Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford, to Sir Horace Mann

abdicated favourite. Lord Clive. Lord Buckinghamshire in Russia.
Expected death of Madame Pompadour
April 9.-Reception by Sir Horace Mann of the Duke of York. The
Chevalier D'Eon's literary war with Nivernois, Praslin and Guerchy.
Walpole's opinion of Modern France. Marriage of Lord Ilchester's
daughter to O'Brien the actor. Lord Sandwich's contest at Cambridge.
The Gallery at Strawberry Hill

May 14.-Entertainments given to the Duke of York in Italy. Mr. Con-
way deprived of all his employments. D'Eon's book. His slander of
Madame de Guerchy.

PAGE

105

June 8.-The vacant red riband. Mr. (afterwards Sir William) Hamilton.
The box of essences. Marriage of Lord Tavistock to Lady Elizabeth
Keppel. Anecdote of King Stanislaus and Madame de Boufflers
July 27.-The Duke of York. Lady Temple. D'Eon found guilty.
Guerchy's departure. Czartoriski, Poniatowski, and Mr. Conway
Aug. 13.-Dearth of news. Turk's Island. Abrupt return of the Duke of
York. Death of Sir John Barnard and Mr. Legge. Stanislaus II. Ca-
therine of Russia
Oct. 21.-London deserted. Death of the Duke of Devonshire. Illness of
the Duke of Cumberland. The Cardinal-Duke of York. Panacea for the
gout
Nov. 15.-Death of Churchill the poet. His literary character. D'Eon and
De Vergy. (Nov. 25.)-Flight of D'Eon. Death of Sir Thomas Clarke,
Master of the Rolls. His successor. Manzuoli. The Duke of York.
Prince William created Duke of Gloucester. Reflection
Dec. 20.-Mr. Yorke. Death of Dr. Stone, Primate of Ireland. His cha-
racter. Separation of the Duke and Duchess of Grafton. The Duke of
York's ball. Comtesse de Boufflers. Ancedote. French mode of think-
ing. Madame de Beaumont. Richardson

1765.

Jan. 13.-Opening of Parliament. The Address. Mr. Conway and Mr.
Grenville. Lord Granby. Question of General Warrants. Approach-
ing marriage in the Royal Family. Intended wedding between Lord
Shelburne and Lady Sophia Carteret. Bustle in the Cabinet. The new
Primate of Ireland. Sir William Pynsent's legacy to Mr. Pitt
Feb. 11.-Debate on the question of General Warrants. The minority.
Colonel Barré. Lord Sandwich. Mr. Pitt. Approaching trial of Lord
Byron. Earl Berkeley
March 20.-Serious illness of the King. The Duke of Cumberland.
Schoualoff. Lord Buckingham. Walpole's proposed journey to Paris.
The wild-beasts in the Gevaudan. Wilkes at Rome
May 11.-Letter to Sir Horace Mann introducing Mr. Stanley, one of the
Lords of the Admiralty

Chaworth in a duel. His
Bon-mot of Monsieur Cha-
Provision for a regency.
Marriage of Sir Horace

May 14.-Trial of Lord Byron for killing Mr.
ácquittal. Strange situation of public affairs.
vigny. Precariousness of the King's health.
Party contest on this subject. Mr. Stanley.
Mann's nephew
May 25.-Eve of a civil war. Tumult by the weavers. The riot quelled.
The King's intention to dismiss his Ministers. Mr. Pitt's refusal of ad-
ministration. The old Ministers retained. Terms demanded by them.
Seeds of division and animosity. The Palace Pitti. Reflection. Mr.
Wilkes. Churchill, Mr. Pitt, and Charles Townshend. Walpole's wish
to retreat from politics

June 26.-Distracted state of the country. Season of faction. The King's
coldness to his Ministers. Lord Temple's extraordinary declaration.

106

108

110

111

112

113

114

117

119

121

122

124

128

PAGE

Anticipated new administration. Walpole's distaste for politics, and la-

mentation for the loss of his tranquillity

July 12.-Walpole afflicted with the gout. Liberty of the post. Mr. Con-

way's promise touching the red riband for Sir Horace Mann. The four

tyrants. Treachery of Lord Temple. Mr. Pitt. Change in the Mi-

nistry. Walpole's love of privacy and quiet. New officers of state.

Suicide of the Duke of Bolton. Lord Sandwich and his wife.

July 30.-False report respecting Sir Horace Mann. The new Opposition.

Lord Hertford's arrival in town. Walpole's determination to retire from

politics

Aug. 12.-Reflections on the gout. The red riband. Lord Sandwich's

abusive libels. Ministerial changes. The Duke of New-castle and the

bishops. The Princess Craon. Lady Suffolk at 80 years of age. Abju-

ration of papacy by the Pretender's eldest son. Madame de Rochford's

bon-mot. Instability of the Roman Church. The Duke of Parma. Lies

and blunders of the London newspapers

Aug. 27.-Representation to General Conway on behalf of Sir Horace

Mann. Walpole going to Paris. His fear that he shall not be able to

reach Italy. The marine belt. Mysterious event in Grosvenor Square.

Curious saying of Graham, the apothecary

Sept. 26.-Walpole in Paris. His reluctance to prefer a new solicitation

for Sir Horace Mann. His indifference to every thing in Paris. Prince

Beauvau's daughter. The Italian Comedy. Accident to the French Se-

cretary of State. Anecdote. Illness of the Dauphin. Expected tapage

from the residence of the Prince and Princess of Brunswick at St. James's.

French curiosity as to English affairs. The new Court at Florence.

Dearth of events. Reflection. Sir James Macdonald

Oct. 16.-Irregular delivery of letters. Interest made on behalf of Sir Ho-

race Mann. Walpole laid up with the gout in Paris. His rooted aver-

sion to politics and the House of Commons

Nov. 2.-Detention of letters in consequence of a dispute between the

French and Italian postmasters. Recapitulation about the red riband,

&c. Walpole renounces the world, except as it may give him amuse-

ment. The gout. Anticipated return to England. Strawberry Hill.

Reflections on kings and ministers. The nous-volons ladies

Nov. 13.-Earl Cowper. Death of the Duke of Cumberland. Glimpse of

changes. Death of the Emperor of Austria. Illness of Prince Frederick.

Expected demise of the Dauphin. Solitude of Paris. The Duke of

Beaufort's ball. Colonel Barré and Wilkes. Walpole's contempt of

Courts. Death of Lady Orford's second husband. Assurance of the Gar-

ter to Lord Albemarle

Nov. 30.-New dignity conferred on Sir Horace Mann, through Mr. Con-

way. Reflections on court-honours, and on the advance of age. A

few words to Continental postmasters.

1766.

Jan. 5.-Walpole's letter anticipated. Solicitation for the red riband. Tri-

umphant Ministry. Total abandonment of the late Ministers. Mr. Pitt.

Lord Temple, Lord Sandwich, and George Grenville. Death of Prince

Frederick. Bestowal of the vacant Garters. The red riband

Feb. 9.-Successful interposition to prevent the Pope from acknowledging

the eldest son of the late Chevalier as King of England. Rumoured

quarrel between the French Court and the Court of Vienna. Confusion

caused by Mr. Pitt's conduct. Lord Bute. Death of Lord Fane. Lady

Sandwich. Walpole's enjoyment of his holidays. The red riband. Treach-

ery and cowardice of the favourite. George Grenville

147

149

Feb. 29.-Question of sending troops to America. The Earl of Bute.

Firmness of the Ministers. Lord Bute's guardian Angel. The Cardinal-

Duke of York. Death of Lady Hilsborough. Mr. Skreene. Sir James

Macdonald. Death of Stanislaus. His character. Anecdotes. Funeral

oration on the Dauphin. Reflections on princes recently deceased. Eve

of a war. Letters from England. Ministers still triumphant and popu-

lar

March 21.-Repeal of the Stamp-act. Protests of the Opposition. Lord

Lyttelton. Grenville and Sandwich. Mr. Pitt dreaded by the French.

State of affairs in England. The Materialists

April 20.-Walpole at Calais on his return to England. Illness of Mr. Con-

way. Mr. Pitt's impatience. The Hereditary Prince in France. The

insurrection of the White Boys in Ireland instigated by France. Age of

revolts. Insurrection at Madrid. Declaration of Louis XV. Walpole's

satisfaction with France. His two lives. Impatience to arrive at Straw-

berry Hill. Arrival in London. Mr. Pitt. Lord Clive and the Great

Mogul

May 22.-Mr. Pitt pushes his haughtiness too far. Promotion of the Duke

of Richmond. A time for playing the fool. Big politics. Thundering

revolutions. Captain Byron's discovery of a race of Giants. Terrible

blow to the Irish. Discovery of a polished country. Lally's tragedy.

Herculaneum. Dearth of news. Backward summer

June 9.-Termination of the Session of Parliament. Short lease of the

Ministry. Proposed settlement on the Duke of York and his younger

brothers, opposed by Mr. Conway. "The great commoner out of hu-

Queen at Strawberry Hill

July 11.-Resignation of the Ministers. Lord Bute a maker of Ministries.

The King sends for Mr. Pitt. Difficulties. The son of Madame de

Boufflers. Walpole's letter in the name of the King of Prussia. Rou-

seau's resentment

Count Lo-

July 11.-Introducing the Comte de Boufflers to Sir Horace Mann

July 18.-Lord Temple's insolent demands. His rejection by the King.

Concurrence of popularity and integrity. A new birth-day for England.

July 23.-Mr. Pitt, the sole fountain of honour. The Duke of Grafton.

Charles Townshend and Mr. Pitt. Great families displaced. Uncer-

tainty whether Lord Bute is to be taken by the hand, or not.

renzi. Prince Ferdinand and the King of Prussia. French panic at Mr.

Pitt's name. The Prince of Masserano. Mr. Pitt's budget. Ministe-

rial arrangements. The Duke of Newcastle. Lord Bolingbroke

Aug. 1.-Mr. Pitt created Earl of Chatham. Anger of the City and the

mob at his elevation. Probable permanency of the Ministry. New Pre-

sident of the Council. Ministerial arrangements. Lord Temple and

George Grenville. Lord Hilsborough

Sept. 9. Further ministerial arrangements. Lord Bristol. Bad harvest.

berry Hill will prevent his living there. Reflections. His request for

some volumes of the Herculaneum

Sept. 25.-Increase of Walpole's illness. His renouncement of the physi

cian, and recovery. Appendixes of illness. Anecdote. Corn-riots.

Dearness of every thing. Luxury of tradesmen. Count Schoualloff.

Rasomoufski

Oct. 26.-Idle paragraph in the newspapers about Walpole. Reflections

on life.
Lord Chatham. Elevation to the dukedom of Lord Northumber-

land and Lord Cardigan. Indian affairs. George Grenville. Distur

bances about corn quelled. Sir James Grey

Nov. 13.-Thanks for Sir Horace Mann's attentions to the Marquis de
Boufflers. Meeting of Parliament. Lord Chatham's good genius. The

PAGE

Lord Mayor's feast. Lord Mansfield. The Duke of Newcastle, Lord

Rockingham, Lord Temple, and George Grenville. An Italian story.

Marriage of the Duke of Portland, and of Lord Mountstuart. Quarrel

between Hume and Rousseau

Dec. 8.-Division in the Ministry. Resignations. Renewed negotiation

with the Duke of Bedford. Junction of Lord Chatham and Lord Bute.

New appointments. Lady Holland. The "Buona Figliuola." Lovat-

PAGE

1767.

Jan. 21.-Affair of the East India Company. Inclement winter.

Feb. 13.-Ridiculous etiquette of the Tuscan Court. Insignificance of the

Duke of Tuscany. Two Oppositions. Deaths of some young people of

rank. The" Buona Figliuola" much in fashion. Walpole meditates

another journey to Paris. His reflections on his age. Recapitulation of

the personages and generations he has seen

March 2.-Unexpected defeat of the Ministry in the House of Commons.

George Grenville's political tactics. Consequences of the majority against

ministers. Causes of this event. Probable change of the administration.

The King resolved to support Lord Chatham. Öbstacles in the way of

the late Ministers. The country split into factions. The Court adverse

to Grenville. Lord Chatham. Walpole's advice to Mann. Gloomy

prospect

March 8-Ineffectual victory of the Opposition. Charles Townshend and

Lord Chatham. Lord Townshend. Debate on East-India affairs. Want

of union in the Opposition. Diminution of the land-tax. Address from

the grand jury of Buckingham. The King firm to Lord Chatham. The

Rockinghams. Lord Beauchamp. Lord Hilsborough. The Grenville

and Rockingham factions. Debate on printing the East-India papers.

Majority for Ministers

March 19.-Difficulties of the East-Indian affair. Dangerous accident to

Lord Tavistock. Desolation of his family. Effect on the Duke of

Bedford's party. Charles Townshends tergiversations. Stock-jobbing.

Approaching marriage of Mr. Conway's daughter to Mr. Damer

April 5.-Sir Horace Mann's fear of being removed. Advice to him. En-

deavours to cement the factions of Rockingham and Grenville. East-

India affairs. Serious illness of Lord Chatham. Dr. Addington. Delay

of public business. America. Lord Rockingham's party. Contemptible

squabbles. Death of Lord Tavistock

April 17.-Victory of the Ministry. The East-India business and the set-

tlement of America. Lord Chatham's good fortune. The Hereditary

Prince. Expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain

May 12.-Charles Townshend's speech apropos to nothing. Proceedings

of the East-India Company. Effect on the House of Commons. The

question on America. Affair of the Jesuits in France. Untoward spring

May 24.-Accommodation with the East-India company. Rejection by

the Privy Council of the Act of Assembly of Massachusett's Bay. Lord

Mansfield's speech. Trifling majority. The Duke of York's maiden

speech. His performanance in private theatricals. Lord Chatham's ill-

ness. New administration named by the Opposition. Expected retire-

ment of Mr. Conway. Walpole notifies his intention of no more coming

into Parliament

May 30.—Sir Horace Mann's present to Walpole of a bust of Caligula. Its

perfection as a work of art. Enamel miniature of Cowley. Montes-

quieu's letters. Cruelty of publishing private letters while the persons

concerned in them are living. Madame Geoffrin. Lord Holland. The

Duke of York in disgrace at Court. Approach of the crisis

June 30.-End of the Session of Parliament. Retirement of Mr. Conway.

Party manœuvres. Dissolution of the Government. Little Dogs for a

Great Duchess

July 20.-Interministeriums. Negotiation with the Bedfords. Another

with Lord Rockingham. Pacification of America. Return from India of

Lord Clive. Immense treasure brought home by him. Lord Chatham .

July 31.-Quarrel between the factions of Newcastle and Bedford. Lord

Rockingham's folly and impertinence. Mr. Conway and the Duke of

Grafton. Continued illness of Lord Chatham. Death of Lady Suffolk.

Her Character

Aug. 18.-Settlement of the Ministry. Advantages obtained by Lord Bristol

on giving up Ireland. His successor. Other arrangements., The Duke

of York at Paris. Walpole preparing for a journey to Paris. His wont of

political ambition

Sept. 27.-Walpole at Paris. Death of Monsieur de Guerchy. His cha

racter. Death of Charles Townshend. Acceptance of the seals by Lord

North. Re-establishment of Lord Chatham's health. Death of the Duke

of York at Monaco. Anecdotes. Madame de Barbantane. Lords Hol-

land, Carlisle, Cowper, and Warwick. Adoption by the French of whist

and Richardson's novels. The Pope and the Emperor

Oct. 29.-Walpoles return from Paris. Every thing profoundly quiet in Eng-

land. The Ministers firmly seated. Lord Chatham expected to re-ap-

pear. Rage of elections. Noble conduct of Mr. Conway. Death of

General Pulteney. Disposal of his vast property. Mrs. Pulteney and her

husband. Lord Holland. The young Queen of Naples. Arrival of the

Duke of York's body. Inoculation. Queen Charlotte delivered of a

fourth Prince

Dec. 2.-Triumph of the Ministry. Lord Rockingham's and the Duke of

Bedford's parties. The Duke of Newcastle. Lord Temple and Lord Lyt-

telton. George Grenville. Lord Chatham at Bath. The Duke of Bedford.

Divorce of Lord and Lady Bolingbroke

Dec. 14.-George Grenville's obstinacy. The Duke of Bedford and the Duke
of Grafton. New ministerial arrangements. Inconsistency of the Duke
of Bedford as regards Mr. Conway. Lord Weymouth. Walpole's resolu-
tion not to go again into Parliament. The devil at Petersburgh, and a
lunatic at Naples

Dec. 25.-Conclusion of the ministerial treaty. The Ministers. Their sub-

missions. The Duke of Marlborough disappointed of the Garter. Lord

Chatham. Walpole's anticipations of liberty. Strange and precipitate

changes

1768.

Jan. 17.-Renewed application on behalf of Mann for the red riband. Mr.

Conway's approaching resignation. Sir William Rowley's will. In-

clemency of the weather. Opposition lumps of ice. The Duke of New-

castle

Feb. 26.-Bribery and corruption. The corporation of Oxford. Debate in

the House of Commons. The minority. Death of Mr. Onslow, the late

Speaker. Arrival of Monsieur du Chatélat. Lord Cathcart. Anecdote