taken a temporary house. The world talks of peace would I could believe it! every newspaper frightens me: Mr. Conway would be very angry if he knew how I dread the very name of the Prince de Soubise. We begin to perceive the tower of Kew' from Montpellier Row ; in a fortnight you will see it in Yorkshire.

The apostle Whitfield is come to some shame: he went to Lady Huntingdon lately, and asked for forty pounds for some distressed saint or other. She said she had not so much money in the house, but would give it him the first time she had. He was very pressing, but in vain. At last he said, "There's your watch and trinkets, you don't want such vanities; I will have that." She would have put him off: but he persisting, she said, "Well, if you must have you must." About a fortnight afterwards, going to his house, and being carried into his wife's chamber, among the paraphernalia of the latter the Countess found her own offering. This has made a terrible schism: she tells the story herself-I had not it from Saint Frances, but I hope it is true. Adieu, my dear lord!

it

P.S. My gallery sends its humble duty to your new front, and all my creatures beg their respects to my lady.

729. TO SIR HORACE MANN.

Strawberry Hill, July 9, 1761.

Was it worth while to write a letter on purpose to tell you that Belleisle was taken? I did not think the news deserved postage. I stayed, and hoped to send you peace. Yesterday I concluded I should. An extraordinary Privy Council of all the members in and near town was summoned by the King's own messengers, not by those of the Council, to meet on the most urgent and important business. To sanctify or to reject the pacification, was concluded. Not at all-To declare a queen. Urgent business enough, I believe; I do not see how it was important. The handkerchief has been tossed a vast way; it is to a Charlotte, Princess of Mecklenbourg. Lord

1 The pagoda in the royal garden at Kew.-WALPOLE.

2 Lady Frances Shirley.-WALPOLE.

3 "I take the earliest opportunity to acquaint you, that yesterday my Lord Bute desired my Lord Hardwicke, Mr. Pitt, and myself to come to his office, when he informed us the King had for some time been making inquires into the characters of several Princesses of Germany, in order to choose one of them for his consort; that upon the fullest information his Majesty's choice had fallen upon the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg

Harcourt is to be at her father's court-if he can find it on the 1st of August, and the Coronation of both their Majesties is fixed for the 22nd of September. What food for newsmongers, tattle, solicitations, mantua-makers,' jewellers, &c., for above two months to come!

Though exceedingly rejoiced that we are to have more young princes and princesses, I cannot help wishing the Council had met for a peace. It seems to be promised, but I hate delays, and dread the episode of a battle. Bussy has taken a temporary house, and is to be presented here as Stanley has been at Paris.

You will be pleased with a story from thence: Monsieur de Souvré, a man of wit, was at Madame Pompadour's, who is learning German. He said, "Il me semble que depuis que Madame la Marquise apprenne l'Allemande, elle écorche le François." As the company laughed violently at this, the King came in, and would know what diverted them so much. They were forced to tell him. He was very angry, and said, "Monsieur de Souvré, est-il longtems que vous n'avez pas été à vos terres ?" "Oui, Sire," replied he; "mais je compte d'y partir ce soir." The frank hardiesse of the answer saved him.

Have you seen Voltaire's miserable imitation, or second part, or dregs, of his 'Candide?' Have you seen his delightful ridicule of the Nouvelle Eloïse, called 'Prediction ?'

I have often threatened you with a visit at Florence; I believe I shall now be forced to make you one, for I am ruining myself; my Gallery, Cabinet, and Round Tower, will cost immensely. However, if you can, find me a pedestal; it will at least look well in my auction. The brocadella I shall postpone a little, not being too impatient for a commission of bankruptcy.

I have not connexion enough with the Northumberlands to recommend a governor for their son. I don't even know that he is going

Strelitz. My Lord Bute read to us the letters from the person who has been employed, and indeed nothing can be more advantageous than the description and character there given of the lady." Duke of Newcastle to Duke of Bedford, July 2, 1761.-CUNNINGHAM.

1 "The lady pitched on to be our future Queen is the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelitz; one whose character appears everything we could wish, and that not taken upon very slight grounds. The numberless stories and insolent untruths propagated most artfully about this town have induced me to think that in accelerating this measure I was doing no unacceptable service to my King and country." Earl of Bute to Duke of Bedford, July 3, 1761.-CUNNINGHAM.

2 Walpole seems to have foretold the fate of Strawberry Hill.-CUNNINGHAM.

abroad. The poor lad,' who has a miserable constitution, has been very near taking a longer journey. His brother' has as flimsy a texture; and they have just lost their only daughter.

Adieu! We shall abound with news for three or four months, but it will all be of pageants.

730. TO THE HON. H. S. CONWAY.

Arlington Street, July 14, 1761.

My dearest Harry, how could you write me such a cold letter as I have just received from you, and beginning Dear sir! Can you be angry with me, for can I be in fault to you? Blameable in ten thousand other respects, may not I almost say I am perfect with regard to you? Since I was fifteen have not I loved you unalterably? Since I was capable of knowing your merit, has not my admiration been veneration? For what could so much affection and esteem change? Have not your honour, your interest, your safety been ever my first objects ? Oh, Harry! if you knew what I have felt and am feeling about you, would you charge me with neglect? If I have seen a person since you went, to whom my first question has not been, "What do your hear of the peace? you would have reason to blame me. You say I write very seldom : I will tell you what, I should almost be sorry to have you see the anxiety I have expressed about you in letters to everybody else. No; I must except Lady Ailesbury, and there is not another on earth who loves you so well and is so attentive to whatever relates to you.

?"

With regard to writing, this is exactly the case: I had nothing to tell you; nothing has happened; and where you are, I was cautious of writing. Having neither hopes nor fears, I always write the thoughts of the moment, and even laugh to divert the person I am writing to, without any ill will on the subjects I mention. But in your situation that frankness might be prejudicial to you: and to write grave unmeaning letters, I trusted you was too secure of me either to like them or desire them. I knew no news, nor could I: I have lived quite alone at Strawberry; am connected

1 Earl Percy, eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.—Walpole. Lord Algernon Percy. Lord Northumberland was not made a duke till after the period of the letter above.-WALpole.

with no court, ministers, or party; consequently heard nothing, and events there have been none. I have not even for this month heard my Lady Townshend's extempore gazette. All the morning I play with my workmen or animals, go regularly every evening to the meadows with Mrs. Clive, or sit with my Lady Suffolk, and at night scribble my Painters-What a journal to send you! I write more trifling letters than any man living; I am ashamed of them, and yet they are expected of me. You, my Lady Ailesbury, your brother, Sir Horace Mann, George Montagu, Lord Strafford-all expect I should write-Of what? I live less and less in the world, care for it less and less, and yet am thus obliged to inquire what it is doing. Do make these allowances for me, and remember half your letters go to my Lady Ailesbury. I writ to her of the King's marriage, concluding she would send it to you: tiresome as it would be, I will copy my own letters, if you expect it; for I will do anything rather than disoblige you. I will send you a diary of the Duke of York's balls and Ranelagh's, inform you of how many children my Lady Berkeley is with child, and how many races my nephew goes to. No; I will not, you do not want such proofs of my friendship.

The papers tell us you are retiring, and I was glad. You seem to expect an action-Can this give me spirits? Can I write to you joyfully, and fear? Or is it fit Prince Ferdinand should know you have a friend that is as great a coward about you as your wife? The only reason for my silence, that can not be true, is, that I forget you. When I am prudent or cautious, it is no symptom of my being indifferent. Indifference does not happen in friendships, as it does in passions; and if I was young enough or feeble enough to cease to love you, I would not for my own sake let it be known. Your virtues are my greatest pride; I have done myself so much honour by them, that I will not let it be known you have been peevish with me unreasonably. Pray God we may have peace, that I may scold you for it!

The King's marriage was kept the profoundest secret till last Wednesday, when the privy council was extraordinarily summoned, and it was notified to them. Since that, the new Queen's mother is dead, and will delay it a few days; but Lord Harcourt is to sail on the 27th, and the Coronation will certainly be on the 22nd of September. All that I know fixed, is, Lord Harcourt Master of the Horse, the Duke of Manchester Chamberlain, and Mr. Stone Treasurer. Lists there are in abundance; I don't know the

authentic: those most talked of, are, Lady Bute groom of the stole, the Duchesses of Hamilton and Ancaster, Lady Northumberland, Bolingbroke, Weymouth, Scarborough, Abergavenny, Effingham, for ladies; you may choose any six of them you please; the four first are most probable. Misses, Henry Beauclere, M. Howe, Meadows, Wrottesley, Bishop, &c. &c. Choose your maids too. Bed-chamber women, Mrs. Bloodworth, Robert Brudenel, Charlotte Dives, Lady Erskine; in short, I repeat a mere newspaper.

We expect the final answer of France this week. Bussy' was in great pain on the fireworks for Quebec, lest he should be obliged to illuminate his house: you see I ransack my memory for something to tell you.

Adieu! I have more reason to be angry than you had; but I am not so hasty: you are of a violent, impetuous, jealous temper-I, cool, sedate, reasonable. I believe I must subscribe my name, or you will not know me by this description.

781. TO GEORGE MONTAGU, ESQ.

Strawberry Hill, Friday might, July 16, 1761.

I DID not notify the King's marriage to you yesterday, because I knew you would learn as much by the evening post, as I could tell you. The solemn manner of summoning the council was very extraordinary people little imagined, that the urgent and important business in the rescript was to acquaint them that his Majesty was going to be married * ****. All I can tell you of truth, is, that Lord Harcourt goes to fetch the Princess, and comes back her Master of Horse. She is to be here in August, and the Coronation certainly on the 22nd of September. Think of the joy the women feel; there is not a Scotch peer in the fleet, that might not marry the greatest fortune in England between this and the 22nd of September. However, the ceremony will lose its two brightest luminaries, my niece Waldegrave for beauty, and the Duchess of Grafton for figure. The first will be lying-in, the latter at Geneva; but I think she will come, if she walks to it, as well as at it. I cannot recollect but Lady Kildare and Lady Pembroke of great beauties. Mrs. Bloodworth and Mrs. Robert Brudenel, bed-chamber women, Miss

1 The Abbé de Bussy, sent here with overtures of peace. Mr. Stanley was at the same time sent to Paris.-WALPOLE,