* It is my intention, then, to resign all thoughts of being a candidate at the next election for the City of Gloucester. I have given directions for the election at Luggershall to be of Lord Melbourne and myself; but I do not propose to leave this place till I see if the chapter of accidents produces no event of which I can avail myself, and which may be advantageous to the cause which your Lordship would espouse. I am at present in a weaker state of health from a present disorder than I ever was; and if a canvass were necessary, such as I have gone through in former contests, it would be beyond my force. The difficulties are greater, and the probability of success less, than it ever was on other occasions of a similar nature. If a considerable sum of money would ensure success, I would not be sparing of it. I have a zeal for His Majesty's interest, and for the ease of his government, and I have attached myself to your Lordship's administration, so much in earnest and from principle, that I hope you will not doubt but that now I would do everything which could with reason be expected from me. But, at the same time, I have a desire that what private fortune I have, may not, in the decline of my life, be so impaired, that I could not end my days with some degree of ease and satisfaction. * Peniston, first Viscount Melbourne, a Groom of the Bedchamber to George IV. when Prince of Wales. He was advanced to the English peerage in 1781, and died July 22, 1828. I have been five times chosen for this city, which I must now relinquish, and been a member there for six and twenty years, which is longer than any one of my family ever represented it. I have supported two Oppositions, with no inconsiderable expense, and have subjected myself to the humours of these people, till I am quite tired of them. The best and most useful friends to me and my family, have been dead some time, and their sons and descendants have not only forgotten the obligations which their relations had to mine, but those favours which I have recently obtained in their behalf from your Lordship. However, it is right to acquaint you that there still remains in this place a number of friends to the present government, upon whose services I could safely rely if there was occasion for them. This number, upon encouragement, would be increased; and as I shall not cease to come into this part of the world where my estate is, so I shall take every opportunity of encouraging these dispositions, and, in every sphere in which I happen to move, shall exert my utmost endeavours to promote what I think the real benefit of this country, which is a support of His Majesty's government. I shall make good all the professions which I have ever made of attachment to your Lordship's administration, and shall remain, with the utmost respect, Your Lordship's most obedient servant, THE REV. DR. WARNER TO GEORGE SELWYN. Thursday evening, August 24 [1780]. JUST returned, with my neighbour Charles, from dining at Camberwell with Claude Crespigny,* Phil.'s elder brother, Phil. and many others. An immense dinner, and an ocean of claret! Notwithstanding the capture of our fleets,† how are we ruined when I find a letter from you in better spirits? I rejoice to hear that the little Queen is as well and as good as I wish her. I was going to say a thousand happy years, but as I wish her every thing that is most perfect, I will wish her but the multiplication of the first period towards perfection at which she will arrive to-morrow; being informed by a learned ancient that nine times nine is the most perfect of all numbers, and that when Plato died at Athens on his birth-day, in his eighty-first year, certain magi were for rendering him divine honours. * Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny, Bart., died January 29, 1818, at the age of eighty-three. + This evidently refers to the junction of the French and Spanish fleets in the West Indies, which naturally caused a temporary panic in England. (See ante, p. 358.) The pleasing tidings of the departure of the French fleet for Europe, and of the Spanish fleet for the Havannah, had not yet arrived in England. Verses! Yes, inter fumum et opes, strepitumque Romæ,-I nunc et versus meditare canoros.* But indeed, at present it is nothing but fumum et strepitum, for Don Gaston, as they call him, has carried off our opes, and of his threaden sails has made wings to our riches wherewith to fly away. It is all over, and we are a poor undone people, and what signifies who comes into Parliament ! But in our company to-day there was a certain Harry Parker, son of Admiral Parker, who has a place in the Admiralty, who assured us, that our West India islands would be still safe. It is charming, but who will believe it? Charles says, that the King has turned out Lord Pomfret,t because he had turned out an under ranger, which the King thought a hard case. He gave him three days to consider of it, in which, as his Lordship did not relent, he resigned. If it be true, it is fine poetical justice. I cannot hear a word from my cousin of Buckingham, though I have been induced to bid an hundred more. Pour le Duc, his house is shut up, and I know not where he is gone. * Dear Brother Barry, you are very good for your Horace, Carm. 19, lib. 3, and Epist. 2, lib. 2, v. 76. Midst Rome's thick smoke, her wealth, and busy throng, + George, second Earl of Pomfret, a Lord of the Bedchamber, a Privy Counsellor, and Ranger of the little Park at Windsor. He died June 9, 1785. kind letter, and very good for supporting our friend in his philosophy. Pray tell me how your little round-faced girl does, and kiss her chubby cheek for me. Look for the old tattered French dictionary, and if it be Lacombe's, send it me with our good friend's leave, it being too trifling a circumstance for him to advert to. Pray remember me kindly to the Alderman and all friends, and to Mr. Campbell who asked after me. THE REV. DR. WARNER TO GEORGE SELWYN. August 26 [1780]. DEAR SIR, THE Duke of Queensberry sent for me this morning to pay my rent, and to bid me tell you that he had received both your letters; that he rejoices that you are better; that he has been at Lord Barrington's,* and that he goes to-morrow morning to Amesbury to stay, he does not know how long,-in which I dare say he is very right. His Grace, I believe, measuring other people's corn by his own bushel, takes me to be as much William, second Viscount Barrington. He served, during a period extending over thirty-four years, some of the highest offices of the State, and died February 1, 1793, in his seventyseventh year. |