not get in. Coals were sold yesterday at seven guineas a chaldron; nor is there an entire leaf yet on any tree. Yet I can prove it is past the first of May by a bon-mot of George Selwyn that is much in fashion. He called on me that morning (the day the milk-maids and chimney-sweepers dance about with garlands:) "We have heard so much lately," said he, "of the Majesty of the People, that, meeting the chimney-sweepers with their crowns of gilt paper, I suppose they are taken for the Princess of the People, and that this day is a Collarday."*

When are you to have the Pope returned on your hands? I hear the Emperor walled up every door but one of the palace in which he is lodged, and set guards at it.

Your last is of April the 13th. You had not then heard of the Revolution, but was still talking of Minorca; which was totally absorbed in the late change, and has not emerged since, nor do I think it will, at least not from want of matter. Such a revulsion as the late one may stun; it does not compose. Virtue and reformation may give the new Ministers some momentary popularity, but it will not be equally durable with the resentment of the displaced and the cashiered; nor do I take the late crew to be so punctilious as the late Opposition: nor is the nation so very virtuously disposed, as to be genuine admirers of reformation. People must be wondrously changed, if they vote as readily from esteem as they used to do for pay. Esteem is no principle of union. When men are paid, they must vote for what they are bidden to vote. They will have a thousand vagaries when at liberty to vote for what they fancy right or not. The Ministers must continually

*The following is Hannah More's version of George's bon-mot: "Lord Pembroke came in laughing; I asked what diverted him. He told me he had met George Selwyn, who found himself very much annoyed in the street, with chimney. sweeping boys; they were very clamorous; surrounded, daubed, and persecuted him; in short, they would not let him go, till they had forced money from him: at length he made them a low bow, and cried, Gentlemen, I have often heard of the Majesty of the People; I presume your Highnesses are in Court mourning." Life, vol. i. p. 254.-ED.

The state of the Rockingham Administration in May 1782, is thus described by Nicholls: "The Cabinet was composed of eleven: five Rockinghams, five Shelburnes, the King retaining one, viz. Lord Thurlow. Every man saw that such a Cabinet was formed for contention, and that it could not long hold together. Every day brought forth new proof of the hatred of the parties to each other. The Rockinghams every where abuse Lord Shelburne for want of good-faith. The reply of the Shelburnes was, that they were noways pledged to Lord Rockingham. If any man applied to Lord Rockingham for an employment, and failed to obtain it, he had but to signify this the next day to the Earl of Shelburne, who immediately got the place for him. On the other hand, if a man went first to the Earl of Shelburne, his answer was You should not apply to me, I am not the Minister: Lord Rockingham is the Minister; he is the man to whom you should apply.' I had an acquaintance who succeeded with both of them: it was Humphrey Sturt, the Member for Dorsetshire. He applied to Lord Rockingham for a writership, in Bengal, for a younger

son.

Lord Rockingham answered, After the support you have uniformly given us, Mr. Sturt, you certainly are entitled to ask for such a favour; you shall have it.' A few days after, Mr. Sturt met the Earl of Shelburne riding in the Park. 'Why, Sturt,' said the Earl, how could you think of applying to the Marquis of

propose or support popular questions, or even yield to those who are running races of popularity with them; while the advocates for prerogative are crying out against inroads made on it. All this, I have no doubt, will happen, unless some master-genius gains the ascendant. Mr. Fox alone seems to be such a man. He already shines as greatly in place as he did in opposition, though infinitely more difficult a task. He is now as indefatigable as he was idle. He has perfect temper, and not on only good-humour but good-nature; and, which is the first quality in a Prime Minister in a free country, has more common sense than any man, with amazing parts, that are neither ostentatious nor affected. Lord North had wit and good-humour, but neither temper, nor feeling, nor activity, nor good-breeding. Lord Chatham was a blazing meteor that scattered war with success, but sunk to nothing in peace. Perhaps I am partial to Charles Fox, because he resembles my father in good-sense-I wish he had his excellent constitution too; yet his application to business may preserve his life, which his former dissipation constantly endangered. Another advantage we have is in Mr. Conway's being at the head of the Army. With him no body stands in competition. His military knowledge is unquestionably without a rival. His predecessor, Lord Amherst, was as much below all rivals. There is no word for him but downright stupidity. Had five thousand French landed while he commanded, he was totally incapable of preparing or putting in motion the least opposition. I could tell you facts that would not be believed, though known to every ensign in the army. The Fleet will now be united, and want none of its best officers. Lord Sandwich, though certainly a man of abilities, was grown obstinate, peevish, intractable, and was not born for great actions. He loved subtlety and tricks and indirect paths, qualities repugnant to genius. Still, I conclude, as I used to do before the change,

*

Rockingham for a writership for your son? I thought it would suit you, and I kept a Bengal writership for you.' My Lord, I have another younger son; give me your writership for him.' Lord Shelburne could not disengage himself from this voluntary offer, and Humphrey Sturt got both the writerships." Recollections, p. 46.-ED.

*"This session," says Nicholls, in his Recollections, "was the glorious campaign of Charles Fox; his health was entire, his troops followed him with confidence; he felt that he was gaining ground on every debate,

'His spirit lent a fire

E'en to the meanest peasant in the camp.'

I still retain the remembrance of the pleasure which I experienced from the events of that session; and, whatever mistakes Charles Fox might afterwards make, the service he did his country at that time can never be forgotten. His exertions terminated the contest: had it been continued much longer, the country must have sunk." Speaking of Mr. Fox in the following year, Mr. Burke said, "He has faults; but they are faults that, though they may in a small degree tarnish the lustre and sometimes impede the march of his abilities, have nothing in them to extinguish the fire of great virtues. In those faults there is no mixture of deceit, of hypocrisy, of pride, of ferocity, of complexioned despotisin, or want of feeling for the distresses of mankind."-ED.

T

let us have peace! We certainly are so far nearer to it, that these Ministers will leave nothing vigorous unattempted while the war lasts. The last neither thought of peace, nor took one proper step towards success in the war. The nation must have been utterly undone, had they remained a year longer in power. They thought their power secure, and really cared about nothing else; and many of them and all their tools and creatures wished for, and talked for, arbitrary power, as a cempensation for all our misfortunes and disgraces. Indeed, I tell you the truth. I have seen it and known it long, and have not the smallest private interest in my opinions. From my father's death to my own it will be evident, that I never received a favour for myself from any other Minister of whatever party.

LETTER CCCLXXVI.

Berkeley Square, May 18, 1782. FORTUNE'S Weathercock has changed once more in our favour; we were drowning, but now ride again in triumph through the streets of our capital, the Ocean. Two days ago we learnt the conquest of the principal Dutch settlement-on Ceylon; and, as we have not many tributary monarchs left, I suppose, shall bully that Emperor, like our predecessors. We expect to be up to the ears in rubies, elephants, cinnamon and pepper. However, as the House of Commons has at last had the decency to call some of our abominable Nabobs to account, and are going to squeeze Sir Thomas Rumbold's sacks of diamonds, and rupees, it is to be hoped that the poor Ceylonists will be plundered less impudently. I am partial to them, having been intimate with them as the isle of Serendep, from the days of the Arabian Nights.

But riches and cinnamon are baubles in comparison of glory. Today we hear that Sir George Rodney has defeated-ay, and takenMonsieur de Grasse in his own ship, La Ville de Paris, of a hundred and ten guns, three others of seventy-four, one of sixty-four, and sunk another of the line. We have lost three hundred, have seven

* On the 11th of January, the Dutch forts and settlements of Trincomale in the island of Ceylon, celebrated for its produce of the cinnamon-tree, were taken possession of by the combined forces, under the command of Sir Edward Hughes and General Sir Hector Monro.-ED.

On the 18th of May, the country was thrown into a delirium of joy, by receiving the intelligence of Admiral Rodney's victory over Count de Grasse, on the 12th of April. The scene of action lay between the islands of Gaudaloupe, Dominique, the Saints, and Marigalante; and bounded both to windward and leeward by very dangerous shores. The battle commenced about seven in the morning, and was continued with unremitting fury until near the same hour in the evening. Thirty-six chests of money, destined to the pay and subsistence of the troops in the designed invasion of Jamaica, were found in the Ville de Paris; a ship remarkable for her size and beauty, and which had been a present from the City of Paris to Louis XV. in that fallen state of the French marine which prevailed towards the close of the VOL. II.-21

hundred wounded (whom, alas! a West India climate will not recover,) three captains, and Lord Robert Manners, a fine young fellow, only brother of the Duke of Rutland, who died of his wounds on the passage, but not one ship; yet you see the action must have been bloody. Rodney was recalled by the new Admiralty, but recovers from his falls with marvellous agility. The late Ministers are thus robbed of a victory that ought to have been theirs; but the mob do not look into the almanack. The city of Westminster has just

former ruinous war against England. Wraxall who states that he had an account of the engagement from Lord Cranston, who was sent to take possession of the ship, as well as to receive De Grasse's sword, says: "The French Admiral had received a contusion in the loins from a splinter, but was otherwise unhurt; a circumstance the more remarkable, as he had been, during the whole action, exposed to a destructive fire, which swept away almost all his officers. He was a tall, robust, and martial figure; presenting, in that moment, an object of respect, no less than of concern and sympathy. He could not recover from the astonishment into which he was plunged at seeing, in the course of so short a time, his vessel taken, his fleet defeated, and himself a prisoner."-ED.

*Crabbe, the poet, who had this year, through the powerful recommendation of Mr. Burke, been appointed domestic chaplain to the Duke of Rutland, has given, in a note to his poem of "The Village," an interesting memoir of the heroic young commander: "Lord Robert's last action," says he "was that memorable one of the 12th of April 1782, when the Resolution engaged very desperately nine or ten of the enemy, in breaking through their line; which she did, the third ship to the Admiral. It was in this attempt that Lord Robert had both his legs shattered, and his right arm broken at the same instant: his mind, however, remained unsubdued; for neither at that, nor at any future period, neither when he was under the most painful operations, nor when he became sensible of his approaching fate, did he betray one symptom of fear or regret. It was with great reluctance he suffered himself to be carried to the surgeon's apartment, and he objected to the amputation of his leg, because he had conceived it would prevent his continuance on board his ship; but, being assured to the contrary, he permitted the surgeon to proceed. At this time all his thoughts and inquiries were directed to the event of the day; which being soon after announced to him, every consideration of his own misfortune was suspended, and he both felt and expressed the greatest joy and exultation on a victory so important to his country, and so fatal to himself. Being persuaded to return to England, he was removed on board the Andromache frigate; but, before he quitted the Resolution, he ordered every man whose good conduct had been remarkable during his command to come into his cabin; where he thanked him for his attention to his duty, and gave each a present of money, as a token of his particular regard. He prepared for his approaching fate with the utmost calmness and composure of mind; and, having settled his worldly affairs with his accustomed regularity and despatch, he ended a life of glory with resignation and prayer." Lord Robert survived till the 24th of April. In the admirable Life of the Poet, by his Son, the following affecting instance of the Duke of Rutland's affection for his brother is recorded: "Some short time previous to his lordship's death, his hat, perforated with balls, was sent at the Duke's request to Belvoir Castle. The Duke first held it up with a shout of exultation and triumph, glorying in the bravery of his beloved brother; and then, as the thought of his danger flashed suddenly on his mind, sank on his chair in a burst of natural and irrepressible feeling. A few months after Lord Robert's death, my father accompanied his Grace to London, and went to the studio of the Royal Academician Stothard; where he consoled his sorrow by giving directions for the painting of the beautiful picture from which the well-known print of the melancholy event is engraved." Crabbe's Life and Poems, vol. i. p. 117.-ED.

nominated our young Cicero, Mr. William Pitt, to replace Sir George as their representative at the next general election; the latter being a little under a cloud from his rapacity at St. Eustatia.* Now Mr. Pitt must exert some oratorical modesty, and beg not to dethrone a hero!

These naval rostra arrived very opportunely to stay our impatience for a victory over the Dutch, which we have expected a good week from Lord Howe's hands-charming victories, if they facilitate peace! We have two negociators actually at Paris; the principal, Mr. Thomas Grenville,† whom you saw so lately. It will be one of Fortune's caprices, if the son of the author of the Stamp Act and of the war is the mediator of peace.

Lest we should be too exalted by these successes, we yesterday drank a cup of humiliation. Both Houses, in very few hours, signed the absolute Independence of Ireland. I shall not be surprised if our whole trinity is dissolved, and if Scotland should demand a dissolution of the Union. Strange if she alone doesn ot profit of our distresses. It is very true, she has grown more fond of availing herself of our prosperity.

There, there is a better cargo of news than I have sent you for some years!

I have received yours with the melancholy account of Lady William Campbell, and the one enclosed for General Conway. I shall probably see him this evening, for I am confined by a little gout in my foot. I caught a violent cold last week, which turned to a fever and great oppression on my breast. Two bleedings carried off all entirely; but, as I expected, left me this gout in lieu. However, I know better how to manage an English mastiff that I am used to, than a tiger from Afric.

* "Admiral Pigot, who had been appointed a Lord of the Admiralty, and promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Blue, was sent to the West Indies, to supersede Sir George Rodney, who was considered to have acted harshly in the capture of Eustatia, by confiscating the property of its inhabitants. Pigot was despatched, and could scarcely have sailed, when the news of Rodney's famous victory over Count de Grasse arrived in England. Keppel, who at once perceived the impropriety of recalling Rodney at such a moment, sent an express to stop his sailing, but it was too late: a fast-sailing cutter was then despatched, but was also unsuccessful in overtaking him." Life of Keppel, vol. ii. p. 379.—Ed.

In the month of April, the British Cabinet made propositions for peace to the Court of Versailles, with a view to a general peace; and despatched Mr. Thomas Grenville to Paris for that purpose. The other Commissioner mentioned by Walpole was Mr. Oswald. Admiral Digby and Sir Guy Carleton were also sent to America, with instructions to offer an immediate acknowledgment of the independence of the thirteen colonies.-ED.

On the 17th of May, the two Secretaries of State, Lord Shelburne and Mr. Fox, moved in both Houses the repeal of the Act of George 1., for the better securing the dependency of Ireland upon the Crown of Great Britain; and also, that it was indispensable to the interest and happiness of both kingdoms, that the connexion between the two countries should be established, by mutual consent, upon a solid and permanent footing. The motions passed without opposition; and, in return for this liberal procedure, the Parliament of Ireland voted 100,000l. for the purpose of raising twenty thousand Irish seamen.-ED.