed by it. 
 
 I was yesterday at the House of Com- 
 mons. Mr. Pitt spoke with much dig- 
 nity and grace. 
 
240 
 
 The two Houses v/ere unanimous to 
 adjourn for a fortnight, and to order a 
 call for Dec. 4th, just fourteen days. 
 
 I took possession of my new office 
 as Chamberlain last Tuesday, and I pay 
 the tribute of a vile cold to my rashness. 
 
 I hope your land journey has been at- 
 tended with no inconvenience. 
 
 The Colonel is recovered, and Mrs. 
 Gordon rather better. They both send 
 you many compliments. 
 
 The papers are accurate about the pro- 
 <:eedings of yesterday. I suppose you 
 see them, and therefore I transcribe no- 
 thing. 
 
 Mr. Hastings has been attacked with 
 a violent fever, owing, it is said, to bath- 
 ing in the sea at Weymouth ; but he is 
 much better, and comes to town on 
 Monday. 
 
 George Selwyn has promised me a 
 
241 
 
 coloured print of Madame Sevig72e's cha- 
 teau and gardens. He is going on with 
 a print of those of Grignan. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 LETTER LXVr. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Nov. 25^ 1788> 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 Yesterday was a most pro- 
 pitious day. In the morning Mr. Swin- 
 burne brought me a letter from you, 
 with a parcel, and at night I had another 
 by the common post. The first was 
 dated Nov. 17, the other Nov. l6. T 
 was relieved from the infinite anxiety I 
 
 VOL. III. M 
 
242 
 
 hnve suffered since the account of your 
 arrival at Calais. 
 
 Accept my best thanks for the waist- 
 coat, which is very elegant. 1 have 
 already sent it to Marsellis to be made 
 up, that I may figure away in it, at the 
 next meeting of the Royal Society, at the 
 Monday dinner. 
 
 The King is better. There are inter- 
 vals of returning recollection, and free- 
 dom from fever. A Captain Manners 
 was mentioned. His Majesty said, ^^ Let 
 him come in, he is not only Manners, but 
 good Manners ''' A looking-glass in a pier 
 between two windows had been covered 
 with green cloth, to prevent the King's 
 seeing how greatly he was emaciated. 
 The King asked the reason of the green 
 cloth being put there. The answer was, 
 To prevent the reflection of too much 
 light. His Majesty said, '' How can that 
 be, when it is from the light?" It is talked 
 
243 
 
 that he will soon remove to Kew, and 
 from thence to the Queen's House. 
 The Prince is assiduous in his attendance. 
 
 I am happy to hear of your kind re- 
 ception by the Dutchess, and all her 
 family. I could not doubt it, for it is 
 highly merited. I partake of all the joy 
 that noble family must experience from 
 the late events. 
 
 I shall keep the D.'s letter till your 
 return. 
 
 I shall not communicate any of yours, 
 nor the enclosures, unless on public to- 
 pics, and ostensible. 
 
 I do not yet quite despair about the 
 title to the Grosvenor Square house being 
 made out, although it is highly impro- 
 bable. 
 
 My kitchen was so noisy tlie last week^ 
 that I have put all my servants at 
 board-wages, at half a guinea per week 
 each, since last Saturday; and now a pez*- 
 
24:4 
 
 feet calm reigns below 1 I bid the cooTc 
 tell the coachman of this new regulation. 
 I have sent you by Guyon a letter from 
 Mrs. Hill of the Isle of Wight, a new 
 Calendar, Almanack, &c. 
 
 I received of the Mercures to No. 46, 
 and of the Journaux to No. 322, both 
 inclusive. 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne expected to become 
 6nce more a mother in the course of the 
 last night. I have sent a hen- pheasant 
 to Blenheim Street for her, if that event 
 has not yet happened, and if it has, for 
 Mr. Swinburne, for having done his duty. 
 He is very social, and infinitely amiable. 
 
 The Lord Mayor by my advice has 
 suppressed the Boxing Academy in Ca« 
 pel Court, and kept my secret. 
 
 No account yet from Windsor, signed 
 by the Physicians. 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne has just now another 
 girl. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
245 
 
 LEITER LXVII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Nov. 28, i;89. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 We all continue in the same 
 state of anxiety respecting the King's 
 health. His strength continues the 
 saine^ and he as usual eats plain and 
 simple food, with a tolerable appetite. 
 There have been many gleams of re- 
 turning self-command, and flattering 
 hopes are entertained of a perfect, al- 
 though not a very speedy, recovery. 
 
 The political caballing is as great as I 
 remember at any time. The text is a 
 regent, or a regency. The City seem 
 very decidedly for the latter. Mr. Ma- 
 lone says the chances are three to one 
 for F. I believe them to be three tg two 
 
 M 3 
 
246 
 
 for P.'s plan. You may guess what that 
 is. All the monied property, and most 
 of the landed, are for the latter. As 
 the enclosures cost so little, I enclose 
 two or three more. 
 
 The postman has just enriched me 
 with two letters of yours of the 19th 
 and !22d, and I have two likewise from 
 the two Datchesses. I feel as I ought 
 their attention in answering me so soon, 
 and I beg you to let them know it. They 
 are both models of taste, ease, and 
 elegance. 
 
 The Dutchess de la Valliere presses in 
 such very obliging terms your staying 
 till after the cJiandeleiir, that it is im- 
 possible for me not to acquiesce. I 
 observe that it happens on the 2d of 
 February, and the full moon on the 10th. 
 The dhandeleur is on Tuesday ; so that 
 if you leave Paris towards the end of 
 
1A7 
 
 that week, you will hove the benefit of 
 moonlight for your voyage and journey. 
 
 I am delighted with your description 
 of your apartments at the Dutchess's. 
 
 As to Leguillon, I will trouble you to 
 call on him at your return to Calais. 
 
 I shall execute all your commissions 
 next week, and will write to Mr. Paice, 
 . although I run the risk of a folio page 
 quite full in return. 
 
 I send you two most extraordinary 
 prints, for which the P.'s solicitor is pro- 
 secuting Fores, three letters, and an 
 almanack. The next w^eek I shall send 
 you a Court Calendar ; but from the 
 particular nature of what I have sent, I 
 thought it best not to swell this parcel. 
 
 I paid last week your taxes for the 
 coach, &c. amounting to 4/. 12^. Sd, 
 which v/ill go into our little account. 
 
 Did you see the Dutchess de Chastil- 
 Ion's letter ? If you did not, shall I send 
 
 M 4 
 
248 
 
 you a copy of it ? It is well worth tran- 
 scribing. 
 
 Father H-tton is dreadfully attacked 
 in the papers, and his confessions , &c. 
 
 I gratify your pious wishes about the 
 prayers. Ours I think the worst, and 
 the Irish the best. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 LETTER LXVIII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1788. 
 
 MY DEABEST POLLY, 
 
 I AM glad that our Sovereign, 
 as well as our other friends, has survived 
 the last month, so fatal to Englishmen. 
 You mav be assured tliat his health is 
 
1^ 
 
 249 
 
 rather better, and the removal to Kcw 
 has been attended with no bad conse- 
 quence. I believe it is not yet settled, 
 at least it has not transpired, what Par- 
 hament is to do on Tliursday. I rather 
 incline to think that it will be another 
 short prorogation. 
 
 I have just received the favour of your 
 letter to the 27th inclusive, and the same 
 post has brought one to Betty. I shall 
 be impatient to hear that you have the 
 prints I sent by Guyon. Thursday's di- 
 ligence will bring you some more curio- 
 v*^ities ; and you will of course examine the 
 inside of the books, pamphlets, &:c. 
 
 I received to-day No. 4/ of the Mer- 
 cure de FMtfice, and Nos. 323 and 
 Supplement, 324, 325, 326, and 327 of 
 the Journal de Paris, and the pamphlet. 
 
 I am much alarmed at the state of the 
 good Dutchess's health. Such a disor- 
 der at so advanced a period of life is very 
 
 M 5 
 
2S0 
 
 threatening, and the more under bad 
 management. 
 
 I hope the second son of my good old 
 friend Baron d'H-lb-ch will compen- 
 sate to that worthy family for all the 
 deficiences of the eldest. 
 
 I am very much the humble servant 
 of the Prince de la Tremoille^ of Mon- 
 sieur Dalain, and of all who do me the 
 honour to inquire after me. 
 
 The Gordons are well, and invited me 
 to dinner on Wednesday, but I am engag- 
 ed. He dined here last week. I have not 
 yet been able to see Miss Smith. 
 
 I wish you to mention what you paid for 
 the last letter, with the many enclosures. 
 
 " Kew House, Dec. 2, 1/88. 
 
 " His Majesty has had some sleep at 
 intervals ; the disorder still continues, 
 with some little abatement. 
 
 '' G. Baker. 
 '' L. Pepys." 
 
251 
 
 LETTER LXIX. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Dec. 6, 178S. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I ATTENDED Oil Wednesday 
 night at the Cockpit in consequence of 
 a formal letter from the Chancellor of the 
 Exchequer. The attendance was very 
 numerous. Mr. Pitt onlv observed that 
 nothing new had occurred in the state of 
 the King's health, that the Privy Council 
 had examined the Physicians on oath, 
 that the questions and answers would be 
 laid before Parliament, that he meant to 
 move an adjournment to Monday, and 
 tl\e call of the House to be adjourned 
 till Thursday fortnight. 
 
 Yesterday the House of Commons 
 met : ncur 400 Members attended. Mr. 
 
 M 6 
 
252 
 
 Pitt presented the report of the Physi- 
 cians, and moved that it lie on the table, 
 for the House to proceed upon next 
 Monday. Mr. Vyner wished, for the 
 dignity of the House, that an examina- 
 tion might be instituted by them. Mr. 
 Pitt replied, that that was a future con- 
 sideration, for Monday. Perhaps the 
 examination before us might be satis- 
 factory, it was taken on oath before the 
 Privy Council : the House of Commons 
 could not administer an oath, &c. &c. &c. 
 Mr. Fox w^as there, looked extremely ill, 
 spoke short, but approved the adjourn- 
 ment to Monday. 
 
 Sh. is said to be the great favourite of 
 the Pr. 
 
 L — referred us to Mr. of Queen 
 
 Square, who had that house of him. 
 
 H. speaks of him as a , and 
 
 Seddons shook his head, when I men- 
 tioned him, and said he had lieard more 
 
253 
 
 than he chose to repeat. Price reduced 
 his objections to writing, and has not 
 yet an answer to one of them. I much 
 fear the present scheme cannot succeed, 
 but I shall be ready to adopt another on 
 your return. I hear Lord Carmarthen's 
 house is to be disposed of. I have an 
 agent employed for that purpose. 
 
 Since I wrote the above, has 
 
 been here, and insists on the excellence 
 of his title. I asked why his lawyer 
 
 had not answered any of the 
 
 queries Mr. Price gave him in writing. 
 He did not know\ I said I would do 
 nothing, till my lawyer assured me that 
 I was safe. The call of the House was 
 adjourned only till next Thursday, but 
 it is supposed that it will then be post- 
 poned again. 
 
 I have finished all my Chamberlain's 
 business to my satisfaction, and to-mor- 
 row morning I set out for the Isle of 
 
254 
 
 Wight. The office does not open till 
 the Tuesday after Plough Monday, which 
 is January 12. My stay in the Isle of 
 Wight will depend entirely on my 
 health, the weather, &:c. ^-cc. &c. I shall 
 write regularly to my dearest daughter, 
 and hope to hear as regularly from her, 
 with all the allowances of two sea voy- 
 ages for the letters, and double carriage 
 by land. 
 
 I have been myself at Kirkup's. He 
 has no scissars under a guinea per pair, 
 but expects such as you mention in two 
 or three days, and likewise watch-chains, 
 of which he had only one imperfect. I 
 have settled with him about the packing, 
 and sending them to Guyon's. 
 
 You will have by to-morrow's dili- 
 gence the new Calendar, &c. 
 
 Miss Smith is amazingly well, and 
 sends you a thousand compliments. 
 
255 
 
 (Copy.) 
 
 '^Kew Palace, Dec. 5, 1789. 
 Eleven in the Morning. 
 
 " His Majesty has had a restless night, 
 and is much indisposed this morning. 
 
 " R. Warren. 
 
 ^' J. GiSBORNE." 
 
 LETTER LXX. 
 
 Sandham Cottage, 
 Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1/88, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 My little journal is, that I left 
 Prince's Court on Saturday morning, lay 
 that night at the Anchor in Liphook, and 
 on Sunday morning crossed over from 
 Portsmouth to Ride. The passage was 
 
250 
 
 short, only three quarters of an hour, 
 but very rough, and above a mile in a 
 boat. There has been a storm for four 
 days on this coast, but I do not hear of 
 any shipwreck. It is wanner here in this 
 south aspect than in London or Kensing- 
 ton, and this day the frost has left us, 
 and a mild rain succeeds. 
 
 I hope the variety of the enclosures I 
 sent amused you, and did not cost much. 
 
 Yesterday I received your most enter- 
 taining and patriotic letter of Nov. 2g, 
 and the Journaux, Nos. 328, 329, 330, 
 331, 332, 333, 334, but no Mercure, 
 and the second part of Monsieur Target's 
 excellent pamphlet. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon promised me to write 
 you all the London news. Mine would 
 be a country post of peacocks, bantams, 
 &c. &c. and the amazing growth of your 
 w^alking companion. Trusty. I am im- 
 patient to hear that you received the two 
 
257 
 
 prints, and elegant almanack. In ano- 
 ther parcel I sent the letters, Calendar^ 
 Royal Recollections, Sec, &c. 
 
 I am, thank God, well, and freer than 
 usual from my old complaint, I walk 
 for about two hours after breakfast, then 
 read some useful book till dinner at three, 
 and go to roost at nine. I rise at seven, 
 but do not brave the morning air till 
 after breakfast. 
 
 I found the plantations thriving here, 
 particularly the strawberries, and a cheer- 
 fulness in the scene, which surprised me 
 at this very late season of the year. 
 Monday must have been a most interest- 
 ing day at Westminster. The event I 
 know not. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest Polly* 
 
U58 
 
 LEITER LXXI. 
 
 Sandham CoU^ge^ 
 Friday, Dec 18, '788, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 Yesterday's post brought me 
 together your two charming letters of 
 Nov. 30 and Dec. 3. They well re- 
 warded my waiting and impatience. 
 
 I rejoice that your excellent Dutchess 
 is so much better ; and from what I ob- 
 served last week of Miss Smith, I hope 
 the present w^eather will be found pecu- 
 liarly propitious to advanced life. I 
 scarcely know a life more to be prized 
 and wished, for it seems entirely exempt 
 from all the unsocial frowardness and 
 discontent of age, and steadily pursues 
 a plan of diffusive benevolence, seldom 
 attended to in the heyday of the blood. 
 
259 
 
 I am much vexed with myself that I 
 forgot to co}:)y for you the Dutchess of 
 Chastillon's letter. It well merited the 
 transcript. I have carefully preserved it, 
 and as soon as I return to Prince's Court 
 you shall certainly have it. If you will 
 be so good to send me a letter for the 
 Dutchess de la Valliere for the Jour de 
 TAn, I will send it from hence, and I 
 think it would arrive in time, and be well 
 received. 
 
 I have been so much hurried, that I 
 have not yet read Target, Sir Richard 
 Worsley dined here on Friday, and de- 
 sired his best respects to you. The 
 weather is not so severe here as in the 
 capital, and no snow lies in the fields, 
 I sprung a covey of partridges yesterday 
 behind the cottage. 
 
 The news about Mr. Smith gives me 
 great satisfaction. Alderman Le Mesu- 
 rier tells me that no ships will go to 
 
260 
 
 India before the middle or end of Janu- 
 ary, so that I shall be in time, as my 
 holydays expire on Plough Monday, 
 Jan, 12th. 
 
 I have ordered James to send you the 
 Sunday paper, as you desired, whenever 
 there is any parcel. Mr. Kirkup ought 
 before this to have sent your scissars 
 and chains. 
 
 I desire you not to go shopping on my 
 account, till the weather is less severe, 
 and then let it be only for an elegant 
 bagatelle. 
 
 Since I wrote the above, I have the 
 favour of yours of Dec. 7« The most 
 pleasing thing I see in the Isle of Wight 
 is the smile of la chere petite. 
 
 I am sorry that you paid the unwel- 
 come tribute of a cold to the severity of 
 the weather. 
 
 Your little anecdotes of the Dutchess 
 de Cbastillon are admirable. 
 
26l 
 
 The Morning Chronicle of Thursday, 
 Dec, 11, is infinitely curious. Does 
 that paper come to Paris ? 
 
 The Duke of will by the arrh 
 
 get to Heaven at last, but I once thought 
 he would have lain in the focus of . 
 
 " How poor, how rich, how abject, how august. 
 How complicate, how wonderful is man ! 
 How passing wonder He^ who made him such V\ 
 
 LETTER LXXII. 
 
 Isle of Wight, 
 Friday, Dec. ip, 1788. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I HAD yesterday the pleasure 
 of your two letters at the same time by 
 the diligence and the post. They are 
 dated Dec, 6th and 10th,. 
 
262 
 
 . I received likewise the Mercure, No. 49, 
 and the Journaux, Nos. 335^ 336^ 337, 
 338, 339, 340, 341, which were a source 
 of great entertainment to me. 
 
 The weather here is very severe, but 
 not as I understand so severe as at Lon- 
 don or Paris. We had for three days 
 together a violent storm from the east, 
 but I have not heard of any shipwreck, 
 or great damage by land. I continue, 
 thank Heaven, well, and am made happy 
 by the favourable accounts you send me 
 from Paris, particularly of your own 
 health, although I am anxious likewise 
 about that of your noble friends. 
 
 I have ordered the tea, which is to be 
 in a small parcel with Monsieur Kage- 
 neck's letter. I thought the Sallust was 
 to be a present, after the various presents 
 of books I made to his Excellency and 
 Madame ; but as I find it is meant to be 
 a barter for a variety of. prints, I wave 
 
a63 
 
 it, and the pretext may be from the 
 difficulty of pleasing the taste of another, 
 which you may mention as from me, with 
 a variety of compliments. 
 
 Sir Richard Worsley brought his son 
 here yesterday, a very handsome and pro- 
 mising youth of thirteen. He is reading 
 Virgil and Ovid. I gave him a beautiful 
 Elzevir Ovid. 
 
 Your remark about the probable end 
 of the troubles where you are is highly 
 judicious. I wish you a good journey 
 to Versailles, if you have the courage to 
 undertake it. 
 
 I congratulate you on the decided su- 
 periority of Pitt in last Tuesday's debate. 
 A majority of sixty-four is superior to 
 all accidents, and I think Parliament will 
 now probably die a natural death in May 
 
 The sea has been the three last days 
 as smooth as a mirror, and tliere is now 
 
264 
 
 clear sunshine, and a dead calm, but a 
 smart frost. 
 
 It is now said, and truly, that the King 
 is better, and great hopes are entertain- 
 ed of a perfect recovery in consequence 
 of the new treatment. As I shall return 
 to the capital by the 12th, I shall have 
 full time to complete all your nicer com- 
 missions, and you to receive them at 
 Paris before your return. 
 
 It is said that Dr. Willis rules his pa- 
 tient by fear, and in consequence has 
 changed all the pages, footmen, &c. and 
 put his own people in full authority about 
 his patient. 
 
l^i 
 
 LEITER LXXIII. 
 
 Isle of Wight, 
 Friday, Dec. 26, j;S3, 
 
 MY DEAREST TOLLY^ 
 
 All the cheerful compliments 
 of this merry season attend my beloved 
 daughter. In all the rigours of this most 
 severe winter I can answer myself verv 
 satisfactorily a question I put to myself 
 with La Fontaine's pigeon. 
 
 Ma iille, a-t-ello tout ce qu'elle veut^ 
 Bon soupe, bon gite, et le reste ? 
 
 I never knew such a succession of sun- 
 shine for so many days at this time of 
 the year, and the frost is not verv in- 
 tense. The sea-breezes certainly make 
 the temperature of the air more mild 
 
 VOL. III. •^'• 
 
260 
 
 than in towns, where the winds come 
 with all the sweepings of a continent. 
 
 To-day I give a dinner to all the men 
 who have worked on the premises in the 
 Slimmer or autumn, in all thirteen^ aU 
 thou2:h I have now but two. Beef roast- 
 ed, mutton boiled, and good plum-pud- 
 dings, make their wholesome, homely 
 cheer. I the more readily did this, as I 
 shall not probably pass the Christmas 
 holydays here again; but I sacriMced this 
 month to the solitude of Sandham Cot- 
 tage, that I might get every thing of 
 planting, laying out the ground, &c. in 
 perfect order before the summer. 
 
 I have just finished the letter to your 
 excellent Dutchess with the best pen I 
 could find. 
 
 1 thank you much for your letters of 
 the 14th and 17th, which arrived toge- 
 ther yesterday. I received likewise the 
 Mercure, No. 50, and the Journaux, 
 
'26? 
 
 Nos. 34^, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 343, 
 349, 350, and 351. 
 
 I am exceedingly pleased with the no- 
 tice Lord Cornwallis has taken of Mr. 
 Smith, and the prudent conduct he has 
 observ^ed. I hope now qu'ii ira loin, I 
 am particularly obliged to you for the 
 care you take of your health, and I was 
 delighted with your account of the good 
 hours you keep, a circumstance in my 
 opinion absolutely necessary during the 
 extreme severity of the weather where 
 you are. I have practised the doctrine I 
 preach ever since my arrival in this island^ 
 and you know it is habitual to me of 
 late. I have not had even a slight cold 
 since I came, although I was well soused 
 by an immense wave in the passage. 
 
 St. Thomas's day passed much to my 
 satisfaction in the ward of Farrino-doii 
 \Vithcut. The Citizens have done 
 themselves much honour by their sup- 
 
 N 2 
 
port of Mr. Pitt. The thanks will be 
 followed throughout the kingdom. 
 
 I have not seen, or heard of. Lord 
 and Lady Dudley. I suppose they are in 
 Worcestershire. 
 
 I ordered the tea to be sent to you. 
 
 I do not envy the Prince de la Tre- 
 moille his journey. If he stays till the 
 zephyrs waft him back^ he will pass his 
 life in Scotland. 
 
 I shall be glad to see the Chevalier de 
 Boufflers's Discoiirs de Reception, and 
 the Answer o( the Directeur. The choice 
 of him I highly approve, but I think it a 
 bold step, on account of many passages 
 in the writings, which he has avowed. 
 
 Mr, Fox is said to be ill in health. 
 Sh. is much caressed. 
 
 I have settled to leave the island on 
 Saturday the 10th of January, so that I 
 hope to dine in Prince's Court the next 
 day, Sunday the 1 1 th. 
 
^( 
 
 :6g 
 
 Colonel Gordon has been very danger- 
 ously ill, and for many nights was obliged 
 to take laudanum. I desired Mrs. Gor- 
 don to write all the news to yoa^ not to 
 me. 
 
 After the 1 Ith of January you may ex- 
 pect from your old correspondent all the 
 chit-chat of the capital. 
 
 The health of the King ebbs ami- 
 flows. 
 
 N 3 
 
270 
 
 LETTER LXXIV. 
 
 Isle of Wight, 
 Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1/88. 
 
 MY DEAHEST POLLY, 
 
 I HOPE that you have received 
 the tea, the things from Kirkup's, the 
 letters, and your Sunday's papers, all of 
 which went in a parcel the beginning of 
 last week to Guvon's. _ 
 
 Poor Samuel has been very bad for 
 ten days, but is now better. The whole 
 artillery of physic has been played off 
 against him, and yet he survives. De- 
 vaynes has bled, cupped, and blistered 
 him, and sends him physic regularly. 
 At length I have hopes of his revovery. 
 
 Mr. Pott died last week suddenly, to 
 the great regret of science and genius. 
 
 Mr, Grindall is appointed Surgeon 
 
271 
 
 Extraordinary to the Prince of Wales. 
 I have epistolized iny old schoolfellow 
 on the occasion. 
 
 Since I wrote the above, I am favour- 
 ed with voLir letter of the2] st. I am sorry 
 that the severitv of the weather conti- 
 Jiues where you are, but tlie improved 
 health of the good Dutchess will indem- 
 nify you for a thousand inconveniences. 
 
 Mrs. Sturt is very prudent not to 
 think of so long a journey during the 
 intense cold, and I shall not consent that 
 my dear daughter should undertake it, 
 till the weather becomes tolerably mild, 
 and the snow is all melted. If this does 
 not happen till April, I desire you to 
 continue under the noble patronage 
 which you enjoy at present, and you 
 may draw upon me for any sum you 
 wish. 
 
 Poor Prince de la Tremoille ! but 
 
 N 4 
 
27 2 
 
 perhaps he is lucky to be blown back^ 
 and not to be able to get to Scotland. 
 
 It begins to snow very fast, but the 
 ^now does not lie. In London the thaw 
 on Saturday was so great as to make 
 a variation of twentv-one deirrees in 
 the glass in twelve hours ; but it froze 
 very hard on Sunday morning. 
 
 The Duke of Orleans for his late acts 
 of benevolence shall sit, as the beggars 
 say in Holland, on a velvet cushion in 
 heaven. 
 
 My Chinese pigs, Mrs. Hastings's 
 obliging present, have been ice-bound 
 aboard the navigation barge these three 
 weeks. Mr. JollifFe has given me four 
 fine Guinea-fowls, which will be spitted 
 before you come, that they may not rend 
 your ears, and I have two peacocks and 
 their wives, which are likewise presents. 
 
 Every thing I think goes on prosper- 
 ously in dear Old England, and I trust 
 
273 
 
 tliat we shall now perfect what was left 
 undone by our ancestors at the glorious 
 Revolution. 
 
 I thank you already for what you have 
 sent me in the box. Excuse a pun^ the 
 worse^ you know, the better ; it will then 
 be a Christ mas -I' ox : vile Isle of Wight 
 wit ! 
 
 Sir Richard Worsley dines here to- 
 morrow. I shall not forget your com- 
 pliments, I suspect a coolness between 
 him and Colonel H — , as he mentioned 
 that he had not seen the Colonel for 
 three months. 
 
 The stories of the King, Queen, and 
 youngest Princess, are so affecting tliat 
 I have not courage to transcribe them. 
 Tlie King is certainly better. Mr. 
 
 M is confined by the gout, and 
 
 Lady B y with him in Suffolk Street. 
 
 This has prevented the Christmas pro- 
 jected tour to Garboldisham. Miss 
 
 N 5 
 
Snr;th told Mrs. Gordon, that I saluted 
 her, for which I called her indiscreet and 
 giddy, with wdiich I hear she is much 
 pleased. 
 
 Colonel Gordon is recovered, but does 
 not venture out. 
 
 I shall be obliged to you at full leisure 
 to execute these commissions, and to 
 bring the things with you on your re- 
 turn. 
 
 I wish for a pluine en argent. 
 
 3. Carte des Environs de la Mer 
 Noire, par De la Marche, rue du Foin, 
 S, 1. au College de Maitre Gervais, prix 
 4 liv. \0s, 
 
 4. Voyage en Turqnie et en Egypte, 
 fait en VAnnee 1784. A Paris, chez 
 
 Royez, petit volume de 150 pages, Quai 
 des Augustine pres du Pont Neuf, 
 
 ^ The doubts about 's title begin 
 
 to clear up a little. He has just sent a 
 copy of the will of Sir T — — S — - y 
 
275 
 
 the former occupier of the house, and 
 promises the remainder of the title very 
 soon. I am in earnest to oblige you in 
 this business, and Mr. Price has powers 
 
 from me to conclude, if can make 
 
 out a tolerable title, but not if a lawsuit is 
 to follow from another party, to keep us 
 in hot water for three or four years. 
 Mr, Price has taken great pains, and all 
 his objections were given in writing. 
 
 N 6 
 
570 
 
 :^ LETTER LXXV. 
 
 Isle of Wight, 
 Tuesday, Jan. 6, l/Sp. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 Many thanks for your letter 
 of December the 24th5 which I received 
 yesterday by tlie post, and by a mes- 
 senger from Ride, the Mercure, No. 51, 
 and the Journaux, Nos. 352, 3, 4, 5, 6, 
 the '^ Cinquieme Question," the ^^ Pe- 
 tition des Citoyens domicilies a Paris,'* 
 Catalogues, &c. 
 
 I am very glad that the thaw is ar- 
 rived, and I hope the danger of the frost 
 returning with fresh violence will not be 
 realized. It continues to freeze here^ 
 but not with great violence. 
 
 How greatly am I obliged to your ex- 
 
'277 
 
 cellent Dutchess for the elegant china ! 
 I beg you to assure her of my respect- 
 ful 2:ratitucle: but the emblematical fiirure 
 will only remind me of how infinitely 
 I fall short of that great admired cha- 
 racter. I wish you to bring it^ not send 
 it^ from the fear of accidents. 
 
 The poor Speaker, Cornwall ! and 
 after so short an illness I This is a very 
 fermenting ingredient in the boiling 
 state caldron. 
 
 I am already packing up for the end 
 of the week, and if I have a good pas- 
 sage hope to dine in Prince's Court on 
 Sunday next, the 11th, from whence I 
 do not mean to be absent again till May. 
 
 I shall have the pleasure of writing 
 to you from Prince's Court by next 
 Tuesday's post, and I desire you to send 
 me all your commissions great and small, 
 that I may make some little return for 
 
278 
 
 your punctuality and exactness. In which 
 you excel all the world. 
 
 I have not had the slightest cold since 
 I have been in this island, and hope to 
 return as well to the capital. 
 
 My dearest daughter, adieu^ 
 
 LETTER LXXVI. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Jan. 13, lySQ, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I ARRIVED here to dinner on 
 Sunday after no small trouble in cutting 
 through the ice in the harbours of Ride 
 and Portsmouth, and wading through 
 the snow all the rest of the journey. 
 1 cannot bear the idea of your going 
 
279 
 
 through such compUcated difHcultics, 
 and therefore I make a point that you 
 should not think of travelling till this in- 
 tense frost is entirely gone, all the snow 
 melted, and the atmosphere has resumed 
 the usual mildness of these climates. I 
 do not doubt that your noble friends at 
 Paris join with me in admiring more and 
 more your many virtues and amiable qua- 
 lities on a longer and nearer acquaint- 
 ance, and therefore I am persuaded you 
 will be detained no less by their gene- 
 rous regard and friendship than by every 
 prudential motive. I am now fixed in 
 the capital till May. I would by no 
 means have you draw on Mr. Paice, 
 should you want any sum whatever. A 
 father is still, or ought always to be, a 
 better friend than any trustee, and I 
 shall have a pleasure in accepting any of 
 your drafts, and they need be at only 
 one usance. 
 
2&0 
 
 By the last diligence I received the 
 Mercure, No. 52, and the JournauXy 
 Nos. 357, 8, Q, 3O0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 
 By the post I received your two letters 
 of December 27 and 31, and I desire 
 you to accept my warmest thanks for the 
 -many favours of that kind, which the 
 last year afforded me. I long for a re- 
 commencement of your correspondence, 
 and I hope that mine will not be so very 
 insipid as I fear you found it from the 
 Isle of Wight, from whence I am re- 
 turned without the usual tribute to Nep- 
 tune of a cold. 
 
 I hope that you received the letter I 
 wrote just before I left the Isle of Wight 
 
 about the house in G- r Square, &c. 
 
 and therefore I will not make it repeti- 
 tion-day. 
 
 The Report from the new Committee 
 about the King's health will not be made 
 till this evening, nor printed before 
 
281 
 
 Thursday. I will send It you. There is 
 
 a most violent quarrel between the 
 
 and ; it is thought irreconcilable. It 
 
 is proposed to give the the sole 
 
 power over the whole household, the 
 Lords of the Bedchamber, &c. and all 
 personal property. The friends of the 
 — declare that government cannot be 
 carried on with such a defalcation of 
 power, for he is not to have the power 
 of creating peers, nor granting any patent 
 places, but for a short time, with other 
 numerous restrictions. I giv^e you this 
 from the first authority, and likewise of 
 the open war now declared between the 
 friends of the and . This is cer- 
 tainly the most novel and unexpected of 
 all possible situations. The violence on 
 
 both sides is extreme. The D. of 
 
 gives political dinners twice a week, et 
 krigue les souffragcs ouvertement, avcc 
 les plus helJes promesse^ du mondc. Are 
 
282 
 
 you Q. or P. ? is now the sole qiTestion, 
 — You guess my attachment to the fair 
 sex, but I have settled it for pairing off, 
 whenever a debate is Hkely to go beyond 
 midnight — I have stated this to Mr. 
 Steele — Pitt Vv'ill I believe carry all his 
 questions — I hope so at least, for they 
 appear to me truly constitutional. 
 
 I write no more to you about ducks and 
 fowls^ but dukes and fools, as the Scot 
 said, and we have at least some such — . 
 
 I was yesterday at the House of Com- 
 mons. No debate. Mere forms. Cap- 
 tain Luttrell, Member for Dover, is 
 dead. Trevanion stands against Pybus, a 
 banker, supported by Fector, &c. &c. ; 
 Trevanion supported by Lord North, 
 &c. 
 
 The nnest, weightiest hare I ever 
 held up, is just arrived for Miss JlVkes, 
 from Ey thorn Court. As the dear Lady 
 of the Manor is so far, I must necessa^ 
 
2«3 
 
 rily not suffer it to be wasted, but eat it 
 with some of her friends and neighbours, 
 and make libations to her health. 
 
 I enclose two lists, and a protest, but 
 no comments on the last hasty and most 
 incorrect production. 
 
 I shall be impatient to hear of your re- 
 ceiving this. 
 
 1 found every thing in good order on 
 my return hcre^ and Samuel better, but 
 James\s head is dreadfully bruised. He 
 pretends that the night before my return, 
 one pickpocket stole his handkerchief, 
 then twelve men surrounded him, beat, 
 and almost killed him. He went out, 
 as he says, only to see sights on the 
 water, at five o'clock, and all this hap- 
 pened before six. It is a curious story, 
 and the tiveive men, like FalstafF's, all in 
 buckram. The truth is not worth de- 
 veloping. He can scarcely walk about^ 
 or see. 
 
284 
 
 1 have seen Miss Smith perfectly well, 
 Colonel Gordon almost recovered, and 
 the Colonel's lady in good health. 
 
 Our own family I hear are well, but I 
 have not seen Heaton. I had the re- 
 ceipt for Koenig s bill, and thank you. 
 
 I am glad the good Dutchess approved 
 my etrennes, and I am obliged to you 
 for so lucky a thought. 
 
 Mf. M is, I hear, very ill with the 
 
 gout in Suffolk Street. Lady B y, 
 
 &c. with him. I intend to call to- 
 morrow. 
 
 The disputes at the London Tavern 
 about the thanks to Mr. Pitt, were very 
 outrageous. Neither Newnham nor 
 Sawbridge were suffered to speak. Bear- 
 croft, Bank Director, advertises that the 
 thanks were carried by a large majority. 
 Alderman Pickett has signed a paper, 
 that they were negatived by a majority 
 of five to one. I was luckily absent* 
 
285 
 
 and I hear no peevishness either in the 
 House, or City, against me. They have 
 kindly made every allowance for an old 
 veteran, as Beckford said. 
 
 Has the Dutchess yet my letter ? 
 
 The new Speaker, Grenville, is won- 
 derfully gracious to me. He is un- 
 luckily very short-sighted. 
 
 To-morrow I give a twelfth cake, 
 wine, and punch, as usual, to the ser- 
 vants ; and your coachman is invited to 
 jdrink liis Lady's health with tlie others. 
 
286 
 
 LETTER LXXVIL 
 
 Prince's Court> 
 Friday, Jan. l6, 1789, 
 
 MY DEAREST TOLLY^ 
 
 This is truly a halcyon day 
 for me. The post has just brought me 
 your two charming letters of Jan. 4th, 
 and Jan. 7th, with Suard's note; and the 
 diligence brought me theMercicre, No. 1 , 
 3 Janvier 1789, and t\\Q Journaux' s ^ No. 
 366, 1788, and Nos, 1, 2, 3,4, and 5, 
 1789, with the Supplements. To all the 
 pleasing accounts in your letters I am to 
 add that of a fine thaw. On Tuesday a 
 subscription was opened for the poor. 
 The City directed me to subscribe 1 500/. 
 as Chamberlain. It was settled among 
 ourselves that the Members for the City 
 should subscribe forty guineas, and the 
 
 2 
 
287 
 
 Aldermen twenty each. Skinner, San- 
 derson, and myself, paid our subscrip- 
 tions, but a thaw succeeding, the Com- 
 mittee ordered our monies to be return- 
 ed, and no more subscriptions to be 
 received, unless the violence of such a 
 frost should return. The Bank sent me 
 yesterday 100 guineas, which, with every 
 possible acknowledgment, I declined on 
 the same account, and several very hand- 
 some private benefactions, taking down 
 the names of the benevolent parties^ in 
 case of any future great distress. 
 
 -J?" 'W "Tt ^ ^ TV 'Jt" T?* 
 
 1 received this evening the prettiest 
 waistcoat I ever saw, and a com.pendium 
 of every thing really useful in all the 
 French almanacks, for which I am highly 
 obliged to you ; and yet I wish you to 
 bring the ^ilmanach Royal for this year 
 with you, in blue paper, that I may have 
 it bound uniform to complete my sets. 
 
28S 
 
 1 wish much for the ^^ Voyage du 
 Jeune Anacharsis en Grece/' and for the 
 4to. edition of it in 5 vols, although 
 it will cost me sixty livres. I would have 
 it only broche. It is printed for Dehure 
 raine, lihraire, rue Serpente, Hotel Fer- 
 randy No. 6, I should be glad you would 
 consult him about the sending it, and let 
 him pack it up very carefully. It is too 
 large for you to bring. I wish Debiire 
 would undertake to convey it here. 
 
 The House meet again to-day, and we 
 are all on the tiptoe of expectation. 
 My letter of Tuesday would fully explain 
 to you the very critical state of parties. 
 The Report is indeed very wonderful. It 
 forms a great folio. I will contrive you 
 shall have it, if only piecemeal. 
 
 I highly approve your attention to the 
 Dutchess's livery-servants, the jour de 
 Tan. I'he Kino:, alas ! is not at all 
 better. 
 
asg 
 
 The Prince will have the power of 
 dissoh^ing Parliament, which he will 
 certainly use at the end of April, or be- 
 ginning of May. 
 
 I am glad you exceed even Aldermen 
 in good cheer ; and a Geneva trout at 
 Paris is not only an exquisite delicacy, 
 but a wonder. I have had grouse twice, 
 and from our good friend Davidson, who 
 is confined to his bed by gout in both 
 legs and hands. 
 
 Mr. Hastings is got to his new house. 
 No. 12, in Wimpole Street. I have not 
 yet seen him, but he has called here, 
 and yesterday I sent Madame a couple of 
 grouse. 
 
 Mr. Hutton is just come to dine; and 
 sends his best compliments. 
 
 Adieu, ma chere petite. 
 
 VOL. in. o 
 
2g(y 
 
 LETTER LXXVIII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Jan. 20, IJSQ, 
 
 IVIY DEAUEST FOLLY, 
 
 My dinner yesterday was in- 
 terrupted by a much more agreeable re- 
 past, your letter of the 13th and 14th ; 
 and from the local situation of us both, 
 I trust that our correspondence will in 
 future be much more regular. 
 
 This courier carries your excellent 
 Dutchess a letter in my very best writing 
 with a new pen. The whole arrange- 
 ment of your return I leave to yourself, 
 but I consent to no risk, nor travelling 
 in the night, and I hope you will con- 
 trive to be an the sea near the full moon. 
 The length of my tether till May will be 
 Kensington Gore, It cannot escape me, 
 
291 
 
 how much time you have lost by the 
 cruel seventy of the weather. 
 
 The weather has been tolerably mild 
 since last Wednesday, and the snow 
 has disappeared, to fructify, I hope, 
 the earth. Last night we had a gentle 
 frost. 
 
 I desire to be very affectionately re- 
 membered in the Rue Royale. 
 
 Suard's letter is neat and correct. The 
 Dutchess's to me is highly polished and 
 pathetic — I mean the Dutchess de la 
 Valliere's. 
 
 Lord Lansdowne has gained great ap- 
 plause by his speech on the Regency— 
 and in the House of Commons Lord 
 North ; but Pitt's was that of the states- 
 man. 
 
 I am glad that you have resumed the 
 elegant amusement and exercise of dan- 
 cing. — My answer to the Dutchess leaves 
 you at full liberty to act according to cir- 
 
 o 2 
 
2g2 
 
 cumstances, and you need not determine 
 any thing for a considerable time. 
 
 Mr. M is danp;erously ill, and 
 
 sees only Lady B y. 
 
 Politics are more embroiled than ever. 
 Lord Rodney is gone over to the Prince. 
 Sir John Aubrey has made a foolish speech 
 against any limitations, Mr. Hutton is 
 exceedingly angry with them both. He 
 has dined here once since my return, 
 and complained of our long absence. I 
 thought Guyon would scarcely be able 
 to send you the large folio of the Report 
 GH tlie Kings Illness, and therefore I pur- 
 chased the 4to. edition, which goes this 
 morning with two letters. I have like- 
 wise sent you by the post part of two 
 curious newspapers. I wish you to men- 
 lion what this letter costs. 
 
 Major L — has just left me, sunk into 
 a deadly lassitude. The press is groan- 
 ing under a new pamphlet of his. 
 
193 
 
 At two this morning Mr. Pitt carried 
 all his motions. There were two divi 
 sions: 
 
 22Q and 220 
 
 165 164 
 
 64 5 6 
 
 This moment arrived the Mercure, 
 No. 2, and the Journaiix, Nos. Q, 7? 8^, 
 9, 10, 11^ 12^ ] 3^ with the Chevalier de 
 Boiifflers' Discours^ &c. 
 
 (Copie.) 
 
 Paris le 24 ghre, 178&. 
 Je suis honteuse, Monsieur, de n'avoir 
 pas plus-tot repondu a la lettre que Ma- 
 demoiselle votre fille m'a apportee de 
 votre part, je suis infinlment sensible a 
 tout ce qu'elle contient d'obligeant. Je 
 vous en rend mi lie graces. J'avoue que 
 
 o 3 
 
294 
 
 j'al un droit a votre interet, c*est moii 
 iimitie pour Madernoicelle votre fille* 
 Vous me faites un grand plaisir en vous 
 pretant au desir que j'avois de la revoir 
 dans mon pays, elle ne doit pas me sa- 
 voir m.auvais gre si je ne lui rend pas sa 
 visite, je voudrois bien pouvoir aller en 
 Angleterre, mais je ne songe pas a ce 
 projet. Je suis attachee a Paris par un 
 lien bien doux^ il est tristc en ce mo- 
 ment par le mauvais etat de la sante de 
 ma mere. Elle vient d'avoir une o-rande 
 joye, j'ai mcme craint que son emotion 
 ne fut trop vive, ma fille a pris po but 
 de sa premiere sortie de venir presenter 
 sa petite a sa grand mere, et d'etre re- 
 levee dans sa chapelle selon la pratique 
 de notre eglise. L'on ne pent voir une 
 meilleure nourrice. Je vous ferois des 
 excuses de vous decrire tons ces details, 
 si votre coeur paternel m'etoit moins 
 connu par la confiance de mou aniie*. 
 
ig5' 
 
 Je lii quitte k Tinstant, jc puis vous as- 
 surer quVlle se porte tr^s bien et qu'ellc 
 a Pair de partager notre satisfaction cle 
 la voir. Je suis bien aise, Monsieur, de 
 savoir que votre sante est parfaitement 
 retablie. 
 
 J'ai I'honneur d'etre, Monsieur, votre 
 Ires humble et tres obeissante servante, 
 
 Lavailiere Duchesse de 
 Chastillon. 
 
 Mr, JVilheSy Senateur et Ckainhellan, 
 
 o 4 
 
29(5 
 
 LETTER LXXIX. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Feb. 3, 17 SQ. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 All the gay scenes of yester- 
 day in the Catholic country of France 
 passed before my mind's eye, and made 
 me partake of the entertainment, which 
 I am persuaded you enjoyed with your 
 good friends. I shall be much pleased 
 with the detail. 
 
 I am favoured with your two letters of 
 the 24th and 2Sth of January. 
 
 I am in doubt whether the good Dut- 
 chess means goldteaters skin, or the 
 Court plaister, and therefore I send some 
 of each. 
 
 I enclose the ^4uswers of tlie Queen 
 and Prince, which are incorrect in all the 
 
2C)7 
 
 papers; but as the Regency will, I believe^ 
 be settled to-morrow, you will probably 
 have few more political enclosures. 
 
 Many thanks for the trouble you have 
 so kindly taken for le Jeune Anacharsis, 
 
 Elmsly has sent me rAlmanach des 
 Muses. 
 
 I beo: you to tell Madame d'Holbach 
 liow deeply I regret the loss of my old 
 and excellent friend the Baron. 
 
 We have still line open weather, and 
 gentle rains. I do not object to your 
 passing all this month at Paris, and the 
 beginning of the next, but I entreat you 
 not to run the risk of the equinoctial 
 storms. The full moon of March is on 
 the 11th day, and the equinox on the 
 2 1st. If therefore you contrive to be at 
 Calais the Qth, 3 0th, or 11th, you will 
 have tlie advantage of the moon, if you 
 want it, after tolerably long days. All 
 this must however depend on the season;, 
 
 5 
 
298 
 
 and the roads. I cannot bear the idea 
 of your running any risk^ and I insist on 
 your not leaving Paris till you have a 
 good prospect of a safe journey and pas- 
 sage. The frost may return^ &c. &c. 
 
 The Parliament will not be dissolved 
 this year^ it is at present agreed.. 
 
 LETTER LXXX. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Jan. 23, 17.S9. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 The House of Commons hav- 
 ing adjourned from Tuesday to next 
 Monday, cannot furnish you any amuse- 
 ment, and I almost suspect that you 
 are weary of politics. Contrary to 
 
^99 
 
 tlie usage^ the Report was made from 
 the Committee to the House on the 
 same clay. Mr. Rolle however has 
 promised an amusement we did not ex- 
 pect so soon^ the interlude of Mrs. F. 
 and her marriage in law, or cqidhj. He 
 is not a man Hkely to be put from his 
 purpose, and I understand tliat he has 
 given some indiscreet promises to some 
 of his constituents in Devonshire. The 
 B p of B. told me, that a most re- 
 spectable lady of his particular friend- 
 ship said to the said B. ^' The P. came 
 in here yesterday, overjoyed, saying, '^ I 
 ' never did better in any thing; I behaved 
 ^ incomparably well ; I could not have 
 ' thought it, as the case was quite new 
 ^ to me.' The Lady answered, ' Your 
 ' R.H. always behaves well ; what was the 
 ^ case, that was quite new to you ?' The 
 Prince replied, ' I was at a marriage, 
 ' and gave the lady away.' The Lady said^ 
 
 o 6 
 
300 
 
 * Was your R. H. never before at a 
 ^ marriage ?' The P. answered^ laying his 
 right hand with eagerness on his breast, 
 ^ Never, on my honour.' " 
 
 Trevanion has carried his election for 
 Dover at a most enormous expense. I 
 am truly sorry for the contest. His fa- 
 mily is large and increasing, and the 
 great interest of the Fectors against him 
 will keep him in hot water all his life. 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne is ill ; Mr. Molineux 
 worse. Our neighbours all well ; so are 
 the Hastings's, with whom 1 am to dine 
 on Wednesday. My Chinese boar de- 
 parted this life last week ; and has not 
 left his relict in a promising way, but 
 Mrs. H. engages for a successor to liim. 
 
 I enclose you the only account of yes- 
 terday's debate in the House of Lords, 
 which has yet appeared. It is very par- 
 tial, but we Fhall have no other till ten 
 this evening. Only three of the five 
 
301 
 
 propositions were carried : the other twa 
 will probably pass this day. 
 
 Banks has left P. Adieu that peerage^ 
 as well as A.'s. 
 
 My hopes of the house in Grosvenor 
 Square are much diminished bince my re- 
 turn to town, yet are not desperate. Mr. 
 Price has taken uncommon pains. 
 • I understand from Guyon that there 
 is ice above a league from the harbour 
 of Calais. Yesterday we had all day a 
 mild and warm rain, yet some mad boys 
 continue to skait in the Park. 
 
 Guyon tells me, tliat the hoars head^ 
 rhure du sanglier, I believe it is called, 
 may now be sent \\ithout paying any 
 duty. I wish you therefore to desire 
 one to be bought for me, not exceeding 
 three guineas, and to be carefully packed 
 hi a box, to come by the diligence. 
 
 You will soon receive some curious 
 prints, pantins, &c. The candlesticks 
 are safe at Dover. 
 
S02 
 
 LETTER LXXXI. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Jan. 2/, 1/8^. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 I HAVE but a few moments by 
 ibis post to tbank you for tbe two let- 
 ters of tbe ] 8tb and 21st^ and to express 
 tbe great joy I feel at your favourable 
 account of tbe incomparable Dutchess's 
 health. 
 
 Elm sly and Edwards have both Les 
 Voyages de jeime Anacliarsis, which I 
 did not suspect. If therefore you have 
 not already made the purchase^ I will not 
 give you that trouble, but take it of 
 Elm sly. 
 
 The Gordons, Captain Guyot, and Mr. 
 Swinburne, dined here yesterday, and re- 
 membered you with great regard. 
 
303 
 
 Dear Aliss Smith is extremely ilL 
 
 I beg you to let my old friend, Baron 
 d'Holbach, know bow greatly his illness 
 has affected me. 
 
 I received last night the Mercure, No, 
 3, ciud the JournaiLV, Nos, 14^ 15^ lO, 
 17, 18, 19, 20. 
 
 The weather is now quite mild, and 
 we have had fine rains, but the ice still 
 floats in amazing cakes in the harbours 
 of Calais, Dover, Portsmouth, &c. so as 
 to render the navigation very dangerous. 
 
 The poor have been so greatly reliev- 
 ed, that we do not accept your generous 
 offer of two guineas. 
 
 I have got the Almanack des Muses 
 from Elmsly. 
 
 Nothing new on the political horizon. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest daughter; consult 
 your health above all other considerations. 
 
304 
 
 LETTER LXXXII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Jan. 30, 1789^ 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 1 DO not remember to have 
 experienced so much prevaricating trou- 
 ble and uncertain! V as in the business of 
 
 Mr. respecting the house. Mr. 
 
 P has been indefatigable^ but not 
 
 a tolerable title can be made out. The 
 principal deeds, lease, and even a coun- 
 terpart, cannot be found, and there are 
 other claims and mortgages. The per- 
 plexity was infinite. I therefore yester- 
 day cut the Gordian knot by the follow- 
 ing letter to Mi-. , which I sent by 
 
 Mr. Price's clerk, after he had taken a 
 copy. 
 
" SIR. 
 
 303 
 
 Prince's Courts 
 Jan. 28^ 1789, 
 
 ^^ I FIND SO much delay in the 
 business of the houss^ and so great an 
 uncertainty in the title, that I am deter- 
 mined to entertain no farther idea of any 
 lease^ or any transaction in relation to 
 it. 
 
 '^ I am, &c. 
 
 '' J. W." 
 
 Thus has ended all connexion with 
 
 Mr. , and I guess that his strange 
 
 title was purchased very cheap from the 
 consciousness of the invalidity of it in 
 the other parties. 
 
 I continue my inquiries about another 
 liouse, worthy of you, and of the Cham- 
 berlain ; and if I am not successful, I shal! 
 desire you en your return to give your 
 
3oQ 
 
 whole attention to an object vvlildi I 
 know you have at heart, and which I 
 shall have a real pleasure in accomplish- 
 ing. 
 
 We were beat yesterday in the Com- 
 mon Council by six on an absurd ques- 
 tion moved by our friends for an address 
 to ^future Regent ; yet I am satisfied that 
 we have a majority there in the present 
 contest between Fox and Pitt, notwith- 
 standing the shop-tax hangs like a mill- 
 stone round our necks. I took little 
 share in a debate which I disapproved, 
 and only as to some points of form, but 
 I would not desert my friends on a divi- 
 sion, because that might lead to more 
 serious consequences. 
 
 I passed a happy day with Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hastings, who arc both well, and 
 remember you with affection. Major 
 Scott, and Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, at. 
 
307 
 
 their new house, No. 12, in Wimpole 
 Street, which is very splendid, and very 
 insipid — a street, brick walls^ before, be- 
 hind, every where. 
 
 Yesterday I received the candlesticks, 
 which are de toute heaiUe^ and an elegant 
 cup and saucer. I beg my two generous 
 benefactresses to accept every grateful 
 acknowledgment from their devoted, 
 humble servant. I believe it is certain 
 that the Parliament will not be dissolved 
 this spring, and notwithstanding the 
 
 P 's answer to Mr. Pitt, in which 
 
 the P seems to have committed him- 
 self, a change of Ministry is thought a 
 moot point. 
 
 I have sent you five excellent prints, 
 bnt the pantins were imagined and made 
 by a private family, and not allowed to 
 be copied. 
 
 The JVorldj as usual, takes my name in 
 
309 
 
 vain, and even forges it, as witness what 
 I enclose. 
 
 The Duke of Portland strongly advises 
 
 the P against a change of Ministers 
 
 at present, because his Grace says the 
 P cannot noiu go on without them. 
 
 Poor Parker is laid up with the gout. 
 He has not attended once, nor the Cham- 
 berlain missed once, this year. He is, I 
 thank God, in good health. 
 
 I called this morning for the first time 
 on Rosenhagen in Duke Street, He is ir^ 
 bed, in agony, in the gout. 
 
309 
 
 LETTER LXXXIII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Feb. 6, l/SQ. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 ]Mrs. Sturt is arrived, and 
 has brought me the most beautiful print 
 of '' La Bonne Mere," with the " Al- 
 manach des Muses for 17 89." I desire 
 you to accept my best thanks for both. 
 
 I likewise received from Guyon the 
 Mercure, No. 4, and the Journaux, 
 No. 2], 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, 
 with a small paeket for Mrs. Swinburne. 
 I sent it directly. She has left Blenheim 
 Street, and has now a ready-furnished 
 house. No. 37, Somerset Street, Port- 
 man Square. 
 
 The field of politics has produced no- 
 thing for the last four days, and we do 
 
310 
 
 not expect the business of the regency 
 finished till the end of the next week. 
 The fermentation of the two parties is 
 exceedingly great^ and has much soured 
 both. 
 
 I transcribed in my last what I wrote 
 to Mr. _5 which concluded the busi- 
 ness with him ; but as I am truly intent 
 and anxious to comply with your wishes 
 for a larger house, and I mean to leave 
 the whole arrangement to yourself, for 
 you to proceed upon immediately on 
 your retui'n, I wish you to consider whe- 
 ther you will not bring with you a femme 
 de chambre, whom you may thoroughly 
 like, from Paris. By this you will save 
 the useless journey to Calais, and back 
 to Paris, of a French woman ; you will 
 save Betty's tour to Calais, and back 
 again, twice crossing the sea, &c. &c. 
 These arrangements have occurred to 
 me, but I desire that my dear daughter 
 
3n 
 
 would take her own plan, and I shall np« 
 prove whatever she determines. A lodg- 
 ing might be had near for tvv'o or three 
 months at the utmost. 
 
 James is recovered. Samuel is rather 
 better, but still dangerously ill. Mis,9- 
 Smith and Mrs. Gordon are both well. 
 You will have three new prints by to- 
 morrow's diligence, not very excellent, 
 
 but in the times. Mr. has just 
 
 been here. He complains bitterly of 
 
 Sir T S , of Mr. H , &c. 
 
 &c; acknowledges an important deed 
 not forthcoming, 'md thinks it might 
 be supplied by the consent of Mrs. 
 
 W , who is abroad, and others. I 
 
 repeated to him my determination to 
 have no farther concern about the house, 
 and we parted very civilly. 
 
 The weather still contmues very tem- 
 perate, with kindly rains. 
 
 If any very neat and elegant book of 
 
312 
 
 maps in 8vo. or 12mo. such as I sent you 
 from Naples, has appeared, I wish you 
 to purchase one for me, and the new 
 beautiful map of the environs of Paris in 
 one sheet, not on rollers, but well co- 
 loured. 
 
 Hutton dines here about once a week 
 on invitation, but scarcely ever calls in. 
 He wanted to know if you had told me 
 that he wrote to you at Paris. 
 
 Be so good to inquire of De Bure, if 
 any books have been printed at the 
 Louvre of consequence within the last 
 ten years, what they are, the price, and 
 if they are to be purchased* 
 
1,-* 
 
 O IJ 
 
 LE1TER LXXXIV. 
 
 Chamberlain's Office, 
 Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1789. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I HAD only five minutes to read 
 •your two letters before I was summoned 
 to a Court of Aldermen, and to make a 
 Mr. Anderson free. He offers his ser- 
 vices to Aldersgate Ward in the room 
 of Sir Thomas Halifax, who died last Sa- 
 turday. He is a very respectable mer- 
 chant, and agent here for Dantzick. I 
 
 believe he will succeed. 
 
 I cannot say, that I approve your re- 
 turn by Boulogne instead of Calais. Ist^It 
 is farther by sea. 2d, The vessels^ ac- 
 commodations, are not so many, so good, 
 or so certain. 3d, That passage must 
 
 VOL. III. p 
 
314 
 
 be best, which has been so generally, al- 
 most universally approved for centuries, 
 and the other only practised in the case 
 of particular winds, &c. Why seek the 
 better than ivell f I think it seldom an- 
 swers. ^' I was well, would be better, 
 took physic, and died," is an Italian 
 adage. 
 
 I sent you last week with the prints, 
 and a letter, the most daring pamphlet 
 ever published even in this country. 
 
 We were eight days without hearing 
 from France, and I have yet no news of 
 le Jeune Anacharsis^ with whom I long 
 to be acquainted. 
 
 The chocolate shall be sent to-mor- 
 row. 
 
 I have read ^^ Lady C 's Journey 
 
 through the Crimea to Constantinople,'* 
 and found it a very silly performance in- 
 deed, neither amusing nor interesting, 
 and in some instances disgraceful to our 
 
315 
 
 country. It is a large 4 to. but if you 
 wish it, I will send it you by the dili- 
 gence. The print of the Bonne Mere is 
 manque. She should have looked with 
 fondness on her children, while she w^as 
 making the soap-bubbles. In the print 
 she looks from them, and seems to be 
 wholly intent on her own play. It is 
 beautifully graved. 
 
 Adieu ! 
 
 r 2 
 
3l6 
 
 LETTER LXXXV. 
 
 Prince's Courf, 
 Friday, Feb. 13, lySQ, 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 I HAD but a few minutes to 
 write to you by the last post from the 
 Chamberlain's Office, and could only 
 mention the receipt of your two last let- 
 ters, which came together, not their 
 dates, which are Jan. 31, and Feb. 4. 
 
 I have since received the Alercure, 
 No, 5, and the Journaux, No. 28, 2Q, 30, 
 31, 32, 33 ; but I do not find any tribute 
 to the revered memory of my old friend. 
 Baron d'Holbach. 
 
 I sent on Wednesday from Smith's In 
 Pall Mall, the four pounds of chocolate, 
 directed to the good Dutchess, and I 
 
317 
 
 wish you would offer her that small tri- 
 bute from me. 
 
 You will have by to-morrow's dili^ 
 gence some more prints_, and letters^ 
 &c. 
 
 I have the happiness of assuring you 
 that the King recovers very fast. He 
 now generally dines with the Queen^ and 
 plays at cards with the Princesses all the 
 afternoon. The Regency Bill will scarcely 
 pass before Tuesday next. 
 
 Anderson is chosen Alderman^ and has 
 given me the warmest assurances of sup- 
 port for Middlesex^ and on every occa- 
 sion. He is much esteemed. The Irish 
 seem as usual very wrong-headed. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon is much out of order 
 with a feverish complaint. She desired 
 her love to you^ and your maid Betty 
 begged I would send her hind duty. 
 
 The weather is very unsettled at pre- 
 sent^ either slight frosty or mild rain. 
 
 P 3 
 
318 
 
 I am quite delighted with Necker*? 
 conduct to the Dutchess of Bourbon. 
 
 I have had this week one of those cry- 
 ing colds which the Turks say their Pro- 
 phet should not indulge infidels with ; 
 but it is almost gone, and has not been 
 so violent as usual. 
 
 Almost all our acquaintance are slightly 
 indisposed, but those of a gouty habit 
 are generally extremely ill. 
 
 Sir John MaqDherson is gone over to 
 the Opposition, and is much attended to; 
 but the party continue very \veako 
 
319 
 
 LETTER LXXXVl. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1/89. 
 
 MY DEAKEST POLLY, 
 
 I HAVE just received the plea- 
 sure of your letter, dated the 1 ] th, and 
 I look forward with rapture to the begin- 
 ning of March, as the time of my dear 
 daughter's setting out from Paris, al- 
 ways keeping the idea of your running 
 no risk from very bad weather, &c. I 
 hope to hear that you have taken every 
 precaution against even very disagreeable 
 occurrences, such as the staying tliree or 
 four days longer on the road, or a week 
 at a sea-port from the badness of the wea- 
 ther, contrary winds, &c. and too great 
 fatigue, which is remarkably prejudicial 
 to a delicate constitution like yours. I 
 
 P 4 
 
320 
 
 trust you will not overlook the pecuniary 
 resources you ought to have at hand on 
 such an occasion^ and I need not repeat that 
 before you set out you may have every 
 succour from me^ which you may wish, 
 or can find convenient. 
 
 Before you leave Paris, I wish you to 
 purchase for me a slight morning waist- 
 coat^ which I mean for a present to Co- 
 lonel Gordon. I would not exceed the 
 price of two or two and a half guineas. 
 
 This afternoon the Young Anacharsis 
 arrived in London, and Guyon has sent 
 me the Mercure, No. 6, and the Jour- 
 naiix, No. 35, ^6, 37, 38, 39, 4.0, & 41. 
 The letter to Miss Swinburne I carried 
 myself, but she was from home. 
 
 Mr. Soderini has very politely got me 
 from Padua the volume of his country- 
 man I wished. 
 
 Poor Samuel died at four this morning. 
 He has for several nights lain in Chapel 
 
321 
 
 Street, at his wife's. Two children are 
 left, a boy of two and a half years old, 
 and one of six weeks. I sent the widow 
 a present of a guinea. His wages, and 
 board-wages, were paid up within four or 
 five days. He wanted for nothing. Of 
 late he has only been here an hour or two 
 in the middle of the day. 
 
 Who is Nageon, who writes the eloge 
 of Baron d'Holbach ? I wish you to ask 
 him for an unmutilated copy for me. 
 
 I enclose the good Dutchess some more 
 gold-beater's skin. 
 
 Heaton told me of a house in Downing 
 Street facing the Park to be let, but no 
 such thing exists. Mr. Seddons has my 
 directions to fmd out Lord Grosvenor's 
 agents, and get every information he can 
 from them. 
 
 To-morrow begins my embarras to re- 
 place poor Samuel. 
 
 Mrs. Stafford is returned to town a per- 
 
 p 5 
 
322 
 
 feet skeleton^ owing to a violent rheuma- 
 tism caught by travelling in the bad wea- 
 ther. 
 
 LETTER LXXXVIL 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Feb. 20, 17S9. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY^ 
 
 I HAVE not yet the favour of 
 your letter with the detail to which you 
 allude^ but I hope it will arrive before 
 the next post, that every thing may be 
 settled for your return entirely ta your 
 satisfaction. 
 
 Yesterday the Dowager Lady Dudley 
 declared herself not pregnant^to the great 
 joy of our two friends. 
 
323 
 
 The Prince's friend, Colonel Lake, lost 
 his election at Aylesbury by seventy- 
 seven. 
 
 Notliine is now more admired than 
 the curious faces of the Opposition since 
 the most welcome news of the King's 
 convalescence. Swinburne and I have 
 amused ourselves much on the occasion. 
 His nephew, Sir John, is decidedly 
 a^i-ainst us — Would Lavater were here ! 
 
 I am much taken up in the House of 
 Commons with a petition from Sir Wil- 
 liam Gibbons for an enclosure at Stan ' 
 well in Middlesex ; but I hope to recon- 
 cile the discordant parties, and that every 
 thing will proceed smoothly. I am now 
 a great Parliamentarian. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest daughter. 
 
 I desire to be laid at the feet of Ma-^ 
 dame dc la Valliere. 
 
 T 6 
 
324 
 
 LETTER LXXXVIII. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Tuesday, Feb. 24, l/Sp. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 I DID not enjoy the pleasure 
 of your letter of the 13th, till last Friday 
 night, too late to thank you for it by 
 that post. It holds out to nie the great- 
 est satisfaction I can have, that of soon- 
 seeing my dearest daughter in perfect 
 health. I am making all the arrange- 
 ments for your return to this humble 
 habitation, being as comfortable as it can 
 be made, and tires are now burning in 
 your bedchamber and dressing-room.. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon is just returned from 
 Mrs. James's lying-in, who has a son, 
 after a sharp labour of thirty-six hours. 
 Mrs. G hopes to write to you on 
 
325 
 
 Friday, but at present is exceedingly fa« 
 tigued. We have settled that Friday 
 will be the last day to write, or send par- 
 cels to you, for the chance of their being 
 received before the 7 th of March^ when 
 you mean to set out. 
 
 This morning the diligence brought 
 me the Mercure, No. 7, and the Jour^ 
 iiaiLV, No. 42, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, cind 48, with 
 CenU'is and Lauragnais's Letters, What 
 an excellent letter is that respecting Ba- 
 ron d'Holbach in the Journal of Feb. 12 ! 
 It should be printed in letters of gold. 
 I do not know where Contrexeville is, nor 
 can 1 find it in my books of geography. 
 Lauragnais seems to me madder than 
 ever, and Ceruttia mauvais plaisant. 
 
 I am charmed with the Jeune Ana- 
 charsis. Italy, France, and England, 
 cannot boast of such an accomplished 
 traveller as the Scythian. Iliave not yet 
 seen Monsieur Barthelemy to congratu- 
 4 
 
326 
 
 late him on one of the greatest prodac-' 
 tions of this^ or indeed any age. Betty 
 and James are to set out on Thursday, 
 March 5 ; by which 1 calculate they will 
 have a day and a half's rest at Dover, 
 and two w^hole days at Calais, supposing 
 the time of their passage short and re- 
 gular, before your arrival. 
 
 Poor Samuel was buried yesterday in a 
 decent manner. His wife's relations at- 
 tended, but none of his own. The wi- 
 dow is well spoken of. I have not seen 
 her, but did not forget her. 
 
 Your letter of the 18th is just arrived, 
 and gives me the pleasing confirmation 
 of your health, and that of the noble fa- 
 mily where you live. 
 
 The Colcheter election will take up the 
 House of Commons till after six this 
 evening, so that I shall not be able to 
 send you any account of Parliamentary 
 proceedings till Friday. The Bulletin of 
 the 22d stated an uninterrupted *^ pro- 
 
327 
 
 ■gress In recovery;" that of yesterday said, 
 ^^ Advances in every respect towards a 
 recovery." The present Regency Bill 
 cannot possibly proceed ; the very pre- 
 amble is now happily a falsehood. But I 
 believe nothing is absolutely settled as to 
 the mode of the King's resuming the go- 
 vernment. We expect this day a short 
 adjournment. 
 
 The Irish Parliament justify Swnft^s 
 remark, that they are to an English Par- 
 liament what a monkey is to a man, but 
 now they have the mischievous qualities 
 of the monkey without his imitative fa- 
 culties. Lord Buckingham sent away his 
 wife and children, who are arrived at 
 Stowe. He says that he will weather 
 the storm, and has refused to transmit 
 to the Prince of Wales the illegal * ad- 
 dress of the two Houses. 
 
 * I never could understand the argument, which 
 pretended to prove this address illegal. Its polkif 
 •is a totally distinct consideration.— Edit, 
 
328 
 
 I wish you to write a line to Suard 
 three or four days before you leave Pa- 
 ris, to ask if he has any thing to send. 
 
 I wish you to bring me " Lettres de 
 Henry IV. a Corizandre d'Andoins, Com- 
 lesse de Guiche," brochure in 12, 7^ 
 pages, chez Gattey, Palais Royal, No. 13^ 
 and 14 ; and Histoire de la Maison de 
 Bourbon, in 4 to. 646 pages, par Desor- 
 meaux, otiIt/ the 5th volume, which is the 
 interesting period, from ]574 to 1589, 
 the whole reign of Henry III. It is 
 printed for Monory, rue de TAncienne 
 Comedie Franc^oise, and just published* 
 The four first volumes I do not desire* 
 
329 
 
 LETTER LXXXIX. 
 
 Prince's Court, 
 Friday, Feb. 17, 178^. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 Mrs. Gordon has written you 
 by the post all the political, and other, 
 chit-chat of the day, in three large co- 
 lumns, that I will not fatigue your eyes 
 with a long letter \ and I chiefly take up 
 the pen to send you by the post my 
 warmest wishes for a prosperous journey 
 and voyage, as this will be my last 
 epistle. 
 
 The account from Kew is not yet ar- 
 rived, but yesterday's was quite satisfac- 
 tory, that '' There appears this morning 
 to be an entire cessation of his Majesty's 
 illness." It is believed^ that after a 
 
330 
 
 message to both Houses on Monday, the 
 government will proceed as before. 
 
 There are two blazing hearths since 
 Tuesday in your bedchamber and dress- 
 ing-room. We have had almost incessant 
 rains since Tuesday, and much wind, 
 I hope you w^ill not risk any roads which 
 the floods may have rendered danger- 
 ous. I cannot bear the idea of danger, 
 or even great inconvenience or difficulty, 
 on no pressing emergency. You will 
 have servants with you, and I hope you 
 will provide against all accidents. Be as- 
 sured that I shall accept any bills which 
 you draw. 
 
 Bettv and James set out next Thurs- 
 day, as I mentioned in my last letter. 
 
 You have been so highly distinguish- 
 ed by your two Dutchesses, that I think 
 you should epistolize them both from 
 Calais before you embark for your na- 
 tive country. 
 
331 
 
 No prints have appeared worth send- 
 ing, and therefore I send no packet by 
 the diligence^ as only two common let- 
 ters have been left for you — If you think 
 of a trifle about a guinea value for me to 
 
 present to Mrs. B n^ I wish you to 
 
 bring it. 
 
 Adieu, my dearest daughter. Aijez 
 bien soin de mon petit agneau. Bon 
 voyage, 
 
 Mrs. Swinburne has just sent me word, 
 that she sets out for Paris on Monday. 
 
 The French post is not arrived at five 
 this afternoon. 
 
332 
 
 LETTER XC. 
 
 Prince's Courts 
 Wednesday Nighty March 4, I7eg. 
 
 MY DEAREST POLLY, 
 
 As the two servants set out 
 to-morrow morning at four, and will ar- 
 rive at Calais before you embark, I em- 
 brace this opportunity of wishing you 
 again a prosperous passage, and of saying 
 how welcome a guest you will be at 
 Prince's Court. Nothing could come 
 there more to complete my fondest wishes 
 than my beloved daughter. May her 
 voyage and journey be in every moment 
 and circumstance propitious ! 
 
 I gave James five guineas. One he 
 paid for the earnest to Dover of Betsy 
 and himself. Betsy I gave three gui- 
 neas. 
 
333 
 
 I have hired a good-lookuig footman, 
 in the room of poor Samuel, on the en- 
 closed recommendation of Mr. WaKvyn, 
 Member for Hereford. He comes here 
 to-morrow. 
 
 Your apartments here are perfectly 
 well an*ed, clean^ and in order. 
 
 The King, thank Heaven, continues 
 well. 
 
 Adieu y ma chere Jllle, hon voyage ». 
 
 END OF VOLUME Ille 
 
 S. GosNELL, Printer, 
 tittle Queen Street, Holborn. 
 
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