upon his head, and lay motionless upon the road. It was not a great distance from the inn where he had this accident, to which place I ran with him in my arms. The symptoms at first were very disagreeable, the brain being undoubtedly affected. He was brought home as soon as possible, but the stupor continued for some time, and he had vomitings, which are the too sure indications of their having been some commotion of the brain. Blood was taken from him, and proper medicines given him, and in the morning there were no remains of any bad symptoms; his appetite and digestion continuing from that time perfect. My fears were not solely confined to him, for Lady Carlisle being present, and with child, you will suppose I had some uneasy sensations on her account. But she behaved, as she always does, with more composed courage in trying situations than anybody I ever saw, and I flatter myself the worst of this business is over. * Lady Anne is with us, and we expect Lady Derby to-day. The Ekins' come to us next week, if the French don't interrupt their visit. Lady Carlisle desires her love to you. I am, my I am, my dear George, yours most affectionately and sincerely, * CARLISLE. Lady Anne Howard, Lord Carlisle's sister. September 5, 1777. See ante, CHARLES TOWNSHEND, ESQ., TO GEORGE SELWYN. DEAR SIR, London, 20th August [1779]. I WRITE to-night to fulfil my promise without having anything to say. Some report that the French and Spanish fleets have stood out to sea; others that the "Ardent" is taken in her attempt to join Sir C. Hardy; but so many contradictory reports are given every hour, that we can depend upon nothing. When anything material happens, you may be sure of hearing from, dear sir, yours most affectionately, CHAS. TOWNSHEND. [No blacker cloud ever lowered over the political horizon of England than at this period. An inert and incompetent Administration at home; the people despondent, clamorous, and discontented; Ireland almost in a state of rebellion; the intelligence of renewed disasters, and fresh disgraces, arriving daily from America; the French and Spanish fleets riding triumphantly in the British Channel; the great dockyard at Plymouth lying at their mercy, and escaping destruction only from a want of enterprize, or intelligence, on the part of our enemies; our arsenals miserably deficient in military stores; our only disposable naval force, under Sir Charles Hardy, cruizing supinely in the Atlantic; our West India Islands falling one after the other into the hands of the French :-such was the dangerous and discreditable position of England in the autumn of 1779; a position which she owed to the incapacity of Lord North, and the obstinacy of George the Third; the former, it is true, the most amiable of men, and the latter, perhaps, the most virtuous and well-intentioned monarch that has ever worn a crown: both, however, alike unsuited to rule the destinies of a great empire, during one of the most important epochs in her history.] FRANCIS GREGG, ESQ., TO GEORGE SELWYN. DEAR SIR, No doubt you have heard how much they have been alarmed with the accident Lord Morpeth met with. The dear little fellow was running full speed, when a little dog tripped him up, and he fell on his temple; he was quite insensible for many minutes. The accident happened near the New Inn, where Lord Carlisle carried him in his arms, and sent for the surgeon from Malton. He was bled at eleven at night, and a letter I have had from thence on Tuesday, pronounces him better. The whole town is now, and has been for many days past, in great consternation, from the circumstance of the combined fleets of France and Spain having been off Plymouth ever since Sunday last. Sir Charles Hardy has not been heard of since the 12th, when he was off Scilly. He is supposed to be gone to the westward, and if so, the wind having been at north-east the whole week, we have been left in the most defenceless state, and have had reason to expect attacks, descents, invasions, bombardments, and every horrid name that can be thought of. The enemy's fleet lay off Ram Head, extending in a line of battle towards Portland: they are near an hundred sail, of which sixty are said to be of the line. As you may suppose they came here with an intention to fight, you may expect to hear of a most bloody engagement as soon as the wind is fair. We have had an account yesterday of the loss of the "Ardent." She was coming into Plymouth with some smaller vessels, and might not know the enemy was there, when she was attacked by two French frigates, which she beat off. They were supported by a 74-gun ship, which shared the same fate; but upon three more 74-gun ships joining in the attack (after an engagement, it is said, of an hour-and-a-half), she struck, but was quite a wreck first. What a glorious example of bravery! I think it must damp the Monsieurs and Dons. Let every ship in Hardy's fleet behave as well, and old England must be victorious. I am, dear sir, with much respect, your most obedient servant, FRANCIS GREGG. CHARLES TOWNSHEND, ESQ., TO GEORGE SELWYN. DEAR SIR, London, 23rd August [1779]. I HAVE just received your kind letter, and am going down to Frognall, from whence I shall return on Wednesday morning. An express arrived yesterday with an account that the enemy's fleet quitted its station, and steered to the westward. This is all I know. When I hear more I will write again. Yours, most affectionately, CHAS. TOWNSHEND. THE REV. DR. WARNER TO MADEMOISELLE FAGNIANI. THE morn that gave to Mie Mie birth, Of summer suns but eight have passed, |