the Continent. We have heard nothing but confirmations of that shining advantage, and assertions that the combined fleets mean to dispute the wall with Lord Howe. He has been detained by adverse winds; but we depend on Eliott's being as firm as his rocks (which are all that are left of Gibraltar) to maintain them till he is relieved, or has nothing but his rocks left to eat. The winds, the only powers that have made a figure in this war, have been playing the devil: we have lost two men-of- war; and the Jamaica fleet, that were dispersed by a storm are not all arrived. The enemies have probably not fared better; for the winds, like the armed nautrality, mean no good to any body.

This nothing is all I have to say; so, must tarry till something happens. I am sorry our correspondence makes us resemble vultures that live upon carcasses, and banquet where there is a notable destruction of the human species. Oh! I had rather it starved!

15th.

Our generals and admirals are very inattentive people! they seem to forget that our correspondence depends on them. Eliott and Lord Howe have not sent me a paragraph for you this fortnight. I have not a dish for your table, brother vulture! but a dozen Jamaica ships that have been cast away; and you are too much the representative of the royal eagle to be content with such vulgar food. A public minister cannot descend to feast on merchantmen. Well! if it is possible, you shall have an arm of the Compte d'Artois; or a leg of the Duke of Bourbon; or, which you would like better, on Mediterranean accounts, the heart of the Duc de Crillon! A propos, I hear Sir William Draper persists in bringing General Murray to a court-martial; of which he will probably make nothing.

16th.

I have just received yours of September 28th, when you had not heard of the destruction of the floating batteries; though it had reached us on the 29th, and even me, who live ten miles out of the world, on the 30th. I was told yesterday, that in London the siege is believed to be raised. I hope so, and that there will be no massacres there: though it is thought that the combined fleets will fight Lord Howe-it is not my opinion; but what signifies making conjectures on what is passed by this time one way or the other? I shall no longer wait for the event, but send this to town to-morrow, meagre as it is.

LETTER CCCLXXXVI.

Strawberry Hill, Oct. 23, 1782. SINCE I wrote last, I have received yours of October 5th, when you did not know of the demolition of the spanish floating batteries; which surprises me, as it happened on the 13th of September, and I had learnt it on the 30th, though certainly I take no trouble to get intelligence, but am here quite ignorant of all that passes. By the common newspapers I see that the raising of the siege is still believed, and that no account is received yet of Lord Howe, for which the public is as impatient as it is at present for any thing; which is because it is the chief object of the moment. The public does not fa

* On the 11th of September, Lord Howe had sailed from Portsmouth with thirtyfour ships of the line, several frigates and fire-ships, a fleet of transports, victuallers, and store-ships, with a body of troops on board, for the relief of Gibraltar. He was accompanied by as brave and able a set of naval officers as had ever been joined in any service. The following occurrence, which took place during the passage, is related by Mr. Tucker: "A battle with the combined fleets of France and Spain was fully expected; and, the enemy being in very superior force, Lord Howe was desirous of ascertaining the sentiments of the senior officers under his command, whether, if an option presented itself, the day or the night would be more eligible for the action. It was understood that, as against such an out-numbering force, his Lordship's own prepossession was in favour of the night, in confidence that the discipline and practice of the British fleet would compensate for their inferiority in numbers, while in the darkness the disparity would be less perceptible. On the first opportunity during the passage, his Lordship assembled all the flag-officers and captains on board the Victory, and having fully stated the probable chances, commencing with the junior officer, according to the practice of courts-martial, he requested their voice separately. Every officer accorded with what was supposed to be also the commander-in-chief's views, until it came to the turn of Sir John Jervis; but he dissented. Expressing regret that his duty compelled him to offer an opinion contrary, not only to that of his brother officers, but also, as he feared, to that of the commander-in-chief, he was satisfied, that, if the choice of a day or night battle were afforded, the former would be greatly preferable. In the first place it would give the fleet the benefit of the able direction and tactics of his Lordship, who might take the more prompt advantage of any mistake on the part of the enemy, or of any fluctuation of wind, to make a successful impression on the most vulnerable point. Then, the execution of any evolution they attempted would be materially aided by the admirable code of day-signals, which his Lordship had then lately introduced. While, in the mélée of a battle at night, there must always be greater risk of separation, and of ships receiving the fire of their friends as well as foes!' Sir John concluded by strongly urging the advantages of a daylight fight. After him the senior captains, and then Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Hughes and Vice-Admiral Milbanke, gave their opinion in conformity with the junior captains, Vice Admiral Barrington alone concurring with Sir John Jervis; only further observing, That he could not contemplate that any ship would be found wanting in the day of battle; yet, should there unfortunately be a shy cock among them, daylight would expose him.' It is related, that Lord Howe made no comment. The events of that voyage did not call his Lordship's discretion into exercise; but he seems afterwards to have evinced his sense of the soundness of Sir John Jervis's opinion, by the course he adopted on the evening of the 31st of May, 1794, when the enemy's fleet were directly to leeward of him.” Life of Earl St. Vincent, vol. i. p. 79.-Ed.

tigue its memory, or penetration, or anxiety, with aught beyond what is exactly before its eyes. I, in defference to the mode, and weary of having seen so much pass before mine for above sixty years together, have still greater indifference, as becomes me; and, since the nation cares so little about its own affairs, I do not think that a veteran half-superannuated has any thing to do with them, and accordingly the echo suffices for me.

I smiled at my nephew the Earl's giving you so good an account of my health. It is a true one; but he must have shot his knowledge of it flying; for he only saw me as our chaises passed each other, as he was going to take leave of his mother at Hampton Court: but do not mention this. When people come to me, they are welcome; when they stay away, they are welcome too: I make myself very easy about most things. When I was young, I had some unpleasant uncles: now I am old, I have not much joy in my nephews. Very possibly I am not a pleasant uncle to them, but at least I do not interfere with their pleasing themselves; and so, when we do meet, we are upon very good terms. I aim at nothing but to perfect tranquillity; and am so fortunate, that, if nothing disturbs me, my own temper never does. I carefully avoid every thing that can create any disquiet to me. Old folks are easily forgotten, if they will but have the sense not to put the world in mind of them. This is a favourite maxim of mine; I practise it very carefully, and I assure you it answers to my sovereign contentment. I find it one of the comforts of old age, that, if one has hoarded experience, one may live upon it very agreeably in one's latter time. One can execute one's maxims and good resolutions. In youth, our passions interpose and conteract them; but what hinders an old man from acting rationally, if he pleases? In truth, I think myself very happy: I have gout enough to serve as an excuse for any thing I don't like to do, and I have health enough to allow me to do all I desire to do. I am not so infirm as to be a prisoner: I am grown indolent enough to think idleness palatable, and yet can, and like to amuse myself. I perceive a gradual decay of my faculties; which perception, it is wellfounded, is a felicity, as ignorance of it might betray me into exposing myself; and I reflect with satisfaction, that, if my present ease should leave me, it cannot be for long.

I could have nothing else to say, when I have talked about myself for a whole page; but if to a friend of above forty years' standing a portrait of my wrinkles would be an acceptable present, why should not the picture of my mind be so? I think such a drawing one of the few things desirable: I cannot interest myself about the young world. The small number of my remaining old friends, and the memory of the past, are my most delicious enjoyments. However, as your life is not chequered with so many solitary hours as mine, you may not have a taste for such reflections; and therefore, when I have the least article of news to send you, I will not forget that I am your gazetteer, and not your philosopher.

LETTER CCCLXXXVII.

Strawberry Hill, Nov. 4, 1782. THE great news of the relief of Gibraltar by Lord Howe arrived this day se'nnight, and of the dispersion of the combined fleets by a storm, in which they lost two or three ships, and we none. This is a fine reproof to his Spanish Majesty's obstinacy. What pitiful beings are monarchs, when they knock their heads against winds and seas yet even then, alas, they knock other heads too! There is something sublime in this little island, beset with foes, calmly despatching its own safeguard to maintain such a distant possession. I do not desire a codicil with a victory, which must be dearly bought: there would be dignity enough in returning, after having performed the intended service. For these two days, indeed, there has been the report of a battle much in our favour, though with the loss of six ships; but I hear it is not credited in London.

You are going to lose your neighbour, Lord Mountstewart :* he is no farther off than Turin. They talk of some fracas of gallantry; but whether that was the cause, or politics, I am totally ignorant. I know nothing but what the newspapers tell me, or stragglers from town. Lord Northington is the successor. I am little acquainted with him; but he is a decent, good sort of a man.t

The Parliament will meet in three weeks; which must have some novelty, when the Administration is a new one. I wish it may be

* John Stewart, eldest son of the Earl of Bute. In 1783 he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Court of Spain. In 1792 he succeeded his father in the Earldom of Bute, and in 1796 was created an English Marquis, by the title of Marquis of Bute.-ED.

Robert, second Earl of Northington. The appointment alluded to did not take place. His Lordship died unmarried in 1786, when the title expired.

The short space of time that intervened between the death of the Marquis of Rockingham and the prorogation of Parliament on the 11th of July, afforded no opportunity of discovering in what manner the House of Commons stood affected towards the changes that had taken place in the administration of public affairs in consequence of the former event. The weight of the new Minister in that assembly, either froin political connexion, from private friendship, or public favour, was known to be very inconsiderable. The recess of Parliament was therefore considered as a circumstance highly favourable to the Minister, by enabling him to take steps for forming such alliances amongst the parties out of power, as might insure some degree of strength and permanence to his administration. Of Mr. Pitt's conduct

on entering upon the duties of his office, and of his attempt to induce Mr. Fox to become a member of the Government, the Bishop of Winchester gives the following account:-"Immediately after Mr. Pitt was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, he left Lincoln's Inn, and, having taking possession of his official house in Downing Street, from that moment devoted his whole time and thoughts to the service to his country. Besides a strict attention to the duties of his peculiar office, he omitted no opportunity of becoming acquainted with the business of every department of the State; and by his penetration and diligence he soon acquired variety of information both as to foreign and domestic politics. The connexion which had subsisted between Lord Shelburne and Lord Chatham in the latter part VOL. II.-23

I do

as new by being pacific, and not talk of one campaign more. not forget how often I have ended my letters with wishes for peacealmost as frequently as Lord Chesterfield talks of the Graces: however, peace must come sooner or later, which the Graces never did to his Cub.*

LETTER CCCLXXXVIII.

Strawberry Hill, Nov. 10, 1782.

I Do not know whether you are like those auctioneers who put up a lot at an extravagant rate, and then, if it sells but for what it is worth, cry," it is given away." I, if my footman goes on a message and executes it, am content; I don't desire he should have threshed another footman and spoiled his own livery. Lord Howe has relieved and victualled Gibraltar, and has been attacked by the combined fleets; who did not admire his reception of them, made him a bow

of Lord Chatham's life, naturally led to a considerable degree of confidence between Lord Shelburne and Mr. Pitt, different as their characters were in some important points; and there was, perhaps, at this time no person in the kingdom from whose knowledge and experience Mr. Pitt would have derived greater advantage. Towards the end of autumn, after an impartial estimate of the support which Government, in the present state of parties, might expect to receive in the House of Commons, it appeared to Ministers very desirable that some additional strength should, if possible, be obtained before the meeting of Parliament. Mr. Pitt, however, positively objected to any application being made to Lord North. He had resolved, from a sense of public duty, not to enter into any political connexion with a man, whose administration had brought so much disgrace and calamity upon the country, and whose principles he had so repeatedly and severely condemned. This deter. mination proceeded from no dislike to Lord North, with whom he had never had any acquaintance or intercourse, but from a conviction that a change from that system, which had been so long pursued, was indispensably necessary to rescue the kingdom from the dangers with which it was surrounded. But neither Mr. Pitt nor Lord Shelburne saw any reason why they should not act with Mr. Fox. It was therefore agreed, that an offer should be made to him to return to office; for which purpose Mr. Pitt waited upon him by appointment. As soon as Mr. Fox heard the object of Mr. Pitt's visit, he asked whether it was intended that Lord Shelburne should remain First Lord of the Treasury, to which Mr. Pitt answered in the affirmative: Mr. Fox immediately replied, that it was impossible for him to belong to any Administration of which Lord Shelburne was the head. Mr. Pitt observed, that, if that was his determination, it would be useless for him to enter into any farther discussion, as he did not come to betray Lord Shelburne;' and he took his leave. This was, I believe, the last time Mr. Pitt was in a private room with Mr. Fox; and from that period may be dated that political hostility which continued through the remainder of their lives." Life, vol. i. p. 87.-ED.

*Philip Stanhope, natural son of the Earl of Chesterfield; to whom the celebrated Letters were addressed. Of those Letters, which, on the death of the Earl in 1773, were published by his son's widow, Dr. Johnson observed to Boswell,-" It might be made a very pretty book: take out the immortality, and it should be put into the hands of every young gentleman."-ED.