Books: The Letters of Horace Walpole Volume 3

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I wrote to you last Thursday and, by Lady Hertford's advice,
directed my letter to Nine-Wells: I hope you will receive it.
Yours ever.

(979) "I believe I said he was a man of superior parts, not a
superior genius; words, if I mistake not, of a very different
import." Hume.-E.

(981) John Craufurd, Esq. of Auchinames, in Scotland.-E.

Letter 323 To George Montagu, Esq.
Strawberry Hill, Dec. 12, 1766. (page 499)

Pray what are you doing?
Or reading or feeding?
Or drinking or thinking?
Or praying or playing?
Or walking or talking?
Or riding about to your neighbours?(982)

I am sure you are not writing, for I have not had a word from you
this century; nay, nor you from me. In truth, we have had a busy
month, and many grumbles of a state-quake; but the session has
however ended very triumphantly for the great Earl. I mean, we
are adjourned for the holidays for above a month, after two
divisions of one hundred and sixty-six to forty-eight, and one
hundred and forty to fifty-six.(983) The Earl chaffered for the
Bedfords, and who so willing as they?(984) However, the bargain
went off, and they are forced to return to George Grenville.
Lord Rockingham and the Cavendishes have made a jaunt to the same
quarter, but could carry only eight along with them, which
swelled that little minority to fifty-six. I trust and I hope it
will not rise higher in haste. Your cousin, I hear, has been two
hours with the Earl, but to what purpose I know not. Nugent is
made Lord Clare, I think to no purpose at all.I came hither
to-day for two or three days, and to empty my head. The weather
is very warm and comfortable. When do you move your tents
southward? I left little news in town, except politics. That
pretty young woman, Lady Fortrose,(985) Lady Harrington's eldest
daughter, is at the point of death, killed, like Coventry and
others, by white lead, of which nothing could break her. Lord
Beauchamp is going to marry the second Miss Windsor.(986) It is
odd that those two ugly girls, though such great fortunes, should
get the two best figures in England, him and Lord Mount-Stuart.

The Duke of York is erecting a theatre at his own palace, and is
to play Lothario in the Fair Penitent himself. Apropos, have you
seen that delightful paper composed out of scraps in the
newspapers! I laughed till I cried, and literally burst out so
loud, that I thought Favre, who was waiting in the next room,
would conclude I was in a fit; I mean the paper that says,

"This day his Majesty will go in state to fifteen notorious,"
etc. etc.(987)

It is the newest piece of humour except the Bath Guide, that I
have seen of many years. Adieu! Do let me hear from you soon.
How does brother John? Yours ever.

(982 Thus playfully imitated by Lord Byron, in December, 1816;

"What are you doing now, oh Thomas Moore?
Sighing or suing now?
Rhyming or wooing now?
Billing or cooing now?
Which, Thomas Moore?"-E.

(983) On the bill of indemnity for those concerned in the embargo
on the exportation of corn.-E.

(984) The following is Lord Chesterfield's account of this
negotiation:--"No mortal can comprehend the present state of
affairs. Eight or nine persons, of some consequence, have
resigned their employments; upon which, Lord Chatham made
overtures to the Duke of Bedford and his people; but they could
by no means agree, and his grace went the next day, full of
wrath, to Woburn; so that negotiation is entirely at an end.
People wait to see who Lord Chatham will take in, for some he
must have; even he cannot be alone, contra mundum. Such a state
of things, to be sure, was never seen before, in this or in any
other country. When this ministry shall be settled, it will be
the sixth in six years' time."-E.

(985) Caroline, eldest daughter of William second Earl of
Harrington; married, on the 7th of October 1765, to Kenneth
M'Kenzie, created Baron of Andelon, Viscount Fortrose and Earl of
Seaforth in the peerage of Ireland. Her ladyship died on the 9th
of February 1767.-E.

(986) Francis Lord Beauchamp, son of the first Marquis of
Hertford. His first wife, by whom he had no issue, was Alice
Elizabeth, youngest daughter and coheiress of Herbert second
Viscount Windsor. This lady died in 1772; when his lordship
married, secondly, in 1776, Isabella Anne, daughter and heiress
of Charles Ingram, Viscount Irvine of Scotland.-E.

(987) Cross-readings from the Public Advertiser, by Caleb
Whitefoord. [The paper was entitled, "A New Method of reading
the Newspapers," and was subscribed, "Papyrius Cursor;" a
signature which Dr. Johnson thought singularly happy, it being
the real name of an ancient Roman, and expressive of the thing
done in this lively conceit--of which the following may serve as
a specimen:--

"Yesterday Dr. Jones preached at St. James's and performed it
with ease in less than 15 minutes.
The sword of state was carried before Sir J. Fielding, and
committed to Newgate.
There was a numerous and brilliant court; a down look, and cast
with one eye.
Last night the Princess Royal was baptized; Mary, alias Moll
Hacket, alias Black Nell.
This morning the Right Hon. the Speaker--was convicted of keeping
a disorderly house.
This day his Majesty will go in state to fifteen notorious common
prostitutes.
Their R. H. the Dukes of York and Gloucester were bound over to
their good behaviour.
At noon her R. H. the Princess dowager was married to Mr.
Jenkins, an eminent tailor.
Several changes are talked of at court, consisting of 8040 triple
bob-majors.
At a very full meeting of common council, the greatest show of
horned cattle this season.
An indictment for murder is preferred against the worshipful
company of Apothecaries.
Yesterday the new Lord Mayor was sworn in, and afterwards tossed
and gored several persons.
This morning will be married the Lord Viscount and afterwards
hung in chains, pursuant to his sentence.
Escaped from the new gaol, Terence M'Dernan, if he will return,
he will be kindly received,"

Letter 324 To George Montagu, Esq.
Arlington Street, Dec. 16, 1766. (p-age 500)

I wrote to You last post on the very day I ought to have received
yours; but being at Strawberry, did not get it in time. Thank
you for your offer of a doe; you know when I dine at home here,
it is quite alone, and venison frightens my little meal; yet, as
half of it is designed for dimidium animae meae Mrs. Clive (a
pretty round half), I must not refuse it; venison will make such
a figure at her Christmas gambols! only let me know when and how
I am to receive it, that she may prepare the rest of her banquet;
I will convey it to her. I don't like your wintering so late in
the country. Adieu!

Letter 325 To George Montagu, Esq.
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1767. (page 501

I am going to eat some of your venison, and dare to say it is
very good; I am sure you are, and thank you for it. Catherine, I
do not doubt, is up to the elbows in currant jelly and Gratitude.
I have lost poor Louis, who died last week at Strawberry. He had
no fault but what has fallen upon himself, poor. soul! drinking:
his honesty and good-nature were complete; and I am heartily
concerned for him, which I shall seldom say so sincerely.

There has been printed a dull complimentary letter to me on the
quarrel of Hume and Rousseau. In one of the reviews they are so
obliging as to say I wrote it myself: it is so dull, that I
should think they wrote it themselves--a kind Of abuse I should
dislike much more than their criticism.

Are not you frozen, perished? How do you keep yourself alive on
your mountain! I scarce stir from my fireside. I have scarce
been at Strawberry for a day this whole Christmas, and there is
less appearance of a thaw to-day than ever. There has been
dreadful havoc at Margate and Aldborough, and along the coast.
At Calais, the sea rose above sixty feet perpendicular, which
makes people conclude there has been an earthquake somewhere or
other. I shall not think of my journey to France yet; I suffered
too much with the cold last year at Paris, where they have not
the least idea of comfortable, but sup in stone halls, with all
the doors open. Adieu! I must go dress for the drawing-room of
the Princess of Wales. Yours ever.

Letter 326 To Dr. Ducarel.
April 25, 1767. (page 501)

Mr. Walpole has been out of town, Or should have thanked Dr.
Ducarel sooner for the obliging favour of his most curious and
valuable work,(988) which Mr. Walpole has read with the greatest
pleasure and satisfaction. He will be very much obliged to Dr.
Ducarel if he will favour him with a set of the prints separate;
which Mr. Walpole would be glad to put into his volumes of
English Heads; and shall be happy to have an opportunity of
returning these obligations.

(988) Entitled "Anglo-Norman Antiquities considered, in a Tour
through part of Normandy."-E.

Letter 327 To The Earl Of Strafford.
Strawberry Hill, July 29, 1767. (page 502)

My dear lord,
I am very sorry that I must speak of a loss that will give you
and Lady Strafforct concern; an essential loss to me, who am
deprived of a most agreeable friend, with whom I passed here many
hours. I need not say I mean poor Lady Suffolk.(989) I was with
her two hours on Saturday night; and, indeed, found her much
changed, though I did not apprehend her in danger. I was going
to say she complained--but you know she never did complain--of
the gout and rheumatism all over her, particularly in her face.
It was a cold night, and she sat below stairs when she should
have been in bed; and I doubt this want of care was prejudicial.
I sent next morning. She had a bad night; but grew much better
in the evening. Lady Dalkeith came to her; and, when she was
gone, Lady Suffolk said to Lord Chetwynd, "She would eat her
supper in her bedchamber." He went up with her, and thought the
appearances promised a good night: but she was scarce sat down in
her chair, before she pressed her hand to her side, and died in
half an hour.

I believe both your lordship and Lady Strafford will be surprised
to hear that she was by no means in the situation that most
people thought. Lord Chetwynd and myself were the only persons
at all acquainted with her affairs, and they were far from being
even easy to her. It is due to her memory to say, that I never
saw more strict honour and justice. She bore knowingly the
imputation of being covetous, at a time that the strictest
economy could by no means prevent her exceeding her income
considerably. The anguish of the last years of her life, though
concealed, flowed from the apprehension of not satisfying her few
wishes, which were, not to be in debt, and to make a provision
for Miss Hotham.(990) I can give your lordship strong instances
of the sacrifices she tried to make to her principles. I have
not yet heard if her will is opened; but it will surprise those
who thought her rich. Lord Chetwynd's friendship to her has been
unalterably kind and zealous, and has not ceased. He stays in
the house with Miss Hotham till some of her family come to take
her away. I have perhaps dwelt too long on this subject; but, as
it was not permitted me to do her justice when alive, I own I
cannot help wishing that those who had a regard for her, may at
least know how much more she deserved it than even they
suspected. In truth, I never knew a woman more respectable for
her honour and principles, and have lost few persons in my life
whom I shall miss so much. I am, etc.

(989) Henrietta Hobart, Countess of Suffolk. She died at Marble
Hall, on the 24th of July.-E.

(990) Her great-niece.

Letter 328 To George Montagu, Esq.
Arlington Street, July 31, 1767. (page 503)

I find one must cast you into debt, if one has a mind to hear of
you. You would drop one with all your heart, if one would let
you alone. Did not you talk of passing by Strawberry in June, on
a visit to the Bishop? I did not summon you, because I have not
been sure of my own motions for two days together for these three
months. At last all is subsided; the administration will go on
pretty much as it was, with Mr. Conway for part of it. The fools
and the rogues, or, if you like proper names, the Rockinghams and
the Grenvilles, have bungled their own game, quarrelled, and
thrown it away.

Where are you? What are you doing? Where are you going or
staying? I shall trip to Paris in about a fortnight, for a month
or six weeks. Indeed, I have had such a loss in poor Lady
Suffolk,(991) that my autumns at Strawberry will suffer
exceedingly, and will not be repaired by my Lord Buckingham. I
have been in pain, too, and am not quite easy about my brother,
who is in a bad state of health. Have you waded through or into
Lord Lyttelton?(992) How dull one may be, if one will but take
pains for six or seven-and-twenty years together! Except one
day's gout, which I cured with the boolikins, I have been quite
well since I saw you: nay, with a microscope you would perceive I
am fatter. Mr. Hawkins saw it with his naked eye, and told me
it was common for lean people to grow fat when they grow old. I
am afraid the latter is more certain than the former, I submit to
it with a good grace. There is no keeping off age by sticking
roses and sweet peas in one's hair, as Miss Chudleigh does still.

If you are not totally abandoned, you will send me a line before
I go. The Clive has been desperately nervous; but I have
convinced her it did not become her, and she has recovered her
rubicundity. Adieu!

(991) "Votre pauvre sourde!" writes Madame du Deffand to Walpole,
on the 3d of August. "Ah! mon Dieu! que j'en suis f`ach`ee;
c'est une veritable perte, et je la partage: j'aimais qu'elle
v`ecut; j'aimais son amiti`e pour vous; j'aimais votre
attachement pour elle: tout cela, ce me semble, m'`etait bon."-E.

(992) His "History of the Life of King Henry the Second, and of
the Age in which he lived," in four volumes quarto.-E.

Letter 329 To George Montagu, Esq.
Friday, Aug. 7, 1767. (page 503)

As I am turned knight-errant, and going again in search of my old
fairy,(993) I will certainly transport your enchanted casket, and
will endeavour to procure some talisman, that may secrete it from
the eyes of those unheroic harpies, the officers of the
customhouse, YOU must take care to let me have it before
to-morrow se'nnight.

The house at Twickenham with which you fell in love, is still
unmarried; but they ask a hundred and thirty pounds a-year for
it. If they asked one hundred and thirty thousand pounds for it,
perhaps my Lord Clive might snap it up; but that not being the
case, I don't doubt but it will fall, and I flatter myself, that
you and it may meet at last upon reasonable terms. That of
General Trapaud is to be had at fifty pounds a-year, but with a
fine on entrance of five hundred pounds. As I propose to return
by the beginning of October, perhaps I may see you, and then you
may review both. Since the loss of poor Lady Suffolk, I am more
desirous than ever of having you in my neighbourhood, as I have
not a rational acquaintance left. Adieu!

(993) Madame du Deffand. The following passages from her letters
to Walpole will best explain the reasons which induced him to
undertake the journey:--"Paris, 5 Juillet. Je crois entrevoir
que votre s`ejour ici vous inqui`ete, et que la complaisance qui
vous am`ene vous coute beaucoup; mais, mon Tuteur, songez au
plaisir que vous me ferez, quelle sera ma reconnaissance. Je ne
vous dirai point combien cette visite m'est necessaire; vous
jugerez par vous-m`eme si je vous en ai impose sur rien, et si
vous pourrez jamais vous repentir des marques d'amiti`e que vous
m'avez donn`ees. Mon Dieu! que nous aurons de sujets de
conversations!"--"Dimanche, 23 Ao`ut. Enfin, enfin, il n'y a plus
de mer qui nous s`epare; j'ai l'esperance de vous voir d`ees
aujoqrd'hui. J'ai pri`e hier Madame Simonetti d'envoyer chez moi
au moment de votre arriv`ee; si vous voulez venir chez MOi, comme
j'esp`ere, vous aurez sur le champ mon carrosse. Je me flatte
que demain vous dinerez et souperez avec moi t`ete-`a-t`ete; nous
en aurons bien `a dire. Sans cette maudite compagnie que j'ai si
sottement rassembl`ee, vous m'auriez trouv`ee chez vous `a la
d`escente de votre chaise; cela vous auroit fort d`eplu, mais je
m'en serois mocqu`ee." Madame Simonetti kept the H`otel garni du
Parc Royal, Rue du Colombie. In a journal which Walpole kept of
this journey to Paris, is the following entry:--"August 23.
Arrived at Paris a quarter before seven; at eight, to Madame du
Deffand's; found the Clairon acting Agrippine and Ph`edre. Not
tall; but I liked her acting better than I expected. Supped
there with her, and the Duchesse de Villeroi, d'Aiguillon, etC.
etc."-E.

Letter 330 To The Hon. H. S. Conway.(994)
Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1767. (page 504)

Last night by Lord Rochford's courier, we heard of Townshend's
death;(995) for which indeed your letter had prepared me. As a
man of incomparable parts, and most entertaining to a spectator,
I regret his death. His good-humour prevented one from hating
him, and his levity from loving him; but, in a political light, I
own I cannot look upon it as a misfortune. His treachery alarmed
me, and I apprehended every thing from it. It was not advisable
to throw him into the arms of the Opposition. His death avoids
both kinds of mischief. I take for granted you will have Lord
North for chancellor of the exchequer.(996) He is very inferior
to Charles in parts; but what he wants in those, will be supplied
by firmness and spirit.

With regard to my brother, I should apprehend nothing, were he
like other men; but I shall not be astonished, if he throws his
life away; and I have seen so much of the precariousness of it
lately, that I am prepared for the event, if it shall happen. I
will say nothing about Mr. Harris; he is an old man, and his
death will be natural. For Lord Chatham, he is really or
intentionally mad,--but I still doubt which of the two. Thomas
Walpole has writ to his brother here, that the day before Lord
Chatham set out for Pynsent, he executed a letter of attorney,
with full powers to his wife, and the moment it was signed he
began singing.(997)

You may depend upon it I shall only stay here to the end of the
month: but if you should want me sooner, I will set out at a
moment's warning, on your sending me a line by Lord Rochf'ord's
courier. This goes by Lady Mary Coke, who sets out to-morrow
morning early, on notice of Mr. Townshend's death, or she would
have stayed ten days longer. I sent you a letter by Mr.
Fletcher, but I fear he did not go away till the day before
yesterday.

I am just come from dining en famille with the Duke de Choiseul:
he was very civil--but much more civil to Mr. Wood,(998) who
dined there too. I imagine this gratitude to the peacemakers. I
must finish; for I am going to Lady Mary, and then return to sup
with the Duchess de Choiseul, who is not civiller to any body
than to me. Adieu! Yours ever.

(994) Now first printed.

(995) Mr. Charles Townshend died very unexpectedly, on the 4th of
September; he being then only in his forty-second year.-E.

(996) "The chancellorship of the exchequer," says Adolphus, "was
filled up ad interim by Lord Mansfield. It was offered to Lord
North, who, for some reasons which are not precisely known,
declined accepting it. The offer was subsequently made to Lord
Barrington; who declared his readiness to undertake the office,
if a renewed application to Lord North should fail: a fresh
negotiation was attempted with the Duke of Bedford, but without
effect, and at length Lord North was prevailed on to accept the
office. Mr. Thomas Townshend succeeded Lord North as paymaster,
and Mr. Jenkinson was appointed a lord of the treasury; Lord
Northington and General Conway resigning, Lord Gower was made
president of the council; Lord Weymouth, secretary of state; and
Lord Sandwich, joint postmaster-general. These promotions
indicated an accommodation between the ministry and the Bedford
party; and the cabinet was further strengthened by the
appointment of Lord Hillsborough to the office of secretary of
state for America. The ministry, thus modelled, was called the
Duke of Grafton's administration; for, although Lord Chatham
still retained his place, he was incapable of transacting
business."-E.

(997) Lord Chatham's enemies were constantly insinuating, that
his illness was a political one. For the real state of his
health at the time Walpole was penning this uncharitable passage,
see Lady Chatham's letter to Mr. Nuthall of the 17th of August,
and his lordship's own grateful and affectionate letter to Mr.
Thomas Walpole of the 30th of October. Correspondence, Vol. iii.
p. 282, 289.-E.

(998) Mr. Robert Wood. He was under-secretary of state at the
time of the treaty of Paris.-E.

Letter 331 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
Arlington Street, Oct. 24, 1767. (page 505)

Dear Sir,
It is an age since we have had any correspondence. My long and
dangerous illness last year, with my journey to Bath; my long
attendance in Parliament all winter, spring, and to the beginning
of summer: and my journey to France since, from whence I returned
but last week,(999) prevented my asking the pleasure Of Seeing
you at Strawberry Hill.

I wish to hear that you have enjoyed your health, and shall be
glad of any news of you. The season is too late, and the
Parliament too near opening, for me to propose a winter journey
to you. if you should happen to think at all of London, I trust
you would do me the favour to call on me. In short, this is only
a letter of inquiry after YOU, and to show you that I am always
most truly yours.

(999) Walpole left Paris the 9th of October; on the morning of
which Madame du Deffand thus resumes her correspondence with
him:--"Que de lachet`e, de faiblesse, et de ridicules je vous ai
laiss`e voir! Je m'`etais bien promis le contrire; mais, mais--
oubliez tout cela, pardonnez-le moi, mon Tuteur, et ne pensez
plus `a votre Petite que pour vous dire qu'elle est raisonnable,
ob`eissante, et par-dessus tout reconnaissante; que son respect,
oui, je dis respect, que sa crainte, mais sa crainte filiale, son
tendre mais s`erieux attachement, feront jusqu'`a son dernier
moment le bonheur de sa vie. Qu'importe d'`etre vielle, d'`etre
aveugle; qu'importe le lieu qu'on habite; qu'importe que tout ce
qui environne soit sot ou Extravagant: quand l'`ame est fortement
occup`ee, il ne lui manque rien que l'objet qui l'occupe; et
quand cet objet repond `a ce qu'on sent pour lui, on n'a plus
rien desirer."-E.

Letter 332 To George Montagu, Esq.
Strawberry Hill, Sunday, Nov. 1, 1767. (page 506)

The house is taken that you wot of, but I believe you may have
General Trapaud's for fifty pounds a-year, and a fine of two
hundred and fifty, which is less by half, look you, than you was
told at first. A jury of matrons, composed of Lady Frances, my
Dame Bramston, Lady Pembroke, and Lady Carberry, and the merry
Catholic Lady Brown, have sat upon it, and decide that you should
take it. But you must come and treat in person, and may hold the
congress here. I hear Lord Guildford is much better, so that the
exchequer will still find you in funds. You will not dislike to
hear, shall you, that Mr Conway does not take the appointments of
secretary of state. if it grows the fashion to give up above
five thousand pounds a-year, this ministry will last for ever;
for I do not think the Opposition will struggle for places
without salaries. If my Lord Ligonier does not go to heaven, or
Sir Robert Rich to the devil soon, our General will run
considerably in debt; but he had better be too poor than too
rich. I would not have him die like old Pulteney, loaded with
the spoils of other families and the crimes of his own. Adieu! I
will not write to you any more, so you may as well come. Yours
ever.

Letter 333 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.
Strawberry Hill, Dec. 19, 1767. (page 506)

You are now, I reckon, settled in your new habitation:(1000) I
would not interrupt you in your journeyings, dear Sir, but am not
at all pleased that you are seated so little to your mind; and
yet I think you will stay there. Cambridge and Ely are
neighbourhoods to your taste, and if you do not again shift your
quarters, I shall make them and you a visit: Ely I have never
seen. I Could have wished that you had preferred this part of the
world; and yet, I trust, I shall see you here oftener than I have
done of late. This, to my great satisfaction, is my last session
of Parliament; to which, and to politics, I shall ever bid adieu!

I did not go to Paris for my health, though I found the journey
and the seasickness, which I had never experienced before,
contributed to it greatly. I have not been so well for some
years as I am at present, and if I continue to plump up as I do
at present, I do not know but by the time we may meet, whether
you may not discover, without a microscope, that I am really
fatter. I went to make a visit to my dear old blind woman, and
to see some things I could not see in winter.